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A hockey stick-wielding rollerblader was arrested Monday after robbing a woman of her toque in downtown Victoria.
According to VicPD, the incident occurred at around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 14th, in the area of Government and Belleville streets.
Police received a report that a man on rollerblades was striking garbage cans with a hockey stick.
An additional caller reported the same man was striking windows of nearby businesses with the hockey stick.
Thankfully, no windows were broken.
As officers made their way to attend to the incident, a third caller reported that the hockey stick-wielding man on roller blades chased her on the sidewalk near Government and Broughton streets, approached from behind, pushed the back of her head and stole her toque.
The victim was not injured in the incident.
Patrol officers arrested a hockey stick-wielding man on roller blades yesterday after he robbed a woman of her toque in downtown Victoria.
The suspect fled the area on rollerblades but was later located in the area of Trounce Alley where he tried to evade police by rollerblading around a police car.
Officers caught the suspect on foot and he was arrested without further incident.
The suspect was transported to cells where he was held for a bail hearing. He faces recommended charges of robbery.
Anyone with information about this incident that has not yet spoken with investigators is asked to call the VicPD at (250) 995-7654.
It goes to show that two really is better than one.
According to the City of Victoria, View Street from Government Street to Blanshard Street is now open to two-way traffic, making the downtown commute a little easier.
View Street was formerly one-way eastbound between Broad and Douglas streets, with a section of the road one-way westbound between Douglas and Blanshard streets.
⛖ Like the rest of the street, View St from Government to Blanshard is now two-way traffic. This change makes it easier to get around the downtown core and access @baycentrevic and View Street parkades. #yyjtrafficpic.twitter.com/8GfwdCbxcj
The city said Tuesday that the change would likely come as good news, making it easier for drivers to access the Bay Centre and View Street parkades.
Still, one video posted to social media shows people in the area will have to get used to the change. The video shows a jaywalker nearly being struck by a truck before realizing a vehicle was travelling down the new lane.
This past Sunday, the city had fully closed View Street and the View Street Parkade as construction crews were busy implementing two-way traffic.
Oak Bay Police has had a busy start to the month, catching several impaired drivers during traffic stops around the municipality.
On March 9th, traffic enforcement was being conducted in the area of Oak Bay Avenue and Foul Bay road when an officer observed the driver of one vehicle not wearing his seatbelt.
Upon further investigation, the officer determined the 66-year-old male was impaired. A sobriety check was conducted which the individual failed.
The driver was given a 24 hour driving prohibition, a violation ticket for failing to wear a seatbelt and his vehicle was impounded.
On March 12th, officers conducted several roadblocks in the area of Beach Drive and Windsor Road in an attempt to get impaired drivers off the road.
During one traffic stop, a 23-year-old female failed a sobriety check. She was given a 24 hour driving prohibition and the vehicle was impounded for a day.
The same day, during traffic enforcement being conducted in the area of Oak Bay Avenue and Foul Bay Road, officers observed a vehicle drifting in and out of its lane.
The vehicle was stopped in the area of Richmond road and Oak Bay avenue for speeding when the officers determined the driver was impaired.
The 24-year-old female was given a 90 day driving prohibition, a 30 day vehicle impoundment and a violation ticket for speeding.
Anyone with information regarding these or any crimes is asked to call Oak Bay Police at (250) 592-2424 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Drivers in Greater Victoria keep going round and round, as the Town of Sidney, North Saanich and Victoria Airport Authority team up to build another roundabout.
At an estimated cost of $4.9 million, the roundabout is planned for the intersection of Beacon Avenue West and Galaran Road in Sidney, on the west side of town, near the new Amazon warehouse.
Town officials say the roundabout will increase public safety, reduce congestion and support economic development, and Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith finds it’s a “much-needed improvement” for local transportation infrastructure.
Last August, Victoria Airport Authority confirmed the massive 115,000 sq. ft Amazon facility, which will occupy 7.8 acres of industrial zoned land along Beacon Avenue. It’s expected to open later this year but bring more traffic to the area.
“Our future looks brighter when we have the infrastructure to support economic growth and the needs of residents in our wider community,” McNeil-Smith said.
Roundabout project costs will be shared between all three partners—the Town of Sidney and Victoria Airport Authority will contribute 40% of costs, while the District of North Saanich will cover the remaining 20%.
Detailed project designs will be underway shortly, and the town adds that Stirling Avenue will also be realigned to connect to the roundabout.
Once operational, it’ll be one of many across Sidney. Currently, roundabouts can be found along McTavish Road, Lochside Drive and Canora Road, Willingdon Road, Fifth Street and Ocean Avenue, and Beacon Avenue.
Construction of the new roundabout should wrap up by fall 2023.
Nanaimo RCMP are asking for the public’s help in identifying a home invader who sprayed two teenage sisters with bear spray on Monday.
Just before 3 p.m. on March 14th, an unknown person burst into a home in the 5200-block of Lost Lake Road and hit two teenage sisters with a blast of bear spray.
The sisters, after coming face to face with the intruder, immediately ran from the home to a nearby residence.
Police, including a police dog, arrived on scene within minutes but could not locate the suspect.
The sisters were treated for lingering effects of bear spray by paramedics before being released to their parents.
According to police, the suspect seemed to have entered the home through an unlocked door.
A hockey bag and electronics were also missing from the home. It is believed the bag was used to carry the electronics away from the home.
According to the sisters, the suspect was wearing a balaclava that covered much of his face and was dressed in camouflage clothing.
“This was a brazen incident that took place in the middle of the afternoon. This may actually assist in the investigation as someone could have seen the suspect entering or leaving the home,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
“Additionally, there are several vigilant Block Watches in the area who will obviously assist police with their investigation.”
RCMP are asking homeowners in the area to check their vehicle dashcam video and home security cameras from 2:30 p.m to 3:30 p.m. on the day of for anyone appearing to resemble the description of the suspect or any vehicles in the area that seem out of place.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP at (250) 754-2345.
Imagine plunging into a pool while floating atop Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
Varm Experiences Ltd. has submitted an application to the City of Victoria to install a floating Nordic-style harbourside sauna moored at Ship Point, along Wharf Street and steps from downtown.
The 144-foot facility, called HAVN, has developers planning for a year-round “waterfront destination” featuring four saunas, three hot pools, two freshwater cold pools and one ocean water pool, as well as “an abundance” of green space.
The application finds HAVN aligns with the city’s plans, as outlined in documents including Victoria’s Official Community Plan, Downtown Core Area Plan, Ship Point Master Plan, and Harbour Vitality Principles.
The proponent says HAVN comes in the wake of COVID-19 and will help “push back and boost economic prosperity” by attracting new visitors and revitalizing a site that’s “largely sterile and uninviting.”
“HAVN contributes to building back in this way through financial investment in our working harbour and by generating new jobs and attracting new visitors,” said the application.
“Destination Greater Victoria and the Victoria 3.0 Economic Action Plan provide guidance for the ‘rescue and recovery’ of the local business/visitor economy,” it continued.
“HAVN uses the plans and policies from these organizations to provide an effective and impactful way to push back against the pandemic and recreate a thriving Victoria economy.”
Varm Experiences Ltd.
In its application, Varm Experiences Ltd. pointed to the success of existing harbourside saunas, including Bota Bota in Montréal and SALT in Oslo, Norway.
“In Canada, saunas are seeing a surge in popularity as a health and wellness activity for physical, mental, and social well-being,” it added.
Varm Experiences Ltd.’s application, together with Havn Experiences Ltd., petitions city officials to expand permitted zoning within the Inner Harbour Ship Point South District.
Festivals and temporary structures, open markets, and docks for pleasure boats, among other uses, are currently allowed in the district. However, docks for floating saunas and ancillary personal services are not.
As BC comes off a record-breaking year of catalytic converter thefts, provincial officials are taking steps to stop thieves in their tracks.
Solicitor General Mike Farnworth announced Monday an amendment to the Metal Dealers and Recycler Regulation (MDRR), which regulates catalytic converters not attached to an exhaust system.
The exhaust emission control device reduces pollutants and contains pricey “precious metals” of high value to metal dealers—prompting a target for theft.
According to the province, the new amendment means metal dealers now have to report every catalytic converter transaction to police, including information about the seller.
Because sellers can no longer remain anonymous, BC officials say the change will help police find illicit sellers and disrupt the distribution of stolen items.
Catalytic converter (Amazon)
“We are changing the rules to better fight thieves who steal catalytic converters,” Farnworth said. “These thefts create costs and consequences to the livelihoods of British Columbians, and this change reduces the incentive to steal them in the first place.”
ICBC says catalytic converter theft has climbed from just 89 in 2017 to 1,953 in 2021, with claims jumping from $356,950 to over $4 million between that same time period.
Across Vancouver Island, police in numerous cities have notified the public of an increase in catalytic converter theft over the past year.
Last August, Cst. Gary O’Brien with Nanaimo RCMP said a 30-year-old prolific offender was facing multiple criminal charges after being caught “red-handed” with a catalytic converter stolen from a van owned by a children’s organization.
That same month, police in Campbell River reported four of the devices being stolen in as many days, as officers released a photo of the thieves in hopes someone with information would come forward.
Minimum wage will soon be raised in BC, making it the highest across all Canadian provinces.
In a press release Monday, the BC government announced the provincial minimum wage would be raised .45 cents to $15.65 an hour, starting June 1st.
“B.C. had one of the lowest minimum wages in the country prior to 2017, but was one of the most expensive places to live,” said Harry Bains, Minister of Labour.
“We do not want our lowest-paid workers to fall behind. The minimum wage increases tied to inflation are part of our plan to build an economy that works for everyone.”
In 2020, the province committed to increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour through measured, predictable increases and then tie future increases to the rate of inflation.
The change marks the first province in the country to tie minimum wage increase to inflation, which was 2.8 per cent last year.
Over the past five years, the province’s minimum wage has increased from $11.35 to $15.65 per hour benefiting close to 400,000 British Columbians, the majority of whom are women, immigrants and youth.
As of June 1st, an increase of 2.8% will also apply to live-in camper leader and live-in support worker minimum daily wages and resident caretaker minimum monthly wage.
Effective January 1st, 2023, an increase of 2.8% will also be apply to minimum piece rates for hand harvesting of 15 specified crops in the agricultural sector, including: peaches, apricots, Brussels sprouts, daffodils, mushrooms, apples, beans, blueberries, cherries, grapes, pears, peas, prune plums, raspberries, and strawberries.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 689 new cases of COVID-19 for a three-day period on Monday, March 14th.
There have been 352,728 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Day-to-Day Breakdown:
Friday-Saturday: 280
Saturday-Sunday: 211
Sunday-Monday: 198
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 166
Fraser Health: 213
Island Health: 102
Interior Health: 150
Northern Health: 58
Resident outside Canada: 0
There are now a total of 359 people in hospital with COVID-19, 51 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
14 new people have died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 2,946.
Outbreaks
There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks in the province.
The outbreak at Mission Memorial Hospital (Fraser Health) has been declared over.
There are a total of 13 ongoing health care outbreaks in the province.
There are currently 8 health care outbreaks in the Island Health region.
Vaccinations
As of Monday, March 14th:
11,416,368 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC
90.7% (4,523,071) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 86.8% (4,325,516) have received their second dose.
93.4% (4,327,933) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 90.9% (4,213,393) received their second dose and 56.7% (2,626,013) have received a third dose.
93.7% (4,053,200) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 91.3% (3,949,742) received their second dose and 58.5% (2,531,338) have received a third dose.
Despite BC scrapping its face mask mandate, masks are still required for those travelling into and from Victoria International Airport (YYJ).
“Federal mask requirements continue to be in effect at YYJ,” the Airport Authority said Friday, March 11th, the same day BC’s mask mandate was lifted in indoor public spaces.
“Please be reminded that you still need to wear your mask through security screening, in the departure lounge, to board an aircraft and during flight.”
Federal mask requirements continue to be in effect at YYJ. Please be reminded that you still need to wear your mask…
And while health officials are encouraging people to wear face masks on public transit and BC Ferries, they’re no longer required.
“We understand this impacts all riders and support anyone who still wishes to wear a mask. We ask for your continued kindness towards one another as this change takes place,” BC Transit said.
BC Ferries recommends face masks when indoors at terminals and on board ferries, asking its customers to “please respect your fellow passengers and our crews.”
“Comfort levels will vary as restrictions change,” it added.
And it’s a similar story at the University of Victoria (UVic), where face masks are no longer required for students, staff or visitors.
“While mask-wearing will be a matter of personal choice, on campus we strongly encourage you to continue wearing a mask in indoor spaces where you may be in close proximity to others, or anywhere you feel more comfortable to do so,” UVic said.
But it’s a change the university’s acting director of the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health, Dr. Damien Contandriopoulos, couldn’t get behind.
“UVic drops its mask mandate… you just showed us what kind of organization you are,” Contandriopoulos wrote Thursday.
Individual businesses and organizations can still choose to continue to require mask-wearing on their premises, according to the BC government.
Over the weekend, BC Premier John Horgan also tweeted that many people would still choose to wear face masks in some settings around others.
“I’ll be one of them,” Horgan wrote. “Let’s respect everyone’s comfort levels and continue to get through this together.”
While RCMP are remaining tight lipped on the case, the family of 52-year-old Simon Tozer have revealed that he was shot in the chest while dirt biking in Ladysmith last month.
Tozer’s sister Sarah Bonar penned an open letter which identified him as the victim and called on any recreational shooters in the area at the time to speak to police.
According to a Bonar, Tozer was shot and killed while riding a dirt bike with his adult son and nephew in Cassidy’s Timberlands Road area shortly after 4 p.m. on Family Day, February 21st.
The trio were riding up a hill with Tozar at the back of the pack, and the two younger men eventually turned around to realize he was no longer behind them.
“The boys noticed that he was not following, so immediately turned around to find him unconscious, unresponsive and bleeding,” the letter read, which was uploaded to Scribd by CTV.
Initially they thought it may have been a heart attack. Emergency services were called, while first aid was initiated by his son and nephew.
Sadly, Tozer died at the scene.
Simon Tozer has sadly passed away. We invite you to read the official, full obituary on Victoria Times Colonist and…
When Ladysmith RCMP arrived, they recognized the injuries were not consistent with a bike accident or a natural medical cause, so the Vancouver Island’s Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) took over the investigation.
An autopsy later confirmed that he had died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
According to the letter, the area where the incident occurred is known for off-road vehicles, as well as hiking and firing guns further up the hill.
“No words can describe the horror, shock and pain of this event – it is life changing,” the letter reads. “Husband, father, son, brother, nephew, cousin, business partner, friend … he meant so much to so many; he was an exceptional man with so much more to look forward to in life. No words can express the rage we feel that someone took his life so needlessly.”
While police have not officially confirmed the cause of death, RCMP released a statement last week specifically asking to speak to anyone who may have been shooting recreationally in the area along Timberlands and Ninatti Road on the afternoon of February 21st .
BC RCMP said there were witness reports that firearms may have been discharged in the area at the time of the incident.
“We can only imagine that the gun was fired without intent to harm and perhaps ricocheted before hitting him. One must question the probability of a stray shot hitting a moving target in the heart – the odds seem incalculable,” Bonar write.
She is calling on recreational users of the area to be aware of the danger, and asks anyone who has information about the case to contact the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit.
“We are sharing this information with the hope that no one in our community will have to go through a similar tragedy,” she said. ”
If you have reports of near misses in this area or notice suspicious activity, please report it to the RCMP.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the VIIMCU information line at (250) 380-6211.
This Thursday, make sure to dress in your best green outfit and get ready to celebrate with Irish music, Irish dancers and green beer.
It’s been two years since we’ve had a proper St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Victoria but now, with events returning, many bars and pubs across the region are announcing events to ring in the return!
Feeling lucky? Here are 10 bars and pubs in and around Victoria throwing St. Patrick’s Day celebrations this year:
Moon Under Water wants you to join them for St. Patrick’s Day this year, with $5 pints of Green Lightside of the Moon Session Lager, $9 Shamrock Shake Shafts with Peppermint & Vanilla, and $1 off all Whisky Cocktails.
There will also be all day food specials!
Where: 350 Bay Street
When: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday March 17th
How will you be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year?
Sadly, owning a home in Greater Victoria continues to become further and further out of reach for many.
According to the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA), the average house price in Victoria is soaring and climbed 20.3% in just one year.
February 2022 data shows the average residential house price in BC’s capital hit $1,041,068—a jump of around $175,000 from the previous February when the average price was $865,235.
Even as prices continued on an upward trend, inventory dropped substantially. Last month, Victoria saw 576 active listings—over 40% less than the 969 recorded in February 2021.
“While sales are not keeping pace with the unprecedented level of activity we saw this time last year, demand continues to be quite strong,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson.
“There are some encouraging signs that listings are recovering from historical lows, but there is a very long way to go before markets achieve balance.”
Ogmundson’s comments came as the average house price across Vancouver Island rose even more—from $606,904 in February 2021 to $805,801 in February 2022. That’s a 32.8% increase, the BCREA says.
Tallying up last month’s inventory, the association’s data finds regions across the island together saw 996 active listings, which was 215 or 17.8% less year-over-year.
Recently, the BCREA posted a series of “sweeping recommendations” for the BC government to address current concerns with the province’s housing market, the real estate transaction process and consumer protection.
Back for the first time since their successful 2018 show, the highly anticipated Laketown Rock is a rising favourite among classic rock fans of all ages.
From classic bands to newer alternative rock, there’s something for everyone.
On July 22nd and 23rd, musical acts will hit the stage in Lake Cowichan, bringing the sounds of music back to an eager crowd.
On the first day of the event, acts will include Tom Cochrane with Red Rider, Wide Mouth Mason and Liam MacKenzie & The Moondogs.
The following day will see acts such as John Fogerty, Keb’ Mo’, Big Sugar and Garret T. Willie.
The event is hosted at Laketown Ranch, a gorgeous 172-acre event site that has all the amenities you could want – flush toilets, showers, food trucks, flat campsites that are just steps from the stage, full service bars, and more – so you won’t have to give up any creature comforts during your musical adventure.
Personal-sized coolers for food are permitted, however no outside liquids of any kind are allowed.
Laketown Rock is a music festival that features camping, however, it is not a camping only event. Daytime parking will also be available!
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 18th.
To have access to the campgrounds you must have a single day or weekend festival wristband as well as a camping wristband.
A new Community Health Centre (CHC) is set to open this week in Saanich, providing more access to everyday primary healthcare services, according to the provincial government.
Starting Wednesday, March 16th, the Luther Court CHC on Cedar Hill Cross Road will begin offering appointments—before the completion of its expansion and renovation.
The province says work is now underway to create a 2,800 sq. ft “purpose-built clinical space” at Luther Court, which is expected to open this June and reach full capacity by 2024 or 2025.
Nine full-time clinical healthcare providers will be hired as a result, the province says, including family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and other professionals.
In the meantime, officials say a physician and three nurses, with help from support staff, will start attaching patients and seeing them virtually as in-person care is provided at a temporary off-site space.
“We know in Victoria it is often challenging for people to get the health care they need at the time they need it most,” said Rob Fleming, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake.
Throughout Greater Victoria, multiple walk-in clinics have announced permanent closures this year, including the James Bay Medical Treatment Centre, Colwood Medical Treatment Centre and View Royal’s Eagle Creek Medical Clinic.
The latter estimates around 100,000 locals are without a family doctor due to “the severe shortage of community-based, longitudinal doctors in the Capital Regional District.”
In its closure announcement, Eagle Creek blamed the shortage on doctor expenses and a fee-for-service payment system it calls “inadequate”.
But Fleming says the province hopes to address this challenge, adding, “the new community health centre is a crucial part of the government’s commitment to deliver better and faster access to health care everywhere in the province.”
The Luther Court CHC will be open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The province provided one-time funding of more than $2.1 million for the centre’s renovation costs, with the BC government pledging more than $2.2 million in operating budget once it reaches full capacity.
For the second year in a row, as chosen by passengers, the Victoria International Airport has been awarded best hygiene measures in North America.
The award was introduced in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It recognizes airports safety measures in helping prevent the spread of the virus.
In a press release posted on March 10th, the Airports Council International (ACI) named Victoria International Airport as the Best Hygiene Measures.
There are a total of 46 winners of the Best Hygiene Measures award around the world. Victoria International Airport joins Toronto Pearson International Airport as the two Canadian airports in a group of eight North American airports that received the award for Best in Hygiene by region.
“The Hygiene Award is particularly valued for our airport community as it directly reflects the extraordinary efforts that went into the implementation of our TravelSafe YYJ program and its continued support by our outstanding facilities team and airport service partners,” said Geoff Dickson, president and CEO of the Victoria Airport Authority.
The award is based on the rate the effectiveness of safety and hygiene measures in place, such as clarity of signage and instructions to inform about safety and hygiene measures.
“At YYJ, the health and safety of passengers, partners and employees is our top priority and to be recognized by our customers for the level of hygiene measures in place, the clarity of those measures and the confidence they have while in our care is especially meaningful.”
Throughout 2021, the ACI collected data from over 370,000 surveys with categories separated based on the airports’ size.
Based on the new hygiene-related questions added to the survey questionnaire, ACI introduced the Best Hygiene Measures by Region this last year in accordance with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Victoria-based plumbing company is recognizing those who have fought for our country, giving away free water tanks with installation to veterans around town.
Wade Roberts Plumbing’s ‘Tanks to our Veterans’ draw, which launched in 2021, encourages people to submit the name and story of a veteran who would benefit from the new home fixture.
Then come November 11th, three names will be selected at random. Last year’s contest was a big success and “just so amazing,” Vangel Roberts says the company wanted to make it a yearly event.
“We usually make charitable contributions to our community, so we’ve done a lot of different things primarily focused around water projects overseas,” said Vangel, co-owner of Wade Roberts Plumbing.
“But we wanted to do something closer to home, so we have a chunk of our funds that we put towards that.”
Last Remembrance Day, Vangel says the first tank recipient was a 96-year-old World War II vet. Another was a member of Wounded Warriors who participated in the Invictus Games in 2018.
“All three of them didn’t even know they were nominated, so when they got the phone call from us saying that they had won free hot water tanks, they were totally blown away,” Vangel recalled.
“It’s just a really cool way to say thank you.”
According to Vangel, the plumbing company, which she co-owns with husband Wade Roberts, teamed up with EMCO Supplies and Rheem Manufacturing. Together, those companies are donating two of the three tanks.
But the inspiration behind ‘Tanks for our Veterans’ came from plumber Zach Jilg, following a personal story he shared with his colleagues.
Every year, the Wade Roberts team comes together to brainstorm how they can help groups in the community—seniors and vets were at the top of the list in 2021.
At the meeting, Finance Manager Linda Cretney came up with the idea to give away tanks, but Zach pushed for it to happen.
He shared how he had lost his best friend, Private Chad Horn, back in 2008. The 21-year-old and two others died simultaneously while on active duty in Afghanistan.
“Zach wondered if we could possibly do three tanks for three veterans, in memory of these three fallen soldiers who never made it home,” Vangel said.
That’s when the company posted the contest to Facebook, “and all these people started sending in all these amazing stories of veterans all over our city, and it was really impactful,” she recalled.
According to Vangel, she and her colleagues don’t view themselves as heroes by any means.
“It’s just a couple of tanks,” she said.
“These people who lost their lives were young men and women who had sisters and brothers and family members who gave them up, and it’s a pretty big sacrifice.
“That’s kind of our heart behind it. To shine a light on them and to say thank you, and to honour them in any way we can,” Vangel added.
John Horgan isn’t holding back. With COVID-19 mandates lifting in BC, the premier is criticizing anti-mandate protestors, suggesting they find something better to do with their time.
“I would just say to these people: goodness me, get a hobby,” said Horgan during a media availability on Friday, as he encouraged said protestors to “give your head a shake.”
Over the past six Saturdays, crowds opposed to ongoing mandates have gathered out front of BC’s Legislature in Victoria and come Monday, another convoy of up to 1,000 vehicles is set to roll into town.
VicPD Chief Del Manak says he’s “hopeful” the incoming convoy’s momentum will dissipate “given the latest revision and changes to the provincial health orders that have been relaxed.”
“But it remains to be seen,” Manak said Thursday, noting VicPD is taking steps to prepare, as officers work to keep protests “safe, peaceful and lawful.”
According to Premier Horgan, anti-mandate protestors are a “small group of people” who have “nothing better to do with their time but to drive around in circles honking their horns.”
He says provincial health officials are removing restrictions at a pace consistent with the work done over the past two years, noting nearly 94% of BC adults are now vaccinated against the virus.
Friday’s COVID-19 update for BC pointed to 93.7% of all eligible adults having received their first dose, with 91.3% having received two.
“I wish [these protestors would] take some time to watch television and see the evening news about real tragedies and real disruptions in freedom that are going on in Europe right now,” Horgan said.
“Find a better way to take your energies and put it to positive outcomes. That’s my recommendation,” he added, “and I’m hopeful that some of the people who were planning to come here will take that to heart and do the right thing—find positive pursuits for your excess energy.”
This weekend is Daylight Savings, with clocks moving forward one hour as of 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 13th.
While we do lose an hour of sleep as we ‘spring forward’, we also will have more daylight with a later sunset.
Is that you summer?
There are also plenty of other ways to keep busy this weekend. You can make some homemade jewelry, give some secondhand clothes a new life and attend a rally to support Ukraine.
Here are 9 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend, March 12th to 13th:
This weekend, spruce up your wardrobe with your very own sea glass jewelry.
On Saturday, a sea glass workshop will take place at the Maritime Museum of BC, allowing you to create your very own sea glass necklace, bracelet, earrings and other one-of-a-kind jewelry.
The workshop leader will guide you through the process, connecting each piece to stories and histories of local areas around Vancouver Island.
Your ticket to the workshop will also get you admission to the museum!
Where: Maritime Museum of British Columbia, 744 Douglas Street
Capital Ballroom is proud to present ‘No Cap at the Capital’, their 19+ club night featuring four local DJs: Mt. Doyle, Xavier, Hey It’s Pablo and ROUSZ.
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: Gabriel Rutledge: 7 p.m., Saturday, Comedy Here Often? The Late Show: 10 p.m., Saturday, March 12th
Tickets: $20. Tickets can be purchased online here.
This weekend, a Ukrainian Charity Market will be held at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre featuring various homemade Ukrainian products as well as cuisine.
Everyone is welcome!
Where: Ukrainian Cultural Centre, 3277 Douglas Street
The local Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) branch is gearing up to host another rally this weekend, together with the UVic Ukrainian Students’ Society and Victoria Ukrainian Cultural Centre.
Bring flags, signs, and other visible signs of your support for Ukraine!
When: Sunday, March 13th, starting at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Outside the Ukrainian Cultural Centre on Douglas Street, 3277 Douglas Street
This is your friendly reminder that it’s the most wonderful time of the year yet again: Daylight Saving Time (DST).
The practice kicks in yet again across BC and beyond, with clocks moving forward one hour as of 2 a.m. on March 13th.
While smartphones and laptops will automatically take away one hour of precious sleep time, don’t forget to change the time on analog clocks – and ovens, microwaves, etc. – manually!
This weekend, a Care-A-Thon van parade will be making its way to all the local hospitals to celebrate health care workers and show their support.
The event was organized after recent reports of healthcare workers being harassed on the job.
This Sunday, March 13th, locals are invited to assemble at Centennial Park in Saanichton at 12:30 p.m., with their vehicles decked out in balloons and gratitude signs.
The convoy will hit the road at around 1 p.m., cruising past Saanich Peninsula Hospital first, then onto Victoria General, with a final stop at Royal Jubilee at 2:30 p.m. or so.
Where: Meet at Centennial Park, 7526 Wallace Drive, Saanichton
The BC Ministry of Health reported 288 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, March 11th.
There have been 352,039 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 47
Fraser Health: 71
Island Health: 47
Interior Health: 93
Northern Health: 30
Resident outside Canada: 0
There are now a total of 368 people in hospital with COVID-19, 46 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
3 new people have died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 2,935.
Outbreaks
There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks in the province.
There are a total of 14 ongoing health care outbreaks in the province.
There are currently 8 health care outbreaks in the Island Health region.
Vaccinations
As of Friday, March 11th:
11,398,503 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC
90.7% (4,522,145) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 86.6% (4,318,406) have received their second dose.
93.4% (4,327,290) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 90.9% (4,212,056) received their second dose and 56.4% (2,616,170) have received a third dose.
93.7% (4,052,632) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 91.3% (3,948,614) received their second dose and 58.4% (2,523,786) have received a third dose.
A case of afternoon road rage resulted in one driver being punched multiple times at an intersection on the Trans Canada Highway in Langford earlier this month.
The road rage incident, which took place at around 4:30 p.m. on March 3rd, began between two motorists on the highway near Mackenzie Road.
No details were released on what transpired, however, both drivers continued to drive north on the Trans Canada Highway.
When the drivers reached the West Shore Parkway intersection, police said one of the drivers exited his green mini cooper during a red light, forced the window of the other driver’s black pickup truck down and allegedly punched the driver multiple times.
Following the scuffle, West Shore RCMP said they received a complaint from a motorist reporting they had just been assaulted by another motorist.
Now, RCMP are seeking the public’s help with hopes someone caught all or some of the incident on dashcam.
“West Shore RCMP is encouraging anyone who may have been travelling in the area during this time to review their personal dash camera videos which may have captured the incident or the erratic driving behaviour leading up to,” said Cst. Meghan Groulx.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the West Shore RCMP non-emergency line at 250-474-2264.
Victoria city council is moving forward with the proposed location for a new universal access washroom in the 700-block of Broughton Street, steps from Douglas Street.
With a fall 2022 anticipated completion date, the washroom will be operated 24-hours a day and will offer an amenity “much-needed” in the downtown core, according to a city report.
The project comes with a $400,000 price tag—a figure that gave some councillors “sticker shock,” including Coun. Jeremy Loveday.
“But I do think it needs to be expended,” Loveday said.
“Access to public washrooms is a basic human right, and perhaps the most basic human need. They’re also important amenities in terms of making our downtown both a pleasant and hygienic place for people to enjoy.”
Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe echoes Loveday’s comments, noting, “it’s not just one group that we are providing washrooms for.” She says the homeless, taxi and bus drivers, bar crowds and seniors are likely to benefit.
It’s stressed that the cost doesn’t just cover the prefabricated washroom unit—but also construction, technical design and civil engineering.
Half the funds will go towards the washroom itself, with the other half going towards upgrades including a new curb bulge that will be installed along Broughton Street to accommodate the unit.
Two on-street parking spaces will be removed, with a third parking stall converted to a new accessible parking stall, the city says in its report.
During construction, a Kwanzan cherry tree will also be cut down, but staff add that a replacement tree along the street will be planted “to mitigate the loss of this tree.”
The city says the new washroom project will also bring an improved crosswalk and curb ramp, plus replace nearby aging traffic signal equipment.
(City of Victoria)
At Thursday’s committee of the whole, city councillors unanimously approved staff’s suggested location for the facility, plus an amendment to the motion.
Before the design is finalized, Coun. Stephen Andrew asked that staff consult with the Accessibility Advisory Committee on accessibility issues and refinements.
The project, first approved by city council back in 2019, saw staff initiate the project in 2020. However, work was then put on hold until 2021 due to COVID-19.
According to the city, the washroom will be similar to the “Langley Loo” on Langley Street—installed in 2012 for $90,000. That facility sees around 500 visits per day and now, staff hopes to “build on that success.”
Don’t worry, we aren’t either, but with that said, this is your friendly reminder it’s the most wonderful time of the year yet again: Daylight Saving Time (DST).
The practice kicks in yet again across BC and beyond, with clocks moving forward one hour as of 2 a.m. on March 13th.
While smartphones and laptops will automatically take away one hour of precious sleep time, don’t forget to change the time on analog clocks – and ovens, microwaves, etc. – manually!
Here’s a list of 5 facts about Canada’s century-old chase for extra daylight:
1. 113 years of tradition
The first community in Canada to adopt Daylight Saving is Thunder Bay, Ontario, who turned their clocks forward back in 1908.
It didn’t take long for other provinces to catch on, with most adopting the practice by 1918.
2. Not all British Columbians participate
11 communities in BC prefer to keep things simple, and have opted out of the country’s Daylight Saving time change.
The communities, which can be found in eastern and south-eastern BC, never change their clocks, meaning they use Mountain Time (the same as Calgary and Edmonton) in the winter, and Victoria’s Pacific Standard Time in the summer.
The communities include Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Hudson’s Hope, Fort St. John, Taylor, Tumbler Ridge, Branbrook, Fernie, Sparwood, Golden, and Invermere.
3. Most of Saskatchewan will be sleeping in
While most BC communities use Daylight Saving, with a few that do not, Saskatchewan is the opposite.
The majority of the central province does not practice Daylight Saving, with only a few that do change their clocks. These rare communities include Lloydminster, Denare Beach, and Creighton.
4. Keeping time with neighbours
Before 2006, Daylight Saving would occur on the first Sunday of April and last Sunday of October.
When the United states changed their schedule to mid-March and early November, Canada followed suit, partly to maintain convenient business interactions with our southern neighbours.
5. BC mayors voted to end Daylight Saving in 2018
In September 2018, municipal leaders in BC held a vote on whether or not to end Daylight Saving.
The resolution was ultimately shot down, with Premier Horgan saying, “we have no plans to change Daylight Saving Time at this point,” at a conference at the time.
While not the most electrifying case, on-site security were not about to let an individual bolt after he broke into the BC Hydro facility early Monday morning
A 54-year-old man is facing trespassing charges after he was arrested leaving the BC Hydro compound in Saanich.
At approximately 3:20 a.m. on March 11th, security at BC Hydro—located at 4400 West Saanich Road—alerted police that a person had entered the property.
Multiple officers, as well as an officer with the canine unit, attended the scene and located the suspect as he was leaving the site.
A man was arrested early this morning after he was caught breaking into a BC Hydro compound on West Saanich Road. Real-time info from the security on scene proved to be a great asset!https://t.co/C5ybUjQoCh
“Having real-time updates from security in this instance was a key asset that helped our officers make this swift arrest,” said Constable Markus Anastasiades of the Saanich police.
The man was arrested without incident and faces one charge of break and enter.
He was later released with a court date and conditions.
RCMP are asking for the public’s help identifying a man who robbed a cellular store in Duncan last week.
The unidentified man allegedly entered the cellular store cellular in the 100 block of Central Road at about 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 6th.
North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP were told the man walked in the store, produced a weapon and demanded phones. The suspect then fled the store with an undisclosed amount of merchandise.
The suspect is described as wearing the following:
blue jeans
black hoodie
white bandana covering his face
sunglasses
“We are appealing to the members of public who may have any information to contact police immediately,” said Corporal Alex Bérubé, spokesperson for the BC RCMP.
No one was physically injured during this incident.
Investigators are looking to speak with anyone with dashcam footage who may have been in the area of Duncan Mall, Village Green Mall, Trunk Road and Government Street around the time of the robbery.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
A convoy of cross-country anti-mandate protestors is set to arrive in Victoria next week, just days after BC health officials announced the easing of COVID-19 mandates.
“We’re going to be occupying that area for two to three months,” said James Bauder, in a video posted last Thursday from Mattawa, Ontario.
His comments came a week before BC health officials announced they’d be repealing many remaining mandates, including face mask and BC Vaccine Card requirements.
City council’s latest committee of the whole saw VicPD Chief Del Manak in attendance, saying he’s “hopeful” the convoy’s momentum will dissipate “given the latest revision and changes to the provincial health orders that have been relaxed.”
“But it remains to be seen,” Manak said Thursday, noting VicPD is taking steps to prepare, as officers work to keep protests “safe, peaceful and lawful.”
“In light of the latest convoy and the comments made by a particular organizer to try to rally trucks to come to the BC Legislature, we are well aware of this individual, the organizer, and we are working in gathering much needed changing intelligence as to what may transpire,” he said.
“And we will have an operations plan that is able to deal with the situation as it comes forward through Victoria.”
For the past six weeks, anti-mandate protests have been happening along Belleville Street, as participants also drive and march around town. “Week seven is coming up this Saturday,” Manak noted.
In a video posted to VicPD’s social media channels, Manak said officers are well aware of community concerns regarding upcoming potential protests.
“As [Public Safety Minister Mike] Farnworth has stated, legal protests in Canada are a part of our free and democratic society. Occupation is not,” he said in the video. “I want to make it very clear that any dangerous acts or unlawful activity will be met with de-escalation and enforcement.”
The Victoria Downtown Residents Association is also voicing concerns, writing a letter to city council urging they take “all possible proactive steps to prepare” and “ensure that an unlawful occupation of our streets does not occur.”
“We are also concerned about statements made by the convoy organizer threatening to occupy our lovely city for an extended period of time,” association president Sandra Severs wrote.
VicPD Chief Manak says he understands anti-mandate protests have been “extremely disruptive for the residents,” given the “excessive honking, frequency of honking and period of time that this has impacted individuals.”
“I do appreciate the City of Victoria’s acknowledgement to expedite processes to allow us to have greater tools at our disposal when it comes to writing tickets,” he said.
Last month, the city took aim at those who unlawfully honk their horns or use airhorns, passing a motion that speeds up the ticketing process and allows police to issue violators a $125 fine, reduced to $75 if paid within 30 days.
According to Manak, VicPD has been conducting enforcement and writing tickets for excessive noise and other infractions. “As soon as they are infringing upon the rights of others and are in violation of the Motor Vehicle Act, then we will look at every single case,” he said.
However, Manak says officers are not writing a ticket in every instance, “and nor do we have the resources to do that.”
Nanaimo RCMP are looking to identify a suspect who threw an egg from a moving vehicle and hit a man last month, knocking him unconscious.
At approximately 10:45 p.m. on February 25th, the 37-year-old victim was hit by the egg on Uplands Drive near the Edgewater Lane turn off.
According to the victim’s friends, who were with him prior to the incident, the victim was standing next to the bus stop on the west side of Uplands Drive when a small dark coloured vehicle drove past.
An unknown object was thrown from the passenger side window of the vehicle which struck the victim in the head. He fell to the ground.
Only then did they realize that the object thrown at them was an egg.
When police arrived, they found paramedics attending to the victim. He was later transported to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for treatment.
The victim has limited memory of the incident and continues to have difficulty with some thought processes.
“We believe the person who threw the egg probably didn’t intend to cause injury and may have no idea what actually happened,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
“With that in mind, this individual and those in the vehicle, need to step up, take responsibility for their actions and call the police.”
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP at (250) 754-2345.
A motorist in the West Shore is facing a hefty fine and the loss of their vehicle for a week after a traffic enforcement officer nabbed them speeding on Sooke Road yesterday.
On March 10th, the West Shore RCMP traffic enforcement team was conducting speed checks in the 3400 Block of Sooke road in Metchosin when the driver was caught.
RCMP said the vehicle was observed travelling eastbound at a high rate of speed.
“The traffic officer activated his speed measuring device and obtained a reading of 142 km/hr in the posted 80km/hr zone,” West Shore RCMP said in a release.
When one of the officers when to pull the vehicle over, the driver slowed down rapidly, squealing their tires as they came to a complete stop.
RCMP said the driver was charged with excessive speed (a $368 fine) and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.
“Think of how dangerous it would be trying to make a left turn onto Sooke road while someone is travelling at that rate of speed,” said Cpl. Mike Jacobson with West Shore RCMP Traffic Services.
“Slow down, plan ahead and leave early if you are in a rush.”
The investigation into the sudden death of a man in a remote area of Ladysmith continues, with RCMP seeking additional witnesses to assist with the case.
At approximately 5 p.m. on February 21st, Ladysmith RCMP were called to help BC Ambulance Service in a remote forested area off Timberland Forest Service Road.
While the details surrounding the incident are minimal, police said aman was fatally injured while riding a dirt bike with a small group of people.RCMP said witnesses reported firearms may have been discharged in the area at the time of the incident, but it is still unclear whether they were directly related.
The Vancouver Island’s Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) took over the investigation, after the death was deemed suspicious.
The investigation is ongoing, with the VIIMCU still gathering evidence and asking to speak with potential witnesses that may have crucial information in relation to the case.
Police would specifically like to speak to anyone who may have been shooting recreationally in the area along Timberlands and Ninatti Road in Ladysmith on the afternoon of February 21st .
Anyone with information is asked to contact the VIIMCU information line at (250) 380-6211.
A Colwood mother and her family are still reeling after an alleged pickaxe-wielding vandal was chased out of the area after wreaking havoc.
At around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Tami Brown heard noises coming from outside—she looked out the front window of her Galloway Road home but didn’t see anything or think much of it.
Not long after, Brown’s neighbour knocked on the door, explaining they had caught a man in the act of smashing her van’s windshield.
“I guess he heard the noises too, went outside and saw the man with the pickaxe, and then he chased him to try and catch him—but the guy was very fast and outran him,” Brown told Victoria Buzz.
“They called the police before we even knew that it happened. When we went outside the police were already here.”
Brown says it’s an incident that left her feeling “super angry” and “shocked,” not only because she just bought the van but also because she thought it was a safe neighbourhood.
“I was very surprised that something like this would happen here. It was very upsetting,” she said.
In a plea to those nearby, asking them to come forward with any information, Brown says it’s to her knowledge that police “have a good idea” as to who the vandal is; however, “they have no visuals or video footage of him.”
“I have a dashcam, but unfortunately, we don’t have street lights where we are,” she said. “So it caught nothing, unfortunately.”
In a Thursday statement to Victoria Buzz, a spokesperson for West Shore RCMP confirmed that officers responded to the incident. “However, I do not have any further information at this time,” the spokesperson said.
Brown’s now urging those in the neighbourhood to be “extra cautious,” keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. “Make sure your doors are locked and your kids aren’t out. If it’s dark out, maybe stay inside,” she added.
Officers of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) apprehended an armed man in crisis Thursday afternoon, after he had barricaded himself indoors.
At approximately 10 a.m. Thursday morning, officers were called to a suite in a multi-unit temporary housing facility in the 1900-block of Douglas Street for a report of a man armed with a knife who was threatening to kill himself.
UPDATE | Officers remain on scene for a police incident in the 1900-blk of Douglas St. #yyjtraffic remains closed on Chatham St, between Douglas St & Government St. Please continue to avoid the area. https://t.co/dOuznindii
There have been 351,751 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with new cases being reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 49
Fraser Health: 65
Island Health: 53
Interior Health: 115
Northern Health: 54
Resident outside Canada: zero
There are now a total of 388 people in hospital with COVID-19, 52 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
In the past 24 hours, four new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,932.
Outbreaks
There has been one new healthcare facility outbreak at Yucalta Lodge (Island Health). The outbreaks at Overlander Residential Care and Gillis House (Interior Health) have been declared over.
There are a total of 14 ongoing healthcare outbreaks in the province, including eight in the Island Health region at Sidney Care Home, Selkirk Seniors Village, Berwick House Gordon Head, The Heights at Mt. View, Greenwoods, Parkwood Court, Luther Court and Yucalta Lodge.
Vaccinations
As of Thursday, March 10th:
11,393,545 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC.
93.3% of eligible people 12 and older in BC have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 90.9% have received their second dose.
93.7% of all eligible adults in BC have received their first dose, and 91.3% have received their second dose.
VicPD are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect who stole a children’s bicycle and toys from a balcony in Victoria this week.
At approximately 3:15 a.m. on Monday, March 18th, the suspect gained access to the ground floor balcony of a suite in a multi-unit residential building in the 800-block of Yates Street.
The suspect stole a children’s bicycle and a number of toys.
The small blue bicycle with white wheels was shared by a five-year-old and a seven-year-old.
The suspect is described as a 30 to 40-year-old Caucasian man with a slim build.
At the time of the incident, he was wearing a light blue jacket over a dark hooded sweater, a red baseball hat and beige pants.
Anyone who recognizes the suspect, or has information regarding this incident 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.
As gas prices soar to unprecedented levels, it seems Greater Victoria residents are looking at other more cost-efficient ways to get around.
Mix that in with the recent sunshine and Victoria Electric Bikes co-founder Charles Turner finds sales are on the rise.
“It’s been busy,” Turner told Victoria Buzz.
“I mean, when you look at it, your average to drive 100 km is around $18 in gas, in that zone. On an electric bicycle, you’re at about 10 cents in hydro.”
BC’s capital is “amazingly biking friendly,” according to Turner. So much so, he calls it “the bike capital of Canada.”
Meanwhile, Michael Besler is on the same page.
The Ride The Glide E-Bikes Inc. co-founder notes more locals are opting for the bike pedal rather than the gas pedal.
“A lot of people are wanting to get out more, and a lot less are using their car,” Besler said.
“There are definitely some savings there. We have one fellow that works for us and that’s about all he does, ride scooters and e-bikes. He rarely ever drives.”
Canadian Automobile Association data for Thursday lists the average price at the pumps in Victoria at 208.9 cents per litre, up from last week’s average of 184.2.
That beats previous records, including one set on February 16th when prices soared to 179.9 cents per litre—a then “unprecedented” figure, according to Dan McTeague.
At the time, the Canadians for Affordable Energy president and gas price analyst said Victoria residents had never before seen that price for fuel.
But motorists were warned more jumps were likely, considering the ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine. That’s because Russia is the world’s third-largest oil producer, making up 11% of the global share.
“Gasoline relies on the value of oil, and oil supply is limited. That’s not going to change anytime soon,” McTeague told Victoria Buzz.
BC Premier John Horgan has also touched on gas prices and warned that a “challenging summer” was ahead, especially with international supply chain disruptions in play.
Still, Horgan noted that the BC Utilities Commission is obliged to ask providers of petroleum products their pricing rationale.
He pointed to public transit as a solution for those who can’t afford to fill up their tank, noting buses “are options if prices become too unaffordable in the short-term.”
In a Thursday statement to Victoria Buzz, BC Transit says it has experienced a “noticeable increase” in ridership this week.
However, it says many factors can affect ridership numbers, including more people returning to work and regular activities, plus less hesitancy around COVID-19.
Now, RCMP have confirmed charges have been laid against Mantee’s former girlfriend.
On March 9th 2022, the BC Prosecution Service approved charges of first degree murder and indignity to human remains, both in relation to the murder and disappearance of Mantee.
26-year-old Paris Laroche was arrested the same day and remains in police custody. She will appear later today in Nanaimo Provincial Court.
According to police, the weeks and months following Mantee’s disappearance were filled with the investigations of several locations and dozens of tips were followed up on in order to gather evidence related to the homicide.
Police said they would not be releasing any further information.
Things are beginning to return to “normal” as BC health officials announce the lifting of many of the remaining COVID-19 mandates in the province.
Many of the remaining mandates, including wearing a face mask at indoor public places, will lift after midnight tonight, while the BC Vaccine Card program will remain until April 8th.
The announcement was made by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix this afternoon.
While these safety measures against COVID-19 will no longer be enforced, businesses, events, and gatherings can still implement these tools if they choose to do so.
Here’s everything you need to know about the current health orders that were lifted and what’s still in place.
Effective Friday, March 11th, at 12:01 a.m, the following will be lifted:
Face masks will no longer be required in public spaces
Overnight child and youth camp order lifted
Faith gathering capacity limits lifted
In addition, daycares and schools from k-12 will see revisions made to their safety protocols after spring break. Masks will no longer be required for students.
Visitations to long-term care homes will also return to normal next Friday.
BC Health officials also announced the scrapping of the province’s vaccine card requirement next month, earlier than expected.
Effective Friday, April 8th at 12:01 a.m., British Columbians will no longer have to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in public settings.
The vaccine card program, which launched last September, requires those 12 and up attending events, gyms or restaurants to have a vaccine card and photo ID ready to be checked and scanned before entry.
In place to “address and mitigate risks,” the program helps keep certain businesses and activities open amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Dr. Bonnie Henry.
In late January, the provincial health officer announced vaccine cards would stay in place until June 30th. However, Henry did say health officials would look to “make adjustments earlier.”
Come April 8th, BC businesses can start transitioning from a COVID-19 safety plan to a communicable disease plan, health officials say. That’s also when the province’s post-secondary residence vaccine requirement is being lifted.
The upcoming changes arrive as case numbers and hospitalization rates fall.
BC’s COVID-19 update for Wednesday saw the province’s Ministry of Health announce 274 new cases of the virus—including 77 in Island Health, a region that accounted for five of the 14 additional deaths.
There are currently 405 people in hospital with the virus, 58 of whom are in critical care—ICU or acute care units.
The latest update also noted 93.7% of all adults living in the province were vaccinated with one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 91.3% were vaccinated with two doses.
BC health officials are scrapping the province’s vaccine card requirement next month, earlier than expected.
Effective Friday, April 8th at 12:01 a.m., British Columbians will no longer have to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in non-essential public settings.
Still, individual businesses and organizations can choose to continue to require the BC Vaccine Card proof on their premises, health officials say.
The vaccine card program, which launched last September, requires those 12 and up attending events, gyms or restaurants to have a vaccine card and photo ID ready to be checked and scanned before entry.
In place to “address and mitigate risks,” the program helps keep certain businesses and activities open amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Dr. Bonnie Henry.
In late January, the provincial health officer announced vaccine cards would stay in place until June 30th. However, Henry did say health officials would look to “make adjustments earlier.”
#BCFHeadsUp Following direction from the PHO, effective tomorrow, masks are no longer mandatory in indoor public settings.
Masks are recommended indoors at terminals & on board. Please respect your fellow passengers & our crews, comfort levels will vary as restrictions change. https://t.co/ldSBMgNndb
Come April 8th, BC businesses can start transitioning from a COVID-19 safety plan to a communicable disease plan, health officials say. That’s also when the province’s post-secondary residence vaccine requirement is being lifted.
The upcoming changes arrive as case numbers and hospitalization rates fall.
BC’s COVID-19 update for Wednesday saw the province’s Ministry of Health announce 274 new cases of the virus—including 77 in Island Health, a region that accounted for five of the 14 additional deaths.
There are currently 405 people in hospital with the virus, 58 of whom are in critical care—ICU or acute care units.
The latest update also noted 93.7% of all adults living in the province were vaccinated with one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 91.3% were vaccinated with two doses.
In a live press conference Thursday, BC Health Officials announced they are repealing the face coverings order.
Effective March 11th at 12:01 a.m., BC residents will no longer be required to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, masks requirements have changed over time, depending on other provincial health restrictions and the transmission of the virus.
In July 2021, the province moved into Stage 3 of their re-opening plan, which included face masks in indoor public spaces being recommended, but not mandatory, for those who are fully vaccinated.
In August 2021, this order was repealed, with the rise of COVID-19 cases making masks mandatory once again.
In addition, the province announced most other restrictions and mandates will be lifted, including:
Long-term care home visitation will be restored
Overnight child and youth camp order lifted
Faith gathering capacity limits lifted
Furthermore, the BC Vaccine Card program will end on April 8th.
The wives of the two men killed in last year’s Gabriola Island concrete truck incident are now filing a civil suit against the company who rented out the machine.
At around 10:50 a.m. on the morning of March 16th 2021, RCMP were called to a construction site on Taylor Road where the boom of a concrete pump-truck had broken and landed on two construction workers.
Both men, Chris Straw and Marc Doré, were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Gabriola Island RCMP and WorkSafe BC conducted parallel investigations regarding the tragic incident and the deaths were not believed to be suspicious.
Now, the wives of Straw and Doré have filed a civil suit against M & K Ready Mix Inc. d.b.a. Bedrock Redi-Mix Ltd., Tripac Engineering Ltd., Alliance Concrete Pumps Inc. and JunJin Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.
“When you hire a company to do a job, you expect its equipment to be job‐ready—that it has been inspected, meets requirements, and is safe for its intended use,” the suit reads.
“The WorkSafeBC Incident Investigation Report on this tragedy reinforces our families’ opinion that a preventable equipment failure killed Chris and Marc.”The suit describes details of the WorkSafeBC incident investigation report which revealed the concrete pumper truck involved was in an incident in November 2020 that resulted in substantial damage to the boom and its turning column.
A weld repair was made and a positive inspection was issued without a proper inspection ever being conducted.
It was only a few months later, in March 2021, that the truck’s boom experienced a failure, in the same area of the boom as the previous weld repair, that killed Straw and Doré.
“With our hearts and dreams shattered, we are launching these claims to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for the senseless deaths of two precious family men and valued community members.”
In addition to pursuing legal actions, the families say they will apply pressure on the appropriate regulatory bodies to increase the enforcement of standards and regulations in the concrete pumping industry.
“Not one of the defendants named in these claims has expressed or demonstrated remorse to our families,” the suit continued.
“The company whose equipment failed with such terrible consequences has had neither the grace nor the humanity to extend even a single word of condolence for our immense and traumatic losses.”
An alleged impaired driver now has a date in court after crashing into a truck hauling another impaired driver’s vehicle, according to West Shore RCMP.
Shortly after 11 p.m. on February 25th, police were called to the Island Highway in View Royal after a report of a suspected impaired driver.
A witness provided police with a license plate number and a description of the vehicle, which officers later spotted along Wishart Road in Colwood.
An investigation ensued and the driver, a 29-year-old man, was served a roadside prohibition. His vehicle was also towed away, police say.
But that’s when a second impaired driver crashed into the tow truck in the 600-block of Latoria Road, striking the driver’s side door.
Mounties responded to the scene and conducted another impaired-driving investigation, which saw a 17-year-old with a learner’s license arrested but later released to an adult.
The teen now has a court date sometime in June, police say, adding no injuries are stemming from the crash.
“West Shore RCMP remains dedicated in our continuous effort toward removing impaired drivers from our roads. Do not hesitate to call the West Shore RCMP if you suspect an impaired driver,” said Cst. Meghan Groulx.
Drip, drip, drip… don’t let that be the sound of your hard-earned money going down the drain!
Water leaks within your home may be more common than you think, and CRD’s annual Fix a Leak Week is meant to encourage residents to be mindful of just that.
From March 14th to March 20th, CRD wants to remind you to look for leaks around your house, in hopes to avoid water loss and save on your bill.
According to Glenn Harris, Senior Manager of the CRD’s Environmental Protection team, household leaks represent 14% of indoor water use—which adds up to a lot of drinking water waste (and high water bills) for many homes in the capital region.
Harris also notes that toilets are usually the biggest culprit, and may leak silently from a worn or misaligned part.
A toilet that continues to run after flushing could be wasting 20-40 litres of water an hour—that’s enough to fill a swimming pool over the course of a year!
Luckily for residents of the capital region, CRD is offering free leak detection kits that include dye tablets to check for toilet leaks, a faucet aerator, a shower bag to measure flows and a household water efficiency guide.
The free kits can be picked up from March 14th to March 21st at locations across the region, find a complete list here.
In the mean time, here are 4 simple tips to help you save on your water bill this spring:
Check your toilet for silent leaks using a dye tab, found in the free leak detection kits. Add a dye tab to the toilet tank, wait 10 minutes without flushing. If there is colour in the bowl, you have a leak.
Look for worn washers and “o” rings inside the showerhead and faucet. A leaky showerhead may also need a tighter connection between the showerhead and the pipe system, and can be fixed with pipe tape to secure it.
Know the location of your main water shut-off in case of an emergency water leak.
Check your irrigation system for leaks. A cracked pipe or misaligned sprinkler can be wasting precious drinking water.
For more info, including more leak detection tips, visit the CRD online.
Nanaimo RCMP are investigating a Readers Digest Sweepstakes Mega Millions lotto scam in which a Nanaimo couple lost almost $400,000.
In early 2021, the couple, who are both in their late 80’s, received a phone call from someone who claimed they were working for Readers Digest.
According to the caller, they were calling the couple to notify them they had won $18.5 million and a Mercedes-Benz.
However, there was a catch. In order to receive their winnings, the couple would first pay a “few” administrative fees.
Several days later, the couple received documents in the mail from what appeared to be the Internal Revenue Services.
According to a release, the documents looked official and indicated the couple owed taxes on their winnings. They were directed to contact Mega Millions in order to arrange payment.
Every week following this, the couple received calls from the scammers directing them to make cash payments, through money orders.
According to the scammers, the money orders were required in order to pay the outstanding taxes on the winnings and cover the storage fees of the Mercedes-Benz.
Throughout the year, the couple’s cash payments totalled to almost $400,000.
“It also goes to show that if fraudsters believe they have convinced you of their legitimacy, they will not stop until essentially there is no more money to give or you figure out it is a scam,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
According to officers, the couple’s financial loss as a result of this scam is one of the largest they have ever seen in Nanaimo.
A convoy of anti-mandate protestors is making its way from across Canada to Victoria this week, and one organizer says they plan to stay for quite some time.
“We’re going to be occupying that area for two to three months,” said James Bauder, in a video posted last Thursday from Mattawa, a small town in Ontario.
Bauder, one of the founders of the anti-mandate group Canada Unity, says a parade of anywhere from 500 to 1,000 vehicles will begin flooding the Capital Region starting next Monday, March 14th.
Seven semi-trucks are also en route, packed with supplies for protestors, including 16,000 hamburgers, Bauder says.
“This is a very intense, deeply rooted NDP-Liberal stronghold down there,” he said.
“And they’ve had their way for too long; it’s time that we get down there and show them what the laws are.”
Coming from the east, the group was set to depart Thunder Bay, Ontario this past Monday and roll through cities like Winnipeg, Calgary and Kamloops, with a final stop in Victoria, according to Bauder.
The convoy organizer says “enough is enough” and finds Canadians have been left segregated, discriminated against and forced into mandates and face masks.
And while some provinces have scrapped mask mandates and vaccine cards, the same can’t be said for BC—but provincial health officials did suggest the possibility of removing some protocols before spring break.
BC’s latest COVID-19 update noted 93.7% of all adults living in the province were vaccinated with one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 91.3% were vaccinated with two doses.
“I know there are people out there that have been persecuting us and saying that we should just disappear and go away,” Bauder said. “We’re not going anywhere.”
According to Bauder, protestors will participate in multiple “family-friendly” events daily, which he says are 100% legal and will include “a lot of special guest speakers” and “multiple rolling convoys.”
“So get ready, okay, BC? We’ve heard your pleas. We really have. We’re here for you; we’re not going to leave you alone,” he added.
“We’re coming to defend your lawful freedom of choice.”
VicPD braces for more protests
The expected incoming convoy comes following weeks of anti-mandate protests outside of BC’s Legislature, which began in solidarity with demonstrations in Ottawa.
In a statement issued today, VicPD said it was “aware of concerns about potential upcoming protests” in the next few weeks.
“Officers at VicPD, including our VicPD Traffic section, and officers with the Greater Victoria Integrated Public Safety Unit have been responding to protests in this area over the past seven weeks,” said the statement.
In anticipation of anti-mandate protests, VicPD deploys CCTV cameras for public safety to ensure “people’s rights to protest safely, peacefully and lawfully are upheld.”
The Saturday, February 26th protest saw Victoria police officers issue 10 violation tickets for excessive noise and obstructing traffic, plus over 50 warnings for various infractions.
“Dangerous or unlawful acts will be met with de-escalation and enforcement, including Criminal Code, Motor Vehicle Act and Municipal Bylaw investigations,” VicPD said.
The City of Victoria also condemns those who unlawfully honk their horns or use airhorns, passing a motion that speeds up the ticketing process and allows police to issue violators a $125 fine, reduced to $75 if paid within 30 days.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 274 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, March 9th.
There have been 351,415 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 36
Fraser Health: 48
Island Health: 77
Interior Health: 84
Northern Health: 29
Resident outside Canada: zero
There are now a total of 405 people in hospital with COVID-19, 58 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
In the past 24 hours, 14 new deaths have been reported, including five in Island Health, for an overall province-wide total of 2,929.
Outbreaks
There has been one new healthcare facility outbreak at Luther Court (Island Health).
There are a total of 15 ongoing healthcare outbreaks in the province, including seven in the Island Health region at Sidney Care Home, Selkirk Seniors Village, Berwick House Gordon Head, The Heights at Mt. View, Greenwoods, Parkwood Court and Luther Court.
Vaccinations
As of Wednesday, March 9th:
11,388,672 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC.
93.3% of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 90.8% have received their second dose.
93.7% of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, and 91.3% have received their second dose.
Nanaimo RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 34-year-old woman.
Sarah Rekrut was reported missing by her family on March 2nd. Investigators were told by her family that they have not had any contact with her for almost 2 years.
The last known, confirmed sighting of Rekrut was on January 16th in central Nanaimo.
Prior to that, Rekrut was seen downtown Nanaimo in May 2021.
Rekrut is described as Caucasian, standing 5’5” tall and weighing 125 pounds. She has brown hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information on Rekrut’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP at (250) 754-2345.
Oceanside RCMP have identified a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run in Parksville over the weekend, which left a cyclist in hospital.
At approximately 4:50 p.m. on Sunday, March 5th, RCMP received a report of a cyclist who had been hit while riding northbound near the Englishman River, about two kilometres south of Exit 51.
According to the RCMP, the driver fled the scene and left the victim—a man in his 30s—with serious injuries. He was then flown to hospital by air ambulance.
Now, investigators have reported that the vehicle involved has been identified, thanks to numerous witnesses who came forward.
According to investigators, the vehicle has been located, seized and will undergo a mechanical and forensic examination.
“Every investigation is different and investigators are thankful to the media and the public for their assistance to move this file forward,” says Corporal Mike Halskov, media relations officer for BC Highway Patrol.
“It is important that investigators gather all relevant evidence which includes all sides of the story to present to Crown Counsel for consideration of charges.”
Although the current condition of the cyclist is unknown, they remain in hospital and are expected to recover.
Officials ask anyone with information regarding this collision who has not yet spoken with police is asked to contact BC Highway Patrol in Parksville at (250) 954-2953.
Saanich Police and the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers are looking to identify a man who left a store without paying for appliances.
Surveillance photos were posted to the Crime Stoppers Facebook page, in hopes of identifying him, show the suspect entering a store and then leaving past the registers carrying three appliances.
From the images posted online, one of the items stolen appears to be a large toaster oven.
According to Crime Stoppers, the man did not pay for the items on the way out, and now they are hoping someone will be able to identify him from the footage.
Anyone who knows who the suspect is asked to contact Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or message their Facebook page.
Whatever happened to the banging of pots and pans as a “thank-you” to those on the frontlines? Victoria resident Darlene Caroline Campana says it’s a fad that disappeared quite a while ago.
“I loved that at 7 p.m. for the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were out there in our neighbourhoods clanking pots, ringing our bells and making noise to thank the frontline workers,” Campana told Victoria Buzz.
Now, as the pandemic rages on, the registered nurse finds her fellow healthcare colleagues are “weary” and “tired.”
It’s what’s prompting her to rally together drivers to “Care-A-Van” around three Greater Victoria hospitals this weekend, to show healthcare workers that their hard work is appreciated.
“We’re doing a play on words there,” Campana said.
This Sunday, March 13th, she’s inviting people to assemble at Centennial Park in Saanichton at 12:30 p.m., with their vehicles decked out in balloons and gratitude signs.
The convoy will hit the road at around 1 p.m., cruising past Saanich Peninsula Hospital first, then onto Victoria General, with a final stop at Royal Jubilee at 2:30 p.m. or so.
“The honking, unfortunately, has a bit of a negative impact now,” Campana said, “but we’ll do a little bit of that so they know we’re there. I think it will mainly be an overwhelming shout of ‘thank you.’”
According to Campana, she hasn’t organized anything like this before. In fact, she says the “Care-A-Van” was inspired from up island.
“It came for a woman up in Ladysmith who did a similar thing with a group of people, and I thought we have to do that down here,” she explained.
“I’ve been a nurse for 37 years, and I worked in emergency for 32 of those, so I have a real heart for what’s going on in hospitals. We were looking for a way to support them, and then I saw this woman had done this up in Ladysmith, so we jumped on it.”
“I’m really excited.”
According to Campana, her “trigger” to organize the convoy was recent reports of healthcare workers being harassed on the job.
In anticipation of Sunday, she’s been in touch with the leadership staff at all three hospitals, letting them know of their approximate arrival time.
“If nurses, doctors and everybody in there were able to look out a window or come outside, they would be able to feel our appreciation,” Campana added.
“That’s my hope.”
Greater Victoria hospitals “Care-A-Van”
When: Sunday, March 13th; 12:30 p.m.
Where: Meet at Centennial Park, 7526 Wallace Drive, Saanichton
On Wednesday, the City of Langford unveiled the recently renovated park as they continue park upgrades across the region.
The park’s updates include new playground equipment, benches, a walking path, a basketball court, a sports court as well as a plaza area with built-in seating.
As a portion of the park is an engineering stormwater management area, invasive plant species growing in the area were also replaced with native plants.
“While we continue to add new neighbourhood parks and playgrounds to Langford, it’s great to see updates being made to the existing ones as well,” said Mayor Stew Young.
“Langford Council and City staff recognize that as our community grows, as does the need for enhanced park space for children and families to play and enjoy recreational activities. As one of our older parks, we hope that residents enjoy the upgrades and additions made to Ernhill.”
The park, located at 2649 Ernhill Drive, was dedicated to the Capital Regional District as a community park in 1984 and later donated to the City of Langford in 1992.
Renovations to the park were completed in February, months ahead of their predicted summer 2022 completion date.
Other park renovations in the region include Kettle Creek, Echo Valley, Gateway, Chidlow and Cressida.
