Victoria Viewpoints: Tuesday-Wednesday, September 19-20, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for Tuesday-Wednesday, September 19-20, 2023

Cross Country March/Counter March

Thousands rally in support and protest of SOGI curriculum in BC's schools

Don't kid yourself about 'Parent's Rights'

Arrests made as thousands attend rallies for and against teaching gender diversity in BC schools

2 arrested in Victoria protests over gender identity education in schools 

Protesters, counter protester clash at anti-SOGI rallies in Vancouver and Coquitlam 

Where do BC politicians stand as anti-SOGI rallies launch across Canada?

Counter protesters swamp anti-SOGI rally at legislature 

'Unsafe' Victoria police ask protesters o SOGI issue to vacate legislature  

Counter marchers outnumber SOGI protesters on Vancouver streets, plazas 

BC Human Rights Commissioner says trans rights 'not up for debate'

Anti SOGI, counter protesters asked to leave legislature grounds due to rising tensions 

BC Firefighters killed in Highway Crash

Four young BC Firefoghters heading home die in head on crash on Highway: RCMP

4 BC Wildfire firefighters dead in Highway 1 crash west of Kamloops: Police 

Four BC Wildfire Service contract workers die in crash on Highway 1 near Wallachian

4 wildfire fighters killed in Highway 1 crash near Ashcroft 

Globe and Mail

BC municipalities vote to ask province to put more restrictions on decriminalized illicit drugs 

Licenses suspended for company whose truck hit BC highway overpass,  minister says  

Vancouver Police boost security at Indian Consulate since Trudeau remarks on killing 

Vancouver searches for a new head of planning

Illegal tobacco growth costing three provinces $2.47 billion in taxes, according to retail report 

With the housing crisis, Canada's big and influential firms are bleeding talent

CBC

Cuddly robots charm BC seniors as researchers study benefits of AI pals in elder care 

BC local governments to ask province for more support with drug decriminalization 

Trucking company's licenses suspended after driver fees site of overpass crash in North Vancouver

Encampment eviction in Prince George was a 'serious human right's violation; : Federal housing advocate 

BC desperately thirsty for rain after a long summer dry spell 

BC says COVID-19 surgery backlog mostly eliminated  

Central BC village declares state of local emergency due to drought 

Group offers $30M to buy proposed Bowen Island park where camping has become contentious 

BC should cover costs when local fire services provide medical emergency care, Prince George council says 

'Our wold turned upside down': West Kelonwna fire chief addresses UN Panel on Climate Change 

Feds GST plan makes building BC rentals more 'palatable' cut renter relief still a long way off: experts 

Victoria to use Airbnb tax funds to build affordable housing for hospitality workers 

9 coyote attacks in 5 days: Mayor of BC city warns against feeding, approaching animal 

The Kamloops mayor promised bus tickets to send unhoused people away, Here's where that proposal stands

Vancouver Sun 

BC orders Whistler courier trucks off the road after North Vancouver overpass crash 

New SFU medical school will include dedicated family doctor program: minister  

TransMountain sale to start with federal meeting next week

UBCM calls for more wildfire resiliency funding, returning dike responsibility to province 

Victoria Times-Colonist 

From waitlist to vacant seats in Camosun nursing program  

Cash only for meals as payment machines fail ion BC Ferries vessel; free beverages offered 

Machete wielding man arrested in Nanaimo 

BC local governments to ask province for more support over drug decriminalization  

Road check for distracted driving in Saanich finds 50 violations in three hours 

Teacher loses credentials over intimate relationship with student 

Administrator takes over Chinatown care home after investigation 

Put monthly cellphone levy on 911 services, UBCM tells province 

NORAD jet exercise could  be visible from Island this afternoon 

Victoria News

'Unacceptable': Victoria Man feels abandoned by Royal Jubilee due to shortages  

'It's not a playground' Victoria skater was parents on skate park etiquette 

Sooke gym teacher banned after sexually exploiting teen student 

Victoria's Mustard Seed Church and Food Bank improves facility after fire 

Victoria landlords now asking tenants to rent 'half' of a master bedroom  

UBCM prez calls for fundamental reforms with Victoria, Ottawa 

Wildfire economic damage to BC tourism still being counted: Minister 

Climate change cost BC tourism '100's of millions, never to be recovered'

Global

Can cute AI robots help with aging and dementia? UBC study seeks to find out 

Series of rainstorms appear headed for BC coast as change in weather expected  

Goodbye bash for Patella Bridge gets nod from province, planning to begin

Surrey Food Bank struggling with donation deficit as demand increases 

BC local governments to ask province for more support over drug decriminalization  

Vancouver police provides free cell phones for low-income seniors to call 911

Sidewalk for West Vancouver School scrapped amid neighbour's opposition

BC suspends licence of company involved in overpass hit and run 

BC drug advocacy group argues illegal 'compassion club' model reduces overdoses 

19% decline in BC Housing due to short term rental shift; Study

'It's a shame': Vancouver builder says red tape killed DTES social housing project

Bail reform a 'step forward' but not enough, say BC Public safety advocates 

 

The Tyee                                       

A patient's prescription for our sick primary Health Care system 

'One hell of a Fight': Coal Miners again target Alberta's Rockies 

The power of Peer support for Queer and Disabled People 

Three stabbings in Chinatown, Mental Illness and a history of violence 

Who will win the BC MLA Game of Musical Chairs?

A Sheriff shortage is threatening BC's legal system 

Could your kid's gut health be impacting their allergies? 

In False Creek, the case of the Leg in the boot 

CHEK TV

'I thought he was going to die': Victims of double stabbing in Sooke share video 

Pumps added to weir at Lake Cowichan as water level drop to historic lows 

Smoke and wildfires persist across mid/north Vancouver Island, lots of rain needed 

Machete wielding man arrested at gunpoint in Nanaimo 

BC local governments to ask province for more support over drug decriminalization  

Island Health appoints administrator to Victoria care home due to 'operators inability' to provide adequate. care 

Miscellaneous