Victoria Viewpoints: Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for  Wednesday, December 29, 2021
   

Coronavirus response in BC

BC latest province to delay school reopening amid rise in COVID-19 cases

BC reports record-breaking 2,994 new cases of COVID-19 in one day

BC delays return to classroom for most K-12 students until January 10

BC Bracing for increase in COVID hospitalizations amid 5th wave, says health minister 

BC delays return to class for most students until January 10 over COVID

BC delaying start of school until January 10 fo r most K to 12 students

BC confirms at least 2,944 new cases along with five more deaths

BC weighs allowing COVID-19 positive  health care workers back on the job

Return to class delayed for BC's K-12 students

Huge jump in Omicron variant cases not reflected in hospitalizations 

BC nurses demand province provide N95 masks to prevent Omicron spread

Metro Vancouver hits testing capacity crunch as sites close due to cold weather

BC delays school start to January 10 for most students

Almost twice as many COVID-19 cases as a week ago; most are Omicron

Island Health halts second calls for COVID test booking, cites 'unprecedented demand'

Nearly 3,000 BC COVID-19 cases Wednesday, hospitalization stable

Globe and Mail

Smart home devices helping scientist get inside deadly BC heat wave

Record breaking cold in Western Canada caps off year of extremes

CBC

Drug users and health workers question government-issued merchandise in StopOverdose campaign

More BC farmers reaching out for mental health support since floods

Homeless people left to fend for themselves amid extreme-cold warning, advocates say

Vancouver SRO tenants have been without heat since Christmas Day

Vancouver theatre companies cancel live performance amid COVID-19 surge

Several polar bear swims cancelled or moved online over COVID-19

Vancouver Sun 

'It's another battle': Flood-weary farmers hit hard by BC cold snap

Order of Canada: BC luminaries join the exclusive club

25 most dangerous intersections for cyclists in Vancouver

How disastrous has the COVID-19 pandemic been for Canadian housing?

Victoria Times-Colonist 

Wednesday evening sailing cancelled between Salt Spring Island and Swartz Bay

Island braces for more snow as Canada Post cancels delivery on mid-Island

VicPD seeking public help identifying suspect in downtown vandalism

Victoria police officer dragged by van of impaired driver, who then hit a house

Eight Islanders among 135 named to Order of Canada 

RCMP investigating serious crash in Port Alberni

On museum issue, compromise is needed, but not likely to happen

A call for coherence in this climate emergency

Pay now for natural asset protection, or pay much more later

Victoria News

Esquimalt Lagoon polar bear swim cancelled for second year in a row

BC Liberals heading into 2022 with new leader, financial pressure

BC old growth forest preservation plan off to a slow start for 2022

BC highway restrictions continue as state of emergency extended

BC green investment fund looks to steer economy through 2022

BCs climate plans battered by extreme weather as 2022 begins 

Global

Snowfall added to list of BC weather warnings as extreme cold persists

Heat still not fully restored at Vancouver SRO where residents have been cold since Christmas

BC paramedics respond to 50 hypothermia, frostbite calls in four days

Staff crunch forces some BC restaurants to close amid surging COVID-19 case numbers

Officer dragged by drunk driver suspects vehicle during traffic stop, say Victoria police

Vancouver snow clearing staff getting priority reminder after some pedestrian paths unplowed 

Advocates seek Victoria church to help test new shelter option for the unhoused

COVID-19 freezes out numerous BC polar bear swims for 2nd year

Georgia Straight

An urgent case for action on Canada's health data

Vancouver extends operating days for emergency warming centres into new year during freezing weather

$8.3 million Surrey mansion sets record for home with most washrooms sold in 2021

Judge dismisses petition by BC resort owner who claimed that former employees concocted stories of racism

Three Supreme Court of Canada rulings in 2021 that helped frame criminal law across the country

City warming centres and extreme weather response shelter information 

Poll shows Quebec and BC residents most likely to feel that Trudeau's doing too little to address climate

Realtors share notable deals from a record year in Metro Vancouver 

The Tyee

Sonia Furstenau Reflects on Kindness and Trust in Government

The Kenney Countdown: Alberta's top 10 scandals of 2021

Shirley Bond reflects on her Party's Opposition record

Canadian Taxpayers Federation is Anti-Indigenous. Why do media quote them?

Miscellaneous

Flood disaster takes bite out of BC economy, sends infrastructure wake-up call

BC pushes for black market cannabis to go legal, faces criticism from craft growers