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Are you the next Margaret Atwood or Leonard Cohen?
The City of Victoria and Greater Victoria Public Library are looking for an inspired wordsmith to take on the mantle of Youth Poet Laureate.
The chosen artist will serve a one-year term from January 2020 to December 2020 in the honorary role -which is only applicable to teenagers and young adults between the ages of 14 and 24.
Applicants are expected to prepare three original poems in any format including written, audio, or video. A resume must also accompany the artistic submission, that notes community engagement experience related to school, volunteering, or work.
The position is in place as a mentorship role for on a peer-to-peer basis, that allows troubled youths throughout Greater Victoria to be captivated by original works at poetry events for a younger audience.
The selected person acts as a judge for the GVPL Teen writing contest and is expected to speak at six city council and three youth council meetings.
Additionally, during their duration, they are rewarded with $1,750 honorarium and $2,000 of project funding along with their title.
Applications can be sent electronically or by mail until Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 4 p.m. Applications can be emailed to culture@victoria.ca.
To get Victorians fully in the spirit, Cascadia Liquor Store is hosting a pop-up event to get you ahead of the crowd, and inspired for a weekend full of delicious grub.
The 4-hour tasting brings local food vendors together for an afternoon of mingling and munching that will feature cheeses, meats, ciders, and much more.
For those who are looking for something to pair with a meal, there will be a wine tasting from South Okanagan’s Tinhorn Creek.
Additionally, there will be cider samples for those who are not big into wine.
Come hungry, and leave with new ideas on what to prepare for the fall feast, as well as, a full stomach of samples.
Haven’t bought a bird yet?
You’re in luck, there will be a frozen turkey giveaway that could save you some money or maybe double up what you can have for Thanksgiving.
Curious about what food to expect at the event? Here is the list of the partnered food vendors:
Over one million cycling trips have been recorded on the protected Pandora Avenue bike lanes, since their opening on May 1st, 2017.
The number of trips is tracked by a 24/7 automatic digital bike counter. The city would not reveal where the counters are located to prevent them from being damaged or manipulated.
According to the City of Victoria, the bike lanes have an averaged over 1,100 cycling trips per day and more than 35,000 per month. That average compares to stats released in May 2018.
“This is a significant mobility milestone for our city and demonstrates why our cycling network is so important. Simply put – people want to use it,” said Mayor Lisa Helps.
The $3.4-million two-way bike lane on Pandora Avenue stretches about 1.2 kilometers between Cook and Store Streets, and was the first to open in the city.
About a year later, a second set of bike lanes opened on Fort Street. Between May 2018 and March 2019, the Fort Street bike lane averaged 577 trips per day.
The Wharf Street bike lanes which opened on August 8th this year have seen an average of 1,829 cycling trips per day.
Bike lanes for Vancouver, Harbour, Graham and Jackson Streets are expected to be completed in 2020.
The protected bike lanes on Pandora Avenue have surpassed 1,000,000 trips since opening on May 1, 2017! They’ve averaged over 1,100 cycling trips per day and more than 35,000 per month pic.twitter.com/xgKIERP9Mz
For most, the Fall represents a darker time of the year as we exit the Summer and enter the colder season of staying in and binge-watching the return of our favorite TV shows. However, Fall is treated as an early Christmas for craft beer fans as local breweries gear up their hoppiest seasonal drinks for release.
Since 2011, October has been dubbed ‘BC Craft Beer Month’ by the provincial government thanks to ale-lovers and pioneers who paved the way.
The Victoria Beer Society will be celebrating the annual hop harvest and BC Craft Beer Month with an afternoon featuring over 20 fresh hop beers from craft breweries all around BC- including Victoria.
The event will feature more than 20 fresh hop beers from BC craft breweries, along with some pumpkin beers and Oktoberfest-style lagers, all celebrating the harvest season.
Guests will be provided a sampler glass along with a guided (for VIP ticket holders) or unguided tour so you can earn as you taste the newly harvested beers from all over the province.
Whether you already love hoppy beer or would like to try for the first time, this is one event beer-lovers of all kinds will not want to miss
Looking for something specific, or have a beer in mind you want to try? Here’s the list of beers that will be available:
Category 12 Brewing: Fresh Data Fresh-Hopped Hazy IPA
Container Brewing: Pour Les Mineurs Frais Grisette
Dageraad Brewing: Wet Hopped Blonde
Driftwood Brewery: Sartori Harvest IPA
Fuggles & Warlock Craft Works: Chrono Wet Hop IPA
Howl Brewing: Harvest Fresh Hop IPA & Harvest Moon Fresh Hop Pumpkin Porter
Hoyne Brewing: Wolf Vine Fresh Hop Pale Ale
Longwood Brewery: Hopposites Attract Wet Hop Pale Ale with Kveik Full Patch Pumpkin Saison
Mount Arrowsmith Brewing: Harvest Fresh IPA
Off the Rail Brewing: Fresh Hop Harvest IPA & Nur Ein Kölsch
Parallel 49 Brewing: Cashmere Comet IPA
Phillips Brewing: Green Reaper IPA
Red Arrow Brewing Company: Sunset Empire Hazy IPA
Small Block Brewing: RyeCycled IPA
Strange Fellows Brewing: Hop Devil Fresh Hop Kellerbier & Juke Festbier
Strathcona Beer Co.: Cashmere Hopped Sour
Twin City Brewing: Tangent Fresh Hop Tangerine Sour
Wheelhouse Brewing: 1000 Mile IPA (delivered all the way from Prince Rupert!)
The facility will have a 16,000 square foot amenity area on its upper level and will feature such luxuries as:
11th-floor dining room
Piano lounge
High Tea lounge
Sports bar
Bistro
Art studio
Wellness studio
Outdoor lounge.
360-degree views overlooking the ocean and city of Victoria
“This location gives us the perfect opportunity to build in the heart of a community with great amenities within walking distance for our seniors which helps enhance their lives.” Jason Craik, principal, Avenir Senior Living said.
The building will include 95 independent and supported living apartments, as well as, 48 studios of memory care with cognitive assistance for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related ailments.
There will be an additional 38 condominiums for sale
“We are proud that this building will allow the seniors of Vancouver Island to age in place,” said Craik.
“We are excited to have this new home for our legion,” said Jim Swanbeck, president, Esquimalt Legion. “A brand new space in our community means the world to our veterans.”
(Sidney sunset / Photo by Brittany Bazin / Instagram )
The people of Victoria were left awestruck after stunning hues of pink, orange and red lit up the autumn evening skies last night.
What is sure to be the first of many vibrant fall sunsets shone over the city on Tuesday night, much to the delight of locals with their eyes peeled to the skies.
Victoria’s picturesque coastal beauty set against the backdrop of one of nature’s most spectacular phenomenons made for a truly breathtaking sight for viewers and photographers alike.
In case you missed it, here are 13 photos of the fiery light show last night:
Lovely cloud formation lighting up the sky over the Sidney Marina. (Gary Quinn)A beautiful Sidney sunset last night. (Donna Phillips)
08:11 a.m update: Craigflower Road is now open to single vehicle alternating traffic between Admirals Road and Tillicum Road – first responders are still working in the area.
A section of Craigflower Road was closed Wednesday morning after a fire broke out at a mobile home park in View Royal.
In a release, West Shore RCMP said they received reports of a mobile home fire around 5:40 a.m. near the 1200 block of Craigflower Road in View Royal. Police said three mobile homes were affected by fire, though the extent of the damage is unknown.
There are also unconfirmed reports of four people being sent to hospital due to the fire.
View Royal Fire Department is on scene and nearby residents have been evacuated.
Craigflower Road has been shut down from Admirals to Tillicum Road. At this time it is unknown how long the road will be closed.
Four people were transported to hospital. The extent of their injuries is unknown.
In 2001, Monica and Michael Miller bought the property at 2311 Lansdowne Road and ever since, they’ve been growing their festive Halloween, Christmas, and Canada Day decorations collection bit by bit.
Today they’ve got one of the most vibrant, varied, and extravagant Halloween displays in all of Victoria.
“Ours is extremely kid-friendly. There’s nothing gory or too scary and parents bring their toddlers and young children to see it all the time,” Monica Miller tells Victoria Buzz.
“It’s so much work to do it for just a few days, so we keep it up from October 1st to November 1st.”
With the ever-increasing number of components to their elaborate set-up, the Millers have recently had to hire assistants to help them lift and assemble various parts.
Although no estimate was provided, the costs of decorations, maintenance, helpers, and not to mention the Hydro bill for October are probably astronomical. But Miller says it’s all worth it for one reason.
“It’s our treat to the community and nothing makes us happier than doing this,” she says.
“There’s so much ugliness in the world. If we can put a smile on someone’s face, I’m super happy.”
When the Millers first started decorating their home back in 2001, they used to get 10-20 trick-or-treaters per year.
Last year, they received over 250 little visitors on Halloween, who went home with either candy or one of an assortment of non-sugary treats for those with allergies or food sensitivity issues.
In case you haven’t seen it yet, Victoria Buzz photographer Colin Smith has compiled a few incredible shots of the place.
Check out these photos of the house:
The Halloween house on Lansdowne st in Victoria BC is up to it's old tricks again! Go check it out. 🙂 Please be…
(A packed Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre / Victoria Royals Twitter)
The Royals face off against Everett tonight, but if you can’t make that (or if hockey isn’t your cup of tea) we also have some other great events to check out!
Here are 5 things to do in and around Victoria today:
The Victoria Royals battle the Everett Silver Tips with hopes of a repeat of the last time they faced off, which ended in a 2-1 win for the hometown team.
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Save on Foods Memorial, 1925 Blanshard Street
Join amateur ghost hunters/identical twin brothers Abdul and Shawn for a parody ghost tour at the Royal BC Museum. This comedic event plays on tropes while getting you right in the Halloween spirit.
Make your way down to The Mint for another round of comedy hosted by Morgan Cranny and Drew Farrance, featuring the west coast inspired Himalayan Cuisine on special.
Come early because this show tends to sell out weekly.
The spooky season is upon us and lurking around every corner of Victoria are ghosts, goblins, candy, drink specials, and family-friendly events.
The most haunted city in the Pacific Northwest knows how to celebrate the Halloween season right, and we have tracked down events for all ages so you can too!
Whether you plan to dress up or keep it casual, don’t miss out on these days and nights of creep-tastic fun.
What: A drop-in family event to celebrate Halloween fun with CRD Regional Park Naturalists. Join the fun which includes spooky treasures from the natural world, displays, activities, and Halloween crafts. There will be also costumes for those who choose to wear one.
When: October 19-20 & October 26-27, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Francis/King Nature Centre and Regional Park, Munn Road Saanich
What: Ghosts, goblins, princesses, fairies, astronauts, and other Halloween favourites are all welcome. Take a spin on the ice in your costume at this Halloween themed skating event. Don’t forget to bring your bag to trick or treat!
What: Victoria Public Market presents all day Trick or Treating for the kids. All permanent market vendors will have treats for costumed ghouls and goblins.
When: Thursday, October 31st, 2019 at 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Victoria Public Market, 6-1701 Douglas Street
What: Join over 3000 non-profit organizations in Greater Victoria to do some shopping in the “Harvest Market” or wander through the “Too Cute To Spook Wicked Kid Zone” while listening to Halloween tunes to get you in the spirit.
What: Learn about the haunted history of the CFB Esquimalt while also trick or treating with local Dockyard residents. All ages are welcome, but space is limited so make sure to register early!
When: Saturday, October 26th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
What: Bring your favourite witches and warlocks to shop at their fabulously boo-tiful collection of costumes, winter wear, accessories, and more. We’ll help you find a spooktacular outfit to celebrate the season. If you’ve got it, haunt it!
When: Sunday, October 20th 2019, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Oaklands Community Association, 1-2827 Belmont Avenue
What: Dress up and join Indigo for a Halloween parade! Make your own colour changing slime and hunt for treasure in a Foam Alive demo. A perfect Halloween event for children 5 and up!
When: Saturday, October 26th
Doors open at 10:50 a.m., Event begins at 11:00 a.m
Fun for the whole family. Entertainment including face painting, hay-rides, train rides, corn maze, petting farm, haunted house & plenty more activities for the children to enjoy. Don’t forget to check out the Cow Train.
When: October 5th & 6th, 12th to 14th, 19th & 20th, 26th & 27th Every weekend until October 28th from 10 am to 4 pm.
Where: Galey’s Farm, 4150 Blenkinsop Road
Cost: $12 per adult $8 per child for one Train Ride ticket or one Corn Maze ticket. With your purchase of first ticket, second ticket at $5 (+taxes). Family Combo Pass (2 adults, 2 children) for $48 includes Corn Maze and Train Ride. Petting Farm is complimentary only with the purchase of first ticket or separately $2 per person.
What: Galey Farm’s signature event features a Haunted House for kids, the much scarier 6000 square foot Carnevil Haunted House for adults, a haunted corn maze, Crazy Train and Seance. The Cornfield of Horror is fully animated and features The Haunted Mansion, Pirates Island, The Addams Graveyard and many more fabulous displays. Fun for all ages during the day, but gets much spookier after 6 pm.
When: Runs nightly October 17th to 20th, and 24th through to Halloween night. 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
What:5 different rooms, giving you the chance to experience 5 different parties, all in one night. Release your inner freak as you join in this carnival of terror.
When: Friday, October 25th, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Saturday, October 26th, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
What: Didn’t make it to Nevada to storm the gates? It’s okay, Upstairs Cabaret and Wax Candy have you covered. A night filled with drink specials, music, aliens, and spooky government experiments.
What: Horror, gore, tassels, heels, and rhythm all merge together for an epic burlesque showdown. Featuring the burlesque talents of Devaiya Ra, Gala Vega, Keith Williams, Kibble ‘n’ Bits, Hazel Nuez, and more. There will also be featuring a special performance by musical duo Zonnis.
What:The legendary 90s Hip Hop Night presents its Halloween edition full of frights, costumes, and nostalgic hits. Listen to Flipout spins classic hits by Nas, Rakhim, 2pac, Notorious B.I.G., and more from the golden era of Hip Hop.
What: A special Speakeasy night will be Halloween themed and costumes are greatly encouraged. Swing dance lessons, live swing jazz with Blackstick, mysterious guest performance, and great cocktails!
When: Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 at 8 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
What:Victoria’s only country bar presents a mix of Halloween and the Patrick Swayze ‘89 classic film set in the roadside Missouri Bar. Drink specials, Country hits, and costumed two stepping amongst the other ghouls and goblins.
What: Dance the night away to Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha, and more. No matter the experience this event is for all and costumes are strongly encouraged.
When: Thursday, October 31st, 2019 at 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
What: Dress in a killer onesie and be entered in draw to collect a prize. A cozy Halloween event with live music from The Surveyors, Excuses Excuses, and Pidgin.
When:Friday, October 25th, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
What: Groove Kitchen will be performing funky, soulful, and latin hits for a Hallowe’en shindig that will be hard to match. You can expect lively reinventions of songs by Earth, Wind, and Fire, James Brown, Boz Scaggs, Bruno Mars, and more.
When: Saturday, October 26th, 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
What:An 80s themed Halloween party with cash prizes for Best Costume and live music from BiPolar Bear Cover Band. Dress Hopper, 11, Dustin, Erica, or come as your own creation.
What: Goth classics, dark modern hymns, dungeon lasers, and an eclectic set of music. Dance the night away to dark 80s, Early & Modern industrial, Death Rock, Coldwave, EBM, Darkwave and more!
What: The Beyond Belief Paranormal Events team takes you on a spooky investigation at Point Ellice House. Alleged reports of activity in and around the 1861 home include ghostly voices, footsteps, full-body apparitions, and lights turning on by themselves. You will also get the chance to participate in a seance, vigils, and EVP sessions.
When: October 16th, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Where: Point Ellice House Museum & Gardens, 2616 Pleasant Street
What: The Esquimalt Lions host a community bonfire to conclude your Hallowe’en night of trick or treating. Enjoy a toasty bonfire while eating hot dogs and sipping delicious hot chocolate. All proceeds from the hot chocolate and hot dogs will be donated to the Esquimalt Lions’ community fundraising efforts.
What: A dedicated team of Ghost walk tour guides conducts this special haunted tour for Halloween. Discover why Victoria is the most haunted city in the Pacific Northwest on this 90-minute walk through the spooky streets, courtyards, and alleys of Downtown’s core.
When: Friday, October 11th to Sunday, November 3rd 6:30 p.m, 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m and 9:30 p.m.
What: An immersive zipline tour filled with strange monsters in the dark and spooky tales to be told. A fully interactive experience that is only available for the Hallowe’en season.
What: Round up a squad, follow the map, and read the stories of some of Victoria’s most haunted downtown locations. A great way to get spooky with some room for spontaneity!
What: Not for the faint of heart. Do you dare?? Admission is a suggested $10 cash donation to the Help Fill a Dream Foundation aiding children with life-threatening illnesses.
What: Victoria is the most haunted city in British Columbia, if not all of Canada. Almost every building in the downtown core has a ghost story. Some say it’s a result of our Wild West beginnings during the Gold Rush, when the streets were full of fortune hunters, pleasure houses, saloons, public hangings, opium dens and vice was around every corner. The mystery around Haunted Victoria remains. So, Victoria Buzz has compiled some of the most famous and active locations of paranormal activity in the city.
Where: All around town!
When: Whenever you want!
Know of a Halloween event that should be on our list? Let us know in the comment section below or email us with all the details at tips@victoriabuzz.com.
The University of Victoria has been ranked #2 in Macleans magazine’s Best Comprehensive School in Canada category for the second year in a row.
The ranking measures each university by their level of research activity, range of programs for undergraduates, graduates, and professional degrees, and more.
Macleans’ list of the criteria as well as how UVic compared to the other top 15 universities in the country can be seen below:
Faculty Awards: 1st
Medical/ Science Grants: 1st
Student Awards: 2nd
Library Expenses: 2nd
Library Acquisitions: 2nd
Social Sciences & Humanities Grants: 3rd
Citations: 3rd
Total Research Dollars: 3rd
Scholarships & Bursaries: 5th
Student/ Faculty Ratio: 5th
Operating Budget: 8th
Student Services: 8th
UVic scored within the top 5 in 8 categories this year, while in 2018 they achieved this feat across 9.
This year they were able to claim top spots in both Faculty Awards and Medical Science Grants, while also claiming number 2 in Student Awards in the country.
Maclean’s full comprehensive list is featured below:
Simon Fraser University – B.C.
Victoria – B.C.
Waterloo – Ontario
Guelph – Ontario
Carleton – Ontario
Wilfrid Laurier – Ontario
York – Ontario
*Memorial – Newfoundland
*New Brunswick – New Brunswick
Concordia – Quebec
*UQAM – Quebec
*Ryerson – Ontario
Windsor – Ontario
*Brock – Ontario
*indicates a tie between universities.
Their list this year puts two British Columbia universities in the top spot with Waterloo sitting in 3rd place.
It was originally established as Laurel Point Park by Peter Pollen and city council in 1975 after a paint company closed their business and moved from the location.
Pollen served on Victoria city council for one term before going on to become mayor for two terms between 1971-1975. He later returned to serve another two terms as mayor from 1981-1985, before retiring from municipal politics.
(Former Victoria mayor Peter Pollen/City of Victoria Archives)
“A lot of the way Victoria looks and feels today can be attributed to the vision and leadership of Peter Pollen,” said Mayor Lisa Helps in a statement.
“I had an opportunity to meet Peter shortly after being elected and was moved by the passion and dedication he still had for public access to the harbour and the importance of public spaces. It’s fitting that we name this waterfront park in his honour.”
Pollen was a champion of preserving Victoria’s natural beauty and one of his biggest accomplishments was the beautification of the Inner Harbour.
His legacy includes the construction of the Lower Causeway, and banning billboards in the City of Victoria. Pollen passed away in January 2017 at the age of 89.
“My husband Peter made Victoria his home for over 50 years,” said MaryAnn Pollen in a release.
“He referred to the Inner Harbour as the jewel of Victoria and believed strongly in public access to this beautiful waterfront. Our family is deeply honoured by this dedication in his memory.”
A ceremony to officially rename Laurel Point Park in his memory will be attended by Pollen’s family and take place on October 26th.
On top of both of these deals, 7Rewards members will be eligible for FREE small hot beverages until the end of the year on the 7th and 11th of every month.
Members can also earn points by making everyday purchases, and these points can then be redeemed for rewards including free food, drinks, exclusive deals, and more!
Some of the new fall beverages and treats can be found on the 7Rewards app menu which include:
Skor Hot chocolate
Pumpkin spice latte
Mexican Hacienda Miravalles Organic Coffee.
If you’re interested in becoming a 7-Eleven rewards members you can sign-up here or get the app on your phone, and begin collecting points.
These cheap coffee perks come just in time to warm everyone up over these cool fall days, so don’t forget to check them out!
Victoria Police have issued a warning after a West Shore woman was caught in a Social Insurance Number scam in which the scammer claimed to be an officer for their detachment.
The woman, whose name has not yet been released, reported that she received a telephone call from a number appearing to be from VicPD.
The caller claimed the woman was under arrest as her SIN was used for a $100,000 fraud and drug trafficking. The woman ended the call before any money could be exchanged, and filed a report with West Shore RCMP.
This type of SIN scam has been reported throughout the Greater Victoria area, as well as nation-wide. The telephone scammers are able to falsify the caller ID display to show that they are a legitimate government agency.
Reports say the scammers have fraudulently appeared as representatives of RCMP, Service Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency, and most recently the Victoria Police Department.
In their calls, the fraudsters usually claim that the potential victim is facing immediate arrest. They are then instructed to share personal information to avoid said arrest, and eventually, they are extorted for money.
VicPD are instructing the public to report these fraud attempts to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or online at their website here.
For more information about fraud safety you can also visit the VicPD Fraud website here.
The suspect in a targeted shooting that left one person in the hospital earlier this year is now facing over a dozen charges in connection with the incident.
At around 12:30 a.m. on April 5th, 2019, West Shore RCMP responded to reports of a disturbance at a residence in the 2800-block of Jacklin Rd in Langford.
They found a man who told police he had been shot after which he was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect has now been identified as Deven Lambert who remains in custody at this time.
“We can confirm that charges have been laid against Lambert and the firearm used in the crime has been recovered by police,” said Inspector Todd Preston.
Lambert is now facing a total of 13 charges including discharging a firearm with intent, discharging a firearm within a residence, aggravated assault and uttering threats.
Police have identified him as a chronic offender as he was arrested West Shore RCMP on September 9th for an unrelated warrant for his arrest issued in Victoria.
Author Janet Nicol will speak on her fully-illustrated biography of Sybil Andrews, one of Canada’s most prominent 20th-century artists. Copies of Nicol’s book will be available for purchase. Note that there is limited space at the gallery.
When: October 11th, 10 a.m. — 11 a.m.
Where: Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss Street
Small World – Big Ideas presents a vibrant and eclectic show featuring the artwork of Haren Vakil and the photography of Greg Glover.
Vakil was born in Mumbai, India and has won an Award of Excellence for his piece Directions Unknown. Glover is based in Victoria, and much of his photography revels in the nooks and crannies of the west coast.
When: October 8th — 26th (opening reception: October 8th, 5 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.)
Where: Gage Gallery Arts Collective, 2031 Oak Bay Avenue
Miles Lowry’s collection is rooted in his study of the Irish Ogham alphabet and the sacred nature of trees.
Lowry combines the present and past, using both modern-day supplies and homemade inks based on medieval recipes. Trees are both the subject and the medium.
Ceramic artist Peter Flanagan and painter Roberta Pyx Sutherland’s collaboration focuses on circles, symbols of completion, perfection, and inclusivity.
When: October 24th — November 17th (opening reception: October 24th 5 p.m. — 9 p.m.)
Where: Fortune Gallery, 537 Fisgard Street
Are there any other art shows this month that everyone should see? Let us know in the comments below!
A man has been arrested for wielding replica handguns near Thrifty Foods in View Royal last week.
On October 3rd, West Shore RCMP responded to reports of a man holding what looked like a 9mm handgun near Thrifty Foods at 1495 Admirals Rd in View Royal.
According to the witness, the man even asked them whether they had seen an RCMP vehicle around.
“Frontline officers located the suspect walking along Admirals Rd and arrested the suspect for possessing a firearm. The suspect struggled with police and had to be restrained,” said Cst. Nancy Saggar.
The man, who is believed to be from Vancouver, was found with two black airsoft pistols in his wistband.
He is now being charged with possessing a weapon dangerous to the public and obstructing a police officer and will appear in Provincial Court.
“Though airsoft guns are not illegal to purchase in Canada, if used in a manner that poses a threat to the public, police will investigate and react accordingly,” advises police.
Furthermore, while airsoft guns are unlikely to kill, they can take out an eye or otherwise injure people if not used carefully.
A 58-year-old Saanich man has died after a motorcycle crash near Port Renfrew.
The single-vehicle incident took place on Sunday afternoon, sometime between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. According to a police report, the motorcyclist was on West Coast Road near Parkinson Creek trailhead.
The driver lost control and went over an embankment.
Family members have identified the driver to Victoria Buzz as Fred Fernando, and said his motorcycle club, the Patriarchs, searched throughout the evening until he was located.
Sooke RCMP confirmed they were called to the scene of the crash at around 9 p.m. and located Fernando who had already succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the crash.
This is the third fatal motorcycle-related fatality in the past month on southern Vancouver Island.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sooke RCMP at 250-642-5241 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
An informative morning of art techniques, tools, and materials with a licensed Early Childhood Educator to drop your kids into the world of sensory exploration. Dress in clothes you’re okay with getting a little paint on, and parent/guardian participation is encouraged!
When: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Where: Oaklands Community Association, 1-2827 Belmont Avenue
Join the movement to petition for single-use plastics to be banned province wide. Bring your signs and banners and let your voice be heard by the provincial government amongst like-minded protesters.
When: 3:15 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, 501 Belleville Street
You’re invited party with the Luminesce Skin and Laser team in celebration of their new services offered at their location that opened last June. There will be appies, complimentary demos, special offerings on services, and more!
When: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: Luminesce Skin and Laser, 463 Belleville Street
Another round of mind testing trivia with drink specials, grilled cheeses, and prizes! First time? Head over and try your hand at questions that will push you to your cerebral limits.
Four dogs were seen attacking and injuring a deer at Bear Mountain golf course on Saturday.
Tannis Fillion was walking her 6 month old dog along the trail next to the course when the dogs raced past her and started chasing a deer down the hill.
According to an update later on, Fillion confirmed that the deer had to be put down due to a broken leg and other major injuries.
Police, BC SPCA and Wild ARC have been notified of the incident.
The fate of the dogs will be decided by the SPCA and the owners, if charged, may be fined up to thousands of dollars, depending on their level of cooperation.
Kids For a Plastic Free Canada and Surfrider Vancouver Island will be rallying today to demand the provincial government allow municipalities to legislate single-use plastics bans across British Columbia.
Surfrider Vancouver Island (SVI) launched this movement in response to the BC Supreme Court’s decision to repeal the city of Victoria’s initial plastic bag ban.
Shortly after the repeal, SVI began a petition to have the decision overturned, and they were able to gain hundreds of signatures from islanders who supported their claim.
Their rally is set to take place on Tuesday, October 8th at the Legislative Assembly, and organizers invite individuals to help them present the petition to BC Minister of Environment and Climate Change, George Heyman.
SVI, Plastic Free Canada, and the Environmental Law Centre have drafted an extensive document called “The case for reform: BC must regulate single-use plastics”.
They now call on Minister Heyman to stay the province’s current ban and/or grant municipalities the authority to implement bylaws in their own jurisdictions.
Victoria Buzz has reached out to SVI for more information.
Background
Victoria initially introduced a plastic bag ban for all businesses in July 2018 through a new ‘Checkout Bag Regulation’ bylaw with support from the BC Supreme Court.
This bylaw prohibited businesses from providing single-use plastic bags to customers and instituted a minimum 15 cent charge for all paper bags.
However, this decision was struck down over a year later by the provincial appellate court which ruled that the city’s ban was enacted to facilitate the protection of the natural environment.
According to the Court of Appeals ruling, this is a move that requires approval from the provincial Minister of Environment, which was not sought.
In an announcement last month, the city stated that the Supreme Court of Canada will be asked to review the BC Court of Appeals ruling, in hopes of having them reverse the decision.
The City of Victoria submitted their appeal by September 30th, after which the Supreme Court can take between four to six months to decide whether or not to hear it.
BC Transit has cancelled a total of 11 bus trips across 7 routes in Victoria for this evening.
The advisory was activated as of 4:11 p.m. on Monday afternoon and will expire at 9:59 p.m. tonight.
Bus routes 6, 16, 30, 14, 27, 75, and 39 have been hit with the following cancellations:
6 – Leaving Douglas at Veiw 4:07
16 – Leaving UVIC 4:11 p.m.
30 – Leaving Government at Superior 4:15 p.m
14 – Leaving Vic General 4:10 p.m.
6 – Leaving Douglas at View 4:17 p.m..
16 – Leaving Carey at Ravine 4:35 p.m.
6 – Leaving Douglas at View 4:37 p.m.
27 – Leaving Blanshard at Fairfield 4:38 p.m.
75 -Leaving Government at Superior 4:40 p.m.
6 – Leaving Royal Oak Exchange 4:55 p.m.
39– Leaving Camousun at 4:55 p.m.
According to BC Transit, these cancellations have primarily been caused by a lack of available vehicles as they undergo various forms of maintenance due to age.
“The average age of the fleet in Victoria is 12 years old and we’ll have new vehicles start to come in in January 2020. By the end of 2020, the average age of our fleet will be 6 years,” says BC Transit spokesperson Jonathon Dyck.
He added that the crown corporation is internally looking at options to address these challenges, but the majority of the problems they face will be fixed once new buses are available.
Other delays
Transit delays have also been caused by a protest happening in the downtown core this evening.
Members of climate activist group Extinction Rebellion is currently protesting climate inaction by closing off Johnson Street bridge to motor traffic.
While demonstrators are allowing buses and emergency vehicles to pass by, only one lane has been opened to these vehicles forcing BC Transit buses to travel in one direction at a time with the help of police on either side of the bridge.
“We do expect there to be delays, and we recognize that traffic will be shifted to other roadways, so we expect congestion. We ask that customers are patient with us as we work to get them around the community this evening,” says Dyck.
At the @ExtinctionR protest on Johnson Street bridge this afternoon. One lane has been cleared for buses and emergency vehicles to pass by as protestors block traffic however buses can only travel one direction at a time, which will cause delays. #yyj#yyjtraffic@victoriabuzzespic.twitter.com/lrOUm5qNFu
Readers of Condé Nast Traveler have put in their votes, and it looks like all signs point to Vancouver Island when it comes to picking the best, most relaxing resorts in Canada!
The mass media company has just released their annual Readers’ Choice Awards and among the Top 10 Best Resorts in Canada, the 2 best ones are right here on Vancouver Island.
Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa ranked #2 while the #1 spot was taken by Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino.
The Tofino resort maintains its #1 spot with ease, after achieving the same spot in last year’s Condé Nast’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Meanwhile, Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa was ranked #7 in both 2017 and 2018 and has significantly increased its appeal to vacationers by climbing up to second spot.
The rankings are determined by nearly 500,000 readers of Condé Nast Traveler who have rated their travel experiences so that the rest of us can plan out where we should go next!
Have you ever thought you’ve caught a glimpse of your house in a slasher movie? Or maybe you’ve played a role as a background actor who had to scream when a ghost popped up behind you?
Just so you can check for sure, here are 9 times Victoria and surrounding areas have been a shoot location for a scary movie:
This lesser-known film following the survivor of a massacre who studies serial killers and then finds herself hunted by a Jack The Ripper copycat was shot entirely in Victoria. In particular, it featured – you guessed it – Hatley Castle.
This horror film spoof that pokes fun at late 90s pop culture references and classic horror films was shot around the city, most notably at Victoria High School.
Death stalks Devon Sawa and friends in this frightful story of not being able to escape one’s destiny. The death of the main character happens near Bastion Square, which is also believed to be haunted IRL!
West Shore RCMP are searching for a man who caused over $3,000 worth of damage at a McDonald’s earlier this year.
On August 19th, a young man entered the McDonald’s located at 854 Langford Parkway and proceeded to punch the self-ordering kiosk and crack the screen.
Police are now looking to identify the suspect who is described as a 15-25 year old Caucasian male.
At the time of the incident, he was wearing blue jeans, a black jacket, a black and white Under Armour brand baseball cap, and black running shoes with white soles.
Anyone who knows him is asked to contact West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The team, comprised of first responders, government works, teachers, media professionals, and special guests raised this money to support kids battling cancer on Vancouver Island, and also fund a much-deserved visit to Camp Goodtimes.
Parents and students at both Oak Bay and Reynolds high schools have raised a combined total of over $150,000 towards Cancer Research for this year’s fundraiser which ended last Friday October 4th.
Along the way, cyclists participating in the 1000 km journey make several stops at the various fundraising schools and locations. The Vancouver Island ride goes through 27 communities, beginning at Port Alice and ending in Centennial Square.
On Friday night, the finale of the event was celebrated with an announcement of the amount of money raised by the riders: a whopping $1,234,002.75.
Background
Cops for Cancer began in 1996, when Edmonton police officer Gary Goulet shaved his head to support a young boy who’s fight with cancer robbed him of his hair. Soon after, fellow officer shaved their heads and posed for pictures with the boy.
In 1998, officers on Vancouver Island were inspired to do more than shave their heads for Cops for Cancer – they launched the first Tour de Rock.
In its inaugural year, Tour de Rock raised $325,000, and had a team of 16 police officers.
So far, this annual event has raised a total of over $26 million.
The provincial government has launched a new annual award in honour of Micah Messent, a BC Parks employee who lost his life in the tragic Ethiopian Airlines plane crash in March 2019.
The $20,000 Micah Messent Young Professional Award of Excellence will be provided annually by the Canadian Parks Council, with funding support from BC Parks, to one outstanding young employee, intern, contractor or volunteer from a Canadian Parks Council member agency.
Courtenay resident 23-year-old Micah Messent was one of 18 Canadians and 157 passengers who perished in the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crash earlier this year.
He was on his way to Kenya to participate in the United Nations Environment Assembly and meet with youth and leaders from around the world.
Messent graduated from Vancouver Island University in 2017 and since then has been working as an Indigenous Relations Analyst for BC Parks.
The new provincial award in his honour will be between 18-30 years old and chosen among those who show the same passion and potential for their job as Messent did.
“Micah was a bright light in the BC Parks family who left an impression on those he worked with in a short amount of time,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
“Micah was enthusiastic about the environment as well as promoting cultural awareness and reconciliation within BC Parks. Naming an award after Micah will help honour his legacy of conservation, protecting our parks and environment and advancing reconciliation.”
Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 302 was leaving Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at 8:38 a.m. local time on March 10th, en route to Nairobi, Kenya, when it crashed just six minutes after takeoff, killing all passengers and crew on board.
On Saturday, October 12th, the popular Vancouver shopping centre is giving away $20 gift cards – just for being a BC Ferries walk-on passenger and taking the Tsawwassen Mills Ferry Shuttle!
Open to residents of Vancouver Island only, all you have to do is hop on their FREE shopping shuttle, and you’ll be gifted a $20 Tsawwassen Mills gift card – paying for your ferry trip over!
If you’re looking for a weekend getaway, Tsawwassen Mills is great option for a family outing that won’t break the bank. Plus, there are exclusive perks for us Islanders, including extra discounts with the VIP Savings Card, free shuttle service from Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, and brands not available to us on the Island.
There is something for everyone at BC’s largest indoor outlet shopping experience, with nearly 200 stores, dining and entertainment options.
Don’t miss stopping in at recently opened COACH Outlet and Under Armor Factory Store, and favourites like Bass Pro Shops, Nike Factory Store, DSW – Designer Shoe Warehouse, Saks OFF 5TH and The Outlet by Harry Rosen.
With fun activities like the skate park at West49 and even bowling at Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill, the list of family friendly activities is endless! You can also enjoy unique experiences like Stuffy Riders, Playscape and Virtual Land, all without leaving the shopping centre.
For dining options there is Boston Pizza, Milestones, Uncle Buck’s, Montana’s or South Street Burger – and this is aside from the 15 food retailers in their food hall.
You can take a look at their scheduleand start planning the perfect (paid for!) day trip.
How: To claim the $20 Tsawwassen Mills gift card, take the free shuttle from Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal to get the Pay Your Way pass, show pass plus proof of same day travel on BC Ferries at Guest Services. To qualify, must be resident of Vancouver Island (ID required) and at least 19 years of age or older.
(Bruins Alumni Ray Bourque signs autograph for young fan / Photo by Maggie May)
It was a night to remember for many Victorian hockey fanatics this past Saturday night, though for one little fan, it may be one he’ll never forget.
During the Boston Bruins Alumni game at the Q Centre on October 5th, former NHL superstar Ray Bourque not only gave the young fan a story he’ll be telling for the rest of his life, but literally did so with time still ticking on the clock – and the game play still going!
With 5 minutes remaining in the last period, the boy carefully crept up to the glass beside where Bourque was sitting on the bench, and politely asked for his autograph, Maggie May tells Victoria Buzz.
Despite the action still happening on ice, the former Bruins’ captain pulled off his gloves, asked the boy’s name and signed the autograph for him.
The photographer is hoping to find the young fan’s family, as she was able to capture the heartwarming moment but had no relation to the boy.
The Boston Bruins squared off against the Greater Victoria Firefighters on Saturday, and aside from Bourque, the roster included many big names such as Andrew Raycroft and Geoff Courtnall. The charity game was hosted by the Umbrella Society, with 100% of the proceeds going towards the purchase of a second stage recovery house.
While Weaver produced no concrete reason for his decisions, he stated in a tweet that he “feel[s] it is the right time… to pass the baton to this next generation of leaders” in the midst of climate change protests across Canada and the world.
Today, I announced that I will not be seeking another term as MLA for #OakBayGordonHead, and have asked the Chair of the @BCGreens Provincial Council to start the process of electing a new leader for the BC Greens. #bcpoli
“This is not an easy decision for me. I feel a deep responsibility and pride for the role BC Greens have played in getting [BC legislation] back on track to meet its climate commitments and to reframe climate change as an economic opportunity – instead of a purely environmental issue,” writes Weaver in a tweet.
He plans to stay on in his capacity as Green Party leader until the Chair of the Green Party Provincial Council has elected a successor, which he expects will happen in the early summer of next year, sometime after the next spring legislative session.
Weaver occupies one of three seats held by his party in order to form a minority NDP government in BC. The NDP’s have 41 seats while the BC Liberals occupy 42.
“I will continue to work with my colleagues in the BC NDP to accomplish what was set out in our Confidence and Supply Agreement. Nothing that I am announcing today changes my commitment to work within this agreement and to see the delivery of our shared agenda,” he wrote in a statement.
He was the Green Party’s first MLA in Oak Bay-Gordon Head in the 2013 provincial election, and was acclaimed as leader of party just two years later.
Back in September 2019, Weaver fell ill just before his keynote address at the Canadian Propane Association BC Seminar and was hospitalized.
He was diagnosed with labyrinthitis, an inner ear disorder that can cause dizziness, nausea, loss of hearing, and vertigo.
If anyone out there ever suffers a bout of labyrinthitis, I advise you prepare for a debilitating onslaught of symptoms that are quite unsettling. But be assured that with rest, doctors expect a complete return to full fighting form in a timely fashion. 3/3
Members of international climate activism group, Extinction Rebellion, plan to shut down bridges in several cities across Canada today, including Johnson Street bridge in Victoria.
Between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., protestors will be occupying the Johnson Street bridge to protest lack of climate action from national and global leaders.
Demonstrations have already begun in cities like Edmonton, Toronto, and Halifax, and protestors are also scheduled to shut down Vancouver’s Burrard bridge.
“Shutting down the bridge symbolizes that we are on a bridge to nowhere,” said Mark Nykanen, an Extinction Rebellion (XR) spokesperson, in a statement.
“With droughts, deadly heatwaves, and hurricanes wiping out entire islands and cities, nature is sending us a 911 call about the climate emergency. All of us have to be first responders and take action.”
In a press release, the group stated that they will be allowing emergency vehicles, buses, cyclists, and pedestrians to pass through the blockade, and apologized for hardships caused to commuters as a result of the protest.
The group’s protest in Edmonton – in which demonstrators blocked Walterdale bridge – was dismantled earlier than planned after it caused a traffic gridlock and espoused anger and frustration from commuters.
According to Global News, police refused to take the protestors into custody and reopen the bridge by force as they “didn’t want to send the wrong message”, although the demonstrators themselves expressed that they were prepared to be arrested for the cause.
“I have no issue with the cause but…”
In Victoria, police have confirmed that they are “aware of the planned event on Monday and, as always with public demonstrations and protests, [their] focus will be on ensuring public safety at the event.”
Due to the closure of the eastbound lane of the Bay Street bridge that started this summer, the occupation will close off one of the only two ways to exit Victoria West.
The protest also coincides with the closure of Gorge Road between Tillicum and Harriet roads which would have otherwise served as a detour route for vehicles impacted by the Bay Street Bridge’s lane closure.
Several Victorians on Twitter have expressed support for demanding climate action from governments but are less enthused about the prospect of a traffic gridlock.
“I have no issue with the cause but question whether making a ton of cars sit idling in gridlock isn’t counter productive to the cause? I think more thought needs to go into these protests,” says Rick Van Helvoirt (@VanHelvoirt5).
“Don’t disrupt everyone else’s lives to make a point,” adds user Kieran (@KezaBugs).
Last week, the City of Victoria confirmed to us that Extinction Rebellion has not applied, nor been issued a permit, for their planned bridge occupation today.
Did you miss the last month’s climate change demonstrations but still want to have your voice heard? The #BridgeOut campaign will be occupying the Johnson Street Bridge to block out motor vehicle traffic while only allowing emergency vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians through.
When: 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Meeting at the small plaza at Store Street and Pandora Avenue
Join in on this fall-inspired paint night with guide Alex the Artist no matter your experience level. You can also take home your work and remember this fall for years to come!
The northbound lanes of Quadra Street are closed near Reynolds School following a crash involving a motorcyclist late Sunday afternoon.
The crash occurred at around 4:30 p.m. near Union Road.
According to witnesses, the crash involved a motorcyclist who lost control of their vehicle in a bend in the road and crashed into a tree.
Saanich Police told Victoria Buzz that the incident involved one vehicle and one person has been hospitalized.
There is currently no information on the extent of their injuries.
Quadra Street northbound between Union Road and Reynolds Street is currently closed to traffic and pedestrians. Police said southbound lanes on Quadra Street may also be affected.
Police say traffic delays may continue into the evening as authorities investigate the incident.
Local beer, sausages, pretzels, AND a day full of family-fun? Yes, please! Uptown is hosting their very first Oktoberfest, an exciting and FREE event on the upper boulevard in front of Whole foods. There will also be kid-friendly crafts, face painting, a contest for best costume and more!
When: Saturday, October 5th – 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Uptown Shopping Centre – in front of Whole Foods, 3440 Saanich Road
The Boston Bruins Alumni, led by NHL legend Ray Bourque, will be playing at the Q Centre in Colwood for this exciting family-friendly event, and all to support a fantastic cause! 100% of the funds raised go towards the purchase of a second stage recovery house for the Umbrella Society, that they currently operate on a rental basis.
Take in this intimate live music performance with Kelowna’s Andrew Judah and his mix of experimental rock and psychedelic sound. The event also features a four-piece psychedelic pop project, Speak Easy.
United Kingdom’s bass and party rock artist makes his way back to Victoria for another night of hip hop, future funk, disco, reggae, breaks, and much more!
The bass bumping Fall Tour of Stacked World’s artist Spag Heddy makes its way to Victoria for a late night performance that goes into the early hours of the morning!
The Mustard Seed Street Church is hosting an event to help those in need throughout the Greater Victoria area. Show up and donate toilet paper and sanitary products to help those who are forced to choose between basic necessities or food.
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Where: Various locations throughout Saanich & Esquimalt
A family-friendly cycling and walking event to raise funds that support charities which provide refugees and others who are the victims of displacement with necessities and services. Ride, walk, or just show up and help those less fortunate.
Join this coalition of Child Care advocates and Early Childhood Educators whose goal is to make childcare funding a federal issue.
This family-friendly event intends to raise awareness of conflicts that may affect some parents, and plan to organize a march from the South Park Family School to the Legislature Lawn.
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Where: Begins at South Park Family School, 508 Douglas Street
A free night of films dedicated to making better cities, towns, and neighborhoods. Topics include urban planning, placemaking, active transportation, and more.
Oktoberfest returns to the iconic Strathcona Hotel pub for Victoria’s annual celebration of beer, live music, and the chance to win a custom stein as well as FC Bayern Munich jersey.
When: Saturday, October 5th, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: The Clubhouse at Strathcona Hotel, 919 Douglas Street
Runners of all levels of experience are invited to participate in the event to raise money for breast cancer research. Participants in ‘Run for the Cure’ can choose the 5k run or 1k walk in their bid to support the single largest volunteer-led event for breast cancer research.
When: Sunday, October 6th, 9:00 a.m.
Where: Starts at University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road
A full line up of Victoria’s comediennes taking centre stage hosted by Erin Haley and Carilynn Nicholson. Featuring Lucia Riberio, Lenore LaMay, MJ Bourque, Tara Northwood, Page DeWolfe, Suzy Q and Eliza Danvers.
Cheech and Chong are stopping in Victoria as part of their O Cannabis tour, which will take place across the country this year and will partly celebrate Canada’s recent cannabis legalization.
The pair is best known for their lengthy run of comedy films in the 70s and 80s like Up in Smoke and Still Smokin.
The audience will have an opportunity to speak to their family, friends, and guides in spirit through mediumship presented with a unique aboriginal perspective.
When: Sunday, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Sandman Victoria Hotel, 2852 Douglas Street
Get a tattoo for as low as $80 for 1 or $150 for 2 from the artists presented flash sheets! For each tattoo, you will also have your name entered into a draw to win tickets for the upcoming Victoria Tattoo Expo on October 25th – 27th.
When: Sunday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Incendiary Tattoos, Suite E 890 Esquimalt Road
Victoria Police are asking for the public’s help as they work to locate high-risk missing teenage girl.
15-year-old Holly Bellanger was reported missing to VicPD on October 3rd, 2019 but has not been seen since September 28th. She is known to frequent the Westshore area.
Police said they have no indication that Holly faces immediate harm but the circumstance under which she has gone missing are considered high-risk. Her family and officers are worried about her and need her to be returned home safe.
Holly is described as a Caucasian female standing approximately five feet, three inches tall with a moderate build, weighing 115 pounds. She has long brown hair and green eyes.
If you see Holly Bellanger, please call 911.
Anyone with information on where she may be please call (250) 995-7654. To report what you know anonymously, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The woman was walking on Sunriver Way when she noticed an unknown man behind her. She lost sight of him for a while but then encountered him again on a path by Sooke River.
He then reportedly spoke to her, pulled out a weapon, and then sexually assaulted her. The victim was able to escape by fighting him and then running away from the area.
Police are now searching for the suspect who is described as either a tanned Caucasian man or a person of colour, standing approximately 5’10” tall and weighing around 180-200 lbs.
He had short-to-medium length dark untidy hair, a full dark beard, yellowing teeth and brown eyes. At the time of the assault, he was wearing a dark hoodie without drawstrings, dark blue jeans, and running shoes.
Anyone who was in the area at the time is asked to review their videos or any surveillance footage they have to see if they’ve encountered someone matching the description of the suspect.
If you have information about this incident, reach out to Sooke RCMP at (250) 642-5241.
People-watching is a low effort (and low budget) popular pastime that is perfect for a bustling city like Victoria.
In case you’re on the lookout for a light hearted way to explore the city and its inhabitants, here are just some of our favourite spots to people-watch around Victoria.
The Patio at Swans Pub
The covered patio at Swans makes for a perfect rainy-day cover and provides a front row seat to the bustling intersection by the new bridge. This spot is perfect for a bit of lunch and some solid people-watching time.
You can witness first dates, anniversaries, groups and individuals enjoying the flowers and trees, all while enjoying the flora and fauna yourself!
Fall hours: October 1st – 30th, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: 800 Benvenuto Ave
The University of Victoria
Check out Felicita’s pub or BiblioCafe at the University of Victoria and get the best view of the students bustling around campus. Can you guess what year everyone is?
The Moss Street Market is an all-year market – hosted outdoor during summer and fall months and indoor in the winter – and is a great way to people watch AND support local businesses.
You get to see a plethora of interesting interactions and different types of people who frequent the markets!
Hours: October Hours: Saturday at 10 a.m.
Location: Corner of Moss Street and Fairfield Road
Langford Lanes
Don’t miss your chance to watch people making memories at Langford Lanes. You can watch first dates, birthday parties, and just casual hangout nights all take place. Talk about variety!
Victoria Animal Control Services were able to safely retrieve an anxious dog from the roof of a house after she broke through a screen window and got stuck.
At around 10:30 a.m. on Friday morning, crews responded to reports of a distressed dog on the roof of a house on Lyall Street in Esquimalt.
A Shepherd/Husky mix dog named “Pepper” had managed to break through the screen of an open second-floor window and onto the roof of the house.
According to a Facebook post, Pepper is known to suffer from significant anxiety when left home alone, which is likely what caused her to try and escape.
However once she got out, the agitated pup was unable to get back into the house and was spotted walking around on the roof by a concerned neighbour who then called animal control.
“The officers borrowed a ladder from a neighbour and Pepper allowed herself to be put on a leash. With one officer up the ladder, the dog immediately climbed onto the officer and was carried down,” reads the post.
Pepper’s owner arrived a short time later and was reunited with their dog. All parties are now safe and sound.
Animal control officers Chris and Garry are credited with carrying out the rescue mission without a hitch.
Friday morning saw an unusual rescue on Lyall Street in Esquimalt. Victoria Animal Control Services received a call…
In an announcement in Sidney on Friday, Green Party leader Elizabeth May said her campaign would plant 10 billion trees across Canada over the next three decades.
To support this promise, the party cites a July 5th article in Science magazine which states that planting trees on over 900 million hectares of forest could store 205 billion tonnes of carbon across the globe.
In keeping with their platform of climate action policies, the Green Party says that if elected, they will plant 30,000 hectares of trees every year until 2050.
“We recognize that forest management is a provincial jurisdiction, but in the context of unmanaged forests – in urban areas and in burnt-over areas and those at risk of burning – the federal powers of Peace, Order and Good Government must be invoked,” said Elizabeth May in a statement.
“As Natural Resources Canada moves away from its role promoting fossil fuels, the Canadian Forest Service must receive new investments, create cutting-edge science and move to massive tree planting.”
The party also proposes measures to reduce the risk of wildfires across B.C., like risk mapping Canada, creating (fire breaks) around settlements to reduce the risk of loss of life, and buying more water bombers to deploy.
While May provided no specifics on how the planting of these trees would be funded, a statement from the Green Party says that financial support “can be found throughout the federal government in several different departments.”
However, at this time police have not released any further info about the suspect or why they believe the item was stolen.
One Victoria resident who tweeted back to VicPD expressed a different opinion about the seized item, stating that the police tweet creates stigma surrounding those who access facilities in the 900-block of Pandora Ave – presumably Our Place Society.
In their response, @janineAnnT says “I live by Harris Green & left a pair of minty fresh Burton snowboard boots in my free pile, for ANYONE to take. This stuff fuels anger & ‘us & them’.”
VicPD were quick to reply to the accusation, arguing that they never said the item was seized from someone accessing services at the facility.
“The lack of ski hills in that area & the manner it was located indicates it may have been stolen,” writes police. “It’s not an “us vs, them” mentality. We support this community every day.”
Note we *didn't* say the item was seized from someone accessing services in the 900-block of Pandora Ave – that's something you may have read into the tweet. (1/2)
The geographic info was shared so if the item was left in the area it can be easily identified. The lack of ski hills in that area & the manner it was located indicates it may have been stolen. It's not an "us vs, them" mentality. We support this community every day. (2/2)
We can’t wait for the holiday season to get here, and here’s just one reason – beautifully decorated Christmas trees!
The BC Children’s Hospital Foundation is bringing the annual Festival of Trees to Victoria once more in November – this local tradition is the unofficial kick-off to the holiday season and is going into its 28th year in less than two short months.
All proceeds support the BC Children’s Hospital and the most urgent needs of children in BC today through continued investment in research, education, advanced technology and care.
Last year, the foundation raised over $186,000 through this event with over 80 local businesses and organizations participating.
This year, your company could be one of the proud businesses involved with this amazing tradition! If you own or work with a local firm, we have 7 good reasons why you should get involved with this festival:
Brand recognition
Your business will gain recognition by partnering with the most recognized brand in British Columbia (BC Children’s Hospital Foundation) and sponsoring a popular and widely-covered event.
Exciting team-building activity
Imagine your team coming together and decorating a tree all while benefiting the sickest kids in BC; this is the type of team building activities that keeps employees connected to their employers!
The love of the people
Over 650,000 shoppers walk through the halls of the Bay Centre in downtown Victoria during the busy holiday shopping season – that’s a lot of eyes on your brand witnessing your company giving back to the community.
Supporting a great cause
On average, 3,300 children from Vancouver Island get admitted to BC Children’s Hospital each year – that’s almost nine per day right from our own backyard. All of your hard work will contribute to this great cause and support local children suffering from illnesses during the holiday season and beyond.
More media coverage for you
Last year, this festival got over 4 million media impressions. If you’re looking to promote your business, the Festival of Trees will give you some sweet brand recognition on a huge silver platter.
Deck the Halls Ball
New this year, the Deck the Halls Ball (tree-decorating night) is being produced by local award winning event planners, Brink Events. This promises to be a great event experience including a bar, entertainment, photo booth and complimentary food from Earls Kitchen + Bar. Plus, they have all brand new trees with pre-lit LED lighting – all you have to do is bring your decorations!
Spreading the joy
Your business can help spread joy on during the holiday season by showcasing your community spirit during this local holiday tradition.
It’s affordable
Your business can get all this and up to 6 weeks of specialized branding at the Bay Centre for as little as $1,000 – a great value for a marketing campaign your company or organization can participate in during the holiday season!
If you’re interested in being involved with this festive event, you can contact Shaun Cerisano through email at scerisano@bcchf.ca or by phone at 250-380-1528.
Step out of the rain and into a cozy movie theatre with the whole fam this season!
Cineplex is offering $2.99 movies for young viewers at participating theatres throughout October and November 2019, as well as December 13th.
In Greater Victoria, the only theatre offering this deal is in West Shore but people residing in other municipalities may find it worthwhile to make the trip over.
The $2.99 price tag applies to tickets for viewers of all ages, meaning you won’t have to break the bank!
If you have plans to drive through the Victoria downtown area this Monday, you may want to check your route options.
Between 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., October 7th, Extinction Rebellion will be occupying the Johnson Street bridge to protest lack of climate action from national and global leaders.
Due to the closure of the eastbound lane of the Bay St. bridge that started this summer, the occupation will close off one of the only two ways to exit Victoria West.
With the Johnson Street Bridge closed to motor vehicle traffic, commuters will be forced to take to Tillicum Rd, or Admirals Drive to navigate around the Gorge waterway. Traffic will be severely impacted on this day.
Extinction Rebellion is a global social movement that aims to use civil disobedience and nonviolent protests to illicit climate action from government and policy makers.
The group was established in the United Kingdom in May 2018, with about one hundred academics signing a call to action in support in October 2018.
Victoria isn’t the only city to experience a disruption. Bridge occupations are planned across the nation for Angus L. Macdonald Bridge over Halifax Harbour, Burrard Street Bridge in Vancouver and Prince Edward Viaduct in Toronto.
Extinction Rebellion wants to ensure that citizens of Victoria know this is a “serious protest,” adding that they want to send the message that “disruption is coming.”
However the group has instructed protestors to not to block the way of emergency vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists.
Victoria Police has confirmed to Victoria Buzz that they are “aware of the planned event on Monday and, as always with public demonstrations and protests, [their] focus will be on ensuring public safety at the event.”
Last month, the Victoria branch of Extinction Rebellion kicked off Global Climate Action week by occupying the intersection of Government and Belleville Streets for several hours.
According to the City of Victoria, Extinction Rebellion has not applied for, nor been issued a permit for their planned bridge occupation on October 7th.
Several fire crews including Highlands, Langford, Colwood, and View Royal battled the blaze for several hours but were unable to preserve the structure that was gutted by the fire.
The six human inhabitants of the house were fortunately not injured and have been identified in a GoFundMe campaign as Graeme and Sara and their four children.
It also confirms that their three dogs, Angel, Dino and Bailey died in the fire.
“This fire will be a very difficult blow to a hard working family who has endured a lot,” reads the page.
“We are hoping to collect funds to help Graeme & Sara support their family during this difficult time. The money will be used by the family as they see best (food, clothes, etc.)”
As of the time of publication, the campaign has collected $120 from donors. Click here to contribute to the fund.
A game played by some of the best of the best former Boston Bruins players, Victoria Firefighters, AND with 100% of the proceeds going to our local Umbrella Society!
This Saturday, October 5th, you can take in this charity hockey game as the Greater Victoria Firefighters face off against one of the NHL’s most famed teams to ever play.
The Boston Bruins Alumni, led by NHL legend Ray Bourque, will be playing at the Q Centre in Colwood for this exciting family-friendly event, and all to support a fantastic cause! 100% of the funds raised go towards the purchase of a second stage recovery house for the Umbrella Society, that they currently operate on a rental basis.
Umbrella provides support to individuals who struggle with issues related to substance use. In addition to three recovery houses for men and women, they offer outreach, family counselling and collaboration with community health partners.
On top of what promises to be an exciting game, there will also be a VIP tail gate party, meet and greet opportunities, dressing room passes, chuck-a-puck, 50/50 draws and more!
The Q Centre’s Victoria Grizzlies will also be there to join in the festivities, and the Bruins are bringing their very own announcer John Horrigan to Victoria to do announce play-by-play of the game! They will also have local talent Al Ferraby join them to sing both national anthems, and you can count on some local mascots to help make the day fun.
Tickets are still available, but grab them fast! This is sure to be a once in a lifetime opportunity you won’t want to miss.
Victoria Police are searching for a missing 31-year-old man whose disappearance is considered “high risk”.
Jericho Labonte was last seen in the Oaklands neighbourhood on September 30th, and police believe he may be headed to Salt Spring Island.
Officers say he is suffering from a health concern and needs to be located safely and quickly.
The circumstances surrounding Labonte’s disappearance are high-risk and his family is deeply concerned about him.
He is described as a slim Caucasian man standing 6’1″ tall, and has dark brown curly hair and a beard. However he may have recently trimmed his hair and beard.
Labonte has previously been the subject of a missing person case in 2016.
Anyone who sees him is asked to call 911.
If you have information on his whereabouts, contact VicPD at (250) 995-7654. To report what you know anonymously, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
“As a parent, I understand how important playgrounds are to a child’s physical and social development and how access to safe and modern playground equipment can improve a child’s focus in school,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education.
“In the past, parents spent years to fundraise tens of thousands of dollars for much-needed playground equipment. I’m proud to be part of a government that is making life easier for families and children through our investments in the Playground Equipment Program.”
This year, the province pledged $5 million to the program, part of which is used to fund new playgrounds for four Greater Victoria Schools – Sidney, Braefoot, Eagle View, and Savoury elementary schools.
Since its launch in 2018, the fund has received $10 million to provide 101 new playgrounds across BC.
“This new playground and outdoor learning space will provide a safe and accessible addition to Sidney Elementary school, its growing student population and the community as a whole,” said Victoria Martin, chair of the Saanich School Board.
“Play spaces are critical necessities to the healthy development of our children in their formative years. These spaces will be here for years to come, providing many children with these wonderful learning opportunities.”
To receive a new playground, school districts must apply for the funding by sending a list of priorities in their capital plan submissions in June each year.
Experience the show at a whole new level of intensity: live! This is Atomic Vaudeville’s fourth production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in Victoria.
With over a dozen showtimes, there’s bound to be one that works for you and your fellow freaks. Let’s all do the Time Warp again!
Note: Audience members are not permitted to bring their own props. However, prop bags will be available for purchase at every show or in advance.
When: October 17th — November 2nd (multiple dates and times) Click here for the full schedule.
Where: Metro Studio Theatre, 1411 Quadra Street
Tickets can be purchased online or at 1050 Meares Street
Rocky Horror is best enjoyed in big rowdy groups, so come throw rice and yell obscenities at Brad and Janet with two hundred other fans at The Vic Theatre.
There will also be a costume contest so it’s— time to break out those fishnets, rhinestones, and brightest blue eyeshadow.
Never seen the film? Don’t worry: they’ve promised to “indoctrinate Rocky Horror virgins” shortly before the show.
Notes: This is a 19+ event. Two pieces of ID are required for entry. No outside props are allowed, as bags will be checked but prop bags will be available at the door for $5 cash. Stock is limited, so get there early!
When: October 25th, @ 7 p.m., October 26th, @ 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., October 31st @, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Where: The Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas Street
Tickets can be purchased online or at the theatre 30 minutes before showtime.
