Author

Brishti Basu

Brishti Basu is a reporter based in Victoria. She speaks English, Bengali, and Hindi. She is a generalist that primarily covers social issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as issues relevant to Victoria and Vancouver Island. Basu began her career in journalism as a reporter with Victoria Buzz in 2017, and has been published in places like VICE, The Tyee, National Geographic, BBC Future, and more. Her work so far covers a wide range of topics, from systematic racism to climate change, marine mammal welfare to culinary nomenclature, and beyond.

COVID-19

‘This was the worst case scenario’: No plan for COVID-positive unhoused people in Victoria

By Brishti Basu
Sep 29, 2021

Bylaw officers seized tents and supplies for sick people, while authorities wring hands over lack of options

Business

‘It was like serendipity’: How a second-generation Victoria bookseller gave Bastion Books new life

By Brishti Basu
Sep 25, 2021

Since the 90’s, local bookstores have been disappearing in droves. Alex Cruikshank decided to buy one anyway

COVID-19

Leaked documents show 225 COVID-19 cases among Victoria’s unsheltered population

By Brishti Basu
Sep 23, 2021

The cases span 22 temporary housing facilities and include at least 20 people with no fixed address. Island Health has not declared an outbreak

Business

The duo behind Victoria’s first music festival in almost 2 years

By Brishti Basu
Sep 3, 2021

Morgan Brooker and Stephen Franke have been building up the local music scene for years—now as the pandemic lurches on, the pair is trying to kickstart it again

COVID-19

Emboldened by social media, Victoria businesses vow to fight vaccine passport

By Brishti Basu
Sep 1, 2021

A lawsuit has been launched with “no chance” of winning while some clamour for horse medicine

Business

Mixed mandates: businesses and education workers in Victoria struggle with new COVID-19 safety measures

By Brishti Basu
Aug 26, 2021

From the restaurateurs who will have to check guests' vaccination status to the professors who won't be allowed to, businesses react to the new rules

Business

Unions representing UVic employees call for provincial mandatory mask, vaccine policies

By Brishti Basu
Aug 14, 2021

Victoria businesses are mulling how to handle mandates of their own, though few have made decisions, according to chamber president