Victoria Viewpoints: Thursday-Friday, May 4-5, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for  Thursday-Friday,  May 4-5,  2023

Globe and Mail

BC reports high level of COVID-19 immunity as WHO ends Global health emergency

Push for municipal force in Surrey rankles other BC cities 

Large group attacks vehicles at home in Abbotsford: Police 

Penticton opens the door to growth touting lower cost housing and lifestyle choices 

Spring thaw prompts evacuations across BC southern Interior 

Rain in May and June will be key to bring down late-summer wildfire risk, BC official says

Dear Simon Fraser University: There's still time to reconsider your disastrous football decision 

BC Attorney General alerts online companies to new image sharing law

Research finds some Pacific salmon migration out of sync with food supply

CBC

WHO says COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency. What you need to now in BC

BC MP introduces motion to end old-growth logging on federal land, band all exports by 2030

Out of control wildfire spurs evacuation order for properties in and around McBride 

Vancouver Island search-and-rescue teams thrilled that stretch of Highway 14 now has cell service  

Families of Tatyanna Harrison, Chelsea Poorman demand accountability on Red Dress Day

How BC is marking the coronation of King Charles III

Fire ban in effect as crews battle blaze along northern BC Highway

Evacuation orders and highway impacts as officials forecast heavy rains for Friday, weekend

Lower mainland politicians reject call to remove fossil fuel sponsorships from annual conference

Vancouver Sun 

WestJet pilots prepare for strike with 'informational picket'

Eby warns forestry sector to fix its problems or government will 

Heavy rain, spring snowmelt threatening BC communities with flooding

BC's political parties share the same vices

Victoria Times-Colonist 

City Council open to extra density in Roundhouse development, but seeks more amenities

BC Police among Canada's deadliest, figures suggest

BC reports high level of COVID-19 immunity as WHO ends Global Health emergency 

Interim Operator appointed for Point Ellice House

Victoria opens new turf fields at Topaz Park

Greater Victoria's unemployment rate remains among lowest in country

Rugby Canada drops player after violent Colwood taxi carjacking 

Esquimalt public safety building cost jumps to $62.2M from $42M

Vancouver MLA who lives in Colwood defends travel expenses 

Talks begin on future of Ladysmith Community Marina

Victoria News

Canada's oldest Chinese Temple at risk of shutting down if repairs aren't made in Victoria 

1,900 unit overhaul of underused Vic West heritage site faces further restrictions  

'An important milestone'" Henry, Dix reflect on end of COVID as a global emergency 

Saanich endorses zone allowing small apartment buildings on single-family lots 

Victoria allows pandemic patios to stay through busy summer season

Province chooses interim operator for Victoria's historic Point Ellice House

Victoria targets landlord putting low-income tenants at fire risk  

Global

Evacuation orders and alerts expanded near McBride as crews fight new 600 hectare fire 

'End of life': New City Hall in the works for Burnaby Mayor and Council 

Proposed ban on drug use in public heading to Maple Ridge Council 

'Completely wrong': NDP MLA defends against Opposition scrutiny of his expenses 

Cut Vancouver's empty homes tax back to 3% for 2023,  city staff recommend

SFU football: Alumni prosal to save program delivery to university  

High herd immunity to COVID-19 in BC, officials say, as global health emergency ends 

The Tyee                                                                   

People with Long COVID need us to believe them 

UBC heads to Labour Board over Student researchers' Right to Unionize 

Skyrocketing rents make some Alberta voters 'afraid' 

Who's going to pay to clean up the oil and gas mess in Alberta?

'She was ready to testify'

Teaching kids how to make good choices 

Sex workers on making their lives better 

CHEK TV

Victoria Mortgage company put in receivership amid flurry of lawsuits 

Inside an avalanche: Stunning Drone footage showcases danger of Vancouver Island mountains 

Re-envisioned, denser Victoria Roundhouse development advanced to public consultation 

End of COVID-19 global emergency a 'milestone' but keep practicing good hygiene: BC Health officials 

Province announces new operator for Point Ellice House

Travelling exhibit 'Sacred Journey' makes its way to Royal BC Museum 

Rivers rising across BC: Interior Communities under Flood Warnings 

Sooke, Port Renfrew cell tower infrastructure upgrades completed 

Miscellaneous

BC reports high level of COVID-19 immunity as WHO ends global health emergency  

Simon Fraser University hires lawyer after student-athletes voice concerns 

The Simon Fraser Football Alumni Society tables proposal to University 

Research finds some Pacific salmon migration out of sync with food supply

Man arrested for trafficking in mobile dispensary in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside

Attorney general alerts online companies to BC's new image-sharing law