Victoria Viewpoints: Friday, December 17, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for  Friday, December 17, 2021
   

Coronavirus response in BC

Capacity limits, parties cancelled as BC tries to hold back spread of Omicron variant

BC limits indoor gatherings, cancels New Year's Eve events as Omicron picks up speed

BC enacts social gathering and event capacity limits as Omicron variant spreads

BC reports 789 new cases, 3 deaths as Omicron count jumps to 302

New BC restrictions not enough to curb Omicron without boosters sooner: expert

BC's contact tracers will 'not withstand' rapid spread of COVID-19, warns top doctor

As Omicron cases surge, some BC vaccine clinics will have extended holiday closures

3 doctors speak out against child vaccinations at Kelowna gathering

Canadian official eyed 'high pandemic potential' of COVID-19 travellers in February 2020

Cancel New Year's Eve, as Omicron brings new BC restrictions 

While Omicron spreads, BC vaccine clinics are closing for the holidays

About 2,000 cases of suspicious COVID-19 vaccine records referred to police in BC

Canada's vaccine reserve exceeds 4 million doses, prompting calls for better tracking of donations 

New restrictions due to Omicron come into effect on Monday

Is the official Omicron paranoia overblown? Frustration, fatigue overtake fear of 'doomsday' warnings

Personal gatherings limited, sports tournaments canceled as COVID cases rise

Camosun creates colour coded trays for COVID vaccine

High vaccination rate helped mitigate UVIC COVID-19 spike: Dr. Bonnie Henry

BC reports 780 COVID-19 cases Friday as Omicron spreads

Sports Tournament, New Year's parties banned in BC Omicron surge

Globe and Mail

Airlines cap fares and add holiday service capacity for the BC Interior as highway repairs continue

CBC

Kelowna man pleads guilty to willfully promoting hatred agains ethnic Congolese group

Rally planned to support mother detained by immigration officers after dropping off child at school

Arrest made in connection with Naomi Onotera's disappearance

Earthquake jolts Gulf Islands and Greater Victoria 

Military assistance for flood ravaged BC ends, focus now on housing and recovery

Snowfall and winter storm warnings in place for much of BC as Pacific storm approaches

City of Vancouver cancels annual homeless count for 2nd straight year

Vancouver Sun 

Police arrest person in the disappearance of Langley woman Naomi Onotera

Snowfall warning in effect

BC Forest companies expanding at a rapid pace, but no at home

Victoria Times-Colonist 

Victoria councillors give Telus Ocean tower a green light 

Coast Guard ship maintenance work coming to two BC shipyards

Earthquake felt in Salt Spring area and Greater Victoria 

Uber's request to operate ride-hailing in Victoria turned down

Victoria News

CRD dumps 6,100 tonnes of treated sewage at landfill - not the expected 700 - so far in 2021

Violent rhetoric by Victoria resident claiming to be "Queen of Canada" concerning, say extremism experts

Military Mission winds up as BC flood recovery effort continues 

North Cowichan, 7 South Island local governments take exception to downloaded police costs

Sooke budget gets final approval, but decision not without drama

Global

One in custody in case of missing Langley teacher Naomi Onotera: IHIT

No jail time for Washington man who helped migrants enter Canada illegally

BC teachers at loggerheads with First Nations leaders over standardized testing

Fake nurse at centre of proposed class-action against BC health authority

Canadian Armed Forces completes flood response work in BC communities

No injuries reported after small earthquake in BC early on Friday

Kelowna Mayor baffled by decision to deny Uber in Okanagan, Vancouver Island

BC hears from 161 First Nations on plans for old growth logging deferrals

Georgia Straight

Elder abuse response in BC should not be modelled after our child protection system

Protecting Vancouver from climate change is costly - and Big Oil should help pay

Vancouver Canucks get two more home games before Doctor Bonnie Henry's public-gathering restrictions  kick in

Magnitude 3.6 earthquake in Gulf Islands felt around the region

Memo to Safe Surrey Coalition: when leaders are charged, bad things sometimes happen to their parties

The Tyee

Housing can't be both a human right and a profitable asset

Gold Bridge and BC's Last remaining One-Room School

Miscellaneous

No injuries reported after 3.5 magnitude earthquake on BC coast

Canadian Forces completes flood response work in BC communities