Nov 29 - OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to pay opioid damages

Good morning !

This morning at 11:30, the BC Lions and CFL are scheduled to make what they’re calling a “major” announcement at the Victoria Conference Centre.

The team’s owner, CFL commish, Vic mayor, and tourism folks are all going to be there, so it’s gotta be something kinda big, right?

As they say so often in the wide world of sports—we shall see.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌫️ 7 / 2

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 6 / 2

Friday: 🌧️ 7 / 4

7-day forecast

NEWS

BC reaches $150M settlement with OxyContin manufacturer Purdue Pharma in opioid suit

British Columbia has reached the largest-ever settlement of a government health claim in our country’s history by agreeing to a $150M compensation package from Purdue Pharma, the pharmaceutical company that manufactured the uber-addictive opioid OxyContin.

“We are holding multinational pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in today’s public health emergency,” Niki Sharma, BC’s attorney general said. The provincial government alleges these companies engaged in “deceptive marketing tactics to increase sales, which led to an increased rate of addictions and overdose,” she added.

The settlement is part of a class-action lawsuit filed against “dozens” of companies in the pharmaceutical sector to take monetary responsibility for the health-care costs that have come about due to the toxic drug crisis, the AG said. 

“While no amount of money will ever bring back the people who have lost their lives due to toxic unregulated drugs, our battle against the wrongful conduct of businesses and their marketing consultants is another meaningful step to address the toxic drug crisis,” Sharma said.

Read more here about the action against Purdue’s Sackler family, and how BC has been the vanguard of the class action, supporting other levels of government across the country.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Quadra-McKenzie Study community workshop: Help shape the future of this area. Register here.

Blue-green algae bloom. Don’t let your pet drink from or swim in Beaver Lake. Same for Durrance and Thetis lakes.

NEWS

Development duo could spell housing win for Saanich seniors and workers

Aryze Developments and Legion Manor Victoria are teaming up to build housing for seniors, senior veterans, and workers in Saanich. The proposed project would be built on land Aryze has acquired along Hovey, near East Saanich.

The project addresses the region’s housing gap for emerging young families and seniors wanting to age in place.

The project has to meet a number of challenges, including re-zoning and government financing applications from both parties. There is some risk in making sure all the hurdles can be cleared because the success of the project relies on a kind of domino relationship where if one piece fails, it all fails.

Partnering with the Manor enables Aryze to take advantage of Saanich’s new Development Cost Charge Reduction bylaw, based on the eligibility criteria that the Legion’s building be a not-for-profit rental housing development that will include an assisted living component, and is owned by the not-for-profit society incorporated under the Societies Act.

The project will take a bite out of a two-year waiting list at the Legion Manor and also provide badly needed housing for workers and their families in the growing district. 

In another project, Aryze is hoping to reach an agreement with Shoreline Medical and the Saanich Peninsula Hospital which would allow them to secure housing for health-care workers on their two-acre site.

Read Sidney Coles’ full story here.

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Sound good? Consult with one of their counsellors for free.

⭐️ Capital Picks

⚾ HarbourCats Annual Christmas Open House. Today and tomorrow. [Info]

🚴‍♀️ Why book a VO2 max test? It’s the best metric to improve if you want to live longer. Measure your cardiovascular fitness level and optimize your training with Tall Tree Health.*

📷 A “beautiful sea goddess” made of jelly: Alongside fascinating photos from North Island waters, The Marine Detective explains Orange-tipped Sea Gooseberries—a type of bioluminescent comb jelly. [Facebook]

🔖 Add to Cart: Get $20-$50 in Gift Card Savings from the Bay Centre. While quantities last. Buy now!*

🎺 Now Hiring: Manager of Donor Relations at Victoria Conservatory of Music.

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🗞️ In Other News

Saanich girl with life-threatening illness donates toys to hospital 
During her time at Victoria General Hospital, Jamie-Lynn Frommelt, 7, saw a need for more joyful outlets for kids in treatment. When she left, she fundraised more than $2,600 to buy “boxes and boxes” of toys for all ages. [CTV]

Review agency says BC RCMP unit under investigation is stalling process
A federal look into the policies and practices of C-IRG—which polices major protests around BC resource projects, such as Fairy Creek—is not receiving the materials it needs, the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission says. [CBC]

Loan repayment deadlines ail BC’s flat craft beer sector
There are more than 200 in the province—including some delicious outlets here in Vic—and those who took out Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans during the pandemic have to pay them back come Jan. With a consumer shift away from beer, money is tight for some brewers, and the BC Craft Brewers Guild worries the situation may come to a head with some companies unable to pay the money back. [CHEK]

New supportive housing opens on Yates in Fernwood
Most of the Juniper’s 46 units will be taken by residents leaving the decommissioned Mount Tolmie Hospital. The six-storey modular housing building is the fifth of six new projects that will help more than 280 people experiencing homelessness. [Times Colonist]

BC SPCA rescues 40+ dogs and cats found in bleak conditions 
The 37 dogs, including seven puppies, along with five cats were found in a home on a Gulf Island near Nanaimo. Some of the animals were found inside the walls of the home, which had no running water. [BC SPCA]

🗓️ Things to do

🎅 19th Saanichton Community Christmas & Food Bank Fundraiser. Starts at St. Mary’s Church. Sat. 9am-1pm. [Tickets]

🎄The 42nd Annual Dickens Fair. Food. Crafts. Gifts. James Bay Community Centre. Saturday. 10am-4pm. [Info]

🚛 Langford Light Up & IEOA Truck Parade. Turning on the lights to kickstart the holiday season. Sat. The Langford Station. 3-7pm. [Info]

🎷 Music of Phil Nimmons. UVic’s Jazz and Creative Music Ensemble will celebrate Nimmon’s 100th b-day with a selection of his work. Phillip T. Young Hall. Tonight. 8pm. [By donation] [Live stream]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tue. headlines: Construction begins on new Cedar Hill Middle School, warm winter expected for the Island, Christmas food crawl. [Newsletter]

Cowichan Tribes opt to control their own child and family services. [Capital Daily] 

Amazing Orcas waterdance near Galiano Island. Video. [CBC]

Victoria Hospitals Foundation’s gala raises a record $2.5M for medical-imaging equipment at Jube and Vic General hospitals. [CTV]

Former Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District teacher’s teaching certificate canceled after admitted misconduct with ex-student. [Times Colonist]

That’s it!

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