July 20 - 34 Islanders killed by drugs in June

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

Today we take a look at June’s toxic drug death numbers as Island Health surpasses 200 deaths in 2023. We also dive into the structural issues at Oak Bay Marina—and the cost of fixing them.

— Robyn

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny. High 25C / low 13C.

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10), no smoke expected.

NEWS

Island hits 235 toxic drug deaths so far this year

Greater Victoria lost 15 more lives to toxic drugs in June, with 34 drug-related deaths in total for the Island Health region.

Of the 235 total Island deaths so far this year, 80 were in Greater Victoria, 66 in Nanaimo, and 89 were in other Island municipalities, the BC Coroners Service said Wednesday. 

In June, 184 people died of overdoses—an average of six deaths per day. That’s slightly up from May’s 176 deaths, but still below the January to April monthly average this year.

Last month saw a 17% increase in the number of overdose deaths, compared with June 2022.

With more than 1,200 drug-related deaths in the first six months of the year, 2023 is on track for the highest yearly number of such deaths in BC history.

Toxic drugs remained the leading cause of death for those aged 10-59—more than homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural disease combined, the BC Coroners Service said.

Greater Victoria was among the top three townships with the highest number of deaths, following Vancouver and Surrey.

Illicit fentanyl remained the largest risk, as it was present in more than 90% of the postmortems. However, almost all toxic drug deaths involved a mixture of substances, with three-quarters of tests showing stimulants.

There have been 12,509 known deaths from toxic drugs since the public health emergency was first declared in April 2016, the BC Coroners Service said.

The province continues to stress that there is no evidence of a link between prescribed safe supply access and toxic drug deaths.

Capital Bulletin

💧 CRD issues boil water advisory for Salt Spring until further notice after a water main break may have affected water quality in areas around the Beddis Water System.

💨 BC ministry of transportation’s guide to driving safely in smoky conditions.

NEWS

Immediate safety concerns found at Oak Bay Marina

Repairs to address instabilities in the buildings could cost more than $12M, according to a report from Herold Engineering Ltd., the firm that conducted the assessment.

The report recommends strengthening steel columns in the breezeway and closing the lower level deck until the structural supports are repaired or replaced.

The report also strongly suggests the ramp leading to the boat dock be monitored by an engineer to evaluate its safety, and the breezeway ceiling be evaluated for water damage.

“Much of the building enclosure, mechanical system, and electrical system will require replacement to increase performance and to meet current code provisions,” the report states.

“The Seismic Force Resisting System (SFRS) in all three buildings requires retrofit work to increase the capacity and to establish a continuous load path from roof to foundation to meet current code provisions.”

Marina’s heritage to be taken into account

In response to the upcoming repair work, council has asked staff to prepare a heritage statement of significance for the marina’s three buildings.

Mayor Kevin Murdoch described this as a way to “capture those [historical] narratives before we lose them.”

Last year, the District of Oak Bay came to an agreement with The Oak Bay Marine Group (OBMG) on a five-year lease extension in the Spewhung/Turkey Head area after the 30-year lease expired.

The OBMG closed the Marina Restaurant in March after 30 years of operation, but continues to lease the lower coffee shop space in the building on a month-to-month basis.

ReconciliACTION—a collective of Oak Bay-based organizations focused on community relationships with the Songhees and Esquimalt Peoples—has said that in advance of the five-year lease’s expiry there should be more involvement with the Songhees Nation.

"[Council] would like to see the opportunity for a shared approach to the management of that site," Murdoch told Oak Bay Local, adding Songhees members have been involved in plans for the area.

Note: This story was updated to better reflect ReconciliACTION’s composition and position.

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Capital Picks

🎙️ Okan at Butchart Gardens: The vocal and percussion duo will perform on the open-air stage tonight, 8pm.

🎭 Absinthe, Bourbon, Vodka, and Sake: This drama with a twist directed by Zelda Dean will be on stage until Aug. 6 at Black Box Theatre at the Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue.

🎸 Wesli at Plaza Franco: The Montreal-based musician will be joined by Kouskous for a free outdoor concert today at The Francophone Society of Victoria, 5-8pm.

🎙️ Pat Temple & The HiLo Players at Hermann’s Jazz Club: Pat Temple will be joined today by bassist Rob Foreman, drummer Andy Graffiti, keyboardist Jesse Whiteley, and guitarist Kyler Tapscott. 5:30pm.

🎵 Christopher Atkins at Lucky Bar: The musician will be joined tonight by Cosy Father and Ian Davies, 7-10:30pm.

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In Other News

🐟 Massive fish die-off discovered in Cowichan River
Snorkellers found hundreds, perhaps thousands of dead trout and salmon at the bottom of the river near Skutz Falls last week. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is doing toxicology testing on some of the dead fish, with results expected later in the summer.

⚾ Victoria’s Nick Pivetta makes Red Sox history
The 30-year-old right-hander pitched six no-hit innings while striking out 13 Athletics Monday night in Oakland. The baker’s dozen Ks are the most in one game by a Red Sox relief pitcher in the club’s 122-year history. Pivetta played for his hometown HarbourCats in 2013.

🎓 Philip Steenkamp back as Royal Roads president and vice-chancellor
Steenkamp has been appointed to a second five-year term as president and vice-chancellor at Royal Roads, the university announced Wednesday. Steenkamp helped secure $88M in local and provincial funding to build the school’s new West Shore campus, now under construction in Langford.

In Case You Missed It

🌱 Saving the Cowichan Estuary: The restoration project gets underway this summer to preserve wildlife from warming temperatures and rising sea levels. [Capital Daily]

📰 Wednesday’s headlines: Victoria high school students earn Island Health award, boat catches fire in Cadboro Bay, teen assaulted near Mt. Doug beach, and more. [July 19]

👕 Zellers pop-up coming to Victoria: The pop-up is expected to open at the Hudson’s Bay in the Bay Centre by Aug. 11.

🐾 Two more cougar sightings reported near PKOLS/Mt. Doug Park on Little Mount Douglas and at McBriar Park. Two original sightings had been reported on July 10 and 11. [Times Colonist]

🐟 Bluefin tuna found near Gulf Islands: The fish that normally lives in warmer Pacific waters washed up on Orcas Island. [CBC]