Oct 11 - Lots of change for local ridings

Good morning !

Eight days ahead of the provincial election, we’ll take you through the changes some of our local ridings have undergone, both personnel-wise and geographically.
We’ll also take you to Ottawa for a huge national health victory that has BC and Victoria connections.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 15 / 8

Tomorrow:☀️18 / 9

Sunday: 🌤️ 14 / 11

7-day forecast

NEWS

Electoral tradition is not a crystal ball for election outcomes in the CRD

Shake-ups in the electoral map and a slew of political departures mark next Saturday’s provincial election which may bring some surprises in previously predictable districts.

The upheaval caused by BC United’s surprise fold into the Conservative Party makes this a more difficult election to predict across the CRD. However, in ridings where incumbents are running and where names and boundaries remain familiar, it becomes a little easier—not certain but easier. 

Three districts in the CRD have undergone name changes and their boundaries have been altered: Langford-Highlands created out of Langford-Juan de Fuca and a small portion of Esquimalt-Metchosin; Juan de Fuca-Malahat which includes Sooke, parts of Cowichan Valley and Esquimalt-Metchosin; and Esquimalt-Colwood which includes Esquimalt, Colwood, Vic West, and View Royal.

Another change you may notice: There will be 93 seats in the legislature, up from 87—with four new ridings in the Lower Mainland, one in the Interior, and one here on the Island. Welcome to the party, Langford-Highlands.

Read Sidney Coles’ full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Royal Victoria Marathon weekend road closures tomorrow & Sun.

Traffic disruptions and CCTV deployment for a downtown demonstration on Sat. 2-4pm.

Pandora pellet gun shooter: Police seek witnesses. [Video]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

Contraception bill passes in Ottawa, paving potential for national pharmacare

Teale Phelps Bondaroff is a Saanich councillor, researcher, policy maker, marine conservationist, and champion of Little Free Libraries—those cute homemade book exchange boxes that have popped up all over the place (we’re up to 870+ of them in the CRD).

He’s also the owner this morning of a great big smile.

That’s because yesterday in Ottawa, Bill C-64—the Pharmacare Act—passed its third reading in the Senate, positioning Canada closer to a $1.5 billion universal pharmacare program that will among other things, make diabetes and prescription contraception free across the country.

“We are super excited with the news,” says Phelps Bondaroff, who also is a co-founder of AccessBC, which has been lobbying for free contraception for the last seven years.

“I don't think a lot of people realize how expensive prescription contraception is,” Phelps Bondaroff tells Capital Daily. “And it falls disproportionately on women, people who get pregnant—$500 for an IUD.”

In April 2023, BC became the first province to provide free contraception and it’s been reported that in the first year and three months of the program, a quarter of a million people have benefited. 

Last month, BC became the first province to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the federal government to implement single-payer, first-dollar coverage for select contraception and diabetes medications. The two governments will negotiate an agreement once Bill C-64 receives royal assent.

“This is not only going to help improve health outcomes, but it's also going to make life more affordable, make life more equal, and the policy saves governments money,” Phelps Bondaroff says.

Contraception isn’t used solely to prevent unplanned pregnancy

It’s also used to treat chronic gynecological and menstrual conditions, hormonal acne, preventing some forms of cancer, and for gender-affirming care, Phelps Bondaroff says. “So, it's one of those things that not only does it allow people to exercise reproductive autonomy, but it also helps improve health outcomes in a wide range of contexts.”

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🌞 Victoria’s climate action: Have your say. [Until 11:59 tonight]

🤱🏼 Struggling to conceive? Trying for over a year, having irregular cycles, or are over 35? Talk to Olive’s fertility experts. Consultations are MSP-covered. Book now for personalized care.*

🦉 See owls at Rocky Point Bird Observatory birding station. [Mon. Oct. 28]

💻 Interested in tech? Victoria Tech Journal provides the most complete coverage of Vancouver Island's innovation ecosystem and events. Stay connected to everything happening in the community with this twice-weekly newsletter. Subscribe for free.*

🤝 Now hiring: Lead Medical Office Assistant  (MOA) at Sprout Family Health.

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🗞️ In Other News

Sooke carpenter sues RBC over Tesla stock advice
Christopher DeVocht claims he turned a 2019 investment of $88K in electric car stocks into a tidy sum of $415 million—then lost it all. His suit alleges, that Royal Bank and Grant Thornton LLP breached contracts, were negligent in their duties, and gave "inadequate advice" leading to the loss. None of the allegations has been proven in court. [CBC]

Fact-checking: John Rustad says downtown Vic foot traffic down 60% due to crime
“People don’t want to go downtown because they don’t feel safe,” the Tory leader said during Tues. night’s TV debate. The Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) says it recently switched pedestrian counters and won’t know current levels until calibration test results come back, likely sometime next month. CHEK looked at the DVBA’s 2024 annual report which found foot traffic from 2022 to 2023 pretty much the same, even up slightly in some locations where it has pedestrian sensors. [CHEK]

Return of the dinosaur: Liquor Planet T. rex back at booze store
The person-sized, red-eyed dino usually on display at the liquor store disappeared a few weeks ago, as dinosaurs do. Turns out, meteors had nothing to do with this archosaur vanishing. Someone swiped it and then sold it. A West Shore RCMP officer spotted it while on an unrelated call, where a resident said they had bought it second-hand. [Times Colonist]

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The election stories you won’t find anywhere else

Confused about what’s happening in BC? Make sense of the political moment by subscribing to The Run. The Tyee’s award-winning election newsletter is back, aiming its laser focus on the political future of the West Coast. Twice weekly this fall we’ll bring you the story behind the headlines, and break down key election themes happening across the province. It’s a free newsletter full of smart voices unpacking key issues, fact-checking politicians, and exposing disinformation to clarifying light. Know what’s at stake when you cast your vote by subscribing today to The Run.

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🗓️ Things to do

🕯️ Candlelight Halloween: Best Horror Movie Soundtracks. A multi-sensory musical experience. St. Ann's Academy. Tonight. 9pm. [Info]

🔊 A State of Flow: A night of psychedelic trance music with Youn1que, Xelhua, and SunSlime. Quadratic Sound. Tonight. 10pm. [Info]

🎵 Bollywood x Punjabi Night (Dil se Dil Tak Ep:3): Whether you’re a fan of Bollywood or Punjabi music, this event promises a perfect fusion of both. Victoria Event Centre. Tonight. 10pm-2am. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Conservatives’ John Rustad revamps overdose death recollection; How to vote before election day; Saanich garbage fees going up; And more. [Oct. 10]

Deep-sea droid checks our coast’s underwater cable. [Capital Daily]

Victoria-raised sailor’s America’s Cup hopes sunk in Spain. [Times Colonist]

Oh Sugar is releasing limited-edition ‘Swiftie Bars’ for a chance at VIP tix to see Taylor Swift in Van.

Phillips Brewing’s new craft beer bar at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.