Victoria Viewpoints: Friday, August 20, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for   Friday,  August 20, 2021
   

BC Fires

Wildfire burning near Ladysmith grows to 70 hectares overnight 

BC First Nation to work with BC wildfire service as part of 'initial attack fire crew'

Air quality levels in Kelowna trend toward worst year ever

For crews battling BC wildfires, a cool, damp weekend ahead may provide some relief 

Firefighters' warm welcome sweetens homecoming for BC wildfire evacuee

Cooler weather. brings an end to some BC Wildfire evacuation orders, but Ladysmith fire worries residents

Residents watch and worry as Mount Hayes wildfire looms 

Wildfire near Ladysmith grows to 70 hectares; state of emergency declared 

Coronavirus response in BC

BC's full reopening in doubt as COVID-19 case counts continue to rise

BC may not move to Step 4 next month as COVID-19 case counts increase: top doctor

COVID-19 restrictions extended to entire BC Interior Health region as cases surge

BC reports 663 new cases, could delay Step 4 reopening 

Kelowna averaging 100 to 150 new COVID-19 cases a day, says BC's top health official

Next step of reopening may be delayed in BC as COVID-19 case counts increase 

Mask mandates and gathering instructions return to BC's Interior as COVID-19 numbers spike 

COVID-19 cases in BC could hit 12,000 a day without stricter health measures, modelling report warns

BC may note move to Step 4 by September 7 as COVID-19 case counts increase: Dr. Henry

September 7 end to BC's COVID-19 restrictions unlikely, Henry says

Mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics to wind down starting Sunday 

Fourth wave of unvaccinated could force renewal of restrictions, experts say 

Globe and Mail

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CBC

Nurses are leaving their jobs as COVID cases surge and wildfires burn in BC's Interior

2 in custody in Surrey shooting after man hospitalized with 'life threatening' wounds

Pitt Meadows farmer 'still in a bit of shock' amid probe into suspected fatal bear attack

Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc pause to grieve children in unmarked graves at former residential school 

Norwegian ship stranded in BC waters for nearly a month due to local labour dispute

Tension with police escalating at old-growth logging blockades on Vancouver Island, Protesters say

COVID-19 business slowdown leads to permanent closure of South Okanagaan model reality museum

Vancouver Sun

Historic Human tsunami likely in Canada's future

Man in hospital with 'life-threatening' injuries after shooting in Surrey's Newton area

Victoria Times-Colonist 

Ferries remain in limbo as US extends marine border closure 

Phillips Brewing postpones two-day music festival over COVID-19 concerns 

Colwood approached about becoming site of National Park

Victoria News

Phillips Brewery cancels concert double header as COVID cases rise 

Island Health downsizing COVID-19 immunization clinics 

Sooke School District cracking open the books for September 

Major crime in Sidney/North Saanich drops by 17% during first half of 2021

Sooke bracing for major increase to RCMP salaries

Global

BC mayor alleges conflict of interest in school probe of daughter's assault

BC teachers call for tougher COVID-19 measures as return to classroom looms 

BC Place revises safety plans after concerns over post-game crowding 

Vancouver police release dash cam video of violent unprovoked assault on busy street

Playland's iconic wooden roller-coaster to close so it can undergo 'major refurbishment'

Georgia Straight

Driver injured after panhandler throws bottle inside a car on West Georgia Street 

BC Office of the Human Rights Commissioner launches year long public inquiry into hate during the pandemic 

Social cohesion, bodily autonomy and the political debate over mandatory vaccinations 

The Tyee

Aussie Billionaire sues to reverse rejection of Open-Pit mining 

Canada needs the 'Every Child Matters Act' 

As School Nears, Fears Mount about COVID risk

Miscellaneous