Victoria Viewpoints: Thursday-Friday, March 2/3, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for Thursday/Friday, March 2/3, 2023

Globe and Mail

Vancouver dumps 'living wage' policy, effectively cutting wage for lowest-paid staff

BC firm walks back talk to commercialize cocaine after drawing Trudeau's ire

Highway between Hope and Merrit closed due to extreme weather 

Three mend killed in southeast BC avalanche reportedly from Germany

Parkland cancels plans to build stand alone renewable diesel complex at BC refinery

Large invasive goldfish a problem in BC waters, expert says 

CBC

Coquihalla highway closed between Hope and Merritt as snow smacks southwest BC

Youth celebrate Hoobiyee in Vancouver after 3 year hiatus 

Nisga'a Nation's Hoobiyee celebration returns after COVID cancellations

BC extends band on old grown logging for 2 years to assist endangered spotted owl's recovery 

Former BC MP says he lost his seat due to China allegedly meddling in Canadian election 

WestJet flight makes emergency landing at Kelowna airport  

Metro Vancouver dog owners express concern after pets receive electric shocks walking on sidewalks

Surrey's FVDED joins growing list of BC music festivals cancelled for 2023

BC firm retracts claim of licence to sell cocaine after Prime Minister and Premier weigh in

City of Vancouver backs away from living wage pledge after council vote in closed meeting 

Vancouver Sun 

Two major BC philanthropists named in audits of Charities 

BC company issues retraction after backlash over cocaine 'commercialization' plan

Vancouver Council under fire for abandoning living wage commitment

Lawyer accused of sexually assaulting Vancouver woman found not guilty

Nordstrom to leave Vancouver building that used to house Eaton's and Sears. What's next?

Rating agencies call BC Budge prudent, conservative 

BC halts old-growth logging in at-risk owl territory for another two years  

Farnworth owes First Nations an apology. The RCMP deserves being disbanded

Crusading Eby should've concentrated on changing law, not reviving doomed prosecution 

Victoria Times-Colonist 

$224 million long term care facility planned for Royal Bay site 

Central Saanich farmers battle with council over removal of trees 

Developer donates two houses instead of demolishing as land is prepared for condo project 

Nanoose First Nation says it wants rail land back 'as soon as possible'

Victoria police chief tells council why 9.6% budget increase is needed

BC premier 'astonished' firm got Health Canada approval to make and sell cocaine 

Premier's secret bid to get money laundering charges laid collapses 

Victoria News

Advocate for unhoused sued Victoria, saying city 'wrongly confiscated; donations 

Residents fear $9.9M Saanich property touted as 'massive' future development opportunity

Bike Valet returning to Downtown Victoria with expanded hours 

Vote on future of Island rail corridor prompts First Nation board members to resign 

Two Esquimalt homes saved from development site heading to Songhees Nation 

Global

BC Woman with terminal illness says she has been evicted due to frequent ambulance calls 

Coquihalla Highway closed between Hope and Merrit due to 'extreme winter weather'

Second BC company says it has been given green light to sell, produce cocaine

Lawsuit filed against ex-Delta cop fired for sexual communication with would be recruit 

What does Nordstrom's exit mean for downtown Vancouver?

Vancouver council moves away from 'living wage' policy in closed door meeting 

BC falling behind on new housing starts, provincial budget suggests 

TrnasLink Mayors council warns of major service cuts if funding isn't found by 2024

Tseshaht First Nation calls on government, churches to implement 26 calls for Truth and Justice 

Logging rally held in Merrit over lack of government permits 

ICBC expanding road test languages after Ukrainians force to do test in Russian

Passenger describes tense moments on WestJet flight after engine failure

Goldfish dumped in BC waterways putting native fish at risk: researcher  

BC extends old-growth logging ban for endangered spotted owl in Fraser Canyon 

The Tyee                                                                   

How to fix Housing Gridlock? Solve the Public Hearing mess

A Crane worker died. Investigations followed. What's Changed?

Clouds building over BC LNG projects 

Why I'm fighting the deadly Alberta Drug Model

Land Defenders call on courts to dismiss criminal contempt charges 

Health benefits, savings seen in New Free Contraception plan

'It's a cover up, and it's very self-serving' 

           

CHEK TV

Nanaimo landlord could face fines of up to $5.000 for evicting dying tenant 

Developer gifts two houses to the Songhees First Nation

Empty lot in Colloid's Royal Bay will be turned into 306 bed long-term care facility, budget confirms 

Coastal Renaissance sees further maintenance, delaying more departures  

UVic announces 4 percent budget cuts across the board 

Miscellaneous

Province halts old-growth logging in at risk owl territory another two years 

Vancouver dumps 'living wage' policy, effectively cutting wage for lowest paid staff

Highway between Hope and Merritt closed due to extreme weather 

BC firm walks back talk to commercialize cocaine after drawing Trudeau's ire