Another eventful year has come to a close!
As 2025 comes to an end, Victoria Buzz wanted to allow its readers to reflect on a big year in news and stories which may have impacted their lives in some way.
Beloved local businesses closed down, new ones opened, the City of Victoria attempted to navigate “street disorder,” charity initiatives were launched to help unhoused folks and many more moments helped to shape the year.
And of course, there were also many exciting events, new art endeavours and everything in between.
Here are the top stories that really grabbed the attention of people in Victoria, on Vancouver Island and all across BC who were interested in what was going on around them:
January
January’s news in and around Victoria was dominated by the drama surrounding a Sidney restaurant which has since closed and been reopened by new owners under a new name.
Sea Glass Waterfront Grill officially closed its doors in late 2024, but at the beginning of 2025, some controversy over the restaurant came to light.
It was revealed by some former employees that many were let go with no notice and were owed hundreds of dollars at the time of the Sidney eatery’s closure.
Employees also revealed that the owners were pushing them to sell gift cards ahead of Christmas, knowing full well that the restaurant would close shortly thereafter.
Luckily for those who did buy gift cards, a newly renovated Mary’s Bleue Moon Cafe opted to honour the gift cards as a gesture of goodwill to the community.
Another news story that took off in January was the closure of Vancouver Island-based multi-level marketing company, Epicure.
The popular kitchenware and spice company abruptly closed in January 2025 due to significant financial struggles and market challenges following the pandemic.
Former prime minister Justin Trudeau also announced his resignation in January, prompting preparations for a federal election.
February
In classic February fashion, the weather took a turn for the worse which brought snow to the region.
Luckily for motorists across Greater Victoria and the rest of Vancouver Island, Victoria Buzz published an article that updated in real time, showing traffic cameras spanning from Sidney, all the way to Campbell River.
A 3.8 magnitude earthquake struck the region in February as well, which woke many in the region.
The earthquake occurred around 17 kilometres from Victoria, and was lightly felt in many communities on southern Vancouver Island
Victoria residents reported shaking decks and household items falling off shelves.
Canadians across the country were glued to their screens as Canada took on the United States in the Four Nations Face-Off competition in February.
Team Canada ended up winning the intense battle between nations, right as US President Donald Trump was claiming he wanted Canada to become America’s 51st state.
February also saw Sooke School District (SD62) announce charges being laid against music teacher Giles Borland for “accessing child pornography.”
March
March’s news cycle was dominated by the onset of United States-imposed tariffs against Canadian goods, which prompted widespread boycotts of American goods, cancellations of trips to the US and massive financial implications for some Canadian industries.
Tensions rose to the point where the MV Coho, which travels to and from Port Angeles and Victoria, had to apologize for raising the Canadian flag upside down while docked in Victoria.
At the time, some thought this may have something to do with the conflict, but it was claimed to have been a simple mistake.
Two tragic vehicle collisions occurred on Vancouver Island in March, one in Duncan and one just north of Campbell River. Both claimed lives.
Also in March, the annual Phillips Backyard Music Series announced its lineups for the first of their two weekend festivals in 2025.
This announcement came on the heels of Nickelback being announced at Laketown Ranch on the same weekend as the Phillips festival.
The Nickelback sold out almost immediately, making the concert one of the biggest to take place on Vancouver Island.
April
April’s news on Vancouver Island was dominated by the federal election. The election saw another Liberal win, and Mark Carney becoming Canada’s 24th prime minister.
There was some controversy during this election, as one Vancouver Island-based candidate, Aaron Gunn, came under scrutiny for his past conduct and comments.
Gunn was ultimately elected and several ridings which had historically been held by the NDP flipped to either Conservative or Liberal.
April also saw rising tensions between the United States and Canada being taken out on those who own Teslas in Victoria.
A handful of Tesla Cybertrucks were vandalized in the region, as the company’s owner Elon Musk made daily headlines in the US for slashing budgets and costing thousands of people their jobs.
April saw the end of the carbon tax in both Canada and BC.
Additionally, North Saanich-based Epicure announced a planned return following their closure and bankruptcy announcement in early 2025.
May
In May, it came to light that a former Royal Roads instructor and Vancouver Police sergeant had committed several offences dealing with sexual assault of his students and colleagues.
Keiron McConnell was put on paid leave, receiving full paycheques while being investigated after he admitted to sexually assaulting several women.
Another revelation that came in May occurred when the body of Kielan Hall, a man who had been missing for over a year, was found in an Esquimalt mobile home.
In May, Mayfair Shopping Centre’s long-anticipated H Mart finally opened its doors, and had a lineup spanning the length of the mall as people in Victoria were eager to check out the new grocer.
June
As weather heated up in June, the annual beach advisories conducted by the Capital Regional District (CRD) and Island Health helped beach-goers avoid areas with contaminated water.
A new restaurant, Murder Burger opened in James Bay’s former Floyd’s Diner location, painting the iconic pink eatery yellow and red as they opened to the public, serving smash burgers, fries and milkshakes.
Also in June, a 40-year-old worker tragically drowned at the Catalyst Pulp and Paper Mill in Crofton after the heavy machinery he was operating fell into the ocean, trapping him inside.
In Victoria, an eclectic local shop in Market Square, Thrift/Craft, managed to survive after renovations to its Market Square home hindered business greatly.
July
In July, Victoria Buzz published an article highlighting 19 new businesses which had opened since spring 2025. Some of these included DUER, Folklore Floral, Key Vintage and Cocobella.
Canada Day in Victoria brought out thousands, who saw fireworks, a live concert featuring Delhi 2 Dublin as the headliner, Blue Moon Marquee and MIINA.
Victoria Buzz published an article based on a recent report that broke down how much income was needed to buy a home in the capital region.
This report showed that to buy an “average” home in Victoria in late 2025, prospective buyers would need an income of between $185,000 to $188,000+ annually.
Controversy struck Victoria in July as the former owner of Palli Palli Paddle, Marc Helman, conducted himself unprofessionally while moonlighting as a food delivery driver.
Helman engaged in racist behaviour while interacting with a local Chinese family and lied about the circumstances once his conduct came to light.
He has since sold the company and moved out of the country.
August
In August, a massive event took place in downtown Victoria, as 60 hotels in the region emptied out their lost and founds for a rummage sale.
Wildfires became rampant on Vancouver Island as evacuation orders were established for two regions near Port Alberni.
Specifically the Mount Underwood wildfire was notable, as it grew to 3,518 hectares at its peak, making it the second largest wildfire in Vancouver Island’s history.
On the BC Day long weekend, a 34-year-old woman tragically lost her life in a collision on Sooke Road.
In Victoria-area real estate, a peculiar mansion in Oak Bay has hit the housing market once again after it was sold in 2023.
Two years ago, the 3355 Midland Road home hit the market for just under $10 million, and was put back up for sale in August with an asking price of $7,490,000.
The unique mansion features five bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and three kitchens, along with an elevator between the basement and main floor.
As August came to a close, so did an iconic restaurant in downtown Victoria, Azuma Sushi.
September
With the beginning of September, the summer came to a close and school got back in session.
Though the summer holidays were over for students, a heat wave set down upon Victoria, followed promptly by the year’s first atmospheric river.
A super yacht sailed into Sidney’s waters, and many were curious as to who owned the vessel. Victoria Buzz discovered it belonged to Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison, who is worth around $11.9 billion.
Also in September, veteran Victoria radio broadcaster Al Ferraby became a major focus of local news due to serious legal charges for “child luring.”
Police believed that Ferraby was communicating with young girls under 16-years-old for sexual purposes.
Ferraby’s lawyer has stated that he intends to plead not guilty to the two counts of child luring he faces.
October
In October, two strikes dominated the news cycle, with both the BCGEU and Canada Post workers fighting for better wages and conditions.
The BCGEU strike slowly escalated throughout October, seeing many workers take to the streets of downtown Victoria. Their strike would end after eight weeks of picketing on November 13th.
The Canada Post strike had a full strike until October 10th, but then transitioned to rotating strikes.
In more whimsical news, Miss Vickie’s chips company teamed up with a BC-based restaurant to make one of their best flavours to-date—cacio e pepe chips.
October also saw the closure of a beloved downtown clothing retailer, Still Life Boutique.
Still Life wasn’t the only downtown spot to shutter in October though. Rebar also quietly closed its doors before being taken over by a new owner who would eventually reopen the space as ‘Urban Rebar.’
Tragically, a young, 14-year-old Vancouver Island boy died in October due to an allergic reaction at a Booster Juice.
November
In November, following an eventful Halloween, another downtown eatery, Kahuna Burger, sadly announced their abrupt closure.
This closure came alongside the announcement that one of the business’ two owners was given a cancer diagnosis, which would become a massive obstacle in running the burger joint.
Mayfair Shopping Centre scored another big get in November. After the resounding success H Mart had seen upon opening, it was announced that Uniqlo would be moving into the mall as well.
A new Egyptian restaurant, CairoMum landed a space in November. After years of operating as the ghost kitchen Mama Nadia’s in Cook Street Village, the folks behind these delicious flavours began moving into the former Hong Kong West location on Fort Street.
Many were shocked when the news broke about a Saanich Police officer who was fired retroactively in November.
The officer in question had broken into a woman’s home and sexually assaulted her.
However, the officer was able to “retire” early instead of facing his dismissal, earning a full pension. He faced no other repercussions for the sexual assault and break-in he committed.
December
Last but not least, a lot happened in December this year.
The folks behind the iconic Market Garden grocery store in Vic West opened a new grocery store in the former Bay space at The Bay Centre.
The space, called Sabayons, is just as eclectic as anyone would expect who has been to the Market Garden.
Also downtown, a new Italian eatery opened in the former Hank’s and Ate location called Lumache.
Though the space is small, seating just 16, the food is truly unique and the vibes are cozy in Lumache.
Since opening, the restaurant has received glowing reviews and is currently mostly booked up for the entirety of January.
Though Victoria gained a new Italian spot, it lost another—Prima Strada announced that their Foul Bay Road location would be closing permanently.
Don’t fret over the loss of pizza though, Prima Strada’s Cook Street location will remain open.
And that brings you right up to date! Thanks for following the news throughout 2025.
Victoria Buzz looks forward to bringing you unique stories in news, politics, arts, culture, food and beyond this 2026.
