Investigation Underway After Body Discovered in Central Saanich

Major crime investigators are requesting assistance from the public to determine the identity of a woman whose body was located at a Central Saanich waste disposal site on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 13.

After local officers initially responded to the scene, the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit assumed leadership of the ongoing probe with support from Central Saanich police.

Physical Description Released by Authorities

The deceased individual is described as a woman in her 30s, standing approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall with a heavy build. She has brown hair featuring blonde highlights, as well as a distinct horizontal scar located on the inner side of her right forearm. Authorities noted that her race remains undetermined.

Anyone possessing information regarding the woman’s identity or who recognizes the provided description is asked to contact the VIIMCU information line at 250-380-6211.

Eby Explains Childcare Enrollment and Equivalent Donations

BC NDP Leader David Eby has confirmed his family benefited from British Columbia’s $10-a-day childcare initiative while the government paused expansions to new providers. Eby stated his child was already enrolled at the facility prior to its designation under the low-cost program.

To offset the government subsidy, Eby explained his family chose to donate the cost difference back to the provider so other local families could benefit. The BC NDP confirmed the family donated $3,200 between mid-2024 and early autumn, representing $400 monthly over eight months, with plans to contribute an additional $4,800 by the end of the year. Eby noted he did not feel his family required the benefit.

Program Caps and Political Opposition Reactions

The program was originally launched under former premier John Horgan in partnership with the federal government, targeting full universal $10-a-day childcare by 2028. However, Eby’s administration placed a three-year pause on expanding the initiative to new facilities this past spring. Currently, about 10 per cent of provincial childcare spaces carry the $10-a-day rate, while many parents across B.C. pay daily rates ranging from $40 to $100.

The Conservative Party of BC characterized Eby’s access to a scarce spot as shocking given the current waitlists, though candidate Margareta Dovgal noted no one begrudges the family’s success. Meanwhile, the BC Greens have pledged to end the freeze on new spaces and implement free universal child care by 2031.

A High-Stakes Gamble on the Ice and in the Polls

During an October campaign stop at the Victoria Curling Club, B.C. NDP Leader David Eby joined candidate Richard Zussman to sweep stones across the sheet. The lighthearted moment comes at a tense period for the premier, who called a provincial election for Oct. 24—less than two years into his current mandate.

Eby triggered the snap vote on Sept. 22, shortly after the B.C. Conservatives appointed interim leader Lorne Doerkson following Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s resignation. Doerkson quickly brought back several MLAs who had briefly defected to CentreBC, stabilizing his party’s caucus. Despite recent polls showing the NDP behind the Conservatives, Eby defended his timing, stating his focus was on ensuring a functioning legislature and elected members who advocate for local priorities.

Reflecting on a Career Built on Risk

Eby has a long history of taking political risks. In 2011, he ran as a 33-year-old against former premier Christy Clark, narrowly losing before defeating her in a 2013 rematch. He later stepped back from a potential party leadership run when his wife, Cailey Lynch, became pregnant with their first child. The couple now has three children. Eby went on to manage prominent cabinet portfolios under late premier John Horgan before assuming the premier’s office in 2022.

Former law school friend Megan Leslie recalled Eby’s early activism, noting he co-founded the Social Activist Law Student Association at Dalhousie University, played in local bands, and joined Vancouver’s Pivot Legal Society and the B.C. Civil Liberties Association. Former colleagues described him as a driven advocate with strong leadership energy.

Critics Question Past Results and Future Outcomes

Former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Mike de Jong warned that calling an early election while holding a one-seat majority could be viewed as tactical self-interest. He suggested that if the NDP loses, the decision could be seen as a major political mistake. Clark also offered a critical view, arguing that while Eby remains a formidable campaign opponent, he faces challenges in delivering policy results, highlighting the province’s projected $14-billion deficit.

When asked if he would remain party leader in the event of an election defeat, Eby refrained from giving a definitive answer, expressing confidence in British Columbia voters to determine the province’s path on election day.