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Nov 28 - Cowichan Tribes to overtake its child services
Cedar Hill Middle School gets seismic upgrades, local hotel wins awards, salmonella outbreak hits the Island
Capital Daily Team
November 28, 2023
Good morning !
The Oak Bay Beach Hotel recently won two national awards for “best tourism business” and top 25 spas in Canada. I’ve never taken advantage of their spa services, but I’m always looking for a good excuse for some relaxation time.
Have you been to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel Spa? |
— Robyn
Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes
After having so many Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals pumped in front of us, we’re flipping the script to talk about giving, and celebrating it with Giving Week here at Capital Daily.
Now until Sunday, we’re giving everyone who signs up for an annual Insider membership a $10 gift card to a local coffee shop—so you can support your local newsletter and a local business at the same time.
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Cowichan Tribes to take over own child and family services
Photo: Cowichan Tribes Facebook
The Island First Nation voted on Friday to take over its child and family services, removing any involvement from the provincial and federal governments, with 83% of voters choosing to adopt the new law.
The Laws of the Cowichan People for Families and Children will focus on preventative measures as part of its child services, ensuring families never reach the need for late-stage interventions that would typically see provincial services involved. It’s rooted in traditional Cowichan teachings—or “snuw’uy’ulh”—with elders and other community members helping to create the laws.
“Its purpose is to keep our families together and ensure Cowichan children and youth remain in community,” said Cowichan citizen Sarah Morales in a video statement. “This law was developed by our community, for our community.”
Cowichan Tribes first began its negotiations with federal and provincial governments in 2020, making it one of the initial 11 First Nations to start this process after Bill C-92, An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families was passed. The bill was designed to address the overwhelming number of Indigenous children in government care.
In Canada, 53% of those in foster care are Indigenous children under 14, despite only representing 7% of the country’s under 14 population. In BC, Indigenous children made up nearly 70% of those in foster care between 2021-2022.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
COVID outbreak at Saanich Peninsula Hospital continues after beginning Nov. 8.
CRD reminder: Don’t decorate plants in local parks this winter.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
Cedar Hill Middle School to be anything but middle-of-the-road
Conceptual Drawing: Greater Victoria School District
Students at Cedar Hill Middle School inched a couple of shovels of dirt closer to a seismically upgraded replacement for their place of learning yesterday when construction work officially began at the nearly century-old school near Shelbourne and McKenzie.
The current school has an H-1 seismic ranking—the highest level of vulnerability—necessitating its replacement, which was approved in Dec. 2022.
“The new build will set a new standard for sustainability in the School District,” Nicole Duncan, the board chair, said in a release.
This is the first SD 61 middle school to be constructed since 2004, and it will be the board’s greenest—reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90% when it’s completed, which is expected to be in the fall of 2025.
Cedar Hill currently has 500 students, and the new edifice will have room for 75 more.
The new two-storey, low-carbon building will feature a mix of breakout learning spaces and neighbourhoods—groups of classrooms clustered around an open collaboration space for a more intimate learning environment—and 21 total classrooms, featuring sinks, technology packages, and windows to provide natural light and fresh air.
It will have six designated areas for students to learn art, drama, music, foods, and textiles as well as a skills and technology shop, and a braille room.
The gymnasium will feature an all-gender change room, and the library will have an Indigenous welcome space with exterior access to connect with the outdoors, where two sports fields, a basketball court, and gathering spaces will be built.
There will be additional parking, on-site pick-up/drop-off space, and a multi-use path along Cedar Hill Road with a raised curb and separated pedestrian and bike lanes.
The province is paying $42.9M for the project, while the school board is contributing $3.6M for a total of $46.5M.
SPONSORED BY THE VICTORIA FOUNDATION
Make a lasting difference in our community
Calling all millennials and Gen X’ers: Start your philanthropic journey with the Gadsden Initiative.
This Victoria Foundation program aims to engage a new generation in philanthropy. It helps curious and community-minded citizens build relationships with local organizations through a series of learning sessions, community-based activities, and networking opportunities. One of the program’s main goals is to make philanthropy accessible and engaging to more people, especially younger generations.
Inspired by Burges Gadsden, whose vision led to the creation of the Victoria Foundation in 1936, Gadsden Initiative members can explore the critical issues impacting our community, learn how their interests align with local initiatives, and explore causes they may want to support.
Create a meaningful legacy. Make a difference in your community for decades to come.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🏆 Oak Bay Beach hotel wins two national awards: The hotel has been named tourism business of the year, while its spa was recognized as one of the top 25 spas in Canada.
📜 Sustainable plans without any of the annual price hikes. Oxio internet is here to stay. Use code CAPITALDAILY for your first month free.*
🐭🍒 If you give a mouse Arbutus berries: Denman Island rodent snapped mid-meal enjoying a pile of red berries. [Photo / Facebook]
🎂 A Christmas food crawl: Victoria’s Off the Eaten Track is running a two-hour tour of local seasonal treats, from minty candy cane bark to macarons dressed up as reindeer to cheese from the Alps. [Tasting Victoria]
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
4 separate car incidents within minutes in Port Alberni
RCMP say they caught a driver doing double the limit, while simultaneously another driver was arrested for impairment after driving into a Canadian Tire, and moments later a third failed a sobriety test after hitting a parked car. Then, less than half an hour later, a hit-and-run was reported. [Port Alberni RCMP]
Salmonella outbreak update: 5 Islanders affected
The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) says there have been 12 confirmed cases in the province, including five in the Island Health region. The BC CDC tells Capital Daily there has been one hospitalization, and reminds the public not to eat imported cantaloupes sold under the label Malichita.
Canada’s oldest grocery store loyalty program switches over
If you collected Quality Foods points, they’re now More Rewards points, which the company says comes with greater buying power. The points are being converted at a ratio of 20:1 and not everyone is seeing the quality of that. [CHEK]
West Shore RCMP looking for a portable toilet arsonist
Langford Fire put out the Nov. 12 wee-hour blaze in a porta-potty at a construction site on Luxton near Sooke Road. The fire caused significant damage to the side of a nearby building. Police have video surveillance of the site, which shows a suspect taking off along the Chidlow Connector. [RCMP]
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🗓️ Things to do
Queen Kong: See the big band pay tribute to New York’s “radical Jewish culture movement” at Hermann’s, tonight at 7pm. [Info]
Ancient Forest Alliance year-end fundraiser: Join this fun-filled evening at the Victoria Event Centre with refreshments and a silent auction. Tonight at 6pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Best brunches in Victoria. [Tasting Vic]
Orca pod wows near Gulf Islands as sightings on the rise. [CBC]
Dozens of dogs help Victoria man overcome adversity. [CTV]
Warmer than normal winter expected on the Island. [Nanaimo News Now]
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