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.

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.

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.

Bookings and information are online at bcferries.com.

A downtown eatery has suddenly closed its doors and social media accounts amid sexual assault accusations.

Government Street’s The Salt & Pepper Fox closed to the public in early June without notice.

The closure comes after two public accusations were being made against the owner, Liam Quinn, through the Survivor’s Stories Project on Instagram.

Accusations accused the owner of sexual harassment at work — it is unclear at this time whether or not the victims have reported the incidents to police.

Victoria Buzz has reached out to The Salt & Pepper Fox for further comment on their closure and the allegations.

This is a developing story.

Police are looking for the rightful owner of a hybrid e-bike that was left on Salt Spring Island nearly a month ago.

The RCMP detachment on the Island was contacted by a concerned citizen on May 25. The citizen said they had found the abandoned bike near Mouat Park.

“This is a pretty unique and expensive bike,” said Salt Spring RCMP Detachment Commander Sergeant Clive Seabrook. “Someone must be missing it.”

The police have kept the bicycle in storage since recovering it, and have reached out to the manufacturer, but at this point they are turning to the public in the hopes of finding the owner.

“We’re hoping by asking the public for help and putting out the picture, someone will come to the detachment and claim it,” said Seabrook.

A photo of the white e-bike has been circulated as well.

The RCMP have obtained the serial number on the bicycle. They say that anyone who knows the rightful owner should contact the Salt Spring detachment at (250)-537-5555.

As the Malahat Nation announced their Every Child Matters March this morning, news broke that 751 unmarked graves were discovered in Saskatchewan less than a month after the discovery of 215 human remains at a Kamloops residential school.

On Thursday, June 23rd, 751 possible unmarked graves were discovered at a former Saskatchewan residential school.

The findings occurred on the grounds of the Cowessess First Nation, located 164 kilometres east of Regina.

Radar scanning the school grounds of Marieval residential school began on June 1st.

The Marieval residential school operated from 1898 to 1996 in the Qu’Appelle Valley; it was run by the Roman Catholic Church until Cowessess First Nation took over its operations in 1981.

Every Child Matters March

To raise awareness of the residential school experience, Malahat Nations’ Every Child Matters March will begin Friday, June 25th.

The March will begin at 9:30 a.m. from Big House located at 1 Longhouse Road on Malahat Nation land where it will make its way up Mill Bay Road and then to the Trans Canada Highway and back again.

Participants are invited to wear orange in honour of residential school victims and as a symbol of commitment to the ongoing process of reconciliation.

“The purpose of this March is to peacefully come together as a community to raise awareness for the growing number of mass graves that have been discovered on various residential school grounds and to acknowledge the impact that residential schools have had and continue to have on indigenous peoples,” a representative for Malahat Nation told Victoria Buzz.

Research into Residential School System

Since the discovery of the 215 human remains at a former residential school in Kamloops in late May, Canada invested $27 million into the investigation of former residential school sites to locate children who died at residential schools.

Earlier this week, $5 million was dedicated to research at residential schools in Saskatchewan.

In BC, The Royal BC Museum announced on Wednesday that it was working as a neutral third party with the Sisters of St. Ann’s and the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC) at UBC.

The Sisters of St. Ann’s, an order of Catholic nuns that taught at four residential schools in Canada, including the Kamloops Indian Residential School, signed a memorandum of understanding to provide private archival information to the IRSHDC.

Every Child Matters March

When: 9:30 a.m., June 25th

Where: 1 Longhouse Road

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society toll free line is: 1 (800) 721-0066.

A 24-hour crisis line for residential school survivors is: 1 (866) 925-4419 if you require further emotional support or assistance.

Nanaimo RCMP are investigating another fire deemed suspicious at the Centennial Building located at the Beban Park Recreation Centre.

The fire was reported at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday June 22nd and is believed to have been started by cardboard being piled next to the building then set on fire.

The fire reached approximately eight feet up the wall and left significant scarring, before being extinguished by the City of Nanaimo Fire and Rescue.

See also: Over 20 fires deliberately set over the past three months in downtown Nanaimo

According to police, there were no witnesses to the fire and no suspects have been identified.

This fire marks a trend of deliberate fires being set near downtown Nanaimo.

“There were no fuel sources nearby that may have contributed to the fire, and given the location of the cardboard, this fire is believed to have been deliberately set,“ said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.

Last week, Nanaimo RCMP reported that in the past three months, over 20 suspicious fires have been deliberately set.

While most were considered minor in nature, involving cardboard or materials found in dumpsters, a fire started on June 4th outside a business on Cliff Street caused significant damage.

Nanaimo RCMP are asking anyone with information to contact them at 250-754-2345.

Ready to head to a beach in the Greater Victoria area?

You might want to see how the water quality ranked before heading there after results from a beach sampling test revealed high levels of bacteria and extreme water quality issues for one south Vancouver Island beach. 

Since May 2021, Environmental Health officers have been reviewing water quality results from samples taken at popular beach areas on the island and the results are made available online. 

Beach sampling testing occurs every summer and helps officials implement beach and swimming advisories, based on the results. This works to keep the public safe. 

Sampling results indicate the number of E.coli (fresh water) or Enterococci (salt water) per 100 mL of sample water.

According to Island Health, a green result indicates the beach sampling identified no water quality issues. These beaches are generally considered microbiologically safe for swimming.

A yellow result indicates the beach sampling identified moderate water quality issues. This water poses a higher risk of illness and more sampling needs to be conducted. 

A red result indicates a high level of bacteria is present and swimming is not recommended. At these beaches, significant risk of illness is present and a beach advisory is generally necessary. 

Thankfully, most of our beaches on South Vancouver Island tested green during the 2021 sampling. 

Two beaches were given yellow results: Esquimalt Gorge Park and Glen Lake. 

However, testing at Gonzales Bay resulted in a red result, indicating high levels of bacteria and resulting in a beach advisory. 

Beaches that test and result in a red category are sampled weekly to keep up to date on water conditions. 

Click here to see the list of beaches on southern Vancouver island and their water current quality ranking.

Private archives involving information regarding residential schools will be provided to the Royal BC Museum (RBCM) and University of British Columbia (UBC) by the Sisters of St. Ann’s, an order of Catholic nuns that taught at four residential schools in Canada, including the Kamloops Indian Residential School.

The RBCM and the The Sisters of St. Ann’s (SSA) announced today that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which will provide enhanced access of the SSA’s private archival records to the RBCM and the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC) at UBC.

This MOU will go into effect July 1st where it will remain in effect until all the work of reviewing and processing the records is complete and the SSA archives are transferred to the BC Archives at the Royal BC Museum.

Staff at the BC Archives will work with the IRSHDC, as a neutral third party.

The announcement comes in light of the 215 school children’s remains found at a former Kamloops Residential School in early June.

The SSA records will be accessible to Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc, as requested.

See also: Royal BC Museum assists Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation in identifying residential school remains

Since the discovery, the federal government has announced $27 million to help locate children at residential schools and just this week announced $5 million in funding towards research into residential schools in Saskatchewan.

Private archival information may help in identifying victims’ of the residential school system, as well as identify remains.

“All archives from organizations that were involved with residential schools can play a role in the process of truth-finding and reconciliation,” said Dr. Daniel Muzyka, Board Chair and Acting CEO of the Royal BC Museum.

“Expediting access to the SSA records to Indigenous communities is a positive step along this path.”

The SSA said they are committed to collaborating and assisting the process of the MOU.

“We affirm our commitment to collaborate in finding the truth and will assist in the process in whatever way we can,” said Sister Marie Zarowny, President and Board Chair of The Sisters of St. Ann.

“It is of the utmost importance to us to contribute, in any way possible, to transparency and accessibility, and participate in activities that can lead to healing and reconciliation.”

The MOU identifies that Indigenous community needs are at the centre of the process of reviewing the SSA records, and maintains that one of its key emphasis’ is to make Indian Residential school archives and information more accessible to Indigenous communities.

This is a developing story.

A record-breaking Lotto Max prize that offered a whopping $70 million grand prize along with 70 additional $1,000,000 prizes has finally been won.

There were two winners who will split the $70 million grand prize: one person from Kamloops, along with an Ontario resident.

The seven winning numbers for the shared grand prize were 7 11 22 28 33 44 49.

Along with these grand prize winners, 11 B.C. residents were winners of some of the 70 $1,000,000 prizes.

This includes one local winner in Victoria, who will split a $1,000,000 prize 50/50 with a winner from Coquitlam.

The winning combination for that ticket is 1 4 10 17 20 30 48.

With the record-setting prize finally won, the Lotto Max jackpot has reset to $50 million, along with two Maxmillion prizes.

Drone footage has emerged showing the remains of a gas station on Vancouver Island that was completely gutted by fire last week.

On Thursday, June 17th, the Mid-Island Co-Op gas station in Whiskey Creek, located between Qualicum Beach and Port Alberni, was destroyed by fire after a van caught fire while the owner was fueling up.

According to photos and video posted online, heavy black smoke could be seen for kilometres and witnesses reported hearing an explosion.

The fire began while the owner of a van was filling the vehicle up with gas when the fuel burst into flames.

One person was transported to hospital.

Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Coombs-Hilliers, Errington, and Dashwood fire departments responded to the fire.

Shortly after the fire, the company released a statement stating that all staff are safe and accounted for and “will be supported by the Co-op through this difficult time.”

“We would like to acknowledge and thank the multiple fire departments and their dedicated personnel who responded with an incredibly organized effort to protect the safety of our team members, customers and community,” Blair Gjevre, Director, Energy Operations said in the statement.

The location will remain closed until further notice.

Below is drone footage that captures the aftermath of the fire at the Whiskey Creek Mid-Island Co-Op:

The Government Street streetscape has not changed in over 50 years and now the city is seeking input on how to make it one of the best in Canada.

In a media release, the City of Victoria said it is looking for the public’s help with the Government Street ‘Refresh’ project to develop a long-term, pedestrian-focused concept design and implementation strategy.

Government Street has always been a popular location for both locals and tourists in the city. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the city made changes to try and help support the businesses, many of which were restaurants hit hard by restrictions as well as businesses who relied heavily on tourist traffic to survive. 

Over the past year, Government Street saw periods of being closed to car traffic, allowing the restaurants to expand their patios to accommodate outdoor dining. 

Recently, Government Street began timed closures closing the corridor to vehicle traffic between Humboldt and View Streets. From noon to 10:00 p.m. each day, the street is only open for pedestrians.

The 900 block of Government Street between Humboldt and Broughton streets remains open to vehicles 24 hours a day.

The Government Street streetscape has not changed in over five decades, so the project comes in time to replace many of the street’s elements (road signs, traffic lights, furniture etc.) that are nearing the end of their life and will soon need to be replaced. 

The project hopes to build on the success of the city’s ‘Build Back Victoria’ program and support local businesses that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Public engagement with the project and plans will work in three phases: 

First, the public is asked to complete a short online survey and submit any written ideas, illustrations, images and videos at engage.victoria.ca. This form will be open for submissions until July 11th. 

These submissions will be used to create a draft design concept for Government Street which will then be shared with the community for initial feedback. 

Second, the draft will be revised based on community feedback. This draft will be shared in January 2022.

Finally, a final draft of the designs will be presented to Council early next year.

The project includes both renovations to street design as well as major upgrades to below-ground water services.

The public is asked to complete the short survey and submit ideas for the future design of Government Street online here by July 11th. 

In the long list of things we have missed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, happy hours are near the top.

Luckily, dining restrictions have recently eased in BC and with dine-in service now available once more, dinner dates with small groups of friends are back on the table – literally.

That means there’s no better time to celebrate happy hour with great deals on food and drinks, and catch up with those we’ve been missing while we do so 

Below, we’ve created a running list of happy hours in the city, featuring bountiful beverages and mouth-watering appies, just in time for patio season.

Think of any that we’ve missed? Be sure to reach out to have your restaurant’s happy hour deals added!

Without further ado, here’s a list of restaurants with happy hour deals in and around Victoria:

Saanich Peninsula area

Waddling Dog Pub

• Location: 2476 Mt Newton Cross Road
• Happy Hour: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Sunday
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $4.50 Sleeves of Lucky Lager, $4.50 Bottles of Budweiser and Canadian, $5 6oz glass of House Red or White wine

Victoria area

Belleville’s Watering Hole & Diner

• Location: 427 Belleville Street
• Morning/Afternoon Happy Hour: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday to Sunday 
• Morning/Afternoon Happy Hour Drink Specials: $5.95 House Wine, $5.95 Highballs, $7.95 Cocktails (Caesar, Harvey Wallbanger, The Hound, Blood Orange Margarita, Crannntastic, John Daly, Mimosa), $6.95 Belleville Shaft, $7.95 Belleville’s Coffee, $6.25 Solaris White Peach Ale Pint
• Evening Happy Hour: 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday 
• Evening Happy Hour Drink Specials: $5.95 House Wine, $5.59 Highballs, $8.95 Double Highballs
• Evening Happy Hour Food Specials: $10 Appies (Asian Sticky Ribs, Funghi Flatbread, and Chicken Tostadas), $11 Appies (Calamari, Chicken Satay, and Popcorn Shrimp) and $12 Appies (Blackened Halibut, Fish Tacos, and Stuffed Yorkshire Puddings)

Caffe Fantastico Coffee Roasters

• Location: 965 Kings Road
• Happy Hour: All Day!
• Happy Hour Food and Drink Special: 1L Mason jar of local draft beer and two snacks for $15. Snacks include house-made sourdough pretzels, Two Rivers Meat Sticks and house-spiced bar nuts.

Cenote Restaurant and Lounge

• Location: 768 Yates Street
• Happy Hour: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $5 20oz pints, $6 double Gin & Tonics
• Happy Hour Food Specials: $10 Tacos (3 per order)

Darcy’s Pub (Downtown)

• Location: 1127 Wharf Street
• Happy Hour: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Sunday
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $6.25 House red and white wine, $5.25 sleeves of beer, $5.25 Shafts
• Happy Hour Food Specials: $10 Sesame Tofu, $10 Bruschetta, $10 Chips and Guacamole

FARO Handcrafted Pizza and Tasting Room

• Location: Oak Bay Beach Hotel, 1175 Beach Drive
• Happy Hour: 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday to Sunday
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $24 Wine Flights (featuring a different Vancouver Island winery each month)

Frankie’s Modern Diner

• Location: #38 910 Government Street
• Happy Hour: 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. All day drink specials Saturday and Sunday
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $5 (1oz) Classic Margarita, $4 (1oz)/ $7 (2oz) Highballs, $5 (1 ½ oz) Shafts, $6 (1 1/z oz) Frankie’s Hugo.
• All day happy hour Saturday and Sunday $5 Mimosa, $5 Sangria, $5 Classic Sangria.
• Happy Hour Food Specials: $3 Single Meatball, $3 Bowl of Fries, $6 Personal size pizza, $6 crispy fried chicken burger, $6 cheesy flatbread, $7 Mozzarella Sticks, $8 wings (1lb.), $8 Veggie Curried Penne, $8 Stuffed Meatballs and Fries, $8 Tuna Salad

John’s Place Restaurant

• Location: 723 Pandora Avenue
• Happy Hour: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m, Monday to Friday
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $2 off all cocktails! Mimosas (3 kinds), Caesars, Sangria, Aperol Spritz, etc!
• Happy Hour Food Specials: $4 Tiger Fries, $6 Onion Rings, $6 Ballpark Dogs, $6 Spring Rolls, $10 Thai Chicken Bowl, $10 Tofu Bowl

Leopold’s Tavern

• Location: 570 Yates Street
• Happy Hour: 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $5.50 Leo’s Lager, $5.50 6oz House Wine, $5.50 Leo’s Ceasars, $4.50 Highballs
• Bucket Mondays (3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.) $7.50 (assorted Leo’s Faves)
• Happy Hour Food Specials: 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Tuesdays: $3.50 Tacos, 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Wing Wednesday

Moon Under Water Brewpub and Distillery

• Location: 350 Bay Street
• Happy Hour: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $5 Moon Pints
• Happy Hour Food Specials: $7.95 Coconut Shrimp and Fries, $6.95 Zucchini Strips, $7.95 Popcorn Chicken, $7.95 Cajun Potato Skins, $5.95 Fry Bowl 

The Pacific Restaurant, Patio and Terrace

• Location: Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville Street
• Happy Hour: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: Daily featured $6 wine/beer/cocktail 
• Happy Hour Food Specials: All appetizers $12

Rooftop Patio

• Location: 919 Douglas Street
• Happy Hour: 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $5 Shafts, $5 Nudes, $4.50 Sticky Wicket Lager, $5 White Claw
• Happy Hour Food Specials: $8 Individual Nachos, $8 Artichoke Dip, $8 Half Pizza, $8 Rooftop wings

Shark Club Bar and Grill

• Location: 2852 Douglas Street
• Happy Hour: 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Fridays
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: All Happy Hour drinks are $5. 5oz glasses of house red and white wine, 16oz glasses of Big LIfe Euro Lager and Big Life Amber Ale, 1oz highballs, and a selection of signature cocktails (Ceasar, Porch Side Margarita, Aperol Spritz, Whiskey Smash, Old Fashioned, Moscow Mule, Electric Arnold)
• Happy Hour Food Specials: $7 Appetizer options including chicken quesadillas, chips and guacamole, lettuce wraps, poutine and fried pickles. 

The Snug Pub

• Location: Oak Bay Beach Hotel, 1175 Beach Drive 
• Happy Hour: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Sunday 
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $5 Wine (Mission HIll Pinot Noir, Noble Ridge Chardonnay, Dirty Laundry Rosé), $5 Hoyne Vienna Lager, $7 Steamworks Nitro Strou, $5 Phillips Short Wave
• Happy Hour Food Specials: $12 Crispy Pork Belly, $12 Truffle Fries, $10 Chickpea Polenta Fries

Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub

• Location: 308 Catherine Street
• Happy Hour: 2:30 to 5:30, Monday to Friday
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $6 house red and white (6oz), $6 Beer Pint, $16 Beer jugs,  $8 Cocktails (Cider mimosa- pink grapefruit or orange juice), $7 Shafts, $8 Long Island Iced Tea
• Happy Hour Food Specials: $6 Kennebec Fries, $8 Truffle Fries, $9 Popcorn Chicken, $13 smoked chicken wings

The Sticky Wicket Bar & Restaurant

• Location: 919 Douglas Street
• Late night Happy Hour: 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $4.50 Sleeve of Wicket Lager, $4.50 BBJ 5x Lager (can), $5 House highballs, $5.50 Shaft, $5.50 Nude Vodka Soda can (peach, raspberry, strawberry, watermelon), $6 Jameson Irish Whiskey, $6 Corona (bottle)

Sidney 

Surly Mermaid

• Location: #1B 9851 Seaport Place
• Happy Hour: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Sunday
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $6 wine, $5 pints and $6 high balls
• Happy Hour Food Specials: $4 Kettle chips, $8 Cajun Spare Ribs, $9 Beer Cheese, $10 Tequila lime snapper ceviche, $10 Pesto Flatbread 

Langford/Colwood

328 Taphouse + Grill

• Location: #102 328 Wale Road
• Happy Hour: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Sunday 
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $5 12oz Beer (Various Phillips and Russel), $5 6oz wine (Peller Estates) and $5 1oz spirits
• Happy Hour Food Specials: $6 Parm Truffle Fries, $7 Guac and Chips, $7 Homemade Pretzels and dip, $8 Stone Fired 900° Flatbread, $8 Coastal Fish Tacos

House of Boateng Café

• Location: 2845 Peatt Road
• Happy Hour: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday
• Happy Hour Drink Specials: $5 1oz Highballs (rum, vodka, gin and whiskey), $5 Beer (Blue Buck and Dark Matter), $7 5oz House Wine (Bench 1775 Red Blend, Nichol Pinot Gris), $1 off Merridale Cider, $7 1oz Shafts, 20% off Bottled Wine
• Happy Hour Food Specials: $9 Spiced Nuts, $10 Chef Castro’s Exotic Chips, $12 Herb Poached Prawn Shooters, $10 Chicharrones, $13 HOB Chef’s Preserved Crudité, $6 Jamaican Beef or Veggie Pattie

Want to add your business to the list? Send an email to mike@victoriabuzz.com with your restaurant name, address, and happy hour information.

If you’re going into liquor or cannabis stores, it’s not uncommon to have to show identification.

But what about a fingerprint?

According to a recently released report, up to 30 privately-owned BC liquor and cannabis stores have been collecting private information that does not maintain adequate privacy management programs or document privacy policies, despite obligations under BC’s private sector Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

In some cases, liquor and cannabis retailers have been collecting private data using facial recognition software from customers and thumbprint identification from employees, among other biometrics, as well as personal data collection from their websites other than what is typically asked, like age, birthdate, identification.

All liquor and cannabis retailers collect personal information, though many initially believed they did not do so to such an extent, according to the report.

BC cannabis and liquor stores are not authorized to collect biometric information or “information about an identifiable individual”, including employee personal information.

PIPA requires organizations to notify individuals of the purpose of collection unless the purpose is obvious and the individual voluntarily provides their personal information for that purpose.

“While the purposes for the collection of personal information directly from customers, such as to make a purchase or to sign up for a newsletter, may be obvious and consent implied; the purposes for the collection of browser information or other online identifiers may not be obvious,” said the report.

“Web-based privacy policies are also an important part of ensuring the organization meets its obligations under PIPA in respect of personal information collected online.”

One concerning reason the report brought up was the fact cannabis is illegal in many jurisdictions outside of Canada. Some countries will deny entry to individuals who have purchased cannabis or work in the industry.

The province said that retailers who are considering any type of biometric collection will be scrutinized at a very high level.

The purposes for collection, use or disclosure of biometric information must be reasonable and express consent.

“Surprisingly, many retailers didn’t understand that they collect personal information, despite the fact that all private licensed liquor and cannabis retailers collect some form of personal information from employees and customers who enter physical stores or make purchases online,” said Michael McEvoy, BC’s information and privacy commissioner.

The report contained 18 recommendations for liquor and cannabis retailers to establish and maintain privacy management programs, including designating someone to be responsible for ensuring the organization complies with PIPA, developing written policies, and monitoring compliance and conducting risk assessments to know that security safeguards are effective.

This is a developing story.

Victoria Buzz has reached out for more information.

BC residents will continue to be eligible to access grants of up to $600 to help pay their BC Hydro bills.

The province has extended the BC Hydro’s Customer Crisis fund (CCF) to help BC Hydro customers who are facing a financial hardship due to a job loss, injury, illness or loss of a family member, and possible disconnection of their service.

The pilot program ended on May 31st, after a three-year term, which the BC government said helped over 11,000 residential customers.

The government has issued a direction to the BC Utilities Commission to enable BC Hydro to continue offering grants through the CCF.

The program was funded by a monthly charge (rate rider) of 13 cents that was added to residential customers’ bills. The temporary continuation of the CCF will be funded through an existing surplus of approximately $5.9 million that represents the difference between revenues already collected through the monthly customer charge and the costs of providing the program.

BC Hydro stopped applying the rate rider to customers’ bills effective June 1st.

In a government survey, 70% of BC Hydro residential customers expressed support for the CCF.

BC Hydro, in partnership with FortisBC, also offers conservation programs to help lower-income households save energy and keep their bills low.

The Energy Conservation Assistance Program offered by BC Hydro in partnership with FortisBC also offers eligible lower-income customers free energy assessments and energy-saving products like a free Energy Saving Kit which includes weather-stripping products and energy-efficient light bulbs.

Upgrades can result in savings of up to $430 each year and the kit can save up to $130 each year.

“We recognize there will be times when people may need some financial assistance to catch up on their hydro bill. As many families struggle to recover from the impacts and stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, that time is now,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.

“By extending BC Hydro’s Customer Crisis Fund, we are preventing disconnections, helping families get back on their feet and making life more affordable for British Columbians.”

Visit this link to fill out an application form to see your eligibility.

Check your tickets, Vancouver Island!

According to BCLC, there were two winning tickets sold for the $6 million jackpot in Saturday night’s Lotto 649 draw.

One ticket was purchased in Parksville and the other in Newfoundland. Each ticket is worth $3 million.

The winning numbers are: 13 15 17 25 34 45 and the bonus number was 5.

The extra numbers were: 30 46 66 97.

The retail location of where the ticket was not released. The winner has one year to claim their winning prize.

Meanwhile, the Lotto Max jackpot remains at $70 million after the prize went unclaimed again on Friday.

Four people and two cats escaped uninjured after a fire destroyed a James Bay home on Father’s Day.

The residential fire on Montreal Street fire broke out at around 2 p.m. on Sunday.

According to the Victoria Fire department, 16 firefighters and five trucks were dispatched to the blaze.

Video from the scene shows thick smoke billowing out of the second-level windows.

The home is believed to have suffered at least $100,000 in damage.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames and managed to contain the damage to two rooms.

The displaced residents are receiving support from the Canadian Red Cross.

Today, Monday, June 21st, marks the 25th National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada.

A day recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada.

At 2:15 p.m. today, a moment of silence was observed across all Island Health sites to honour and respect the 215 Indigenous children found in Kamloops in late May.  

“We encourage all Vancouver Island residents to find time for quiet reflection today” said Island Health President and CEO Kathy MacNeil. 

“We paused at this particular time to reflect on the tragic impact of residential schools, colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous people and their communities,” MacNeil explained. 

“As we acknowledge this ongoing trauma, we know that this discovery in Kamloops is only the beginning,”said Eunice Joe, Island Health Executive Director.

There were at least five residential schools included in the Island Health region: 

•       Alberni Indian Residential School – Port Alberni (1917 – 1973)
•       Ahousaht Indian Residential School – Ahousaht (1901 – 1950)
•       Christie Residential School – Meares Island (1900 – 1983)
•       Kuper Island Indian Residential School – Penelakut Island (1890 – 1975)
•       St Michaels Residential School – Alert Bay (1929 – 1975).

“It is important for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working in partnership at Island Health to come together to mourn this loss and to commit to supporting the wellness of all people with compassion” said Joe.

In a joint statement, Premier John Horgan and Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, released the following message:

“On National Indigenous Peoples Day, we honour the leadership, resilience and strength of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples throughout British Columbia and across Canada. It is a day to recognize the immense contributions of Indigenous peoples to every facet of our province.

“As we honour and celebrate Indigenous communities today, we must also recognize the systemic racism, discrimination and intergenerational trauma Indigenous peoples have experienced and continue to experience. These harms are a daily, lived reality for Indigenous peoples.

“We acknowledge and share the grief with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, and all residential school survivors and their families, as they mourn for their stolen children. We know there are many other sites throughout our province that are still the source of unanswered questions and unimaginable pain for Indigenous communities. We still have much work ahead of us.

“So, today on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize that reconciliation is a hard and essential journey that we will make together. Our government recognizes the responsibility we have to advance reconciliation in partnership with Indigenous peoples, and we are walking this journey side by side.

“The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples remains a touchstone on our path forward together. Through B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, we are working closely with Indigenous peoples on a draft action plan to meet the objectives of the UN Declaration. The act sets us on a path that recognizes and respects Indigenous rights as human rights, creates more opportunities for people and communities, and commits our government – and future governments – to action on reconciliation, not just words.

“As we face our collective truth on the generational impacts of our colonial history, let us work together and take action, so we can better understand our shared history, accept and learn from it and work together to make things right. Together, we will continue to build a more equal and more inclusive British Columbia for generations to come.”

A temporary ban on most open burning activities on Vancouver Island will come into effect Wednesday as the province mitigates wildfire risks.

The ban will start at 12 p.m. PST on June 23, and covers the Coastal Fire Centre area of the BC Wildfire Service.

The Coastal centre is headquartered in Parksville and includes Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, and the Sunshine Coast up to the northern border of Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park.

Haida Gwaii will be exempted from the ban. A map of the Coastal Fire Centre area is online on the BC Wildfire Service website.

Under the ban, Category 2 or 3 open burns will be prohibited. That includes any fires over 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres across.

Fireworks, sky lanterns, air curtain burners binary exploding targets, burn barrels or burn cages of any size are also prohibited.

This applies to both private and public land.

Campfires will still be permitted, provided they are kept within 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres across. Cooking stoves and barbecues are also still permitted.

People enjoying campfires must also have 8 litres of water or a shovel on hand, and must extinguish their fires entirely, including making ashes cool to the touch, before leaving. A fireguard, such as circle of stones or a pit, is also required.

More details on the different fire categories is available as an infographic at www.gov.bc.ca/openfireregs.

People who violate the ban could find themselves facing a $1,150 ticket. If they are convicted in court of an offence, they could also face fines up to $100,000 and/or a year in jail.

Those whose actions are found to have caused or contributed to a wildfire could be ordered to pay for all firefighting and associated costs.

Wildfires can be reported by calling 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

BC small businesses will now have access to financial support to create environments for people with disabilities.

According to the BC government, the new $4.8 million grant with the Accessible British Columbia Act from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction is designed to support small business employers hire people with disabilities, as well as procure the necessary tools to support them.

It’ll provide direct financial assistance to improve physical environments, technology, communication, and access to information for employees with disabilities.

Small Business employers can apply for grants of up to $1,000 per business. Grant applications are open from June 21st, to April 30th, 2022 for a range of eligible services.

The grant can be used to improve working environments, training, and policies, as well as purchase technology and communication documents such as ASL or braille versions of policies or documents.

The grant will be available to BC businesses with between one and 50 employees (part-time or full time) providing they include a covering memo describing the item(s) and/or service(s) they are purchasing.

“Almost a quarter of B.C.’s population are living with a disability, which ranges from physical disabilities to invisible ones like mental illness and communications challenges. We want to enable small businesses to retain and hire people with disabilities and to create long term employment opportunities so every person can fully participate in their community,” says Tom Conway, CEO of Small Business BC.

Greater Victoria residents only have two more weeks to share their opinions on local issues facing our region, in the 2021 Victoria’s Vital Signs Survey. 

Until July 1st, residents from all corners of Greater Victoria are asked for their participation in the survey to create the 2021 Victoria’s Vital Signs Program.

The program, which will be released this fall, will be combined with relevant data and statistics to provide an insight into the livability and wellbeing in our region, as well as determine what is working and what needs improvement.

The survey has been adjusted to be a shorter, more concise questionnaire with a particular focus on issues relating to inclusion and diversity as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

It also asks residents to weigh in on issue areas such as housing, safety, health and wellness, and the economy. 

Residents can complete the survey on the Victoria Foundation website, which closes on July 1st.

A 55-year-old man was arrested Friday night after a dramatic crash in which he fled the scene in his heavily damaged Corvette.

On June 18th, West Shore RCMP said they received a report of a possible impaired driver.

The vehicle, a white Corvette, was reportedly being driven in a manner described as “stunting” while travelling south on the Trans Canada Highway.

Minutes later, RCMP received a second report from the public, stating a white Corvette had been in a motor vehicle collision on the Helmcken Road on-ramp in View Royal.

The heavily damaged Corvette left the site of the collision and was located by West Shore RCMP at the McKenzie Avenue exchange.

The driver, a 55-year-old Saanich resident was arrested at the scene. He is now being investigated for failure to remain at the scene of an accident and impaired driving.

A post on the Victoria Buzz Facebook page regarding the incident garnered over 400 comments, with many people posting photos and videos from the scene and recounting their encounter with the Corvette.

“In light of the speeds reported by witnesses, we are relieved that no one was seriously hurt or killed in this collision,” said Cst Meighan Massey of the West Shore RCMP.

“This collision is a stark reminder of the increased risks on our roads with the onset of summer activity. With the lifting of restrictions comes the increase in local travel and socialization. Please remember to arrange for a safe ride home if you are going to be out drinking,” said Massey.

Investigators are looking for any dashcam or cell phone footage of the events leading up to the collision — the collision itself or events after.

If you witnessed any part of this incident, or have footage, contact the West Shore RCMP at (250)464-2264.  If you have any information to provide and wish to remain anonymous, contact Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-888-TIPS (8477).