Port theatre to host five virtual shows featuring Vancouver Island Musicians

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Bonnie Henry speaks out regarding death threats and abuse towards her

BC's Provincial Health Officer says she's received death threats and other abuse in her role as the public face in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Bonnie Henry made the remarks at a panel discussion at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention. Henry says like many leaders and people in high profile positions she is a target for abusive behaviour.

"There are many people who don't like what I do or don't like the way how I say it, or don't like my shoes and feel quite able to send me nasty notes, to leave phone calls, to harass my office staff. I've had to have security in my house. I've had death threats. How do we deal with that?"—Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry.

Henry wonders whether women are more often the victims of such vitriol or whether men just don't talk about it. She says talking about it and making it unacceptable is the way to encourage young people and those from diverse communities to become the leaders of the future.

Land transfer will create forestry jobs for both the Stz'uminus and Snuneymuxw

The Snuneymuxw First Nation believes it will take up to 18 months to finalize a land transfer agreement signed with the provincial government last week. The province has said the agreement that covers land on Mount Benson and Mount McKay will not be implemented until overlapping claims by other nations are resolved. The Chief of the Snuneymuxw First nation says negotiations are underway with the Stz'uminus First Nation. Chief Micheal Wyse says the land transfer will create forestry jobs for members of both nations.

"That's 3000 plus hectares of land, you know, forested lands that a great opportunity to bring some economics to us that aim up but not only Snuneymuxw but are surrounding territory here the people the be able to work in the forest industry, which will help mid-Island region"—Snuneymuxw First Nation, Chief Micheal Wyse.

The nations hope to create 160 new jobs in forestry once the agreement is implemented.

Port theatre to launch live-streamed Spotlight Season

The Port Theatre is launching its artistic season tomorrow, with the sale of virtual theatre tickets. The Port Theatre Society's General Manager says the group was hit hard when the pandemic struck having to refund tickets to 90 scheduled shows. However, Bruce Halliday says the group was able to retain its 14 full-time staff with the federal government's wage subsidy program. Other grants helped it buy equipment to live stream this year's Spotlight Season. Five shows from October to December will feature Vancouver Island musicians. Halliday says the live streaming aspect merges well with this year's theme.

"The main theme in this season is about an old theatre tradition called 'breaking the fourth wall' where the performer actually steps out of character and talks directly to the audience. And, a lot of people are seeing live streaming now of course, and I think that is the ultimate in breaking the fourth wall because you are literally taking the audience outside the theatre."—Port Theatre General Manager Bruce Halliday.

Tickets for the $12 dollar live-streamed shows go on sale online through the Port Theatre's website starting at 11 a.m. tomorrow.