Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
The City of Victoria is pushing a new bylaw that will increase reusable building materials, while limiting the demolition of houses.
Part of the City’s commitment identified in Zero Waste Victoria, this action is meant to bring the City 15 per cent of the way towards its waste reduction goal of 50 per cent by 2040.
This direction by Council is aligned with the Capital Regional District’s newly adopted Solid Waste Management Plan, which aims to cut waste by a third over the next ten years.
According to the City, deconstruction, rather than conventional demolition, involves taking apart a house in the reverse order it was built, thus allowing nearly all the materials to be diverted from landfill and either reused or recycled. Some of these salvageable materials include old growth lumber used to build homes up until the 1960’s.
“There are significant economic, social and environmental benefits to reusing salvaged building materials, all of which help Victoria to become a resilient community,” said Mayor Lisa Helps.
“With our landfill filling up, lumber shortages sweeping across the country, and the economic impacts of COVID-19, we are taking advantage of the value in our existing resources and starting the shift to a circular economy.”
The Salt Spring RCMP are requesting the public’s help in locating a missing woman.
On Wednesday, May 12th at around 2:15 p.m., the Salt Spring RCMP received a report of a missing person.
According to police, Sinikka Gay Elliott left home to do some errands and has not been seen or heard from since.
Her vehicle was located on Juniper Place Road by Search and Rescue crew at around 9:30 p.m., the same day she was reported missing, but she was not with the vehicle.
Police and family are concerned for her well-being.
Elliott is described as being about 5’3″ tall, slim build, and dark brown short hair. She was wearing a red sweater, jeans, and brown boots.
Anyone with information is asked the Salt Spring Island RCMP at (250) 537-555.
When one of Victoria’s premier locally owned and operated health and supplement stores turns 10, that’s cause for celebration!
And when we’re giving away a $50 gift card? Even better.
This weekend, from May 14th to 16th, Health Essentials is throwing a 10th anniversary celebration with store-wide deals both in-store and online, and loads of prizes and free giveaways!
If you’re able to make it in store, you can expect to take advantage of some seriously awesome sales on top brands including Icebreaker Merino Wool clothing, Lems Barefoot Shoes, Bulletproof Coffee & Vitamix Professional blenders!
There will be free gifts with every purchase and opportunities for anyone and everyone to be entered to win a selection of great prizes including a bicycle or a loaded gym bag!
Health Essentials was created with a mission to provide a space where people can come and ask questions, get answers, and be ensured access to only the best available products with the research done for them.
They are a top source for keto-friendly treats, locally sourced grass-finished meats, natural merino wool clothing, barefoot footwear options and supplements to support all unique lifestyles. Their top priority is that you leave feeling taken care of, and this weekend will promises nothing less!
Keep an eye on our Instagram stories this weekend for more info on specific details and all that this weekend will have in store!
CONTEST
For a chance to WIN a $50 gift card to Health Essentials, do one or more of the following:
1. LIKE Health Essentials on Facebookand comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
2. FOLLOW Health Essentials on Instagramand comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
3. SHARE this post on Facebook and/or Twitter and leave a comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 p.m. on May 20th, 2021. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter.
A missing bicycle, belonging to a Victoria nurse, has been recovered!
The victim reported that her bicycle was stolen Wednesday while she was working in the 700-block of Douglas Street, administering COVID-19 vaccinations.
At 2 a.m. Friday morning, VicPD spotted a 44-year-old man pushing the distinctive Trek bicycle in the 500-block of Herald Street.
A GREAT update to an important file that we worked hard to resolve.
Thanks to Patrol's Cst. Nystedt – a former homicide detective with VIIMCU & avid cyclist – for his work locating the bike. #yyjhttps://t.co/U1giJr2nfp
The patrol officer — a former homicide detective — confirmed the stolen bike and arrested the man without incident.
The suspect, a 44-year-old Kelowna man who came to Victoria in January, faces recommended charges for possession of stolen property and was released with conditions for a future court date.
“This comes at a fitting step during National Nurses Week, which recognizes the incredible, selfless contributions of nurses both every day and during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said VicPD in a statement.
Some great news to start your Friday!!
A sharp-eyed patrol officer recovered Sara's stolen bike just before 2 a.m. this morning. Sara has been notified & we'll be happy to get it back to her later today. #NationalNursesWeekhttps://t.co/QXI0H6xzU9
UPDATED: The bike has been recovered and one man has been arrested.
VicPD are asking for the public’s help in finding a bike stolen from a nurse who was administering COVID-19 vaccines at the Victoria Conference Centre. The victim reported that her bicycle was stolen Wednesday while she was working in the 700-block of Douglas Street. Her bicycle is described as a grey Trek road bike with distinctive yellow stripes.
This is Sara. She's a local nurse. On Tuesday her Trek bike was stolen as she was vaccinating people inside the Victoria Conference Centre. Plz keep your eyes out for it. It's how she gets to work. It's also #NationalNursesWeek and Sara shouldn't be worrying about her bike. #YYJpic.twitter.com/IaNcCHTL6O
Her bike has new bar tape, an adjustable MEC stem, an anatomy-friendly padded seat and flip-flop pedals with a clip-in on one side and flat on the other side.
The bike has 700x23c tires with Presta valves and one with a brass Schrader adapter, disc brakes, as well as fenders, a water bottle cage, and disc brakes.
Also, the victim reported that her brakes squeak, which is unusual for disc brakes.
This week is also National Nurses Week, recognizing the incredible selfless contributions of nurses both every day and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Westshore RCMP have arrested a 43-year-old Colwood resident after he stole items from the set of a Netflix production being filmed in April.
On April 1st, on the set of ‘Maids,’ Westshore RCMP received a report that a trailer on set had been broken into.
Several members of the production cast reported lost items including electronics and personal credit cards.
The Westshore RCMP Crime Reduction Unit took over the investigation and identified the suspect, a 43-year-old Colwood resident well known to police.
On May 7th, a search warrant was executed, recovering stolen property and arresting the suspect.
In addition, police seized drugs, some of which is believed to be fentanyl and other property related to drug trafficking. Police are recommending charges against the suspect.
Property crime is a priority for the West Shore RCMP detachment,” said Supt. Todd Preston, OIC of the West Shore RCMP.
“This is the type of crime that may not always have a large value amount, but impacts a large number of people. It violates that feeling of safety within our homes, businesses or vehicles. That is why our Crime Reduction Unit targets these offenders, reinforcing the message to thieves operating in the area that we will continue to arrest and charge them.”
A massive redevelopment plan for Royal Beach has been adopted into the City of Colwood official community plan, following a council meeting on Tuesday.
The plan calls for a revitalization of 133 acres of Royal Bay lands directly off of Metchosin Road, just south of Esquimalt Lagoon.
Seacliff Properties acquired the land from the BC Investment Management Corporation in December 2017, and submitted their plans to Colwood council in May 2019.
That plan has now been approved with a near-unanimous vote, with councillor Cynthia Day the lone dissenting voice.
“It’s not a surprise to anyone that I have some concerns with Royal Bay Beach,” Day said during Tuesday’s meeting.
She went on to voice concerns about developments in Sechelt and West Vancouver causing legal issues.
Her fellow councillors and Mayor Rob Martin did not agree, and the Seacliff Properties proposal is now part of Colwood’s community plan.
Under that plan, Royal Beach could see approximately 2,850 new homes constructed across three new neighborhoods, tentatively named “The Landing,” “The Bluffs,” and “The Headlands.”
(City of Colwood)
The highest-density homes in the Landing would also be accompanied by mixed-use commercial buildings.
In addition, this area, which occupies the central location of Royal Beach, could be a potential future home for a passenger ferry terminal to downtown Victoria.
The medium-density Bluffs neighbourhood would also allow for mixed-use buildings, and/or live-work frontages, while lower-density housing would be built in the Headlands.
Other features in the area could include mixed-use trails, a beachfront off-leash dog park, a paraglide launch area, and picnic and viewpoint areas.
“This is an important milestone for the development,” the City of Colwood said in a statement.
“It is the culmination of a significant amount of planning over the past four years, including studies, community open houses, public meetings and zoning and Official Community Plan considerations. Watch for updates as development plan progress.”
VicPD are currently on scene responding to an assault and weapons investigation in the 700-block of Pandora Avenue.
At around 12:30 pm, on Thursday, VicPD tweeted that people should avoid the area due to an ongoing incident.
Traffic was disrupted for a short time but has since resumed.
Sources told Victoria Buzz that officers could be seen responding to the incident armed with tactical gear, including shields, battering rams, and high-powered firearms.
At 1:00 p.m., VicPD sent a follow up tweet and said that officers remained on scene, identifying that they are investigating an assault with a weapon.
The driver in the fatal two-vehicle crash was identified by family members as Chris McNutt (GoFundMe)
Crash analysts with Saanich Police have ruled out speed and impairment in a fatal head-on collision that claimed the life of a 31-year-old man in February.
The crash, involving a white Dodge Ram pickup truck and a black two-door Honda CRX, occurred in the 5200 block of West Saanich Road on February 4th.
The driver of a black Honda CRX was pronounced dead at the scene and was the only occupant of that vehicle.
The driver of the white Dodge Ram pickup truck was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was also the only occupant of that vehicle.
In a media release on Wednesday, Saanich Police said the investigation confirmed that the deceased’s vehicle crossed the centre line and collided head-on with the truck – however, it remains unclear why.
Speed and impaired driving were ruled out as factors in the crash, nor was the use of any handheld electronic device.
Inspection of the vehicle showed it was in good working condition and there were no mechanical issues or failures that would have explained why the vehicle crossed the centre line.
“We want to extend our gratitude to the family and loved ones of the deceased, as well as to the other driver and their family for their patience and cooperation in this investigation,” Saanich Police said in the release.
“This was a tragic collision that took time to investigate and we hope this conclusion brings some closure to all of those involved.”
Described as an avid car lover, McNutt is survived by his “high school sweetheart” and wife, Kristy.
A GoFundMe was set up by Kristy’s sister as a way to help raise money for personal financial burdens, including funeral costs which surpassed its goal of $10,000.
The City of Victoria is seeking final input from residents, businesses and commuters on the next phase of the 32 km cycling network through James Bay.
Designs have been modified based on public input and are now available for further feedback before recommendations are made to Council later this summer.
Two north-south routes are planned for implementation in 2022: Government Street and Montreal Street.
Two east-west route options, Superior Street and Michigan Street, are also being considered – one of which will be pursued as part of priority investments in 2022.
The priority routes were shortlisted after a technical analysis and candidate exploration with the community in 2020.
More than 600 people participated in the first phase in February and March of this year, through surveys, mapping activities, and virtual meetings.
Participants can review the modified designs and a summary video and provide feedback by visiting the Cycling Network project at engage.victoria.ca from May 11th to June 11th, 2021.
“We heard diverse public feedback during the first phase. We’ve sharpened our pencils and have refined the design concepts. Now we invite the public to come back and review what has changed and how we’ve responded to public input,” said Mayor Lisa Helps.
“With a growing population, the City is continuing to invest in walking, cycling and public transit to support safe, healthy and affordable transportation options for everyone.”
VicPD seized a handgun after executing a search warrant at a multi-unit temporary housing facility on Tuesday.
The suspect was arrested Wednesday afternoon in the 3000-block of Blanshard Street after officers chased him on foot when he attempted to flee from officers on a bicycle.
On Tuesday, May 11th, just before 7 p.m., VicPD and the Greater Victoria Response Team (GVERT) executed a search warrant on a suite in a multi-unit residential temporary housing facility on Blanshard Street.
During their search, officers located a .32 calibre revolver but the suspect was not at the residence during the time of the search warrant execution.
The man was wanted on outstanding warrants for possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of break and enter instruments, breach of a release order, possession of identity documents, and drug-related offences.
The suspect was eventually located by officers on May 12th and arrested after a foot pursuit.
As #VicPDWarrantWednesday comes to a close, a 38-yr-old man man sought for firearms offences, after GVERT & Patrol executed a search warrant yesterday at a multi-unit temp housing facility in the 3000-blk of Blanshard St, was located & arrested this afternoon. (1/3) #yyjpic.twitter.com/6HqBjRdFNu
Get a COVID-19 fine, then you must pay the dime, or risk not being able to drive.
According to the province, people who leave COVID-19 fines unpaid will not be able to obtain or renew a BC’s driver’s license or vehicle insurance under a proposed legislation introduced on Wednesday.
If passed, the proposed amendments will extend “refuse to issue” (RTI) restrictions to fines issued under the Emergency Program Act and COVID-19 Related Measures Act, and be applied retroactively.
People with outstanding fines will receive notice of the RTI from ICBC ahead of their driver’s license expiry and vehicle license renewal.
These amendments will come into force on July 1st.
British Columbians will still have payment options available to them:
People with COVID-19 fines are able to request the court lower the fine if they lack the means to pay.
Repayment arrangements can be requested and will be considered by ICBC depending on financial and hardship needs.
RTI decisions can also be appealed to the superintendent of motor vehicles to be reviewed on any grounds including hardship.
The total amount of the 1,679 violation tickets processed by ICBC as of May 8th, is $1,179,980.
Only $172,825, or 14% of the total, have been paid so far.
If you, like many other BC residents, received an Emergency Test alert on your phone at 12:15 p.m. this afternoon, you’re not alone.
The alert was a repeat of the one issued last week.
Shortly after the alert went out, BC Emergency tweeted that the Alert Ready test sent out today was an accidental rebroadcast of last week’s test due to “human error.”
Today’s Alert Ready test was an accidental re-broadcast of last week’s test due to human error.
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) May 12, 2021
The alert is intended to notify residents of an emergency via a sound and vibration on your phone, along with messaging associated with the emergency.
Luckily, there was no emergency today…OR last week.
Here are some funny responses to the accidental alert:
A stolen excavator has been returned by the Nanaimo RCMP, but the owner is still struggling due to lost business and damages.
Joelena Piket, owner/operator of Rise and Shine landscaping, based in Black Creek, had her $40,000 excavator stolen from the Comox Valley in March.
The Nanaimo RCMP street crimes unit was able to recover the excavator, a Kubota U17, on a rural property south of Nanaimo, on May 5th.
The next day, police returned the Kubota U17 to a grateful Piket, but she says the loss left her near the end of her rope.
In fact, the landscaping operator says she had been thinking of selling her house just to stay afloat. “I was that desperate,” Piket told the RCMP.
Unfortunately, with nearly $15,000 in repairs needed to repair the excavator, including replacing the vehicle’s roof and stripped gears that suspects removed, Piket is still in need of help.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the beleaguered business owner with her financial situation. As of 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, just over $2,000 has been raised.
Police say there have been no charges laid yet in the recovery of the excavator, however they are still investigating.
Summer is on the horizon and with that comes sunny days, seaside adventures and scrumptious eats.
And what better way to top that off than a visit to one of Sidney’s many stunning patios for a delicious meal or cool beverage?
Luckily for us, Sidney by the Sea has no shortage of stunning patios, and we’ve compiled a list of the best of the best here!
Even better, we’ve partnered with Sidney BIA to give away $150 in gift cards to a restaurant of the winner’s choice – you’ll find those contest details below.
Without further ado, here are 22 Sidney patios you need to visit this summer:
You can also check out Sidney BIA’s extensive list of restaurants that offer take-out here!
CONTEST
For a chance to win a $50 gift card to a Sidney restaurant of your choice from Sidney BIA (we’re choosing three winners!), complete one or more of the following:
SHARE this post on Facebook and/or Twitter and leave a comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 p.m. on May 25th, 2021. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter.
A Sooke resident is one step closer to retirement after winning the Lotto 6/49 Guaranteed $1-million prize in the March 24th draw.
Patrick OLeary says one of his favourite pastimes is mowing the lawn, during which he dreams about travelling and retirement.
OLeary, 20-year excavator operator, says those dreams are now more like reality after winning his ticket purchased from the Petro Canada on Sooke Road.
He discovered his ticket was a winner after scanning it at a drugstore in Sooke where he likes to buy his cream every Saturday.
“I checked (the ticket) the first time and couldn’t make out what was on the screen because I didn’t have my glasses on,” he recalled. “Then I checked the second time by going to see the clerk and I thought something screwed up as the machine shut down!”
After he realized that the machine freeze was not due to a technical glitch — but a major win — the Vancouver Islander said he immediately shared the news with his fiance.
“Her first reaction was disbelief as I tend to joke a lot,” OLeary admitted, “but I would never joke about something like this. Once she realized this was true, she was shocked and repeated ‘Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God!’,” he said.
OLeary and his fiancé celebrated by toasting with champagne the night they found out about the unexpected win.
Once it’s safe to do so, he said they would like to plan a return trip to Ireland to visit friends and family.
“It feels great,” he said. “Surreal – it’s hard to describe.”
A 34-year-old man is in police custody after a botched attempt at robbing a local bank and stealing money from an elderly gentleman.
William Joseph Lesieur was formally charged on Wednesday May 12th, with two counts of robbery and one of theft under $5000.
The incidents occurred at approximately 2:20 pm on Tuesday May 11th, at the Coast Capital Savings located at 6581 Aulds Road.
Nanaimo RCMP were initially responding to a report of a shoplifter from Sport Chek, located in the Woodgrove Centre.
According to police, the accused had allegedly stolen some clothing, and was last seen running from the store into the parking lot. After unsuccessfully using a rock in an attempt to remove security tags from the stolen clothes, he decided upon robbing the nearest bank.
Lesieur entered the bank and demanded money from a clerk, but according to police, at the last second he couldn’t go through with it and he left empty-handed.
As he left the bank, Lesieur attempted to take money from an elderly man who was making a withdrawal from an ATM, but the gentleman had no intentions of handing over his cash. The suspect left empty-handed.
No weapon was produced in either incident, but threats were made.
The man ran from the mall and made his way to Staples where mere seconds after entering the business, Nanaimo RCMP had him in handcuffs and under arrest.
Lesieur is expected to make an appearance in Nanaimo provincial court.
If you have kids under six, we’ve got some good news for you – and your bank account.
The Canadian government is rolling out their latest in economic support for those with young families, the CCB Young Child Supplement, and the first payment is scheduled for May 28th.
To receive the benefit – which was announced in November of last year – you have to already qualify for the Canadian Child Benefit (CCB) and will receive up to $1,200 in 2021 for each child under the age of six you have.
Families with net income under $120,000 in 2020 will receive $300 per child under six, and if your family net income for 2020 is more than $120,000 you will receive $150 per child.
The CCBYBS payments will be distributed on May 28th, July 30th and October 29th – the upcoming May 28th payment will include back-pay from January and April, meaning many Canadians will receive up to $600 per child for their first payment.
You do not need to apply to receive the CCBYCS, however, you have to have filed your 2019 and 2020 income tax and benefit returns to get the payments you are entitled to.
Parents who share custody will each get half of the CCBYCS for each child under the age of six based on their own family net income, and these payments are issued separately from the CCB payments you already receive.
Around 1.6 million families will receive the temporary benefit, which is expected to cost the federal government an additional $2.4 billion this year.
The wheels on the bus are.. environmentally-friendly.
Thirteen school districts in BC, including the Sooke School District (SD62), have purchased a total of 18 electric school buses that will begin operating in communities around the province by the end of the school year.
A new initiative launched by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation in April 2020, will allow BC school districts to purchase electric buses through funding from both ministries.
Altogether, the 18 electric buses will provide service for about 1,300 K-12 students per day, to and from school.
The Ministry of Education’s Bus Acquisition program provided $13 million for 31 school districts to buy a total of 101 new buses, including the 18 electric buses. The purchase price for each electric school bus is about $350,000, compared to the $150,000 average cost for an equivalent diesel school bus.
The province said a zero-emission electric school bus saves about 17 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually compared to a diesel school bus. The cost of electricity compared to fuel and fewer moving mechanical parts, which means they require fewer repairs and less maintenance.
School districts that buy electric buses will also have access to provincial funding for charging station infrastructure.
“By shifting gears from diesel to electric school buses, these K-12 students are benefiting from our government’s work to create healthier and more sustainable learning environments across B.C.,” said Premier John Horgan, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca.
“Electric school buses produce zero emissions and also support CleanBC’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by the year 2030, helping build a cleaner, healthier future for all of us.”
A man armed with a knife was taken into police custody after he reportedly threatened people near Bastion Square, VicPD say.
Officers were called to the 1200-block of Commercial Alley just after 2:15 p.m. on Monday for a report of an agitated man armed with a knife.
Police say they arrived and were able to talk the man into surrendering himself into custody.
The man allegedly threatened two women in the vicinity while brandishing a large fishing knife. Officers found a knife matching this description and seized it.
The suspect was taken to cells for a morning court appearance on Tuesday. He faces charges for uttering threats and breaching court-ordered conditions not to possess knives.
Police are still investigating and are asking that anyone with information contact VicPD at (250) 995-7654 extension 1.
Anonymous reports can be made through Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The Victoria Police Department’s historical case review unit (HCR) is working with Saanich Police and the BC Coroners Service to identify skeletal human remains found in the Gorge Waterway earlier this year.
On February 4th, a couple of recreational divers discovered the skeletal remains in the Gorge Waterway near the Tillicum Bridge.
The remains, which contain a partial human cranial bone, were initially believed to be archeological in nature, but upon further forensic investigation and testing, it now believed to be historical in nature.
The remains are not believed to be ancient or archeological.
Saanich Police and VicPD are working together, utilizing investigators and the Saanich PD Dive Team to further the investigation and assist the BC Coroner in identifying the person.
VicPD said more information will be released when available.
Island Health reported 20 new cases on the island today. The Island Health dashboard has updated to a new layout and there appear to be discrepancies with today’s numbers. We have reached out to Island Health for clarifications and will update accordingly.
Breakdown of cases on Vancouver Island:
South Vancouver Island Active cases: 108 Total Cases: 1,849 (+13)
Central Vancouver Island Active cases: 88 Total Cases: 2,364 (+9)
North Vancouver Island Active cases: 34 Total Cases: 655 (+8)
18 people remain in hospital with 4 in ICU.
There were no new deaths in the Island Health region.
39 people have died since the pandemic began.
Vaccinations
To date, 2,219,856 (+60,753) doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC, 110,516 of which are second doses.
VicPD have released surveillance photos of a hit and run suspect in hopes the public can help indentify him.
On Thursday, April 29th, at approximately 1 p.m., VicPD were called to a report of a hit and run at a parking lot of a multi-unit temporary housing facility in the 2900-block of Douglas Street.
One vehicle which sustained significant front-end damage. The suspect vehicle and driver had already left the scene prior to police arriving.
The suspect is described as middle-aged Caucasian man wearing a dark hooded sweater, jeans, and a baseball hat.
He drove a grey, four-door Dodge Ram 1500 truck with a chrome grill and bumper. The truck had black wheel rims and chrome running boards.
The incident is believed to have occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 29th.
Do you recognize this suspect in a hit & run? Occurred Thursday, April 29th, approximately 12:30 pm in a parking lot of a multi-unit temporary housing facility, 2900-blk Douglas Street.
If you witnessed this incident, or have information about the vehicle or suspect, call the VicPD non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654. To report what you know anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
It’s hard to imagine the rustic charm of the old Town and Country Shopping Centre that used to take up space in the grounds that now houses the decadent Uptown Shopping Centre.
But now, you can take a trip down memory lane with the help of a recently posted YouTube video.
Video footage has surfaced capturing the old Town and Country Shopping Centre in all its post-90’s, sneaker-core, and baggy-clothed glory.
In the video you can take a tour through the eyes of someone from August 6th, 2004, and revel in the off-white glory of the Fairway Market, the Sport Mart, and the Blockbuster Video.
Towards the end of the video you’ll even catch a glimpse of the aerial view of the grounds that are now home to the Uptown Shopping Centre.
Retroactive to April 19th, BC announced that residents will soon have access to a made-in-BC paid sick leave program.
The permanent paid sick leave is a result of legislation tabled on Tuesday, May 11th.
According to the province, an estimated 50 percent of BC employees do not currently have access to paid sick leave.
Now, employers will be required to pay workers their workers full wages for three days if they are having COVID-19 symptoms, are self-isolating, or are waiting for a test result.
The province will reimburse employers without an existing sick leave program of up to $200/ per day.
The legislation will also create a permanent paid sick leave for workers who cannot work due to any illness or injury beginning January 1st, 2022.
BC’s paid sick leave will bridge the gap to the federal program for workers between when they first feel sick and when they can access the federal Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit.
BC’s COVID-19 paid sick leave will continue to protect workers until the end of the year.
WorkSafeBC will begin administering the employer reimbursement program on behalf of the province beginning next month.
For the small percentage of employers that have a highly paid workforce, but do not already have paid sick leave, those employers will be required to cover any remaining wages owed above $200 for each COVID-19 sick day taken.
“The best way to protect workers, their families and co-workers during this pandemic is to have a paid sick leave program in place,” said Premier John Horgan.
“Our made-in-B.C. program will help cover the costs for hard-hit businesses so we can all get through this pandemic together and move to a strong economic recovery.”
The City of Langford has revealed plans on a new community hub and dog park in the city’s Station Avenue area.
On Monday, May 10th, the City of Langford, in collaboration with the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF), said the project grew out of a need to restore and revitalize the area specifically between Peatt Road and Veteran’s Memorial Parkway.
The municipality says for years, residents and businesses have expressed concerns about the appearance and general decline of the area.
ICF, the owner of the property, recognized that the area needed revitalization and approached the city about working together to address the concerns.
They then entered into a collaborative agreement in which Langford now holds a 30-year lease with the ICF.
With a focus on arts and culture, the project is expected to revitalize the Station Avenue area and attract new businesses. The area will be used to showcase artisans, food trucks, public art, and other projects that focus on arts and culture.
The city also plans to build a new dog park and improve parking in the area which will be completed by this fall; other features will be rolled out early spring 2022.
“For many years, Council has focused on expanding recreational opportunities. Now we plan to turn our attention to arts and culture, providing new and exciting family-friendly options for residents and visitors alike,” said Langford Mayor Stew Young.
“This project will reinvigorate the area and complement all we already have in place. It also sets the tone for future projects like the development of a performing arts theatre,” said Young.
Funding for the project is through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Gas Tax Fund.
It only took six years, two petitions, and a national outcry on social media… but the beloved Smarties McFlurry is back at McDonald’s restaurants across Canada.
And as of today, May 11th, you can get your fix at participating locations nationwide.
Made with creamy vanilla soft serve, the cold treat features crushed Smarties with 100% natural colours and flavours. Those who like their soft serve a little more chocolate-y even have the option to add some hot fudge topping to the mix.
When the fan favourite was discontinued in 2015, many disappointed frozen treat connoisseurs flocked online to share their frustrations, which resulted in two separate petitions for the dessert’s return. Obviously, the people have spoken.
“The McFlurry is a Canadian icon,” said Jeff Anderson, Senior Manager, Culinary Innovation, McDonald’s Canada.
“It was invented in Bathurst, NB in 1995 and we are so proud to bring back the SMARTIES® McFlurry so Canadians can enjoy their favourite treat once again.”
You can enjoy the Smarties McFlurry via pickup or Drive-Thru, through mobile ordering on the McDonald’s app and with McDelivery via SkipTheDishes, Uber Eats and DoorDash.
“SMARTIES® has been a beloved brand of Canadians for so many generations,” said Frédéric Baur, President, Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Canada.
“We’re thrilled to join forces with McDonald’s to bring the SMARTIES® McFlurry back on the menu, just in time for Canadians to enjoy this summer.”
Were you one of the many that missed this sweet treat?
The sunny season is upon us, and it’s time to get outside and enjoy all the natural beauty that Victoria has to offer!
This year, the CRD is hosting a virtual Biodiversity Challenge from May 21st to May 24th in honour of the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22nd.
If you’re a nature lover, this completely virtual challenge is for you, and you’ll have the chance to hunt for wild plants, animals and fungi within the capital region and record them using a dedicated app.
It’s as simple as a few easy steps, and you’ll be joining a large community of local nature buffs who are helping to inventory and celebrate the capital region’s amazing flora and fauna – plus you can win some incredible prizes while you’re at it!
Head online to join CRD’s Biodiversity Challenge project for the chance to win prizes and receive project updates
Join the hunt! Search for local nature in your backyard, neighbourhood, or favourite park or beach between May 21st and 24th. Observations of wild native plants, animals, fungi, insects, tracks, or even scat are all welcome
Use a digital camera or smart phone to capture your sightings, and upload to iNaturalist
Identify your findings as best you can and have people from the iNaturalist community help confirm your identifications
Many may not know that our capital region lies in one of Canada’s biodiversity hotspots, bursting with an incredible diversity of plants and wildlife.
You’ll find these in your very own backyards, and even workplaces have salmon-bearing streams, Garry Oak meadows, vibrant wetlands and dynamic shorelines.
At your favourite neighborhood parks you can find pollinating insects, migrating birds, native wildflowers, and towering trees.
All of the above biodiversity supports clean air and water, food security, recreational and cultural opportunities, and is key to the high quality of life we enjoy in the region.
Not only does getting outside and observing the natural world surrounding us boost mental health and well-being, it’s also a key step in conserving nature for future generations.
Spring is a sensitive time of year as plants wake up from winter dormancy and delicate wildflowers start blooming. Take in the beauty of #crdparks from the trails so we can all enjoy the amazing diversity for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/EwkHs3N4PV
By joining the CRD’s Biodiversity Challenge project, you will have the chance to win one of six prizes, including a consultation from Saanich Native Plants, a local field guide, Pacific Northwest Plan Knowledge cards, and a smartphone macro lens to take close-up photos of tiny creatures. For more info on prizes, check them out online.
Don’t forget to visit the CRD’s websitefor more information on biodiversity and the Biodiversity Challenge, and follow the CRD on Facebook and Twitterfor ongoing updates!
A fundraiser set up to help provide for the family of a man who died at Shawnigan Lake last week is nearing its $55,000 goal.
Hugh Thompson, a 49-year-old father of two, was killed in a mountain biking accident on May 7.
The loss was noted by Oak Bay Police Chief Ray Bernoties, who tweeted on Monday that Thompson was a close personal friend.
On Friday, my very close friend, Hugh, died while mountain biking at Shawnigan Lake. He's left behind his wife Paige & their two their sons, Avery (12) & Kaito (4). He was the dad the rest of us dream of being & we are absolutely heartbroken. https://t.co/adkZbyeXU4
Hugh Thompson leaves behind a widow, Paige, and two sons, Avery and Kaito. A GoFundMe has been set up to help provide a scholarship fund for the boys, with a goal of $55,000.
As of Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. PST, the fundraiser was closing in on its goal, with $53,465 raised after only one day of being online.
Jaymie Humber, who organized the GoFundMe on behalf of Paige Thompson, wrote that anyone wishing to offer sympathies should consider written condolences at this time.
Some donors on the GoFundMe noted Hugh Thompson’s contributions and accomplishments in the field of astronomy, saying that he had worked on the Thirty Metre Telescope, a new observatory set to go online in 2027 in Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
“Hugh has made incredibly important and lasting contributions to the design of the Thirty Meter Telescope,” wrote Fengchuan Liu on the GoFundMe page.
“The observatory will have less ‘jitter’ and produce sharper images because of Hugh…We will miss Hugh terribly.”
The Town of Sidney has responded with comments to the proposal of a warehouse and distribution facility proposed on Victoria Airport Authority property.
A warehouse and distribution facility proposed by York Realty to the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) has been reviewed and reconsidered by councillors for the Town of Sidney.
York Realty has applied to the VAA for the construction of a 486,937 square foot multi-storey distribution warehouse facility at 9899 McDonald Park Road.
The realtor is representing a business tenant whose identity has not been publicly disclosed. The facility’s purpose was identified as being a delivery site for a large-scale distributor.
Sidney council’s recommendations to VAA include seeking public and W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council input first before going forward with the approval, and that the VAA commit to a leadership role that would see them working with the District of North Saanich, the Town of Sidney, and other stakeholders.
The Town of Sidney also suggested that VAA be a partner in funding.
The VAA will make all final decisions on the project despite the Town of Sidney having no decision-making authority for developments on Federal airport lands.
With more construction, the Town of Sidney has also suggested a construction management plan addressing the impacts on the road network in the area, including improvements to the Highway 17 and Beacon Avenue intersection.
“Council made several strong recommendations regarding public engagement, addressing impacts on the adjacent residential neighbourhood, transportation infrastructure improvements, and civil works and frontage improvements,” said Mayor of Sidney, Cliff McNeil-Smith.
“Town staff provided recommendations from its technical review, and the community provided meaningful input to Council on the benefits and impacts of the development”, the Mayor stated.
Town council has accepted some variance for the proposed project, including the height of the proposed facility is 22.76 metres, which exceeds the VAA’s height regulations.
1) That Council direct staff to reply to the Victoria Airport Authority recommending that the VAA not approve the development without first engaging with the WSANEC Leadership Council and providing opportunities for public input, particularly engaging the Galaran neighbourhood.
2) That Council recommends that approval of the Development Referral for the property at 9899 McDonald Park Road (York Realty) be subject to the following conditions:
That the VAA be a partner in funding and take a leadership role in working with York Realty, the Town of Sidney, the District of North Saanich, and other stakeholders to ensure a roundabout is designed and constructed at the intersection of Beacon Avenue West and Galaran Road, and that Stirling Way is realigned, in accordance with the Beacon West Traffic study, and that the roundabout be designed and constructed in a way to easily adapt to a two-lane roundabout over time;
That construction of the roundabout at Galaran Road be completed prior to the facility at 9899 McDonald Park Road becoming operational;
That a construction management plan to address potential impacts of construction on the surrounding road network be approved by the VAA and followed by York Realty throughout construction, including traffic control, truck routes, site deliveries, trades parkíng, dust control, etc.
That the VAA commit to taking a leadership role and be a funding partner in working with the Town of Sidney, the District of North Saanich, the Province, and other stakeholders, to address improvements at the Highway 17 and Beacon Avenue intersection;
That frontage improvements for the development include drainage and a pedestrian sidewalk along all road frontages and vehicle parking on the frontage of Galaran Road, as identified in the Beacon West Traffic Study;
That the location of site entrances/exits from Galaran Road be improved to better align with existing street intersections on the east side of Galaran Road;
That the civil engineer retained by York Realty continue to communicate with the Town’s Engineering department regarding civil design and road and frontage improvements in order to resolve all issues prior to the issuance of a Building Permit by the VAA;
That all telecommunication and electrical site servicing be installed underground; and, 9. That the east elevation of the building design be revised to reduce its impact on the Galaran residential neighbourhood.
3) Because this project is of significant interest to the community that we publish these recommendations prominently on our website.
4) Because this project is of significant interest to the community that we issue a media release and place an advertisement in the Peninsula News Review with these recommendations.
5) That the Town and VAA review the current MOU.
6) That the Town send a copy of the recommendations regarding this referral to MP Elizabeth May, MLA Adam Olsen, Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra, and B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming.
7) That the Mayor request a meeting with the two Town of Sidney nominees to the Victoria Airport Authority Board of Directors in order to discuss in detail Council’s recommendations pertaining to the York Realty development referral.
You may not be able to see your favourite summer headliner at a festival this year, but Starbucks has a new frappucino flavour headlining their seasonal menu that’s giving us all of the heart eyes.
Kicking off on May 11th, the summer menu features the new Strawberry Funnel Cake Frappuccino, as well as a few other familiar treats.
The Strawberry Funnel Cake Frappuccino is inspired by a nostalgic flavor reminiscent of carefree summer moments and features layers of strawberry puree and whipped cream, swirled with funnel cake flavored Frappuccino, topped with crunchy powdered sugar funnel cake pieces.
A few other fan favourites will also be returning, including the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappucino and Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew, as well as a list of colourful Starbucks Refreshers like the Dragon Drink, Pink Drink, and Mango Dragonfruit drink.
In addition to picture-perfect frapp, you can also find new Starbucks snacks like the Apples, PB and Trail Mix Snack Box and an all-new Cookie Dough Cake Pop.
Victoria has been ranked one of best cities for youth to work across Canada.
According to a recent poll, Victoria ranked #4 out of 27 for best cities to work in for youth-workers aged 15 to 29.
Funded by RBC Future Launch, the Youthful Cities Urban Work Index measured 76 urban work indicators covering 11 distinct topics and spanning 27 Canadian cities.
Victoria ranked first in City Economy and second for Good Youth Jobs, in part due to connecting youth to work and the second highest provincial minimum wage.
Victoria also did particularly well in the areas of public health, climate change, and public transportation, finishing in the top-seven of each of these areas.
Vancouver topped the list at #1, with Hamilton, and Edmonton following behind, respectively.
Victoria (#4) and Kelowna (#12) rounded out the three BC cities that made the list.
Other topics used to measure include city economy, cost of living, digital access, education and training, entrepreneurial spirit, equity and inclusion, good youth jobs, and income generation
.
The urban work index typically focused on traditionally-associated economic factors like affordability, education, employment, and entrepreneurship, and this year, expanded to include the pandemic disproportionately affecting youth economies and mental health outcomes.
VicPD are seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect connected to a stabbing which sent a man to hospital with potentially life-altering injuries.
The assault occurred on Friday, May 7th, shortly before 10 p.m. at a multi-unit residential temporary housing building in the 1900-block of Douglas Street.
Officers arrived and discovered the victim suffering from stab wounds and immediately provided first aid until paramedics arrived a short time later.
Police say he was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening, but potentially life-altering injuries.
The person of interest is described as a Caucasian male, standing approximately 5′ 11″ tall. He was last seen wearing a grey hooded sweater with black and blue writing on the front, baggy dark-coloured pants, white and black running shoes, a black hat, and a black bandana with white colouring on it.
He was also carrying a dark-coloured shoulder bag.
There have been no arrests and the incident is still under investigation.
If you recognize the person of interest or have information about this incident and have not yet spoken to VicPD. you are asked to call them at (250) 995-7654.
To report what you know anonymously, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Polls released this week suggest a majority of Canadians are in support of a ‘vaccine passport’ for attending events or travelling.
The idea for a form of documentation that shows an individual has been inoculated against COVID-19 saw broad support in polls from both Research Co. and Leger this week.
In the Leger poll, 79 per cent of respondents said Canadians should need to provide valid proof of vaccination to travel by plane either between provinces or out of the country.
That support was softer in the Research Co. poll, which found 64 per cent of Canadians were in favour of a “vaccine passport” for travel to other countries, and 25 per cent opposed.
The B.C.-based firm’s poll also saw less support when they specified trips to other provinces, with 57 per cent in favour of documentation for this type of travel, 29 per cent opposed.
People are also less likely to support mandatory documentation when attending large-scale events, although a majority still remain in favour.
In the Leger poll, 64 per cent of respondents said they would support government restricting access to large public spaces or gatherings such as sports venues or concert halls for those with proof of vaccination.
The Research Co. poll saw slightly lower support, with 57 per cent in favour of vaccine passports for attending sporting events, and 27 per cent opposed.
Those numbers shifted to 56 per cent in favour and 31 per cent opposed when it came to concerts.
Both polls agree that age plays a major factor when it comes to vaccine passport support.
Younger demographics between 18 to 34 and 35 to 54 were less likely to be in favour of vaccine passports, although a majority remain in favour for most business or event types.
Comparatively, the 55+ age demographic is more likely to favour vaccine passports, with at least 50 per cent of respondents in both polls supporting limited access to every form of travel, event, or business to those with documentation.
Vaccine passports are being looked at by both provincial and federal governments as a possibility, with some experts now saying the virus is here to stay on a global scale.
Results for the Research Co. poll are based on an online survey conducted from May 1 to May 3, 2021, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.
Results for the Leger poll are based on a Web survey with a representative sample of 1,529 Canadians from May 7th, 2021 to May 9th, 2021. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size would have a margin of error ±2.51%, 19 times out of 20.
VicPD arrested a man over the weekend after he allegedly pounded on a person’s door wielding a steel bar and uttering threats.
Police were called to a multi-unit residential temporary housing building in the 1900-block of Douglas Street just before 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 8th.
The 9-1-1 caller reported that a man was attempting to gain entry into a suite, by striking the door with a steel bar and threatening the occupant.
Officers responded and located the suspect in a different suite and knocked on the door.
VicPD said the suspect exited the suite and confronted the officers, refusing to comply with their demands.
Officers discharged a less-lethal “bean bag” round, striking the man in the leg.
He was then taken into custody without further incident, but refused medical treatment.
He was held in cells until processed and released on conditions pending a future court date.
The file remains under investigation and the man faces recommended charges of assault with a weapon, uttering threats, and failing to comply with a release order.
VicPD are investigating a stabbing that sent one man to hospital this past weekend. On Saturday, May 8th, just before 9:45 a.m. officers were called to a parking lot near Yates and Broad Streets for a report that a man had been stabbed. A passerby had called 9-1-1 after finding the man laying on the ground, and he had called out for help. Paramedics were on scene treating the victim – who had suffered multiple stab wounds – when officers arrived. VicPD learned that the victim had been stabbed by two men during the course of their investigation, after speaking with witnesses. Evidence was collected and a knife was seized, while the victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released.
This incident remains under investigation, and no arrests have been made as of yet. VicPD are asking that anyone with information contact them at (250) 995-7654.
UPDATE: The missing 57-year-old woman has been located and is safe and sound, according to Nanaimo RCMP.
— original:
Nanaimo RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 57-year-old woman.
According to police, Tracy Ferguson did not arrive at her scheduled work appointment on Thursday, May 6th, which friends say is completely out of character for her.
Investigators learned that Ferguson, who has been residing on a boat in the Anchorage Marina on Stewart Avenue and has not returned to the vessel since Monday, May 3rd.
There is a concern for her safety and well-being.
Ferguson is described as a Caucasian woman, standing 5’3″ tall five-foot-three, and weighs about 130 pounds. She has long grey hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
Construction has finished on a new 135-unit condominium project in downtown Victoria, aimed at middle-income families and individuals.
Located at 845 Johnson Street, Vivid at Yates is meant to provide affordable homeownership options for middle-income and individuals in Victoria. The 20-storey building features one-bedroom, one-bedroom-plus-den and two-bedroom homes.
All units have been sold and owners will begin moving into their new homes this month.
Buyers had to be Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have lived in BC for 12 months prior to sale with an income of just over $60,000. They could not own property anywhere else in the world.
Residents agreed to live in the property for, at least, two years before selling, except under extenuating circumstances.
The project was accomplished by the BC government providing a low-interest construction financing loan of approximately $52.9 million to Chard Developments.
According to the province, by providing construction financing at a lower interest rate than what would typically be available, the developer was able to pass the savings on to qualifying buyers so units could be purchased at below-market prices.
“Affordable housing for middle-income British Columbians is a priority for our government, and this pilot project is one example of the important work that can be done in partnership with the private sector to achieve that goal,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing.
“We’ve got much more to do, and with the expansion of our Housing Hub by $2 billion in the last budget, we’ve got much more we can do to support middle-class families and their housing needs in the years to come.”
Chard will explore building a second similar building in Victoria through BC Housing’s HousingHub: Affordable Homeownership Program.
The hottest ticket in town just got even hotter, and with this year’s Hometown Heroes Lottery, the prizes (and bonuses!) are bigger and better than ever.
And with a fully loaded 2021 Mazda CX-3 GX MT, a 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback OR $22,000 cold hard cash being just a few of the prizes in the Hometown Heroes Lottery, now’s a better time than ever to grab your tickets.
The lottery’s Welcome Bonus Drawdeadline is coming up quick on May 14th, so if you want in on perks like these, it’s best to hurry.
And you can feel good while doing so, because this lottery supports both VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation and the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
This includes BC’s health care heroes, like doctors, nurses, front line workers, first responders – as well aspatients that need life-saving care, and who benefit from all the work and research the lottery funds.
This year’s lottery features 9 incredible grand prize packages, including 8 stunning homes, with two right here on Vancouver Island – and the 9th prize is a massive $2.1 million!
If you haven’t seen it yet, this year’s SookePoint prize is the stuff of dreams; you could enjoy a fully furnished 1,302 sq. ft. 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home that features incredible ocean views!
(Prize home shown may not be exactly as illustrated. SookePoint prize home will be available September, 2022)
When you buy a Hometown Heroes Lottery ticket, you’re directly supporting VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation – this raises essential funds for specialized adult health services and research at Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, GF Strong Rehab Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and Vancouver Community Health Services for all British Columbians.
Our health care heroes are currently fighting COVID-19 at VGH and now, more than ever, they need your support.
Ticket purchases also support programs of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, including burn survivor support services and resiliency programs for fire fighters.
Stay tuned for more info on even more Bonus Draws happening including prizes like travel gift cards, new cars, and even more cash!
The grand prize draw will be Thursday, July 29th, 2021. Purchase your ticket (or packs of them!) here.
Deadlines to enter the various draws are:
Welcome Bonus Draw: Midnight, Friday, May 14th
Heroes Bonus Draw: Midnight, Friday, May 28th
Summer Bonus Draw: Midnight, Friday, June 11th
Early Bird Draw: Midnight, Friday, June 25th
Main Draws and Grand Prize: Midnight, Friday, July 16th
50/50 PLUS™: Midnight, Friday, July 16th
Daily Cash PLUS™: Midnight, Friday, July 16th
Know your limit, play within it. Must be 19+ to play.
A GoFundMe has been started for an international student studying in Victoria who is at risk of having to return home because of higher-than-average tuition fees.
Sandisha Harkoo is an international student from Mauritius Island, a tiny island off the coast of Madagascar. She first moved to Victoria in 2017 to study business, but because of COVID-19 decided to study health care.
Now, Sandisha is facing a more than $7,000 bill for her last semester of the Health Care Aide program at Camosun College — an amount more than double than that of Canadian students.
While Sandisha anticipated the tuition fee, it was the lack of support for international students during COVID-19 that has put her in such a situation.
“Part of the reason I went to Camosun for Health Care was to try and support myself during COVID-19. There’s a need for health care workers right now,” said Sandisha.
“Unfortunately, there are a lot of other costs associated with the program — first aid, immunization, and scrubs — that have prevented me from saving money to afford this last semester.”
Sandisha’s family has sold the family car and taken a loan from their bank back in their home, but Sandisha said it’s not enough to cover her remaining tuition.
Sandisha’s friend, Jessica Beaulieu, has started a fundraiser and collected bottles to help Sandisha out.
“[Where Sandisha is from] $35 of their dollars is equivalent to $1 Canadian dollar. They are working back to back day and nights and have just sold the family car. If she doesn’t make the tuition by Friday [May 14th] she will have to move back home and throw all the money away her family has invested [into her degree],” Jessica told Victoria Buzz.
The deadline for Sandisha’s summer tuition is May 14th with a goal of $10,000. Currently, it has raised $1,450.
“How many more international students have struggled with this? We hope that this helps Sandisha, but also calls attention to the fact that international students are paying such a large amount, and during a time when students are doing most of their learning online,” said Jessica.
The cost of tuition at Camosun College for the Health Care provider program for International students is $11,290, while a Canadian students’ tuition is $2,866.
While the circuit breaker protocols have closed the doors of many pubs… temporarily…one popular pub, the Gorge Pointe Pub and Liquor Stop, is set to close their doors permanently.
Abstract Developments, a Greater Victoria development company, has purchased the Esquimalt property at 1075 Tillicum Road with plans to redevelop the site.
In a media release, Abstract stated the longstanding institution will close at the end of the year, despite efforts to extend the lease with them.
According to the Gorge Pointe Pub owner Mike Louis, he was under the assumption that they were still under negotiations to extend the lease.
“As far as we knew, we were still trying to work on something,” Louis told Victoria Buzz.
“We’ve been trying to work to sell the business for a while now, and Abstract came to us last year at the start of the pandemic. We’ve owned the property for 15 years, and if we had a quality deal, we would have gone through with it.”
Abstract Developments said they were looking for community opinion to understand what will be developed at the current site of the Gorge Pointe Pub in the future.
“It’s important we hear from the members of the immediate community in order to understand what is important to them as we move forward with our application”, said Mike Miller, President and CEO of Abstract Developments.
“This location along the Gorge waterway makes it an attractive site to both live and access nearby services.”
(Jason Aldean at Sunfest Country Music Festival 2019/Photo by RMS Media)
While not surprising, it is still a little disappointing.
Today, Wideglide Entertainment announced two of its major Vancouver Island festivals will be postponing this year’s events until 2022, in light of the ongoing pandemic and uncertainty.
Laketown Shakedown announced the festival has been rescheduled to June 30th – July 2nd, 2022.
“Although we had hoped to not have to do this once again, we unfortunately must announce Laketown Shakedown will not be taking place again this summer,” event organzers said in a statement.
Pass holders who chose to roll over their passes from 2020 can roll over their passes once again to 2022. Festival and camping passes will be honoured on the new dates in 2022.
The company is also offering refunds to anyone who wishes for one, but ticket holders will have to let organizers know within 14 days of receiving an email from the company with options.
Shortly after that announcement, the company announced Sunfest Country had also been rescheduled to July 28th to 31st, 2022.
Ticket holders from last year can also rollover their festival and camping passes to next year or claim a refund once they’ve received an email with options.
For those who hang on to their Sunfest tickets until next year, the festival is offering a private function for them in their brand new stage area on July 28th. Anyone wishing to claim a refund must do so by 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 21st, 2021.
Earlier this month, Dr. Bonnie Henry warned BC residents to not expect any large scale events this summer.
“There is not likely to be big events of any sort, even outdoors, through this summer, and into the fall and winter of next year,” Henry said in a conference on May 3rd.
But for those who are looking for smaller arts festivals, there is some hope.
“What we hope—with the program we are on now, with the amount of vaccines we have—is that we will be able to have some small outdoor events,” said Henry.
As of this publication, 2,042,442 doses of vaccine has been administered. The province is aiming to have all eligible people in BC vaccinated by July 1st.
Three people are lucky to have walked away from a single-vehicle crash in the early hours this morning.
At around 1 a.m. on Monday, May 10th, Saanich Police says a single vehicle crashed into a utility pole in the 3100 block of Blenkinsop Road, shearing the pole in half.
According to Sannich PD, all the three occupants of the vehicle were not injured.
Power was affected to the homes in the area and traffic was delayed.
Nearly 7,000 BC Hydro customers were without power following the crash.
As of this publication, about 4,000 customers are still without power. According BC Hydro, they’re aiming to have power restored around 10 a.m. today.
The cause of the collision is under investigation.
Islanders will now be able to tilt back a cold one while saving the whales, thanks to the efforts of a local brewery.
Vancouver Island Brewing has partnered with the Pacific Salmon Foundation to launch the “pod pack,” a beer sampler pack that aims to raise funds supporting Southern resident killer whales.
Each beer in the four-pack draws its name from one of the whales in the J and L-pods of Southern resident killer whales:
Mike (J26) — a Rosé pale ale by Whistle Buoy brewing for the whale named after scientist Michael Bigg
Solstice (L89) — a Plum & Rosemary Saison from Ace Brewing for the 28-year-old member of L-pod
Wave Walker (L88) — Helles Bock by Ucluelet Brewing for the whale who was named for his wave-riding when he was first spotted
Tahlequah (J35) — Pacific Gose from Mayne Island Brewing for the mother that captivated hearts with her lost child, and her new baby last year
“We had a fantastic time launching Pod Fest in 2019,” said David Nicolls, general manager of Vancouver Island Brewing.
“And while we’re not able to put on a beer festival this year due to the pandemic, we’re still raising awareness of issues facing salmon stocks and how these issues affect the biodiversity of Vancouver Island- a place we’re lucky enough to call home.”
When the pod pack first launched in 2019, $15,000 was raised for the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
The breweries are hoping to match or beat this goal, with one dollar from every Pod Pack donated to preserve wild B.C. salmon stocks, a vital part of the Southern resident whales’ food supply.
Funding also supports marine research and data management that will allow scientists to better understand the decline of salmon populations in the Salish Sea.
Recent poor health of Southern resident killer whales suggests the marine mammals are not getting enough to eat.
“Chinook catches in the Salish Sea declined to about one-tenth of past levels more than two decades ago and have never recovered,” said Michael Meneer, president and CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
“Thanks to the research supported by the Pod Pack we have been able to prioritize a suite of urgent restoration and enhancement initiatives, and policy reforms, to help Chinook recover.”
The pod pack is now available for purchase from vibrewing.com for local delivery.
It will also be on store shelves in select private and government liquor stores on Vancouver Island and across B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan through early summer.
A woman has been hospitalized after being shot multiple times by RCMP during an incident near Ucluelet.
The incident occurred at a residence in Port Albion at around 5:12 p.m. on May 8th.
Officers from the Ucluelet RCMP were called to a report of a disturbance and a man needing medical assistance, according to a BC RCMP press release.
Ucluelet RCMP says officers entered the home, encountered a woman holding a weapon, and that shots were fired by the police.
“The woman suffered gunshot wounds and was transported to hospital by BC Emergency Health Services,” reads the BC RCMP press release.
The man was also transported to hospital and there were no other injuries.
The Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government (Ucluelet First Nation) confirmed on Facebook that a serious incident unfolded in Hitac̓u.
“A statement for public information will be issued when complete details have been provided. There have been no fatalities, nor life-threatening injuries to those involved,” the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government said in their post.
The Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) have been notified of the incident and is now investigating the incident.
The initial incident is being investigated by Island District General Investigative Services and the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council has also been engaged.
IIO BC will lead the investigation the actions of the police.
This is the second police related shooting in the area this year. On February 27th, Tofino RCMP killed Tla-o-qui-aht man Julian Jones at a residence on the Opitsaht reserve.
At the time, BC RCMP said two officers from Tofino RCMP attended a residence in the village of Opitsaht as they searched for a woman believed to be in distress.
After they arrived, a man was shot and killed. Another man was taken into custody. The woman was located and taken to hospital for medical assessment.
An Indigenous civilian was appointed to monitor the investigation.
The IIO is the independent civilian oversight agency of the police in British Columbia. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.
A man was arrested at gunpoint late Friday night following a gun-related incident at Beacon Hill Park.
On Friday, May 7th, just after 9:00 p.m, officers were called to the area near the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm for a report that a man was pointing a gun at another man.
Officers rushed to the area and located a man who matched the suspect’s description.
The suspect, who returned to a nearby motorhome, was called out by officers — along with another occupant.
The man was taken into custody at gunpoint and two replica firearms and a crossbow were seized.
On Friday night, VicPD originally said they took two men into custody at gunpoint.
Patrol officers have taken 2 men into custody at gunpoint after a call that one man was pointing a gun at another man in Beacon Hill Park. No injuries have been reported & officers are conducting an evidence search now. Pls give them space to do their work. #yyj
There were no injuries in the incident, however, officers remained at the park for some time after the incident as officers conducted an evidence search.
No charges have been recommended at this time.
The original caller was disconnected from 9-1-1 before providing any contact information.
VicPD are asking that anyone in the area of Beacon Hill Park near the Children’s Farm or petting zoo between 8:45 and 9:15 p.m. on Friday night that have not spoken to officers, call them at (250) 995-7654.
