Oct 26 - 73 Islanders killed by toxic drugs in last two months

Good morning !

Welcome to the weekend. We have a roundup of today’s Halloween activities in our Things to Do section, with plenty of spooky-and-sweet fun to be had. Get a peek at tomorrow’s events by checking out our weekly event newsletter This Week in Vic.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 12 / 10

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 12 / 8

Monday: 🌦️ 11 / 7

NEWS

73 more Islanders die of toxic drug poisonings

The BC Coroners Service (BCCS) is reporting 43 Island deaths in August and then 30 in September—the third-lowest monthly total in the past two years. For those two months, 27 of these deaths were in Greater Victoria. Central and North Island remained among BC's deadliest regions despite the lower total. 

So far this year, 93 people in Greater Victoria have died, which is on pace to be below the highs of the past two years but still higher than any year prior. However, the total of 130 deaths for the South Island—not just the Victoria region—so far in 2024, is still on pace to resemble the past two years. The entire Island has seen 367 deaths so far this year.

BC's total this year stands at 1,749 including the 187 and 183 added in Aug. and Sept. respectively. That is on pace to again exceed 2,000, though it is down about 8% from last year's high—in a trend seen across multiple jurisdictions this year.

The rate of female toxic drug deaths has increased year over year for the entire province, and is up 60% since 2020. The Island Health Authority has the second-highest rate of female death—30 in 100K—in the province. The Northern Health Authority has the highest with 50 in 100K. Both authorities had the highest toxic drug death rate overall. 

The drugs detected in these deaths have become more varied, the BCCS said, with fentanyl found in 82% of deaths in 2023-24, cocaine in 49%, methamphetamines in 44%, and bromazolam (a particularly potent benzodiazepine) in 36%. The variation in drug mixture—often hard to predict—has made reversing overdoses more complicated, according to BC paramedics. 

Substance UVic’s latest report on checked drugs in Victoria showed a decrease in opioids cut with benzodiazepines in recent weeks. The BCCS report also cited fewer deaths this year involving the presence of carfentanil—an opioid 10K times more powerful than fentanyl—than in the previous two years.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Boil water advisory issued for East Sooke. [CRD]

Wind warnings to continue this morning for Greater Victoria.

Downtown protest expected around 2pm today for north Gaza & Lebanon.

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NEWS

Gender parity reached in BC’s election, but future of reproductive rights unclear

BC Elections officials will be counting ballots this weekend to determine who won last Sat.’s vote, although one grouping already has emerged as winners: women.

Female candidates are ahead in or have won 48 of 93 ridings, representing a historic high of 52%. This makes BC the first province to achieve gender parity in its legislature. The previous parliament’s composition was 42% women.

The NDP elected 31 women and 15 men to its caucus, if results hold, meaning two-thirds of New Democrats sitting in the legislature will be women. That’s in strong contrast to the other party that could govern, depending on who comes out on top over the next few days—the Conservatives, whose slate of candidates was 74% male. The Conservatives have 17 women and 28 men who are ahead or have won their ridings.

Ridings-wise, women won in Oak Bay, Saanich South, Victoria–Beacon Hill, Esquimalt, and Victoria–Swan Lake. Juan de Fuca–Malahat remains in ‘recount’ status with a razor-thin divide between Conservative candidate Marina Sapozhnikov (8,923) and the NDP’s Dana Lajeunesse (8,946). 

Read how gender parity in government can benefit women—and why women’s rights, including reproductive rights, are still at stake despite this parity. 

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⭐️ Capital Picks

📚 Surprise Halloween books in Little Free Libraries. [Info]

🦅 Spooky birds: Ominous-looking vultures sit in a tree with an eagle in Goldstream Park. [Facebook photo]

🗞️ In Other News

Man found dead in Cowichan waters, RCMP investigating
The man, 26, had been missing since Mon., with RCMP notified on Wed. A multi-disciplinary search was launched Thurs., including a land, air, and water search. He was found in Cowichan Bay mid-day Thurs. There are no initial signs of criminality,  but the investigation is still in an early stage, say RCMP. [RCMP]

2 of 3 swiped sculptures recovered, hummingbird still missing
Driftwood sculptures of a kingfisher and a squirrel have been retrieved and returned to their artist, West Shore RCMP said yesterday. The sculptures—along with one of the fast ‘fairy’—were stolen earlier this month from their waterfront display area on Ocean Blvd., near Esquimalt Lagoon. A wooden likeness of an owl wasn’t taken but was damaged. Police haven’t made any arrests. They welcome tips on who took—and then allowed the artist to recoup—the art. [RCMP]

Council backs car-free apartment building to replace Broughton parking lot
The proposed six-storey beside the Y would have no on-site parking, despite current zoning regulations calling for 25 parking stalls for a building of its size. The project outlines having 58 long-term bike stalls, with a bike wash and repair station. Victoria’s city council voted unanimously in favour of the project, citing that 40% of downtown households are car-free. [Times Colonist]

Central Saanich refuses to consider affordable housing plans for seniors, vets, and health-care workers 
It looks like a plan to build 192 units–with 40% earmarked affordable housing—on the corner of East Saanich and Hovey has been deep-sixed before the public got a chance to suss it out. Aryze Developments and the South Vancouver Island Housing Society want to build two apartment buildings with dedicated affordable housing for health-care workers starting at $1,200 a month, and 62 units for seniors renting for $900-1,100 /month. On Mon., council didn't pass a motion to allow the project to proceed to public feedback—essentially sidetracking the proposal. [CHEK]

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🗓️ Things to do

👻 Spooktacular Species: Discover fascinating creatures with a rotating display of spooky species and a scavenger hunt at the Butterfly Gardens today. 10am-2pm. [Info]

🍬 Victoria’s Premier Halloween Market: An annual Halloween market showcasing handmade vendors—from the spooky to the sweet—at the Da Vinci Centre today and tomorrow. [Info]

🎃 Halloween at Bilston Creek Farm: Visit the Metchosin farm for pumpkin decorating, games, sweet treats, a treasure hunt, and more today and tomorrow. 11am-5pm. [Info]

🧙 Halloween Stories & Scavenger Hunt: A fun, family-friendly tale of past and present Halloween traditions at Merridale Cidery & Distillery today and tomorrow. 12-2pm. [Info]

👺 Halloween Costume Contest: Mayfair Mall is hosting a halloween costume contest event with $1000 worth of prizes. Kids and adults can take part today. 1-3pm. [Info]

🧟 A-scare-ium of the Salish Sea: Visit the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea for spooks, scares, sweets, and other treats today. 4-8pm. [Info]

🪩 After Dark Halloween Party: Grab your best retro outfit for a special vintage Halloween party at the Westin Bear Mountain Resort’s Ballroom tonight. 8pm. [Info]

Want more weekend events? Check out our recent edition of This Week in Vic. Subscribe for weekly events in your inbox every Tuesday!

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: Where to see salmon runs on the Island; Beach wood art stolen in Colwood; New pickleball courts for the Westshore. [Oct. 25]

Arrested: wanted person Hugh Garlow. [VicPD]

Draft Quadra McKenzie Plan online survey. [Until Nov. 26]

Rare turtle: from Victoria to San Diego, with love. [CHEK]