Backpacks may be coming out for students across Greater Victoria, but the summer tourism season is far from over.

As many students return to school Tuesday, another busy week is getting underway at Ogden Point, with 14 cruise ships scheduled to visit Victoria between Monday, September 7th and Sunday, September 13th.

Combined, the vessels have an estimated passenger capacity of 46,491 people, making this week even busier than the final week of August, when 13 ships carrying a potential 43,274 passengers were scheduled to visit the city.

While cruise traffic will gradually begin to slow as September continues, there is still more than a month remaining in Victoria’s 2026 cruise season.

This week begins Monday evening with Carnival Spirit, scheduled to arrive at 8 p.m. with an estimated 2,124 passengers.

No cruise ships are scheduled for Tuesday, but things will pick up again Wednesday morning when Emerald Princess arrives from Vancouver. The ship will remain in Victoria until 5 p.m. before departing for San Francisco.

Carnival Miracle will follow Wednesday evening, bringing the day’s combined estimated passenger capacity to 5,204.

Thursday will be the busiest day of the week by potential passenger volume.

Voyager of the Seas is scheduled to arrive in the morning, followed by Norwegian Joy in the afternoon and Celebrity Edge in the early evening. Together, the three ships can carry an estimated 10,801 passengers.

Friday will bring another busy evening at Ogden Point, with Norwegian Bliss, Eurodam and Royal Princess all scheduled to arrive within 45 minutes of one another.

The three vessels have a combined estimated capacity of 9,914 passengers.

Saturday will be almost as busy as Thursday, with three ships carrying a potential 10,516 passengers.

Celebrity Summit will arrive early Saturday morning and remain in Victoria for nearly 17 hours. Star Princess and Norwegian Encore will arrive later that evening.

The week concludes Sunday with two more large ships.

Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas is scheduled to arrive with an estimated 4,919 passengers, making it the largest ship visiting Victoria this week by passenger capacity.

MSC Poesia will arrive at 7 p.m., bringing Sunday’s combined estimated capacity to 7,932 passengers.

Norwegian Cruise Line will account for the largest share of the week’s potential visitors. Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore can carry a combined 12,131 passengers.

Princess Cruise Lines follows with Emerald Princess, Royal Princess and Star Princess, which have a combined estimated capacity of 10,940.

Based on the current cruise ship schedule, approximately 279 cruise ship visits had been scheduled in Victoria between the beginning of the season and Sunday, September 6th.

Those vessels represent a combined estimated passenger capacity of approximately 839,000 people.

Passenger figures listed in the schedule represent each ship’s estimated capacity and may not reflect the number of passengers who ultimately arrive in Victoria.

This week’s cruise ship schedule:

Monday, September 7th

• Carnival Spirit: 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 2,124 passengers

Tuesday, September 8th

• No cruise ships scheduled

Wednesday, September 9th

• Emerald Princess: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., estimated 3,080 passengers
• Carnival Miracle: 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 2,124 passengers

Thursday, September 10th

• Voyager of the Seas: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., estimated 4,000 passengers
• Norwegian Joy: 1 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 3,883 passengers
• Celebrity Edge: 5:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 2,918 passengers

Friday, September 11th

• Norwegian Bliss: 7:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 4,250 passengers
• Eurodam: 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 2,104 passengers
• Royal Princess: 8:15 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 3,560 passengers

Saturday, September 12th

• Celebrity Summit: 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 2,218 passengers
• Star Princess: 7 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 4,300 passengers
• Norwegian Encore: 7:45 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., estimated 3,998 passengers

Sunday, September 13th

• Anthem of the Seas: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., estimated 4,919 passengers
• MSC Poesia: 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., estimated 3,013 passengers

A strange little mystery is unfolding along Victoria’s Galloping Goose Regional Trail.

Someone has apparently dedicated a public toilet near the Selkirk Trestle to the US president.

An otherwise ordinary public washroom in Victoria has received a rather unexpected new name.

A wooden placard reading “Donald J. Trump Memorial” has appeared above the entrance to the washrooms along the Gorge Waterway near the Selkirk Trestle.

The washrooms sit beside the Galloping Goose Regional Trail on a busy route used by people walking and cycling in and out of downtown Victoria.

So far, no one appears to know who installed the sign or how long it has been hanging there.

The City of Victoria only became aware of the placard Saturday afternoon and was unsure where it came from.

The mysterious memorial may have already disappeared.

Donald Trump memorial sign appears above Victoria public washroom
byu/isle_say inbritishcolumbia

On Reddit, a member commenting on a post of the placard said they watched someone remove the sign around 6 p.m. the same day it appeared. The person did not appear to work for the City and reportedly arrived with tools and a ladder, although the lightweight sign came down easily.

This may not be the creator’s first “memorial,” either. Similar Donald J. Trump markings have reportedly appeared on portable toilets elsewhere in Victoria, while another was spotted near Cecilia Ravine earlier this year.

Whoever is behind them has yet to take credit.

This week, the BC SPCA and Cowichan Tribes held a welcome ceremony to celebrate the opening of the brand-new Vancouver Island Animal Behaviour Centre in North Cowichan. 

Though the centre isn’t open yet, it will be this fall, and the facility will offer an innovative space for specialized behavioural treatment. 

The BC SPCA says the aim of this centre is to support multiple species in one dedicated space, including dogs, cats and small animals such as rabbits. 

The organization is seeing a growing number of animals with behavioural issues entering their Community Animal Centres, and this centre will help their staff address these challenges. 

One dog who will benefit from the new behaviour centre is Tiffany, who arrived at a local community animal centre underweight, fearful and nervous. 

BC SPCA staff and veterinarians are working with Tiffany to help her overcome her fear and trust humans again. 

The dog’s rehabilitation will take months, and include medical support, behavioural support, progress monitoring and appropriate adjustments. 

With the new centre’s opening, the BC SPCA expects to shorten this recovery time with the dedicated space and team specializing in animal behaviour. 

“From the initial design to the completed structure, the Vancouver Island Animal Behaviour Centre was built with intention, and with the needs of animals in mind every step of the way,” said Craig Daniell, chief executive officer of the BC SPCA. 

“We have worked closely with the local and regional communities and partners to bring the vision of the Vancouver Island Animal Behaviour Centre to life; we are so excited for the official opening and to bring the first few animals into care at this centre.” 

The BC SPCA’s welcome ceremony included the unveiling of artwork by Duncan-based artist Sam Casey. 

Casey’s piece aims to honour the relationships and interconnectedness between people, animals and the environment. 

The ceremony also included three traditional dances and blessings to the land were given by the Cowichan Tzinquaw Dance Group. 

Nearly 700 motor vehicle collisions have been investigated on West Shore roads during the first eight months of 2026, according to new figures released by West Shore RCMP.

Between January 1st and August 31st, officers investigated 699 collisions, issued 916 violation tickets and gave 488 warnings for motor vehicle offences.

Police also conducted 130 impaired-driving investigations during the same eight-month period.

The figures were released as West Shore RCMP highlighted its ongoing traffic enforcement efforts, including several recent traffic stops conducted by Superintendent Terry Gillespie while travelling to meetings throughout the region.

According to police, Gillespie issued tickets for a range of alleged violations, including failing to stop at a stop sign, following too closely, failing to produce a driver’s licence and having an illegible licence plate.

RCMP described the stops as a routine part of policing and an opportunity to address unsafe or unlawful driving when it is observed.

“Traffic enforcement is one part of the West Shore RCMP’s broader road-safety mandate,” said Gillespie.

“Officers regularly conduct enforcement in response to complaints, collision trends and observed driving behaviour, with a focus on reducing the likelihood and severity of collisions.”

Gillespie said traffic enforcement is not solely about handing out tickets, but is also intended to encourage safer behaviour on local roads.

“Road safety is something all of our officers have a role in,” Gillespie said.

“Traffic enforcement is not simply about issuing tickets. Our goal is to encourage safe driving behaviour and reduce the risks faced by drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users. Enforcement, education and visibility all have a role to play.”

West Shore RCMP is reminding motorists to obey posted signs and speed limits, maintain a safe following distance and remain attentive behind the wheel.

Drivers are also being reminded to ensure they are properly licensed and that their vehicles comply with provincial requirements.

Police say traffic enforcement will continue to focus on driving behaviours that put motorists, passengers, pedestrians and other road users at risk.

West Shore RCMP are moving some public services to another site as major construction gets underway to replace the older portion of its existing facility with a new building on the same site. 

Police say this portion of the facility dates back to the 1960s and will be decommissioned to make way for construction of the new building. 

While construction is underway, the public can expect loud noises, especially during demolition stages.

Though West Shore RCMP officers and staff will continue to operate from the existing site, located at 698 Atkins Avenue, the front counter services will be relocated.

West Shore RCMP front counter services will be closed to the public from September 5th to September 13th, and will re-open in its new temporary location at Unit #117 – 693 Hoffman Avenue on September 14th. 

Front counter services include, but are not limited to, reporting a crime, obtaining fingerprints and obtaining police information checks. 

Those wishing to report a crime can still do so by calling West Shore RCMP’s non-emergency line at (250) 474-2264 or via their report a crime webpage.

Police say the relocated front counter will remain available to members of the public throughout the construction period, which is expected to last at least three years.

An 18-year-old hiker was airlifted from Vancouver Island’s China Beach after suffering a head injury that left her unable to hike out of the remote area.

The rescue unfolded Monday night along the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, prompting a coordinated response involving Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue, Shirley Fire Rescue, North Shore Rescue, Talon Helicopters and BC Emergency Health Services.

Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue said its members were called to assist a hiker with a potentially severe injury.

Due to the location and nature of the injury, additional resources were brought in to help safely remove the hiker from the trail.

According to North Shore Rescue, a helicopter flight team that included an emergency-room physician flew into the area and was able to land directly on China Beach.

Members of the responding agencies worked together to transfer the injured hiker onto the helicopter.

She was then flown to a nearby landing zone and handed over to paramedics for continued care.

Officials have not released further information about how the injury occurred or provided an update on the hiker’s condition.

Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue thanked all of the agencies involved for their fast and coordinated response and said members hoped the hiker was home resting and would make a speedy recovery.

The incident highlights the challenges rescuers can face when responding to emergencies along the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail.

According to BC Parks, the rugged wilderness trail follows approximately 47 kilometres of remote coastline along the western shoreline of southern Vancouver Island. Officials warn that an emergency response can take hours due to the terrain and isolated location.

North Shore Rescue described Monday night’s operation as an example of effective teamwork among emergency agencies.

A former Cowichan Valley elementary school that later became a hub for trades training has been sold to two local buyers.

The sale will bring about a new chapter for the property which has educational roots stretching back generations.

The Cowichan Valley School District (SD79) finalized the sale of the former school at 5265 Boal Road to Duncan Pentecostal Church and Living Stones Landscaping on August 28th.

The new owners are scheduled to take possession of the property on September 15th.

The final sale price has not been publicly disclosed. The nearly six-acre property was listed for $3.15 million earlier this year and includes approximately 28,757 square feet of existing school buildings.

The property is currently zoned as ‘P-1’ for parks and institutional uses and is surrounded by a number of light-industrial properties.

Duncan Pentecostal Church reportedly plans to use the former school to accommodate its growing congregation and expand its community ministries.

Living Stones Landscaping intends to use portions of the grounds to support its business operations and establish a permanent operational home.

The sale brings to a close more than a decade of uncertainty surrounding the former school’s long-term future.

Koksilah Elementary operated as a kindergarten-to-Grade 7 school until June 2013, when it closed amid declining enrolment and financial pressures within the district.

After the closure, SD79 partnered with Vancouver Island University to convert the property into the Cowichan Trades Centre.

This arrangement allowed students to receive hands-on trades training closer to home.

VIU’s lease ended this year, which allowed SD79 to complete the provincial process required to dispose of surplus school property and place the site on the open market.
The history of Koksilah Elementary School

The Koksilah name has been connected to education in the area for considerably longer. SD79’s announcement of the sale says that the Boal Road elementary school opened in 1964, replacing the Old Koksilah School.

Records maintained by the Cowichan Valley Schools Heritage Society place the opening of the Boal Road school earlier, in 1958. According to the society, it was the fifth school to carry the Koksilah name and cost approximately $78,000 to build, with the federal government covering 70% of the cost.

The Old Koksilah School was a one-room wooden schoolhouse built in 1914 after a fire destroyed an earlier building. It closed as a community school in 1964 as transportation improved and larger centralized schools became more common.

That schoolhouse was restored and reopened as a museum in 1995. It was added to the Cowichan Valley Community Heritage Register in 2009 and later listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

The Boal Road site also played a role in Indigenous education during the 1970s.

In May 1971, a separate two-classroom “orientation school” began operating behind the elementary school for children from Cowichan Tribes entering the public school system.

Chief Dennis Alphonse and his wife, Philomena, officially opened the facility that October.

Within three years, the orientation school was considered part of the larger Koksilah Elementary complex. Over time, the school grew to include 14 classrooms, a library and a gymnasium.

The future of the property became the subject of a public dispute earlier this year.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) said it was interested in acquiring the site for possible use as an emergency shelter or supportive housing facility. The CVRD maintained that it had expressed interest in the property over several years and submitted an offer after the school was publicly listed in May.

SD79 disputed that account, saying the CVRD had not formally expressed an interest during the required consultation process and that all provincial requirements had been followed.

In June, the CVRD board unanimously agreed to send an open letter to Premier David Eby, requesting a full explanation of the process that led to the acceptance of a private offer.

The province said at the time that it was reviewing the concerns. The sale has since proceeded and is now finalized.

According to SD79, money generated by the sale will be directed toward repairs and maintenance at schools across the Cowichan Valley.

Possible projects include playground improvements, heating and cooling system upgrades and work to improve accessibility. Board Chair Cathy Schmidt previously said the district was facing approximately $100 million in deferred maintenance across roughly 20 school sites.

“Our students have told us that it’s important for them to have pride in their place of learning,” Schmidt said.

She added that the board unanimously supported the offer because the sale would generate money for needed renovations and improvements throughout the district.

The Greater Victoria School District (SD61) board members have provided an update ahead of the new school year, following their recent reinstatement. 

In January 2025, the education board members were terminated by the Province and later reinstated in May 2026.

The decision to fire them followed the SD61 trustees decision to remove the School Police Liaison Officer (SPLO) program from schools in 2023. 

The board members were then involved in a court case with the Province, and late in the litigation process against the BC government, undisclosed communication channels were revealed involving the Ministry of Education and Child Care and the government appointed special advisor.

“All of the circumstances here raise the possibility of serious governance issues affecting the District, both leading up to and following our dismissal,” said the trustees in a statement. 

Following their reinstatement on May 25th, the trustees say they discovered that several policies, reporting directives and procedures were rescinded or altered in their absence with no rationale provided. 

These policies have to do with safeguarding fiscal responsibility, accountability and student safety.

“Furthermore, we are concerned about the possibility of financial benefits being provided to one or more individuals who opposed the Board’s stance on School Police Liaison Officers, as well as transactions occurring outside normal operating processes,” the board continued. 

SD61’s board members say they are currently in the process of trying to understand and verify what took place in their absence. 

According to the trustees, their concern is less about governance matters and more to do with ensuring the safety of the school community as a whole as well as preventing conflict. 

The board believes that the community deserves complete transparency as to what occurred in their absence. 

In their update, the board also revealed that the superintendent of SD61, along with some other senior leadership members, have taken a leave of absence. 

The reason for Superintendent Deb Whitten’s leave was not disclosed in the statement, but the board wants to assure the community that operations will not be impacted by any leave. 

“The Board remains committed to uncovering the facts and is hopeful that these absences do not impede our attempts to gain transparency and ensure appropriate oversight and governance practices are being followed,” said the board. 

“To be clear, their leave has not impacted and will not in any way impact the return to school for teachers, staff, students and parents.”

In the interim, the board has appointed designates they deem capable to assist with day-to-day operations. Board members say they will also be stepping up to assist where appropriate and necessary. 

District staff and school administrators have been working all summer to prepare schools for their students’ return. 

Next week, the board says that staff will finish preparing classrooms and students will be welcomed back to school on Tuesday, September 8th.