Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
The stepfather of a youth stabbed in Sooke last week says he’s opting for restorative justice in the wake of the incident.
Sooke RCMP responded to reports of the stabbing at around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 14th, along a wooded trail near the end of Throup Road, not far from Journey Middle School.
After arriving on scene, officers found a youth suffering from “significant” injuries.
The victim received first aid from witnesses until the arrival of paramedics, who then transported them to hospital.
At this time, a second youth was taken into custody by police without incident, where they remained with a date in court.
“It’s been an emotional roller coaster,” the victim’s stepfather, Tim Baillie, told Victoria Buzz.
“He’s doing really well right now; he’s back at home in Sooke, and it looks like all the physical injuries he received will be without complication.”
Baillie’s thanking the bystander who came to his stepson’s aid, as well as the dispatcher, first responders, RCMP and Victoria General Hospital staff.
Still, what remains is a long road to mental, emotional and social repair for all involved, according to Baillie. “There will still be bouts of shock for a long time,” he said.
It’s prompting Baillie to launch a Facebook fundraiser in hopes of raising $10,000 to fund a positive and restorative project, event or program.
“The money can be used for a restorative response rather than a destructive reaction,” he wrote to the fundraiser page.
“It became evident that there was an opportunity for the community to do something a little out of the ordinary and make it more of a positive outcome than just something for people to be angry about.”
According to Baillie, following the stabbing, many in Sooke are feeling scared, angry and hopeless. With the fundraiser, he’s hoping the local community will feel empowered.
“Let’s make sure the victim, as well as the perpetrator of the stabbing, gets the counselling and other support they will need. These are children. They and their families will need help,” added Baillie.
“I ask all to reach deep into their hearts and support my stepson and his family and think of the horror the other family must also face.
“They also need your compassion and support.”
In an emailed statement, the Sooke School District (SD62) said it activated its Critical Incident Response and Violence Threat Risk Assessment teams late Thursday afternoon.
“Those teams will continue to work with the RCMP and professional agencies in their ongoing investigations as well as supporting the students, staff and community at Journey Middle School in the coming days and weeks,” said SD62.
Police ask anyone with any information on the incident to call Sooke RCMP at (250) 642-5241. To remain anonymous, tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477 (TIPS).
“This appears to be an isolated incident and there is no further risk to the public,” police said Thursday.
Tourists travel from across the world to visit our city, enjoy our beaches and experience everything the island has to offer.
One destination in particular, however, is especially renowned, our very own getaway paradise right here in Victoria.
Nestled on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the Oak Bay Beach Hotelis a popular destination for many – locals and travellers alike.
With ocean views, a luxurious spa, an oven-fired pizza eatery and more, it’s a must-see and now, they’re adding an award-winning employer to that list.
This year, Tourism Vancouver Island’s annual industry awards recognized Oak Bay Beach Hotel as Employer of the Year for 2022.
The Employer of the Year award recognizes tourism businesses in the region that exemplify best practices in gender equity, diversity, skills training and benefits.
(Oak Bay Beach Hotel)
According to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, they have focused on retention, development and growth over the last few years, focusing on the mental health and wellness of their team.
By working to address issues such as cost-of-living realities through various programs, the hotel hopes to create a culture of balance and growth with their team.
Overall, they achieved the highest employee engagement scores they have ever received, resulting in them claiming the top spot.
(Oak Bay Beach Hotel)
“The tourism and hospitality businesses and employees in the Vancouver Island region have shown incredible resilience through the pandemic,” says Anthony Everett, President & CEO, 4VI (formerly Tourism Vancouver Island).
“They are all deserving of an award and I wish we could recognize each and every one by name. The Vancouver Island Tourism Conference was an opportunity to come together as an industry in person and celebrate this resilience, dedication and innovation.”
And that’s certainly not the only award Oak Bay Beach Hotel has been recognized for—year after year, the luxury boutique resort continues to win awards for its restaurants, spa and resort overall.
In 2021, the resort was recognized by Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards as the #1 hotel in Canada and 19th in the world.
It was also recognized by the Times Colonist Reader’s Choice Awards as the best hotel, second Best Pub, and third Best Island Resort in the region.
Finally, the hotel’s Boathouse Spa was recognized as the #1 spa on Vancouver Island, 25th of 100 spas in North America by Spa of America.
If you fancy a staycation or are even looking to join an award-winning employer, look no further than Oak Bay Beach Hotel—Victoria’s little slice of paradise!
Did you know a first-time distracted driving infraction could cost you $620?
Drivers caught emailing, texting, or using an electronic device while driving in British Columbia face not only a fine but four penalty points toward their insurance.
According to a new study by Research.co, most BC residents think these penalties aren’t harsh enough when it comes to distracted driving.
The online survey, which included a representative provincial sample, revealed that 46% of residents have witnessed a driver talking on a hand-held cell phone or texting while driving over the past month.
Although the total number of residents who are detecting distracted drivers has dropped since 2020, down 9 points since a similar poll was conducted in December 2020, the poll showed residents believed the current penalties still might not be enough.
According to the statistics, 56% of residents say the current fine for distracted driving in the province is “about right”, 24% say it is “too low” and only 15% consider it “too high”.
On Vancouver Island, 33% of residents believe the current penalty for distracted driving is too low.
This opinion varies by area, with only 29% of Northern BC residents, 22% of Fraser Valley residents, 21% of Southern BC and 21% in Metro Vancouver residents agreeing.
More than half of British Columbians are in favour of different penalties for drivers caught distracted driving: suspending drivers, doubling first time fines and seizing electronic devices.
Across the province, 52% of residents support suspending drivers who are ticketed for distracted driving for a year, while 41% are opposed to this course of action.
In addition, 55% of the province’s residents are in favour of doubling the current first-time fine, a total of $1,240!
When it comes to seizing electronic devices of repeat offenders, 64% support the idea.
A 60-year-old man involved in a hit-and-run with a cyclist last week had his license suspended for three months and was ticketed for leaving the scene of the crash.
The collision occurred around 6:15 p.m. last Thursday on Beach Drive near Estevan Avenue in Oak Bay.
The driver left the scene when he found out police were called to the incident.
Fortunately, there were no serious injuries and officers were able to locate the suspect driver at his home where they conducted an impaired driving investigation.
He was then issued a 90-day driving ban, a 24 hour driving prohibition, and a violation ticket for failing to remain at the scene of a collision.
Victoria city councillor Sharmarke Dubow is stepping away from public office.
In a Tuesday tweet, first-term councillor Dubow announced his intentions not to seek re-election in the upcoming municipal election this fall, calling it a “difficult decision.”
“In the meantime, I will continue to serve the people of the City of Victoria and push for meaningful change,” wrote Dubow, who currently serves as Fernwood and Victoria West community liaison.
Dubow says his love for the community prompted him to run for office in 2018 to push for a “more inclusive decision-making table.”
“I am so grateful to the residents of the City of Victoria who elected me for this opportunity. Serving you on council over the last four years has been the privilege of my life,” he said.
As a former refugee who fled the civil war in Somalia at the age of 8, Dubow spent 20 years seeking safe haven until Canada offered him a home in 2012.
Looking back on his career as a city councillor, Dubow notes he was the first Somali-Canadian elected to a city council in Canada and Victoria’s first Black councillor in 152 years.
“During my time in office, I championed the establishment of a new Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion to embed equity throughout policies, programs and services in order to advance the removal of systemic barriers,” he said.
Advocating for affordable housing is another career highlight for Dubow, along with prioritizing bus lanes.
He also challenged local leaders to travel by BC Transit for a week—a motion lauded by people in Victoria and across Canada.
In January 2021, Dubow was in hot water after he admitted to flying to Somalia despite government advisories against non-essential travel.
However, he argued he had been planning and saving for the trip for years, after not seeing relatives living in the East African country for over three decades.
Victoria’s 2022 municipal election is set for October 15th. Dubow now joins Mayor Lisa Helps, who announced last fall she would not be seeking re-election this year.
The province of BC says it’s supporting five child care providers to create 395 new licensed child care spaces in Greater Victoria.
That’s on top of the 2,152 new spaces funded locally since a $2.7 billion investment into the ChildCareBC plan launched in July 2018, the province says.
Throughout Greater Victoria, Next Level Childcare Society (non-profit) will see 86 new spaces, with Esquimalt Child Care Centre, Uplands Elementary and Glanford Child Care Centre (SD61) seeing 36, 48 and 44 spaces, respectively.
Meanwhile, Colwood Elementary School (SD62) will see 73 spaces; Victory Hill Daycare (non-profit) will see 24 spaces; and a to-be-announced facility in Saanich (SD63) will see 84 spaces, the province announced Tuesday.
With some of the new spaces on school grounds, Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside says this will help children “more easily transition from their early-care programs into their school community.”
Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA Mitzi Dean echoes Whiteside and notes the over 200 new spaces planned for his riding “will make a huge difference for working families.”
“For decades, parents who wanted to work or attend school were left with few options. I am glad we are working to build a system where child care is accessible for everyone who wants it,” said Dean.
As a result of ChildCareBC investments, the province says parents in Victoria, Saanich, Sooke, Oak Bay and Esquimalt/Metchosin have saved $22 million, $13 million, $17 million, $6 million and $13 million, respectively.
In 2022-23, Budget 2022 is providing an additional $30 million for the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund to expand the number of licensed child care spaces province-wide.
Since 2018, the province adds that over 26,000 new licensed child care spaces have been created through the New Spaces Fund and other space-creation programs.
Nicky Smiley and a group of marine enthusiasts were in for quite a surprise Sunday evening after spotting a pod of five orcas within Comox Marina, next to docked boats.
It was such a thrill, Smiley made sure to capture the rare up-close sighting on camera and share it on her Facebook page, Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings (CVWS), for all to see.
“Experiencing this was so amazing; there was such a feeling of connection at that moment,” Smiley told Victoria Buzz.
“They were under the water looking at us as we looked at them. My heart was racing with excitement and respect for these amazing beings.”
According to Smiley, she and her daughter Ella launched CVWS seven years ago. The page has since grown a fan base of thousands, with multiple wildlife sightings posted daily.
Smiley says the latest orca spotting was T049A1 Noah, his aunt T049B, and cousins T049B2, T049B3 and T049B4.
“To be honest, I felt totally emotional; we were in such awe of these beautiful, intelligent beings. They contain so much power, yet glide gently by hardly breaking the water’s surface,” she added.
Sooke RCMP have arrested two men following a drug bust last week.
At approximately 7:30 p.m. on April 11th, RCMP received a report of threats involving a firearm in the 6700-block of Sooke Road.
Officers attended to the scene immediately, where two men were arrested on scene.
During their search, officers seized a variety of weapons, cash, and numerous illicit drugs, including approximately 79 grams of suspected benzodiazepines, 30.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 17.6 grams of suspected fentanyl.
Sean Patrick Tierney and Jeremey Theodore Tinnion, both residents of Sooke, were arrested.
25-year-old Tierney is charged with three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, while 33-year-old Tinnion is charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Both individuals appeared in court on April 12th and remain in custody pending future court dates.
Sooke RCMP remind the public if they witness anything they believe to be suspicious in nature to contact them at 250-642-5241.
If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Victoria city council wants to speed up construction of affordable housing, passing new legislation that cuts about nine months off timelines for a typical project.
The motion passed Thursday means projects by non-profit, government or co-op housing organizations will no longer require rezonings or public hearings when they already meet official community plans and related design guidelines.
Amid a housing crisis, Mayor Lisa Helps calls it a “bold step to remove the uncertainty around affordable housing decisions and cut red tape.”
“It’s the first of hopefully many tectonic shifts in how Victoria is improving the housing development process,” said Helps.
Victoria is the first municipality in BC to approve a city-wide accelerated process for qualifying affordable housing projects, states a press release.
Staff says the new legislation is the first of “several major policy moves” to close the supply gap and make homes “more affordable, more accessible and more attainable.”
It ultimately gives non-profit housing providers more certainty to secure senior government funding without the risk of a project being turned down at a public hearing, the city explains.
“Cities taking steps to speed up approvals for new public and affordable housing makes it easier, cheaper and faster for the province and the federal government to respond to the housing crisis by building the homes that are desperately needed,” added Attorney General David Eby.
According to city staff, nearly half of Victoria’s 27,000 renter households spend more than 30% of their income on rent, as BC Housing reports indicate a waitlist of around 1,100 locals in need of affordable housing.
The city says it plans to build 2,100 more affordable rental units by 2025.
Celebrate Earth Day at the Bay Centre this Friday!
Earth Month isn’t just a month to celebrate this planet we call home, it’s also a call to action—and a reminder to always consider tomorrow.
And in celebration of Mother Earth, the Bay Centre has teamed up with Victoria Buzz to give away a free gift!
On Friday, April 22nd from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., the first 300 guests to stop by the Bay Centre’s Centre Court will get a FREE potted spring plant.*
Make sure you mark your calendars for this Friday—the perfect day to work from your downtown office, with a little lunch break to snag your free plant, of course.
Victoria Buzz will even be on location to celebrate all things sustainable on April 22nd, so stop on by, say hi, and grab your plant friend—we hope to see you there!
And that’s not all
(The Bay Centre)
If you’re reading this article, we’re also giving you the chance to win a gift basket (worth over $200!) filled with sustainable/eco-friendly products from various Bay Centre retailers, including:
Goldilocks Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps from Market Collective
Ecologie by Danica Swedish Sponge Cloths from The Tuscan Kitchen
Refillable Ginger Scalp Care Shampoo from The Body Shop
Refillable Ginger Scalp Care Conditioner from The Body Shop
Shampure™ Hand and Body Wash by Aveda, from Eco Chic Aveda Salon & Spa
Natural Loofah from Eco Chic Aveda Salon & Spa
Shea Butter Hand Cream from L’Occitane
Salt & Stone Natural Deodorant from Below the Belt
United By Blue Copper Straw Kit, from Below the Belt
Woven basket from Winners
All you have to do is follow the instructions below:
Popular comedian Jim Jefferies is on tour and has just announced a stop in Victoria this fall.
Australian-American stand-up comedian, actor and writer Jim Jefferies is making his way across North America and soon, you will be able to see him live right here at the Save on Foods Memorial Centre.
Now, the Australian comedian, actor and writer will return to the region this September as part of his Moist tour.
On Monday, Jefferies announced additional dates for the second leg of his tour, including dates in Vancouver, Kelowna and Victoria.
Ticket options include reserved front bowl, back floor, bowl and a VIP package which includes an individual meet and greet and photo with Jefferies himself.
Pre-sale begins Wednesday, April 20th. Be sure to use the code word MOIST for early access.
General sale begins at 10 a.m. this Friday, April 22nd.
Easter Monday is off to a windy start as Environment Canada issues wind warnings for various parts of Vancouver Island, including Greater Victoria.
A morning alert states that strong southeast winds of 70 km/h gusting to 90 at times will prevail along coastal regions near Haro Strait, prompting risks of tree limb breakage and power outages.
Similar wind warnings are also in effect for East Vancouver Island in cities like Nanaimo, Courtenay and Campbell River, as well as West Vancouver Island. Only to the west, winds up to 100 km/h are expected.
And while winds should ease around noon today, adverse weather is making things difficult for travellers going to and from Vancouver Island.
BC Ferries cancelled a handful of sailings this morning, including the 6:15 am and 8:25 am departing Departure Bay, and the 6:15 am and 8:25 am leaving Horseshoe Bay.
In a statement, BC Ferries said its staff would contact affected customers to let them know if space was available to fit them on alternative sailings or if their booking must be cancelled.
Either way, the organization said reservations would be automatically refunded to those whose sailings were affected as it urges ferry-goers to check its Service Notices page for route statuses.
Last week, BC Ferries told customers to brace for a heavy long weekend of travel.
“The most popular times for travel are expected to be Thursday evening, Friday morning and Monday afternoon,” it said Wednesday.
“Customers with a booking should plan to arrive 45-60 minutes before their sailing. Customers walking on board should plan to arrive 45 minutes before their sailing.”
Monday morning weather cancellations come as crew shortages continue to plague BC Ferries, prompting a warning to customers to expect delays and altered sailing schedules into the peak summer season.
In March, the organization found vaccination policies, troubles recruiting international candidates, and a shortage of professional mariners were fueling its hiring challenges.
A youth was rushed to hospital after suffering significant injuries following a stabbing in Sooke this afternoon.
Sooke RCMP responded to reports of the stabbing at around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, which occurred on a wooded trail near the end of Throup Road, not far from Journey Middle School.
After arriving on scene, officers found a youth suffering from serious injuries.
The victim received first aid from witnesses until the arrival of paramedics, who then transported them to hospital.
At this time, a second youth was taken into custody by police without incident.
According to Sooke RCMP, the suspect will be held in custody to appear in court.
Police have not released any further details on either the victim or the suspect at this time.
“We are grateful to those who immediately took action and rendered care to the victim,” said Sergeant Kevin Shaw, Acting Detachment Commander of the Sooke RCMP.
This appears to be an isolated incident and there is no further risk to the public.
Police are asking anyone with any information on this incident to contact Sooke RCMP at 250-642-5241 or, should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
The BC Centre for Disease Control has released its weekly COVID-19 update, reporting seven new deaths in the Vancouver Island Health Authority and 23 province-wide.
The report released Thursday shows that between April 3rd to 9th, BC saw 1,770 new cases of COVID-19, including 322 in Island Health, bumping the island’s total case count to 33,754 since the pandemic began.
Currently, BC’s COVID-19 Dashboard shows 364 people are in hospital with the virus, including 36 in critical care. Forty-seven people are in hospital on Vancouver Island.
The seven additional deaths in Island Health increased the region’s overall COVID-19 death toll to 250, but health officials note changes have been made to how these deaths are reported.
All deaths within 30 days of a person’s positive COVID-19 lab result are now reported, regardless of whether COVID-19 was the actual cause of death.
“All-cause mortality is being used because cause of death takes approximately eight weeks to be recorded,” the BCCDC said.
“Retrospective evaluations of underlying cause of death will be done by the BCCDC, in addition to the data provided in this report, to better understand true COVID-19 mortality.”
BC scrapped its daily COVID-19 reports on new cases, hospitalizations and deaths last week.
According to the Ministry of Health, the new weekly COVID-19 reporting approach aligns with a shift away from a ‘case-management’ model to a ‘surveillance’ approach.
Officials say the approach focuses on identifying changes in COVID-19 trends over time across different regions of the province, similar to how the government monitors for other serious respiratory illnesses.
Weekly #CovidBC update: In the week of Apr. 3-9, there have been: • 1,770 new cases reported, for a total of 359,002 cases in BC • 233 hospitalizations, for a total of 20,220 in BC • 23 deaths, for a total of 3,036 in BC
UPDATE: West Shore RCMP have identified the three individuals wanted for their involvement in a unprovoked assault in Colwood.
—original:
West Shore RCMP are calling on the public’s help in identifying a trio of suspects involved in an assault in Colwood earlier this month.
Just after 2 p.m. on April 2nd, police were called to the 300-block of Wale Road following reports of an unprovoked attack.
Officers arrived on scene to find a victim surrounded by multiple witnesses who last spotted the culprits heading northbound along the Island Highway.
Witnesses described the first suspect as an Indigenous male, approximately 18-year-old with a slim build and short hair. He was last seen wearing black pants.
The second suspect is also an Indigenous male, approximately 16-years-old with short hair. He was last seen wearing a red ball cap, black shirt, black pants, and glasses.
Meanwhile, the third suspect, last seen wearing dark clothing, is believed to be an Indigenous male between 16 and 18 years old.
“The suspects’ photos are being released in hopes that either the public can assist in identifying or the three individuals recognize themselves and contact us,” said West Shore RCMP Cst. Meghan Groulx.
According to police, the victim sustained minor injuries.
Police are now asking anyone who can identify the suspects or who may have witnessed the assault to call the West Shore RCMP at (250) 474-2264.
Nanaimo RCMP are seeking the public’s help in identifying an individual who allegedly stole a vacuum as well as the owner of a recovered, stolen E-bike.
At approximately 7 p.m. on April 7th, officers attended to Lowe’s after a report of a theft.
According to an employee, an unknown person had run from the store without paying for a vacuum, described as a Hoover Impulse.
An employee followed the suspect at a safe distance but eventually lost sight of him in the area of Rutherford Road.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian man between 35 and 45 years old. At the time of the incident, he was sporting a beard and wearing dark clothing.
On Wednesday, April 13th, officers with the Bike Patrol located the bike while conducting a patrol of a deconstructed homeless encampment behind Galaxy Motors.
Several individuals at the encampment denied knowledge of the bike or where it came from.
According to officers, the orange Rayvolt Cruzer has a retail value of $4000 to $6000.
Due to the value of the e-bike and its condition, officers seized it for safekeeping.
Anyone with information regarding the theft of the vacuum or recovered E-bike is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
Six years ago today, BC declared a public health emergency into substance-related harm, and all these years later, the crisis continues to plague the province.
It’s prompting Victoria’s mayor and city council to renew a call for action.
“We’ve urged both the federal and provincial governments to create more treatment beds, implement safe supply and decriminalize small amounts of drugs for personal use,” said Mayor Lisa Helps.
“These actions reduce stigma, and they save lives.”
Helps released a statement on Thursday urging the federal government to support BC’s request for an exemption from Health Canada under Section 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
According to Helps, this will “help us meet substance use with the public health approach it deserves. We also call on the federal government to adopt federal Bill C-216.”
The bill would amend the Substances Act and revoke a provision that makes it an offence to possess certain substances.
“We must get to a point as a society where no one loses their life to a toxic drug supply, and we must get there soon,” said Helps.
Victoria residents, including the Moms Stop The Harm group, are also pushing for more to be done by officials.
A rally at Centennial Square this morning saw a crowd gather bearing signs stamped with words like “Stop Overdose Deaths” and “My Loved One Mattered”. Another sign read, “BC Drug Policies Are Killing Our Loved Ones”.
Overdose deaths highest in Victoria, Vancouver and Surrey
Since the declaration of the public health emergency in 2016, more than 9,400 people in BC have died, with most deaths recorded in three BC cities, including Victoria.
“Each of these deaths is one more person who will never have a chance for recovery. It’s one more family member lost, with mourning relatives left behind,” said Helps.
“Our healthcare system fully vaccinated over 90% of British Columbians against COVID-19 in just over a year. We know there is capacity for action.
“This same level of commitment and action is required to get safe prescription supply into the hands of those who need it, so that a substance use disorder is treated like a medical issue, rather than a criminal issue.”
Fentanyl continues to be the predominant substance found in post-mortem testing, the Coroners Service found in its latest data.
“The supply of illicit drugs in Canada has become so toxic – so poisoned and tainted with fentanyl – that we cannot hope to address the escalating death toll without providing access to a safe, medically-regulated drug supply,” added Helps.
Sooke and Lake Cowichan RCMP are investigating after nearly 30 metal spikes were found inside a fallen old growth tree inside the Fairy Creek injunction area last week.
Police were alerted to the spiked tree located near the Granite Mainland Forest Service road on April 7th.
According to reports, employees with a security company located approximately 30 metal spikes that had been driven through the trunk of a fallen old growth tree and dragged from where it had been cut.
PVC piping was also found inside the log, which was intended to be used as a sleeping dragon, a device used by protestors to secure themselves to a physical structure.
Officers believe the metal spikes were intentionally placed in order to hinder forestry workers from conducting their operations in the area.
“This tactic to impede forestry operations is not only illegal, but is extremely dangerous,” said Chief Superintendent John Brewer, Gold Commander of the RCMP Community-Industry Response Group.
“We wish to remind everyone that peaceful protest can take place without a risk of harming others. In return, criminal acts such as these will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be arrested and prosecuted according to our Canadian laws.”
RCMP say they will continue to actively patrol the forestry roads and the corridor to keep them clear from obstructions.
If you’re looking for the perfect fun-filled Easter activity this weekend, Easter egg hunts are a classic activity the whole family can enjoy.
This long weekend, spend time with family, try some mini egg desserts and hop on down to one of the many Easter egg hunts and events happening in and around Greater Victoria.
Also, Victoria Buzz has scored you a sweet deal on tickets to this Saturday’s Victoria Royals game in celebration of Marty and Marmot’s birthday! Check out the deal here.
When: Friday, April 15th; puck drops at 7:05 p.m., Saturday, April 16th; puck drops at 7:05 p.m.
Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
Tickets: Available online and at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre box office
Attending a rally isn’t the only way Victorians can show their support for Ukraine this weekend. A Ukrainian Easter Market is set for Saturday, April 16th.
It’s happening at the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (Victoria Branch) from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., and all funds raised from sales will help Ukraine.
Stop by to purchase pierogies, Ukrainian borsch, cabbage rolls, poppyseed buns, Easter cakes, various pies, sweets and pastries and many other treats.
When: 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, April 16th
Where: Ukrainian Canadian Congress (Victoria Branch), 1112 Caledonia Avenue
Sarah Harmer is a Canadian singer/songwriter and environmental activist whose winsome vocals and wanderings in indie pop, folk, and bluegrass have bewitched critics and fans alike.
After being closed for nearly two years, Hecklers is back to fulfill your comedy needs. Every Saturday night, enjoy a comedian followed by Comedy Here Often?’s The Late show.
Where: 123 Gorge Road East, Hecklers Bar and Grill
When: Byron Bertram: 7 p.m., Saturday, Comedy Here Often? The Late Show: 10 p.m., Saturday, April 16th
Tickets: $20. Tickets can be purchased online here.
This local event has a 20 plus year history of celebrating the best our city has to offer in toe-tapping folk, jazz and fiddle music with an array of special guests including the Veselka Dancers and Daniel’s wide variety of student ensembles.
This weekend, Hermann’s Jazz Club is hosting an all ages family show!
Lelolai FAM (Family Arts Music) honours creativity and inclusivity of peopl eof all ages and cultures, a tropical fusion of sound blending Folk, Funk, Jazz and Latin Rhythms in English, Italian and Spanish!
The event will be a special fundraiser with all donations collected from the livestream going directly to Arts on View.
Summer may still be a few months away, but for many, summer adventure plans are already in the works.
For the first time in what seems like forever, events are being announced, vacations are being planned and summer 2022 is looking bright.
If you and your friends are looking for the ultimate summer getaway, you might not have to go too far.
Sunset Island Resort, located on Sproat Lake near Port Alberni, is available for rent, making it the perfect summer getaway for you and up to 40 friends.
The Victoria-based artist is gearing up to host an exhibit next month at the Gage Gallery downtown, donating 25% of sales to helping the region’s most vulnerable critters.
“I love dogs, as do many people,” Bub tells Victoria Buzz, highlighting her fast-approaching Champion for Animals fundraiser for the BC SPCA.
“I wanted to do something to help them out, and the SPCA does fantastic work. I thought this would be a great opportunity to do something really fun and make dogs’ lives better,” she said.
Bub’s creations are crafted from wood and recyclable materials and include unique sculptures of domestic pets and wild animals like lions, wolves and owls.
According to Bub, she’s been in the business for over three years now, with past pieces displayed in various venues around town including the Empress Hotel, Bay Centre and Emily Carr House.
Her upcoming show runs from May 10th to 29th.
“It’s going to be a super fun show with a lot of dogs made of driftwood, actually. The dogs look like they’re alive,” explained Bub.
“If you’re not in the position to get a real dog, you can get a drift dog and at the same time do something nice for real dogs.”
Breanna Beckett is the SPCA’s senior manager for the capital region and says she and her colleagues are “thrilled” to be partnering with Bub.
“This will be our first BC SPCA third-party event since the pandemic,” said Beckett.
“We are so grateful to Tanya for her compassion and generosity, and we hope that this will be the first of many post-pandemic Champion for Animals events to help animals in the Victoria area.”
More information about Bub and her work can be found online here.
Shortly after 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 14th, VicPD officers located and arrested Gregory Brotherston at a suite in a multi-unit residential building in the 700-block of Courtney Street.
He remains in custody.
— original:
VicPD officers are asking for the public’s help in locating 40-year-old Gregory Brotherston.
Brotherston is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for suspension of statutory release and is believed to be in Victoria.
He is currently serving a three-year federal sentence for assault causing bodily harm and break and enter.
Brotherston and his family are known to have a history of violence. In 2009, Brotherston, his brother and father were on trial for murder of 33-year-old Keith Taylor on May 30th, 2008.
The trio, who were eventually aquitted of second-degree murder, drove the lifeless body of Taylor to the West Shore RCMP detachment.
The judge found that Brotherston and his brother were assisting their father Ken Sr., who was acting in self-defence.
Following the above, Brotherston was involved in several other serious incidents, that included attacking a man in his home, leaving the resident with serious injuries.
Brotherston also served three years in jail for the death of 57-year-old Rick Green.
According to Global News, Brotherston, who was 31 at the time, was arguing with his ex-girlfriend outside the Country Rose Pub in Langford when the Green tried to intervene.
Brotherston struck Green in the face, causing him to fall backwards, striking his head on the pavement.
He was taken to hospital but he died days later.
Brotherston is described as Caucasian, standing 6’1” tall and weighing approximately 220 pounds. He has short hair and blue eyes.
If you see Brotherston do not approach him and call 911.
Anyone with information about where Brotherston may be is asked to call VicPD at (250) 995-7654.
To report what you know anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The Victoria Electric Vehicle Association is apologizing after commuters mistook its member, who was doing an EV count, for a person in distress on the Helmcken Road pedestrian overpass.
On Wednesday morning, the association conducted its second annual spring count of electric vehicles, which required its member to count every EV cruising into and out of town via the Trans-Canada Highway.
But when the vehicle counter was mistaken for someone attempting to jump the railing, it caused temporary traffic delays on either side of the highway and the overpass, according to one Facebook post.
“Presumably, jumper on the Helmeken overpass,” stated the post to the Facebook group Vancouver Island Breaking News & Info, which prompted a flood of comments.
“Heartbreaking,” wrote one person. “So sad,” added another.
Police were called to the scene, but West Shore RCMP Cst. Meghan Groulx confirmed that it was, in fact, the EV Association member on the job, and that there was no need for public concern.
The count took place between 6:30 and 9 a.m., and according to the Victoria EV Association, 1,728 electric vehicles were recorded.
That represents approximately 18% of the EVs registered in the capital region and is a 70% increase of EVs commuting over last year’s 1,023 vehicles, the association said.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2433. You can also visit them online.
VicPD took to the streets yesterday for Warrant Wednesday, resulting in the arrest of 15 men and women wanted on a variety of offences.
On Wednesday, April 13th VicPD officers focused on locating and arresting individuals wanted on outstanding warrants in the city.
The day-long project ultimately led to the arrest of 15 people who were wanted on a variety of offences, including mischief, assault with a weapon, breach of probation, assaulting a police officer, uttering threats, and assault causing bodily harm.
Amongst those arrests were two men wanted on Canada-wide warrants for parole revocation. The two were arrested separately in the 500-block of Johnson Street.
Both men were serving federal prison sentences and were returned to the custody of Corrections Canada.
Previous warrant enforcement projects led to the arrests of 23 people in January 2021, and 27 people in May 2021. Offences varied from mischief and breaches of release orders, to assault causing bodily harm, sexual assault and sexual interference involving a youth.
Anyone with information on someone who is wanted in Victoria or Esquimalt is asked to call the VicPD at (250) 995-7654. To report what you know anonymously, call the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Here’s a breakdown of the 15 arrests on Wednesday:
Officers have arrested a 33-year-old man in the 2900-blk of Douglas St. He was #YYJWanted for breach of probation & was in possession of a stolen bike which we seized & will return to the rightful owner. #VicPDWarrantWednesday
A 39-year-old man has been arrested in the 3000-block of Blanshard St. He was #YYJWanted on *several* warrants including 1 count domestic assault, 2 counts breach of probation, 2 counts failure to comply with court order & 4 counts breach of release order. #VicPDWarrantWednesday
A 39-year-old man has been arrested in the 3000-block of Blanshard St. He was #YYJWanted on *several* warrants including 1 count domestic assault, 2 counts breach of probation, 2 counts failure to comply with court order & 4 counts breach of release order. #VicPDWarrantWednesday
A 34-year-old woman has been arrested in the 700-block of Pandora Ave. She was #YYJWanted for breaching an undertaking, related to an incident where she stole over $2,500 in retail goods from local business. #VicPDWarrantWednesday
Officers have arrested a 30-year-old man in the 900-blk of Mason St on 2 warrants for theft.
A 53-year-old man has been arrested in the 800-blk of Johnson St. He had 3 separate mischief warrants related to property damage at a supportive housing facility. #VicPDWarrantWednesday
Officers have arrested a 46-year-old man in the 600-block of Speed St. He was the subject of a warrant for failing to attend court for assaulting 2 VicPD officers & uttering threats. #VicPDWarrantWednesday
A 39-year-old woman has been arrested in the 700-block of Queens Ave. She was wanted for possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. #VicPDWarrantWednesday
A 30-year-old man has been arrested at Douglas St & Hillside Ave. He was wanted on a warrant for breach of probation, stemming from an incident where he threatened 2 VicPD officers with an uncapped hypodermic needle. #VicPDWarrantWednesday
Officers have arrested a 28-year-old man at Government St & Johnson St. He was wanted for assault with a weapon & uttering threats. #VicPDWarrantWednesday
Summer is on the horizon and one massive venue in downtown Victoria is ready for event season, especially with COVID-19 restrictions easing.
“COVID-19 really hurt event spaces within Victoria. We were already struggling with event spaces before the pandemic,” said Dave Bain, director of events at the Powerhouse.
Located along Store Street in Old District, steps from the south bank of Rock Bay, the Powerhouse is a new event space mixed with a history that dates back centuries.
The Powerhouse (yogi.photos)
The 20,000 sq. ft Romanesque-style brick building was designed by former Victoria mayor John Teague, the architect behind City Hall. It cost $15,000 to build and construction wrapped in 1892.
“The building housed the main source of power for Victoria back then. It was founded by the National Electric Tramway and Light Company, which turned into BC Hydro. They did steam combustion there,” said Bain.
Once completed, the Powerhouse provided power to newly electrified street lights and a public transportation tram system, helping modernize Victoria into the twentieth century, according to Canada’s Historic Places.
“What’s interesting about the building is that it’s built to withstand a bomb because they dealt with such volatile power sources,” explained Bain.
The Victoria Heritage Foundation dives further into its deep-rooted past, noting the Powerhouse served various purposes through the 1900s, including in the 50s when it was converted to produce coal gas.
But eventually, the remaining occupants moved out for good and the building was left abandoned. “It sat dormant for quite some time,” said Bain.
The Powerhouse (yogi.photos)
That all changed in recent years, however, after heritage developer Chris LeFevre started working with BC Hydro to rebuild the Powerhouse from the inside out and revitalize it for commercial use.
“The building has undergone significant renovations to make it admirable again. It’s quite large and has multiple venue spaces and different businesses running out of it, including a pinball club and Metropol,” said Bain.
“We’ve done quite a bit of updating to make sure that the space is usable, including power, floor space and washrooms—all those things that most people don’t think about when they go into an event space.”
Business is booming
Roughly three months ago, the Powerhouse’s event spaces became available to the public to book. And so far, Bain’s phone has been ringing off the hook.
The uptick in business is offering hope to an industry that’s feeling the brunt of the pandemic, especially after being hit with cancellation after cancellation, according to Bain.
“We’ve not really made it public yet, and I’m doing countless tours with folks because everyone is so interested in seeing a new event space open up,” he said.
“When we originally opened it up, our primary focus was weddings. So we do have quite a few weddings coming, but we’re trying to develop a plethora of all events.”
The Powerhouse (yogi.photos)
Bain says the upcoming Victoria Cheese and Meat Festival and Victoria International Wine Festival have booked space at the Powerhouse, as event planners eye the venue for tours as well.
The Powerhouse has also been a hit on the small screen after the 2021 Netflix drama series Maid filmed there, and the upcoming Syfy series Reginald the Vampire saw its cast and crew walk the halls.
“It’s a very utilized building in the film industry because it has such high ceilings and such amazing character,” added Bain.
More details about the Powerhouse can be found online here.
Nanaimo RCMP are searching for a person of interest, connected to two of three suspicious fires in Nanaimo this month.
According to RCMP, three suspicious fires have been set in the area of Seventh Street within the past two weeks.
Just after 7 a.m. on Sunday, April 3rd, fire crews and police responded to a garden shed fire.
The shed, which was destroyed, was located on the school grounds of John Barsby Secondary.
While on scene, police received a description of an individual who was seen in the vicinity of the fire when it was just beginning to smoulder.
The individual was last seen riding a scooter along the footpath that connects to Seventh Street.
The same day, a second fire was started.
Just after 10 a.m., police and fire crews responded to a fire under a pedestrian bridge that is located on the west side of John Barsby Secondary, just metres from the garden shed fire.
When police arrived, crews had already extinguished the blaze.
The fire was deemed suspicious in nature, as it appeared wood had been bundled under the bridge then set on fire.
Fire crews told police they had seen an individual leaving the area as they attended the blaze, and they were able to take a photo of him before he left the area.
The person in the photo matched the description of the person seen near the first fire.
Sometime overnight on Friday, April 9th, a canvas car seat and candle were taken from the front porch of a home in the 700 block of Stirling Avenue, then placed on the back porch of a nearby home.
The seat cover was set on fire but melted before the fire could spread.
Unfortunately, there are no suspects or footage of the theft or fire.
According to RCMP, the location of the fire is approximately a six-minute walk from the locations of the other two fires. However, the third fire cannot be connected to the first two fires.
The person of interest is described as a Caucasian man, with a slim build and long brown hair.
At the time of the first two fires he was wearing a blue ski jacket and track pants with a white stripe along the side. He also had a white scooter with him.
“All three of these fires are troubling because it appears that they were all intentionally set and occurred within a short distance of each other,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
“Home owners need to be vigilant and report any suspicious fires or persons to the police.”
Anyone with information regarding the fires or who may recognize the suspect from the photo provided is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
This weekend is Easter long weekend, and Our Place Society is gearing up to prepare a home-cooked Easter dinner for those in need.
On Sunday, the community center is expecting around 600 people to join together at their family table, offering a safe space for those experiencing homelessness, financial and/or medical struggles to enjoy a home-cooked meal.
At 5 p.m. on April 17th, Victoria’s most vulnerable citizens will be able to enjoy a home cooked meal, thanks to the generous support of donors, community groups and volunteers.
Due to pandemic restrictions, city leaders and volunteers won’t be joining staff this year to dish out a full meal of turkey cutlets, cranberry sauce, steamed vegetables and herbed rice.
“People from all walks of life are still struggling to make ends meet this year,” says Julian Daly, executive director of Our Place.
“Serving an Easter meal to those who might otherwise go without is just one small way of showing that we are here to listen, share and support.”
In addition, Spiritual Care, located on the 2nd floor of 919 Pandora, will also be hosting a Multi-Faith Spring Celebration earlier in the day.
Light refreshments will be served at 12:30 p.m. followed by a multi-faith service at 1 p.m.
Easter Sunday, Pesach (Passover), and the Hindu festival of Hanuman Jayanti will all be represented.
Overdoses are on the rise locally, prompting Island Health to issue a drug poisoning and overdose advisory for Greater Victoria.
The health authority issued the advisory on Tuesday, April 12th, saying overdoses are increasing in Victoria, Sooke and the West Shore area.
“Friends, family and community members using opioids and stimulants face increased risk from both injection and inhalation,” said Island Health.
Health experts ask those who witness someone overdosing to call 911 right away, stay with them and give one breath every five seconds and naloxone, if possible.
Island Health is also sharing strategies for safe use, including carrying naloxone, starting low and going slow, and staggering use with a friend. Mixing substances increase the risk of overdose, the health authority warns.
It urges drug users to use at a Local Overdose Prevention Service (OPS), such as The Harbour on Pandora Avenue or Rock Bay Landing on Ellice Street.
More tips to help prevent overdose and use more safely can be found online here.
More fentanyl in Victoria’s cocaine supply, testing lab warned
Greater Victoria’s drug poisoning and overdose advisory follows last month’s warning from street drug testing lab Substance UVic, which confirmed an increase in fentanyl contamination within the local cocaine supply.
It also comes as BC grapples with the latest overdose statistics.
At around 2:30 p.m. on March 16th 2020, police were called to a multi-unit building in the 3000-block of Douglas Street, following reports of a man who had been assaulted with a weapon.
According to a police statement, the man suffered serious injuries and was transported to hospital where he was receiving medical care.
On March 25th 2020, nearly ten days after being hospitalized, the victim succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
Unconfirmed sources told Victoria Buzz that a man set off a flare directed at the victim inside of a unit.
Bystanders in the area at the time stated that alarms in the former Tally Ho building, now a supportive housing unit, were going off for nearly half an hour.
The suspect was able to elude police for two days after the attack.
On March 18th 2020, VicPD spotted and arrested the suspect, 56-year-old George Thurrott, in the 3100-block of Douglas Street.
According to police, the victim and the suspect knew each other and the assault was an isolated incident.
On Friday, April 8th Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) detectives, working with the Toronto Police Service and Peel Regional Police, arrested Thurrott in Mississauga, Ontario.
Now, Thurrott has been charged with second-degree murder in relation to the homicide.
Thurrott was transported back to Victoria and appeared before the courts on Monday, April 11th.
He remains in custody pending his next court appearance.
Construction of a massive new multi-sport facility at Centennial Park in Central Saanich starts next year, according to district officials.
The district announced Tuesday that the Centennial Multi-Sport Box will host various sports and recreation programs and accommodate many user groups.
Boasting a 17,000 sq. ft surface, the enclosed facility will be home to the Peninsula Warriors Lacrosse Association and used for other sports and fitness programs, offering “year-round, all-weather outdoor recreational activities.”
Mayor Ryan Windsor says Central Saanich council is “extremely pleased” to be adding the facility to the community. He says it will “add more opportunities for recreation in all seasons.”
“The pandemic has shown us the advantages of having outdoor, covered spaces that are multi-functional, and has also reinforced the physical and mental health benefits of recreation,” said Windsor.
The new facility will be built where a 40-year-old lacrosse box currently stands. “The project will also include adding walkways from the lawn bowling facility and Wallace Road,” the district added.
Central Saanich is receiving a $2 million grant from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help with building costs. Any remaining costs will be paid via the district’s reserve funds.
Preliminary work on the project will begin this spring, and detailed design and costing should come later this year.
Happening at the luxurious Westin Bear Mountain Resort in Langford on May 28th, the evening will include a sit-down dinner, live entertainment, and spectacular silent and live auction packages.
Guests will also have the opportunity to hear from local care teams and grateful patients who will share their powerful stories directly from hospitals’ front lines.
All proceeds of tickets and funds raised during the event will benefit our local hospitals through the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, and you can grab your tickets online here.
Funds raised at the Miracle on the Mountain Gala will support Island-first equipment needs at Victoria General Hospital, as well as research and innovation projects through the $10-million Emerge Stronger campaign.
The event will host 300 guests, and there are single tickets as well as premium tables available in groups of 10.
The Victoria Hospitals Foundation works in partnership with Island Health to enable donations to every area of care at Royal Jubilee, Victoria General, and Gorge Road hospitals.
As Island Health’s charitable partner, they raise donations for medical equipment, special projects, education, and research.
Last year, the Foundation earned revenue of over $15 million, including gifts from over 5,200 donors—these generous donations funded thousands of pieces of urgently needed medical equipment to help local hospitals provide care to all 850,000 residents of Vancouver Island.
Since 1989, the Victoria Hospitals Foundation has raised more than $163 million to benefit local hospitals.
It’s only fitting that the Royal BC Museum in Victoria has acquired a century-old painting of former provincial health officer (PHO) Dr. Henry Esson Young.
After all, Esson Young was “the Dr. Henry of his time,” according to the museum, which notes he led BC’s vaccination efforts against smallpox and tuberculosis in the 1920s.
One hundred years later, disease and public health measures to limit spread continue to be pressing issues for British Columbians—drawing many parallels between Esson Young and current PHO Dr. Bonnie Henry.
“These two Dr. Henrys share common interests in preventative medicine and faced similar challenges as proponents of vaccination,” said Dr. India Young, curator of art and images at the museum.
Artist Mary Ritter Hamilton completed the portrait of Esson Young sometime between 1910 and 1915, before her departure for Europe to paint WWI battlefield landscapes. The museum credits her as Canada’s first wartime woman artist.
The painting, titled Honorable Dr. Henry Esson Young, was gifted by Helen Belkin Art Gallery and will soon be available online through the BC Archives database.
It may appear in future exhibitions on provincial art history, women artists or healthcare—especially those examining vaccines and pandemics, the museum adds.
Members of the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) working as librarians for the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) have paused job action this week, as they have reached a tentative agreement with their employer.
On March 9th, members of the BCGEU working as librarians for the VIRL began picketing at VIRL’s Cowichan branch, seeking a deal that aligned their compensation with other libraries in the province.
According to a letter to the VIRL board by librarians, research shows that, of all regional library systems in the province, VIRL librarians are the lowest paid and its executives are among the highest paid.
Now, BCGEU has paused library job action after reaching a tentative agreement with VIRL.
“We’re pleased that VIRL’s management has chosen to re-engage negotiations, and to have received a fair wage proposal that is worthy of bringing back to the membership,” said Laura Kaminker, VIRL librarian and bargaining committee chair.
“Until the vote is counted, librarians will be back at work and not on the picket line.”
The organizer of an Easter egg hunt in Nanaimo is scrambling for answers after eggs packed with pills and an obscene note turned the event into “a nightmare.”
The egg hunt, hosted yearly by Vancouver Island Rockhounds group moderator Lucas Cunningham, took place the morning of Sunday, April 10th, at Maffeo Sutton Park downtown.
Cunningham says around 40 participants showed up with Easter baskets in hand.
But he was left shocked after some families approached him, saying one egg had a note reading “F— You A–hole!!!” stuffed inside, while two other eggs had seeds, kernels and Apo Prednisone (APO – 50) tablets inside.
Health experts say the medication treats allergic reactions, some skin conditions, severe asthma and arthritis, but should be stored away from children.
“When I hid my eggs, I didn’t see any,” Cunningham told Victoria Buzz.
“But when people were doing the hunt, they brought them to me. They were very distinctly different from mine—they were metallic in colour.”
Cunningham called Nanaimo RCMP right away.
“For these eggs to be found in the same area where I was holding my hunt, it’s really suspicious. Police are investigating it right now,” he said Tuesday.
It’s an ordeal that left Cunningham shaken, especially because he has three younger brothers and can relate to parents’ fears.
He says the discoveries spurred an “all-around bad scene” as “a little kid could have gotten ahold of one of them and ate what was inside.”
“It just goes to show that you really need to be careful in public areas. I know downtown Nanaimo is a rough patch, but that’s just horrifying,” added Cunningham.
RCMP and other emergency crews are searching the coast of Nanaimo for a man who presumably drowned after falling from a sailboat yesterday.
At approximately 8:40 p.m. on Monday, April 11th, Nanaimo RCMP received a call of a woman falling off a sailboat into the water near Commercial Bay, off Newcastle Island.
Information was then received of a man who had also fallen into the water.
RCMP officers were brought to their location by the Nanaimo Port Authority Vessel and found an extremely hypothermic and intoxicated woman clinging to a rope tied to an anchored sailboat.
The woman was lifted onto the Port Authority vessel, then transported to a waiting ambulance where she was taken to hospital to receive emergency medical treatment.
The man, who was reported to have also fallen into the water, is believed to be her 59-year-old partner whom she resided with on the sailboat.
After a search of their vessel, shoreline and ping of his cell phone, the Canadian Coast guard hovercraft and Search and Rescue helicopter, along with the Port Authority vessel and ground crews conducted an extensive search of the waters and shoreline.
The man was not found and the search continued this morning.
Two RCMP Marine Section vessels and the RCMP dive team scoured the waters off the shoreline of Nanaimo today.
“There is nothing to indicate at this time that criminality is involved and investigators are working on the premise that the missing man fell into the water and presumably drowned,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
The last known clothing the man was said to be wearing was a blue and black shirt, blue jeans and either runners or flip-flops.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP at (250) 754-2345.
If you’re looking for the perfect fun-filled Easter activity this weekend, Easter egg hunts are a classic activity the whole family can enjoy.
This long weekend, spend time with family, try some mini egg desserts and hop on down to one of the 8 Easter egg hunts and events happening in and around Greater Victoria:
Butchart Gardens is holding their Easter Bunny Hunt from April 15th to 18th!
Children 17 years and younger admitted to the gardens will be given a map, marking the location of 12 bunnies hidden throughout the gardens.
Once attendees have found all the bunnies, completed maps can be turned in at the Information Centre for an Easter treat and to enter a draw for an Easter basket.
On Saturday, Pemberton Pete will be at Ed Macgregor Park for Pemberton Homes’ Sooke Easter Egg Hunt.
Separate egg hunts will be offered for toddler-age and elementary-age children, where participants have to gather up as many eggs as possible and then give the eggs to Pemberton Pete’s helpers to receive prizes.
Attendees will also be able to have their face painted and munch on cotton candy and popcorn at this free event organized by Pemberton Homes agents and staff.
Royal Bay and the City of Colwood’s Easter event will have live music, face painting, Ukrainian Egg Decorating demonstrations, scavenger hunts and more!
An estimated 174 British Columbians lost their lives in February of this year due to toxic illicit drugs, with 15 of those deaths recorded in Victoria, according to the BC Coroners Service.
That’s 15 local families who lost a loved one amid the ongoing toxic drug crisis, pushing the province’s death toll to 9,410 since January 2016.
As we approach the sixth anniversary of the public-health emergency declaration into substance-related harms, Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe says BC continues to lose lives at a terrifying rate.
It’s prompting a push for more to be done.
“Unless we act quickly to provide a safe, regulated source of the drugs people are using in every community across our province, people we love will continue to be vulnerable to the profit-driven, chaotic illicit drug market,” said Lapointe.
She says safer supply, decriminalizing possession of drugs for personal use, reducing stigma, and building an evidence-based treatment and recovery system are critical in reducing fatalities.
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson echoed Lapointe, saying Tuesday, “We know there is more to do, and we won’t stop working until we turn this crisis around.”
The latest data points to February as the 17th consecutive month in which more than 150 lives were lost to illicit drugs in BC, with the 174 deaths equating to over six deaths per day.
Fentanyl also continues to be the predominant substance found in post-mortem testing, the Coroners Service found in its data.
And while every health authority in BC endured illicit drug toxicity deaths in February, it says the cities with the highest number of fatalities were Victoria, Vancouver and Surrey.
So far in 2022, 78% of recorded toxic drug deaths have been male, many young and middle-aged with years of life ahead of them, said Lapointe.
“I extend my deepest sympathy to the many families, friends and communities who are grieving the loss of a loved one,” she added.
A young driver is going to have to find an alternate mode of transportation after Oak Bay police nabbed her for impaired driving while she tried to stuff her “newly fallen off” bumper into the backseat of her car.
Police said the incident occurred just after midnight on Wednesday in the 1100-block of Beach Drive.
According to Oak Bay Police, the driver told an officer she had struck a rock after they inquired what had taken place.
The officer said the driver was exhibiting signs of impairment and was her to take a breathalyzer test.
The driver failed the roadside screening and was issued a 90 day driving prohibition her vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
The driver who only had a learners permit, was also issued six additional tickets, including one for driving without a supervisor, driving with too many passengers, driving past midnight, having blood alcohol content above 0 (which is prohibited for L drivers), driving without due care, and failing to display an L sign.
An elderly man is dead following an early morning fire in North Saanich.
Police officers, fire crews and paramedics were called to the rural residential blaze in the 9000-block of Cresswell Road, near McTavish Road, on Saturday, April 9th.
According to North Saanich/Sidney RCMP Cpl. Andres Sanchez, the property features multiple buildings. He says a mother and her son in a suite adjacent to the fire escaped unharmed.
While firefighters were able to put out the flames, Sanchez tells Victoria Buzz that the fire led to the death of a man in his 70s.
Police have since teamed up with forensic and fire investigators to determine what caused the fire but say it hasn’t been deemed suspicious.
The BC Coroners Service is also conducting its own investigation.
“All emergency services acted swiftly and professionally in this situation,” added Sanchez.
“I take comfort that we have well-trained officers who are working diligently to ascertain the cause of this terrible event.”
Saanich Police have released photos of a vehicle they believed to be connected with a 2017 machete incident in Oak Bay.
In addition, police revealed another incident in Sooke was also connected to the primary investigation.
On the morning of April 25th, 2017, a woman was attacked while alone in her home in the 2500-block of Esplanade Road in Oak Bay by an unknown male.
Around 7:30 a.m., the woman was in her home and heard noises coming from the kitchen area. She went to investigate the noises and found an unknown man there.
She confronted the man and an altercation took place, resulting in the woman being struck several times with an edged weapon, believed to be a machete.
The woman was able to call police but the suspect fled before officers could arrive.
At the time of the incident, the only description of the suspect provided was that the man was heavy-set, in his 20s, and was last seen wearing a brown jacket, dark pants, and a baseball cap.
The following day, April 26th, 2017, a secondary crime scene was discovered in Sooke, which detectives can now confirm is related to the primary investigation.
To this day, the random attack has remained an active investigation with significant police resources and actions dedicated to it. The suspect has never been identified.
Detectives with Saanich Police’s Major Crime Unit alongside officers with the Oak Bay Police Department have uncovered new evidence that may lead to the identification of the suspect and the recommendation of charges to the Crown Counsel, including footage of a suspicious vehicle.
Evidence shows a vehicle, captured on video, going back and forth on Sooke Road from this secondary scene.
The vehicle is a blue Ford Explorer Sport Trac with unique characteristics.
Now, investigators are asking anyone with information that may have seen the blue Ford Explorer Sport Trac in the Sooke area on April 26th 2017 to come forward.
“We know that there are people in our community that have information that can assist in solving this file and we strongly urge them to come forward to the police,” said Constable Markus Anastasiades.
Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact the Saanich Police Department’s Major Crime Unit at (250) 475-4356 or 1-888-980-1919.
A Victoria man’s idea to plant hope is blossoming into something bigger, and he’s calling on the community for help in making it happen.
Sahasi Erven wants to build the world’s largest flag of flowers this summer, featuring 100,000 pots of blue and yellow plants in solidarity with war-torn Ukraine.
It follows Erven’s feat from last month, which saw a display of hundreds of primulas matching the Ukraine flag planted within a garden he calls Oneness Heart Park.
His unique garden bed at the corner of Princess Avenue and Chambers Street in Fernwood is now in bloom and going 15 years strong—only this year, it’s flooded in blue and yellow.
“It’s really mesmerizing. It was just a message of love,” the 64-year-old told Victoria Buzz, noting the bed measures over 150 sq. ft.
“It just gives people a lot of joy,” he said.
It’s this positive feedback that ultimately prompted Erven to strive for more and break records along the way.
Flag of 100,000 flowers planned
Erven recently launched a website, FlagOfFlowers.ca, encouraging the community to grow or supply yellow and blue flowering plants in pots to contribute to the giant flag of flowers.
“The whole thing is progressing because we need time to grow plants. The idea is if we can get the word out and get people inspired, they will have tremendous joy doing it,” he said.
Participants can share how many plants they’re supplying via an online form and then watch the online plant tally grow. Over 3,000 have been registered so far, according to the website.
“This is a participation project,” said Erven.
“Humanity is evolving; we’re evolving. And I’m very optimistic about the future, I really believe the oneness of humanity will become greater and greater, and these wars will disappear.”
While Erven realizes it’s a big project, he’s hoping it will spread worldwide. “Because people will see the love coming from us,” he added.
“The idea is to bring awareness to building this. Hopefully, the war’s over tomorrow, but Ukraine will not be back to normal tomorrow—that will take a long time.”
Eyeing June 20th for flag assembly day, Erven says the tentative location is Ecole George Jay Elementary School on Cook Street.
Last week, we saw sun, rain and a couple windstorms topped off with a weekend of snowfall, so why would this week be any different, right?
Oh, and let’s not forget to mention, at 6 a.m. on April 10th, a low of 1.8°C was recorded in the Victoria-Gonzales area—the lowest temperature recorded for the day was 0.06°C in 1903, followed by 1.7°C in 1902.
This morning, Greater Victoria residents were once again in for a rude awakening as large snowflakes fell across the region, and no, it wasn’t cherry blossoms.
Now, according to Environment Canada, Victoria could see a risk of thunderstorms late Tuesday afternoon into the evening.
And if that wasn’t enough, the weather agency is warning there could be a little wind in the forecast.
Early this afternoon, Victoria could see southwest winds of 20 km/h with it increasing to 30 km/h into the evening with potential wind gust reaching 50 km/h.
The good news in all this, the long weekend is quickly approaching and there will be glimpses of sunshine throughout the week.
The Town of View Royal is ready to toss single-use plastic bags for good, introducing a new bylaw next week that bans local businesses from distributing them.
View Royal’s checkout bag regulation comes into effect on Earth Day—Friday, April 22nd.
The goal is to “reduce the amount of plastic waste entering our landfills and contaminating our environment,” according to town officials.
Staff say the bylaw “essentially mirrors” the checkout bag bylaws already in place in Esquimalt, Saanich, and Victoria and also requires retailers to charge customers no less than $0.25 for paper bags or no less than $2 for reusable bags.
Retailers that don’t follow through will be committing an offence that is punishable under the Community Charter, states the bylaw.
View Royal says paper bags must contain at least 40% post-consumer recycled content, displaying the words “Recyclable” and “Made from 40% post-consumer recycled content” on the outside.
Meanwhile, reusable bags must have handles, be made primarily of cloth or other washable fabric, and be capable of at least 100 uses.
Plastic bag exceptions apply to transporting some products, including dry cleaning or bulky items like linens or bedding that may not easily fit into a reusable bag.
Products like bulk foods, produce, bakery items, frozen foods, small hardware items, prescription drugs, flowers and plants, live fish, and newspapers are also exempt from the new bylaw.
Comox Valley RCMP are looking to identify two suspects who allegedly worked together to steal over $400 worth of merchandise from a local business.
On March 18th, RCMP officers received a report that two people had entered a business and stole several electric toothbrushes.
Investigators have released surveillance footage of the two suspects with the hope of identifying them. They are believed to be associated to the Comox Valley, Nanaimo or Campbell River.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or the identity of the two suspects is asked to contact the Comox Valley RCMP at (250) 338-1321.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the Comox Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online here.
Get ready for a more seamless Galloping Goose Regional Trail.
The City of Colwood is paving the way and announcing a $4.9 million overpass to make the trail-going experience easier for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
According to the city, a $3.6 million Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program grant will help build the new pedestrian and cycling bridge over Sooke Road near Ocean Boulevard.
Colwood officials say the 55-kilometre Galloping Goose trail, owned and maintained by the Capital Regional District, stretches from Victoria to Sooke and attracts around 200,000 users each year.
But Victoria-bound, when the trail meets Wale Road in Colwood, users are forced to detour along Wale Road to Sooke Road, where they must cross at a traffic light and then travel down a Sooke Road sidewalk to reconnect with the trail.
It’s a hassle that prompted city staff to take action, with both Colwood’s 2015 Transportation Master Plan and 2018 Official Community Plan identifying the need for a bridge.
“Picture a beautifully designed bridge at the gateway to Colwood with cyclists cruising safely above the traffic on a gorgeous, seamless ride through Colwood and beyond to other areas of the region,” Mayor Rob Martin said Monday.
“I’m confident this bridge will significantly boost the number of cyclists on the West Shore, which will support health and wellbeing, reduce traffic congestion and help us reach our climate goals.”
City of Colwood
Preliminary designs suggest the bridge will need to be 38-metres long by 4.1-metres wide, with railings, retaining walls, fencing, lighting, and landscaping helmed by natural elements, the city says.
“Earning a federal grant of this magnitude—$3.6 million—requires a tremendous amount of pre-planning and preparation,” Martin added, noting funding set aside by the city will cover the remaining $1.4 million in project costs.
City staff say they’re already working with federal, provincial and regional partners to begin scoping the project as they eye a 2023 completion date.
