Another one in the books!
As 2024 comes to a close, Victoria Buzz wanted to allow its readers to reflect on a big year in news.
From several beloved businesses closing down, to the City of Victoria navigating how they deal with unhoused community members, to exciting events coming to the area and everything in between.
Here are the top stories that really grabbed the attention of those in Victoria, on Vancouver Island and all across BC who were interested in what was going on in and around garden city:
January 2024
In January, Victoria and many regions of southern Vancouver Island were blanketed with snow, providing some kids in the region with a ‘snow day.’
On top of that, two Vancouver Island spas were highlighted as some of the best in North America and five island restaurants were named among Yelp’s list of top 100 places to eat in Canada.
- Snow leads to school closures for some Greater Victoria students
- Two Vancouver Island spas ranked as top spots for relaxation in North America
- These five Vancouver Island restaurants are among the top 100 places to eat in Canada
February 2024
February saw many popular stories come to life for Victorians, some good, and some devastating to the community.
Dylan Willows, who hosted the morning show on The Zone @ 91-3 announced he would be leaving the radio station after being given a tragic cancer diagnosis. The community rallied behind him and put on a benefit show with all proceeds going to him and his family.
Additionally, in February two Vancouver Island communities were named some of the best for people to retire to and Victoria city council approved a 23-storey building to be constructed on View Street in the heart of downtown.
- Victoria’s biggest musical acts band together to celebrate life and career of Dylan Willows
- Two Vancouver Island communities among top places to retire in Canada
- Victoria approves 23-storey building with no parking to be constructed on View Street
March 2024
In March, the renowned Hermann’s Upstairs music venue announced its closure and the City of Victoria ended up acquiring the building in order to try to bring a new venue to the site.
Additionally, all BC Hydro customers received good news from the provincial government that they would be provided a credit to save on power bills, and a petition was recognized by the federal government that would see an active railway return to the Island Corridor on Vancouver Island.
- Popular downtown Victoria dance club announces they are closing at the end of the month
- BC Hydro customers will begin receiving a credit in April
- Feds respond to petition for active railway to be reinstated on Vancouver Island
April 2024
April was a bleak month in terms of seeing beloved businesses close—both Smith’s Pub and Chorizo & Co. shut their doors for good.
In more exciting news though, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, came to Victoria on an official royal visit. The first royal visit to the city since the passing of her mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
- ‘It has been an absolute pleasure’: Victoria’s Chorizo & Co. announces they are closing for good
- ‘Things happen’: Popular downtown Victoria bar abruptly closes doors for good
- Princess Royal’s full itinerary for Victoria visit released by Lieutenant Governor
May 2024
May saw another of downtown Victoria’s favourite eateries, the Aussie-themed Bear & Joey close their doors for good, not long after Chorizo & Co. and Smith’s announced their closures.
In brighter news, the aurora borealis was visible from Victoria and across many regions of Vancouver Island and a newer restaurant in Victoria’s downtown core was named one of the top 100 in Canada.
- Popular Aussie-themed brunch spot in Victoria will be closing for good this week
- 17 ethereal captures of the northern lights illuminating Vancouver Island skies (VIDEO/PHOTOS)
- This Victoria restaurant ranked among Canada’s 100 best restaurants of 2024
June 2024
In June, yet another place to eat, the Doughnut Vault, closed its doors as the financial strains of running a business became too difficult to navigate.
And in other bleak news, a study came to light predicting the ‘big one’ earthquake expected to hit the Pacific Northwest at some point in the future would be worse than expected.
In good news for those hoping for more housing in the region, Saanich approved a 242-unit building to be built near Tillicum Centre.
- Beloved doughnut shop in downtown Victoria announces permanent closure
- Study shows ‘the big one’ earthquake could be worse than expected for Vancouver Island
- Massive 242-unit building breaks ground in Saanich near Tillicum Centre
July 2024
July saw the beginning of many matters coming before the Victoria city council regarding what to do with unhoused people in Victoria.
Many residents of North Park, living around the new Dowler Place facility meant for unhoused individuals to receive much-needed services, launched a petition against the building being so close to their homes.
In addition to matters relating to the unhoused, a popular story came to light of a clear cut section of old-growth forest near Port Alberni, with many environmental activists expressing concern over the logging practices they deem to be aggressive.
In lighter and more exciting news, it was announced that the Stanley Cup would come to Victoria for a parade to celebrate the 1925 Victoria Cougars winning the legendary trophy.
- Not in my backyard: Petition launched to stop safe-consumption site from opening in Victoria
- ‘Old-growth carnage’: Activists concerned over clear-cut forest near Port Alberni (PHOTOS)
- There could be a Stanley Cup parade coming to Victoria for the first time ever
August 2024
In August, Victoria city council limited the number of parks unhoused people are permitted to shelter overnight in once again, leaving only three parks on the periphery of the city for them to access.
The famed snowbirds did several flyovers of Victoria as they escorted the massive Martian Mars on one of its last flights before being retired to a museum.
Additionally, yet another popular Victoria business, Vancouver Island Brewing Company announced its closure as their lease was set to increase by 35%.
- Unhoused people in Victoria left with only three parks for overnight sheltering
- Snowbirds to escort historic Martin Mars water bomber to Pat Bay this Sunday
- Vancouver Island Brewing shutting down brewery and moving production to Phillips
September 2024
September saw another downtown Victoria establishment, Little Jumbo, shut its doors as the cost of running a restaurant became too much for them to manage.
In an exciting story, Pink, an internationally famed superstar came to visit Vancouver Island and stopped in at Jakes At The Lake cafe in Cowichan Lake. While she was there she made time for fans and the staff of the restaurant were blown away by how kind and generous she was with her time.
Another popular headline in September was that WestJet was forced to pay thousands of dollars in compensation to passengers of a flight that had to be diverted to Victoria.
- ‘Toast to the good times’: Little Jumbo closing its doors for good after 40% rent hike
- Pop star spotted at Vancouver Island restaurant before Vancouver concerts
- WestJet ordered to pay thousands to passengers after flight diverted to Victoria
October 2024
The BC provincial election took the main stage in October, as candidates attempted to communicate their party’s platforms and get last minute votes for what would become one of British Columbia’s closest elections.
Aside from the election and its results, the beloved Victoria Event Centre (VEC) announced its closure, leaving the city with one less music venue in an already challenging landscape for musicians looking for a place to play.
Additionally, many Victorians were rudely awoken by an early morning earthquake that hit the region in the Juan De Fuca Strait.
- Here’s the latest on the 2024 BC election’s final results
- ‘The VEC’s Last [Band] Stand’ celebrates the venue’s life before it closes permanently
- Greater Victoria residents awoken by another earthquake
November 2024
The ‘bomb cyclone’ weather system that hit Victoria was the biggest story in November. It brought with it massive amounts of rain and intense winds, knocking out power to tens of thousands of Vancouver Islanders.
Amongst the bomb cyclone, Victoria’s city council continued to limit spaces for unhoused Victorians, erecting fencing along Pandora Avenue to keep people out of boulevards. Because of this action by the City, some advocates for the unhoused communities put up signage that called city council out for the displacement of people.
Additionally, a child actor, Miles Marthaller of Victoria, made headlines for his recent and upcoming roles in major TV shows and motion pictures.
- ‘Bomb cyclone’ expected to make landfall on Vancouver Island this Tuesday afternoon
- Victoria removes signs in protest of fencing installed along Pandora Avenue
- 6-year-old Victoria boy co-starring in a Christmas film being released this weekend
December 2024
In December, the annual truck parade that rolls through the Greater Victoria region topped headlines.
In addition to this, unclaimed lottery tickets on Vancouver Island were a big topic as there are millions up for grabs, but the tickets still remain unclaimed.
As team Canada continues their efforts in winning the world juniors, their new goal horn song was revealed by Victoria Buzz which topped headlines as well.
- 17 stunning snaps of Saturday night’s IEOA Truck Light Parade in Victoria (PHOTOS/VIDEOS)
- Check your tickets: Several big lottery wins on Vancouver Island have gone unclaimed
- Canada’s goal song revealed in shutout win over Finland in World Junior opener
And that’s a wrap!
Another year in the books as Victoria Buzz looks to the future to continue presenting news and stories in BC and on Vancouver Island to our readers.
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