May 23 - UVic student's death to be investigated

Good morning !

This weekend is the Swiftsure Yacht Race—a favourite for sailing enthusiasts throughout the Pacific Northwest, drawing local and international participants (over half are from the US since this is their Memorial Day long weekend).

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 18 / 8

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 14 / 10

Saturday: 🌤️ 15 / 9

7-day forecast

NEWS

Overdose death in UVic dorm sparks coroner’s inquest and BC-wide changes

Sidney McIntyre-Starko, 18, suffered cardiac arrest in her dorm due to fentanyl poisoning in Jan. Premier David Eby has now confirmed a coroner's inquest, which can make policy recommendations but does not assign legal fault. 

BC asks schools to add measures to prevent overdoses

Post-Secondary Education Minister Lisa Beare told CBC on Tuesday that she had talked to all of BC’s public universities and colleges about improving student safety amid the toxic drug crisis by this fall. This would involve more naloxone distribution and training (including the easier-to-use nasal naloxone, which McIntyre-Starko’s parents have called for) and mandatory CPR lessons in high schools.

UVic and 911 responses under fire

As first reported in the Vancouver Sun, the parents obtained the emergency calls via freedom of information and argue that those show key mistakes were made. In the legislature, Premier Eby said the “timeline of events is profoundly disturbing."

Naloxone is safe and can prevent serious brain injury—which McIntyre-Starko ultimately suffered—but only if given quickly. A call was made almost immediately after two students collapsed, struggled to breathe, and were going blue (the other student survived). 

Campus security carries naloxone, but did not apply it for nearly 9.5 minutes and did not start chest compressions for 12. The 911 call-taker also took 11 minutes to ask about drugs and 13 to advise naloxone.

UVic claims the aid timeline was faster, but these numbers are from call records. UVic says it will review security dispatch policy, and will now patch emergency calls right to 911.

BC Ambulance argues its protocols were followed; the parents have sent a complaint to BC’s patient care quality office. Mother Caroline McIntyre, an ER doctor, also argues that in this drug crisis BC should have nasal naloxone widely available on campuses and training during orientation and in high school.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Victoria Pride schedule released, with events on June 13 and the first week of July.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Victoria councillors want Westshore to step up in unhoused, opioid issues

There’s a sentiment in various political quarters that Victoria no longer can bear the weight of the two major crises which have defined the last handful of years: the opioid crisis and the at-times-related housing crisis.

“We need to regionalize these solutions,” says Vic. Coun. Jeremy Caradonna.

“We’re still dealing with a 20th-century model where you concentrate all your services that support poverty in one place and that’s how you get a marginalized community.”

Caradonna—and he’s not alone—says the new model is to decentralize supports. Spread them out.  

“It is my opinion that the City of Victoria is taking the brunt of [it] because it has the majority of the wraparound services and housing for people struggling with substance addictions in the region,” Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi tells Capital Daily.

“It is my belief that if provincial funding could be provided to ensure there are adequate support services and housing in the Westshore then it makes sense that these services could be decentralized throughout the region,”  Kobayashi said. 

It’s the Field of Dreams conundrum—“If you build it, they will come.” It’s just that maybe it can be built elsewhere.

Read Sidney Coles’ full story here.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🎺 More parade photos, via the Festival Society and the always great Colin Smith. [Instagram]

⚾ 🏠 Habitat Victoria HarbourCats ambassadors wanted. [Volunteer]

🌊 Explore maritime innovation with Seaspan's Jennifer Busler on the latest COAST podcast. Discover shipbuilding artistry and cutting-edge tech shaping the marine sector's future. Listen here.*

🤝 Now hiring: Certified Dental Assistant at Peninsula Dental.

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🗞️ In Other News

Bear spray vs. tire iron: Tempers got hot over spot in lot
Nanaimo RCMP seek a Hummer driver who allegedly bear-sprayed a truck-and-boat driver—also catching his kids—while arguing over a parking stall near Walmart. The boater retaliated with an iron to the Hummer windows. [Nanaimo News Now]

Fire at Esquimalt bakery
Esquimalt Fire crew arrived at 8am to fight the blaze at Rising Star Wholesale Bakery, and soon had to call in other fire crews from Victoria and View Royal to help battle the large flames. The fire was deemed too dangerous for fire crews to enter the building and needed to be fought from the outside. The fire was under control around 10am. The bakery was completely destroyed in the fire, leaving all employees out of a job according to one of the owners. The fire started on the second floor and is currently being investigated. [CHEK]

Tow truck driver dead after medical emergency in View Royal
A truck drove off the road and stopped in the meridian on the Trans Canada near the Helmcken ramp on Tues. morning. First responders pronounced a man, 49, dead at the scene; he was determined to have had a medical incident. [RCMP]

🗓️ Things to do

💃 Rumba Latin Party: Join this night of Latin dance music at Paparazzi tonight, 9pm. [Info]

💄 Fern: A Drag Show: See local drag stars Vivian Vanderpuss and Woofie at the Fernwood Inn tonight, 7pm. [Info]

🎙️ Elaine Lakeman Sings Man Songs: The local singer will take on music originally sung by men at Hermann’s tonight, 7pm. [Info]

🎸 Strange Advance: See the Canadian new wave band at Charlie White Theatre tomorrow, 7pm. [Info]

🎧 Earth Freaks: Enjoy a night of psychedelic sounds at Victoria Event Centre tomorrow, 8pm. [Info]

🎹 Aquarela Do Brasil: Cuban pianist Pablo Cardenas will perform an evening of Brazilian melodies at Hermann’s tomorrow, 7pm. [Info]

😂 Drew Lynch: The comedian will perform standup as part of his Short Kings Tour at the McPherson Playhouse tomorrow, 8pm. [Info]

🎶 Music in the Park begins: Starting this weekend, Colwood will host weekly shows with local live music. Tomorrow’s show will take place at City Hall and Sat. at Lagoon West Park. 5:30pm. [Info]

🖼️ Scattered Artist Tour: Join the spring edition of the Saanich Scattered Artist Tour—check out the online map to find studio locations. Sat. and Sun. 11am-4pm. [Info]

😆 Jann Arden and Rick Mercer: This show features two Canadian legends: comedian Rick Mercer and singer Jann Arden in conversation at the Royal Theatre on Sunday, 8pm. [Info]

🐲 Awakening Chinatown: Immerse yourself in Chinese culture at this festival featuring traditional dance, music, arts and crafts, and games. Sunday, 12-5:30pm. [Info]

⛵ Swiftsure Yacht Race: The races will begin at Clover Point at 10am on Saturday—watch from dry land and cheer on local and international sailors. The racing weekend ends at midnight Sunday. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: Langford getting new high school; BC teacher’s career sealed with a kiss; London Drugs says it’s being blackmailed; And more. [May 22]

Bringing Indigenous healing to health care. [Capital Daily]

Some lottery ticket validation will be suspended this weekend. [BCLC]

It’s Swiftsure Weekend. [Thu.-Sun.]

Scotch broom busting. [CHEK]

Taking dogs to US has new rules for Canadians. [Global News]

Not-Emerson, still cute: Another elephant seal has left Cadboro Bay Beach [Photos]

That’s it!

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