28063 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

The count suggests the informal work might include "bottle collecting and panhandling", but yes, some/many also steal stuff.  Then somebody buys it.  I think you rarely hear of anyone arrested for being a fence, or for merch-for-drugs schemes.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 05 February 2026 - 08:41 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

The medical health officer for Cowichan and local community health partners are calling on North Cowichan’s mayor and council to find safer sheltering conditions for unhoused individuals, saying it’s leading to increased risks of preventable health issues to the community and the surrounding area.

 

On Wednesday night’s agenda, North Cowichan’s mayor and council will discuss two letters regarding the current sheltering conditions for unhoused individuals since the municipality closed a homeless encampment on Lewis Street back in November 2025.

 

“Within a week of the displacement, a record number of toxic drug poisoning events were reported by health and community partners,” says Dr. Melissa Wan, interim medical health officer for the Cowichan area.

 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...ncerns-1303602/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 05 February 2026 - 10:46 AM.

[mbjj]

Lordie, I know Lewis St. well. All three of the schools I went to are within spitting distance of it. When we graduated from high school one of my good friends lived in an apartment, which I think was the one eventually demolished to make way for the homeless shelter. Hard to image how safe and carefree my childhood was in that area. We'd ride up to various corner stores on our bikes and never give a second thought to leaning them up outside unattended. 

[Victoria Watcher]

‘Not a lot of good choices’: Talks continue with no solution in sight for North Cowichan’s unhoused

 

https://cheknews.ca/...housed-1303991/