BC Ferries reports a $62 million dollar loss in the first quarter of the year

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BC Ferries is reporting a $62 million dollar loss in the first quarter of this year. Last year at this time, it was reporting a $12 million dollar profit. The loss in revenue is not surprising, since ferry traffic dropped by 80 per cent within days of the pandemic being declared in March. However, the ferry corporation says by the end of June, traffic volumes recovered to 65 per cent of normal. Earlier this month, the provincial and federal governments announced they will assist BC ferries in recovering from the loss. BC's Minister of Transportation says she wants to see a business plan first. Claire Trevena says that business plan must be in the public interest.
The BC Wildfire Service says two fires burning near Victoria's drinking supply are not expected to grow. Fire crews are still working on the fires on Trap Mountain, which is in the Sooke Reservoir watershed. Fire Information Officer Julia Caranci says although rain does help the fire crew, it does not put out fires.
"So although we do have some rain happening right now we still want to press to people that there remains an open burning ban and while campfires are still allowed they have to be small, less then half a meter to half a meter, you have to monitor your campfire at all times, and you must not leave the area until, as our crews do it to the fires we attacked, the fire must be cold to the touch." —Fire Information Officer Julia Caranc.
The fire danger level remains at high on Vancouver Island.
The Minister of Health is downplaying complaints by family members who say visits to long term care facilities need improvement. All care homes in BC that do not have active COVID-19 cases have been allowing one hour-long visit every two weeks. And, only one designated permit may visit and it must be the same person every time. Some facilities allow hugging, others force visitors to remain up to five meters away. The Minister says he's hearing positive reports about visiting protocols in care homes. Adrian Dix says officials are reviewing whether more frequent visits are possible and whether more than one person can be a designated visitor. But he says those decisions will depend on the number of COVID cases in the wider community.
"There are 47,000 workers in long term care in BC and if there is a lot of COVID in the community, that affects people who work in health care and so it's all of our task to support this." —Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.
Dix says there may be an announcement next week, about whether visiting will be expanded at long term and assisted care facilities.