Starting this week British Columbians will have access to a free COVID-19 booster. 

The province said in a release that boosters will be available at pharmacies, community health centers and regional health authority clinics for everyone 6 months and older. 

Masks are no longer mandatory in Island Health facilities, but people are encouraged to wear masks as needed in healthcare settings. Healthcare workers will continue to wear masks and other protective equipment. 

They add that even though respiratory illness season has passed SARS CoV-2 will still circulate at lower levels in the community.  

The province also recommends that adults 65 and older and long-term care residents consider getting an additional dose of the XBB. 1.5 COVID-19 vaccine. 

You can register for an appointment on the B.C. Government website.

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Some Cancer patients in BC will have better access to therapy as part of a new provincial initiative.

These treatments are called Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy, specifically for advanced leukemias and lymphomas.

Premier David Eby says that the province will support eligible cancer patients to get CAR-T therapy closer to home in BC adding "Cancer touches the lives of so many people in British Columbia.”

This initiative is part of B.C.'s larger 10-year Cancer Care Action Plan.

According to Dr. Kim Chi, executive vice-president of BC Cancer, these investments will help improve specialized treatments. "We’re bringing this new life-saving treatment closer to home for patients who are no longer responding to conventional treatments.”

Adrian Chantler is a cancer patient who went through CAR T-cell treatment on the mainland. "A few weeks after treatment I started feeling better and today, after just a few months, I’m essentially back to normal."

Intake for patients started in January and the first treatments will start this month.

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Last week the province announced its 2024 budget which included funds for housing, health care and education. 

Even though the NDP said that education is a top priority for the government, the BC Teachers Federation says the new budget “won’t make a dent” in solving staffing shortages in schools. 

“No student should have to go without the resources and support they need to thrive, but that’s what happens when there aren’t enough teachers," said BCTF President Clint Johnston.

The BCTF says that 2023 saw record levels of population growth in BC and with that comes more students in schools.

"While we appreciate that this isn’t an austerity budget, what we really need is bold action to ensure every student gets the support they deserve," said Johnston.

He adds that a targeted teacher recruitment fund is needed to relieve staffing shortages. 

Beyond staffing issues, the BCTF did see some positives from the budget like the 255-million-dollar classroom enhancement fund. 

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For the third year in a row, Diabetes Canada is holding its 40 Items 40 Days Challenge. 

From now until March 24th you can join in by dropping off gently used clothing and household items at any Diabetes Canada bin or arrange for a home pick up. 

The challenge aims to get participants to drop off one item per day, for 40 days.

Diabetes Canada CEO Sean Shannon says participants can "give new life to their gently used goods and reduce landfill waste."

Net proceeds from all donated items will help fund diabetes research and support kids with type 1 diabetes.

For more donation information, visit their website or call 1-800-505-5525 to schedule a home pick-up.

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It turns out that most BC residents are still in favour of a ban on single-use plastics, despite a recent ruling by the Federal Court that a ban like that is “unconstitutional”. 

That’s according to a recent Research Co. Poll that found 71% of Vancouver Island residents support the ban which is around 5% higher than the provincial average.

On a provincial scale 24% were opposed and 6% were undecided.

The poll also found that two-thirds of British Columbians aged 18-34 take their groceries home in reusable bags. Residents aged 55 and older reported that 95% use reusable bags.

The federal ban on plastics like straws and grocery store bags was introduced in 2022. 

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Residents of Cormorant Island will soon have some more options when it comes to fresh locally-grown produce. 

A newly announced project between the Namgis First Nation and the Island Coastal Economic Trust will see the creation of a large-scale hydroponic farm. 

The project begins this month and will built with expansion in mind and could see additional hydroponic units added in the future.

MLA for North Island Michele Babchuk says that she is excited about the project and to see the Namgis First Nation take steps to improve their "food sovereignty.

The indoor farm will operate on a year-round growing season and will sell directly to customers through a subscription box. 

"The ‘Namgis First Nation has always relied mostly on importing fruits and vegetables. These items have become so costly members struggle with making healthy choices." says Chief Victor Isaac.

According to the ICET, they hope this first hydroponics farm will encourage more start-ups in food processing and growing on the North Island.

The total cost of the farm will be $385,000.

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The Royal BC Museum announced its lineup of exhibitions for this year, and they range from wildlife photography to mid-century homeware.

Starting March 1 the RCBM will host the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit that showcases one hundred photos of species at risk of extinction from all over the world.

May 10th will see the arrival of Stonehenge, an exhibit dedicated to stone monuments and the people who built them.

Canadian Modern is an exhibit starting June 28th that showcases 100 culturally significant objects designed by Canadians and their place in the global modern design movement.

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It turns out that Vancouver Island has some of the best fishing in the country.

That’s according to Fishing Booker, a fishing trip planning website, that ranked the Cowichan River as the second-best fishing spot in Canada.

Other locations on the top 10 list ranged from Lake Ontario to Lake Dauphin in Manitoba and the Bow River in Alberta.

They add that the Cowichan River is the best trout fishery on the island and the Valley offers world-class recreation opportunities.

It was the only river on Vancouver Island named on the list.

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Highway conditions on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast are slushy this morning from the mix of rain and snow that fell last night. 

Environment Canada had issued warnings Thursday calling for heavy snow to fall over most of the region, mixed with rain overnight, and freezing rain possible in the Nanaimo and Malahat areas. 

Highway 19 has some slushy sections and is marked with winter driving conditions according to Drive BC.

School districts on the island are reporting no closures this morning as of 6 am. 

BC Hydro reports multiple power outages this morning across the island and Sunshine Coast.

On the North Island crews are working to restore service to customers in Campbell River, Courtenay, Qualicum Beach and Port Hardy, roughly 7293 customers are affected. 

On Thursday, Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologists issued snowfall warnings for East Vancouver Island and inland areas, and a wind warning for Port Hardy and the North Island. 

Accumulations of snow from 10 to 20 centimetres were expected. 

Periods of snow were forecast for the Sunshine Coast, mixed with rain overnight. 

Warmer temperatures and rain are forecast for all areas of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast today. 

Meanwhile, Mt Washington is benefitting from the snowy conditions, and they got 1 cm last night with more in the forecast. The current snow base is 75 cm. 

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It seems there’s some more winter weather on the way for much of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. 

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a statement this morning (Jan 15) that more snow is in the forecast for this week.

They say temperatures won't be as cold as last week, hovering closer to zero.

It’s the result of a Pacific low-pressure system interacting with the cold arctic air already in place over Southern BC. 

They expect snow to begin tomorrow night and continue into Wednesday Morning and there is potential in some areas for freezing rain. 

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