Sat. May 20 - Worker killed by SUV crash identified

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

The long weekend is now officially underway. Plenty of people on and off the Island consider this essentially the start of summer—are you one of them?

NEWS

Oak Bay district worker killed by SUV identified

Steve Seekins, a District of Oak Bay public works employee and father of two, was identified by the Oak Bay Police late on Wednesday. Seekins was struck by a black SUV on Wednesday at 8am while inspecting a manhole cover, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash took place on Monterey, across from Oak Bay Fire Department. Police Chief Mark Fisher told CFAX 1070 that witnesses saw the SUV speeding in the 30km/h zone and crossing lines before striking Seekins and then crashing into a tree. The cause of the crash is still unknown. The driver, a Victoria woman, 66, was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

A GoFundMe organized to support the Seekins family has raised $85k in donations so far. Local donors voiced condolences to the family, with some also expressing their support for city workers and referencing loved ones who are municipal workers. Seekins was described as “a genuine person” with “great work ethic and family values.”

Oak Bay Police and Saanich Police are investigating the incident and are asking witnesses to contact [email protected].

Capital Bulletin

🌤️ Today’s weather: Mainly sunny. High 22C / low 11C.

🏞️ Tubing discouraged on Cowichan River: The Town of Lake Cowichan is warning the public to avoid the fast-flowing river after two recent rescues.

🦋 New summer banners: Bugs and birds feature on the five new banner designs for downtown and James Bay, created by Lou-ann Neel in Kwakwaka’makw style.

✈️ WestJet strike update: WestJet came to a tentative agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Friday. This follows the airline’s decision to begin canceling flights.

NEWS

UVic-led project finds provinces aren’t fully enforcing their own alcohol health policies

Researchers from the UVic-led Canadian Alcohol Policy Evaluation (CAPE) Project, have found that all provinces are failing to properly enforce health-oriented alcohol policies. It said they are focusing too much on improving sales and not providing substantial warnings about the risks of alcohol, including its link to several cancers.

BC received an F on almost every metric for an overall grade of 36%, while Manitoba was highest at 44% and Northwest Territories lowest at 32%. The federal government was at 37%.

CAPE’s grading system was based on how provinces handle 11 different alcohol policy domains, including pricing and taxation, physical availability, control system, marketing and advertising, health and safety messaging, and more.

“[These grades] reflect ‘red tape reduction’, ‘modernizing’ initiatives, and other erosions of public-health-focused alcohol policies we have seen in recent years,” said Dr. Tim Naimi, CISUR director and lead of the CAPE Project.

Recommendations include warning labels and reducing sale hours

CAPE said in a statement that “if governments were to implement the best existing policies consistently across Canada’s provinces and territories, they could score 80 per cent or an A-.”

CAPE’s recommendations include creating minimum prices tied to alcohol content, prioritizing government health and safety oversight rather than financial gain, reducing hours of sale, and mandating warning labels. Naimi also recommended the creation of a federal Alcohol Act to create more consistent guidelines across Canada.

New Canadian guidelines released this Jan. recommend consuming less than two drinks a week to lower health risks. Capital Daily previously reported on these risks of alcohol; in that piece, UVic researcher Tim Stockwell compared the cancer risk of one drink to one cigarette.

As drinking rose during the pandemic, Stockwell criticized BC policies such as letting restaurants offer alcohol with takeout. Stockwell said raising alcohol prices would allow businesses to stay profitable while reducing how much people drink.

“This is about more than asking individuals to consider cutting down on their drinking,” said Naimi. “Yes, that can be important, but governments need to make changes to the broader drinking environment.”

SPONSORED BY OTTAVIO

Experience Victoria’s finest cheese shop

Discover the authentic taste of Italy at Ottavio Italian Bakery & Delicatessen Cafe, nestled in the heart of Oak Bay. Since 1997, Ottavio has become locals' go-to spot for fresh bread, artisanal cheeses, and delightful espresso. From creamy and mild to bold and pungent, their cheese collection is a symphony of taste waiting to be discovered.

Head on over to Oak Bay Ave to experience the rich flavours, warm atmosphere, and friendly service that have made Ottavio a cherished family tradition for over two decades.

Capital Picks

🎉 Victoria Day events roundup: From the Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival to the Victoria Day Parade, we compiled a list of the best events this long weekend in Friday’s newsletter!

🐦 Blue Bridge Theatre presents Miss Julie by August Strindberg. A devastating examination of gender politics and class struggle. May 30-Jun. 11, 2023 | The Roxy Theatre | 250-382-3370.*

🩰 Resurrection at The Farquhar: Ballet Victoria and The Victoria Choral Society collaborate on a restoration themed performance. [Details]

🎭 Murder on the Orient Express: The Peninsula Players are performing Agatha Christie’s classic mystery at the Mary Winspear Centre, Saturday and Sunday. [Tickets]

🤝 Now hiring: Newsletter Editor at Capital Daily.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

💊 Prescription renewals way up in BC after pharmacist powers expanded
In Jan. there were 60,000 prescription renewals and adjustments, per BC government figures reported by CP—120% above the monthly average in the year before the change. Pharmacists were authorized to prescribe a larger range of drugs after a move last fall intended to alleviate pressures on the healthcare system. Beginning Jun. 1, pharmacists will have greater powers to prescribe medication for contraception, allergies, and urinary tract infections.

🚓 Two brothers charged for robbery at Bottle Depot
Charges, including robbery, possession of stolen property, and disguise with intent, were laid by Saanich Police. Last Aug., two men in Halloween masks stole from a cash register and bear-sprayed an employee who pursued them.

🚨 Lansdowne Middle student offered suspicious ride
Oak Bay Police are investigating after the student missed a bus on May 9 near Foul Bay and Watson and was offered a lift in a 2010-2012 Ford Escape. The driver is described as a white, 6’-6’3” man with a red face, thinning hair, and rotten teeth.

SPONSORED BY UNITED WAY SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND

Fill a bus with menstrual products May 28 at Tillicum Mall

Did you know that one in four people can't find affordable menstrual products when they need them?

Join United Way in making a difference with Period Promise.

In Case You Missed It

💊 Toxic drug deaths: The BC Coroners Service reported 35 Island deaths in April from toxic drugs. [May 19]

🏡 Recently sold condos: View all the recently sold condominiums in Downtown Victoria. View the sale prices, photos, and more.*

🚲 Thursday’s headlines: Greater Victoria is getting $10M for more bike lanes, pedestrian bridges, and trails. A local personalized-vitamin company is poised to break out. [May 18]

📰 Wednesday’s headlines: BC Supreme court rules Aboriginal title not proven for Nuchatlaht’s entire claim area, Rifflandia performers announced, Langford-Juan de Fuca candidates set, and more. [May 17] 

*Sponsored Listing

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