Victoria Viewpoints: Thursday-Friday, January 12-13, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for  Thursday-Friday, January 12-13, 2023

Globe and Mail

'Unusual' influenza outbreak on decline in BC, COVID-19 stable despite new variant 

Invasive spongy moths target of BC spray program on Vancouver island this spring

Rain, unseasonable warmth, unstable snowpack, raise flood, avalanche concerns in BC

BC tribunal orders woman to repay employer for 'time theft' while working at home 

BC boosts incentives for rentals with new $500 million fund

Three family members identified as bodies found in home in Surrey

About 300 jobs affected as Canto announces pulp line closure at BC mill

CBC

4 BC ski trails temporarily closed after owl attacks skiers

Vancouver Island First Nation buys Port Alberni school to look for ancestral burial grounds 

We Wai Kai First Nation On Vancouver Island frustrated by land transfer delays 

BC confirms 24 cases of the new COVID-19 sub variant that has been spreading in the US

Supreme Court petition challenges how some minor hockey suspensions are handed out in BC

Floating sauna built on WWII-era barge coming to Victoria's inner harbour 

Students, educators in Metro Vancouver celebrate 2nd annual Black Excellence day

Chilliwack schools hire uncertified teachers amid staffing shortages 

New transportation service launched connection Tofino and Nanaimo 

Illegal waste dump on farm near Cultus Lake stokes environmental worries among residents 

Petition calls for BC Resor to name ski run after former staffer who went missing nearly 5 years ago 

Vancouver Sun 

How strangers saved each other during fatal Christmas Eve Bus crash

Judge rules against Iranian family hoping to enrol daughter in Coquitlam school

Vancouver aims to turn Granville into a street that never sleeps

Premier David Eby's housing announcement a rush job that leaves many questions 

Flu season is already winding down, says BC Ministry of health 

Forest companies won't invest in BC without changes by government 

Victoria Times-Colonist 

Flu rates declining, testing for respiratory viruses on the rise, says Henry 

Flood watches and high avalanche risk for Vancouver Island 

Victoria city council backs floating sauna at Ship Point 

Real estate sales expected to climb in spring, but prices unlikely to rise

Laurel Point gets new zone and a chance to expand

Two men arrested in catalytic-convertor thefts in Victoria 

Police Chief wants to see officer dedicated to monitoring violent offenders 

First Nation buys empty school, plans to survey site for historic burials 

Ambitious program for change from Eby

Victoria News

'We're bankless': Esquimalt residents alarmed as town's only bank closes 

Bank closure forces Esquimalt bakery to stop cash-only service 

Couple evicted from Victoria ferry terminal after being 4 minutes late gets zero sympathy 

Navy resumes surface gunnery training in Juan de Luca after years-long whale study

BC influenza cases down, RSV cases remain high while also declining 

Victoria approves floating sauna, despite resident calling it a 'monstrosity'

Langford might be in legal gray area after tree protection bylaw approved quickly 

2 men charged after Victoria police investigation into catalytic converter thefts

Sooke RCMP seek new commander

Colwood council shoots down lowering building permit fees 

Global

Eby says ICBC safeguards in place amid latest compilations about no-fault insurance 

No new child flu deaths, infection rates fall in all age groups, BC's top doctor says 

City seeks new service provider to help clean Downtown Eastside after axing VANDU contract 

BC MP advocating for young Iranian protester reportedly at risk of imminent execution 

Fed-up with crime, civilian group starts patrolling the streets in Dawson Creek 

Vancouver gets first look at $2.2M plan to revitalize beleaguered Chinatown

Accused Victoria catalytic convertor thieves charged a police renew warning 

Park Board had offers of help to keep Stanley Park train on track: sources 

Patullo Bridge replacement to use similar snow and ice removal system to Port Mann, Alex Fraser 

Kelowna General Hospital busiest in the province, higher than Interior Health average 

Amtrak resuming 2nd daily round trip between Vancouver, Seattle in March

Southwestern BC under flood watches as rains persist

The Tyee                                                                   

Worried about Canada's New Alcohol guidance? Try a Damp January 

Despite claims, School liaison officers received No Special Training

Employer condemns frequent police traffic stops of outreach worker 

Collision course: Alberta's Smith set for fight over Health funding 

Defund Police? Budgets have only gone up

DTES residents deserve dignity in death

Canadians could be climate migrants, too  

No loophole for Seaspan's North Van Property Taxes

CHEK TV

'Unusual' influenza outbreak on decline in BC, COVID-19 stable despite new variant 

Mistaken identity leads to arrest of autistic Nanaimo man: "He can't comply, he can't hear'

Hupacasath First Nation to buy local school property, scan land for ancient burials 

Fifty thousand years later, historic comet visible over Vancouver Island again 

Safety, cleanliness concerns prompt reduced hours at Campbell River Bank ATM

Miscellaneous

'Unusual' influenza outbreak on decline in BC, COVID-19 stable despite new variant

Rain, unreasonable warmth, unstable snowpack, raise flood, avalanche concerns in BC

BC tribunal order woman to repay employer for 'time theft' while working at home 

BC creates $500M fund for non-profits to buy rental buildings, protect tenants 

Hundreds of jobs affected as Canfor announces pulp line closure at BC Mill