A Charity Jeopardy game for United Way and the Help a Neighbour block party are where all the city’s do-gooders will be this weekend.
The Charity Jeopardy will take place on Friday, September 16th at the Bay Centre and will be the kickoff event for United Way Southern Vancouver Island’s (UWSVI) annual fundraising campaign.
Media personalities from around town are going to gather for the event, including Victoria Buzz’s own Nicole Bentham who will be taking part in the game of Jeopardy.
Following Friday’s fun, family-friendly game of Jeopardy, a block party will be taking place on Government Street between Broughton and Courtney on Saturday.
The block party will highlight local non-profits that enrich the local communities, providing support to some of Victoria’s most vulnerable.
Attendees will be able to meet local charities as well as eat and enjoy some wholesome entertainment.
“Last year, we supported close to 63,000 individuals on Southern Vancouver Island to build better lives,” said Victoria Schmid, UWSVI Board Vice-Chair in a media release.
“When we looked at the numbers, we realized that almost 1-in-6 people in our region are helped by a United Way initiative or funded program. We want to showcase and celebrate those partner agencies transforming lives here on the Island.”
UWSVI was one of the largest contributors to the floods that overtook the lower mainland and parts of Vancouver Island in 2021.
They have always been connected to the communities they serve and if you are ever in need, chances are they will be there to help you. So why not help them out by attending the Charity Jeopardy and the Help a Neighbour block party.
Charity Jeopardy:
Where: The Bay Centre
When: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Help a Neighbour block party:
Where: Government Street between Broughton and Courtney
As you’ll undoubtedly know, the Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral is coming up next week.
Millions of people will be watching from around the world, but only a handful of people will be able to witness it in person.
It’ll be the first British monarch to have her funeral since 1760.
She will be honoured with a full state funeral at Westminster Abbey next week, in a ceremony that will be televised across the world.
The date will be marked as an official federal holiday in Canada to coincide with the queen’s funeral in London, UK.
For many of us who obviously can’t be there, the funeral will be broadcast live on Monday, September 19th at 3 a.m. PST or 6 a.m. EDT.
The service will be broadcasted on television but if you’re a cord-cutter or don’t have cable and want to watch the event, there are plenty of options to livestream the queen’s funeral on streaming platforms.
Some streaming platforms might even offer free trials.
While the above is just a handful of places to watch, many more will likely pop up on YouTube.
In a statement Tuesday, Premier John Horgan announced that to recognize the new federal holiday to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II, all schools K-12, public post-secondary institutions and most Crown corporations will be closed.
The national holiday will be observed by federal employees this upcoming Monday, September 19th.
“Our government will follow the lead of the federal government and join with other provinces in observing the national day of mourning to mark the Queen’s funeral,” said Horgan in his statement.
“This will be a national day to reflect on the incredible life of Canada’s Queen and the longest-serving monarch in British history.”
Horgan said in his statement that he “advises provincial public-sector employers to honour this day in recognition of the obligations around federal holidays in the vast majority of provincial collective agreements.”
This announcement came on the heels of the federal government’s decision on the holiday, but they stipulated that it would be up to provincial leadership to determine if its residents would observe the holiday as a statutory (stat) holiday.
In conjunction with the funeral Monday, there will be a commemorative procession and service held in Victoria at Christ Church Cathedral for Queen Elizabeth II, whose passing brought on an outpouring of BC residents who want to mourn the late Queen.
WorkSafeBC has penalized two Victoria-based companies for workplace safety violations.
Langford’s Verity Construction Ltd. / Verity Developments and Victoria’s Point Hope Maritime Ltd. were fined $122,403.34 and $84,999.31 respectively as penalties for high-risk violations for working from heights and for confined spaces.
According to WorkSafeBC, Verify’s penalized offence took place in early August when an inspector visited one of their construction sites.
In a media release, the inspector said they observed a scaffolding tower without guardrails being used to access the sixth floor. Verify failed to ensure the scaffold was being used safely with guardrails following a stop-work order from WorkSafeBC.
Verity Construction Ltd. / Verity Developments was then slapped with a repeated high-risk violation fine amounting to over $122,000.
In 2021, there were over 4,000 injuries from falls reported to WorkSafeBC. Just under 500 are considered to be serious injuries and there were six fatalities in BC because of a fall.
The second fine that the agency handed out was to Point Hope Maritime Ltd.
WorkSafeBC say they attended the firm’s dry-dock shipyard in response to an incident where a worker was seriously injured.
The worker who was injured had been power-washing in confined space on a ferry bay and was found after a suspected fall to be disoriented.
WorkSafeBC says it found several deficiencies and oversights regarding the safety of workers in these confined spaces and issued the firm a stop-work order.
Point Hope Maritime Ltd. failed to conduct an adequate hazard assessment for the confined space work activity that aligned with WorkSafeBC’s standards and they also failed to have written procedures for safe work in confined spaces based on the assessment.
They also failed to conduct testing and inspection of a moderate hazard atmosphere and they failed to properly train employees on safe work in confined spaces with hazards involved.
All of these safe-work failures resulted in the fine of just under $85,000.
The amount of a penalty is usually based on the size of the employer’s payroll, and the nature of the violation.
“Penalties can be larger if certain specific factors are present, such as for high-risk or intentional circumstances, or if the employer has received a penalty about a substantially similar violations in the past three years,” WorkSafeBC said in a media statement.
Criteria for how they determine the amount a fine shall be in the occasion of a failure to comply with their standards.
In 2021, WorkSafeBC handed out over 350 fines resulting in over $7.9 million.
The window of opportunity for candidate nomination is now over and the election is coming up which means it is time to get to know your candidates for Saanich’s next Mayor and City Councillors.
There are two candidates running for the position of mayor and 24 candidates running for council. Many are running for reelection and many of them are fresh faced and full of ideas on how to improve their Saanich.
The election on October 15th will also see two new school board trustees of which there are only three candidates running.
With a population of over 200,000–the District of Saanich is the largest municipality in Greater Victoria.
Here are the mayoral candidates:
Fred Haynes: is the active mayor who is running for re-election. His priorities are housing, climate and environment, safety and economic resilience.
Dean Murdoch: Wants to create affordable homes, build accessible, walkable neighbourhoods, strengthen the local economy, protect against climate change and restore trust in decision making.
Here are the city council candidates:
Trevor Barry: Wants to focus on five core priorities–right-sizing density planning, climate action leadership, supporting small businesses, creating safe and healthy communities and moving Saanich online.
Susan Brice: Has been a council member since 2005 and is seeking re-election. Some of her focuses are housing for all, diversifying and building the economy, accessible transportation and preservation of natural areas.
Judy Brownoff: A council member since 1993 and running for re-election. She says she wants to focus on addressing climate change, making housing affordability a priority, mobility safety and accessibility, preservation of parks and green spaces and protecting and increasing our tree canopy.
Kathleen Burton
Nathalie Chambers: A member of the Saanich city council since 2018 and running for re-election.
Bianca Chu
Zac de Vries: Elected to city council in 2018, Zac is seeking re-election. He wants to tackle climate, housing, public health, equity, and infrastructure costs as city councillor.
Karen Harper: Elected in 2017 to the Saanich city council, she is running for re-election. Her priorities are housing, budget, environmental stewardship.
Sasha Izard: Some notable platform issues for Sasha are stopping overdevelopment and over-growth, housing affordability, making healthcare a priority and taking Indigenous relations seriously.
J. Charles Lamb
Basil Langevin: Has been the Executive Director of an LGBT non-profit for the last eight years. He claims to be an advocate for safer streets, a champion for equality and a life-long learner in making cities better.
Mark Leiren-Young: Wants to find solutions to affordable housing, improve community engagement, strengthen the arts & culture sector of Saanich and create better solutions to Saanich’s infrastructure.
Vernon Lord: Wants to tackle issues involving housing, preserving parks, making the district more accessible, safer roads and empowering local businesses.
Jordan MacDougall: Has a four-point platform that involves making Saanich affordable, creating sustainable infrastructure, decolonization and fiscal responsibility and transparency.
Gregory Matte: Is running on a platform of responsiveness, efficiency and effectiveness.
Leslie Miller-Brooks
Shelly Minhas
Mark Neufeld: Says he wants to engage and empower youth, implement sensible collaborative policies, advocate for affordable housing and build a lasting community and ecosystem.
Teale Phelps Bondaroff: Is running on a platform of affordable housing for everyone, sustainable communities, inclusive governance and safe and accessible streets.
Colin Plant: Was elected to Saanich city council in 2014, served as Chair of the Capital Regional District Board the past four years and is running on a platform of housing affordability, road safety and the environment.
Art Pollard: Claims to want to develop opportunities to create a central business district, work toward liveable, walkable neighbourhoods, encourage backyard and community gardens for food sustainability and Increase opportunities for student housing and rental housing to name a few.
Jordan Reichert: Wants to improve housing, affordability, transportation, environment, community, and safety.
Rishi Sharma: Believes it’s time to focus on economic development in Saanich to generate more revenue for services and supports for residents without having to continue to raise taxes and fees.
Mena Westhaver: Claims to be an advocate for safe transportation, improved parks and trails, housing density to increase affordability and for low income citizens to provide more opportunities for inclusion.
This article is subject to change as more information on candidates becomes available. Any additional information regarding the candidates for the positions of Mayor or City Councillor in Saanich can be sent to tips@victoriabuzz.com with the subject line saying “Election Information.”
Oceanside RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating a 60-year-old man reported missing Monday, when his vehicle was found in Parksville.
According to RCMP, Ottavio Cutillo has not been seen since September 8th.
His vehicle, a 2006 red Toyota Yaris with BC licence number MS5 98N, was found by police near the old train station on the Alberni Highway in Parksville.
All attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful. His family and police are concerned for his health.
RCMP described Cutillo as six-foot-two and 210 pounds with a stocky build and close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair, and has some teeth missing.
He usually wears darks clothes and is unsteady on his feet but frequents local walking beaches in Parksville and Qualicum Beach.
Anyone who may have seen Ottavio over the last few days or has information about his current whereabouts are asked to contact Oceanside RCMP at 250-248-6111.
Did you want to marry your partner at Ribfest this year but couldn’t track down a licensed commissioner?
Well Rifflandia has you covered!
So many folks had to delay and postpone their weddings once, twice or sometimes even three times due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Rifflandia saw a need for folks who love music to tie the knot at their festival, and they’re taking it!
There will be an eloping station at the festival located at The Park in Riffcity Hall on Sunday only, and yes, there will be a licensed commissioner to make it official.
The only thing you have to bring to the table is an undying love for your partner and a marriage license, which you can get here.
Once you have that license, make sure you sign up through Rifflandia because space is limited all you have to do is sign up here.
(Save-on-Foods Memorial Arena / Roll. Focus. Productions)
Update: The Victoria’s Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre job fair has been booked at full capacity and is no longer accepting further registrations.
— original:
With summer winding down and hockey season and indoor events ramping up, it’s time to get down to business.
If you’re in the market for a new job, Victoria’s Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, September 21st, and they have a range of new openings.
The job fair will include several different companies, including GSL Group, Victoria Royals, Save-On-Food Memorial Centre, Victoria Police Department, Uride, and Paladin Security.
Not only will you have the opportunity to score yourself a new job, but everyone who attends the event will receive two tickets to a Victoria Royals game, have a chance to win a prize and there will be FREE food!
In order to attend the job fair, attendees must register online (link removed with event at full capacity) in advance.
As for positions at the arena, they’re looking to hire employees for a number of event-driven positions including:
Cooks
Concession Staff
Servers
Team Store Associates
Skate Shop Staff
Conversion Crew Staff
Engineers
Maintenance Staff
Guest Services
Fan Experience
Director, Facility Operations
Manager, Premium Sales & Service
Interested candidates should head over to the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre next Wednesday with their résumés to apply and meet their potential employers firsthand – or you can also apply directly online.
Tuesday afternoon, Premier John Horgan announced that to recognize the new federal holiday to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II, all schools K-12, public post-secondary institutions and most Crown corporations will be closed.
The national holiday will be observed by federal employees this upcoming Monday, September 19th.
“Our government will follow the lead of the federal government and join with other provinces in observing the national day of mourning to mark the Queen’s funeral,” said Horgan in his statement.
“This will be a national day to reflect on the incredible life of Canada’s Queen and the longest-serving monarch in British history.”
Horgan said in his statement that he “advises provincial public-sector employers to honour this day in recognition of the obligations around federal holidays in the vast majority of provincial collective agreements.”
This announcement came on the heels of the federal government’s decision on the holiday, but they stipulated that it would be up to provincial leadership to determine if its residents would observe the holiday as a statutory (stat) holiday.
On Monday there will be a commemorative procession and service held in Victoria at Christ Church Cathedral for Queen Elizabeth II, whose passing brought on an outpouring of BC residents who want to mourn the late Queen.
Their ‘Blacksmith Shoes’ has every kind of boot you could dream of and they’re all quality. Whether you want some Betsey Johnson Divas covered in rhinestones or a winter version of your summer Birks you love so much—they’ve got you.
Locally owned and operated, they conceptualized the store as a contemporary gallery where the shoes and accessories are presented as pieces of art. If you’ve never been you’ve got to check it out. Boots galore in there.
If you need that Blundstone fix because yours are broken and busted, not grippy anymore or just worn right out, this is the spot to hit up! Also a great spot to get your next set of inside shoes. If you’ve never tried Glerups you are blowing it at living your comfiest life.
Not specifically a shoe store… But they do have some nice boot options! Plus you can shop around for more cozy fall apparel while you’re there! That’s never, ever a bad thing.
They’ve got a little bit of everything you could ever want in a shoe store. Boots, sandals for that getaway you’re planning for winter, slippers or literally anything. They’ve always got great sales and great staff who know a lot about boots and shoes.
This Monday, September 19th, a ceremonial procession and commemorative service will be held to honour the memory of the late Queen.
The procession is set to begin at the Parliament Building in downtown Victoria and will be a walking procession on closed streets to Christ Church Cathedral located at 930 Burdett Avenue.
It has not been released as to which streets the route will take those in the procession along.
Of those in the procession Premier John Horgan, Lieutenant Governor of BC Jane Austin, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and other dignitaries have confirmed they will be attending.
There will be a 21-gun salute in accordance with tradition for any occasion a head of state or a head of government passes.
Christ Church Cathedral’s service for the late Queen will be led by the Reverend M. Ansley Tucker and is set to get underway at 11 a.m.
Public seating for the service will be limited but the public will be able to livestream the service.
Earlier today the federal government announced that September 19th will be a national holiday henceforth to honour Queen Elizabeth II. However, provincial governments have the power to decide if it will be recognized as a provincial holiday.
For the time being, only federal employees will receive the day off as the new holiday is not recognized as a statutory (stat) holiday.
A 95-year-old driver in Oak Bay was charged with failing to stop at a red light after striking a 15-year-old girl in a crosswalk last week.
According to Oak Bay Police, the incident occurred just after 10:30 a.m. Monday, at the intersection of Oak Bay Avenue and Elgin Road after a pedestrian was struck in the crosswalk.
Fortunately, the 15-year female pedestrian suffered minor injuries. She was transported to hospital by ambulance.
Along with being charged, the driver was handed a $167 ticket and two demerit points.
BC motorists that are 80 years or older must pass a medical examination report every two years if they choose to continue to drive.
Affordable dental care could finally be on the horizon for Canadian parents.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that eligible parents and guardians could receive up to $650 per year if the proposed Canadian Dental Benefit is approved.
One-in-five Canadians reported in a 2018 survey that they avoid the dentist because of the cost and one third of Canadians do not have insurance that covers dental.
This is just the first stage in a comprehensive national dental care program that is still being developed and will cover children 12 and under who are eligible.
Parents and guardians without dental insurance will be with an adjusted net income under $90,000 per year could receive money in three tiers for their children under 12:
$650 per child in a family whose adjusted net income is under $70,000
$390 per child in a family whose adjusted net income is between $70,000 and $79,999
Or $260 per child in a family whose adjusted net income is between $80,000 and $89,999
The government has set December 1st, 2022 as the target date to have this first stage of the program implemented pending on Parliamentary approval and Royal Assent of enabling legislation according to a media release.
Retroactive expenses will be covered back to October 1st, 2022.
Parents and guardians will be able to apply for the benefit through the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) website beginning on the date of implementation.
The federal government claims to be committed to implementing a long-term dental plan for all who are not insured with an adjusted net income of less than $90,000 by 2025.
If so, this free and informative event is for you!
Next Thursday, September 22nd, WorkBC is hosting a job fair in Langford—and you’re invited.
The job fair will take place at the Colwood Community Church from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and over 40 employers will be in attendance including Island Health, GFL, BC Transit, Expedia Cruises, Royal Roads, Tim Hortons and more!
The free event is open to all, and you can register online—registration is encouraged but not necessary.
You’ll have the chance to meet employers from a wide range of fields including trades, health care, public service, government, food service, retail, non-profit, hospitality, financial and educational industries!
Available positions include part-time and full-time shifts, in a variety of entry-level to senior roles.
Planning to attend? Check out these tips below:
Attendees are encouraged to ‘dress for success,’ and bring a current resume as many employers will be giving on-the-spot interviews
WorkBC Centre Westshore will be onsite to assist with interview preparation and share tips and tricks on how to impress potential employers
Job seekers that are eligible are also encouraged to sign up for WorkBC’s free employment services to fully benefit from one-on-one support including resume and cover letter assistance, job coaching, career planning, potential access to the Wage Subsidy program, financial support for items like work clothing and certifications and much more
Attendees will also be entered into a draw to win a free tablet – up to two winners!
Event registration is not necessary but encouraged as those who register will receive a free job fair guide as well as an extra entry into a draw for the door prize—you can register here
In early September, while a Road Safety Unit of BC Highway Patrol’s was working near Victoria, a member of the public made them aware of a large gathering of cars and motorcycles.
The citizen who reported this gathering to the CRD Integrated Road Safety Unit (CRD-IRSU) claimed that some of the vehicles were racing one another and breaking other traffic laws.
The CRD-IRSU responded to the area, where they issued 80 violation tickets and impounded two vehicles for excessive speed.
“I am a car and motorcycle enthusiast and enjoy seeing the pride people have in their vehicles,” said Acting Commander of BCHP Vancouver Island, Sgt. Adam Tallboy in a media release.
“Sadly, a small number of the people attending these types of events engage in dangerous driving behaviour.”
“BC Highway Patrol will continue working with our partner agencies to monitor events such as this to ensure public safety while allowing people to enjoy their passion for vehicles.”
The BC Highway Patrol urges the public to make good decisions when it comes to driving to help make our highways safer together.
It’s official, the Toronto Raptors training camp in Victoria will also include a charity game at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre later this month.
After a successful FIBA World Cup Qualifier game between Canada and Argentina, the Friends of Victoria Basketball announced the Toronto Raptors visit to the capital region will include their annual open practice and charity scrimmage game.
Canada’s only NBA team joined the league in 1995 as an expansion team and won the championship in 2019, defeating the two-time defending and six-time NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
The Raptors will be holding their training camp for the 2022-23 season at the University of Victoria.
This is the second time the Raptors have held camp in Victoria, with the previous time being in 2017.
Training camp runs from September 26th to October 1st, and similar to their last trip, all workouts will be closed to the public—however, on Friday, September 30th, the team will hold their only open practice and scrimmage where the public can attend.
Tickets will be made available starting at 10 a.m. on Friday September 16th at selectyourtickets.com. Donations for entrance will range from $20 to $40, with net proceeds going to support local Indigenous organizations.
Once training camp is complete, the team will play five pre-season games, two of which are taking place in Canadian cities, in Edmonton and Montreal, as part of the NBA Canada Series.
The Raptors will face the Utah Jazz at Rogers Place in Edmonton on October 2nd, and the Boston Celtics at Bell Centre in Montreal on October 14th.
The province’s police watchdog has cleared Saanich Police of any wrongdoing after a man suffered serious injuries following a multi-vehicle crash in July.
On the afternoon of July 7th, officers with the Saanich Police department responded to a motor vehicle incident in the area of Cook Street and Cloverdale Avenue.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC conducted an investigation because one man sustained serious, life-threatening injuries.
The IIO is a civilian run organization of the police in British Columbia. They investigate all incidents where serious harm or death are involved to determine if there is any wrong-doing on behalf of the police.
Witnesses reported a three-car crash on the day of the incident, and said that one man appeared to be having a mental health crisis while in possession of a large knife.
The man was taken into police custody after being struck with several non-lethal rounds fired by officers. He was then transported to the hospital for serious injuries he sustained that were self-inflicted, and minor injuries that were sustained during the arrest.
No one else involved in the incident was physically injured.
Shortly after the incident, the IIO was notified and began their investigation to determine if police officers had any role in the injuries sustained by the victim or if the injuries were self-inflicted.
The IIO says they reviewed all evidence including witness statements, information from the victim, video footage and forensic evidence.
Upon concluding their review of the evidence, it was determined that the serious injuries were not caused by police action.
No matter the outcome, things will look a whole lot different at Victoria’s City Hall.
Only one active councillor, Ben Isitt, is seeking re-election, while two other current councillors Marianne Alto and Stephen Andrew are running for mayor.
This election the City of Victoria will see one mayor, eight city councillors, nine School District 61 Trustees and three CRD Directors elected on October 15th.
Victoria voters will have to choose between 37 candidates for 8 city council slots, and another eight will be running for mayor.
Here are all the candidates for Mayor of Victoria:
Stephen Andrew: Is running on a platform of creating a Victoria for everyone, public safety and community wellness and homes for everyone.
Marianne Alto: Wants to focus on issues of housing, city services, neighbourhood well-being, economy and reconciliation.
Brendan Marshall: States that he’d like to put Victoria first, improve traffic flow, remove tent cities, decrease taxes, make the city more affordable to live in, remove red tape and improve safety.
Of the candidates running for the position of city councillor, seven are running under the Viva Victoria umbrella.
Viva Victoria is an elector organization registered with Elections BC that claims to be a grassroots group whose purpose is to elect principled candidates to Victoria city council and the Greater Victoria School District 61 Board of Education.
These seven candidates running under Viva Victoria for City Councillor:
Julia Alvarez: Says she wants to bring to the forefront true sustainable living, commencing with food security, to tackle the issue of homelessness and Julia believes we are missing a train. With the growth our island is experiencing, we need mass transport to offset the congestion on our roads.
Sandy Janzen: She claims to share the same issues as the wider public: Lack of affordable housing, a living wage and stress.
Jason Jones: Claims that Victorians do not want a city council that votes to defund Remembrance Day ceremonies. Or that takes in the homeless with no regard for the safety of those parties involved.
Muller Kalala: Thinks that Victoria can afford to house its homeless population and city council can pave the way and wants to engage in more dialogue with their hard-working and tax-paying citizens.
Jeremy Maddok: Thinks local government puts ideology over citizens’ real-life concerns. He wants to restore Victoria’s ‘triple-A’ credit rating on issues of Accessibility, Affordability, and Accountability.
Emmanuel Parenteau: Wants a Victoria that is safe, accessible and affordable for my children and grandchildren.
Brad Siffert: His primary focus is on creating a safer and more accessible Victoria as well as strengthening the local economy.
These are the other 30 candidates running for City Councillor running independently:
Jeremy Caradonna: Wants to make Victoria a better governed, more accountable, more affordable, more liveable, and more vibrant city.
Christopher Coleman: Wants to steer Victoria city council toward governance and away from politics.
Matt Dell: Wants to tackle affordability, strengthen communities and invest in the future.
Rob Duncan: Believes the foremost issues for the City of Victoria are the housing crisis and climate crisis.
Jalal Elarid
Marg Gardiner: Wants Victoria to be a more vibrant, progressive, forward-looking, and healthy city.
Riga Godron
Stephen Hammond: Says he wants a safer city for everyone, realistic support for everyone and wants to focus on key city services.
Christopher Hanna
James Harasymow: Wants to make Victoria a more safe and vibrant city, help to foster affordable housing in the city and nurture culture and community.
Ben Isitt: Is the only current Councillor standing for re-election. Wants to take on issues of affordable housing, climate action and food security.
Susan Kim: Claims to have a plan for building affordable homes, protecting renters, and promoting smart and strategic densification.
Anna King: Wants to foster inter-neighbourhood connection, deal with housing issues the city faces, create reliable and efficient public transit and integrate communities.
Brian Klassen: Wants to prohibit overnight shelters in public areas and optimize roads for vehicular flow.
Krista Loughton: Her priorities are to create a sense of community, reduce the impact of the housing crisis and assist those dealing with mental health issues, addiction and homelessness.
Janice Nightingale
Steve Orcherton
Derek Pinto
Khadoni Pitt Chambers: Main focuses are general affordability, housing stock increases and overhauls to BC Transit and active transportation networks.
Jordan Quitzau: Wants to offer better support for renters, make the city a safer place and ensure accessibility for all, support small businesses, improve infrastructure, and fill potholes.
William Scott
Susan Simmons: Stands for strong governance, an accessible city and community collaboration.
Tom Sinclair
Shea C. Smith
Dave Thompson: Wants to focus on housing accessibility and affordability, action on climate emergency and creating welcoming healthy and safe neighbourhoods
Janice Williams: Her priorities are promoting and improving good governance, public safety and crime reduction, enhanced accessibility and inclusiveness, housing and enabling fair growth improving parks and recreation opportunities and lastly fostering affordability for residents
Tony Yacowar: Would like to focus on housing, livability, arts and culture and amalgamation
In a statement, the City of Victoria said an online “candidate profile guide” containing information provided by each candidate will be available on the city’s website on Monday, September 19th.
This article is subject to change as more information on candidates becomes available. Any additional information regarding the candidates for the positions of Mayor or City Councillor in Victoria can be sent to tips@victoriabuzz.com with the subject line saying “Election Information.”
Construction is now underway on Kimta Road for the newest E&N trail cycling connector.
Once completed, the City of Victoria says cyclists of all ages and abilities will be able to enjoy a continuous bicycle ride from the E&N trail, a route on Kimta Road parallel to the Songhees Walkway and onto the Galloping Goose or into downtown.
According to Rob Fleming, BC’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, funding was made available for this project through the 2021/2022 Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program.
“The Province continues to invest in active transportation infrastructure as part of our commitment to our CleanBC climate plan, and to help more people access safe and affordable transportation options,” Fleming said today in a media release.
“This project will improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, and add continuity to a regional transportation route, which will help more people in the Capital Region choose active travel.”
City of Victoria
The project will see the intersection of the E&N Trail and Esquimalt Road get updated bicycle and pedestrian crossings. Currently this intersection requires cyclists to dismount and is unclear about how to get back onto the bike lanes in a safe and responsible way.
The route will then see a new multi-use pathway parallel to Esquimalt Road up until Catherine Street where there will be a new pedestrian and bicycle crossing.
Kimta Road will get new protected bike lanes along the north side of the street with a protected crosswalk for pedestrians to cross at the Kimta Road, Saghalie Road intersection.
And finally, there will be an upgraded multi-use path that allows cyclists to access the Galloping Goose and downtown core after the Tyee Road and Kimta Road intersection.
This pathway will also receive new lighting and an upgraded pedestrian/cyclist crossing.
The project is expected to be completed in six months.
Several suspects have been identified after multiple people were attacked with bear spray at a fair in Port Alberni over the weekend.
In a media release, RCMP said the bear spray incident was targeted initially but quickly spread to several bystanders who were “heavily affected” by the noxious substance.
“Although not all intended victims have been located, several suspects are identified,” the local RCMP detachment said.
Paramedics treated those who were affected on scene.
Police are looking to speak with anyone with information, photos or video about this incident.
In addition to this incident, Port Alberni RCMP said 19 people were taken into police custody over the fall fair weekend, though not all of the arrests were related to incidents at the fairgrounds.
Witnesses to the bear spray attack are asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424.
With the nomination period for municipal elections officially over, another candidate has thrown their name into the hat on who will become the next mayor of Victoria.
Brendan Marshall, who is a resident of Esquimalt, has entered the race to be the city’s next Mayor.
Though he’s from Victoria and has lived in the capital region his whole life, he’s never had a professional background in politics.
Marshall currently lives in Esquimalt, but says he is running in Victoria’s mayoral race because he wants to “bring some common sense back to Victoria.”
“Things have gotten so bad with crime and homelessness, senseless traffic redirections, out of control spending, you name it,” Marshall told Victoria Buzz. “I feel like there’s more reason to run in Victoria than anywhere else right now.”
Marshall wants to focus on reducing crime and homelessness in the city, as well as making the city more affordable and accessible when it comes to housing.
“Ultimately, I think that we need to have an open book. We need to have an independent audit on the spending and I want to be open about where the money’s going,” said Marshall.
“The city has spent untold millions of dollars on attempts to house the homeless and it seems like everything’s gotten worse. We need to really disclose the true numbers of what we’ve spent on the traffic redirection projects and whatnot.”
Brendan Marshall is one of the owners of the Sunnyside Cafe in Esquimalt, most notably known as the source of some controversy in protesting the mask and vaccination passport mandates during the pandemic.
When asked about how this could affect his campaign, Marshall said, “if people are being marginalized in any way, I’m prepared to stand up for them and to put my neck out to protect them. It was the passport that we didn’t feel right about, and I spoke up against it.”
Stephen Andrew and Marianne Alto are the only two running for Mayor who have previously served on city council. There are five other candidates who will be on the ballot this October, including: Lyall Atkinson, Rafael Fuentes, Rod Graham, David Arthur Johnston and Michelle Wiboltt.
Previous Mayor, Lisa Helps is not running for re-election.
One of our favourite things about the transition from summer to fall?
The fashion, of course!
At Hillside Centre there over 100 shops and services to ensure that you Study in Style this season—and we’re here to help you out with that.
We’re giving away not one, but TWO $100 gift cards to Hillside Centre, and you’ll find those contest details below.
On top of that, you can enter to win a $1000 fashion makeover from Hillside by entering their Study in Style contest online.
What’s your go-to autumn staple—is it layers, cozy sweaters, tall boots?
New fall fashion trends are arriving at Hillside every single day!
Bomber jackets, vegan leather pants, skirts and jackets, over-sized sweaters and baggy jeans are a just a few trends that we’re seeing this upcoming season.
Fall colours that might delight include lilac, golden yellow, caramel, olive green and sky blue!
CONTEST
For a chance to WIN a $100 gift card to Hillside Centre (we’re giving away two!) complete one or more of the following:
SHARE this post on Facebook and/or Twitter and leave a comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
Two winners will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they enter within 24 hours of the contest closing—the first winner will be drawn on September 16th, and the second winner will be drawn on September 23rd. Good luck!
This past weekend was full of events as well as wildfire smoke.
Despite it being late in the season for wildfires, several are burning in BC including large fires near Hope and Manning Park.
In addition to those, wildfire smoke from Oregon and Washington state is wafting over BC, so much so that it prompted an air quality warning over the weekend.
Although it has improved slightly today, the Air Quality Health Index in Victoria and Saanich is currently rated at 3.
A special weather statement remains in place and is expected to remain in place until at least Tuesday.
Although jarring, the hazy skies over the CRD did make for some pretty stellar photographs.
Take a look at these 17 photos of the smoky horizon over Greater Victoria:
Victoria’s bars, breweries, and restaurants will now have a new tool in their hands to educate employees on and prevent workplace sexual harassment and violence.
Training in Prevention and Safety (TIPS) is a voluntary and free program for everyone working in Victoria’s hospitality industry. Managers, employers, owners and employees are intended to take the program to ensure safety from top to bottom within a business.
The program was developed by End Violence Association of BC (EVA BC) and Good Night Out Vancouver (GNOV) and is funded by the City of Victoria and Justice Canada.
What prompted the creation and implementation of this program was a 2019 motion passed by the city council for sexualized violence prevention training intended for employers and staff of bars, restaurants, and hospitality organizations.
Studies show that two-in-five (43%) workers in the hospitality industry will experience sexualized violence or harassment. Bars and clubs being the top two reported locations where unwanted sexual behaviour occurs in Canada.
Of those who have experienced workplace sexual harassment, women make up 52% of victims.
“This initiative is a step in the right direction to prevent sexualized violence in Victoria. The work started in 2019 but was really elevated by the voices of survivors and hospitality industry leaders,” said City of Victoria Councillor Jeremy Loveday in a media release.
“Public safety begins with education, and we are grateful for the collaboration of GNO and EVA to develop this free training for the hospitality industry.”
EVA BC say TIPS goal is to increase awareness of how to recognize workplace sexual harassment, teach the best practices to protect staff/customers from harassment, developing policies and procedures for their protection.
They also look to increase confidence for bystanders to intervene and to have all levels of employment gain a comprehensive understanding of legal requirements, and how to respond to and investigate incidents.
The intention of this initiative is to create a shared responsibility of accountability among all levels of employment within a business in the hospitality industry.
There are two versions of the TIPS program–one for employees and one for employers, owners, managers, and supervisors.
To complete the training, which is available now, EVA BC’s website has access to the TIPS program.
The Strathcona Hotel is adding another venue space to its ever-expanding Strath-verse–Wicket Hall is set to open its doors after a year of waiting.
Big Bad John’s and the Sticky Wicket will have a new sibling join the family.
Wicket Hall is the same historic space that has had several names over the years, including Distrikt, 9 ONE 9, Element, Legends, the Forge, the Old Forge, and don’t forget, the New Forge.
The Strath decided that the pandemic was the perfect time to give the space a face-lift and reinvent the space to fill the needs of a post-pandemic Victoria.
DJs, recording artists and bands can be expected to take the stage once the space is open.
There will also be a golf and sports simulator for guest play.
Events and festivals like a Birthday Celebration, for anyone who turned 19 in the over the pandemic and an Island Craft Festival, for craft beer lovers are just a couple on the calendar prior to their grand opening, which is set to take place on September 23rd and 24th.
The basement nightclub will hold 600 people and is expected to be one of the new favourite spots for locals and visitors alike.
In a media release, police said that at about 3:45 p.m. on Friday, September 9th, officers responded to a call of erratic and possibly impaired driving in the area of Hillside Avenue and Quadra Street.
The incident was also described as a possible road rage incident.
The suspect was the same man who was arrested last week after crashing head-on into an Oak Bay police cruiser and two Saanich Police vehicles.
On Friday, officers located the rental vehicle described in the reports and attempted a traffic stop but the driver did not comply.
In order to reduce public endangerment, the police did not pursue the vehicle.
A short time later, officers were able to box the vehicle and driver near the intersection of Hillside Avenue and Doncaster Drive.
The driver exited the vehicle and approached officers, which was not in accordance with the officers commands.
He attempted to fight the officers on scene so officers deployed a taser which was successful in stopping the suspect and officers were able to take him into custody.
The suspect was transported to hospital for a medical evaluation but was otherwise uninjured.
The rental vehicle being driven was described as a white, late model, Hyundai Kona.
The driver was issued a 14-month driving prohibition by Saanich police at the latest incident while last week’s arrest is still under investigation.
VicPD is asking witnesses and anyone with dash camera footage of this new incident to come forward to assist their investigation by calling the VicPD at (250) 995-7654.
It’s not often that you get to don your best black tie here in Victoria.
But on Saturday, November 19th you can, because this year’s Visions Gala is happening at the Fairmont Empress and Victoria Conference Centre in downtown Victoria.
All proceeds raised from the evening will benefit our local hospitals through the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, and you can grab your tickets online here.
The formal black tie event will host 500 guests, and there are single tickets as well as premium tables available in groups of 10.
Over its 29 year history, Visions has raised more than $9.6 million, funding urgently needed medical equipment at Royal Jubilee, Victoria General, and Gorge Road hospitals.
The evening will include a sit-down five-course gourmet dinner, live entertainment, and signature live and silent auctions.
Since 1989, the Victoria Hospitals Foundation has raised more than $180 million to benefit local hospitals.
John Hoyle, who was the subject of a high-risk missing person alert earlier this evening, has been located. VicPD said a member of the public spotted him after seeing his photo on social media and called police. He is now safe with his family.
— original:
VicPD have issued a missing person alert for a 94-year-old man deemed “high risk”.
John Hoyle suffers from a medical condition which can leave him confused and unaware of his location.He is also hard of hearing.
Hoyle was last seen in near Stanley Avenue and Vining Street in Fernwood at approximately 5 p.m. today.
His family are quite concerned for his well-being and officers are working to locate him safely.
Hoyle is described as a Caucasian man, standing 5’ 10” tall with a slim build.
He has short grey hair and wears glasses.
Hoyle was last seen wearing a blue fleece jacket, a white Panama hat, dark grey slacks and uses a walker.
Call 911 if you seen, or if you have information about where he may be, call the VicPD at (250) 995-7654.
(Smokey skies/Central Pierce Fire & Rescue - Twitter)
With heavy smoke hovering over Greater Victoria, Environment Canada has issued an air quality advisory.
According to the province, fire activity is expected to continue creating hazy conditions, which could worsen if activity increases later in the day.
As of this publication, the air quality rating for the Victoria area is at 3 which indicates a “low risk”, but is expected to drop further as more smoke blows in.
The province is reminding residents that while smoke is a natural part of the environment, exposure to it can have negative health impacts. Wearing a mask will not prevent
Information about real-time air quality readings for Greater Victoria and the rest of Vancouver Island communities be found here.
The majority of the wildfire smoke is coming from both Interior British Columbia and Washington state.
“People with pre-existing health conditions, respiratory infections such as COVID-19, older adults, pregnant women and infants, children, and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure,” read the bulletin.
The smoky skies bulletin includes Sidney, Victoria, Saanich, Langford, Metchosin and the Southern Gulf Islands.
Tips
Stay inside if you have breathing difficulties
Find an indoor place that’s cool and ventilated
Using an air conditioner that cools and filters air may help
If you open the windows you may let in more polluted air
If your home isn’t air-conditioned, consider going to a public place (library, shopping mall, recreation centre) that is air-conditioned
Avoid roads with heavy traffic
Avoid areas with wood smoke
Stay cool and drink plenty of water
“Manage” any asthma, chronic respiratory disease or heart failure
If symptoms continue to be bothersome, seek medical attention
And if you have chronic underlying medical conditions:
Stay in a cool, air-conditioned environment
Reduce indoor sources of pollution, such as smoking and vacuuming
Run an air cleaner. HEPA filters can help reduce indoor particulate levels
Take shelter in air-conditioned buildings
This smoky haze had many snapping photos of a red sun either rising or setting in the sky.
Why does the sun look so red? The short answer is it’s same reason the sky looks blue on a clear day – the absorption of sunlight.
The smoke filters out shorter wavelengths of light, leaving mostly red and orange wavelengths to shine through and be seen by the naked human eye.
The sun is also dimmer, because the smoke scatters the light, a common phenomenon for both wildfires and volcanic eruptions.
But why is this bright red sun especially vibrant in the morning and evening?
Sunset and sunrise are often most vibrant with smoke in the atmosphere because the red and orange hues are accentuated more, and in-turn more pronounced.
And this weekend’s forecast looks like these smoky skies will continue to stick around.
So make sure to have the camera out for tonight’s sunset!
Did you notice how fire red last night’s sunset over Greater Victoria?
According to Environment Canada, wildfire smoke from several out of control fires in Washington state, Idaho and the BC Interior is creating hazy skies across much of southern Vancouver Island.
The haze is expected to stick around all weekend and into next week.
As of this publication, there are currently eight wildfires burning on Vancouver Island.
The current air quality is at 3 which is considered low risk.
This smoky haze had many snapping photos of a red sun either rising or setting in the sky.
Why does the sun look so red? The short answer is it’s same reason the sky looks blue on a clear day – the absorption of sunlight.
The smoke filters out shorter wavelengths of light, leaving mostly red and orange wavelengths to shine through and be seen by the naked human eye.
The sun is also dimmer, because the smoke scatters the light, a common phenomenon for both wildfires and volcanic eruptions.
But why is this bright red sun especially vibrant in the morning and evening?
Sunset and sunrise are often most vibrant with smoke in the atmosphere because the red and orange hues are accentuated more, and in-turn more pronounced.
And this weekend’s forecast looks like these smoky skies will continue to stick around.
So make sure to have the camera out for tonight’s sunset!
On September 28th, the federal government’s ban on dogs coming from countries considered to be high in rabies will come into effect until further notice.
These “commercial dogs” are those that are considered to be “intended for purposes such as being given/transferred to another person, resale, adoption, fostering, breeding, show or exhibition and research.” according to the Canadian Government.
Some BC businesses and organizations who deal in taking these dogs off of the streets in their home countries, then finding them homes with grateful owners, will have to halt operations and may end up going out of business as a result.
Fur Bae is just one of those organizations that operates in and outside of BC. It’s a volunteer based, non-profit organization that brings dogs from Qatar to the west coast.
In Qatar’s capital, Doha, there are many dogs needing homes and Fur Bae’s co-founders, Laura Elliott and Jenni Baynham recognized the symbiotic relationship they could garner between Qatar and North America.
Qatar is a dangerous country to be a dog—many animals Fur Bae tries to assist have been victims of stoning, shootings and general abuse.
They began by just bringing dogs into Vancouver, but have since expanded to also have representation and adoptable pets in Victoria, Montreal and Seattle.
However, with the soon-to-be commercial dog ban, Fur Bae and many other international rescues will have to cease operation.
“What happens in Qatar is that the dogs are taken off the street into the shelter, for safety,” said Lizzie Parrot, Fur Bae Volunteer Co-ordinator for Vancouver Island.”
“The new ban is heartbreaking.”
“Rescues like us will take the dogs from the shelter and find homes for them, whether it’s foster homes to begin with and then adoption homes after that. So essentially, what is happening with the ban is that no dogs can be taken from the shelters. Which means those dogs will die or be killed.”
In BC and most of Canada, skunks, raccoons and bats are the leading causes of rabies. Organizations like Fur Bae were struck with confusion when the US banned commercial dogs for the same reason on June 10th.
Since that time they knew it was a possibility that Canada would impose a similar ban on commercial dogs.
“We just wish that international rescues could have been consulted on the responsible structure,” Parrot told Victoria Buzz. “We would’ve been, as a rescue, more than happy to work with the CDC on achieving this.”
Parrot said as an organization, Fur Bae wants to urge the CDC to work with the rescue community on the process instead of the current blanket ban on animals from the designated countries of which there are over 100.
International rescues like Fur Bae are worried that once the ban takes effect and they can no longer fill the need for ethically sourced dogs in safe homes, puppy mills will fill that void and won’t do so with any responsible practice or checks and balances.
“We’ve got veterinary care from start to finish. They’re fully vaccinated before they come in. Um, we’ve got behavioural trainers, we always offer complimentary, free training to help dogs settle in,” said Parrot.
“It’s a community.”
Fur Bae has safely found compassionate homes for over 340 dogs from Qatar and in the short time before the ban comes into effect on September 28th, they’re focussing on finding safe housing as many more as they can.
Currently, Fur Bae hasn’t had the difficult conversation as to what their next steps as an organization are. However, Parrot said they would ultimately, “help where they’re needed most.”
A 19-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder following the fatal stabbing of a 29-year-old man at a popular Nanaimo park Monday night.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m., on September 5th, at Maffeo Sutton Park in downtown Nanaimo.
The victim was found with serious injuries after police were called to the park for an initial complaint about a group of youths intimidating a security guard along the waterfront in downtown Nanaimo.
The victims were located prior to being able to call 911 for assistance.
The suspects fled the area, and while police were conducting patrols, an officer came upon the stabbing victim and his friend who had been bear sprayed.
Paramedics transported the injured man, a 29-year-old from Nanaimo, to hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The other man, aged 22, was treated for the effects of the bear spray and did not require hospitalization.
That same night, two suspects were arrested, a 17-year-old and a 19-year-old incident. Both were were released without charges, noting that the investigation was in its early stages.
On Friday, RCMP confirmed Mark Jayden Harrison has been charged second-degree murder. He has also been charged with assault with a weapon and committing an offence with a restricted weapon other than a firearm.
The other suspect, Aiden Bell, is facing charges of assault with a weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Harrison appeared in Nanaimo provincial court today and will remain in police custody to await his next court appearance which is set for Tuesday, September 20th.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Ross Bay Cemetery and to commemorate the sesquicentennial year, the Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria is having a new gate put in.
The new memorial gate would adorn the Stannard Street entrance and would also have a brass plaque installed with the cemetery name and a short history of the land it occupies.
Old Cemetery Society of Victoria
The Old Cemeteries Society had been working with the CIty of Victoria for numerous years to have a new gate installed and finally received a Heritage Alteration Permit and authorization from the city.
Construction will be carried out by the City of Victoria in conjunction with the Old Cemeteries Society and is set to be finished by January 2023.
The Ross Bay Cemetery is named after Isabella Ross, an Indigenous woman who was the first woman to be a registered landowner in BC.
Her land was named Foul Bay Farm while she lived. However, her farm was not successful and she sold off individual plots slowly.
When Ross died in 1885 at the age of 77, she was buried in an unmarked grave on the land that is now the Ross Bay Cemetery.
The City of Victoria bought the land for use as a cemetery in 1872 and in 1994, the Old Cemetery Society of Victoria installed an interpretive plaque at her gravesite.
The cemetery boasts a number of notable people in BC’s history who are buried there, including British Columbia’s first governor, Sir James Douglas, Billy Barker who was the man responsible for the Cariboo Gold rush and renowned artist Emily Carr.
Throughout the pandemic, Girl Guides of Canada had to put their cookie production and sales on hold but a sign that the end is in sight is that their iconic minty sweet treat is back!
The cookie fan favourite was on a two-year hiatus due to circumstances involving COVID-19.
The Girl Guides only had their classic vanilla and chocolate cookie sandwiches that resemble Oreos available for the last two years, while the thin mint was on hiatus.
As of this autumn, the Girl Guides are returning to the cookie schedule they were on prior to the unforeseen pandemic.
The mint chocolate cookies will be available this upcoming fall, while the chocolate and vanilla sandwich cookies will be available in the spring.
The proceeds of all cookie sales go toward making young girls have brighter futures. School supplies, camping trips, art supplies and so much more are made accessible to young women directly from the sales of these cookies.
The cookies are always priced at $5 a box, and that money directly helps girls in your community.
The thin mint cookie’s triumphant return will hugely help the Girl Guides first full return to overnight adventures, travel, special gatherings, and other adventurous opportunities.
Once their cookies are available you’ll be able to find a troop selling them in person or online, here.
Victoria Royals single game tickets are now on sale as the team gears up for the new season!
The Royals are starting off their 12th season with a team made up of some veterans and some fresh faces.
San Jose Sharks draft pick, Gannon Laraque is the team’s new captain following Tarun Fizer aging out of the WHL and moving on to play in the American Hockey League for the Colorado Eagles.
Austin Zemlak, Brayden Schuurman and Kalem Parker are another three players who will bring their collective experiences into leadership roles with the team this year.
Shuurman and Parker both represented Canada at the IIHF U18 World Hockey Championships this summer while Zemlak was named to Team Canada’s Selection Camp roster for the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
The official roster for the pre-season or the regular season has not yet been released or announced by the team.
A two game homestand against the Spokane Chiefs will open the regular season for the Royals this year. The first home game of the season kicks off on Friday September 23rd.
After their home opener they have 15 promotional nights and other themed games including their annual Canadian Forces Appreciation night on November 19th, Pink in the Rink on February 10th and Star Wars Day on March 26th.
Tickets to see the Royals play at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre will start at $25 for students, seniors and corner seats, $30 for sides and the ring, and will go up to $39 for Premium Club seating.
VicPD are searching for a 47-year-old Victoria man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant after he failed to return to his community-based residential facility in Victoria.
In a media release, police said Michael Lund is serving a more than one-year provincial sentence for break and enter, possession of property obtained by crime, theft, mischief, and failure to comply with an undertaking.
Lund is described as Caucasian, standing 6’1” tall and weighing approximately 175 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.
If you see Lund, you are asked to not approach him and call 911.
Anyone with information on where Michael Lund may be is asked to contact the VicPD at (250) 995-7654.
To report what you know anonymously, call the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
This past weekend, Mayfair Shopping Centre hosted their third instalment of the popular Scan, Shop and Play event with resounding success!
Thousands of customers visited the shopping centre for the back-to-school themed event, which took place on on Saturday, September 3rd.
The day was filled with free gift cards, live entertainment, mini-games and more.
Customers simply had to scan the advertised QR Code and were entered to redeem a free $10 Mayfair gift card, as well as a chance to win even more grand prizes.
Shoppers could increase their chances of winning even more if they spent more than $100 during the event at game stations located across the shopping centre.
“The wide range of back to school promotions in the shopping centre and the giveaway event have encouraged customers to shop more with us. The more they spend, the more discounts and $10 gift cards they will get; which is our purpose for the Scan, Shop & Play to Win event – to give back to our frequent shoppers who always choose us as their shopping destination,” says Central Walk, the company who owns Mayfair Shopping Centre.
“We have attracted over 14,000 customers during the event date, and this has broken the traffic record in the long weekend over the year. The traffic has increased 15% compared to last Saturday and has significantly drove the total sales volume for our tenants in the shopping centre.”
Customers enjoyed live dance performances by Raino Dance and lots of family-friendly activities, like the FREE bouncy castle!
Check out some photos of the fabulously fun event below:
(Mayfair Shopping Centre)(Mayfair customers enjoying their free gift cards!)(Mayfair Shopping Centre)(Mayfair Shopping Centre)(Mayfair Shopping Centre)(Mayfair Shopping Centre)
Mayfair has given away thousands of dollars in free gift cards and grand prizes over their past three Scan, Shop and Play events—over $85,000, in fact!
If you missed the last Scan, Shop & Play to Win this year at Mayfair, there’s still time to join one more instalment of the event at Nanaimo’s Woodgrove Centre on September 24th.
Keep your eyes on Mayfair’s website and social media for even more fun giveaway events happening for the rest of the year!
On top of all of the above, we’ve also partnered with Mayfair Shopping Centre to give away a $100 gift card! You’ll find steps on how to enter to win that below.
CONTEST
For a chance to WIN a $100 gift card to a Mayfair Shopping Centre, complete one or more of the following:
SHARE this post on Facebook and/or Twitter and leave a comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from time and date of publishing until 11:59 p.m. PST on Thursday, September 15th, 2022. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they enter within 24 hours of the contest closing. Good luck!
Esquimalt Ribfest is back, running Friday, September 9th to Sunday September 11th.
There will be live music every night, beer and cider from local breweries and cideries, deep fried onions for the vegetarian attendees and the best ribs you can get your slippery, saucy little hands on.
You can check out the entertainment, ‘ribber’ teams and drink line up here.
Cheese and Meat Festival, a Victoria’s favourite, returns this weekend!
Grab your friends, get ready to taste, smell, and sip the best artisanal bites and beverages the Pacific Northwest and beyond has to offer. Walk into the festival and receive your own personal charcuterie board (your gift to keep) and a tasting glass for sipping.
Once you’re ready to mingle, wander through and enjoy over 40 artisanal food and beverage vendors—and yes there will be vegan friendly options—showcasing multiple samples of their finest creations.
Should you sample something that was so good you wanted to take it home with you, you’ll be able to purchase the product they have tasted directly from the vendor.
The James Bay Market has been in operation for 28 years. Visitors can still support local farms, food producers and craft vendors when they visit the James Bay staple.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays from May 7th to September 24th
Everything at the Goldstream Farmers Market is homemade, handmade or home grown.
Vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, fresh-baked breads and goodies, unique and quality crafts and textile creations. There is also live music, a water park and food trucks.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays from May to October
Summer 2022 marks the 31st season of the Moss Street Market. The family favourite offers local and organic produce, handmade crafts, artisan clothing as well as community education.
Moss Street Market now offers an online market with delivery and pick up options. The organization also runs a Winter Market (November through April).
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., every Saturday May through October
Where: 401 Moss Street, Sir James Douglas school grounds, surrounding boulevards and Porter Park
The Peninsula Country Market has more than 50 vendors weekly offering farm fresh products, jams and jellies, honey, homemade bread, cut flowers, assorted meats, organic produce and a fine selection of arts and crafts.
Shawarma is a bit different from gyro (a similar Greek dish) or donair (a Canadian delicacy). While all three dishes are served on pita and they’re all cooked on a vertical rotisserie, they are spiced differently, garnished differently and feature different proteins.
Shawarma is usually lamb, beef and/or chicken served in a pita wrap with pickled/preserved vegetables and a sauce that is yogurt, citrus, oil and tahini based.
If you haven’t tried shawarma for yourself yet, you’re in luck, because we’ve compiled a list of some of the finest eateries in the city to sample the dish.
You can check out our list of best spots in town to get your shawarma fix here.
The festival may be over, but there are five new murals that are welcome additions to the already diverse and beautiful street art scene that exists in Esquimalt.
Esquimalt Community Arts Hub (ECAH) organized the painting of five brand new murals throughout Esquimalt for East West Mural Fest.
You can read our list to learn more about the murals here.
September may seem a little early for coffee shops to begin rolling out their fall drink menus, but the change from August to September always sparks a tangible excitement for the fall season that can be felt across Victoria.
Saanich Police have released surveillance photos of a young woman responsible for multiple thefts from a liquor store in late June.
Police believe the pictured suspect is part of a group that stole from a liquor store in the 3200-block of Shelbourne Street on four separate occasions.
The suspect was caught on CCTV stealing bottles of liquor on more than one occasion and is a suspect in two other instances of theft from the same liquor store.
In one of the thefts, staff tried to stop the theft and the employee that intervened was assaulted and on another occasion, bear spray was used unsuccessfully on the liquor store’s staff.
In total, 11 bottles of liquor have been stolen by the group that she is thought to be a part of.
Saanich Police are hopeful that by identifying this suspect, they might identify the rest of her co-conspirators.
Anyone with information on these thefts or that can identify the suspect pictured below is asked to call Saanich Police at (250) 475-4321. You can also report what you know anonymously through the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The country is now in an official period of mourning as Canadians grieve the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
She had a long standing relationship with Canadians and specifically the City of Victoria.
Of all her official royal tours, she visited Greater Victoria the second most outside the nation’s capital in Ottawa.
“The impact of the reign of Her Majesty cannot be overstated; the passing of this Queen represents the end of an era defined by its longevity and her ceaseless service,” said the Hounorable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor in a media release on Thursday.
“On behalf of all British Columbians, I extend my heartfelt condolences to The Royal Family and to all members of the Commonwealth for the loss of our most beloved Queen,” added Austin.
Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin also announced that Victorians will be able to give their condolences to the Royal Family in one of three official condolences books.
One will be at the Parliament Building, another will be located at the Government House and a third is an online condolences book that BC residents can go to if they cannot get to one of the other two.
Last night the Legislature had its bright white lights that usually adorn the building turned off and in their place, the entry of the building and the fountain were lit up blue in honour of the late Queen.
Tonight Victoria’s City Hall will also be lit up blue as buildings and landmarks across the country are honouring her memory in solidarity.
Tonight Victoria City Hall will light up blue in honour of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We join landmarks across Canada illuminating royal blue during the 10-day period of mourning. Learn more: https://t.co/wxvescZWEZpic.twitter.com/Ohbfk2dCx8
They are choosing royal-blue hues because in her last official portrait for her seventh decade as monarch, Her Majesty wore blue jewelry.
Government buildings will also be flying their flags at half mast for the remainder of the mourning period which will last from now until sunset on the day of the memorial service of Queen Elizabeth II according to the National Flag of Canada half-masting notices.
The federal government said the hike in GST rebate was done in a bid to ease some of the hurt of inflation for lower income Canadians.
During a speech, Trudeau said parents with two kids could receive up to an extra $467 this fall to help with the cost of living.
The next GST rebate cheque is expected to arrive on Wednesday, October 5th, and the hike is expected to be in place for the next six months.
Those who don’t receive GST are expected to receive a small amount as well, some reporting as much as $257.
Log on CRA account
Go to Benefits and Credits
Scroll down to GST/HST Credit and your amount should be there
In addition to that announcement, Trudeau confirmed plans for a new national dental care program for kids and topping up housing benefits to help low-income Canadians pay their rent.
According to reports, the dental care program will allow parents of children under the age of 12 to apply for a $650 payment to cover dental expenses this year and again next year while a more formalized program is developed.
While the funds for GST are already set in motion, it’s unclear when Trudeau will reschedule the official announcement.
Two intoxicated boaters were arrested early Monday morning after they drew the attention of Nanaimo Mounties off the coast of Saysutshun Island, formerly known as Newcastle Island.
At about 2:30 a.m., on September 5th, a security officer reported seeing a small dinghy being paddled up the channel by two unknown persons. The caller reported they did not see any lights or life jackets being worn.
The caller was suspicious of the boaters as there had recently been some thefts from boats moored in the area and worried for their safety.
Officers responded and yelled at the two to stop what they were doing and to paddle to shore.
After a barrage of alcohol fueled responses directed at the officers, the two boaters began a slow and frantic attempt at paddling away.
Police vehicle lights were strategically positioned from the shore to capture the boaters movements and they were easily tracked to a nearby boat where they were seen crawling onboard.
Officers ran the short distance along the dock to where the boat was moored to intercept the boaters.
The two sailors were found hiding onboard, extremely intoxicated.
They were identified and arrested for causing a disturbance and public intoxication.
They were transferred to the Nanaimo RCMP detachment where they spent the night sobering up.
West Shore RCMP are warning the public after receiving multiple reports of online firewood fraud.
According to police, an investigation is underway after at least two reports where victims were defrauded of their money after responding to an online Facebook Marketplace ad.
The ad, claiming to sell firewood, attracted interested buyers, who sent money to an account via e-transfer and did not receive the wood that was supposed to be delivered.
“Investigators are currently working to identify the suspect and we want to warn potential buyers to beware of this scam,” said Cpl. Nancy Saggar, media relations officer of the West Shore RCMP.
“Buying items from a private seller online always carries an element of risk. It’s a good idea to only pay upon delivery or pick-up to avoid such scams.”
This year, the highly-anticipated event will take place from September 23rd and 24th, and it will feature nearly 400 wines from 14 different countries.
There will be three tasting sessions, each lasting 2.5 hours, along with four seminars. In addition to that, there will be three wine dinners taking place September 19th to the 22nd.
The highly anticipated Victoria International Wine Festival is back for it’s ninth year and, this time, will be taking place in Victoria’s historic rail roundhouse—the Car Shop at Bayview Place.
The two-day event is expanding this year with the addition of Washington State wineries being added to the mix—making it the most extensive international wine tasting event to date.
With that in mind, here are 7 things you might not know about Washington wines:
Born of Fire and Ice
The geology of Washington Wine country features water-deposited alluvial and wind-blown soil over a bedrock of volcanic basalt. Ancient eruptions and glacier floods carved the wine country of Washington from the bedrock.
In a shadow- a rain shadow
The wet western portion and the sunny eastern portion of Washington couldn’t be more
different. The vast majority of wine grapes grown in Washington are grown on the sunny
eastern portion of the state. The Cascade Mountains keep all the rain in Seattle.
Has big temperature swings
Referred to as Diurnal Shift, this temperature swings allows the grapes to ripen slowly. Cool
nights let the grapes recover from the long sunny days of the summer. This slow ripening
process allows grapes to get ripe in balance. This daily swing can be as much as 40 degrees during the growing season.
The state can grow almost any grape
From classic Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay to more exotic varietals like Madeleine
Angevine and Nebbiolo, Washington State can grow so many grapes it’s hard top know where to begin. Washington always has a new surprise around the corner.
Cooperative competition
Perhaps it is because Washington has so many boutique wineries, but whatever the reason
Washington works together. Everyone pitches in for the betterment of the entire industry.
Some of the best in the world
Critics, winemakers, and consumers agree. Washington outperforms dollar for dollar almost
every other wine region. Washington wine gets higher scores for a lower price. Score for score, Washington wine costs half of what a premium French wine costs.
The best is yet to come
While the Washington wine industry is almost 100 years old, it was really 50 years ago that
Premium wine was first produced. Only in the last 20 years has the region really exploded.
Considering France has been growing wine grapes for 2000 years, Washington has a lot of room to grow!
https://www.instagram.com/p/ChQ39QfNPRa/
Festival Director David Bain told Victoria Buzz the goal behind the Victoria International Wine Festival said the event was created with a focus on creating an environment that is a welcoming place to sample wine for everyone
“We want people to be able to gain knowledge about new wines in a format that isn’t intimidating; we then match this experience with another, where wines selected by a panel of sommeliers will impress even the most experienced wine enthusiast,” added Bain.
Moving to the beautiful industrial heritage surroundings of the Car Shop at Bayview Place, Victoria International Wine Festival guests will be treated to a tour of the historic buildings while sipping and learning about everything from tasting to terroir.
Organizers said the Victoria International Wine Festival welcomes all types of wine connoisseurs and strives to include something for everyone!
Being a first for Victoria, Washington State Wines will be a part of this year’s event where a dedicated section at the festival will highlight wines poured by principals from this region with two seminars showcasing three generations of Washington State wines.
Tickets are already on sale and the festival has sold out every year—well in advance of the
event, so make sure to grab your tickets today!
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Contest entries will be accepted from time and date of publishing until 11:59 p.m. PST on September 20th, 2022. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they enter within 24 hours of the contest closing. Good luck!
September may seem a little early for coffee shops to begin rolling out their fall drink menus, but the change from August to September always sparks a tangible excitement for the fall season that can be felt across Victoria.
So without further ado, here are 10 Victoria coffee shops to get your cozy drinks this fall:
The Allenby’s fall menu will feature pumpkin spice lattes and vegan and gluten free pumpkin minis.
They also sell their very own homemade pumpkin spice sauce made with real pumpkin, coconut milk, spices and brown sugar and maple syrup for sweetener. It’s also vegan and gluten free!
Location: 2865A Foul Bay Road
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday
Starting September 15th, Rhino Coffee’s menu will include pumpkin spice lattes and a gluten free dirty chai donut! The donut will only be available until the end of the month, so be sure to stop in to try it for yourself while you can!
Location: Unit 111 2840 Peatt Road
Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
Coffee Shack Westshore is launching their fall menu on September 22nd (the first day of fall) and do they have a line-up for you!
Their drink menu will include a pumpkin pie cold foam, pumpkin pie latte, pumpkin chai latte, brown sugar cinnamon latte and a buttered pecan latte. Talk about festive!
They will also be serving up apple pecan coffee cake, apple crumble muffins, apple crumble scones, maple pecan scones, pumpkin pie scones and pumpkin crumble muffins.
Moka House is already serving up the fall favourites, with their pumpkin spice latte, spiced moka, harvest fog (chai tea and hazelnut) and fall fog (earl grey and caramel) available now!
Locations: 345 Cook Street and 3849b Cadboro Bay Road
Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Sunday (Cook) and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Sunday (Carboro)
Hide + Seek’s fall menu will be out late September. Keep an eye out for their butterscotch pumpkin spice latte, cardamom tea latte and more to be announced!
Location: 2207 Oak Bay Avenue
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
Discovery Coffee will celebrate the start of pumpkin season on October 1st with the launch of their pumpkin spice latte.
Locations: 664 Discovery Street, 1001 Blanshard Street, 1964 Oak Bay Avenue and 281 Menzies Street.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday (Discovery), 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday (Blanshard), 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Sunday (Oak Bay and Menzies)
Iluka Espresso will be launching their collection of fall favourites mid September!
Their menu will include a Pumpkin Pie latte as well as some pumpkin inspired baked goods throughout the fall (using the Blume pumpkin spice blend), mini pumpkin pies and pumpkin cinnamon buns!
Location: 101 Island Highway #100
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday
Former Victoria City Councillor Sonya Gracey announced her intent to run for Mayor of Esquimalt on Thursday, after resigning from council 12 years ago.
Gracey says she loves Esquimalt and wants to deliver what the community needs.
She has a background as a registered nurse and Victoria City Councillor that has given her experience and perspective that she plans on bringing to the table as Mayor of Esquimalt.
To Gracey, Esquimalt is changing and she says, “there is an excitement in our community for what is possible.”
“I don’t have all the answers, but I have a deep curiosity, and a belief that together we make Esquimalt even better for today, and for future generations.”
Gracey’s main priorities if elected are affordable housing, fair dealings with developers, climate action, building relationships with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and investing in community services.
Sonya Gracey – previously Sonya Chandler – resigned from Victoria’s city council in 2010 during her second term in office to pursue her Master’s degree in Sustainable Health Systems after receiving a full scholarship in the European Union.
As Victoria City Councillor, Gracey helped to create one of Canada’s first comprehensive municipal resident engagement programs.
Current Mayor of Esquimalt, Barb Desjardins has served four terms as Mayor and is seeking her fifth in the coming election. In the township of close to 20,000, she won the 2018 bid for mayor by 4,000 votes.
This upcoming Wednesday, we’re inviting you to set aside some time in your busy schedule to grab some lunch—on us!
Join us at the Bay Centre’s new Food Terrace on Level 4 on Wednesday, September 14th, where we’ll be giving away $10 Bay Centre gift cards to the first 400 people that come say hi to us.
Victoria Buzz will be on site with Bay Centre staff from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. handing out one $10 gift card to each person (aged 16+ years) that drops by while supplies last.
These gift cards are valid at any one of the Bay Centre’s food terrace eateries, including
A&W, Big Orange, Edo Japan, New York Fries, OPA! of Greece, Sizzling Wok and Umi Sushi Express.
The event will officially kick-off the grand opening of downtown Victoria’s newest patio—the Bay Centre’s brand new Food Terrace.
Centrally located and convenient for all of those needing a quick bite, it will now be the go-to spot to meet up with friends for affordable dining with skyline views.
The Bubble Bus Co. will be joining in on the fun, pouring complimentary Babes Honey Farm Sparklin’ Beeline drink samples from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m with Mermaid Tears and Currantly Hip on tap.
Where: Level 4 Food Terrace, Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas Street
*Disclaimer: Distribution starts at 12 p.m. One $10 Bay Centre gift card per person. Must be 16+ and present to receive gift card. Not open to Bay Centre mall employees. While quantities last.
After 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning monarch.
It was announced by Buckingham Palace this morning that she passed away peacefully at Balmoral castle in Scotland with the company of her family.
During her reign as Queen, Elizabeth II had visited BC on six royal trips to Canada.
Prior to her being Queen, in October 1951 Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke of Edinburgh went on a coast-to-coast tour of Canada. They visited Victoria on this journey.
Canadian Geograpghic
In 1959 on her first official visit to Canada as Queen, she and the Duke of Edinburgh visited several cities on their journey through BC on the royal train. They stopped in Victoria and Nanaimo on this royal tour.
Royal Historian
In May 1971 Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip and Princess Anne visited BC on the Royal Yacht Britannia to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of BC’s entry into confederation.
Bill Croke/The Canadian Press
During the 80s, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited Vancouver Island twice.
In 1983 they traveled to Victoria on the Royal Yacht Britannia during another royal tour. The royal couple also took the Royal Yacht to Nanaimo and Vancouver.
Nick Didlick/The Canadian Press
Then in 1987, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip went to a luxurious retreat in Qualicum Beach before spending time in Greater Victoria. During this visit they attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting and Queen Elizabeth II unveiled BC’s newly updated coat of arms.
In 1994, The Queen and Prince Philip opened the 15th Commonwealth Games in Victoria and paid a visit to CFB Comox.
Gregory Williams/flickr
The last time she was in BC on an official tour was in 2002. The Queen was celebrating her Golden Jubilee and she unveiled a stained-glass window in the BC legislature. She also dropped the puck at an NHL exhibition game in Vancouver.
BC government
“British Columbians are deeply saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II,” said Premier John Horgan in a media release. “The Queen will be remembered for her full-hearted service to her people, and her steadfast commitment to her duties as the sovereign and head of the Commonwealth.”
“Our thoughts are with all members of The Royal Family.”
In a media release Thursday, Stew Young confirmed he would seek re-election for mayor of Langford in the upcoming municipal election this October.
Young will run along with a team of experienced community leaders under the banner Community First Langford.
Young was first elected Mayor of Langford in December 1993, meaning this could be his 31st year in office if elected.
“I’m so proud of our community and how far we have come. It is a testament to the hard work we have put in, through the good times and the tough times, such as the pandemic, that Langford continues to grow and prosper,” Young said.
“It is thanks to our dedicated city staff, community members who devote their free time to committees, the businesses, investors and other committed stakeholders working together that Langford is the best community in this province.”
Young’s platform aims to keep taxes low, investment high and improve education, while improving liveability, developing multifaceted housing options and providing innovative climate action policies.
“We know that the key to our continued success is creating opportunities in the community that will keep families together,” Young continues.
“Creating jobs right here in Langford for Langford residents, offering affordable and attainable housing, building on community services, amenities and recreation opportunities, supporting our police and fire officials in their work to keep us all safe and working to address a health care crisis in new and innovative ways are just some of the ways we are doing that.”
The next General Local Elections will take place on October 15th, and one mayor and six councillors will be elected for a four-year term.
CFB Esquimalt is coming to Victoria’s inner harbour next week to give civilians a peek into the military lifestyle.
The family-friendly event, dubbed Defence on the Dock, will be held at Ship Point on Saturday September 17th. The event will feature tours of two ORCA class vessels and one Defender that are going to make the trek into the harbour.
Non-navy personnel are rarely allowed on-board these types of ships so this may be your only chance to have a tour and see all there is to see on an ORCA or Defender class vessel.
There will also be boat rides, military band performances, panoramic views of Victoria from a 157-foot Navy supply crane, temporary historic naval tattoos, a barbeque operated by the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) and many other activities and demonstrations.
This is the first time the Defence on the Dock event has taken place since 2018, when it was located at Ogden Point rather than Victoria’s inner harbour.
CFB Esquimalt decided to put Defence on the Dock on hold during the pandemic due to safety issues surrounding COVID-19.
