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You likely don’t need a reminder that it’s a struggle to purchase a home in Victoria, but a recent report has confirmed just that.
According to The National Bank of Canada’s Housing Affordability Report, Toronto, Victoria and Vancouver rank as the three most expensive major cities in Canada to purchase a home.
In Victoria, the average, representative non-condo home costs $1.02 million — meaning you would need an annual household income of $176k, and have to save for over 28 years to purchase a home.
For a condo, a person with an annual household income of $108k would need to save for almost four years.
According to the report, Victoria has seen a steep increase in rent as well, a trend which began halfway into 2019.
Comparatively, in Montreal — where housing affordability measures below the Canadian average — the average price of a home is $492k and a condo is $356k.
For someone with an income of six or five figures, saving for a home or condo rounds out to over three years and two years, respectively.
Globally, among the world’s perspectives in housing market price growth, Canada sits third— Turkey ranks second and Russia ranks first.
Per square foot, the report suggests that housing prices in Canada are not that extreme.
For a 700 square foot apartment, Hong Kong ranks first as the most expensive city with Tokyo and Paris rounding out the top three, and Vancouver coming 11th.
Since the housing crisis in 2008 though, Vancouver’s housing market has skyrocketed to more than double what it was before.
This, in turn, has affected Victoria’s market.
The good news is that the worst may be behind us,
Victoria is seeing both a plateau in its renter’s market and a downward trend in the housing market as of this year.
So, if you’re a seller, you’re in luck! And, if you’re a buyer, maybe you can hold out for hope!
In what seems like an almost regular occurrence this summer, Environment Canada has issued another heat wave warning for BC’s southern coast, including Greater Victoria.
According to Environment Canada, the “significant” heat wave is expected to ramp up on Wednesday evening and continue through until Sunday morning.
Temperatures and humidity is expected to reach 29 to 35 degrees Celsius during the day combined with elevated overnight temperature and overnight lows that will provide little relief at night nearing 16 degrees Celsius.
The heat wave will affect the Greater Victoria area, as well as Campbell River, Comox Valley, Courtenay, Nanaimo, East Vancouver Island and Inland Vancouver Island, as well as mainland Coastal areas.
Temperatures 🌡️ are on the rise for southern BC later this week, what are you doing to prepare?
To avoid heat-related illness, drink plenty of water even before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place. Check on older family, friends and neighbours and make sure they are cool and drink water. Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle.
An out-of-control wildfire that grew to 32-hectares within a week near Duncan is now being held, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
The Copper Canyon wildfire was discovered in the Holyoak Creek area on Thursday, August 5th in the vicinity of Mount Prevost near Duncan last Thursday; it is suspected to be human-caused.
Officials with Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) indicated that the fire is not likely to spread beyond existing or predetermined boundaries under the prevailing and forecasted conditions.
Despite erratic weather on Saturday, which included 40 kilometre an hour wind, fire crews were able to stop the fire from growing.
An air tanker, three helicopters, 24 firefighters, three water tanks, and an excavator were deployed to fight the wildfires.
The CVRD confirmed that the resources currently committed to the fire were able to sufficiently suppress the fire.
Last week, The CVRD and BC Wildfire Centre issued an evacuation order for 7990 Mount Prevost Road.
No other evacuation orders were issued.
Last week, fire information officer for Coastal Fire Centre, Dorthe Jakobsen, told Victoria Buzz that the smoky, dry conditions were presenting challenges to emergency responders at Copper Canyon.
This past weekend, sporadic rain hit Vancouver Island. Unfortunately, the Duncan area only saw mild mist and rain.
A grass fire in a Victoria park Monday morning is believed to be caused by human carelessness.
Earlier today, The Victoria Fire Department arrived to find a grass fire burning in Summit Park.
The source of the fire is believed to be caused by either a cigarette butt or discarded glass bottles and cans left in the sun.
No one was hurt by the fire with the only damage occurring to the grass. Thankfully, City staff recently cut the grass to reduce the amount of dry vegetation, preventing a larger fire from occurring.
With little to no rainfall over the past 5 weeks and most of eastern Vancouver Island rated at Drought Level 4 , conditions around Vancouver Island are very dry.
Wildfires are not just of concern to mainland British Columbians. With high temperatures, dry vegetation and human error, wildfires can occur here as well.
Following the fire, the City of Victoria remind took to social media to remindlocals the small amount of rain we have received has not been enough to reduce the extreme fire risk we are facing.
This week, transport yourself to Quebec with Radio Victoria’s Cinema Franco.
Throughout the summer, Radio Victoria has hosted their outdoor film series, Cinema Franco, in the heart of downtown Victoria.
The event brings some of Quebec’s finest films to the public, allowing locals to immerse themselves in french films and culture.
On Wednesday, Cinema Franco will continue their outdoor film series with Quebecois film, Paul à Québec.
The film will begin at 8 p.m. in Boomerang Square, located behind the Bastion Square parkade.
Ticket holders can enjoy the French film (with English subtitles) outdoors with local beers, BC wines and snack options available for purchase from the event’s bar.
All proceeds from ticket sales and the bar will be used to fund Radio Victoria BC’s operations. Radio Victoria is a non-profit.
(Dr. Bonnie Henry/Province of British Columbia Flickr)
The BC Ministry of Health reported 1,079 new cases of COVID-19 for a three-day period on Monday, August 9th.
There have been 152,918 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Day-to-Day Breakdown:
Friday-Saturday: 422
Saturday-Sunday: 364
Sunday-Monday: 293
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 142
Fraser Health: 258
Island Health: 62
Interior Health: 587
Northern Health: 30
Resident outside Canada: 0
There are currently 3,036 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
148,066 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 68 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 20 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
5 new people have died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll at 1,777.
Outbreaks
There are currently 7 outbreaks in long-term care: Holyrood Manor and Kin Village West Court in Fraser Health, Nelson Jubilee Manor, Kootenay Street Village, Cottonwoods Care Centre and Brookhaven Care Centre in Interior Health and Discovery Harbour in Island Health.
Island Health:
Island Health reported 23 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region and 173 active cases.
Breakdown of cases on Vancouver Island:
South Vancouver Island Active cases: 88 │Total Cases: 2123
Central Vancouver Island Active cases: 73 │ Total Cases: 2590
North Vancouver Island Active cases: 12 │Total Cases: 725
1 person remains in hospital with 1 in ICU.
There have been no new deaths in the Island Health region today, and a total of 41 deaths on Vancouver Island.
Vaccinations
82.0% of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 70.3% have received their second dose.
In addition, 82.9% of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 72.2% have received their second dose.
To date, 7,067,738 (+74,634) doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC; 3,257,931 (+62,803) of which are second doses.
Thanks to the vigilant eye of an off-duty police officer, a man banned from visiting beaches in BC was caught breaching those orders on the weekend.
On Sunday, August 8th, an off-duty police officer allegedly observed a man who was at Willows Beach and in breach of his release conditions.
The off-duty officer observed the man watching children on the beach and contacted the Oak Bay Police department, who quickly arrived on the scene.
The man immediately fled the area as police arrived. He was located a few blocks away where he was arrested for breaching his conditions and held in custody for morning court.
The 36-year-old man has a court-ordered condition not to attend a beach in BC, and not to be in a public swimming area where children under the age of 16 may be present.
(Dr. Bonnie Henry, Minister Adrian Dix/BC Gov Flickr)
If you are waiting for your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in BC, you may be fully vaccinated sooner than you think!
In a press conference today, Minister of Health Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the time period between doses of the vaccine have been reduced, in order to continue to build the province’s vaccination rate.
Previously, those immunized with one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine would not be able to book their second dose until 49 days (7 weeks) later. As of today, this time period will be reduced to 28 days (4 weeks) between doses.
Over the next few days, 170,000 invites will go out to those eligible to receive their second dose. If you do not receive your text message or email right away, be patient, they will be sending out 5,000 invites per hour.
Dr. Bonnie Henry recommends everyone books their second dose at the earliest date possible, stressing the importance of getting vaccinated and protecting yourself in outbreak areas (specifically Interior Health).
During the press conference, Provincial Health Officers also revealed results of a recent survey which showed an increased amount of British Columbians had received vaccinations outside of their home province.
If you are one of those people, you can now register your vaccination record on the government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Submission website.
To register your vaccination status you must log in, provide your personal health number, an image of record confirming details of your vaccination and your personal contact information.
Once the documents have been uploaded, the record is added to the Provincial Vaccination Registry and verified by someone from the provincial health team.
This process takes about a week to be confirmed. Once completed, you can view it only through the province’s
To date, the province has administered over 7,000,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.. 70.3% of eligible people 12 and older are now fully vaccinated. 833,298 British Columbians are not yet vaccinated.
Currently, all clinics are accepting walk-ins for first doses as well as second doses (after 28 days).
If you are unsure of where to go to get vaccinated, you can view locations and more information at VaxforBC.
Phillips Backyard Weekender 2017 (Colin Smith Photography)
You know things are going back to “normal” when Phillips Brewing announces their backyard events are back!
This September, Phillips is kicking off the return of in-person events with their first annual Phillips Double Header.
The two day concert series will feature musical acts such as Beaches and the U.S Girls on Friday and Black Mountain, Metz and TEKE::TEKE on Saturday.
The 19+ event, presented by Phillips, Timbre Concerts, the Fairmont Empress and the Zone 91.3, will bring music and delicious beer to an outdoor audience.
Those in attendance must be double vaccinated and the Phillips Double Header event will require proof of vaccination. Vaccination status can be proven by showing your vaccination card or provincially provided documentation upon entry.
With the excitement surrounding the return of in-person concerts this event is sure to be a highly anticipated end of summer event.
With a brief shower of rain on the weekend come and gone, Victoria is set to plunge back into the furnace of another heatwave.
According to the Weather Network, a high-pressure upper-level ridge is expected to settle over the region, covering Vancouver Island and most of the province.
The ridge will bring high temperatures and dry conditions to an already blazing interior and could lead to worsening fires.
Temperatures in Victoria are not expected to be as extreme as an earlier heatwave in June.
However, data from Environment Canada suggests a forecasted high of 31 degrees Celsius on Thursday could break a record historic high for August 12 of 29.3 degrees, set in 1992.
Thursday and Friday will see the peak of high temperatures around the low 30s, with Sunday cooling off to a high of 27.
Some areas on the mainland are expected to see temperatures in the 40s.
“Many changes in the climate system become larger in direct relation to increasing global warming,” the report says.
“They include increases in the frequency and intensity of hot extremes, marine heatwaves, and heavy precipitation, agricultural and ecological droughts in some regions, and proportion of intense tropical cyclones, as well as reductions in Arctic sea ice, snow cover and permafrost.”
A wildfire which began burning in the vicinity of Mount Prevost near Duncan last Thursday is still out of control but is being maintained at 32-hectares.
The fire, now known as Copper Canyon, is burning on the north slope of Mount Prevost.
It was discovered in the Holyoak Creek area on Thursday, August 5th and grew to 32 hectares in size over the weekend and is suspected to be human-caused.
A state of local emergency is in place.
Despite erratic weather on Saturday, which included 40 kilometre an hour wind, fire crews were able to stop the fire from growing.
Fire guard work continued today with machinery arriving on site, and firefighting personnel and resources were active again today.
An air tanker, three helicopters, 24 firefighters, three water tanks, and an excavator have been deployed to fight the wildfires.
Last week, The Cowichan Valley Regional District and BC Wildfire Centre issued an evacuation order for 7990 Mount Prevost Road.
No other evacuation orders have been issued.
On Friday, fire information officer for Coastal Fire Centre, Dorthe Jakobsen, told Victoria Buzz that the smoky, dry conditions are presenting challenges to emergency responders.
This past weekend, sporadic rain hit Vancouver Island.
Campbell River and the Comox Valley experienced a powerful wind and rain storm, causing flash floods and power outages.
Unfortunately, the Duncan area only saw mild mist and rain.
Residents living in the area should check the BC Wildfire dashboard to monitor the current situation.
Another update from the Cowichan Valley Regional District is expected today.
A Victoria woman is thinking about home renovations after winning nearly $200,000 playing the Lotto Max.
What started as a leisurely drive with friends, turned into a life-changing ride for Arlene Wetherell.
While out and about, Wetherell remembered she had an unchecked ticket so her friend checked the ticket on her phone.
“My friend checked it from her phone and said ‘guess how much you won’,” recalled Wetherell.
“I said ‘I don’t know, $10?’ She turned the phone around and showed me the number.”
She had actually won $189,000 and was the only person to match six of the seven numbers plus the bonus number in the April 2nd Lotto Max draw.
There were no winners for the main jackpot prize of $15,000,000.
Wetherell told BCLC the win brings her one step closer to her dream of renovating her home.
“This win is life-changing,” said Wetherell.
“I want to do some home renovations, specifically new floors and light fixtures. I’ve never owned a matching bedroom suite so I will buy myself a new matching bedroom suite.”
The Victoria resident purchased the winning ticket at the Save-on-Foods in Langford.
Wetherell said she was so overwhelmed and excited, she later asked her dad to check the ticket again from his phone to make sure it was real.
Something wicked this way comes… right to downtown Victoria!
It may still be summer, but spooky season is right around the corner, and with it, a new attraction – a brand new ‘haunted’ mini golf and ping pong lounge.
Boys and ghouls alike can visit the harrowing venue in the 700-block of Yates Street in downtown Victoria, which is slated to open in fall of this year.
Haunted Manor: Mini-Golf + Ping Pong Lounge will feature ping pong tables and mini golf, and guests are invited to “grab a drink and get prepared for something unlike you’ve ever seen before”, says the business’ Facebook page.
They tout a spooky twist on the game of mini-golf, where you can putt your way through a haunted Victorian manor and uncover what happened to the previous residents.
Haunted Manor will open in the former location of a Studio 4 Athletics gym, next to the Canada Post office on Yates Street.
According to their website, Haunted Manor will be open Monday to Thursdays 3 p.m. – 10 p.m., Fridays 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays 12 p.m. – 10 p.m., but their exact opening date is still to be determined.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will conduct a flyby over Esquimalt tonight.
Both a CH-148 Cyclone from 443 Squadron and a CH -149 Cormorant from 442 Squadron will fly over the National Peacekeepers’ Parade at the Memorial Park Cenotaph in Esquimalt at 7 p.m. Monday, August 9th.
National Peacekeepers’ Day was established in Canada in 2008, and it provides an opportunity for Canadians to honour and express their pride and respect for Canadian forces who have worked in support of international peace and security operations across the world.
The aircrafts will fly over the parade at an altitude no lower than 500 feet.
Both aircrafts are unique helicopters serving specific functions for both rescue and surveillance.
The CH-148 Cyclone is Canada’s ship-borne maritime helicopter, providing air support to the Royal Canadian Navy, and serves roles in surface and subsurface surveillance, search and rescue, utility transport and more.
The CH-149 Cormorant is a long-range helicopter dedicated to search and rescue with an ability to carry up to 12 stretchers.
RCAF ensures that the flybys are carefully planned and closely controlled for public safety, they will also take note of any changing weather and flying conditions.
August 9th was chosen as the day to honour Canada’s peacekeepers in homage of a tragic peacekeeping mission in 1974.
Nine Canadian peacekeepers were on a United Nations-marked Canadian transport aircraft for a regular resupply mission when their plane was shot down by Syrian missiles in the Middle East.
Veteran Affairs Canada said that since 1948, more than 125,000 Canadian peacekeepers have participated in dozens of international efforts all over the world.
In honour of decorated Canadian naval officer, Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray, the Royal Canadian Airforce will conduct a flyby at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Sunday August 8th.
The aircraft, a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter, will fly from its base in Comox over the BC Aviation Museum at Victoria Airport and back again.
Gray was a Canadian naval officer, pilot, and recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC) during World War II – the last Canadian to be awarded the honour.
He was from Trail, BC, and while his remains were never found, a monument in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was made to commemorate his heroism.
The aircraft will fly over at an altitude no lower than 500 feet above the highest point of the flyby
route, and maintain a higher altitude for the trip to and from their base at 19 Wing Comox.
The Royal Canadian Air Force said that their flybys are carefully planned and closely controlled to ensure public safety at all times.
Aircraft participation is subject to weather and operational requirements and participants are encouraged to physically distance themselves.
Obviously, I could say that with pure sarcasm, each syllable of the word “in-ter-es-ting” oozing sweat drops of concentrated nihilistic coca-crapola. We more accurately live in a time of waking nightmares.
But at the same time, we do have a far better understanding of the challenges around us than ever before.
No longer do we combat the ravages of plagues with draining of our humours, or battle wildfires by sacrificing goats.
Well, unless you belong to certain internet groups, I guess. But my point is: when I say “we live in interesting times,” I really do mean that I, personally, have taken a greater interest in what dangers are around me and how to deal with them.
That includes coming to grips that I live in a city which will one day be obliterated by the rage of the planet shifting beneath our feet.
Yeah, if you didn’t know already, Victoria is in a pretty serious earthquake zone. How serious? Like jell-o left sitting on a trampoline set to a thumping bassline from Daft Punk serious.
But it’s not even the odd shake-and-bake (slang for the post-earthquake toke to calm us down) that really worries me. It’s the so-called “megathrust” quake which is, in geological terms, set to happen any day now.
That promised quake, caused by the Juan de Fuca plate pushing under the North America continental plate, is expected to decimate BC’s capital city. Most of our older buildings – and yeah, there are a lot of them – are expected to crumble completely. Some newer structures are said to be built to better codes and standards (knock on wood, literally) and should fare better.
It might not happen before I die. But this possibility does loom in the background, out of sight but definitely not out of mind.
So, because I am INTERESTED in this, I’ve set about trying to put together an earthquake kit.
The Province of BC has an extensive list on this:
Non-perishable food: minimum three-day to one-week supply, with a manual can opener
Water: four litres per person, per day for drinking and sanitation
Phone charger, battery bank or inverter
Zunes – in the post-apocalyptic wasteland, the Zune will make a comeback
First-aid kit
Second-aid kit (includes portable fainting couch, snuff box, soothing recordings of Morgan Freeman reading “The Secret”)
Personal toiletries and items, such as an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses
Cash in small bills
Bottlecaps (that’s for the Fallout fans)
Help/OK Sign (PDF): Display the appropriate side outward in your window during a disaster.
John 3:16 Sign
OK, I might have made some of those up. But I’m willing to bet at least some of you aren’t sure which ones, and that’s why you have to take this seriously!
For water alone, the government says you need four litres per person PER DAY, and you should have supplies to last at least three days, and more likely up to a week. That means we could be talking about as much as 28 litres.
That’s like storing one-and-a-half water cooler jugs. And personally, I want to spring for the added-value quake kit and get a portable place to poop, too.
This could be tricky in my teeny-tiner apartment for storage, but, well, if you’re gonna make me choose between drinking or pooping, I might have to go with pooping.
In general though, I can’t help but be a little alarmed at being the opposite of a boy scout: unprepared.
But…yeah. That mega-doom-GWAR-fest-killah-quake is still a thing, and I’m feeling pretty exposed at present. In body as well as in mind.
So what’s the takeaway from all of this?
I think you should absolutely be INTERESTED, that’s for sure. You should take an interest in the world around you, come to a better understanding of the challenges that surround the world, and try to confront them as best you can.
You’re not going to be able to take them all on. And I don’t think you’re expected to. But you should at least try to be informed. That’s not being scared. That’s being prepared.
For sure you should check out the gov’s list on earthquake kits (a list which can be found here, by the way), but also take it as a springboard for preparedness at large.
Does that literally mean lugging around a water cooler’s worth of precious agua fresca at all times?
The BC Ministry of Health reported 464 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, August 6th.
There have been 151,839 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 60
Fraser Health: 72
Island Health: 27
Interior Health: 275
Northern Health: 29
Resident outside Canada: 1
There are currently 2,411 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
147,627 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 52 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 24 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
There were no reports of deaths from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll at 1,772.
Outbreaks
There are currently 6 outbreaks in long-term care: Holyrood Manor in Fraser Health, Nelson Jubilee Manor, Kootenay Street Village, Cottonwoods Care Centre and Brookhaven Care Centre in Interior Health and Discovery Harbour in Island Health.
Latest updates in Interior Health
Amid surging COVID-19 cases in Central Okanagan, new restrictions have been put in place.
Currently, 56% of active cases in B.C. are in the Interior Health region, most of them in the Central Okanagan.
Effective Friday, groups at restaurants will be limited to 6 or fewer and liquor service will be suspended at 10 p.m. Nightclubs and bars will be closed unless they serve food.
High-intensity gyms will be temporarily closed and low intensity workout classes will have limits on occupants.
Effective Monday, indoor personal gatherings will be capped at 5 people or one other household and outdoor events will be capped at 50 people.
Those with Central Okanagan travel plans are being “strongly urged” to reschedule.
Island Health:
Island Health reported 27 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region and 139 active cases.
Breakdown of cases on Vancouver Island:
South Vancouver Island Active cases: 74 │Total Cases: 2099
Central Vancouver Island Active cases: 59 │ Total Cases: 2569
North Vancouver Island Active cases: 6 │Total Cases: 718
1 person remains in hospital with 1 in ICU.
There have been no new deaths in the Island Health region today, and a total of 41 deaths on Vancouver Island.
Vaccinations
81.8% of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 68.9% received their second dose.
In addition, 82.7% of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 71.0% received their second dose.
To date, 6,993,104 (+28,042) doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC; 3,195,128 (+22,841) of which are second doses.
If you’ve ever found yourself in Ganges on Salt Spring Island, you may have noticed a unique addition to the downtown square; a community street piano ready for a performance!
Last month, a Salt Spring RCMP officer sat down at that piano and treated the surrounding spectators to a piano solo in the sunny square.
One of those observers, Ron Stasiuk, filmed the show and proceeded to post the clip on Youtube.
The video garnered almost 10,000 views and was also shared to other social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
The officer, Constable Martin Roznowski, was met with an overwhelmingly positive response from viewers, and has since been addressed by locals as “the piano cop”.
So who is this talented piano player?
Roznowski began playing piano at just six years old. He continued to practice until he was 13, when he quit. For six years after that he did not play.
At 19, he picked up the hobby again, getting right back to where he left off.
“I sit down at a piano and make up a melody on the spot” he says, “[I] never really [have] the piece of music being the same as the last time I sat down.”
Before working as an RCMP officer on Salt Spring Island, Roznowski was posted to Surrey. There, he had his own piano where he could sit and practice.
However, during the move to his new posting on Salt Spring Island, Roznowski unfortunately had to sell his piano.
In the year since his move, Roznowski has been without access to a piano and unable to play. After the year we have had and the stresses of work, Roznowski knew something was missing.
“When I noticed that Salt Spring Island had set up community pianos, I couldn’t help but sit down and play a little,” he said.
He notes the community pianos aren’t in the greatest condition but he was happy to play a little for everyone around.
When asked how he felt about the reaction to the video of his performance, Roznowski says he has received an enormous amount of positive comments and outreach.
“The overall reaction has been incredibly nice to read and experience, especially given the current times with the pandemic and police scrutiny.”
The National Police Federation has since shared the video of Roznowski to their Facebook page of over 120,000 people.
“Since day 1 of becoming a police officer, my goal has been to try to bridge the gap between the public’s perceptions of police and who we truly are” Roznowski says, “I’m glad that I can do that 1 song at a time”.
Photo rendering of the proposed redevelopment of the Northern Junk buildings. (Reliance Properties)
After over 40 years of sitting vacant, the Northern Junk buildings along the inner harbour could have a new lease on life.
In a 5-4 vote, Victoria councillors have approved a proposal to rehabilitate the two 1860s-era warehouses.
Reliance Properties purchased the properties in 2010 and have been trying to redevelop the site for the last 11 years but ran opposition from heritage advocates since.
Plans for the redevelopment include mixed rental and commercial property with 47 rental homes and 9,000 square feet of business and space for a restaurant.
The original facades, interiors, and structural walls of the buildings would remain, according to Reliance. The David Foster Walkway would also be extended by Reliance and would include a public-access elevator to the waterfront.
The front of the buildings will be restored.
Councillors Charlayne Thornton-Joe, Ben Isitt, Sharmarke Dubow, and Geoff Young voted against the project while the others voted in favour.
“We are relieved that Victoria City Council finally approved the rezoning and heritage alteration of Northern Junk, two historic warehouses that have sat vacant for 43 years,” said Jon Stovell, President & CEO, Reliance Properties.
“When Reliance Properties bought the Northern Junk site in 2010, it surprised and saddened us to know that the buildings had languished under the previous ownership since 1978,” said Stovell.
“What we didn’t realize is that it would take us a full decade of designs and redesigns, community consultation, and city processes to get to a point where we can save these waterfront gems from permanent ruin. Thankfully, we can now begin to bring Northern Junk back to relevant use for future generations.”
Photo rendering of the proposed redevelopment of the Northern Junk buildings. (Reliance Properties)Photo rendering of the proposed redevelopment of the Northern Junk buildings. (Reliance Properties)Photo rendering of the proposed redevelopment of the Northern Junk buildings. (Reliance Properties)Photo rendering of the proposed redevelopment of the Northern Junk buildings. (Reliance Properties)
A wildfire near Duncan is currently out of control and the BC Wildfire Centre has issued an evacuation order for one property, according to the Coastal Fire Centre.
The wildfire, burning on the north slope of Mount Prevost, was discovered in the Holyoak Creek area on Thursday, August 5th and is approximately 10 hectares in size; it is suspected to be human-caused.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District and BC Wildfire Centre issued an evacuation order for 7990 Mount Prevost Road at around 11 a.m. on Friday morning.
Fire information officer for Coastal Fire Centre, Dorthe Jakobsen, told Victoria Buzz that the smoky, dry conditions are presenting challenges to emergency responders.
High winds forced crews to back off from the fire area on Thursday night.
Cloud coverage and high winds are also creating more smoke to surround the Cowichan Valley; though, an air advisory has not been issued.
Jakobsen said that the Holyoak Creek wildfire is a rank two or three vigorous surface fire.
This is the second fire in the area this week.
The first wildfire was discovered near Chemainus River on Wednesday, August 4th and was approximately 0.3 hectares in size.
The Chemainus wildfire is now under control and is suspected to be human-caused.
An air tanker, three helicopters, 24 firefighters, three water tanks, and an excavator have been deployed to fight the wildfires.
While only one property has been issued an evacuation notice, the Cowichan Valley Regional District has outlined tips for a safe evacuation procedure:
Locate all family members and designate a meeting area outside the evacuation area, should an Evacuation Order be called while separated.
Pack essential items such as government-issued ID, medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (e.g. insurance, credit, and mortgage information), immediate care needs for dependents and, if time and space permits, keepsakes for quick departure.
Prepare to move disabled persons, children and/or neighbours, if assistance is needed.
Prepare to take pets with you and move livestock to a safe area (if possible).
Arrange transportation for all your household members. Fill the gas tanks of personal vehicles.
Arrange accommodation for all members of the residence, if possible.
Wait for an Evacuation Order to be issued before evacuating. Monitor media sources
for information on evacuation orders and location of Reception Centres.
As of this publication, the Holyoak Creek fire is the only active fire burning on Vancouver Island.
Amidst a promised summer of reopenings coupled with a rise in COVID cases, BC’s provincial government is touting strong job numbers as a sign of economic health.
According to the latest figures from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey, BC is the only province in the country where employment is over its pre-COVID level.
It’s the second month in a row that the westernmost province bucked the trend of still not being back to pre-pandemic employment.
“BC has a strong economy with one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada at 6.6 per cent,” said Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon.
“We saw a gain of 3,300 full-time jobs and a reduction in part-time jobs by 6,500 last month.”
The official opposition, however, says the statistics don’t paint a complete picture of the province’s economic health.
According to the BC Liberals, the province’s labour underutilization rate is 9.9 per cent, over 3 per cent higher than BC’s unemployment rate.
The labour under-utilization rate includes a broader range of people, as it counts those individuals who are available and want to work but were not currently searching for work.
Furthermore, the BC Liberals say the province is increasingly relying on part-time labour, with full-time jobs down by 29,500 compared to pre-pandemic levels, as part-time jobs have increased by 43,200 over pre-pandemic levels.
“One month into the third stage of reopening, not only has BC lost jobs, but multiple industries are experiencing a worker shortage,” said Todd Stone, the BC Liberals’ jobs critic.
“What’s clear is the province can’t keep relying on part-time jobs and the public sector, as people need full-time jobs in a thriving private sector.”
The government acknowledged that businesses are indeed struggling to find workers, but argued the solution rests with issues in housing and child care affordability.
“Employers tell us that to attract long-term employees, people need access to affordable, reliable child care so they can get back into the labour market,” said Kahlon.
“People also need more affordable housing so they don’t have long commutes to work. And they need to be able to get the skills training they need to be active participants in our ever-changing economy.”
Nationwide, employment rose in July across most of the country, with Saskatchewan the lone province to see a drop in employment. Saskatchewan is the province furthest away from its pre-pandemic employment levels, at -3.6 per cent.
Over the past year, many have been missing attending in person sports events. The Vancouver Island Ball Hockey League (VIBHL) began at the beginning of the pandemic. Since then, the league has grown to 16 teams, 4 divisions and there is even a waitlist for teams to join!
This Friday, the league kicks off their championship rounds and the public can watch the games in person!
Where: Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre
When: The Vancouver Island Wolves vs The Victoria Anarchy: 7 p.m., Friday August 6th,
Visit Uptown Boulevard this weekend for their annual Uptown Summer Market. Vendors will be lining the boulevard for a fun afternoon of outdoor shopping!
This weekend, take the family out to explore the interactive Esquimalt Urban Art Tour. The tour is self guided, using a map of the artwork across four neighbourhoods. The tour features Esquimalt urban farms and gardens displaying local artwork.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday August 7th
Where: Across four different neighbourhoods with 30 stops! You can view the map here.
Visiting Sooke Country Market is a perfect Saturday morning activity. Browse through the vendors selling everything from fresh produce, jewelry, gardening supplies and more.
2021 marks Moss Street Market’s 30th season in operation. If you prefer contactless pick up, you can visit the online Moss Street Market to pick up your order.
No, you haven’t been transported back in time, this is real! Legacy Drive-In has announced showtimes for their outdoor theatre at Westshore Motorsports Park.
This weekend, see Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Mission: Impossible and Downsizing from the comfort of your car as you enjoy food by Westshore Burger Co.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and it is recommended patrons arrive 30 minutes before showtime to ensure they get the best spot.
Where: Westshore Motorsports Park (formerly Western Speedway) 2207 Millstream Road
When: Drive: 10 p.m., Friday August 6th, Star Wars: A New Hope: 9:30 p.m., Sunday August 8th
On Sunday, watch a Royal Canadian Air Force helicopter fly over the BC Aviation Museum at Victoria Airport during the dedication of a monument to honour Lieutenant Gray.
When: Approximately 10:30 a.m., Sunday August 8th
Where: Over the BC Aviation Museum at Victoria Airport
The Sidney Street Market is back! After a prolonged COVID-19 absence, the market has returned to a new location at the Mary Winspear Centre. While you’re there, be sure to check out Glory Bakehouse for some delicious brownies.
Where: Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., every Sunday through October 10th
As restrictions ease, workout classes are finally re-opening and going back to regular capacity.
If you are interested in trying something new but want to try out some different workouts before committing to a lot of money we have a list of 15 new-member deals at local fitness studios!
BC was recently named Canada’s #1 staycation destination! Which means we are envied by the rest of Canada for our beautiful views, nature and relaxing environment.
Plan a staycation on our very own island with this list of 10 unique Airbnb getaways right here at home!
From the creators of the ‘Islands Passport’ comes a brand new addition, the ‘Distillery Passport’. The passport includes a complimentary flight and deals at 37 distilleries across British Columbia, with 14 of them located on Vancouver Island alone!
The Distillery Passport is $47.99 and can be purchasedonline.
Where: Vendors across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and throughout BC!
When: Available July 21st at 9 a.m., and can be used until June 2022.
On a local subreddit, r/VictoriaBC, user fyrite asked the public to share their favourite local dishes, the go-tos, the ones people can’t live without.
Victoria delivered, and over 300 recommendations were posted to the thread.
Fyrite took the recommendations and created a mass spreadsheet and map to allow the suggestions to be easily accessible and enjoyed by everyone!
The BC government and Indigenous Nations, along with BC tourism operators, are teaming up to clean up marine debris along BC’s shorelines.
More than 1,000 kilometers of BC’s shorelines will be targeted in an effort to clean the beaches and water of marine debris and litter.
Three tourism operators will partner with Indigenous Nations to target more remote places such as Haida Gwaii and the Discovery Islands.
“As the MLA for this region and a long-time resident of a coastal BC community, I have seen first hand the problem of marine debris,” said MLA for North Coast, Jennifer Rice.
“Haida Gwaii is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and it’s great news that this area will be one of the targets of the CCCW program, returning it to a pristine state.”
The province announced that $3.6 million from the Clean Coast, Clean Waters (CCW) initiative will be spearheaded between Misty Isles Economic Development Society, Spirit of the West Adventures, and the Campbell River Association of Tour Operators.
Both tourism operators, Spirit of the West Adventures and the Campbell River Association, have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the tourism industry.
“After a very tenuous year for tourism, we are very grateful to be able to offer this additional work to our staff including many local youth, as well as their community members and local businesses who will be assisting with the project,” said co-owner of Spirit of the West Adventures, Rick Snowdown.
As part of the provincial government’s CleanBC Plastics Action Plan, nearly $18 million has been invested into the CCCW initiative. So far, BC has spent $9.5 million for ecotourism operators and First Nations to comb the coast for ocean debris.
Canadian crews have been attempting to clean BC’s wildest shorelines for fishing nets, hauling lines, buoys and Styrofoam since the pandemic began.
Luckily, according to a report from The National Observer, 60% of marine debris found is being recycled.
So far, the CCCW has removed more than 550 tonnes of fishing gear, plastics and polystyrene foam from BC’s beaches, according to Kelly Greene, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment.
This new investment is intended to create 240 jobs and is part of BC’s $10-billion COVID-19 response.
The City of Victoria just approved a nearly $8 million investment into a new Topaz Park redesign which will include a 3,000 square metre skatepark and 6,000 metre bike park.
Level Playing Field will be working with New Line Skateparks on the redesign, guaranteeing the park’s accessibility.
The skatepark portion of the design is divided into four areas within the park — the Main Promenade, Flow Zone, Bowl Zone, and Learning Zone.
The bike park will have a beginner’s looping pumptrack, as well as a more advanced Snake-run track.
A green space will also be incorporated for gatherings.
In June, residents were asked to participate in a survey regarding the proposed redesign.
A total of 471 online participants completed the skatepark survey, 77% of which live in Victoria.
79% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the proposed plan succeeded in meeting the guiding principles established in the Topaz Park Improvement Plan.
44% of participants said the skatepark was their primary interest and 33% said the Bike Park was their primary interest.
22% said their primary interest was in the non-rideable spaces or on the project as a whole.
Construction on the skate and bike park is expected to begin in Fall 2021, and be completed in Summer 2022.
See photos below:
(Rendering of Topaz Skate & Bike Park)Topaz Park rendering (City of Victoria)
The Canadian women’s soccer team won their first ever Olympic gold today, in very dramatic fashion, no less.
On Friday, August 6th, Canada was able to edge Sweden 3-2 – and this was after extra time following being tied 1-1.
The final win was secured by penalty kicks, with Julia Grosso scoring the game winner to end the match.
Canadian players were seen running down the field to mob Grosso and Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe in celebration, marking Canada’s first-ever appearance in the Olympic women’s soccer final.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 402 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, August 5th.
There have been 151,375 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 41
Fraser Health: 82
Island Health: 25
Interior Health: 234
Northern Health: 20
Resident outside Canada: 0
There are currently 2,066 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
147,510 people people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 58 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 21 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
There were no reports of deaths from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll at 1,772.
Outbreaks
There are currently 5 outbreaks in long-term care (Holyrood Manor in Fraser Health, and Nelson Jubilee Manor, Kootenay Street Village, Cottonwoods Care Centre and Brookhaven Care Centre in Interior Health).
Island Health:
South Vancouver Island Active cases: 56 │Total Cases: 2,081
Central Vancouver Island Active cases: 47 | Total Cases: 2,555
North Vancouver Island Active cases: 5 │Total Cases: 717
1 person are in hospital with 0 in ICU
There have been no new deaths in the Island Health region today, and a total of 41 deaths on Vancouver Island have been recorded since the pandemic began.
Vaccinations
81.7% of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 68.4% have received their second dose.
In addition, 82.6% of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 70.6% have received their second dose.
To date, 6,965,062 (+33,247) doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC; 3,172,287 (+25,618) of which are second doses.
Whenever it is time to decide where to go out to eat, the possibilities seem endless!
We have been spoiled with an incredible amount of restaurants and tasty options, but did you know Victoria has more restaurants, eateries, pubs and bars per person than any other city in Canada?
No wonder the choice is so difficult!
Destination Greater Victoria recently set out to determine if there really were as many restaurants in Victoria as they thought.
After analyzing data from Statistics Canada’s June 2020 Business Counts for restaurants, eateries, pubs, and bars, Destination Greater Victoria determined their hunch was true!
When compared to other Canadian cities, Victoria ranked first with 4.6 restaurants, eateries, pubs, and bars per 1,000 residents.
This was ahead of Vancouver, which has 3.6 restaurants, eateries, pubs, and bars per 1,000 people and Niagara Falls, which has 3.4.
“Victoria’s culinary offerings are a major selling feature when we market the destination,” said Paul Nursey, CEO of Destination Greater Victoria, ““ We are also delighted to have brought closure to this question through hard statistical data that our culinary scene is the richest and deepest of any Canadian city.”
Here’s the full list from across Canada, along with each of their ratios per 1,000 residents:
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health (Colin Smith Takes Pics)
BC health officials are declaring the first ever ‘Walk-In Wednesday’ COVID-19 vaccination event a success.
August 4th marked BC’s first Walk-in Wednesday, an event to help spread the word about getting vaccinated and provide an easy walk-in option at clinics across the province to do so.
On Walk-in Wednesday, anyone aged 12 and over and people vaccinated with one dose before June 16th were eligible to receive a first or second dose simply by walking into a clinic across the province.
All clinics administering COVID-19 doses were accepting these walk-ins. Across the province, over 20,000 doses of Pfizer or Moderna were reserved for these specifically.
In a press conference today, Minister of Health Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provided insight into the results of the day.
On Wednesday, 33,277 vaccines were delivered in BC with 16,505 of these administered to walk-ins, a significant increase from previous day’s reports.
This means, more than 80% of the vaccines reserved specifically for walk-ins were administered. Of the walk-ins, 37.6% (6,130) were first doses.
This, combined with first doses by appointment, made it one of the most significant days since before Canada Day for first dose vaccinations.
In Island Health, Comox, Cowichan and Port Alberni saw a large number of walk-in vaccinations, specifically for those under 30 years of age.
As of today, 82.6% of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 70.6% have received their second dose. 6,965,062 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been delivered in BC since the program began in December.
According to Dr. Bonnie Henry and the statistics, 95% of the active cases in the province are not immunized or have not yet received their second dose. Henry stressed the importance of getting vaccinated and booking in for a second dose when eligible to.
Currently, all clinics are accepting walk-ins for first doses. Appointments are still required for second doses.
If you are unsure of where to go to get vaccinated, you can view locations and more information at VaxforBC.
Dog guardians are being asked to take care as an unusual strain of kennel cough is appearing in B.C., according to the BC SPCA.
Dr. Emilia Gordon, senior manager of animal health for the BC SPCA says they have been seeing cases appearing in dogs at their facilities throughout the province, but particularly in the Kamloops region.
She notes that in addition to coughing, a small percentage of the infected dogs had eye or nasal discharge.
“Any dogs in our care who were showing symptoms were immediately isolated, but as we began testing for known viruses and bacteria, the tests kept coming back negative,” said Gordon.
“After consulting with specialists, we believe the cause could be a virus that isn’t detected by commercially available tests.”
The BC SPCA has seen 24 cases in its facilities, but more reports are coming in from the community.
A few cases have also appeared on the Island, along with some reports from community veterinarians.
However, Dr. Gordon told Victoria Buzz that because shelter numbers are lower on the Island, the area doesn’t necessarily serve as a good indicator of community trends.
“In general, we believe we are seeing some type of unusual virus popping up around BC because testing hasn’t shown a clear cause for cases that are highly suspected to be viral,” she said.
“Like human colds, ‘kennel cough’ can be caused by many different viruses and bacteria, so it’s most likely something that we know exists but just don’t have a readily available test for.”
The good news, however, is that so far there is no indication that the dogs who have contracted this virus are any sicker than regular kennel cough cases.
There is also no evidence that there is a threatening mutation involved in this increase in cases. So far, all of the dogs are recovering.
The main concern, according to the BC SPCA, is the quick spread of cases.
“Most affected dogs were vaccinated, so while we still recommend the vaccine to reduce illness, it appears that we may be dealing with a virus that is not part of the current vaccine,” said Dr. Gordon.
Dog guardians are urged to isolate pets that begin coughing and to seek veterinary advice.
The BC SPCA says they have collected samples and will be sending them to diagnostic laboratories and specialists to determine the cause of the outbreak.
Six new charging stations are rolling out this summer across southern Vancouver Island, the provincial government says.
Half of the stations are already open, with the other three set to open this summer.
The locations for the publicly accessible chargers are:
The public charging stations are in the following locations:
1420 Store Street, Victoria, two stations, operated by BC Hydro, open now
2680 James Street, Duncan, one new station, operated by BC Hydro, planned to open this summer
2330 Bevan Avenue, Sidney, one new station, operated by BC Hydro, open now
10200 McDonald Park Road, North Saanich, two stations, operated by Canadian Tire, planned to open summer 2021
Funding for the stations is coming from both federal and provincial levels of government.
Natural Resources Canada is providing up to 50 per cent of total project costs for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure improvements, up to a maximum of $75,000 per fast-charging station.
The province’s CleanBC funding for public charging stations is also providing up to 25 per cent of construction costs, up to a maximum of $25,000 per station.
The Perseid meteor is back, bringing the spectacular cosmic light show to us once again!
Each August, when the earth passes through the path of Comet Swift-Tuttle, the Perseid meteor shower shoots across our sky for all to view.
For many, it’s a yearly event to look forward to, an opportunity to take in all of space’s wonder.
Luckily for us, the Perseid meteor shower is best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere.
The earth has been passing through Comet Swift-Tuttle since July 17th and will continue until August 24th. However, the greatest number of meteors will be visible during the shower’s peak, on August 12th and 13th!
There is still time to prepare!
To ensure you have the best view of the shower, go to a dark area away from city lights pre-dawn. Give your eyes 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness and then lean back and enjoy the show above.
This year, during the shower’s peak, one can expect to view up to 60 meteors per hour!
Perseid Meteor Shower
When: Best days are August 12th and 13th, late night
VicPD are asking for witnesses and information into a stabbing that occurred in the early hours of Thursday, August 5th. Shortly after 2 a.m., officers were called to a supportive housing facility in the 800-block of Johnson Street for reports of a stabbing. Officers attending the scene, provided first aid, including trauma bandages, to the victim suffering potentially-life-threatening injuries. Paramedics soon arrived and transported the man to hospital where the man’s wounds are now considered to be non-life-threatening. Upon investigation, VicPD learned that the stabbing occurred in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue and the victim walked to Johnson Street, at which point the incident was reported. Officers are seeking witnesses and information regarding this incident and have asked anyone with information to call (250) 995-7654.
A man’s life was saved after he suffered an opioid overdose and was administered multiple doses of naloxone by community members and VicPD in the early hours today.
At approximately 3 a.m. on Thursday, August 5th, officers were flagged down in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue for reports of a man suffering from an opioid overdose.
Officers located the man where community members had already begun to administer naloxone.
Despite this, the man remained unconscious, without a pulse, and not breathing.
Officers then provided the man with several additional doses of naloxone; they also inserted an airway, and provided rescue breathing for more than fifteen minutes until paramedics arrived.
Eventually, the man began to breathe and regained consciousness.
The man refused medical treatment and declined to attend hospital.
(Mayfair Shopping Centre / Aloha Friday Photo Bus)
It may already be halfway through, but summer time is still in full swing in Victoria.
And what better way to celebrate than a sizzling series of pop-up concerts AND an epic block party with tons of fun and prizes?
We’re here to tell you to that Mayfair Shopping Centre is bringing the heat, with a whole schedule of fun, safe and family-friendly events this August right in their own backyard.
Even better? We’ve partnered with Mayfair to give away $200 in shopping centre gift cards – contest details are below!
Summer Concert Series
After their first concert in the series was met with much success, Mayfair’s Summer Concert Series continues with a completely complimentary way to enjoy the sounds and sights of live music from award-winning collective of professional musicians Cascadia Strings on their outdoor patio – here’s a list of each week’s theme:
Saturday, August 7th – “An Afternoon at the Movies”
Saturday, August 21st – “Canada from Coast to Coast”
Saturday, August 28th – “Throwback Mixtape”
Each concert runs from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. on the above dates, and you’re welcome to enjoy a bite or a refreshing beverage from one of Mayfair’s retailers outside of the Blanshard Street entrance – you can RSVP here!
Summer Block Party
Sandwiched in between the summer concert dates will be Mayfair’s Summer Block Party, happening Sunday, August 15th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Join this fun-filled block party filled with photo ops, free ice cream, a live DJ and more, this will be one summer event you won’t want to miss – don’t forget to RSVP.
It will include:
Free Purdy’s Ice Cream bars (for the first 100 guests)
SHARE this post on Facebook and/or Twitter and leave a comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from time and date of publishing until 11:59 p.m. PST on August 19th. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they enter within 24 hours of the contest closing. Good luck!
For one day only, online sensation and traditional Bhangra dancer, Gurdeep Pandher, is coming to Victoria on Friday, August 6th!
Gurdeep will be hosting a free virtual event and performance at the Uptown street mural at 12 p.m. on Friday afternoon.
Uptown visitors are welcome to watch in-person while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
Advance registration is required.
Gurdeep Pandher and Bhangra
Punjab-born and Yukon-living Gurdeep Pandher has taken the world by storm by taking the traditional folk dance, Bhangra, around Canada and online since 2012.
Over time, his posts went viral and his work has been featured on CBC Yukon, CBC National, CTV National News, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, SBS Australia, and many other platforms.
Even Canadian embassies abroad have shared his work.
A traditional folk dance originating in Punjab, India, Bhangra was started by farmers so they could “joyfully and rhythmically do their tasks,” Gurdeep told Victoria Buzz.
“Farming was tough, so Punjab farmers came up with the idea that if they did it more rhythmically it could be joyful. So, they started Bhangra purely for happiness, positivity, and to give thanks to their land,” said Gurdeep.
Pandher’s goal with Bhangra is still to bring joy and positivity to whoever sees him dancing, but during COVID-19 pandemic, he told me that joy and positivity has meant much different than when Bhangra first started, albeit still having its similarities.
“My first hope is that in my online posts and my dancing is for whoever sees it to feel joyful positive energy,” said Gurdeep.
“I do feel during the pandemic there was a push to appreciate joy and positivity more.”
Another hope of Gurdeep, is to create cross-cultural bridges and to be a welcoming force in the fight for unity.
“Sometimes we can all feel so divided, especially nowadays. Above all else, I want to bring unity and humanity.”
The class and performance on Friday will be Gurdeep’s third time performing in Victoria.
While Gurdeep won’t be touring Canada like he’s used to this year – he’s lived in ten Canadian cities – he hopes to hit the highway next year, bringing his special brand of joy and positivity to the country one step at a time.
Follow@uptownvictoriaand @gurdeeppandher on Instagram for the latest updates and event highlights.
Both Denman Island and Hornby Island will soon have a faster internet connection.
According to a media release from the province, more than 1,350 households on both islands will see improved high-speed internet.
The project is being supported by the Connecting British Columbia program.
“We are moving toward a future where people in communities up and down the coast have the same level of internet services being offered in urban centres like Vancouver and Victoria,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Citizens’ Services.
“Upgrading the networks on Hornby and Denman will boost the performance of internet access this year and prepare the islands to be connected to the high-performance Connected Coast network.”
CityWest will receive up to $3.26 million from the program to upgrade services on Denman Island and up to $2.38 million for its work on Hornby Island.
The $45.4-million project, jointly funded by both the provincial and federal governments, is centered on the construction of a subsea fibre-optic network in the Strathcona Regional District. It’ll include access points along BC’s coastline between Vancouver and Prince Rupert, to Haida Gwaii, and around Vancouver Island.
Health care is also expected to improve once the projects are complete.
“Our staff often work in isolation in empty or marginal pockets of internet and cellular reception,” said Lori Nawrot, executive director of the Hornby and Denman Community Health Care Society.
“Improved service will make our jobs safer and expand our options for online training and certification, crucial for the recruitment of new staff,” added Nawrot.
Construction is expected to begin this summer and will include stops on the Gulf Islands, however, no timeline was provided on when the internet improvement projects would be completed for Denman Island and Hornby Island.
VicPD are warning the public of marine-related thefts after a 25-foot Zodiac boat was stolen from the Victoria International Marina and recovered near Ladysmith last week.
According to police, in the early morning hours of Thursday, July 29th, a man stole the $100,000 black rigid inflatable boat (RIB) located at the Victoria International Marina.
Photos from a video surveillance camera show a man ducking down as he walked towards the vessel before stealing it.
Later that same day, at approximately 6 p.m., the boat was located near Slack Point in Ladysmith and recovered by the Ladysmith RCMP.
The owner was reunited with their boat, however the suspect remains outstanding.
The suspect is described as a 35 to 45-year-old Caucasian man standing approximately five feet, six inches tall and weighing approximately 140 pounds.
The suspect wore a red hooded sweater and a yellow shoulder bag and was last seen in Ladysmith riding a blue mountain bike, which he unloaded from the boat when he left the area.
VicPD are warning the public to monitor their docks.
Since mid-July police said they have seen 14 marine-related thefts.
According to VicPD, thieves are targeting boats, kayaks, motorized vessels and boat engines.
If you have any information on marine-related thefts, reach out to VicPD at (250) 995-7654.
Downtown businesses are being offered a helping hand to give them better security amidst increased petty crime.
Following a report from the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) that highlighted increased concerns with safety, the DVBA has announced a new grant program.
“Our third annual report identified that our members faced increased costs in securing their properties and businesses,” said DVBA executive director Jeff Bray.
“Building on the vibrancy and vitality partnership with the City, we are pleased to support our members by offsetting some of these costs.”
The program will offer a 50 per cent cost-share on security upgrades up to a total of $500. This can apply to items like cameras, new locks, security gates, or anti-shatter window film.
All downtown Victoria businesses are eligible for this grant.
The area the DVBA defines as downtown stretches from Belleville Street up to Chatham Street, and west from Wharf Street to Blanshard Street, as well as some additional areas by James Bay and Vic West. A map of the area is available online.
For security camera installation, the DVBA has partnered with member business Tesseract 2.0. The company’s owner, Gary Beyer, will be offering cameras to downtown businesses at cost, and his team will perform installations.
The DVBA says with their grant, businesses can purchase cameras through this offer and have them installed for only $270 plus tax.
More information and application forms are online at dvba.ca/securitygrants. The grant will be offered until funding is depleted.
A coalition representing Canadian physicians and nurses is calling for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for health care workers in Canada.
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) released a statement on August 3rd citing concerns over contagious COVID-19 variants and levelling off vaccination rates.
“As health providers, we have a fundamental duty of care towards our patients and the public. There is significant evidence that vaccines are safe and effective and as health professionals who are leading the vaccination campaigns, it [mandatory vaccines for nurses/physicians] is the right call and an appropriate step,” says Dr. Ann Collins, CMA president.
In a joint statement, the CMA and the CNA called on governments to implement measures that improve vaccine acceptance by supporting and addressing vaccine hesitancy and system barriers that they said is historically inequitable.
Their hope is that mandatory vaccination among health care workers will have higher rates of vaccination which will thus reduce the burden of COVID-19 and bolster ongoing pandemic management efforts.
On July 27th, BC’s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, told the public that the majority of new COVID-19 cases were among those who were not fully-vaccinated — about 3% were people who were fully-vaccinated.
As of this publication, 81.5% of eligible people 12 and older in BC have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 67.9% have received their second dose.
According to a poll from Leger of 1,534 adult Canadians, 46% believe the worst of the pandemic is yet to come as Delta variant cases surge and restrictions become reinstated in some parts of the world and even in some parts of British Columbia.
Canada’s chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tham, warned of a potential fourth wave last week.
“The trajectory will depend on an ongoing increase in fully vaccinated coverage and the timing, pace and extent of reopening,” Dr. Theresa Tam said Friday as she revealed new COVID-19 modelling.
“While some resurgence is expected as measures are eased, this updated model shows that if we maintain current levels of community-wide contacts, we would expect to see a modest increase in cases.”
On Wednesday afternoon, BC health officials reported 342 new cases, which is the highest number of new cases in a day since May 27th.
Do you want to get into running but don’t know where to start? Are you a seasoned runner looking for a change of scenery?
We’ve got you covered.
Running may seem like a scary hobby to undertake, but with practice you may enjoy it!
With the perfect routine, whether it be an early morning run or a sunset jog by the water, you may even find over time you actually look forward to it.
It’s just a matter of finding your perfect spot to put in your headphones and check out.
Now that you’ve got your running shoes on, here are 10 best spots to go for a run in and around Victoria:
The Elk/Beaver Lake Perimeter loop is a relatively flat, wide path that outlines the lake. The 10km loop stays close to the water for a beautiful, scenic view as you run.
If you don’t mind running in a busier setting and want to take in all Victoria has to offer, try Dallas Road. The road offers views of the ocean and beaches all the way from Fisherman’s Wharf to Hollywood Crescent.
The Galloping Goose Regional Trail is a 55-kilometre journey which can take you from Victoria to Sooke. Formerly a railway line, the path moves through urban, rural and wilderness scenery.
The Alumni Chip Trail is a flat, loop trail throughout the outskirts of UVic. The path is accessible for all levels and offers a peaceful ambiance in the forest.
The main loop around Upper and Lower Thetis hugs the lake and offers a relatively easy path to run. If you are looking for something a bit more difficult or rugged, the park also offers a variety of trails off the main path.
Henderson Chip Trail is a great running path for beginners, circling the perimeter of Henderson Park Golf Course. The loop, which is only 1.1km in length, is great for beginners.
The West Bay Walkway connects Esquimalt (from Head Street at West Bay Marina) to downtown Victoria at the Johnson Street Bridge. The path outlines the water and offers incredible views of the downtown core.
The Flight Path is a 9.3km loop around the Victoria International Airport. The path is level and paved, with a lane marker to help separate walkers/runners from cyclists.
An elderly couple have died after a tragic crash in Central Saanich on Tuesday night.
Traffic in both directions in the 6300-block of West Saanich Road was closed following a crash around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3rd.
Central Saanich Police reported that the driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, while the passenger later succumbed to injuries at the hospital.
BC Ambulance Service, BC Coroners Service, a Saanich Police Department Collision Analyst and Central Saanich Fire were on scene to assist.
The BC Coroners service are currently investigating the cause of death.
BC Coroners spokesperson Ryan Panton told Victoria Buzz they were unable to provide any other information.
“As we’re early in the process of trying to determine all of the facts, we’re unable to provide any additional information at this time,” said Panton.
If you heard some strange noises coming from the direction of CFB Esquimalt today, you can rest assured that it’s nothing to be alarmed about.
At 11 a.m. on the first Wednesday of every month, the naval base undergoes a test of its mass notification system.
The test only takes about a minute, but people new to the area may not be familiar with the strange noises.
Installed in February 2015, the mass notification system can be used to issue tsunami evacuation notices, warn of hazardous materials emergencies or alert people to security or environmental threats.
Speakers are located at CFB Esquimalt in the Dockyard, Naden, and Work Point. Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) says that the system may eventually be expanded to other properties in Colwood, Albert Head and Rocky Point.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 342 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, August 4th.
There have been 150,973 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 57
Fraser Health: 66
Island Health: 32
Interior Health: 171
Northern Health: 13
Resident outside Canada: 3
There are currently 1,764 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
147,409 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 55 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 23 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
There were no reports of deaths from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll at 1,772.
Outbreaks
There are currently 5 outbreaks in long-term care (Holyrood Manor in Fraser Health, and Nelson Jubilee Manor, Kootenay Street Village, Cottonwoods Care Centre and Brookhaven Care Centre in Interior Health).
Island Health:
Island Health reported 10 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region and 89 active cases.
Breakdown of cases on Vancouver Island:
South Vancouver Island Active cases: 45 │Total Cases: 2067
Central Vancouver Island Active cases: 39│ Total Cases: 2542
North Vancouver Island Active cases: 5│Total Cases: 716
1 person remains in hospital with 0 in ICU.
There have been no new deaths in the Island Health region today, and a total of 41 deaths on Vancouver Island.
Vaccinations
81.5% of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 67.9% have received their second dose.
In addition, 82.4% of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 70.1% have received their second dose.
To date, 6,931,815 (+29,495) doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC; 3,146,669 (+25,358) of which are second doses.
“Your safety is important to us, and we require a specific number of crew members on board the vessel to ensure the safety of our passengers in the unlikely event of an emergency and to comply with Transport Canada regulations,” said BC Ferries in a statement.
As of this publication, there is 22 per cent availability on the 7 p.m. departing from Tsawwassen and 26 per cent availability on the 9 p.m. sailing departing Swartz Bay.
In the Greater Victoria, Sooke, Saanich Peninsula, Port Alberni, Cowichan Valley, and Parksville areas there are a total 13 COVID-19 immunization clinics that residents can walk in and receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
Vax Vans
BC has also enlisted a list of venues that are offering mobile walk-in clinics for a COVID-19 vaccine in the Island Health authority and across BC.
The Vax Van visited Langford’s Starlight Stadium on Friday, July 31st, for the Pacific FC soccer team’s first home game since the pandemic began.
The current list of Vax Vans is available below.
This list is subject to change, but you can stay up-to-date at the Vax for BC website.
Vaccinations
Data from the BC Centre of Disease Control (BCCDC) shows that less than 5% of COVID-19 cases from June 15th to July 15th were among fully vaccinated people, and that 78% of people hospitalized in BC with COVID-19 were unvaccinated.
Yesterday, the BC Ministry of Health reported 742 new cases of COVID-19 for a four-day period from Friday, July 30th to Tuesday, August 3rd.
81.4% of eligible people 12 and older in BC have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 67.3% received their second dose.
In addition, 82.3% of all eligible adults in BC have received their first dose and 69.7% received their second dose.
The family of a missing Vancouver Island teenage girl has taken to social media in hopes of locating her.
According to her family, 16-year-old Grace Smiley was last seen catching a bus from Comox to Langford. Her family said they were unaware of these plans and believe she was visiting with her boyfriend.
She was last seen around 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 1st.
Comox Valley RCMP released a statement on Tuesday also seeking help in locating the missing teenage girl.
Police believe she may be in Victoria, Nanaimo, or the Vancouver area.
Smiley is described as Caucasian, 5’10” tall, and weighs about 140 pounds with long brown hair and green eyes. She has a piercing in her right ear.
She was last seen wearing:
black leggings
white Adidas sneakers
tie-died hoody
black tank-top
On Wednesday, West Shore RCMP released a follow-up statement confirming they received a missing report for Smiley, as well as 15-year-old Tyson Brown from Colwood, whom investigators believe Smiley met up with.
Brown is described as an Indigenous, 5’8″ tall, and weighs about 140 pounds. He has medium-length black hair and brown eyes.
He was last seen wearing:
black shorts, black shirt, and grey sweater
white Nike runners
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321 or the West Shore RCMP detachment at 250-474-2264.
The BC government has extended the provincial state of emergency to August 18th due to the ongoing wildfire situation around the province.
The state of emergency grants the government powers to be able to authorize evacuation orders.
As of Tuesday, August 3rd, 262 wildfires are burning in BC, with 64 evacuation orders affecting approximately 4,305 properties. There are 99 evacuation alerts affecting approximately 21,049 properties.
In the past two days, there have been 29 new fires.
Current weather forecasts predict stronger winds and potential thunderstorms for the areas near the Big Stick Lake fire in the Cariboo region, and the Octopus Lake fire in BC’s southeast.
“As we have seen over the past number of weeks, the continued dry, hot weather poses a high risk for potential wildfires,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
“The province will continue to support British Columbians with all of the tools they may need if they end up facing an evacuation order.”
So far, 33.6% of wildfires have been human-caused, 52.3% are caused by lightning, and 14.1% have an unknown cause.
The wildfire situation is still evolving but here are current statistics of the situation as of 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3rd.
Current Active Wildfires
There are currently 262 wildfires burning in BC and since April 1st, there have been 1,336 wildfires and 557,459 hectares burned.
Most wildfires are occurring in the Interior, North, and Vancouver Coastal areas of BC; Vancouver Island has yet to experience any serious wildfires this year.
Here’s where there wildfires are currently burning:
Since wildfires began this summer, and Lytton was destroyed by a wildfire, evacuation orders due to wildfires have been more frequent.
To date, BC has called 64 evacuation orders and 100 evacuation alerts in total; most being in central BC.
Central BC is currently experiencing 57 evacuation orders and 73 alerts.
Southeast BC is experiencing six orders and eight alerts; meanwhile, Northeast BC is experiencing one order and 14 alerts and the Northeast has one order and 14 alerts.
Crews and Equipment
There are a total of 415 out-of-province firefighters attending the BC wildfires.
Firefighters and other personnel currently fighting the fires is at 2,737, which includes out-of-province and aerial support.
There are also 380 aerial support staff.
Vancouver Island
As of this publication, there are no wildfires burning on Vancouver Island.
If you spot a wildfire, report it as soon as possible by calling 1.800.663.5555 or *5555 on your cell phone.
Since the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) formed the provincial government four years ago, three-in-five people (59%) found that it has become harder to make ends meet.
74% of British Columbians polled said that buying a house is harder than it was in 2017, and 63% felt the same about saving for retirement; and roughly half thinking paying for post-secondary education and finding a job are more difficult than before the provincial NDP.
Seven-in-ten British Columbians (71%) believe the housing situation in the province is worse now than it was in 2017, and a majority (53%) feel the same way about taxation.
Both Canadians (14%) and British Columbians (19%) polled in June 2021 identified housing, homelessness, and poverty as pressing issues in Canada.
“The concerns about the high cost of living in British Columbia are significant across the political spectrum,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co.
“Majorities of residents who voted for the BC Green Party (70%), the BC NDP (59%) and the BC Liberals (55%) in last year’s provincial election state that making ends meet is more difficult now than in 2017.”
With a majority of BC residents polled expressing their concerns over being able to afford their residency, how do they feel about the BC NDP’s leadership?
Well, a third of British Columbians (33%) believe it’s too early to judge Horgan’s accomplishments as premier, while 26% think he has done very little and 21% have felt he has accomplished much in his four years as premier.
For expectations, half polled believe he’s performed to the degree they expected, 20% believe he’s performed better and 19% feel he is worse than what they envisioned his premiership since 2017.
