B.C. councillor proposes motion to request safe injection site's closure
The agenda for Monday's council meeting says Coun. Ian Thorpe will bring forward a motion, asking council to 'formally request' that Island Health close the supervised drug consumption site on Albert Street.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Thorpe said during Nanaimo's July 21 council meeting that he planned to put forward a motion that tells the provincial government that the city has 'had enough' of local disorder.
The motion comes after council decided at a July 16 committee meeting against building a 1.8-metre-high fence proposed by city staff aimed at protecting those at city hall from what they said was violence and disorder associated with the overdose prevention site.
Mayor Leonard Krog said earlier this month that the proposed fence may not have made a 'real difference' to workers subjected to intimidation and harassment while sending a 'really problematic message' about how to deal with disorder in the area.
Story continues below advertisement
The fence came with an estimated cost of $412,000 before it was rejected at the committee meeting.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
4 hours ago
- Global News
Put down your phone while supervising kids in the water, Lifesaving Society urges
As Canada heads into a long weekend, the Lifesaving Society is urging parents and caregivers not to have their phones in hand while watching children playing near water or swimming. The society says there has been a spike in drowning deaths this year, particularly in Ontario and Quebec. Last week alone, three people — including two young children and a 24-year-old male kayaker — died in three separate drownings in Ontario. Although the specific circumstances of the deaths aren't known, senior communications officer Stephanie Bakalar says absent or distracted caregivers are a factor in more than 90 per cent of drownings among children under five in Canada. 'Drowning is fast and it is silent and it can happen before you even realize it, which means that we have to have our eyes on our kids at all times,' Bakalar said. Story continues below advertisement The Lifesaving Society continues to hear 'more and more' about children drowning while the people watching them are distracted, often by cellphones, she said. 'If you are going swimming, leave your phone somewhere on a table, face down, make sure you can call 911 if you need to, but do not have your phone in your hand. Do not look at it. Keep it away from you,' Bakalar said. Whether it's at a pool, at the beach or at the cottage, drownings can happen when the supervising adult looks away even for a moment. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We often hear of people who've quickly checked their cellphone or turned to put sunscreen on another child. You could even be doing up a life-jacket for one of your kids while your other kid impatiently jumps in and starts to drown,' Bakalar said. At events such as pool parties, it's important to have a designated adult in charge of watching children at all times — and they should not be drinking and should know how to swim, she said. If that adult has to stop watching even for a few seconds, they should tag another adult in and clearly communicate that they are now responsible. In addition to children, younger men have a higher risk of drowning, largely because they often don't wear life-jackets, she said. Story continues below advertisement 'We've heard of many instances of young people in their late teens, early 20s, doing things to impress their friends and then their life is over,' she said. 'Wear the life-jackets, make the safe choices and have fun. You can absolutely have fun in a life-jacket.' Preliminary data released Tuesday by the Drowning Prevention Research Centre Canada shows a small increase in water-related deaths between Jan. 1 and July 29 this year compared to the same period last year. Across the country, the centre said it's aware of 164 deaths in that time frame in 2024 and 168 this year. Although the number of water-related deaths either decreased or held steady in several provinces year-over-year, Ontario and Quebec have both seen jumps. According to the preliminary data, Ontario had 49 deaths between Jan. 1 and July 29 in 2024 and 57 during the same period this year. Quebec's water-related deaths jumped from 32 to 47. The province with the next largest number of water-related deaths was British Columbia, with 23 deaths between January and July both this year and last year. The Drowning Prevention Research Centre gets its data from internet and media monitoring services across Canada. It is subject to change later when official coroners' and medical examiners' investigations are complete. Story continues below advertisement Ontario's Office of the Chief Coroner said there was an official total of 75 drowning deaths for all of 2024, down from 94 in 2023. It does not yet have official data on the number of drowning deaths that happened this year. The Quebec coroner's office said it did not yet have official data from either this year or 2024 as all investigations have not yet been completed, but said there were 90 drowning deaths in the province in 2023. B.C.'s Office of the Chief Coroner said there were 98 accidental drowning deaths in total in 2024, down from 119 deaths reported in 2023.
Global News
18 hours ago
- Global News
More E. coli cases believed to be connected to popular Calgary restaurant
The number of laboratory confirmed cases of E. coli and a rare parasite, believed to be connected to a popular Calgary-area restaurant, continues to grow. In an email to Global News, Alberta Health Services said there has been an increase in people calling Health Link (811) reporting symptoms of gastrointestinal illness after eating at the Saskatoon Farm, about 20 minutes southeast of Calgary, earlier this month. View image in full screen Alberta Health Services is now asking anyone who had something to eat or drink at the Saskatoon Farm between July 1 and 18 to call 811 to arrange to get tested for E. coli. Global News While AHS hasn't divulged how may calls it has received, it confirms there have now been 26 probable cases of E. coli confirmed by laboratory testing. Story continues below advertisement That's an increase from the 18 cases confirmed on Friday, July 25, 2025, by AHS Medical Officer of Health Dr. Francesco Rizzuti. AHS said the number of people testing positive for the parasite, Entamoeba histolytica, has also increased, with nine of those who tested positive for E. coli also testing positive. That's up from the three cases provided in a media briefing on Friday. AHS said a number of other pathogens, including norovirus and rotavirus, have also been identified in the laboratory testing, but it has yet to be determined if they can be linked to the Saskatoon Farm as both norovirus and rotavirus are commonly associated with gastrointestinal illness. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy There has also been one additional person who required hospitalization, bringing the total number to three, although two have since been discharged. View image in full screen The Saskatoon Farm is located a 20 minute drive southeast of Calgary and is a popular destination for Saskatoon berry picking, a farmers market and a restaurant. Global News AHS has also expanded the timeframe for people who consumed water, beverages or food at the Saskatoon Farm to get tested for any of the identified pathogens, even if they have not developed any symptoms. Story continues below advertisement Anyone who dined at the restaurant between July 1 and July 18 is now being asked to call 811 (Health Link) to make arrangements to get tested. The previous timeframe was July 1 to 16. View image in full screen AHS has identified the Saskatoon Farm's water system as the most likely source of the outbreak of gastrointestinal illness and is asking anyone who dined there between July 1 and 18 to call 811 to arrange to get tested. Global News AHS investigators have identified the Saskatoon Farm's water system as the most likely cause of the outbreak. Even though the Saskatoon Farm has switched to a different water source that has been confirmed to be safe for human consumption, Rizzuti said there is ongoing testing being done and the restaurant will remain closed until AHS inspectors and medical officers of health determine there is no more risk to the public. Health Canada defines E. coli as a bacteria that can be spread through contact with infected people, animals, food and surfaces — including undercooked, unpasteurized, contaminated or untreated water, foods and other liquids that have come into contact with the feces of infected animals or people. Story continues below advertisement The improper handling of infected food can also cause cross-contamination of other foods. People who become infected with the parasite E. histolytica can also develop a severe gastrointestinal illness called amoebiasis weeks to months after infection. While none of the people confirmed to be infected with the parasite have tested positive for amoebiasis, Rizutti said, in some rare cases it can lead to other infections outside of the gastrointestinal system, including the heart, liver and lungs. The symptoms of amoebiasis, said Rizutti, may not show up for weeks or even months after the initial infection, which is why AHS is asking people who dined at the Saskatoon Farm between July 1 and 16 to call 811 to arrange to get tested. According to Health Canada, people who test positive for E. histolytica can be treated with a variety of drugs but the extent of treatment depends on whether the parasite is isolated to the gastrointestinal system or has spread to other organs.
Global News
19 hours ago
- Global News
33 cats, dogs, puppies surrendered from Nanaimo property
The BC SPCA has taken custody of 33 cats and dogs, including puppies, surrendered from a property in Nanaimo. The organization said the animals' guardian had become 'overwhelmed' by their needs and that their numbers had grown due to 'uncontrolled breeding.' The surrender included two pitbull terrier mix mother dogs with 16 puppies, as well as four kittens. View image in full screen Some of the puppies surrendered from a property in Nanaimo. BC SPCA 'All the animals, including the puppies and kittens, had flea infestations,' BC SPCA senior officer for protection and stakeholder relations Eileen Drever said, adding the home was unsanitary, with feces and urine throughout. Story continues below advertisement 'There was an inadequate amount of food and water for the animals, and it was obvious they had not received veterinary care. Their basic needs were not being met.' View image in full screen Some of the cats surrendered from a property in Nanaimo. BC SPCA The animals are being cared for at SPCA centres in Nanaimo, Parksville and qathet, and are receiving flea and parasite treatments. One of the dogs also has a growing lump on his head that may require intervention. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Aside from one of the mother dogs who is fearful of people, all of the other animals are friendly. The SPCA says the puppies will be ready for adoption in about five months once they have been properly weaned.
