Lots of change for local ridings

Shake-ups in the electoral map and a slew of political departures mark next Saturday’s provincial election which may bring some surprises in previously predictable districts.

The upheaval caused by BC United’s surprise fold into the Conservative Party makes this a more difficult election to predict across the CRD. However, in ridings where incumbents are running and where names and boundaries remain familiar, it becomes a little easier—not certain but easier. 

Three districts in the CRD have undergone name changes and their boundaries have been altered: Langford-Highlands created out of Langford-Juan de Fuca and a small portion of Esquimalt-Metchosin; Juan de Fuca-Malahat which includes Sooke, parts of Cowichan Valley and Esquimalt-Metchosin; and Esquimalt-Colwood which includes Esquimalt, Colwood, Vic West, and View Royal.

Another change you may notice: There will be 93 seats in the legislature, up from 87—with four new ridings in the Lower Mainland, one in the Interior, and one here on the Island. Welcome to the party, Langford-Highlands.

Read Sidney Coles’ full story here.

Teale Phelps Bondaroff is a Saanich councillor, researcher, policy maker, marine conservationist, and champion of Little Free Libraries—those cute homemade book exchange boxes that have popped up all over the place (we’re up to 870+ of them in the CRD).

He’s also the owner this morning of a great big smile.

That’s because yesterday in Ottawa, Bill C-64—the Pharmacare Act—passed its third reading in the Senate, positioning Canada closer to a $1.5 billion universal pharmacare program that will among other things, make diabetes and prescription contraception free across the country.

“We are super excited with the news,” says Phelps Bondaroff, who also is a co-founder of AccessBC, which has been lobbying for free contraception for the last seven years.

“I don't think a lot of people realize how expensive prescription contraception is,” Phelps Bondaroff tells Capital Daily. “And it falls disproportionately on women, people who get pregnant—$500 for an IUD.”

In April 2023, BC became the first province to provide free contraception and it’s been reported that in the first year and three months of the program, a quarter of a million people have benefited. 

Last month, BC became the first province to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the federal government to implement single-payer, first-dollar coverage for select contraception and diabetes medications. The two governments will negotiate an agreement once Bill C-64 receives royal assent.

“This is not only going to help improve health outcomes, but it's also going to make life more affordable, make life more equal, and the policy saves governments money,” Phelps Bondaroff says.

Contraception isn’t used solely to prevent unplanned pregnancy

It’s also used to treat chronic gynecological and menstrual conditions, hormonal acne, preventing some forms of cancer, and for gender-affirming care, Phelps Bondaroff says. “So, it's one of those things that not only does it allow people to exercise reproductive autonomy, but it also helps improve health outcomes in a wide range of contexts.”