HEALTH & WELLNESS

Good physical and mental health and wellness improves the quality of individual lives and reduces healthcare costs. The health status of people depends on good health practices and behaviour, and access to healthcare services.


Pedalling for inclusion and wellbeing 

Health & Wellness


Pedalling for inclusion and wellbeing 

Through their unique program, the Sidney chapter of the Cycling Without Age Society (CWAS) brings joy to those who have barriers to cycling.

Since 2018, trained “pilots” have been welcoming aboard adults from care homes, and neurodiverse students, for delightful “trishaw” bike rides along some of the Saanich Peninsula’s most picturesque streets. These exciting journeys enhance riders’ wellbeing by connecting them to the beautiful outdoors and their communities.

Peggy Dayton, treasurer and pilot, describes a trip she took with a rider in her 90s, who rarely went outside. “Every tree, every flower and building, she was amazed. She kept saying, ‘I just love this!’” 

Dorine Pomphrey coordinates the school program and says the rides are “such a positive, life-enhancing experience. Not just for complex learners, but the pilots themselves and the wider community.” 

CWAS Sidney has been working to expand to new neighbourhoods, with help from a Victoria Foundation grant. President Bill Brooks says it’s also helped purchase a coveted wheelchair bike and allows for more trishaws to be taken out on trips together.

Bill says Sidney’s chapter is one of the largest nationwide, with 44 pilots and over 700 rides so far this year.

Sponsored by
BOOTH SCOTT


Photo by: Jo-Ann Richards, Works Photography 

Vital signs citizen survey grade

C+

Last year’s grade was C+

Health & Wellness

Vital signs citizen survey grade

C+
Sustainable Development Goals

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TARGETS

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Estimated annual alcohol consumption per capita in 2023 

9.9L SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND
or 580 standard drinks per person over age 15 per year 
down from 10.3 L in 2022

8.2L BRITISH COLUMBIA

7.3L CANADA in 2023/24

THEN & NOW

Alcohol consumption rates in South Vancouver Island are returning to levels last seen 20 years ago. In 2002, the per capita alcohol consumption rate was 9.4 L. It peaked at 11 L in 2020 and dropped steadily to 9.9 L in 2023. SVI rates have been higher than BC rates since tracking began in 2002. These declines are likely more than a post-COVID adjustment and may represent structural change in demand in the alcohol marketplace. 

Consumption estimates are based on alcohol sales, reported in litres of absolute alcohol per person, with one litre equal to 58.65 standard drinks.

One standard drink equals 17 ml of pure alcohol, or 341 ml (12 oz) serving of 5% beer, cider or cooler; 142 ml (5 oz) serving of 12% wine; or a 43 ml (1.5 oz) serving of 40% spirits.

SOURCE: CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR SUBSTANCE USE RESEARCH

UNREGULATED DRUG DEATHS

Greater Victoria was one of the top three BC cities for unregulated drug deaths in 2024, after Vancouver and Surrey. 

UNREGULATED DRUG DEATHS IN 2024

161 GREATER VICTORIA

7% of BC deaths

165
SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND
down from 180 in 2023

35.4
RATE PER 100,000 POPULATION IN SVI
down from 39.7 in 2023

In 2014, when tracking first began, there were 23 unregulated drug deaths in the region for a rate of 5.9 per 100,000 population.

2,287 BRITISH COLUMBIA
down from 2,585 in 2023

40.1 RATE PER 100,000 POPULATION IN BC
down from 46.8 in 2023

In 2024, fentanyl was detected in 84% of BC’s unregulated drug deaths (85% in 2023) and benzodiazepines were detected in 48% (44% in 2023). Benzodiazepines do not respond to naloxone and create life-saving challenges for first responders. 

Note: BC Coroners Service works in a real-time database environment and statistics are updated retroactively as investigations are completed. These statistics are current to April 30, 2025.

SOURCE: BC CORONERS SERVICE 

ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

Family Physicians in 2023

845 IN SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND
Rate of 186 per 100,000 population
up from 819 family physicians and the same rate in 2022

138 BRITISH COLUMBIA per 100,000 population

120 CANADA per 100,000 population

Since 2019, there has been a 15% increase in the total number of family physicians in the region
from 735 in 2019 to 845 in 2023

SOURCE: CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH INFORMATION

Psychiatrists in 2023

112 IN SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND
Rate of 25 per 100,000 population.
up from 106 psychiatrists and a rate of 24 per 100,000
population in 2022

17 BRITISH COLUMBIA per 100,000 population

15 CANADA per 100,000 population

SOURCE: CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH INFORMATION

Population, aged 12 and over, who reported having a regular healthcare provider in 2021/22

75% SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND
up from 72% in 2019/20

83% BRITISH COLUMBIA

86% CANADA

SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA

COMMUNITY IN FOCUS

New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community 

Women living with substance-use challenges on Vancouver Island will now have access to additional care through 20 newly opened treatment beds at the New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community in View Royal. Operated by Our Place Society, the centre offers long-term, holistic support for women, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse individuals facing addiction, incarceration, or housing instability. Clients can stay up to two years and the opportunity for stability allows them to begin rebuilding their lives. The centre is part of a provincial initiative to expand treatment options in all regions of BC so that more people can find their unique path to recovery.

SOURCE: PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND OUR PLACE SOCIETY