Oct 6 - Victoria Council talks homelessness

Good morning !

Hate to hit you with a COVID conversation as you wake up, but the BCCDC says the case numbers are on the rise.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 4.5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 22 / 8

Tomorrow: ☀️ 23 / 8

Sunday: ☀️ 18 / 9

7-day forecast

NEWS

Victoria lacks jurisdiction to properly address homelessness, city councillors say

This week’s council debate on a motion about sheltering in parks put a spotlight on larger jurisdictional issues with the city’s capacity to address what is a complex and growing issue.

Councillors feel the city doesn’t have the resources to deliver the level of services and supports that are currently needed, let alone the authority to solve the underlying problems. Mayor Marianne Alto argued that city staff are already at their limit.

As council decided on key issues, including in which parks to allow sheltering, they grappled with the broader quandary of how many of higher governments' responsibilities the city can afford to take on.

Read Sidney’s full story on Capital Daily.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

When driving in wet fall weather, give yourself more time and distance, DriveBC warns.

Wanted man arrested: Milad Herbert was found in Surrey after leaving Victoria halfway house.

NEWS

Victoria International Marina raises new welcome pole

The pole was secured into place Wednesday, ready now to offer a welcoming greeting to all who visit the marina.

The pole, which stands nine metres, was created by master carver Tom LaFortune in collaboration with the Songhees Nation. LaFortune is a member of the Tseycum Nation and is known for his work on projects throughout the Island.

The Salish arch at Fort Rodd Hill and two totems for Duncan’s City of Totems project are other examples of his handiwork.

The Victoria International Marina commissioned the pole in 2017, after consulting with the Songhees and Esquimalt nations about an art installation.

The marina is located in a bay where Lekwungen speaking nations traditionally welcomed guests as they arrived on canoe, making the welcome pole a fitting nod to its original purpose. Songhees Chief Ron Sam said visitors will be welcomed in a “traditional Salish way.”

“Welcome poles are often referred to as totem poles, but they are distinct in form and function from the freestanding multiple-figure totem poles commonly associated with northern Northwest Coast People,” LaFortune said in a statement.

Read Robyn’s full story on Capital Daily.

NEWS

COVID hospitalizations continue climbing

The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has risen 57% in two weeks, the BC Centre for Disease Control announced yesterday. There were 267 on Sept. 21 and now 422 (including 75 in Island Health) as of Oct. 5.

That builds on the rapid growth over the past two months. Since early August, BC’s hospitalizations per week have roughly doubled (to 228) and deaths per week have nearly tripled (to 24). Confirmed infections are increasing the most in people 60+ and, lately, 80+ especially.

This week an outbreak was declared in a unit at Vic General. On Tuesday, mask requirements returned to BC hospitals and other health-care facilities. Fall booster invitations begin next week.

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION

Victoria's 2023 Vital Signs is available!

5,319 Greater Victorians had their say in this year's Vital Signs citizen survey. Now the results are in!

Victoria’s Vital Signs report combines survey results and regional data to help identify and respond to the most pressing issues facing residents.

It measures this year's overall quality of life and delves further into 12 issue areas that shape Greater Victoria's well-being.

This year the community rated cost of living and housing among the region’s top issues. Respondents also said the natural environment and climate are among the best things about Greater Victoria.

This magazine-style report is now available online and in print throughout the community, and for a look at even more data findings, you can visit the Victoria Foundation’s accessible online data hub! 

⭐️ Capital Picks

🇬🇷 Gyrosa: A new Greek spot celebrates their grand opening today at 102-1517 Admirals, bringing their modern take on traditional street food.

🎙️ Meet Sahil Bloom in Vancouver: Our Mainland colleagues are bringing the creator and entrepreneur to town next month. Learn more here.

🥾 Let’s go for a walk in the woods. Tall Tree’s nature therapy offers a path to healing for kids, youth, and adults outside the clinic walls.*

🐟️ The best PNW cuisine in town? Here’s where to find it.

❓ Have questions, comments, or concerns about provincial policies, programs, and services in Oak Bay-Gordon Head? Contact BC NDP MLA Murray Rankin at [email protected]a or 250-472-8528.*

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Food insecurity on the rise in CRD
Donations are down and demand is up as more—and younger—people are now depending on food banks in this region. For example, demand has doubled at Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank. [CTV]

Provincial climate cheque is in the mail
More than 2M households will soon receive their share of BC’s climate-action tax credit. The new, beefed-up amounts mean single people who are eligible will get $447—up $250 from last year. A family of four is eligible to receive $893.50—up $390 from 2022. [BC Gov]

Scam turns into anonymous birthday treat to the public
Partway through prepping 50 plates for the birthday of caller “Albert Kiggy,” a Bamfield restaurant realized it was a trick. The resto still served the feast, but to the public for $10 a plate—and staff still wants to know who “Albert” is. [CHEK]

SPONSORED BY FORGED AXE THROWING

Halloween at Forged Axe Throwing

This Halloween get ready to smash some bullseyes at the grand opening party of Forged Axe Throwing at 586 Johnson St.

Join us for an axe-throwing tournament starting at 5pm, and stay for the party starting at 7pm with costume prizes, axe-throwing games, and more!

The tournament at 5pm is $10 per ticket with 50% of proceeds going to the prize pool. Purchase your tickets for the tournament participation here.

Spectators and party people are welcome at no charge.

🗓️ Things to do

🚴 Tour de Rock ends today: The Cops for Cancer cyclists will arrive at the Legislature midday to finish their race from Port Alice to raise money for cancer research.

⛓️ Punk/ Metal show at Phoenix Bar & Grill: See MOONBATHER, Thraddash, and Creatures of Autumn at this rocking show. Tonight. 8pm.

🎸 Geordie Kieffer: The singer will perform songs from his latest album at Capital Ballroom. Tonight. Doors 8pm. Tickets here.

🎸 Tribute to Nick Drake: Big Machine and Pink Moon at Hermann’s tonight at 9pm. Doors 5:30pm. Tickets here.

🥃 Raise the Bar Absinthe Masterclass. Vessel Liquor. Tonight from 7-8pm.

🎵 Music for Your Soul: The Soul Shakers play soul, Motown, R&B, pop, blues at Hermann’s tomorrow night, 8:30-11pm. Doors at 7pm. Tickets here.

🤣 Joanne McNally: Laugh it up with Irish standup comic Joanne McNally. McPherson Playhouse. Tomorrow night. 7pm. Tickets here.

Have an event to promote? Get in touch and let us know! 

👀 In Case You Missed It

Victoria voted No. 1 best small city by Conde Nast Traveler readers.

Thursday’s headlines: COVID outbreak at Vic General. New firefighting deal for Oak Bay & Saanich. 70-year-old man attacked with bear spray, taser, and metal stool. [Capital Daily]

Oak Bay and Saanich fire depts. commit to another five years of working together. [Capital Daily]

Photo: See a bear on a Vancouver Island beach at sunset.

That’s it!

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