Victoria Viewpoints: Tuesday-Wednesday, January 11 & 12, 2022

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for   Tuesday-Wednesday, January 11-12, 2022
   

Coronavirus response in BC

BC's gyms, bars, lounges ordered closed due to COVID-19 can apply for relief grants 

Six deaths in BC, hospitalizations hit 500 amid new health care outbreaks 

LifeLab closes 11 BC locations, cuts hours at others amid Omicron staffing crunch 

Kelowna General Hospital reports outbreak, implements control measures 

Staff shortage temporarily closed Merritt hospital's emergency department 

Hospitalization number shoots up by 23.5 percent over three days

Vaccine Passport Fraudsters Are Targeting Downtown Eastside Residents 

Canada's Dangerous COVID Delusion

BC's Omicron Wave may be fading

Omicron related staff shortages force temporary closure of 1 LifeLabs locations in BC

Delta Schools to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for teachers, staff

Pressure mounts on Paraamedics, ambulance dispatchers  as Omicron makes staffing shortfalls worse

Not every Omicron case feels mild, warn some BC residents who have tested positive for COVID-19

BC health care system 'stretched' by staffing shortages

LifeLabs closes some BC locations, cuts hours as staff squeezed by Omicron 

Restrictions to remain for now as high COVID rates continue, Henry says

500 in BC hospitals Wednesday as rapid COVID-19 spread continues

BC vaccine protection holding as Omicron spreads Dr Henry says

Globe and Mail

Overdose calls in British Columbia rise 31% in 2021

Correctional Service settles BC human rights case for prisoners addicted to opioids

Record year for orca and humpback sightings in BCs Salish Sea, says association

Teck Resources receives strike notice from union representing workers at Highland Valley copper mine

BC Braces for heavy rain, potential floods as latest atmospheric river arrives 

CBC

Artist behind Canuck's Lunar New Year Jersey hopes to counter anti-Asian racism

Rare 1st edition of Shakespeare's plays acquired by UBC now on display at Vancouver Art Gallery

Potential for flooding as heavy rain continues to drench southwest BC

Cold snap forces city to suspend trash and recycling collection. leaving some bins full for weeks 

BC environment, rights groups welcome court win over RCMP delay in approving watchdog report

BC paramedics responded to more drug poisoning calls than ever in 2021

Vancouver Sun 

BC businesses that defied COVID-19 closure orders ineligible for provincial grant

BC Liberal leadership race - at least there are no cats involved 

Political  will needed to break licensing logjam so qualified, foreign nurses can work

Victoria Times-Colonist 

'I don't think anybody is safe fro this': Courtenay overdose calls more than double

Name of new Island-class Gabriola Ferry rankles former Snuneymuxw chief

Heavy rains bring flood risk to Vancouver Island  

Saanich adds 20 electric-vehicle charging stations at rec centres, parks

Victoria Councillor Geoff Young advocates tying rent increases to property tax increases

Langford rated BC's most resilient city

Control protest blockades - or we'll have more of them

                      

Victoria  News

Colwood university 'renames' stairway after alumni Chris Hadfield 

Streamlined application process recommended to bolster Victoria's affordable housing supply

Victoria looks at major drop to city cannabis retailers' license fee

Forest industry analysts paint grim picture for BC investment future

BC urban mayors say they've hit their limit on homelessness, disorder

Global

Kelowna cop in disturbing wellness-check video intends to plead not guilty 

BC paramedics, dispatchers responded to record-setting 35,525 overdose calls in 2021

'Damage of a different order': Seawall's future unclear post-storm, says Vancouver official 

Truckers cry foul over new regulations at Port of Vancouver banning older vehicles 

BC gyms, bars ordered to close due to COVID can now apply for financial relief 

Province ordered compensate some Sechelt homeowners displaced by sinkholes 

UBC acquires rare collection of 1st edition Shakespeare plays 

Plans for two downtown Kelowna towers submitted to city staff 

UBC pushes return to in person learning for most students to February  

'Losses are enormous' says plaintiff in class action lawsuit filed over BC flood damage

BC extends State of Emergency; cites potential flooding, ongoing highway damage 

More must be done to convince BC's unvaccinated to roll up their sleeves 

Georgia Straight

BCREA reports 2022 starting with 'lowest level of listing on record' following 2021 record year of home sales

Horse barn to be converted into a home in East Vancouver heritage property redevelopment 

At the University of British Columbia, we are committed to doing our part to address the climate crisis

The Tyee

Delgamuukw: the Man and the Momentous Ruling 

A Unique population of Fin Whales has rebounded in Northern BC

A way through these difficult times

'Don't Look Up' isn't subtle, and that's good

Miscellaneous

Sea-to-Sky at highest risk of avalanches as storms hit Southern BC

University of BC acquires rare book of Shakespeare's first collection of plays

Man faces charge of mischief after vandalism of Komagata Maru memorial in Vancouver

Tougher parole rules for some murderers are 'fair and appropriate' Ottawa will argue at Supreme Court 

Doug Ford is sending kids back to the classroom as Omicron may peak. Has he learned nothing about making schools safe?

Two BC schools move to 'functional closure' after holiday break, say ministry

Alaskan commercial fishery 'plundering' threatened BC salmon