Victoria Viewpoints: Tuesday-Wednesday, July 18-19, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for   Tuesday-Wednesday, July18-19, 2023 

British Columbia Port Workers Strike

Archive of notes on the labour dispute available here.

BC Wildfires

First Nation loses homes in wildfire near Cranbrook, Eby says 

At least 7 homes lost, nearly 100 displaced as wildfire near Cranbrook grows 

Ottawa offers to help with BC's worst-ever Wildfire Season

Several homes destroyed in eight square kilometre wildfire  

As BC marks record wildfire season, the rest summer set to be extremely challenging  

More soldiers expected to be deployed today to help battle BC wildfires

BC marks record wildfire season as officials call for water conservation measures  

St. Mary's Wildfire more than doubles in size  in 24 hours, forcing evacuations of First Nation community  

Climate models 'don't look great' as BC faces summer of wildfires and drought, officials say 

Experts urge BC residents to protect against wildfire smoke to prevent serous illness 

Brush fire burns close to Port Alberni hospital 

Human caused wildfires down this year in BC, especially recently 

BC Wildfire crews, aircraft responding to fire southwest of Sicamous

Fire investigators reviewing 2 Port Alberni fires 

Globe and Mail

BC orders Surrey to drop the RCMP and move to municipal police force 

Coast Guard floats a new solution to problem of abandoned boats 

BC Coroners Service bases illicit drug supply for 184 deaths in June

Thousands of BC families will see an increase in government family benefit plan 

CBC

Province orders City of Surrey to stick with transition to Municipal police force 

8 daily ferry sailings cancelled on Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route for next week 

Amber Alert issued after 2 children allegedly abducted from Kelowna 

The Taliban kept her out of class for 2 years. Today, she's studying at an elite private school in Vancouver

This woman makes $67K a year. She's couch surfing until she can find affordable housing  

Transit strike in Fraser Valley may soon end as company accepts mediated deal

Senate committee to question groups that have not released residential school records

Toxic drug deaths in BC continue to climb, with 184 lives lost in June 

Ancient western red cedar tree falls in Stanley Park

Highway 99 southbound reopens in Delta after truck hits overpass

How rent control can help tenants - or not

Tenant with disability calls on Victoria council to make parking accessible for renters 

Vancouver Sun 

Surrey Mayor Brenda Lock to 'explore options' as BC shuts down bid to stay with RCMP 

5 things to know as BC orders Surrey to continue transition to municipal police force 

Future of RCMP in BC and Canada is the next question 

2026 World Cup host costs are rising, but by home much?

Fewer Tswawwassen-Swartz Bay sailings while Coastal Celebration repaired

Modular housing was meant to be temporary. ABC wants to make sure that it stays that way 

Victoria Times-Colonist 

Province directs Surrey to stay with local police force despite city's wishes 

Sailings to Tsawwassen reduced as Coastal Celebration sidelined for repairs 

Charge dropped in case where man retrieving stolen goods shot in Nanaimo  

Three suspects sought in Canadian Tire scam in Courtenay 

Boil water advisory for some areas of Salt Spring after water main break 

Saanich slashes amenity fees for new housing projects 

Thousands of BC Families will see an increase in government family benefit plan 

Victoria passes a proclamation for the United States of Kailasa. Turns out it doesn't exist 

'One size fits all' approach doesn't work for housing, say rural municipalities 

Oak Bay aims to design two new bike routes, mostly involving pavement markings 

Victoria News

With hot days ahead, BC has the lowest air conditioning access in Canada 

8 sailings a day cancelled after Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen route after boat breaks 

Victoria Foundation distributes a record $4.9M to nearly 200 organizations 

New long term care facility for northern Vancouver Island announced  

BC Ferries cancels Victoria route sailings, warns of more cancellations 

Driest first six months ever in Greater Victoria to start 2023 

'Minimalist' Victoria tenant sought to rent dilapidated boat in crisis market 

Global

Farnworth puts his foot down. Surrey will ditch the RCMP, proceed with Surrey Police Service

'Rare opportunity;' Surrey Police chief calls for collaboration after 'division of transition 

'Politics over facts': National RCMP group decries BC's decision on Surrey police

'Misguided': Locke slams province over move to force Surrey Police transition 

BC Ferries 'Coastal Celebration' headed back to dry dock, more sailings cancelled 

Fraser Valley Transit Strike: Employer agrees to mediated settlement

Amber Alert issued by SurreyRCMP for two children believed to be with their Mother 

BC Coroner says fentanyl the main culprit as 184 people died of toxic drugs in June 

Residents of doomed Sunshine Coast subdivision facing looters, vandals 

Heat warnings issued for Okanagan, Fraser Canyon 

Penticton councillor steps back in wake of historic criminal allegations

The Tyee                                       

BC's response to Doukhobor Children's detention is 'deeply disappointing'

Smith presses on with Big Handouts to Oil and Gas Companies 

BC spent $60 million on COVID-19 PPE. Half was wasted

Inside Victoria's escalating Hospital Staffing crisis 

Rage Farming is poisoning our politics. How to resist

CHEK TV

Cruise ships lowering speeds, spending less time in Victoria to reduce emissions 

'Teachable moment': Island cities rescind civic proclamations for fictional nation 

Inside Victoria's escalating hospital staffing crisis 

BC Ferries vessel pulled from service along major Victoria to Vancouver route  

 

Miscellaneous

Province directs Surry to stay with local police force despite city's wishes 

RCMP officers' group says Mounties shouldn't be 'scapegoats' in police shortage  

BC Police sound alarm over wealthy cryptocurrency investors being robbed 

Lack of compensation for Doukhobor religious group disappointing: BC ombudsperson 

BC Coroner's Service blames illicit drug supply for 184 deaths in June