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On July 1st, British Columbia will move into Step 3 of the province’s Restart Plan. After 16 months our lives will finally look closer to normal than ever.
To date, over 78% of BC residents 18+ have received their first dose and over 30% of residents have received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
A strong vaccination program along with low case numbers and low hospital rates allowed BC to move to Step 3 in the provincial restart plan, exceeding the original criteria set forth by the provincial government.
Here’s how restaurants, nightclubs and casinos will operate in Step 3 of the province’s Restart Plan:
Restaurants, bars and pubs:
Table limits determined by venue (no longer limited to 6 people or less at a table)
Liquor service hours return to normal
Socializing between tables not permitted
Venues can host events
Nightclubs:
Up to 10 people seated at tables
No dancing
Socializing between tables not permitted
Tables should be positioned 2 metres apart
Operating at reduced capacity
Casinos:
Operating at reduced capacity
50% of gaming stations permitted to open
Barriers and masks recommended
In order to operate, businesses must follow communicable disease prevention guidance.
As we move toward Step 3 of the Restart Plan, please remember to follow guidelines and respect the establishments you enter as they adjust to new regulations.
The province has reached an important milestone when it comes to the fight against COVID-19 today, as it has moved towards Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan, including the loosening of restrictions surrounding Canada-wide recreational travel.
On the heels of Canada’s longest-running state of emergency, on June 29th, Premier John Horgan announced that British Columbia would enter Step 3 of the Restart Plan as of July 1st.
Among the list of many restrictions to be lifted in Step 3, the province announced that Canada-wide recreational travel in and out of BC will once more be allowed, with a few things to keep in mind.
Dr. Bonnie Henry detailed that Canadians travelling to BC from outside of the province are still asked to plan ahead before visiting communities – especially smaller and rural towns, as well as Indigenous communities.
“Be respectful of those you’re visiting,” Henry said during a press conference on Tuesday.
“Not every community has received two doses of their vaccines yet, and some may not be comfortable accepting visitors.”
Strong vaccination programs coupled with low case numbers and hospital rates have allowed the province to move into to Stage 3 in BC’s Restart Plan ahead of schedule.
Despite it being recommended by health officials that inter-provincial travelers be fully vaccinated, this is not a mandate at this time.
Here’s a summary of what else Step 3 and 4 of BC’s Restart Plan include:
The Canada-US border continues to remain closed, and will remain so until at least July 21st, after an announcement by Justin Trudeau that 75% of Canadians will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before the government will be willing to consider lifting border restrictions.
(Premier John Horgan, Minister Adrian Dix, Dr. Bonnie Henry/BC Gov Flickr)
BC is moving ahead with Stage 3 of their reopening plan starting on June 30th at 11:59 p.m.
The province will lift COVID-19 restrictions this week, moving forward with Step 3 of the BC Restart Plan, signaling an end to the longest provincial state of emergency in BC’s history.
The province said that the public health emergency will remain in effect during Step 3 to support amended, but reduced, public health orders.
Premier John Horgan, Dr. Bonnie Henry, Health Minister Adrian Dix, and Minister Ravi Kahlon, made the announcement on Tuesday, June 29th.
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnsworth will lift the provincial state of emergency which has been in place since March 2020.
This means that beginning July 1st, health orders will be recommended, not directed.
Premier Horgan also reported 29 new cases of COVID-19 in BC for Tuesday, June 29th with seven new cases in Fraser Health — a health authority that has seen increased COVID-19 transmission throughout the pandemic.
The province was optimistic about moving forward with Step 3 due to the dramatic drop in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths and having 80% of BC immunized with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Here’s what will change:
Capacities will change for venues with 50% capacity allowed inside, and a capacity of 5,000 people or 50% capacity outdoors.
Nightclubs and casinos will be welcome to reopen with capacity limits and safety plans.
Minister Ravi Kahlon, said that COVID-19 business safety plans will now be replaced with communicable disease prevention plans.
Capacity limits, formal health screening tests and directional arrows, as well as other physical distancing measures will no longer be required.
There will be no more seat table limits at restaurants, although going to visit another table is still not recommended.
Outdoor and indoor gatherings restrictions have also changed which include:
Venues: 50% capacity allowed
Outdoor venues: 5,000 capacity
Religious ceremonies: order lifted
Pubs/Restaurants: no limit on table.
As of today, in-person media briefings will end for Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix.
BC will now be able to welcome people across the country, particularly those who are immunized, said Dr. Henry.
Sports and activities will resume as normal.
Mask wearing will be recommended for those who are not fully immunized, but Henry maintained how important it is to wear masks inside if one is not fully-vaccinated.
Step 4 of BC’s Restart Plan:
Step 4 of the Restart Plan is intended to go into effect on September 7th and will see a return to normal social contact and increased gatherings, with businesses operating with new safety protocols.
With Canada seeing COVID-19 numbers drop, it’s still yet to be acknowledged whether Step 4 could come sooner than we hoped.
BC has confirmed the province is moving ahead with Stage 3 of their reopening plan starting on Thursday, July 1st.
With the province moving to the next phase of reopening, starting on July 1, wearing a mask in an indoor public space will be recommended, but not mandatory, for those who are not fully vaccinated.
People who are fully vaccinated do not have to wear masks after 14 days of getting their second dose – while the mask mandate order under the Emergency Program Act will be lifted, it still recommended but the province also said no proof of vaccination will be needed.
“Some people may choose to continue to wear a mask and that’s OK – we all need to go at our own pace,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Here is a breakdown of the details of wearing a mask starting July 1st:
Mask wearing is recommended in indoor public spaces for all people 12 and older who are not yet fully vaccinated
Fully vaccinated means 14-days after receiving your second dose
The Face Coverings Order under the Emergency Program Act will be lifted and no proof of vaccination will be needed
On Thursday, the provincial state of emergency, which went into effect at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be dropped.
As of this publication, more than 78 per cent of people aged 18 and older have had their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and over 30 per cent have received two doses.
This summer, you don’t have to leave your doggo at home when you’re in need of a quick bite..
Take them along on your morning coffee run, have them join your brunch catch up, or lounge with you on a patio.
Before heading out, be mindful of the weather, check in with restaurants regarding their leash policy and remember to pack water for your four-legged best friend.
Now that your pup is eager to go, here are 13 dog friendly patios in and around Victoria:
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Wednesday to Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday
School’s out for the summer and the weather is hot!
Some of the best childhood memories are those of spending the day splashing around the local waterpark.
The smell of sunscreen, the cool water on your sunkissed skin and making new friends!
Local water parks have announced their re-opening for the summer months and the kids will be eager for you to take them to make the most of their summer.
Here are 9 local water parks for the kids to cool off in this summer:
A new food truck program that will see vendors touring locations in Saanich kicks off on July 1, Canada Day.
Sixteen different food trucks will rotate through Beckwith, Cadboro-Gyro and Gorge Waterway Parks until September 8.
The program was approved by Saanich council on April 26. Depending on how the program goes, it could return in 2022.
“The pilot program will be an exciting—and tasty—addition to our parks this summer,” said Councillor Judy Brownoff.
“We’re happy to have a number of local entrepreneurs just starting out as well as seasoned veterans. I can’t wait to see our residents enjoying their treats in our wonderful parks.”
The participating vendors for the pilot program include:
To Go Food Service
Puerto Vallarta Amigos
Holy Cow Mini Donuts
Owen’s Ice Cream
Freshcoast Health Food Bar
Spice Aid – Operation BBQ
Cup-a-Roni
Quadra Village Community Centre Food Truck
Elements Ice Cream
Candytime Concession
SS Floats
Kattia’s Kitchen Authentic Mexican
Sassy Thai Café
Greek on the Street
BeaverTails Pastry
Picnique Beatnique
The vendors will set their own operating hours, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Currently, a draft schedule posted to the District of Saanich website shows the dates for different vendors, but not individual times.
Further details on the schedule will be made available in coming days, with the first schedule due to arrive by June 30. Some will vendors will also post their schedules on the street food app.
The City of Nanaimo has partnered with the United Way and the Canadian Mental Health Association to open a cooling centre for people experiencing homelessness.
During record-breaking high temperatures, the City says that a cooling centre has become urgently needed for Nanaimo’s more than 430 unsheltered people.
“We have seen the benefits of a coordinated approach in providing services to our most vulnerable population,” said Mayor Leonard Krog.
“This response is another example of our community partners coming together, especially during the heatwave to help those living in the streets.”
The cooling centre will be located at the 7-10 Club, at 285 Prideaux Street. It will be open 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., seven days a week, until July 10.
Capacity will be limited to between 10 to 15 people at a time, in keeping with COVID-19 safety requirements.
Water, sandwiches and coffee will also be available.
The BC Coroner has reported that, since the beginning of January, 851 BC residents have died due to a toxic drug supply.
According to the report, an average of 5.2 opioid-related deaths occurred every day in May.
The 851 lives lost between January and May of this year are the most reported opioid-related deaths ever recorded in the beginning of a calendar year.
To put that in perspective, between January and May 2017, 704 deaths were reported; this new record is an increase of 21%.
The overall rate of deaths due to toxic illicit drugs in British Columbia now stands at 39.3 per 100,000 residents.
Every health authority in the province has recorded a death rate greater than 33.6 per 100,000 residents, the previous provincial high established in 2020.
The communities experiencing the highest number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2021 are Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria.
(Courtesy of BC’s Coroner Report)
“As the COVID-19 pandemic begins to wind down, we must turn our attention to combating B.C.’s other public health emergency with the same sense of urgency,” Lapointe said.
“We need to ensure that safe alternatives to toxic illicit drugs are available throughout the province, and that we are taking meaningful steps to reduce stigma and offer substance users access to the supports they need and are seeking.”
Fentanyl and Carfentanil, a more potent analogue of fentanyl, has been commonly detected in 75 deaths in 2021 after being identified in 65 investigations in all of 2020.
The BC Coroner’s report also detected benzodiazepines in 60% of the opioid-related deaths.
BC’s Coroner warned that benzodiazepines create significant life-saving challenges for first responders when used in combination with opioids.
Government Response
In April, the BC government announced a $45 million investment into harm reduction services and applied for a federal exemption from Health Canada to decriminalize personal possession of drugs in BC.
Officials for the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions and Health Canada have been working on an agreement to apply for a provincewide exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
No decision has yet to be announced from Health Canada.
Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, released a statement regarding the shocking news of the 851 deaths, telling people living in BC to take every precaution if they use opioids.
She also said that more people are dying from smoking and/or inhaling drugs than from injecting.
Malcolmson said it’s important carry naloxone, and encouraged those who use to visit supervised consumption site or an overdose prevention site.
“People who use drugs recreationally and regularly are all at high risk. If you plan to use – whether at home, at a party or event, know how to stay safer – this can mean the difference between life and death,” said Malcolmson.
“Many are eager to socialize as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, and people must be aware illicit drugs are more toxic and unpredictable than ever before. The drugs you might use today are not the same as they were one or two years ago.”
Leaders from the official Opposition also commented on the shocking numbers from the BC Coroner’s report.
BC Liberal Critic for Mental Health and Addiction, Trevor Halford, called on the NDP to provide better services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, including culturally appropriate services for First Nations who continue to be disproportionately affected.
“Urgent action is needed. Month after month, too many lives are lost – and too many loved ones are forced to mourn a tragic, irreplaceable loss to their families and communities,” said Halford.
“The current crisis in B.C. cannot simply be blamed on the impacts of the pandemic. It’s also due to the lack of proper support available in our province. Nearly 28 per cent of all opioid-related deaths in Canada are in British Columbia – demonstrating just how severe the crisis is in our province, and how we need more resources to save lives.”
Harm Reduction Services
No deaths have been reported at supervised consumption or drug overdose prevention sites.
In Victoria, harm reduction services are available to anyone, anonymously.
Overdose prevention units, supervised consumption sites, and testing services are available throughout Vancouver Island.
Visit this database to see where you can access harm reduction services on Vancouver Island.
It’s hard to believe the idea that this week most COVID-19 restrictions might be lifted.
During Monday’s press conference, Dr. Bonnie Henry hinted that BC will move into Step 3 of the restart plan on July 1st.
Today, a press conference will be held at 1:45 p.m. with Premier John Horgan, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix; Ravi Kahlon, the Minister of Jobs, Economic, Recovery and Innovation will also be joining them.
Details on Step 3 of British Columbia’s COVID-19 restart plan will be revealed.
“Things are looking really good in going to Step 3,” said Dr. Henry on Monday.
And Henry said it’s for good reason since cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have dropped dramatically since May.
BC’s health officials said that around 50% of BC’s population has developed antibodies to COVID-19 through infection or immunization; 78% and over 30% of eligible adults have had a dose of COVID-19 vaccinations; and close to 77% and 30% of those 12 and older have had a first-dose or are fully immunized against COVID-19, respectively.
In mid-June, BC health officials said the criteria for moving to Step 3 is at least 70% of the 18+ population vaccinated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, along with declining case counts and COVID-19 hospitalizations.
The last weekend of June was reported on Monday, with 143 new cases reported in a three-day period, 930 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 107 people in hospital and 37 in ICU.
Compared to the end of May, last month, when 708 cases were reported in a three-day period, 2,953 active cases, and a total of 249 people in hospital due to COVID-19 and 78 in ICU.
On Monday, BC health officials also presented data that showing that transmission is down and areas of BC that previously had cases, are showing zero cases widespread.
With transmission low it is to be expected more restrictions will be lifted, which Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed.
“It’s important to take away orders as soon as we can. We’ll now be moving towards guidance on where and when it is important to have those layers of protection, like masks,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Henry said that by Thursday, BC health officials will have further details on how the mask mandate will be operated moving forward, but still maintained the importance of there protection.
“Masks are an incentive for people who are fully immunized,” said Dr. Henry.
“If you’re fully immunized, you may not need to rely on that last layer of protection anymore.”
While the numbers have far exceeded what BC health officials anticipated, restrictions being lifted doesn’t mean we are totally back to normal.
Step 3 and 4 of BC’s Restart Plan:
Step 3 will see the provincial state of emergency and public health emergency lifted, an increased capacity for indoor and outdoor organized gatherings, with safety plans, and a return to usual indoor and outdoor personal gatherings.
Nightclubs and casinos are also welcome to reopen with capacity limits and safety plans.
Step 4 of the Restart Plan is intended to go into effect on September 7th and will see a return to normal social contact and increased gatherings, with businesses operating with new safety protocols.
With Canada seeing COVID-19 numbers drop, it’s still yet to be acknowledged whether Step 4 could come sooner than we hoped.
If you’ve been longing for a s’mores and guitar session by the campfire this summer in BC, you have two night’s left to get your fix.
With BC in a midst of a current an extreme heat wave, a campfire ban will be taking effect in the areas within the BC Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction – this includes all Vancouver Island and the lower mainland area.
The provincial weather forecast calls for record-breaking high temperatures throughout BC this week and follows a spring of lower-than-average precipitation in the southern half of the province.
These conditions are expected to persist in the coming weeks.
The ban is set to take effect starting at noon on Wednesday, June 30th, meaning all campfires and Category 3 fires will be prohibited until October 2021, or until the order is rescinded.
A campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.
The ban is not applicable to CSA-rated or ULC-rated cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres – so you’re still good to cook while camping this summer.
The restrictions apply to both public and private land unless otherwise specified in a local government bylaw.
Anyone found in violation of the open burning prohibition could be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to a year in jail.
If the violation causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may also be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
In addition to campfires, Category 2, and Category 3 open fires, the following activities are also prohibited:
the use of fireworks
the use of sky lanterns
the use of burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
the use of binary exploding targets
the use of tiki and similar kinds of torches
the use of chimineas
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cell phone.
The Capital Regional District (CRD) is urging residents and businesses in North Saanich to reduce their water usage.
While utility crews are working to resolve the shortage, residents located north of John Road in North Saanich are at risk of low pressure or possible service interruptions if they do not conserve their water.
The issues are because of a dramatic increase in the use of water over the past weekend.
Lawn and garden watering with automatic sprinklers outside of the water conservation bylaw timeframes can place high and unpredictable demand on the system, the CRD said in a statement.
Residents and businesses in North Saanich asked to reduce water use – Higher than normal demand on the water supply and storage over the past weekend has resulted in low pressure or possible service interruptions https://t.co/LLTpZ0h2yb#crdalert
Two people have been hospitalized after a small plane crashed in Mill Bay.
At around 1:25 p.m. on Monday afternoon, June 28th, BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) responded to reports of a small plane crash landing in a residential neighbourhood on Hayden Place in Mill Bay.
Six ground and two air ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
One patient has been transported by ground ambulance to hospital and they are in serious but stable condition.
A second patient was airlifted to a higher level of care facility in critical condition.
The BC government has allocated $12 million to support First Nations throughout BC with investigations into former residential schools sites.
The funding will also provide wellness support for communities that experienced trauma from the recent residential school site findings.
The province made the announcement Monday morning, June 28th.
Coordinating closely with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), the Province is supporting First Nation-led strategies to identify, investigate, document, maintain, protect an/or commemorate residential school sites.
The province said that a number of First Nations, including Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc and Daylu Dena Council, have requested assistance to determine the next steps for searches at other sites, including removing structures, providing resources for healing and identifying other supports.
The provincial and federal governments, and the FNHA, intend to coordinate mental health and cultural support for Indigenous peoples experiencing distress or trauma as a result of findings at residential schools.
Current support systems are linked at the bottom of this article.
“Finding evidence of a burial site for children who attended the former Kamloops residential school was a stark reminder of the atrocities of the Canadian residential school system and how those continue to be felt to this day,” said Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
“Many other sites throughout the province and country are still the source of unanswered questions and terrible pain. It is imperative that we take our lead from First Nations as we move forward, and we will continue to act quickly and in a coordinated way to support their needs.”
In BC, a total of 18 residential schools operated.
The first residential school, St. Mary’s in Mission, opened in 1863 and was eventually the last school to close in 1984 after 121 years in operation.
In total, five residential schools operated on Vancouver Island.
The Christie Residential School which operated near Tofino closed in 1983.
There have been 202 confirmed deaths of First Nations’ children at these schools on the island.
In addition to residential schools, there were more than 100 day schools and three Indian hospitals in Prince Rupert, Nanaimo, and Sardis.
Here are current support services for victims of residential schools in BC:
The KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a 24-hour, provincewide Indigenous crisis line for Indigenous peoples in BC.
Adults, call 250 723-4050. Children and youth, call 250 723-2040. Toll-free: 1 800 588-8717.
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line for Indigenous people across Canada: Phone toll-free 1 855 242-3310 or chat online.
The Métis Crisis Line for Métis people in B.C., available 24 hours a day at 1 833 MétisBC: 1 833 638-4722
Tsow Tun Le Lum for Indigenous peoples in B.C., phone: 1 888 403-3123
Indian Residential School Survivors Society, phone: 1 800 721-0066 or 604 985-4464.
24-Hour National Crisis Line for residential school survivors and others affected: 1 866 925-4419.
On Friday, Environment Canada issued a special statement warning of a “dangerous long-duration heat wave” that would affect the province throughout the weekend until at least Tuesday, June 29th.
The heat has Vancouver Island residents seeking cool, air conditioned spaces and avoiding the outdoors. Today, the high temperatures have affected local schools, buses and two COVID-19 immunization clinics.
Many restaurants have also shut down for the day, in the best interest of their staff and patrons.
Some closures include Habit Coffee, Glo, Surly Mermaid and all three Bin 4 Burger Lounge locations.
Other restaurants have opted to open later in the day (such as 5th Street Bar and Grill), hoping to avoid the hottest of the weather.
Although it is recommended to stay indoors at this time, remember to apply sunscreen and check ahead for hours of operation of restaurants and businesses if you do venture out of your home.
Saanich Police are investigating after a man was allegedly seen masturbating at the beach at Elk Lake on Sunday.
At approximately 4:15 p.m. on June 27, police were contacted by a witness who said they had seen a man sitting in chair and masturbating on Hamsterly Beach.
They also claimed he had been watching children on the beach near the water’s edge.
Officers responded but prior to their arrival the suspect left the Hamsterly Beach parking lot in a beige-coloured SUV with a large bike rack on the back.
“While our officers continue to investigate this disturbing incident, we are appealing to the public for any information, as the beach and surrounding area were very busy over the weekend and there may be witnesses out there that have yet to come forward,” said Cst. Markus Anastasiades.
The suspect was described to police as a white man in his late 50’s or 60’s, 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a medium to heavy build.
He was wearing a beige “Tilley” style hat, a beige shirt, dark shorts. He was also carrying a webbed folding chair.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Saanich Police Department at 250-475-4321 or they can report anonymously to the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
This local summer camp has got you covered, and even better, their registration is still open!
Kicking off on Monday, June 28th, The Cridge Centre is offering a full-day summer camp for kids aged 5-12, each week with a different theme of engaging fun.
The ‘Sun-Fun’ day camps are full of crafts, games and exciting out trips, and some of the themes this summer will consist of “Intergalactic Travelers,” “Outdoor Adventurers,” and “Pirates of The Cridge.”
Highlights from previous summers have included visits to Pacific Northwest Raptors, hikes in East Sooke Park and sandcastle building competitions at Island View Beach.
Each day kids will come home with new skills, new friendships, and tired bodies – just what every parent dreams of!
(The Cridge Centre)
For trips out, the camp uses a 15-24 passenger vehicle, and trained and experienced team leaders are with children at all times.
The Cridge Centre is centrally located on Hillside Avenue, and camps run daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – parents are asked to drop their children off between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m., and pick them up between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Prices range from $185 per week for children who have just graduated from kindergarten, to $210 per week for older children.
Check out The Cridge Centre online for more info and to sign your little ones up for a summer full of engaging fun!
And to mark the start of Pride week in Victoria, Grace Lore, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, and MLA’s Spencer Chandra Herbert and Mable Elmore, were joined by representatives from the Victoria Pride Society and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society for the raising of the Pride and Two Spirit flags at the Parliament Buildings at noon.
With a proud, prudent, plethora of Pride events going on, this week will tantalize anyone looking to celebrate themselves and Victoria’s fabulous LGBTQ2S+ community.
From Drag shows to stand up comedy, to DJ’s and dancing, you won’t just be sweating from the record-breaking heat, you’ll be panting from trying to get to all these fantastic events!
Below are some of the events you can check out in-person and online:
When: “Queer Dog” Comedy Night at 8 p.m. on Monday, June 28th “Best In Show” Drag at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29th Drag Bingo at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30th Drag Brunch at noon on Saturday, July 3rd and Sunday, July 4th.
When: Youth Pride Kick-Off Party June 28th at 6 p.m. Queer Activism Night June 30th at 6 p.m. Big Gay Dog Walk July 2nd at 7 p.m. Pride in the Word July 3rd at 8 p.m. #YYJ Pride Parade July 4th at noon Victoria Pride Festival Extravaganza Show July 4th at 1 p.m.
In December 2020, the provincial government announced the BC Recovery Benefit, a one-time tax free payment of up to $1000 for eligible families and up to $500 for eligible individuals in the province.
Now, there are only a few more days to apply to receive your benefit if you haven’t already done so, with applications closing on June 30th.
BC Recovery Benefit eligibility is based on net income from one’s 2019 tax return.
The BC Recovery Benefit is available to those:
Who were residents of BC on December 18th, 2020
Who were at least 19 years old on December 18th, 2020, or meet specific eligibility criteria
Who filed a 2019 Canadian personal income tax return, or meet specific eligibility criteria
Who have a valid social insurance number, individual tax number or temporary tax number
Once an application has been reviewed and approved, the benefit will be deposited to applicants via direct deposit.
Late applications will not be accepted, however applications received before July 1st will be reviewed and processed.
The Shoal Centre in Sidney will be open as a cooling centre until 5:30 p.m. today, June 28th and from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29th.
The air conditioned centre is run by Beacon Community Services and is located at 10030 Resthaven Drive in Sidney.
Visitors are asked to respect physical distancing requirements and wear masks while in the centre, and to follow other on-site COVID protocols.
Beacon Community Services is also reminding community members to check in on neighbours, friends and relatives who may be at risk from the heat – particularly the elderly, people with disabilities, and infants and young children.
A dangerous long duration heat wave is currently affecting BC and is expected to last until Tuesday.
Daytime highs are expected to range from 33 to 43 degrees celsius.
This weekend Vancouver Island, and especially Victoria, broke a number of heat records in certain areas, with the potential for more to be broken today.
In the midst of BC’s current heatwave, the heat has begun to climb to absurd temperatures, with today projected to be even hotter than this past weekend.
To say it’s hot would be an understatement.
According to NASA, the planet’s average surface temperature has risen about 1.18 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century.
The majority of the warming has occurred in the past 40 years with 2016 and 2020 tied for the warmest year on record.
There is a 90% likelihood of at least one year between 2021-2025 becoming the warmest on record, according to the Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update.
That means, according to experts, this has the potential to actually be the coolest summer in the next four years…
— Read Let This Radicalize You (@JoshuaPHilll) June 24, 2021
Yikes.
Well, one thing is for sure, and that’s that Vancouver Island, and especially Victoria, broke heat records this weekend, and may have the potential to break even more today.
With data from Environment Canada, see the difference between the heat-records before and after this last weekend:
Victoria’s Inner Harbour
New record of 38.3
Old record of 27.8 set in 1951
Records in this area have been kept since 1874
An officer and a civilian were both injured after a police vehicle was struck on Highway 1 in Langford Sunday afternoon.
In a tweet, Westshore RCMP said that the incident occurred at the Millstream Rd. interchange.
DriveBC also tweeted at 2:48 p.m. that the collision led to a closure of northbound traffic, with vehicles detouring via the off and on-ramps.
A photo from the scene shows a black SUV collided with a police cruiser, apparently from behind.
Highway 1 is closed at Millstream Exit. Officer involved accident 👮♂️. They were sitting there filling their end of month speeding quotas earlier, always felt that was a dangerous place for officers to rip on to the HWY at full speed to catch ppl. #yyj#yyjtraffic@TheZone913pic.twitter.com/AL8EbqyNLP
— Curtis Lindsay REMAX (@VicHomes4Sale) June 27, 2021
According to Oak Bay police chief Ray Bernoties, the police vehicle was stationary when it was hit.
Bernoties tweeted that the officer in the police vehicle was from the Oak Bay police, and had been assigned to the Integrated Road Safety Unit.
The officer was taken to hospital for unspecified injuries but Bernoties said they spoken and the officer was “doing well.”
The driver of the vehicle that struck the police vehicle was also taken to hospital, according to Bernoties. He added that the driver was conscious but injured.
Bernoties went on to say that due to the involvement of the police and a civilian injury, the Independent Investigation Office and Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner have both been notified.
This was an Oak Bay member on secondment with IRSU. I spoke with him a while ago. He's doing well but was injured. I don't have an update on the driver who hit the stationary Police car. He was conscious & also taken to hospital. As a civilian was injured…. https://t.co/nV2h5lSFTI
As temperatures shattered all-time records across B.C., another record was reported: BC Hydro power usage.
The utility service says on Saturday night, their network saw the highest hourly demand ever recorded.
A preliminary analysis found that consumption reached 7,972 megawatts, breaking the previous record of 7,897 megawatts set on August 18, 2020.
BC Hydro says the record-breaking usage is especially notable because they typically see high peak hourly demand on weekdays, as customers follow a more “routine” schedule.
Monday usage is predicted to climb even higher as outdoor temperatures continue to climb. BC Hydro says hourly demand could reach up to 8,300 megawatts.
They added that their network is set up to handle the additional demand, and is working to ensure the safety of customer and employees alike.
The majority of planned outages have been cancelled, and BC Hydro has suspended disconnections for non-payment.
Some steps they have suggested to keep cool during the heatwave include:
Closing the drapes and blinds. Shading windows can block out up to 65 per cent of the heat.
Shutting doors and windows. With outdoor temperatures warmer than inside, windows and doors should be kept closed to keep cool air in and warm air out.
Run fans. BC Hydro saying running one for nine hours a day over the summer can cost just $7.
Use smaller appliances. Microwaves, crockpots or toaster ovens use less energy and produce less heat than larger appliances like full-size ovens.
BC Hydro says they will provide further updates as temperatures continue to rise.
A popular Vancouver Island attraction announced it will be closing temporarily due to the scorching heat in BC.
The Butchart Gardens announced it would be closed from noon on Sunday June 27th until Wednesday, as the heat wave continues to worsen.
Due to the extreme heat The Butchart Gardens will be closed from noon on Sunday June 27, 2021 and re-opening at 9am Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Sorry for the inconvenience. pic.twitter.com/wOwkH64cKd
— The Butchart Gardens (@butchartgardens) June 26, 2021
On Saturday, Victoria hit a red-breaking temperature for the month of June. According to Environment Canada, temperatures reached a peak of 35.8° C. The previous record of 35 C set in 1925.
Island Health closed two of its immunizations clinics in Greater Victoria clinics during the afternoon until Tuesday.
Both Eagle Ridge Arena and Archie Browning Sports Centre will be closed at noon on June 27th and 28th.
“Despite mitigation measures, the high temperatures of the afternoon and lack of air conditioning are impacting the safety of our patients and staff,” said Island Health in a media release.
Anyone with appointments at either clinic during this time will be contacted to rebook their appointment.
Several restaurants and pubs in the city also announced they would close their doors until the extreme heat passed, including Bucky’s Taphouse.
“With the health and safety of our staff as our top priority, we have made the decision to close Buckys for the rest of today and tomorrow (Sunday) Sorry folks,” the pub wrote on Facebook.
Hey everyone! Due to the extreme temperatures, and with the health and safety of our staff as our top priority, we have…
Environment Canada issued a special statement last week warning of a “dangerous long-duration heat wave” that would affect BC beginning on Friday and lasting until at least Tuesday.
Daytime highs will range from 29 to 37 degrees celsius combined with overnight lows of 18 to 20 degrees celsius. Humidex values during this period will reach the high 30s to possibly the low 40s.
While the above temperatures have been unprecedented for Vancouver Island, it’s only going to get worse over the next two days, as Sunday is forecast to be hotter than Saturday.
Additionally, Monday will be warmer than Sunday.
With that said, temperatures for coast are expected to ease slightly on Tuesday.
Due to the extreme heat wave that is currently affecting BC, Island Health announced it’ll be closing two COVID-19 immunization clinics during the afternoon until Tuesday.
Both Eagle Ridge Arena and Archie Browning Sports Centre will be closed at noon on June 27th and 28th.
“Despite mitigation measures, the high temperatures of the afternoon and lack of air conditioning are impacting the safety of our patients and staff,” said Island Health in a media release.
Anyone with appointments at either clinic during this time will be contacted to rebook their appointment.
“We acknowledge this may be frustrating for some people and we ask for patience and understanding as we move through the effects of this extreme weather event.”
Extreme heat has forced #COVID19 immunization appts that were scheduled for after 12 pm Sun June 27 & Mon June 28 at Eagle Ridge Arena & Archie Browning Sports Centre to be rebooked. Everyone affected will be directly contacted & rebooked by #IslandHealth. https://t.co/FZ4K6dGWRspic.twitter.com/qZNAddrgau
Environment Canada issued a special statement warning of a “dangerous long-duration heat wave” that will affect BC beginning on Friday and lasting until at least Tuesday.
Daytime highs will range from 29 to 37 degrees celsius combined with overnight lows of 18 to 20 degrees celsius. Humidex values during this period will reach the high 30s to possibly the low 40s.
Hey Victoria! Are you feeling just a tad overwhelmed under this potentially deadly heat wave?
Well worry not. We’ve got some creative solutions here for you that you won’t find anywhere else, and it DEFINITELY isn’t because they’re illegal, potentially lethal or utterly incompetent.
Here are your tips for keeping things frosty:
Have a party in an underground parking garage
Sure the ambience leaves something to be desired, but you can’t deny the best way to get away from the sun’s punishing rays is to take to the underground. Be on the cutting edge of a sci-fi society living beneath the earth’s crust and part-ay down in the concrete jungle. And the acoustics are ah-maz-ing.
Replace your blood with antifreeze
From the school of thought that brought you “drink bleach to bring COVID,” (the school in question being Trump University), comes another ingenious solution to life’s little problems.
Plus as an added perk, you’ll be the preferred friend for those long road trips where they might need a little kick to the engine to keep things going. Gives new meaning to “bleed your brakes!”
Avoid: Hot Hot Heat, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flaming Lips, Arcade Fire, Nickleback (OK this last one’s just a personal preference)
Get bitten by a radioactive ice cube
It’s been a long time since Uncanny X-Men #1, but I’m 99 per cent sure this is how Iceman got his powers.
If radioactive ice cubes are lacking, consider becoming Mr. Freeze instead. Tragic backstory optional; Arnold Schwarzenegger puns a must (“Stay kewl bird boi”).
Join Bezos’ mission to Mars
The average temperature on Mars is a delightfully brisk -60C. Truly, the coolest people in the solar system will be the Martians.
Sure, you’ll be riding there on a deathtrap rocket designed by the lowest bidder for a knockoff Bond villain’s vanity project, but you’ll be COOL.
At worst, you’ll be able to consider how in perspective, this could actually end up being the coolest summer we have from here on out!
How’s THAT for cool?
Haha…hee…ho…hmmmm.
*sips radioactive iced tea*
Welcome to Ford on Fridays: a weekly column where Victoria Buzz staff writer Tim Ford offers his thoughts on life, love, and the pursuit of the perfect joke.
This column is for comedic purposes only. Please feel free to send feedback, thoughts, and [constructive] criticisms to tim@victoriabuzz.com.
Members of the Royal Roads University community help paint a Progress Pride crosswalk on the university campus.
Related story: https://www.royalroads.ca/news/come-roam-rru-rainbow-crosswalks-celebration-pride-and-inclusion
Royal Roads University has begun painting three new permanent Progress Pride crosswalks on their school grounds.
To mark the beginning of Pride Week, members of the university community ceremoniously painted one of the crosswalks this Friday afternoon, June 25th.
The Progress Pride crosswalks from Royal Roads University honour LGBTQ2S+ members and coalition-building allies by including the traditional Pride flag colors, plus black and brown to honour Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) in the LGBTQ2S+ community, and light blue, light pink, and white, to include the colours of the Trans Pride flag.
“Love is love and people should be able to be themselves. I am delighted Royal Roads is creating visual reminders about the importance of commemorating, educating, inspiring and celebrating our diverse community,” said Royal Roads Chancellor Nelson Chan.
The Progress Pride crosswalks are a symbol of solidarity, a symbol of LGBTQ2S+ pride, and a reminder to the Royal Roads University’s LGBTQ2S+ community that they have a safe space to be themselves, according to Royal Roads President and Vice-Chancellor, to Phillip Steenkamp. “I grew up, like so many people my age, in a society where homosexuality was widely condemned. I lived in fear that my real identity, as a gay man, would be discovered and so I hid from myself, my family, and society,” said Steenkamp.
“It took me a lot of courage to eventually come out at the age of 38, and I’m hugely grateful for the acceptance and support I’ve had in this community.
Representatives from Royal Bay Secondary School (RBSS) joined the crosswalk painting event, including senior student Oskar Wood, who with his friends organized the painting of a Pride crosswalk on RBSS school grounds earlier this spring.
Unfortunately, the crosswalk at Royal Bay was defaced with homophobic slurs on the eve of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, observed on May 17th.
The next day students, family and staff were out repainting the crosswalk.
It was their show of Pride that Royal Roads University said inspired them to paint its own crosswalks.
“The Royal Bay incident is a local reminder that we remain in a time of adversity for many, here and around the world,” Royal Roads President and Vice-Chancellor Philip Steenkamp said.
“Our Pride celebration is a key aspect of our work on equity, diversity and inclusion at RRU. Through projects like this, we encourage people to choose compassion and dialogue over discrimination, to choose equality and liberation over oppression.”
With BC ramping up for a “dangerous heat wave”, the City of Victoria has just released an interactive map of all the water fountains in the city, to make it easier for locals to stay hydrated this summer while out and about.
🚰 Looking to quench your thirst? We've got a map for that! Find the drinking fountains in Victoria to stay hydrated during this hot weather: https://t.co/8o425rm0Yw
This weekend is going to be HOT! Matter of fact, there’s a special statement warning of a “dangerous long-duration heat wave” this weekend, so be safe out there!
With temperatures reaching 32°C in Victoria, locals will be looking to get out and enjoy the sunshine.
Be sure to dress accordingly, wear sunscreen and seek out shade!
Here are 15 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend, June 26th-27th:
Fernwood NRG and FernFest have organized the new Fernwood Mural Festival, a celebration of art in the neighbourhood. Locals can take a self-guided tour to view 10+ murals throughout Fernwood, North Park, Oaklands and South Jubilee.
When: Saturday, June 26th
Where: 10 murals throughout Fernwood, North Park, Oaklands, and South Jubilee
If you want to view a beautiful dried floral archway and support mental health initiatives in Victoria, visit the Bay Centre’s ‘Canopy in Bloom’ display. During your visit, be sure to take a photo and post to social media using the hashtags #CanopyinBloom and #BlueLoveCampaign.
Where: Centre Court of the Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas Street
When: Open shopping centre hours, everyday until September 20th
This weekend is the perfect time to cool off in a lake. Local ideas include Thetis or Durrance Lake. If you’re looking to really cool down, go for a dip in the ocean!
The Little Free Libraries, located across Greater Victoria, have launched their very own Bingo game! Visit a Little Free Library near you to pick up a card (or download one here) and explore your neighbourhood for more libraries to complete your card.
The Royal BC Museum’s feature exhibit showcases the spirit of BC’s wild coast, orca whales. In the exhibit, ‘Orcas: Our Shared Future’, visitors will learn about various orca populations, the complex structure of orca groups and the consequences of captivity. Tickets can be purchased up to two weeks in advance.
Where: 675 Belleville Street, Royal BC Museum
When: Tickets available 10:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. daily.
Tickets: $26.95 Adults (19-64), $18.95 Senior (65+) or Student (19+ with valid student ID), $16.95 Youth (6-18).
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.
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
Just a reminder: As recommended by BC’s health officials, outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people are permitted but people are asked to use COVID-19 layers of protection and maintain physical distancing. When attending any events, please adhere to COVID-19 health and safety restrictions, including proper physical distancing and wearing a mask or face-covering in public indoor and retail spaces. If you are sick, stay home!
The current heat wave in BC is taking its toll on one immunization clinic on Vancouver Island.
Due to the forecasted heat wave and the lack of air conditioning at their current location, the Aggie Hall COVID-19 immunization clinic in Ladysmith will temporarily relocate its appointments to a clinic in Nanaimo.
Now, people scheduled to receive their COVID-19 vaccine at Aggie Hall on June 25th, June 26th, July 1st, July 2nd, and July 3rd will have their appointments moved to the nearby (12 kms away) immunization clinic at the Cedar Community Centre, located at 2388 Cedar Road in Nanaimo.
Island Health will be directly contacting and notifying anyone affected.
Scheduled appointment times and dates will remain the same.
People without an appointment may walk-in for their first dose at the Cedar Community Centre, or another Island Health immunization clinic.
Click here to find out where you can get a walk-in appointment.
“We acknowledge this may be frustrating for some people and we ask for patience and understanding as we deal with the effects of this extreme weather event,” said Island Health in a statement.
“Island Health continues to monitor the situation and conditions at other mass immunization clinics. There are no changes planned at any other immunization clinics at this time.”
The “dangerous” heat wave is expected to last until Tuesday of next week, according to Environment Canada.
Daytime highs will range from 29 to 37 degrees celsius combined with overnight lows of 18 to 20 degrees celsius.
Island Health has provided some information and tips on how to stay safe in the heat found here.
Sooke’s very own Prestige Oceanfront Resort will be featured tonight as a prize on CBS’s The Price is Right!
In the show’s June 25th episode, a 6-night stay in an ocean view guestroom is up for grabs. The prize also includes a bike tour of the area.
Nestled in beautiful and wild Sooke, the Prestige Oceanfront Resort offers incredible views of the pacific ocean, Sooke Harbour, Sooke Basin, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains.
The resort includes an indoor pool and hot tub, athletic centre, three on-site dining options, a newly renovated spa, marina, and an outdoor terrace area with fire pits.
“It’s an honour to be included on such an iconic game show,” the resort’s General Manager, Jacob Cramp says, “It will provide huge exposure for Prestige and the town of Sooke.”
The Price is Right is the #1 show in American daytime television, watched by more than 5.4 million Americans a day, in addition to its Canadian fans.
“We were so excited to learn that the contestant won the prize and we’ll be able to welcome them for a wonderful stay when they’re able to travel here from the U.S.” added Cramp.
Saanich’s Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee (PTR) is moving forward with their ‘Paws in Parks’ pilot project, testing various locations for future off leash dog parks in Saanich.
The concept was born after the Cadboro Bay Residents’ Association (CBRA) requested a fenced area for dogs in Cadboro-Gyro Park to see if they would reduce pressure on the beach.
As a result, Council approved $30,000 in funding from the Council Strategic Initiatives Fund to run the pop-up program.
Starting June 29th, pups will be able to enjoy off-leash fun at newly designated parks within the following five Saanich locations:
Fowler Park: June 29th to July 12th
Hyacinth Park: July 13th to July 26th
Gorge Park: July 27th to August 9th
Rudd Park: August 10th to August 23rd
Cadboro-Gyro Park: August 24th to September 7th
These fenced off-leash dog parks will open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily until September 8th, with the exception of the first day in each location which will be ready for use late afternoon.
The pilot project hopes to gauge whether an off leash park in Gyro park reduces the demand for an off-leash beach area, receive feedback to understand how to most effectively implement off-leash dog parks around Saanich and determine the best location for a possible future off-leash park or parks.
No-shows, not-as-advertised, or just plain rude encounters are just a handful of the complaints that one may come across in their search for the perfect deal.
But now, Saanich Police are warning residents to beware of fraudulent electronic sales.
On Wednesday, June 23rd, an individual was approached by two suspects in a commercial parking lot in the 3900 block of Shelbourne Street asking if they wanted to purchase a home theatre projection unit.
The deal included a projector, speakers, and a theatre screen, all of which were packaged in what appeared to be original condition. Once a price was negotiated, the buyer paid cash and the transaction was completed.
Once the buyer took the unit home, they quickly discovered the contents were not as advertised. The speakers were old and defective, the projector was an outdated model that was not as advertised on the box, and one box contained heavy cement blocks.
Beware of counterfeit items. Second report of electronics purchased from suspects selling out of a van in a parking lot….
For those saying “Well, why didn’t they check the box?”
You’re not completely wrong.
But while the sale of the items was not criminal, the false claims about the merchandise were; meaning, it constitutes a criminal charge of fraud.
According to Saanich Police, the suspects were operating out of a van that was tracked back to a rental company from the Lower Mainland.
A similar incident occurred in the same parking lot back in March,, which was reported and investigated by police. The suspects, in that case, remain outstanding.
Saanich Police have provided some tips to protect yourself from fraudulent sales and sellers:
Purchase electronics from a reputable electronics store.
Ask to inspect the contents prior to purchase.
The seller says the items are “extra or surplus stock” from an install.
Check and compare the model and serial number to the items inside the box. – Slow down and take your time. Research the make and model online.
Cash deals to avoid sales tax may be a sign of a counterfeit operation.
Walk away if the seller(s) becomes aggressive or if the price is too good to be true. – Selling electronics out of a vehicle is a warning sign.
Saanich Police are asking anyone that has purchased counterfeit electronic item(s) or wants to report suspicious sellers, to call 250-475- 4321.
While some would like to consider the Beacon Hill Park encampment as a distant memory, two Canadian documentarians called it home.
Jay Walker and Isaac Wylde of Walker & Wylde told Victoria Buzz they lived at Beacon Hill Park from December 2020 to March 2021—a place they called the “hobo mecca.”
The two documented their life at the homeless encampment—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
What now remains of the Beacon Hill Park encampment their zine called Vagrants Volume II.
(Walker & Wylde)
The purpose?
“To see the people behind the statistics,” Walker & Wylde said.
“When we discuss people experiencing homelessness, we often don’t see them as people. Numbers don’t account for the individual circumstances of how these people got here. We want to show who these people are; it’s not about us, it’s about them.”
Vagrants Volume II was photographed, designed, and written by Walker & Wylde; it’s a collage-styled interview-based narrative depicting the world, culture, and lifestyle which the Beacon Hill Park encampment became amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
In it, they describe their experience walking through the encampment for the first time as a hallway of funhouse mirrors.
“For us, it was us walking through this place and seeing the reflections of ourselves just contorted slightly differently,” Wylde said.
“In saying that, our intention and heart with this project is to share their stories, and humanize this aspect of society. We, like other van-lifers, are living by choice, but that’s not the reality for most of those people. There are good moments, but not always.”
Vagrants Volume II is a slice of life, akin to Humans of New York or Charles Dickens’ Sketches by Boz, capturing both the moments which forever changed Beacon Hill Park and the hobo mecca they claimed to have lived in.
(Walker & Wylde)
So, how did Beacon Hill Park become a “hobo mecca?”
It was in March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, that Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps announced that the city would authorize the use of Beacon Hill Park and Topaz Park as temporary shelter sites.
Within that year, those who would have regularly gone to Beacon Hill Park would have seen a drastic change to the area.
Tents and safe consumption sites became commonplace, and eventually, some tragedies followed, including a tragic van fire that killed one man in early March 2021.
Vagrants Volume II covers these issues while putting a face to the faceless reports of the people experiencing homelessness that lived there.
While Walker & Wylde understand critics and the eventual decision by The City of Victoria to ban overnight camping, they still maintain that there are larger issues at play with the homeless population and that the zine captures those issues.
“The reality [of Beacon Hill Park] is two-fold. For some, they see the park as a place to enjoy, and the people living there are creating a dynamic that isn’t controllable. I understand the fear,” said Walker & Wylde.
“But the people came to Beacon Hill Park for a refuge, encouraged by the government to do so, just like anyone else who goes to Beacon Hill Park. The campground had its flaws, of course, but these people were displaced for reasons that are sometimes out of their control.”
(Beacon Hill Park)
The Future
Now that The City of Victoria has housed most people experiencing homelessness, the question remains, is the problem fixed, or is it just a band-aid over a broken arm?
Walker & Wylde said that it’s a step towards the right direction, but they maintain their criticisms.
“Any move towards housing is definitely a positive. We are incredibly thankful and hopeful because housing is very necessary,” said Walker & Wylde.
“But the issue is that they’re not trying to tackle the systemic issue. The challenge with vagrants is that they are unable to stay in shelter, it’s not a chosen thing to them; it could be due to mental illness, or other extenuating factors that we don’t know.”
Vagrants Volume II doesn’t have the answers nor do Walker & Wylde, rather the goal for them and the zine is to humanize the often ignored, misconstrued, and criticized people that had a life at Beacon Hill Park.
Beacon Hill Park has all but returned to its pre-COVID slumber, and the hope for Walker & Wylde is written at the end of their zine:
I only wish that Victoria had looked at them, and at least called them human.
To check out the zine and to find out more about Walker & Wylde’s cross country adventures go to their website here.
BC Ferries says they will be adding Wi-Fi service to 14 more terminals through funding provided by the provincial government.
The transportation service says the new service will include areas such as public lounges, vehicle line-up areas and, where possible, parking lots.
A $1.5 million grant from the Ministry of Citizens’ Services “Connecting British Columbia” program will cover the costs of the network expansion.
“We’ve been hearing from people about how convenient it is to have free and reliable Wi-Fi access at BC Ferries terminals, particularly on minor routes where cellular service is less likely to be available,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Citizens’ Services.
“These upgrades will make it easier for people to keep in touch with family back home and plan their travels while they wait for the ferry.”
The terminals that will receive upgrades to their Wi-Fi service include:
east Denman Island
Buckley Bay
Heriot Bay
Whaletown
Descanso Bay
Alert Bay
Vesuvius Bay
Sturdies Bay
Bella Bella
Port Hardy
Long Harbour
Otter Bay
Lyall Harbour
Nanaimo Harbour
Work to install and activate Wi-Fi service at the 14 terminals is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2021.
Ultra low-cost airline Swoop says they will be adding direct routes from Victoria to Las Vegas and Puerto Vallarta, starting in the fall.
The announcement came Thursday, as the Westjet subsidiary completed its inaugural flight from Toronto to Victoria. Along with Toronto, Swoop currently offers flights to Edmonton from Victoria.
Swoop says their new service to Las Vegas and Puerto Vallarta will begin on October 31.
“We’re really pleased that Swoop has announced new non-stop service to Las Vegas and Puerto-Vallarta,” said Geoff Dickson, Victoria Airport Authority President and CEO.
“We know Greater Victoria is very appreciative of the support Swoop is showing in our community and the contribution to our local economy.”
Flights from Victoria International Airport (YYJ) to McCarran International Airport (LAS) will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays, and are available for booking now.
Flights to Puerto Vallarta’s Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) will go on sale on June 30, with Swoop set to offer non-stop service once weekly on Sundays.
Flags around the West Shore area are at half-mast today as the City of Colwood mourns the sudden passing of its fire chief, John Cassidy on Wednesday.
In a media release, the city said the Colwood Fire Department along with BC Ambulance Services responded to a medical emergency call on June 23rd, and provided care for the Fire Chief who later died in hospital.
Cassidy was described as a highly respected leader, colleague, husband, father, and friend.
“This is a tremendous loss for our community. We are so deeply saddened by John’s passing,” said Colwood Mayor Rob Martin.
“We hold John’s family in our thoughts as we come together as a community to support the close-knit team of staff and volunteer firefighters he led and the many, many people who will feel this loss deeply,” said Martin.
“Chief Cassidy’s contributions to the health, safety and quality of life of the people of Colwood during his 22 years of dedicated service are countless,” the release read.
Acting Fire Chief Greg Chow will take over the leadership of the fire detachment.
The View Royal and Langford fire departments banded together on Wednesday to ensure fire rescue services to the community were uninterrupted, as Colwood firefighters supported each other during the “shock and grief” of Chief Cassidy’s passing.
“Chief Cassidy was held in the highest regard by the staff and volunteers of the Colwood Fire Department, the firefighting community throughout the province and all who had the honour of knowing him,” said Acting Fire Chief Greg Chow.
“As we grieve together and support each other through this loss, we know that Chief Cassidy would want us to focus on continuing to provide exceptional fire rescue services to the community he was dedicated to serving. That is how we can best honour his memory at this difficult time.”
Flags are at half-mast at the Colwood Fire Hall, Colwood City Hall, West Shore RCMP and fire departments around the region in Chief Cassidy’s honour.
The City of Colwood said plans for memorial services will be shared as information becomes available.
As life begins a slow but steady return to normal, there are many things we are looking forward to getting back to.
For sixteen months, what were once normal occurrences, eating with friends in restaurants, going to see a movie, and attending concerts to enjoy music with other fans has been missing from our lives.
Slowly but surely we are finally seeing glimpses of these events returning.
One of the most anticipated returns is the resurgence of the music scene and concerts.
Tour dates for Saints and Sinner’s 2021 cross Canada tour have been announced, with a stop in Victoria later this Fall.
The tour includes Headstones, Moist, Sloan & The Tea Party as they bring their music to the Save on Foods Memorial Center.
The original tour was put on hold due to COVID-19. However, the tour has now announced rescheduled concert dates.
The announcement of the concert in Victoria marks the beginning of more shows to look forward to and a slow return to normal life.
The Saints and Sinners 2020 Tour has partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket will go to Unison Fund and their work providing counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community.
VicPD have seized large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and approximately $20,000 in cash after a drug trafficking investigation at a multi-unit temporary housing facility in Victoria.
On Wednesday, June 16th, VicPD and the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT), executed a search warrant at a suite in the 3000-block of Blanshard Street.
VicPD located fentanyl, methamphetamine, and hundreds of pills suspected to be controlled substances, as well as $20,000 in cash, a taser, and an e-bike believed to be stolen.
The suspect, a 51-year-old Victoria man, was arrested at the scene and later released from custody pending further investigation.
Officers will be recommending charges related to drug trafficking.
Anyone with information is asked to contact VicPD at 250-995-7654.
One person is dead following an early morning crash on Highway 4 in Port Alberni on Thursday.
In a media release, Port Alberni RCMP said they were called just after 1 a.m. to assist the Port Alberni Fire Department at a single-vehicle collision on Highway 4 just west of the Chamber of Commerce.
According to RCMP, the moving van was traveling eastbound on Highway 4 when it left the roadway to the south, striking a fence and coming to a stop off the road.
Occupants of a vehicle behind the van stopped to assist and called 911.
Paramedics treated the occupant of the van who was in obvious medical distress, however, despite all resuscitation attempts, the person died of their injuries.
Another occupant of the van was uninjured and did not require medical assistance.
The area of the incident adjacent to Highway 4 was closed for the initial investigation and has been reopened.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing and no other details were released.
Investigators are asking anyone with any information about the driving behaviour of this moving van, or the occupants prior to the collision to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at (250) 723-2424.
A spree of racist graffiti targeting schools in the Cowichan Valley School District over the past month has led to an RCMP investigation.
In the span of four weeks, four schools have been vandalized with racist graffiti, with one school targeted twice.
School District 79, representing the Cowichan Valley, says the list of incidents includes:
Discovery Elementary School – May 12th
Frances Kelsey Secondary School First Event – June 6
Frances Kelsey Secondary School Second Event – June 13th
École Mount Prevost – June 22
Cowichan Secondary School – June 23rd
All of the offences have been reported to the RCMP at both the North Cowichan/Duncan and Shawnigan Lake detachments.
“We are working closely with our RCMP partners to find out who is responsible for these reprehensible acts,” said Candace Spilsbury, Chair of the Board of Education for the Cowichan Valley School District.
“We know that unfortunately racism is alive and well in our communities. We are relying on members of our communities to come forward with any information that may help us find those that continue to target our students, staff, and community through these racist messages.”
SD79 thanked the RCMP for their diligence in the ongoing investigation, and also expressed their gratitude to staff who quickly painted over the graffiti.
Anyone with information on the École Mount Prevost or Cowichan Secondary School incidents is asked to contact the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522.
Those with information on the Frances Kelsey Secondary or Discovery Elementary incidents should call the Shawnigan Lake RCMP at 250-743-5514.
Anonymous information can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1800-222-8477(TIPS).
If you drove along Burnside Road this past weekend, the beginnings of a new art piece may have caught your eye along your route.
The mural of a young girl with a sunflower is currently in progress outside of Cycles West at 100 Burnside Road West. The artwork, when complete, is set to span across the entire south side of the building.
The artist undertaking this large project is Paul Archer of Archer Airbrushing.
Archer is well known for his larger than life work and has been painting murals locally, in Vancouver and internationally since the 1980’s.
The mural hopes to bring a sense of hope and positivity after the past sixteen months.
The Burnside Road mural is a project of the Gorge Tillicum Community Association (GTCA).
For over twenty years, the GTCA has hosted the Gorge Canada Day Picnic celebrations. However, with this year’s event being cancelled, the GTCA wanted to do something different.
This year, $5,000 of past revenue from Gorge Canada Day Picnics was issued into an art fund by the GTCA along with funding from the CRD arts commission, the District of Saanich and community members through a GoFundme to bring the mural to life.
The GoFundme began with a goal of $7,000 to complete the project, with donations past that amount to go toward future projects for the community.
“We really see this project as the beginning of a series of art installations,” said Vera Wynn-Williams, President of the GTCA, “There are just so many wonderful possibilities that could enhance our neighbourhood.”
At the time of publication, the GoFundme had raised over $4K of it’s $7K goal.
Foot passengers on BC Ferries will now be able to book in advance on three major routes between Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
As of Thursday, foot passengers can reserve online for Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay, Tsawwassen – Duke Point and Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay routes.
BC Ferries says there will be no additional cost for this service. However, Seniors and students will need to check-in with a ticket agent at the terminal to redeem advanced bookings made online.
This is due to seniors needing proof of age and students needing proof of enrolment.
Automated kiosks will be in service for other foot passenger customers to redeem prepaid bookings.
BC Ferries says these steps will help limit contact between customers and employees.
Advanced bookings will be limited at first, but if these sell out ferries may still have space available for in-person customers who purchase their foot passenger ticket at the terminal.
In a matter of days, casinos and nightclubs in British Columbia may be able to re-open their doors to patrons as the province moves toward Stage 3 in the re-opening plan.
This includes View Royal’s own Elements Casino located at 1708 Island Highway.
Elements Casino, along with all casinos and community gaming centres in BC have been closed since March 2020 after a direct provincial order was implemented to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Sixteen months later, casinos and nightclubs are finally set to re-open to the public, pending the go ahead of the next stage in BC’s restart plan.
Casinos and community gaming centres will operate at a reduced capacity and include sanitizing stations and physical barriers, such as plexiglass, to ensure the health and safety of both patrons and GameSense Advisors.
GameSense Advisors are BCLC’s player-health specialists, who staff GameSense Information Centres within casinos and community gaming centres in British Columbia. Moving toward Step 3 in BC’s Restart Plan means nightclubs are also slated to re-open, which have been shuttered since September 2020.
Nightclub closures were ordered by Dr. Bonnie Henry after spikes in cases were linked to establishments where alcohol is sold, and the health orders at that time also included a 10 p.m. cut-off for alcohol sales at bars and restaurants.
Step 3 includes liquor service restrictions lifted, as well as nightclubs being allowed to operate with a limited capacity.
The earliest date the province can move to Step 3 is July 1st.
An incorrect license plate led to the arrest of a Saanich man who was in possession of a stolen firearm, drugs, and a large amount of cash.
On June 14th, West Shore RCMP were conducting an investigation in the Malahat area when they spotted a vehicle traveling northbound on Highway 1 with licence plates registered to a different vehicle.
Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop when the vehicle stopped in an empty parking lot near Duncan, however, the driver immediately accelerated at a high rate of speed.
The suspect rammed the front end of a police vehicle and sideswiped another police cruiser as he fled the area in his car.
Police did not initiate a pursuit.
Shortly after, an officer from the Shawnigan Lake RCMP located the vehicle and two people were taken into custody without further incident.
Police conducted a search of the vehicle, seizing the following items:
A loaded Beretta handgun that was reported stolen from Nanaimo in August of 2020
$15,000 in Canadian currency
Over three ounces of suspected fentanyl
Smaller quantities of suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, and GHB
Numerous police-style collapsible batons
Multiple canisters of bear spray
Saanich resident, 26-year-old Brandon Seguin, is facing multiple charges following the incident.
Following the arrest, the West Shore Drug and Organized Crime Unit and the Crime Reduction Unit officers executed a search warrant at Seguin’s residence in Saanich, with assistance from Saanich Police and the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team.
Inside the home, police located evidence of a significant drug trafficking operation and seized a large quantity of GHB, Gamma Hydroxybutyrate.
They also located a replica handgun and ammunition.
“This is one example of the ongoing proactive work being done by our officers and the risks they face daily,” said superintendent Todd Preston of the West Shore RCMP.
“Through hard work and team work, we have disrupted a substantial drug trafficking operation and removed multiple weapons from the community.”
Police have recommended the following charges against Seguin:
Possession of fentanyl for the purposes of trafficking
Possession of methamphetamine for the purposes of trafficking,
Flight from Peace Officer, Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance
Possession of a prohibited firearm and unauthorized possession of a firearm
The passenger in the vehicle, a 38-year-old woman of Saanich is also facing several charges.
