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Adverse weather conditions have caused Harbour Air to cancel and delay several flights in and out of Victoria, Vancouver, and Nanaimo.
Morning flights from Victoria to Vancouver Harbour scheduled for departure at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. were cancelled due to foggy conditions.
#HAflightstatus [8:30am Dec 2] Many of our scheduled routes are experiencing delays due to fog and poor visibility. Please visit https://t.co/kTxVyqYa3W for further flight status information.
The 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. flights were delayed and there is a possibility that the 10:30 a.m. departure from Victoria may also experience delays.
Several seaplane flights from Nanaimo to Vancouver and Richmond, and flights departing from Vancouver and Salt Spring Island were also cancelled or delayed this morning.
Click here to check the status of Harbour Air flights this morning.
From capturing the perfect Christmas photo for your Instagram to testing your knowledge, here are 5 things to do in and around Victoria today, Monday December 2nd.
The Festival of Trees is back at the Bay Centre! A community tradition that has become the unofficial kick-off to the holiday season in Victoria. Head down to the Bay Centre, grab your favourite holiday beverage, and tour the trees that have been beautifully decorated.
Support BC Children’s Hospital by making a donation and voting for your favourite tree–you. Funds raised through this event help meet the most critical health needs of kids in BC.
When: Trees are on display until January 6 during opening hours
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Parkside Hotel! The Gingerbread showcase brings people of all skill levels together to compete against each other in a gingerbread house-making competition.
When: On now until Sunday, January 5th
Where: Atrium of the Parkside Hotel, 810 Humboldt Street
Meet up with friends, family and colleagues at the Bay Centre this holiday season and take a walk through the Bay Centre Winter Wonderland in Centre Court.
You’ll experience the biggest indoor living tree display in downtown Victoria, featuring an interactive light tunnel – the place to be for your holiday pics!
Head out for an evening of several rounds of complete random obscure knowledge including movies, music, sports, science, geography and possible things found in a hardware store …who knows!
When: 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Christies Carriage House Pub, 1739 Fort Street
Never approach a cougar. Although cougars will normally avoid a confrontation, all cougars are unpredictable. Cougars feeding on a kill may be dangerous.
Always give a cougar an avenue of escape.
Stay calm. Talk to the cougar in a confident voice.
Pick all children up off the ground immediately. Children frighten easily, and their rapid movements may provoke an attack.
Do not run. Try to back away from the cougar slowly. Sudden movement or flight may trigger an instinctive attack.
Do not turn your back on the cougar. Face the cougar and remain upright.
Do all you can to enlarge your image. Don’t crouch down or try to hide. Pick up sticks or branches and wave them about.
If a cougar behaves aggressively:
Arm yourself with a large stick, throw rocks, speak loudly and firmly. Convince the cougar that you are a threat, not prey.
If cougar attacks, fight back! Many people have survived cougar attacks by fighting back with anything, including rocks, sticks, bare fists, and fishing poles.
Kick off the 2019 holiday season with one of Victoria’s most beloved Christmas traditions – the 38th annual Island Farms Santa’s Light Parade!
The streets of downtown Victoria will be lit up on Saturday, November 30th, kicking off the holiday season in spectacular style.
Over 50,000 people are expected to make their way downtown, so get there early to find a good spot to view the show.
“Rain or shine, it will be packed downtown,” says Kelly Kurta, Executive Director of the Greater Victoria Festival Society. “Everybody’s really excited for it. It’s a great feeling. It’s a holiday feeling.”
The highlight of the parade is the Island Farms float, which carries jolly Old Saint Nick through the streets.
Starting at 5 p.m., Santa’s parade — which is also the largest nighttime parade in Canada — will make its way up Government Street.
The display starts at Belleville Street and ends in Centennial Square — dubbed “Christmas Square” for the evening and featuring food trucks, bouncy castles, crafts and music from 4 p.m. onwards.
After the parade, all the good children (and adults, too) can snack on free cookies and milk handed out by Santa Claus himself at Christmas Square. The annual Christmas Tree Light-Up takes place at 7 p.m. sharp so don’t be late for that!
Nothing worse than feeling chilly while standing or sitting around waiting for the parade (also, it’s Victoria so bring an Umbrella, although the weather is calling for clear skies!)
Kids in front, adults in the back
Make sure you’re letting the littles in the front so they can witness the wonder first hand (note: kids in front, adults in the back). And if your little one wants to be on your shoulders, it’s best for you to be near the back then as well so as to not block everyone else’s view.
Stay on the sidewalk!
The parade floats are super pretty but they are vehicles and we don’t want anyone to get hurt. The safest place to be is on the sidewalk with your little ones sitting on the curb, NOT on the roadway. Volunteers will be on the route reminding folks to keep the parade route clear at all times. Parents: be sure to keep your kids close and not let them run into the street during the parade.
Bring a seat
Bring something to sit on if you get a prime spot! Many parents bring down blankets or small camping chairs for their kids to sit on and watch the magic in comfort!
Christmas Square
Come downtown early and take advantage of the delicious offerings in our Christmas Square and bring the treats with you as you scout out your fave parade watching spot.
Don’t leave a mess
Please remember this is our beautiful city and we want to keep it clean. Whatever you bring downtown (food, etc) please be sure to pick up after yourselves post parade.
Donate a toy
Bring a toy for Helmet Head Canada and a food donation for The Mustard Seed Street Church!
Most important tip
Have Fun! Clap for the floats you love, sing along with Santa and enjoy this time together with your friends, family and community!
It’s the weekend to get into the Christmas spirit! From two parades to light up, here are 13 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend, November 30th – December 1st.
Save the date for the Peninsula Celebrations Society’s annual Breakfast with Santa!
The fun begins at the Mary Winspear Centre with Santa arriving at 9:00 a.m. A delicious Pancake Breakfast will be served by the Sidney Lion’s Club at a cost of $7 per adult and $5 for children under 12, at the door. There will also be photos with Santa (by donation)!
For its fourth year in a row, the annual tradition Christmas Craft Beer Show is returning to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre and it promises to be better than ever.
The much-anticipated kick-off to the holidays attracts all kinds of beer enthusiasts with its celebration of hoppy and barley brews – giving them a chance to sample a wide array of beverages under one roof.
When:
Friday, November 29th, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 30th, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard St
Admission: Tickets start at $40. Click here to purchase.
One of Victoria’s most beloved Christmas traditions returns this weekend with a sparkle.
The 38th annual Island Farms Santa’s Light Parade will light up the streets of downtown Victoria on Saturday, kicking off the holiday season in spectacular style.
When: Saturday, November 30th
Christmas Square Activities(Centennial Square): 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Santa’s Light Parade: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Along Government Street)
Christmas Tree Light-Up at Christmas Square: 7 p.m.
Threshold will be hosting a Winter Carnival on Saturday, November 30th to continue their fundraising efforts – including the lighting of the largest tree in Bastion Square, live music, hot chocolate, and Christmas themed activities – such as crafting ornaments, decorating gingerbread houses, face painting, Santa, and guest speakers!
The Festival of Trees is back at the Bay Centre! A community tradition that has become the unofficial kick-off to the holiday season in Victoria. Head down to the Bay Centre, grab your favourite holiday beverage, and tour the trees that have been beautifully decorated.
Support BC Children’s Hospital by making a donation and voting for your favourite tree–you. Funds raised through this event help meet the most critical health needs of kids in BC.
When: Trees are on display until January 6 during opening hours
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Parkside Hotel! The showcase brings people of all skill levels together to compete against each other in a gingerbread house-making competition.
When: November 16th – Sunday, January 5th, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m
Where: Atrium of the Parkside Hotel, 810 Humboldt Street
Join Craft Cartel in their celebration of all things indie craft makers, food and libations, concerts and fundraisers.
With a focus on showcasing local artisans and their wares, Craft Cartel will be bringing the best of the best when it comes to Victoria’s most creative – and they’ll have live music and delicious eats on-site, too!
Hoyne Brewing, Merridale Cider, Red Roaster Coffee and Victoria’s iconic Deadbeetz Food Truck will be there to fuel 3 days full of shopping adventure, and there will even be free kids snacks, a colouring station and activities to keep the littles happy while you browse!
When:
Friday, November 29th, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 30th, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, December 1st, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Da Vinci Centre, 195 Bay Street
Admission: Tickets: $4 – Adults, Kids under 12 admitted free
Hockey fans are guaranteed a fun-packed evening of entertainment as the Victoria Grizzlies – BCHL takes on the Nanaimo Clippers Jr. A Hockey Club at home. There will be entertainment and prizes including a Teddy Bear Toss. The entire evening is a fundraiser for Help Fill A Dream – make sure that you’re part of this spectacular event.
Holiday lovers, rejoice – Christmas lasts the whole month of December at Craigdarroch Castle! Starting the first day of December, the Castle promises to bring holiday-themed theatre, music, movies and more for the entire family – all at one of Victoria’s most iconic landmarks.
Kicking off at Craigdarroch’s Museum Store on Sunday, December 1st, a special promotion offers shoppers from around the globe the chance to support local to start the busy holiday shopping season.
‘Museum Store Sunday’ will participate with 1,200 retailers worldwide for the first time ever, and The Castle Shop will offer samples as well as special promotions and prizes throughout the day.
When: All December long! See the full schedule of events online
The annual Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade, which is hosted by the Peninsula Celebrations Society, begins at Resthaven Drive, runs through the centre of town along Beacon Avenue and ends at Ocean Avenue.
Think eating that whole bowl of Pho looks easy? Think again!
Pho Halong, a Vietnamese restaurant located in the Royal Oak Shopping Centre, has just launched a truly buzz-worthy challenge.
Anyone who can finish their massive 6 lb bowl of Pho in under 30 minutes will receive the meal – worth $40 – on the house PLUS a $100 gift card to use at the restaurant.
Entry for this Big Pho Challenge costs $25. Participants must leave their bowl sparkling clean, and are not allowed to leave their table or take bathroom breaks for the duration of the challenge in order to qualify for the prize.
Around 20-25 people have entered the challenge after it was launched about a month ago, and a dozen have successfully completed it with time to spare!
One of the winners was local Instagram influencer, Dallas Harwood, more popularly known as VicFoodGuys, who devoured the six pound meal in just 15 minutes.
He and the other successful participants walked away with a $100 gift card for future visits to Pho Halong, along with their photo on the restaurant’s Big Pho Wall of Fame.
“We wanted it to be a challenge but not impossible, you know? We want people to succeed,” says Jen Leung, marketing/social media manager for Pho Halong.
The challenge is available between Monday and Thursday during lunch and dinner hours.
Background
Pho Halong opened for business around two years ago, and have recently acquired chefs Hai and Kieu who are originally from Kiên Giang, Vietnam.
The married couple started working at the Royal Oak restaurant in spring 2019 after first spending 25 years cooking at Saigon Night Vietnamese Restaurant on Fort Street.
The owners of Pho Halong also own a host of other restaurants in Victoria including the Little Thai Place chain, Artisan Bistro, and Le Pho.
Pho Halong is located in the same establishment as one of the Little Thai Place restaurants which, while confusing at first, offers patrons the choice to mix and match cuisines.
“There are Thai chefs in one section of kitchen cooking for Little Thai Place, and Vietnamese chefs in another section for Pho Halong. The cool thing is that you can go there and order from either menu or both,” says Leung.
In early 2020, the owners are planning to expand Pho Halong into the Little Thai Place restaurant located at 1839 Cook Street.
West Shore RCMP are looking to identify a man who is scamming local businesses using a ‘change fraud’ technique.
Police issued the warning Friday afternoon stating they’re investigating three separate reports of fraud at West Shore businesses between Nov 16 to 26.
The alleged suspect pays with a $50 bill and when the cashier gives the change back to the suspect, he makes several requests for different denominations.
After several minutes of confusing the cashiers by handing the money back and forth, the suspect ends up leaving with more money than he is owed.
The suspect is believed to be 30 to 40 years old with a medium build and light complexion and was wearing a black baseball cap, sweater, pants and shoes.
West Shore RCMP said Victoria Police are also investigating a similar fraud.
Anyone who can identify the suspect is asked to call West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The BC police watchdog entity is conducting an investigation into an incident that resulted in a man drowning in Port Alberni.
At around 3 a.m. on November 28th, Port Alberni RCMP attended reports of a naked man who was spotted in a public place.
Once officers located the man, he decided to run from police and jumped into the tributary of Port Alberni inlet.
Although police entered the water to try and reach the man, they could not get to him before he drowned to death.
BC Coroner’s Service attended the scene to conduct their own investigation.
On Thursday, the Independent Investigations Office of BC was notified and commenced an inquiry into what role, if any, officers’ actions or inaction may have played in his death.
Celebrate Seasonal Simplicity at the Bay Centre this holiday!
While this is often the time of year we’re thinking of others, the Bay Centre urges you to indulge in a little self-care while you’re at it – by enjoying a free gift on them!
On Thursday, December 5th from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., the first 200 guests to stop by the Bay Centre’s Winter Wonderland experience in Centre Court will get a FREE Christmas Cactus plant.*
Plants (especially cacti!) are an easy and affordable way to help alleviate stress, promote well-being and serve as a reminder to slow down, be kind to yourself, and take it all in this holiday season.
Throughout December, while curating gifts for your loved ones, be sure to take a few minutes for yourself, too!
The stunning interactive light tunnel in the Bay Centre’s Winter Wonderland will give you the chance to do just that – the perfect excuse to grab a coffee, enjoy the moment and maybe snap a holiday selfie.
You can also peruse two levels of this year’s beautiful Festival of Trees display, and don’t forget to vote for your favourite and donate to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation when you do – talk about giving you all those holiday warm and fuzzies.
Victoria Buzz will even be on location to celebrate all things holiday and self-care on December 5th, so stop on by, say hi, and grab your cacti – we hope to see you there!
And even better, you can bring your reusable cup with you for a complimentary cup of coffee courtesy of Starbucks Bay Centre.
Attention, Victoria: there’s a mouth-watering new meal deal in town!
The team of experienced chefs at Nautical Nellies Steak & Seafood House has just revamped their Happy Hour menu to include items like their impressive lobster shrimp quesadillas with fries, brand new ginger beef tips, and classic burger and fries.
They’ve also added vegetarian dishes like the delectable king oyster mushrooms, and everyone’s favourite mac and cheese.
Of course, Happy Hour isn’t the same without drinks!
Pair your meal with $4.50 beer on tap or one of their classic cocktails (we recommend the Moscow Mule) for just $6.50.
These incredible deals and dishes are available on their Happy Hour menu between 3 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday, and between 9 p.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
But that’s not all…
Your lunch break just got a whole lot yummier, without breaking the bank!
From Monday to Friday, between 11:15 a.m. and 12 noon, Nautical Nellies will be serving up $10 lunches from a special menu, available with the purchase of any beverage.
This menu includes the aforementioned lobster shrimp quesadillas with fries (seriously, it’s a fan favourite for a reason), braised beef pot pie, seafood chowder bowl, and more!
The Happy Hour dishes and $10 buck lunch deals are only available for dine-in customers, but you can pre-order your meal by calling them at (250) 380-2260, so it can be ready by the time you arrive.
You’ll never have a hangry work day again!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5I7eHSHUEp/
Won’t take our word for it?
No problem! We’re giving away a $50 Nautical Nellies gift card to one lucky winner for a chance to try this brand new menu – on us. Complete one or more the following steps below to be entered to win:
SHARE this article on Facebook or Twitter and comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
TAG your lunch buddy in the comment section below – make sure to register your comment account so we can contact you! (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 pm on December 6th, 2019. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter. Make sure to register when commenting below.
Dover Bay Secondary School in Nanaimo was placed on lock down and nearby McGirr Elementary, and at Nanaimo and District Secondary Schools were placed under hold and secure this morning.
According to Nanaimo RCMP, an “unspecified incident” lead to the emergency measures at all three schools this morning.
However by 11:20 a.m., investigators were satisfied that the threat was not credible and the lockdown and hold and secure were lifted at all three schools.
Two officers will be stationed at each school out of an abundance of caution and to answer any questions or concerns that parents and guardians may have.
Police have not revealed any details about the nature of the incident that prompted these measures.
A ‘lock down’ is enacted when there is a major incident or threat of school violence within the school, or in relation to the school.
On the other hand, a ‘hold and secure’ is used to secure the school during ongoing situation in the vicinity of the school but unrelated to it – such as when there is a cougar in the area, or a robbery nearby.
Nanaimo RCMP are continuing to investigate the incident, and anyone who has information to share is asked to contact them at 250-754-2345.
Advent Calendars are a playful way to prolong the magic of gift opening leading up to Christmas Day.
This holiday tradition is not just reserved for the little ones, as “kids at heart” can take part in opening 12 – 24 days of mini gifts including gourmet and adult-themed options!
Here is a list of 6 local businesses offering unique advent calendars that you must check out this holiday season:
Switch things up from the traditional chocolate advent calendars with the 24 days of Tea calendarfrom David’s Tea for $40.
Each of the 24 boxes holds two cups of deliciously blended loose tea to sip and enjoy on those cozy, winter nights. Order online or visit their downtown or Hillside location while supplies last.
This vegan chocolate maker is offering an advent calendar that holds 25 cream-filled and solid, organic, fair-trade chocolates that are also soy-free and gluten-free for $39.99.
Purchase online or visit their downtown location while supplies last.
Put away 24 handpicked BC craft brews each day leading up to the main event, all for $99.99. Pick one up at the Quadra Village location or other island locations before they sell out.
This 24 Days of Chocolate advent calendar inspired by Vancouver Island flavours includes irresistibly smooth artisan chocolates made by this local chocolate artist. Enjoy 24 distinct flavors like Smoked Honey Chocolate infused with local honey and Sherringham’s gin-infused chocolate for $40.
Reserve online or by email and pick up this weekend at the Mayfair Shopping Centre.
Hours: Friday, November 29th – 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, November 30th & Sunday, December 1st – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Spread the love with Bonne Maman Advent Calendars from Charelli’s. Pick up a fresh loaf of crusty bread and delight in 24 limited-edition mini fruit jams and honey for $39.95.
Their Oak Bay location has a few remaining while supplies last.
One of the most anticipated artisan markets in Victoria returns once more!
Happening this weekend, Friday November 29th through December 1st, join Craft Cartelin their celebration of all things indie craft makers, food and libations, concerts and fundraisers.
With a focus on showcasing local artisans and their wares, Craft Cartel will be bringing the best of the best when it comes to Victoria’s most creative – and they’ll have live music and delicious eats on-site, too!
Hoyne Brewing, Merridale Cider, Red Roaster Coffee and Victoria’s iconic Deadbeetz Food Truck will be there to fuel 3 days full of shopping adventure, and there will even be free kids snacks, a colouring station and activities to keep the littles happy while you browse!
As if all this isn’t enticing enough, the first 50 people through the door each day get a swag bag – and they will have prizes for attendees all weekend long.
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 pm on November 29th, 2019. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter.
Things are getting Christmassy in Sidney this weekend!
The annual Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade starts at 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 1st and runs through the centre of town.
Hosted by the Peninsula Celebrations Society, the annual event begins at Resthaven Drive, runs through the centre of town along Beacon Avenue and ends at Ocean Avenue.
This treat is one every Saanich Peninsula dweller and visitor looks forward to!
Floats and Boats!
Once the parade completes its route, people are encouraged to move to Beacon and Bevan wharves and the Sidney waterfront around Beacon Park.
From there, they will be able to witness the Lighted Boat Parade, which starts at least 15 minutes after the Santa Claus parade.
West Shore RCMP are requesting public assistance to identify a suspect who stole a tool bag from a gas station employee.
The suspect entered a Petro Canada gas station store located at 1879 Island Hwy in Colwood at around 6:47 p.m. on November 21st.
According to police, an employee at the store was doing repairs and had left a tool bag on the floor. The suspect allegedly stole said tool bag as he left the store.
He is described a man in his 30s with light complexion, and was wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and black shoes at the time of the theft.
Anyone who recognizes him from the image above is asked to contact West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Nanaimo RCMP have arrested two people and seized a variety of drugs, stolen weapons, and paraphernalia during a drug bust.
On the evening of November 27th, RCMP executed a search warrant at a house whose residents were suspected of supplying drugs to dealers who in turn sold them to marginalized people in downtown Nanaimo.
Police arrested a 27-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman and conducted a search of the residence.
This yielded more than two ounces of various narcotics, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, prescription oxycodone, and other prescription drugs.
Officers also found a .22 calibre rifle and a sawed off shotgun, both confirmed to have been stolen. While the firearms were unloaded, they were stored in an area where they were readily accessible to the residents.
A total of $15,000 in mixed Canadian and US currency was also seized by police.
“These arrests and seizures should, at least in the short term, impact the flow of illegal drugs to dealers in the downtown core of our city,” said Cst. Gary O’Brien in a statement.
Both the suspects were released without condition and are expected to appear in court for drug trafficking charges.
Opening on November 27th and running until December 1st, World AIDS Day, Rick Waines’ Secret/e is an intense and personal exploration of power, consent, violence, and truth that swirls around the nuanced issue of HIV criminalization.
Waines, a Victoria-based playwright, found out he was HIV positive in the mid-80s, and the play is based on his experience with HIV disclosure.
“In a sense, I’ve been trying to write [Secret/e] for 17 years. But it’s the last four or five where there’s actually been progress,” he says.
Billie (Jessica Lowry), sits in an interrogation room, having refused a rape kit after being attacked by her boyfriend.
An unmoved officer (Matthew Payne) presses Billie further, his own history unwinding as he attempts to unearth hers. Elsewhere, Guy (Kett Turtoni) questions himself, his past actions and their unknown consequences. Their stories are tightly intertwined, unfolding over the course of the play.
Billie is spit-in-your-face willful. Everything from her posture to her words to her facial expressions takes up space. The officer’s initially casual demeanour sluffs away as he and Billie butt heads, acutely aware of the power he holds over her.
Guy is often slinking, uncertain, occasionally loud and panicked. He poses questions with answers he’s not sure he wants to know.
Secret/e is directed by Waines’ long-time friend Sharon Bajer. Her training with Intimacy Directors International proves invaluable in the scenes between Guy and Billie, themselves feeling out this new, enigmatic relationship.
The play feels both fast and slow, flitting between decades while lingering on impassioned, existential conversations.
The set is minimalist: three chairs, a handful of small props, a backdrop with strategic cutouts, and projection used creatively throughout.
The actors use every inch of the space and overall, the production cashes in on all the resources that a black box theatre affords.
“I would just like [the conversation around HIV] to be a bit less straightforward for people,” says Waines. “As far as my goals, it’s really just muddying it up a bit.”
Secret/e is raw, emotional, and self-aware. There’s no moral to the story and no intended takeaway. It’s storytelling done right, in shades of grey rather than black and white. We give it a 4.5/5 rating.
A discussion with the audience follows every showing of Secret/e, and a counsellor is available post-show.
Make sure to get your tickets soon — Friday’s show has already sold out! 10% of gross ticket sales go to YouthCO.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – for beer!
For its fourth year in a row, the annual tradition Christmas Craft Beer Show is returning to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre and it promises to be better than ever.
When:
Friday, November 29th, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 30th, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
Take part in the Annual Marina Light Up Kick-off at the Causeway Marina docks in front of the Empress Hotel. Walk the docks to explore the lighted vessels while you sip on free hot chocolate.
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority are accepting non-perishable foods for The Mustard Seed Street Church! Don’t forget your canned goods when you come on down!
When: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: The Causeway Marina docks in front of the Empress Hotel
ABBA’s hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman’s search for her father on the eve of her wedding! A daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the Greek island they last visited 20 years ago.
The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating an unforgettable show. Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show!
The Festival of Trees is back at the Bay Centre! A community tradition that has become the unofficial kick-off to the holiday season in Victoria. Head down to the Bay Centre, grab your favourite holiday beverage, and tour the trees that have been beautifully decorated.
Support BC Children’s Hospital by making a donation and voting for your favourite tree–you. Funds raised through this event help meet the most critical health needs of kids in BC.
When: Trees are on display until January 6 during opening hours
Who would you rather get your photo taken with this holiday season: Santa or Satan?
A newspaper typo in the Comox Valley Record promoting a downtown Courtenay Christmas event has garnered attention from a major late-night television show.
What was supposed to be a simple advertisement for the town’s holiday event went viral after a typo invited children to take photos with “Satan” instead of Santa.
It appears the Valley I grew up in got a lot more metal since I moved away. If I didn't have too many books to read that say, I'd consider the trip for the picture with Satan.
Also, Captain Thunderpants is our local space pirate, because every town needs one. pic.twitter.com/ZDWLZlyOhN
The blunder was featured on American talk show Late Night with Seth Meyers on Tuesday night.
“A newspaper in Canada ran a Christmas ad this week and misspelled Santa’s name as Satan,” Seth Meyers said.
Watch:
The amusing mistake was also picked up by daily newspaper New York Post, calling it a “typo from hell”.
“An image of the ad smoldered across the internet, prompting more laughter than fire and brimstone,” writers NYP author Tamar Lapin.
In the face of all this attention, the BlackPress-owned media outlet issued an editorial acknowledging and apologizing for their mistake.
“The same number of eyes proofed the ad as with anything that runs through the advertising and production departments.
Somehow, this was missed, and for that, we sincerely apologize – to the clients affected, as well as to any readers offended by the mistake.
As a newspaper, it is our responsibility to make sure the information we distribute is accurate – from the editorial department, as well as the advertising department.”
They end the editorial with a remark that while the typo was unfortunate, at least everyone now knows when the Courtenay Christmas parade is happening!
Two separate traffic stops last week led to the seizure of a stolen car, illicit drugs, and weapons in Saanich.
At around 2:30 p.m. on Monday, November 18th, Saanich Police conducted a traffic stop after an automated licence plate reader detected a stolen vehicle in the 3400 block of Saanich Road.
The driver and passenger of the vehicle were stopped and when the car was searched, officers found drugs believed to be fentanyl and cocaine, as well as bear spray and a
taser.
Police seized the vehicle and it has since been returned to its registered owner. The driver has been charged under the Motor Vehicle Act and is being investigated for possession of drugs and weapons.
In a second incident less than 24 hours later, one of the same officers was using the automated licence plate reader while patrolling the 4000 block of Quadra Street.
This time, the officer arrested a driver for driving while prohibited, and seized drugs believed to be fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine, along with bear spray and brass
knuckles.
His vehicle was impounded and he has been charged with Driving While Prohibited. Police are also considering filing charges related to the drugs and weapons.
Investigators do not believe the two incidents are related.
The University of Victoria Ukrainian Students’ Society have added their voice to a host of groups calling for the dismissal of an associate professor in Alberta who denies the occurrence of the Ukrainian genocide of the 20th century.
Dougal MacDonald, an Assistant Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, posted a message on Facebook on November 20th stating that the Holodomor is a “myth” and a “lie”.
Canada is one of the 17 countries in the world that recognizes the Holodomor as an act of genocide perpetrated against Ukrainians by the Soviet Union, and British Columbia is the last province to follow suit.
The Ukrainian Holodomor was a catastrophic famine in the 1930s whose effects were exacerbated by genocidal policies undertaken by Stalin’s regime to punish Ukrainians who resisted attempts at collectivization. This punishment resulted in the death of millions of people.
However MacDonald claims that the Ukrainian genocide was a myth created by the Nazi regime to discredit the Soviet Union, and that descendants of Ukrainians are guilty of perpetrating that myth after the Second World War.
Reaction
These claims have sparked backlash from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), as well as various student groups across Canada, including the UVic Ukrainian Students’ Society.
A call to action issued by the UCC on Wednesday urges the University of Alberta to censure MacDonald and terminate his contract.
“Despite recognition of the Holodomor by the Canadian Parliament and provincial legislatures across Canada, this is a stark reminder that, even in 2019, we cannot afford complacency in Holodomor education and awareness,” reads their message.
These sentiments were echoed by students at UVic who penned their own letter to the President and Vice-Chancellor at U of A.
“We at the UVic Ukrainian Students’ Society are in the midst of our Holodomor Awareness Week (November 25-30, 2019) and have made local news for our efforts to commemorate and educate about the genocide,” reads the letter written by society president Devon Goldie.
“We have dedicated innumerable hours to educating ourselves and the wider Victoria community about this atrocity that so deeply affected our cultural community. As such, we cannot stand idly by when a University educator in our country is promoting such intolerable and hateful attitudes.”
Response to backlash
The Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, Jennifer Tupper, responded to a similar letter from the University of Alberta Ukrainian Students’ Society with the following statement:
“The university is committed to an equitable, diverse and inclusive learning and working environment. At the same time, it is committed to the principles of free and robust expression, rigorous inquiry and discussion and debate of ideas, even where those ideas may be offensive.”
“…Also, based on the University’s understanding, it appears that Mr. MacDonald posted his views in his capacity as a private person and that his statements have not been made in a classroom setting, in the course of his duties as an employee of the University of Alberta.”
Screenshots of MacDonald’s original Facebook post have been shared by the UVic Ukrainian Students’ Society and various other sources, however his personal privacy settings prevent Victoria Buzz from verifying whether they are still present on his page.
The assistant professor ran for the federal elections earlier this year for the Communist Party of Canada.
His post and the ensuing backlash comes just weeks after the unanimous passing of Bill M225 or the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act in British Columbia.
This act declares the fourth Saturday of every November as Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day.
Screenshots of Dougal MacDonald’s post:
SubmittedSubmittedSubmittedSubmittedSubmitted
Letter issued by UVic Ukrainian Students’ Society:
‘Tis the season for holiday-themed events, and we’re here for it!
With the first day of December just around the corner and visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads, there’s no better kick-off to the Christmas season than Threshold Housing Society’s Winter Carnival – an afternoon full of family-friendly fun!
Happening on November 30th, the non-profit organization is hosting their Winter Carnival to help raise funds this Christmas to help provide safe homes for our community’s homeless youth.
Take a look at these 6 reasons why Threshold’s Winter Carnival should be on your ‘NICE’ list this weekend:
1. Photos with the man in red himself
That’s right, Santa! Join Threshold in kicking off the month in style by a visit and picture-perfect photo op with our favourite jolly character – just remember to bring your lists!
2. Light up the LARGEST tree in Bastion Square
The tree will be lit at 3:30 p.m by VIP guests, with the Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, Victoria Police Chief Del Manak and the BC Representative for Children and Youth Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth ‘flipping the switch’ to turn on the lights.
3. Gingerbread-house making and more
Create your own one-of-a-kind (and delicious!) masterpiece that you can take home and proudly display – that’s if you don’t eat it on the way there! There will also be cookie-decorating stations as well.
4. Everyone loves face-painting
Young and old alike, we all love to take part in getting bedazzled for a good cause! Whether you get your favourite character or some holiday-themed fun (reindeer, anyone?), there’s something for everyone.
5. Everything to get you in the holiday spirit
On top on all of the above, there will also be live music, delicious hot chocolate, make your own ornament stations and guest speakers to give you all the warm and fuzzies that this Christmas season is about!
6. You’re helping to shine a light on youth homelessness
Threshold Housing Society works to prevent adult homelessness by providing safe housing, support services, and community to at-risk youth, aged 16-24 years old. Threshold serves at-risk youth experiencing homelessness, aging out of care, or fleeing violence in the home – young adults who need a place to call home and people who believe in them.
And it’s thanks to their sponsors Coast Capital Savings, Bastion Square Revitalization Association, Smart Dolphins, and Victoria Residential Builders Association that fun, free events like this can happen!
You can donate online or go to any of the Coast Capital Savings locations in Victoria to donate in person.
UPDATE: 18 year Brianna Fisher reported missing has been located safe and sound.
— original:
Nanaimo RCMP is requesting public assistance in their search for missing Brianna Fisher.
The 18-year-old left her residence in south Nanaimo on November 24th and has not returned. Searches conducted by authorities have not been able to reveal information on her whereabouts.
Fisher is described as an Indigenous girl standing 5’9″ tall and has long black hair with red streaks.
She was last seen wearing a grey hoodie with a “DC” logo on the front, a black jacket, black jeans, and Nike Jordan runners.
Fisher has also gone missing twice in 2018, the first time in September and then again in December. She was located safely both times.
Anyone who has information on her whereabouts is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
West Shore RCMP have arrested two alleged drug dealers thanks to tips from members of the public.
Two men, aged 24 and 39 years, were arrested by RCMP during their latest drug trafficking investigation fuelled by information from civilians who reported suspicious activity at a residence in Langford.
After receiving these tips, police conducted covert surveillance on the house and suspects to gather enough evidence before making the arrest on November 22nd.
In addition to arresting two suspected drug dealers, officers seized a large amount of packaged cocaine along with $2,000 in cash.
“We also seized a conducted energy weapon as well as the vehicle that was being used to deliver drugs,” said Cst. Pollock.
Part of the credit for their successful investigation is attributed to the information provided by concerned citizens.
After Shoppers Drug Mart moved into the old Chapters building in downtown Victoria, everyone was left with one question: who’s going to take over the old Shopper’s store?
That question has been answered conclusively, as the new tenant for the 1222 Douglas Street property is confirmed to be Dollarama.
According to an inside source at Commercial Real Estate Services Canada, the realtors who represent the store, Dollarama will be moving into the space in spring 2020.
This will be the second dollar store in a two block radius on Douglas Street, the first of which is the Great Canadian Dollar Store located inside the Bay Centre.
The last standalone dollar store in downtown Victoria was closed down in 2017 by WorkSafe BC due to crumbling asbestos floor tiles.
Three teens are accused of violently assaulting and robbing a man in Sooke Tuesday night.
The reported incident occurred at around 9:30 p.m. on November 26th.
According to police, a Sooke man was walking alone on a path to the water near Maple Avenue when he was approached by a group of teenagers who demanded his marijuana.
The man refused to give up the item and was then assaulted. The teens struck the man in the head and kicked him before falling to the ground where they stole his wallet and keys.
He suffered minor injuries from the attack.
The suspects were last seen running from the scene northbound on Maple Avenue South.
All three suspects were believed to be between the ages of 16 and 19 years old arnd are described as:
Suspect #1 caucasian, with shoulder-length curly hair wearing a toque
Suspect #2 caucasian, wearing a blue jacket with a lot of pockets
Suspect #3 caucasian, over six feet tall
A police service dog was called in from the West Shore RCMP detachment but was unable to locate the suspects.
Anyone in the areas at the time of the incident, or if you recognize the suspects is asked to contact the Sooke RCMP Detachment at (250) 642-5241 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Downtown Victoria’s Fairmont Empress Hotel will be ringing in the holiday season in a big way tonight. The prominent luxury establishment will be hosting a ‘Christmas at the Empress Lights Ceremony’ and invites the public to join in the festivities.
To kick off the night, staff will be lighting up the 16 ft tall tree in the hotel lobby until it is resplendent with holiday decor.
After that, guests are invited to step outside and watch the grand Empress Hotel building and grounds as they’re lit up with thousands of dazzling lights.
The spectacle will be followed up with a walk through the hotel to see the 2019 Gingerbread Holiday Village display handcrafted by the Empress Pastry team.
Art galleries and pop up galleries throughout Oak Bay Village are open for evening receptions with many artists in attendance. The Avenue will be lit up for Christmas strolling. A variety of Oak Bay Village businesses will be open.
Participating Locations:
Chef on the Run Pop Up Gallery 2020 Oak Bay Avenue
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Parkside Hotel! The showcase brings people of all skill levels together to compete against each other in a gingerbread house-making competition.
When: On now until Sunday, January 5th, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m
Where: Atrium of the Parkside Hotel, 810 Humboldt Street
Each Thursday over the holiday season the Market will be open until 8 p.m. so that you can enjoy dinner, shopping, live music, and even take in one of the Christmas themed workshops! All permanent vendors will be open, as well as lots of local artisans to shop from! There will even be beer, wine, and mulled wine available to purchase and drink while you browse around shopping!
When: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Victoria Public Market, 1701 Douglas Street
If you have ever dreamed of singing with a live band and feeling like a Rockstar then we have the PERFECT night for you!
Sing with Darcy’s Pub house band BiPolar Bear and choose from over 100 songs on demand. with limited slots available. Get here early to secure your spot on the list.
When: Sign up begins at 7 p.m., show starts at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Darcy’s Pub in the Westshore, 737 Goldstream Avenue
Update: The Trans Canada Hwy near Goldstream Park has reopened in both directions after crews cleaned up a tree that fell across the northbound lanes Wednesday night.
— orignal:
Northbound lanes on Trans Canada Hwy are shut down at Goldstream Provincial Park.
Motorists are being advised to avoid the area after a tree fell on the road.
Southbound traffic has also been affected.
Emergency crews and tree clearing are en route.
Drivers heading north on the Malahat can detour through Millstream Road.
One driver was fortunately uninjured after the tree fell on his vehicle
West Shore RCMP are looking for the rightful owner of a suitcase and metal safe found in Langford.
On Tuesday November 26th, a member of the public found a small rolling suitcase that contained a Honeywell brand metal safe inside. They were found near the 700 block of Goldstream Avenue in Langford.
The safe contained valuable items and police are now looking to return it and the suitcase to its owner.
“If you are missing a small Honeywell safe and can describe it’s contents to us we can help you get you property back,” said Cst. Saggar.
The University of Victoria is hosting their first commemoration of the 20th century Ukrainian genocide during Holodomor Awareness Week.
The UVic Ukrainian Students’ Society is hosting a variety of free educational and commemorative events to honour Holodomor Awareness Week between November 25th and 30th.
This week of remembrance follows the timely unanimous passing of Bill M225 or the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act in October. This act declares the fourth Saturday of November as Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day.
It was introduced by B.C. Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver and the Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, Bruce Ralston. Green’s grandfather was a survivor of the Holodomor who moved to Canada after the Second World War.
Last year, the Victoria branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress hosted a candle-lighting ceremony in Centennial Square to commemorate the anniversary of this tragic historical event.
Members of the public gathered together to call on the BC government to recognize the Holodomor as a genocide of the Ukrainian people – a call that came to fruition this year.
Schedule for Ukrainian Holodomor Commemoration Week events
Tuesday, November 26 – Hunger For Truth Documentary Screening with Introduction by Dr. Serhy Yekelchyk, UVic Elliott Building – Room 167, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 30 – Holodomor Commemoration Ceremony and Hungry Lunch, Ukrainian Cultural Centre (3277 Douglas Street), 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
“We are anticipating our Interactive Holodomor Survival Food Tasting event the most because it will be the most immersive, interactive learning experience we are offering this week,” says Devon Goldie, a member of the UVic Ukrainian Students’ Society.
That event will feature samplings of what Ukrainians living through the Holodomor ate in order to survive, including pancakes made out of hay, tea made from roots, and bark chips.
What is the Ukrainian Holodomor?
The Ukrainian Holodomor was a catastrophic famine in the 1930s whose effects were exacerbated by genocidal policies undertaken by Stalin’s regime to punish Ukrainians who resisted attempts at collectivization. This punishment resulted in the death of millions of people.
“Ukrainians have always remembered the Holodomor, even if it could not be commemorated openly until Ukraine’s independence in 1991, because the Soviet Union had denied that the famine ever occurred,” says Dr. Serhy Yekelchyk, UVic professor of Ukrainian history.
“The Ukrainian Canadian community spearheaded the worldwide drive to acknowledge the genocidal nature of this state-engineered famine. In the last decade, lighting candles in the windows and on major squares became a popular commemorative ritual in Ukraine and among the Ukrainian abroad.”
Canada is one of the 17 countries in the world that recognizes the Holodomor as an act of genocide perpetrated by the Soviet Union, and British Columbia is the last province to follow suit.
Comox Valley RCMP are requesting public assistance in their search for missing Philippe Wyckhuyse.
Wyckhuyse last contacted his family on November 8th, and they have now become concerned due to his prolonged absence.
He is in his late 60s and has blonde/grey hair and blue eyes. Wyckhuyse stands approximately 180 cm or 5’9″ tall and weighs 110 kg.
Police believe he has his brown Raleigh collapsible with him.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Comox Valley RCMP at (250) 338- 1321. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Comox Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca.
At least seven restaurants in Victoria have experienced break-ins, thefts, and suspicious activity over the past two weeks.
The businesses involved include E:Ne Raw Food and Sake Bar on Pandora Ave, Fishhook at Mermaid Wharf, Browns Crafthouse on Wilson Street in Vic West, Redd’s Roadhouse Pub on Blanshard Street, Irish Times Pub on Government Street, Veneto Bar Ristorante on Douglas Street, and Cafe Mexico on Store Street.
Owners, managers, and employees at the establishments have contacted police and shared details about these incidents in a Facebook group.
Each restaurant reports similar occurrences between around November 16th and 21st, where one suspicious individual breaks into the business (or attempts to) and steals personal items and money.
Examples
Ryan Smith, manager at Redd’s Pub, tells Victoria Buzz that at around 6 p.m. on November 16th, a man broke into his office and stole a large amount of envelopes containing tips for kitchen staff, then entered the staff area in the kitchen and stole one of the cook’s purse and wallet.
The suspect was confronted by an employee as they were leaving, but he dismissed her and continued on his way.
When Smith contacted police, he says officers responded right away but have not provided any updates about their investigation since then.
“As the manager I do everything I can to make sure people feel safe, somehow this guy got into the back end of our operation and took that feeling from us,” says Smith.
“Money and items can be replaced, a sense of safety sadly has to take time to fix. The area we are in has become a non stop problem since the opening of the old Tally Ho housing project. Our property has been vandalized, broken into, with little to no help from the police.”
Be careful industry friends. This guy snuck into our staff area and made off with staffs wallet.
Similarly, E:Ne Raw Food and Sake Bar on Pandora Ave was broken into at around 3 a.m. on November 19th and, according to owner Anton Ihl, the suspect stole over $3,000 of personal and restaurant belongings.
Ihl believes the perpetrator picked the back door lock when no one was around, and no cameras or alarms were operational.
He says this isn’t the first time he has had to call police about suspicious activity at his restaurant.
“I’ve had to call the police for an aggressive person last week, one or two days before we were broken into. It took police over thirty minutes to respond to my 911 call,” says Ihl.
“As a city we need to tighten up the security so the criminals think twice before helping themselves and hurting small business owners. My staff are afraid to lock up the restaurant on their own now. There is definitely a sense of fear amongst us that seems to be a common feeling in the hospitality industry these days.”
Victoria Buzz has reached out to Victoria Police for information about their investigation into these incidents.
According to Cst. Matt Rutherford, VicPD will not be available to issue a comment on this story until Monday, December 2nd.
It’s no secret that many struggle earning a ‘living wage’ in the city of Victoria.
But with minimum wage being $13.85/per hour and the city’s living wage calculated at $19.39/per hour, bridging that gap can be more difficult than ever for many families, and the risk of poverty can seem like a real possibility.
Children and families are most often affected by these circumstances, with 16% of children in Greater Victoria living in poverty.
Parents and guardians are often faced with impossible choices – like whether to put food on the table or to pay the rent. Poverty touches every aspect of a child’s life, making it difficult to get ahead and realize a life full of possibility.
Circumstances
At one time or another, a lot of people have been at risk of poverty – losing a job, dealing with an illness, struggling through a divorce or living situation change, or being a single parent can all create situations where income can become unstable – and affording basic needs becomes a daily challenge.
Abuse, inter-generational trauma, and lack of educational opportunities can also further impact the issues and make it hard to rise out of poverty.
Programs and supports
Working multiple jobs is often the only way to make ends meet in Victoria – many are already employed but unable to access higher wage positions due to an unfinished high school degree or absence of formal training.
Having a minimum-wage job or only part-time hours leaves little room for meeting a basic budget, and on the other end of the spectrum, working 35+ hours a week while still remaining below the poverty line is distressing, especially for those with families.
Sadly, many hard-working Victorians are only a paycheque away from not being able to pay the bills, afford nutritious food, or pay rent. Two or more months of no paycheques puts people at serious risk of poverty.
#UNIGNORABLE Issues
Along with child poverty, United Way’s #UNIGNORABLE campaign has shed a light on many other local issues not to be ignored, including:
United Way’s #UNIGNORABLE campaign looks to solve unignorable issues – and it takes the entire community! You can show your local love by taking action and donatingto United Way today.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – for beer!
For its fourth year in a row, the annual tradition Christmas Craft Beer Show is returning to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre and it promises to be better than ever.
The much-anticipated kick-off to the holidays attracts all kinds of beer enthusiasts with its celebration of hoppy and barley brews – giving them a chance to sample a wide array of beverages under one roof.
Last year, the event featured over 40 vendors on-site, offering attendees a wide range of flavours and experiences. – take a look at our blog post about our experience at the event here to get a better idea of what it’s like!
On top of all of the malty drinks you can handle, Rock n’ roll band SuperSauce will be playing favorites from the 80s, 90s and today for live entertainment at the show – and there will also be some tasty eats to pair with your beers, too!
And don’t forget to bring your Christmas cheer – those dressed in festive attire will be automatically entered to win prizing!
The following breweries are confirmed at this time (subject to change):
Ace Brewing Company
Bad Dog Brewing Company
Brickworks
Bridge Brewing Company
Central City Brewers + Distillers
Dead Frog Brewery
Howl Brewing
Hoyne Brewing Company
Lighthouse Brewing Company
Lonetree Cider
Merridale Cidery & Distillery
The Moon Under Water Brewery, Pub, Distillery & Tasting Room
The severe weather advisory issued for Greater Victoria on Tuesday has been extended into today.
The Environment Canada alert states that wind gusts between 70 km/h and 90 km/h will continue to pummel the Southern Gulf Islands, Howe Sound and Greater Victoria.
These strong northeasterly outflow winds continue as the Arctic ridge of high pressure intensifies over the province’s interior this morning.
Gusts up to 90 km/h have also developed over the western and central Fraser Valley, and the southeast sections of Metro Vancouver including Surrey and Langley.
The winds are expected to abate overnight.
As always, Environment Canada advises the public to be aware of damage caused to buildings, and loose objects tossed by wind that may cause injuries.
Canada’s nationwide emergency alert test is scheduled to take place this afternoon.
The National Public Alerting System, called Alert Ready, will be tested on all TV, radio and compatible mobile device connected to a LTE wireless network in all provinces and territories, except for Nunavut.
“Ongoing testing of the National Public Alerting System provides an opportunity for stakeholders to validate and improve the system’s performance and reliability to ensure it operates as intended in the event of a life-threatening situation,” says the CRTC.
“The messages will be identified as test alerts and will not require Canadians to take action.”
In BC, the test will be sent out at 1:55 p.m. PST.
Here’s the alert schedule for the rest of Canada:
Alberta 1:55 PM (MST)
British-Colombia 1:55 PM (PST)
Manitoba 1:55 PM (CST)
New-Brunswick 10:55 AM (AST)
Newfoundland & Labrador 10:55 AM (NST)
Northwest Territories 9:55 AM (MST)
Nova Scotia 1:55 PM (AST)
Nunavut *No test*
Ontario 2:55 PM (EST)
Prince Edward Island 12:55 PM (AST)
Quebec 1:55 PM (EST)
Saskatchewan 1:55 PM (CST)
Yukon 1:55 PM (PST)
For a wireless device to receive the alert, it must be compatible to wireless public alerting, have the most updated version of its operating software, and be connected to an LTE wireless network when the alert is issued.
The Alert Ready system was developed by several authorities including federal, provincial and territorial emergency management officials, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pelmorex, the broadcasting industry and wireless service providers.
Besides Alert Ready, there are several other ways for the cautious Victorian to remain informed of emergencies in their vicinity.
Residents of the city of Victoria – and other municipalities, too – can sign up for this free service set up by the local government which sends you alerts via phone, text, or email.
You’ll be able to get emergency alerts about threats like severe weather, power outages, tsunami, etc., AMBER alerts, and local incidents such as gas-leaks/evacuations. They can only send you these alerts on your private devices if you subscribe to the service, so click here to sign up today!
Although Vic-Alert provides information to residents of Victoria, people living in or closer to Sidney might want to sign up for their emergency notification system. You can choose to receive notification via phone, email, text, or even fax. Subscribe here.
This app is specifically designed to alert all iOS mobile users of any earthquakes (and warnings) happening around the world. It’s fully social media integrated, so you can share earthquake alerts near you to people on your Facebook/Twitter/Instagram right away. The app is free (unless you decide to pay for the ad-free version).
This mobile app is designed by the Canadian Red Cross to keep Canadians informed about any and all emergencies happening around them. It also provides information on emergency-preparedness and in-app information is available even without an internet connection.
For the avid social media addict, don’t forget to follow @EmergencyInfoBC on Twitter for constant updates on emergencies (natural or man-made) in B.C. They keep their tweets short but informative, and will tell you whether or not you need to run for the hills.
This website provides free emergency texts to subscribers, informing them about tsunami, earthquake, cyclone, flood, volcano, etc. warnings from all around the world. So never miss a message from mother nature when you’re travelling, or want to check up on loved ones overseas.
Learn the difference between lotions and creams, find out what makes a good moisturizer, and best of all, you will make and customize your very own products!
Your take-home from this workshop will be the ability and confidence to make your own lotions/creams.
The funniest night of the week is Wednesday at The Mint! Each week Morgan Cranny and Drew Farrance bring the most hilarious comedian’s in the city together for a wonderful evening of fun at the best venue for stand up comedy in Victoria.
Wildly popular and always new, Phillips Comedy Night is a hilarious night out. Come downstairs and enjoy the delicious west coast Himalayan cuisine that the Mint is famous for. Tickets are $7 online or $10 at the door.
Prepare to wow your friends and family this holiday season with beautiful handmade cards.
During the workshop, the instructor will demonstrate different techniques and provide ideas for multiple designs. All proceeds to CFAX Santas Anonymous. All supplies are provided.
Registration is required – please contact vic.sales@deltahotels.com to secure your spot.
When: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort, 100 Harbour Road
Bring a lunch and join guest lecturer Marc Spencer from Public Safety at BC Hydro, who will speak at the Lunch & Learn “Preparing for Winter Storm Season: Electrical Dangers, Mitigation and Response” in the City Hall Antechamber.
The free presentation will cover the BC Hydro electrical system, step potential and touch potential, and how to respond to an electrical incident. RSVP at emvic@victoria.ca.
The Greater Victoria School District board has approved a land exchange and lease to help fund seismic upgrades at Victoria High School.
To come up with their share of the funding, the school district will lease out 2.15 acres of surplus land to the Capital Regional Housing Corporation for an affordable housing project.
This lease will be signed for 60 years, earning the school district between $4.1 – $4.5 million, allowing them to pay for the seismic upgrade shortfall of $2.6 million and amenity enhancements at Victoria High.
“The community and the Board agreed that retaining heritage values was a key part of the Victoria High Seismic Upgrade Project, however, by choosing the most expensive option, it left us with a shortfall,” said Board Chair Jordan Watters in a statement on Tuesday.
“We came up with an innovative solution with our partners that allows us to pay for our share of the upgrade, increase capacity for 200 more students, and add additional amenities. It also benefits the community by allowing our partners to build much-needed affordable housing.”
While this arrangement was approved by the school board on Monday night, it is still subject to concluding negotiation and requires a green light from the Ministry of Education and City of Victoria zoning approval.
Earlier this year, the provincial government announced an investment of $77.1 million to fund these upgrades and a 200-seat expansion at Vic High, bringing the school’s total enrolment capacity to 1,000.
Exterior elements, such as terracotta, granite and brick masonry, will be retained, along with interior features including the marble and art glass in the main entrance and lobby, and the painted wood panels and art glass in auditorium/balcony.
Construction on the upgrades and expansion at the high school is expected to begin in August 2020.
Students will be re-located to a renovated SJ Willis Education Centre while the project is underway.
The work is expected to be completed by September 2022.
Whether you’re looking to Christmas shop, treat yourself, or to save on practical home items, these stores have amazing sales happening, online and in-store on November 29th, or Black Friday.
Here are some of the best deals happening this year:
Oxygen Yoga & Fitness
This Greater Victoria business is offering a 25% discount on memberships. Instead of paying full price, you can get one year unlimited for $899; 3 months unlimited for $339 and a 12-class punch pass for $145.
Locations: 4454B W Saanich Rd, Saanich | 727 Johnson St #100, Victoria | 108 – 3022 Merchant Way, West Shore
Amazon
If you’re looking to do some online shopping, Amazon has major savings on from now until Friday, with additional “Deals of the Day” updated daily at midnight.
Get those gifts ordered to arrive before Christmas!
Luz Bridal Boutique
Starting Friday and continuing over the weekend, Luz Bridal Boutique will have some excellent deals on dresses with no appointment necessary.
Location: 1006 Hillside Ave
Champs Sports
Champs Sports is offering designer shoes at a discounted price as low as $60, brand name clothing for 50% off, and their personal Champs line items are buy one get one free.
If you’re ordering online, use the code 20TURKEY to receive 20% off.
Location: 3147 Douglas St
Complex Clothing
Complex Clothing in downtown Victoria will be offering store-wide savings with discounts of 10-50% on brand name hoodies, pants, shirts and more.
Location: 612 Johnson St
EB Games
If you’re a gamer, you’re in luck: EB Games is having sales up to 75% off on PS4’s, merchandise and a large variety of games.
Locations: 109-1150 Douglas Street | 3147 Douglas St | 1644 Hillside Ave Unit 61| 739 McCallum Rd Unit 105
Sport Chek
Sport Chek is offering select hoodies, shoes, sports apparel, sports equipment and boots for up to 65% off in-store and online, up until Cyber Monday on December 2nd with free shipping on purchases over $99.
Locations: 3147 Douglas St | 1150 Douglas St | 1644 Hillside Avenue | 2955 Phipps Rd
Cirque du Soleil
For circus and performance-lovers, Cirque du Soleil is coming to Victoria in May, presenting their new show ‘Axel’. You can save up to 40% off if you buy tickets this Black Friday. Be sure to get online at midnight, these ones will go quick!
To save on hiking or camping gear, active clothing and other outdoors items head to MEC this Friday. They will be having discounts of up to 56% on select brands like Patagonia, Sorel, The North Face and more.
Location: 1450 Government St
Lululemon
There are now two Lululemon locations in Victoria, one in downtown and another at Mayfair Shopping Centre.
Yoga wear and other products will be offered at a discounted price, likely following suit with last year, with select items up to 50% off.
Locations: 584 Johnson St | 3147 Douglas St Unit #165
University of Victoria Bookstore
The University of Victoria Bookstore is having a sale on Black Friday only. Toques and ceramic mugs will be on for $10, hoodies for $20 and crews for $20. They’ll likely go fast, so get there early to grab your discounted school swag.
Location: 3800 Finnerty Rd
Dynamite
Dynamite Clothing, located at Uptown and Mayfair, is back again with major savings. While exact details have not yet been revealed, word on the street is that nearly the whole store will be on sale.
Locations: 3147 Douglas St | 3531 Uptown Blvd
Indigo
Indigo at Mayfair Shopping Centre is offering huge savings on books, toys, home décor, electronics and more. From now until the 29th, popular books will be 50% off, 25% off home items and up to $70 off of Fitbits!
After Wednesday, these deals are only available in-store so make your way to their brick and mortar location.
Location: 3147 Douglas St
Hotel Zed
If you’re looking for a little getaway in the city, Hotel Zed and Accent Inns are offering a whopping 75% off your room rate (for any stay up until April 30, 2020) for the first five guests to make a booking.
If you’re not one of the first, don’t lose sleep over it. The next ten people to book will still receive 50% off their rate.
For those who just aren’t morning people, you’ll still save. All guests who are not one of the first 15 and still book their stay over Black Friday weekend will receive a 25% discount on a future stay.
Location: 3110 Douglas St
London Drugs
This popular drug store will have big discounts on computers, electronics, beauty supplies, and many other items.
Location: 911 Yates St | 3995 Quadra St | 3170 Tillicum Rd | 1907 Sooke Rd
Air Canada
From now until December 1st, Air Canada is offering 20% off on Canada and U.S. destinations. Book your next vacation ahead of time without breaking the bank!
A glance at some Black Friday stats
In a recent study, the Retail Council of Canada asked over 2,500 Canadians from coast to coast about their shopping habits and released some interesting statistics about Black Friday shopping in their Holiday Shopping Survey 2019.
According to the results, 43% of Canadian consumers plan to shop on Black Friday vs. 34 % on Boxing Day and 32% on Cyber Monday.
Canadians who shop on Black Friday plan to spend a greater share of their holiday budget (38%) compared with those who shop on Boxing Day (30%).
Specifically in BC, shoppers are more likely than those in other provinces to increase their spending this year compared to what they spent in 2018.
If you know of other incredible deals going on around the city, let us know by commenting below. Happy shopping!
This morning’s brief window of flurries at higher elevations in Greater Victoria may have been a teaser for more snow next week.
According to Environment Canada regional meteorologist, Armel Castellan, Vancouver Island could receive a major snowfall with possible accumulation next week, starting Sunday December 1st.
Castellan clarifies that the weather authority’s statement to Victoria Buzz last week which predicted there would be zero chance of snowfall at lower elevations in Greater Victoria this week was in reference to the fact that there would be no major snow events.
“Generally speaking we were not dealing with a big scale snow event. This in particular may have dropped half a centimetre or a centimetre [of snow] on the Malahat, and it lasted maybe half an hour before melting off pretty quickly,” he says.
“In a way, the statement kind of still holds true, that the bigger synoptic-scale or large scale weather events are on hold right now until Sunday at the earliest.”
For now, BC’s south coast is experiencing anomalously cold weather as an Arctic ridge of high pressure intensifies over the province’s interior, bringing colder air and heavy winds to the coast by Wednesday.
The capital city can expect cold, windy, yet sunny weather up until Saturday.
However as the south coast gets engulfed by Arctic air on Sunday, this leads to the probability of a larger snowfall than what Greater Victoria experienced today.
“This time of year is a good reminder to have winter tires and emergency blankets and boots in your car so you’re not caught unprepared,” says Castellan.
Conclusive statements and predictions
Castellan clarifies that it is difficult to make conclusive statements when talking about the weather, particularly when it comes to predicting precipitation.
“We look at the situation as it evolves, and often we deal in a fairly short term so it’s hard to know with certainty that we have something to hang our hat on and call it a slam dunk forecast,” he said.
“I think the [original] statement was probably related to a big Pacific storm that would give us many centimetres of snow all the way down to sea level. That, I think, remains true.”
However, he does state with absolute certainty that Victoria will experience colder than normal temperatures this coming week.
Weather records taken at the Victoria International Airport show that the earliest snowfall in recent history was on October 28th, 1991.
And when it comes to predicting whether or not the city will have a white Christmas this year, the data is even less definitive.
Environment Canada defines a perfect “white Christmas” as one with accumulation on the ground plus snowfall at the same time on December 25th. The last time Victoria had snowfall on Christmas was just two years ago in 2017.
Environment Canada will be releasing their seasonal forecast for December, January, and February on the last day of November.
One of Victoria’s most beloved Christmas traditions returns this weekend with a sparkle.
The 38th annual Island Farms Santa’s Light Parade will light up the streets of downtown Victoria on Saturday, November 30th, kicking off the holiday season in spectacular style.
Over 50,000 people are expected to make their way downtown, so get there early to find a good spot to view the show.
“Rain or shine, it will be packed downtown,” says Kelly Kurta, Executive Director of the Greater Victoria Festival Society. “Everybody’s really excited for it. It’s a great feeling. It’s a holiday feeling.”
Previous parades have featured antique fire trucks from the Victoria Fire Department, a giant ferris wheel from Country Grocer, and LED-covered dancers and an ice sculpture from a joint effort between Galey Farms and Stages Dance Company.
The highlight of the parade is the Island Farms float, which carries jolly Old Saint Nick through the streets.
Starting at 5 p.m., Santa’s parade — which is also the largest night time parade in Canada — will make its way up Government Street.
The display starts at Belleville Street and ends in Centennial Square — dubbed “Christmas Square” for the evening and featuring food trucks, bouncy castles, crafts and music from 4 p.m. onwards.
Government Street will be fully open to traffic until 4:45 p.m., though, so Victorians are advised to be safe and aware of vehicles.
After the parade, all the good children (and adults, too) can snack on free cookies and milk handed out by Santa Claus himself at Christmas Square. The annual Christmas Tree Light-Up takes place at 7 p.m. sharp so don’t be late for that!
Victorians can also participate in the season of giving by bringing donations to the parade. With both a toy drive and Mustard Seed food drive present at the Square, folks can give back while enjoying the festivities.
With plenty of entertainment and lots of good cheer, the “Miracle on Government Street” really is the most exciting way to kick off Christmas and really get into the spirit of the holidays!
Kick-off your festive season with some holiday symphony cheer!
Singing some of the most famed classics, Soprano Betty Waynne Allison and Vox Humana Chamber Choir combine to lend their talented voices to perform both holly jolly and sentimental songs.
Some of these include O’Holy Night, The Nutcracker Suite, Music from Harry Potter and more.
The Victoria Symphony will be bringing you these and many more for two special days of holiday magic, December 14th and December 15th at the Royal Theatre.
Tickets are on sale now and available online, but grab them quick! These won’t last.
And even better?
Victoria Symphony is giving away a pair of tickets – so you can have the chance to experience the magic for yourself!
Join Associate Conductor Maestro Giuseppe Pietraroia along with the Symphony this December for a truly magical a concert of holiday magic – one you won’t want to miss.
CONTEST CLOSED** Congratulations to Jessica Pamplona!
For a chance to WIN a pair of tickets to Magic of the Holidays from the Victoria Symphony, complete one or more of the following steps:
Win 2 tickets to see one of the @VicSymphony’s Magic of the Holidays performances via @victoriabuzzes RT to enter! #victoriabuzz #yyj
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 pm on December 5th, 2019. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter. Make sure to register when commenting below.
A new report reveals that Victoria firm Aggregate IQ collected and used the personal data of millions of voters without their express consent.
The report is based on an investigation conducted by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia and the the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Aggregate IQ provides election-related software and political advertising services and has worked with SCL, the parent company of Cambridge Analytica, on various U.S. and political campaigns between 2014 and 2016 and the Brexit referendum in 2016.
The firm, headquartered on Pandora Avenue, breached Canadian privacy laws after failing to ensure that appropriate consent was obtained before using and disclosing the personal information of millions of voters in British Columbia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
More specifically, the firm was provided with personal voter information from SCL that included the psychographic profiles, ethnicity and religion, political donation history, birthdates, email addresses, magazine subscriptions, association memberships, inferred incomes, home ownership information, and vehicle ownership details of a large number of people.
They then used voters’ names and email addresses to deliver political ads to them through Facebook on behalf of SCL and other third-party clients. Aggregate IQ also leveraged Facebook’s “lookalike” audience feature, which allows advertisers to target broader groups of users that have similar characteristics.
According to the findings of the investigation, the firm did not do enough to verify the consent of the people whose information was disclosed, some of whom would be surprised to learn that their data was used to target them for political ads.
“The AIQ investigation shows how sensitive personal information can be used by political campaigns to sway voters. This highlights once again the urgent need for law reform to protect democratic processes and the fundamental human right to privacy,” said federal privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien.
“The federal government has said that Parliament should study how to bring federal parties under privacy legislation. We urge the government to move quickly with this review and amend the law.”
As a result of these findings, Aggregate IQ consented to delete all personal information that is no longer needed for legal or business purposes, and to implement policies for obtaining valid consent in all future transactions.
The BC and federal offices will follow up with AIQ in the coming months to confirm that it has implemented the investigation recommendations.
Holiday lovers, rejoice – Christmas lasts the whole month of December at Craigdarroch Castle!
Starting the first day of December, the Castle promises to bring holiday-themed theatre, music, movies and more for the entire family – all at one of Victoria’s most iconic landmarks.
Kicking off at Craigdarroch’s Museum Store on Sunday, December 1st, a special promotion offers shoppers from around the globe the chance to support local to start the busy holiday shopping season.
‘Museum Store Sunday’ will participate with 1,200 retailers worldwide for the first time ever, and The Castle Shop will offer samples as well as special promotions and prizes throughout the day.
And what better way to channel the Christmas spirit than a one-man performance of the classic tale ‘A Christmas Carol’?
Jason Stevens channels the spirit of Charles Dickens within the historic walls of the Castle and brings this story to life from December 17th-23rd – tickets are available online and at the Castle itself!
Classics at the Castle Movie Series also returns for the holiday season, following a sold-out Halloween run. Join them for screenings of two festive family classics –Gremlins will be shown on December 27th and the 1994 version of Little Women (featuring scenes filmed at the Castle!) will be presented on December 28th – on both days, doors open at 6:00 p.m. for a Castle Tour followed by the movie screening at 6:30 p.m.
The Castle’s halls will also be alive with holiday music all month long, with musicians ranging from jazz artists to medieval folk groups to classical cellists!
Performances are scheduled between December 7th and December 30th, with both morning and afternoon shows. A full schedule is available online, and the performances are free with Castle admission!
CONTEST CLOSED** Congratulations to Marilyn Goode and Valerie Crosbie!
We’re giving away TWO pairs of admission passes to Craigdarroch Castle as well as a 20% discount to their Museum Store – for your chance to win, please complete one or more of the following:
Comment below and let us know your favourite thing about Craigdarroch Castle – make sure to register when commenting so we can contact you (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 pm on December 9th, 2019. Two winners will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter. Make sure to register when commenting below.
Prepare your palates for eight days worth of the best ales, lagers, and pilsners that Victoria has to offer at the seventh annual Victoria Beer Week.
Started in 2014, the Victoria Beer Week features approximately 50 B.C. breweries and 14 various beer-themed events over the course of nine days in locations across a city renowned for its incredible variety of exceptional brews.
The event runs from Friday, March 9, to Saturday, March 14, 2020. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. this Friday, November 29, and can be purchased through TicketRocket or by phoning 250-590-6291.
The festivities include a craft beer quiz at the Northern Quarter, a homebrewing workshop at Moon Under Water Brewpub, and a “Taco Tuesday” night at the Public Market.
Tickets range from $15 to $75 depending on the event you choose to attend, and discounts are available for members of the Victoria Beer Society.
The week also features a Beer School Program, where novices and brewmasters alike can learn from Victoria’s best brewers and hone their craft-making abilities.
Victoria’s beer community will be out in full force for each one of the nine jam-packed days, so grab a ticket and test your theory of whether the best cure for one night of drinking is eight more consecutive nights of drinking.
Four shelters in Victoria have added extra beds and mats tonight following the activation of an Extreme Weather Protocol.
The advisory was issued shortly after 11 a.m., moments after Environment Canada issued a wind warning for Greater Victoria due to predicted wind gusts of up to 90 km/h in some areas.
A total of 77 additional beds and mats have been made available at the Salvation Army Addictions and Recovery Centre (525 Johnson St), Rock Bay Landing (535 Ellice St), Our Place Society (1240 Yates St), and JDF Extreme Weather Shelter (3-7450 Butler Rd).
According to the Victoria Extreme Weather Protocol, the extra beds were added following the wind warning and the fact temperatures hovering near freezing.
According to RCMP, they are both known prolific offenders, one of whom was on conditions to not be in possession of break and enter tools.
A search of this suspect yielded a bolt cutter and a host of other tools that could be used to break into a property.
“If you see something suspicious happening in your community, say something. This is a great example of citizens helping to keep their community safe by reporting suspicious behaviour,” said Cst. Nancy Saggar in a statement.
“We want to thank the complainant for calling the police right away and giving us the best chance to catch the thieves in action.”
West Shore RCMP are now seeking the owner of the bike that was nearly stolen to reunite them with their property.
If you or someone you know owns the bike locked outside the Tim Hortons at 845 Goldstream Ave, contact them at (250) 474-2264.
An adverse weather advisory for Greater Victoria and Southern Gulf Islands has been issued by Environment Canada.
Strong northeasterly winds of up to 70 km/h gusting to 90 km/h will develop on Tuesday evening for the Southern Gulf Islands and overnight for Howe Sound and Greater Victoria, as an arctic ridge of high pressure intensifies over the BC interior.
These strong winds are expected to abate by Wednesday night.
In the wake of the wind warning, Environment Canada advises the public to be aware of damage caused to buildings, and loose objects tossed by wind that may cause injuries.
