Update: The BC Wildfire Service has updated the status of the two lightning-caused wildfires near Goldstream Park and Shawnigan Lake. Both are now classified as being held and are no longer considered out of control.
— Original:
A thunderstorm that rolled across Greater Victoria and southern Vancouver Island Thursday evening has been followed by two new out-of-control wildfires.
Both fires were discovered on July 23rd and are currently estimated at 0.009 hectares, according to BC Wildfire Services.
The fire closest to Greater Victoria has been given identification V61138, which the BC Wildfire Service has named “Bear Mtn.”
It is burning near Bear Mountain, just east of Goldstream Provincial Park.
The cause remains under investigation and has not officially been linked to lightning, although the fire was discovered while the thunderstorm was moving through the region.
As of 7:18 p.m., there were no evacuation alerts, evacuation orders or area restrictions associated with the fire.
A second fire, V61135, is burning near the southern end of Shawnigan Lake and is listed by the BC Wildfire Service as the “Trailor Main” fire.
Lightning has been confirmed as the suspected cause.
According to Victoria realtor Jason Binab, lightning struck a tree above the 1500 block of Shawnigan Lake Road.
Binab, who was watching from across the lake, said smoke soon began rising near the ski jump area at the south end of the lake.
He contacted the fire department to report what he had seen.
Fire crews were on scene Thursday evening, with a helicopter also seen supporting the response.
There were no evacuation alerts, orders or area restrictions associated with the Shawnigan Lake fire as of 7:11 p.m.
“Out of control” means a wildfire is spreading or is expected to spread beyond its current perimeter or control line. It does not necessarily mean nearby homes or infrastructure are immediately threatened.
The storm also sparked another small wildfire farther north on Vancouver Island.
The Salmon River fire, identified as V81137, is also estimated at 0.009 hectares and classified as out of control. Lightning is listed as the suspected cause.
Meanwhile, the 6.3-hectare Kalpit Lake fire remains out of control after being discovered on July 21st.
BC Wildfire Service said the lightning-caused fire has shown minimal growth in recent days and does not pose a threat to critical infrastructure. Crews are responding with assistance from aviation resources and local contract crews.
As of Thursday evening, four wildfires were classified as out of control on Vancouver Island.
This is a developing story. Details may change as crews assess the fires.
British Columbians have been cranking up the air conditioning this week and the province’s electricity grid is feeling the heat.
BC Hydro says it set a new all-time summer peak electricity demand record Wednesday evening, breaking another record established just 24 hours earlier.
According to the organization, preliminary data shows electricity demand reached 8,870 megawatts between 5 and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22nd.
That was 155 megawatts higher than Tuesday evening, when demand reached 8,715 megawatts during the same one-hour period.
Tuesday’s record had already surpassed the previous summer high of 8,652 megawatts, which was set in August 2025.
In other words, BC has now broken its summer electricity demand record on back-to-back days.
BC Hydro says the soaring demand is largely being driven by air conditioning use as extreme heat continues across the province.
Nearly 70% of households in BC now have some form of air conditioning, making cooling a much bigger part of the province’s summer electricity use than it once was.
The record comes as Victoria city council voted unanimously Thursday to begin developing new cooling protections for renters. The city will explore bylaw changes that could prevent landlords from prohibiting portable air conditioners and look at options for keeping rental units below 26°C.
The changes have not yet been adopted. The work follows the deadly 2021 heat dome, which resulted in 619 deaths across BC, many inside homes without adequate cooling.
Despite the record-breaking demand, BC Hydro says its hydroelectric system continues to operate reliably and has enough capacity to meet customers’ needs.
The utility is continuing to monitor conditions as the hot weather persists.
Even with more electricity than ever during the summer, demand remains well below what BC Hydro typically manages during the coldest periods of winter.
For those looking to cool down without sending their electricity bill soaring, BC Hydro recommends using fans, closing blinds and drapes during the hottest parts of the day and keeping windows and doors shut when it is warmer outside than inside.
According to the utility company, running a fan for nine hours a day costs approximately $7 over the entire summer. Closing blinds and drapes can also block up to 60 per cent of the heat entering a home.
Customers are also encouraged to regularly replace air conditioner and air purifier filters to keep the equipment working efficiently.
CHURCH is an all-queer cabaret and Victoria’s favorite Friday Night Drag Show.
Showcases take place at 9 p.m., 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.
This show allows for time to mingle, flirt and dance before, in-between sets and after the show. Drop in anytime between 8 p.m. and midnight for a fun entertaining night on the town.
Every showcase is unique, diverse and highly entertaining.
Attendees can expect to see drag queens, kings, things and monsters. If you’re lucky, you might catch some burlesque, boylesque, draglesque, improv, stand-up, clown, puppetry and other forms of queer performing arts.
This event has no cover charge although patrons are encouraged to tip both the performers and servers.
Head down to Theatre SKAM for a hilarious night of musical comedy!
Presented by Garden City Improv, Improv: The Musical, a fully improvised musical theatre experience with songs, stories and characters made up entirely on the spot, based on audience suggestions!
Join a laid back class where attendees can bring their babies and connect with other parents in your community.
At the start of class, discuss postpartum topics, tips and support, then move into guided stretching and yoga.
No previous yoga experience required, and the class is suitable for babies from newborns to crawling — and there is now a gated area for the crawlers to hang out in!
It’s okay if you are running late, have a fussy baby or need to spend most of class feeding them — this is a space for you to feel relaxed and comfortable, whatever that may look like. This is an inclusive and supportive group.
All classes are led by lovely teacher and local mama Roxie Fehr.
Head down to Lucky Bar for an album release party!
Dysania is headlining the event, with featured guests Stank and Standard Issue Pleasure Model also taking the stage.
Dysaynia was the winner of The Zone’s Band of the Month in August last year, blending heavy riffs and shoegaze elements for a classic 90s metal mixed with nu-metal feel.
British Columbians planning a trip to the United States are being urged to take extra precautions as health officials investigate several outbreaks of a parasitic intestinal illness.
The Government of Canada has added cyclosporiasis to the “Outbreak Monitoring” section of its official US travel advice.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora. People can become infected after eating food or drinking water contaminated with the parasite, though it is unlikely to spread directly between people.
The warning comes during a significant increase in cases across the United States.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,645 confirmed domestically acquired cases were reported in 34 states between May 1st and mid-July.
Another 5,100 cases were still being investigated to determine whether they were acquired within the country.
At least 141 people have been hospitalized, though no deaths have been reported.
This year’s number of cases is substantially higher than the 249 cases reported during the same period last year.
Health officials say the actual number of illnesses is likely higher because cyclosporiasis is often underdiagnosed and underreported. The CDC and state health agencies continue to investigate several clusters and possible sources of contamination. Read the CDC health advisory here.
One of the outbreaks has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
Taylor Farms de Mexico has since recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, including some Marketside-brand products sold at Walmart and products distributed to restaurants and food-service customers.
The CDC says other outbreaks currently under investigation are unrelated to the recalled lettuce.
According to health officials, the most common symptom of cyclosporiasis is frequent, watery diarrhea. Other symptoms can include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea and fatigue.
Symptoms typically begin about one week after infection but can appear anywhere from two days to two weeks later. Without treatment, symptoms can last for several weeks, sometimes disappearing and then returning. The Government of Canada says most people experience symptoms for six to seven weeks.
Travellers can reduce their risk by:
Thoroughly washing fresh fruits and vegetables under clean, cool running water
Washing produce even if it is labelled “pre-washed” or “ready to eat”
Cooking produce when travelling in areas experiencing an outbreak
Following safe food and water practices while outside Canada
Health Canada also notes that disinfectants and commercial produce washes may not completely remove Cyclospora. Cooking food can kill the parasite.
Anyone who develops severe or persistent watery diarrhea during or following a trip to the United States should seek medical attention. The CDC notes that routine stool tests do not always screen for Cyclospora, meaning patients may need to specifically request testing.
Despite the health notice, Canada has not raised its overall risk level for the United States. Travellers are still being advised to take normal security precautions.
After 18 years, VicPD has announced their withdrawal from the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU).
This means that moving forward, VicPD will take over responsibility for homicide investigations within the City of Victoria and Township of Esquimalt.
“This decision is the result of an ongoing review of several factors including crime rates, resource efficiencies, and internal development opportunities,” said VicPD in a media release.
VIIMCU is a branch of the RCMP that was created in 2007 with the intention of combining resources through integration.
The idea was that integration would lead to effective case management and enhance communication between the agencies to optimize major crime investigations.
VIIMCU handles the investigations for homicides and missing person cases where criminality is suspected in the jurisdictions they serve.
With VicPD leaving VIIMCU, the participating jurisdictions now include RCMP detachments on Vancouver Island, as well as the police departments in Central Saanich, Oak Bay and Saanich.
After VicPD withdrew, VIIMCU Superintendent Bal Hansra released a statement on the decision.
“Over the past 18 years, VIIMCU has built a reputation as an outstanding and highly respected investigative unit, demonstrating the strength and effectiveness of the integrated policing model,” said Hansra.
“As VIIMCU continues to evolve, we support VicPD’s decision to resume responsibility for homicide investigations within its jurisdiction.”
Hansra added that VIIMCU will continue to work collaboratively with VicPD and their other partners to ensure a safe, seamless and successful transition.”
From this point onward, VicPD will be handling their own homicide investigations, and are the only police department in the region who will be independently investigating in that regard.
WorkSafeBC has launched a new campaign focused on safety that encourages young workers to ask their boss, rather than turning to artificial intelligence (AI).
As many employers are hiring seasonal staff for the summer months, the organization wants to remind them that young and new workers are often at higher risk of workplace injury during their first months on the job.
In 2025 alone, over 7,000 claims from injured young workers were submitted to WorkSafeBC, and between 2021 and 2025, 18 young workers lost their lives due to workplace incidents.
According to the organization’s research, young workers value safety and want to do a good job, but many hesitate to speak up about unsafe work.
WorkSafeBC believes that this barrier is often about lacking confidence and feeling unable to raise concerns in the moment.
They found that workers are less likely to ask their supervisors questions because they are concerned about job security or how they will be perceived.
“Young workers often recognize when something isn’t right, but that doesn’t always mean they feel comfortable saying so,” said Todd McDonald, head of prevention services at WorkSafeBC.
“Young workers focus on making a good impression, which can make it harder to ask questions, raise concerns or refuse unsafe work.”
McDonald added that it is important to create a workplace culture where questions are welcomed and concerns are taken seriously.
With the rise of AI, WorkSafeBC has found that some young workers have been turning to asking AI rather than inquiring with their supervisors when they have a question about safety, which can lead to misinformation and result in injury.
To combat this phenomenon, the organization has launched the ‘Before You Ask a Bot, Ask Your Boss’ campaign.
This initiative seeks to encourage young workers to speak with a supervisor before starting an unfamiliar or potentially unsafe task.
This way, the young workers are learning from an experienced individual who understands the specific job and its risks, rather than an AI tool or chatbot that may provide false information.
It is the employers responsibility to ensure all workers, including young and new workers, receive job site orientation and role-specific training before they begin work.
They must also provide ongoing supervision to ensure workers can perform their jobs safely and effectively.
“Young workers bring different levels of experience and familiarity with workplace hazards,” said McDonald.
“Employers should tailor orientation, training and supervision to the individual worker rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, which can leave gaps that increase risk.”
WorkSafeBC encourages young workers who feel their concerns haven’t been addressed to contact their prevention information line at 1‑888‑621‑7233 to speak confidentially with a prevention officer.
There were some exciting results for Canadian women’s basketball fans last night in Victoria.
The Canadian Senior Women’s Basketball Team put on a promising performance against the NCAA champion UCLA Bruins on Wednesday night at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
This match was a good gauge of the team’s skill before upcoming tournaments in which they hope to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The team had a good start to the night, going up 8-4 in the early minutes of the game.
UCLA came back strong, going up by as many as 11 points themselves in the first half, with a score of 26-15 with eight minutes left in the second quarter.
Canada showed grit and kept fighting, climbing their way back to lead at the half, 33-30.
After a short half-time break, during which the W̱SÁNEĆ middle schools all girls basketball team took to the floor for their own strong performance, the Canadian women turned up the heat.
The team was locked in from the moment they took to the floor in the second half. Early in the third quarter, Canada went up by 11 points themselves, going on an 8-0 scoring run and putting the score at 41-30.
By the end of the third quarter, UCLA managed to claw back some ground. Going into the fourth quarter the scoreboard read 50-45.
Both teams turned up the intensity in the building, and despite the friendly nature of the contest, competitive spirit took over.
Defenses tightened and the game sped up, but Team Canada came ready to play.
With four minutes left and a score of 60-50, the game was still within reach for the UCLA women.
That is, until Canada’s own Syla Swords decided enough was enough. With a sneaky assist to Kayla Alexander followed by back-to-back three pointers of her own, Swords iced the game and put Team Canada up 18 points with less than two minutes left to play.
With a final score of 69-55, the game left Canadian fans feeling hopeful for the team’s chances heading into the next stages of their journey to the Olympic games.
The team’s next test will be against Senegal on Monday, August 17th in Guadalajara, Mexico where they hope to impress again—only this time, the stakes will be higher.
A 69-year-old man from the United States has been sentenced to 15 years in a US federal prison after attempting to smuggle hundreds of pounds of drugs across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Vancouver Island.
John Michael Sherwood was sentenced in US District Court in Seattle on Friday, July 17th, for three felony charges connected to the failed 2021 smuggling operation.
Sherwood was convicted following a six-day trial in April of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute and conspiracy to commit international money laundering.
According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, Sherwood transported approximately 300 pounds of methamphetamine and nearly one kilogram of fentanyl powder from southern California to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.
Prosecutors said he planned to use a jet ski and an inflatable raft to move the drugs across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to an associate on the coast of Vancouver Island.
However, the smuggling attempts failed and the drugs began washing up along beaches near Port Angeles.
On April 7th, 2021, a family discovered a partially submerged duffel bag on a beach near Port Angeles and contacted police.
Investigators found more than 50 pounds of methamphetamine and two pounds of fentanyl powder inside the bag.
Around the same time, another beachcomber discovered a partially submerged and deflated Zodiac-style raft nearby. The person also reported seeing a U-Haul van travelling to and from the beach area.
Four days later, another beach walker found seven additional duffel bags hidden beneath a bridge near the beach. Those bags contained another 252 pounds of methamphetamine.
The drugs had an estimated wholesale value of approximately $1.5 million in Canada, according to US prosecutors.
Investigators traced the duffel bags to a Walmart purchase made using Sherwood’s debit card. Surveillance footage also showed him purchasing the bags.
U-Haul rental documents, motel registrations and storage locker records further connected Sherwood to the operation, while phone records revealed communications with a co-conspirator in Canada about moving the drugs across the Strait.
Prosecutors told the jury that Sherwood and his associates acted as transporters for the drug trafficking operation.
“They are the FedEx or the UPS of the drug trafficking crew,” Vince Lombardi, Assistant US Attorney, said during closing arguments.
During sentencing, US District Judge Richard A. Jones said Sherwood’s actions could have caused “tremendous harm to thousands of individuals.”
This was the second time Sherwood was convicted in connection with the smuggling attempt. His first conviction was set aside after the prosecution learned of alleged misconduct involving a government witness, resulting in a new trial before a different judge.
The investigation involved several American agencies as well as the RCMP, US Coast Guard, US Border Patrol and the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team.
Nanaimo RCMP has arrested a suspect in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a young woman at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre.
On Thursday, July 16th, police received a report that a 17-year-old woman had been sexually assaulted by an unknown man in the facility’s steam room.
Investigators were able to identify and arrest a 43-year-old man in connection to the incident the following day, on Friday, July 17th.
“Nanaimo RCMP prioritized this investigation and through close collaboration with the City of Nanaimo, investigators were able to identify and arrest the suspect in a timely manner” said Inspector Donovan Tait, operations officer for Nanaimo RCMP.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe in our public spaces and recreation facilities. Incidents of sexual assault are taken very seriously, and this type of criminal behavior will not be tolerated.”
After his arrest, the suspect was released on conditions pending further investigation.
Dough Eyes Pizza is the newest pizzeria in town, and it is located at 530 Pandora Avenue in the former home of the vegan pizza shop, Virtuous Pie.
This new shop specializes in sourdough pizza dough and has a wide selection of red sauce and white sauce pies.
Two standouts are the $19 ‘N.V’ pie, which comes with white sauce, mozza, fontina, pecorino, zucchini, castelvitrano olives and parm, and the $20 ‘Salami and Onion’ pie, which has tomato sauce, spicy salami, mozza, fontina, parm and red onion.
They also have a vegan pie, salads, dips, pickled veggies, antipasti, meatballs and ice cream.
Dough Eyes is licensed and has some seating for those who want to dine in instead of ordering take out.
Otto Sandwiches has had a line up ever since opening this summer.
What began with regular pop-up events and delivering sandwiches to some other businesses has grown into its own brick and mortar sandwich shop.
Otto is unique in that they make all their sandwiches’ focaccia bread in house and also cure and process all meat and toppings for every sandwich.
They serve classic breakfast sandwiches, muffulettas, mortadella sandwiches and marinated veggie sandwiches to name a few, all of which are made to order.
For those on the run, they also serve egg salad or ham and cheddar grab-and-go sandwiches.
Otto has indoor and outdoor seating for those who want to hang out, eat a sandwich and imbibe a beer, wine or coffee, but the kitchen is also quick for those looking for take out.
They also offer sides of fries and coleslaw which should not be slept on.
Located right downtown, Pretty Patty makes amazing signature smash burgers, loaded fries, creamy shakes and pizza, plus some vegetarian options.
Their beef burgers come as classic, loaded or spicy, and patrons can order either a single or a double for any burger. They also have single and double chicken burgers.
For those looking for potatoes, they have you covered with fries, poutine, sweet potato fries and loaded fries that come with cheese sauce, grilled onions and their signature ‘Pretty Sauce.’
Make sure to grab a mango, strawberry, vanilla or cookies and cream milkshake too!
The long-anticipated Birdman has been around for a minute now and has been busy ever since.
This southern comfort eatery came from the minds of the restaurant group behind Rudi and Wind Cries Mary, where it began as a late-night concept.
Now that Birdman has its own space, it has expanded its menu beyond fried chicken to include oysters, more fried chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, whole-wing chicken wings, sticky ribs, a shrimp cocktail and more.
Birdman’s hush puppies are a must-try.
This spot has plenty of seating and a big partially enclosed patio space that will make you feel right at home.
After closing and moving out of their location at 1900 Douglas Street, the former Copper Owl, Citrus & Cane has a new home in Trounce Alley, downtown Victoria.
They have completely redone the space which used to be Park’s Kitchen, and have brought back all their beloved favourite tropical cocktails while adding food to their menu.
Check out the new and improved Citrus & Cane, try their new food and get a cocktail or two!
Hero Sandwiches started as a pop-up, operating out of Standard Pizza, and quickly became a sandwich phenomenon in Victoria.
People would line up around the city block for their Italian sandwiches during the early days, before Hero adjusted to a booking system for the semi-monthly pop-ups.
Though it is not open yet, owner, operator and ‘Sandwich Mommy’ Julie has acquired the former Gigi’s Cafe location in Quadra Village and is hoping to be open near the end of this summer.
Keep your eyes peeled for more on the opening of Hero Sandwiches!
While not open yet, the news that Hey Happy Coffee will be opening its third location on Cook Street has been overwhelmingly welcomed by the community.
Hey Happy has become an institution in Victoria and is one of the more popular haunts for coffee nerds in the city.
They will be moving into the former Starbucks location in Cook Street Village, and hope to be open for business by January 2027.
For now, folks can still get their Hey Happy fix on Lower Johnson, or at the kiosk location at Uptown.
Where: 320 Cooke Street
When: set to open in early 2027
Are there any great new restaurants in Victoria not included on this list? Let us know in the comments section below!
There are some heavy hearts in the West Shore today.
West Shore RCMP are honouring Halla, a police dog that passed in July following a sudden illness.
Halla was 10 years old and dedicated seven years of service to communities in Kamloops and later the West Shore, responding to hundreds of calls during her tenure alongside her handler, Corporal Dave Lewis.
Halla worked with the RCMP Emergency Response Team and was trained in tracking, evidence searches and explosive detection. She was especially skilled at locating missing persons.
Police say that the call that exemplifies her career best was one that involved a missing toddler that wandered away from a car during a routine traffic stop.
She and Lewis began tracking through dense forest, located the child and safely reunited them with their family.
After years of service on the front line, Halla and Corporal Lewis transitioned to the RCMP National Reintegration Program in 2023, helping RCMP employees return to work after traumatic incidents and providing help during their recovery.
After her career and into her retirement, Halla required ongoing medical care, which was provided by Ned’s Wish, a charity dedicated to supporting retired law enforcement and Canadian Armed Forces K-9s to improve their quality of life.
“With profound gratitude for her years of faithful service to the West Shore community and beyond, we honour Halla’s legacy and the countless lives she touched,” a Westshore RCMP news release stated.
Police say the German shepherd will be remembered for her courage, dedication and ability to lighten up any room that she entered.
A vehicular collision with a black bear near Sooke has landed two motorists in the hospital.
The crash occurred in the 5600 block of Sooke Road at around 5:30 a.m. on the morning of Tuesday, July 21st.
According to Sooke RCMP, a vehicle hit the bear, then a following motorcycle had to swerve off the road to avoid hitting the car.
Both the drivers suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital in stable condition.
Police say the bear did not survive the collision.
Black bears are common around Sooke and this is not the first time a bear has been struck in the region.
In 2024, the BC Conservation Officer Service had to humanely euthanize a black bear in the area after it was discovered to have injuries consistent with a motor vehicle collision.
According to the Wildlife Collision Prevention Program (WCPP), which tries to make BC’s roads safer for people and wildlife through education and awareness, the best way to avoid bear-vehicle collisions is to drive defensively and concentrate on the road at all times.
The WCPP urges drivers to watch the sides of the road for wildlife attempting to cross— especially where visibility is poor—and use extra caution at night.
While we’ve had a hot week in Victoria, there are some very cool events going on to keep your mind off the heat.
Get out to Willows Beach Park or the Westshore Town Centre and enjoy some live music, or support BC Special Olympic athletes at the Fernwood Inn while playing some music bingo!
It’s also free gallery day at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and the Talent Show Social is on at the Roxy Theatre.
Whatever you’re after, there’s something for everyone this Thursday in the city.
Find them all below—here are 5 things to do in and around Victoria this Thursday, July 23rd:
The Roxy’s Talent Show Social is back: and the stage is calling!
Whether you’re a musician, comedian, poet, dancer or performer of any kind, this is your moment to shine under the lights in front of an incredible, supportive crowd.
From unforgettable performances, big laughs, emotional moments and surprise guests take the mic—every show feels totally unique.
Experience unforgettable summer nights at Willows Beach, where live music, ocean views and community spirit come together!
This week, Groover Circus takes to the stage.
Josh Warren’s Groove Circus is an eclectic and rambunctious project drawing influences from funk, hip-hop, modern jazz and more.
The Teighan Couch Trio will be opening. Teighan is a dynamic jazz vocalist and composer based on Vancouver Island, celebrated for her warm tone, agile bebop scat and honest, unvarnished storytelling.
These concerts are free and everyone is welcome to attend.
One of many roadside enforcement checkstops (Photo by Lauren Girdler/DFO)
This past weekend, Vancouver Island fishery officers from across multiple jurisdictions conducted a roadside enforcement blitz which resulted in hundreds of inspections and over 90 violation tickets issued.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) officers from eight detachments, plus the Victoria Whale Protection Unit and the National Fisheries Intelligence Service (NFIS), collaborated on the operation on highway feeder routes between Port Hardy and Victoria.
Roadside checkpoints were established in all eight jurisdictions: Port Hardy, Campbell River, Gold River, Tofino, Port Alberni, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo and Victoria.
The operation also involved the RCMP, the BC Conservation Service (BCCOS) and the Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) in some communities.
According to DFO, this enforcement blitz was planned for the first weekend after Chinook salmon conservation measures and retention prohibitions were lifted to remind recreational fishers of the rules and regulations around all fish species.
This marked the first inspection of this scope undertaken on Vancouver Island.
During the operation, officers inspected 200 personal vehicles, 18 commercial transport vehicles and 85 vessels.
After analyzing the data from the operation, DFO determined that the majority of violations were around the regulations for processing fish and for possessing undersized fish.
“This was a highly successful example of coordinated enforcement blitzes, in conjunction with other agencies, that occur several times per year,” DFO wrote in a media release.
“While each agency operated within their mandates on the roadside inspections, they shared operational knowledge to ensure the success of the enforcement blitz and gained a deeper understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities.”
DFO noted that excess harvesting threatens conservation and could result in actions being taken to halt operations in impacted fisheries.
To help keep fisheries stocked and open, DFO is calling on the public for information on any suspicious or potentially illegal activities. Anyone with information can call the toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336 or reach out via email.
Victoria home prices dipped slightly in June, but buying a home in the region still became more difficult as mortgage rates continued to rise.
According to Ratehub.ca’s latest home affordability report, a household needed an annual income of approximately $186,200 to purchase an average-priced home in Victoria last month.
That is $700 more than the income required in May, despite Victoria’s average home price falling from $893,000 to $890,100.
The estimated monthly mortgage payment also increased by $21, climbing from $4,582 in May to $4,603 in June. Over the course of a year, that works out to an additional $252 in mortgage payments.
The report found that higher borrowing costs erased the benefit of Victoria’s $2,900 decline in average home prices.
“Mortgage rate increases were the primary factor impacting home affordability this month,” said Jamie David, senior director of mortgages at Ratehub.ca.
(Ratehub.ca)
For its calculations, Ratehub.ca used an average five-year fixed mortgage rate of 4.57% in June, up from 4.49% in May. The mortgage stress test rate also increased from 6.49% to 6.57%.
Among the 13 Canadian cities included in the report, Victoria had the third-highest income requirement. Only Vancouver and Toronto ranked higher, where buyers needed an annual income of $226,400 and $195,940 respectively. .
Across Canada, affordability worsened in 11 of the 13 cities studied.
Calgary experienced the largest month-over-month change, with buyers needing an additional $4,670 in annual income after the average home price increased by $4,000. St. John’s followed with an additional $2,380 required.
The income needed to purchase an average home Halifax saw the biggest improvement where it fell by $1,400 after prices dropped by $11,400. Hamilton was the only other city where affordability improved, with the required income declining by $230.
“With home prices appearing to bottom out and fixed mortgage rates under increasing pressure, buying conditions may not meaningfully improve in the near future,” said David.
The Victoria calculation is based on a 10% down payment, a 25-year amortization, annual property taxes of $4,000 and monthly heating costs of $150. Ratehub.ca used average home-price data from the Canadian Real Estate Association’s MLS Home Price Index.
The report is intended for illustrative purposes, meaning the actual income and mortgage payment required will depend on a buyer’s down payment, debt, interest rate, property taxes and other expenses.
Have you got a furry friend who is just itching for some fun? We’ve got some good news!
Canada’s largest pet festival, Day of the Dogs, is coming to Victoria this August!
On Sunday, August 16th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dallas Road will host Day of the Dogs, a festival designed to celebrate all things canine.
The festival is intended as a fundraiser for the Just Love Animals Society, with an emphasis on fun.
The event is going to be a riot, with lively events and exhibitors from across North America showing up for a doggone great time.
Highlights include a costume contest, an 80-foot pool party with a DJ and canine cabanas, a snaggletooth showcase, free or by donation nail clippings, a 100-foot art installation, a dogue fashion show and so much more.
There will also be several races taking place, with divisions specifically for wiener dogs, french bulldogs, corgis and doodles, as well as an open division for dogs of any breed.
Puppy yoga, where adoptable puppies will be causing mayhem, will also be taking place throughout the day, with 30-minute sessions from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. What better way to make a soul connection with your next ‘fur’-ever friend than through yoga?
These yoga sessions do require tickets and are expected to sell out quickly, so make sure you get yours soon by clickinghere.
If you’ve got a furry friend, head down to Dallas Road this August and take part in a ‘paws’-itively awesome time!
For more information on the festival or to register for specific events, head to the Day of the Dog websitehere.
There’s a brand new type of film festival coming to Victoria.
The Canadian Vertical Film Festival (CVFF), Canada’s first film festival dedicated to vertical story-telling, will be taking place at the Victoria International Marina this weekend.
On Saturday, July 25th from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., attendees can head down to the marina for a day of screenings of films shot in 9:16 format, local food, live DJs, industry panels and conversations with influential voices in vertical content space.
Presented by IATSE 891 and Actsafe Safety Association, the festival says that it is designed to celebrate the creativity, innovation and community driving the rapid growth of vertical film and mobile-first storytelling.
The festival will feature premiers and screenings of several films, including Shanghai Sherlock, Little Light, Beneath Crimson Sails, Say Something and Pizza Guys vs. Vampires.
There will also be signature cocktails inspired by the films!
As the festival concludes, awards will be handed out to films for Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Performance, Best Vertical Series and Most Outstanding Crew, alongside The World Builder Award and the I’d Click That award.
For those looking for a new take on filmmaking, check out the Canadian Vertical Film Festival this weekend!
Tickets to attend the festival are $20 and can be purchasedhere.
The recreational trailer involved in the fatal collision (RCMP)
Just shy of one year later, a man from Port Alberni has been criminally charged in connection to a fatal collision on Highway 19A northbound near Fanny Bay.
The incident occurred on July 31st, 2025, when a pickup truck towing a recreational trailer collided with multiple vehicles on Highway 19A.
The collision resulted in the death of a man who was standing on the side of the road.
On July 13th, 2026, 61-year-old Barry Munroe was arrested in connection with this incident as the driver of the pickup truck.
Then, on June 24th, the BC Prosecution Service approved charges against Munroe.
Munroe has been charged with impaired driving causing death, driving with a blood alcohol content over 0.08% causing death and obstruction of a peace officer.
The accused remains in custody awaiting bail hearings.
Best LFL That Looks Like Another Thing: Beckley Cottage Book Box – found on the 400-block of Parry Street in Victoria. This LFL is an identical miniature version of the historic Beckley Cottage, built in 1901 and moved to its current location in 1980.
Everyone loves the little free libraries (LFLs) scattered throughout Greater Victoria!
This week, the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network (GVPN) is launching the second annual Greater Victoria Little Free Library Awards to show off the best of the best, and encourage people to add more to the community’s stock.
LFLs come in all shapes and sizes, and all operate on the principle of ‘leave a book—take a book.’
While most contain gently used books, some little libraries share plants, seeds, puzzles, board games, household items, toys, art, art supplies, pet toys, yarn, food and much more.
LFLs are a part of the GVPN’s Pocket Places Project, which maps, promotes, stocks and helps build these libraries across the Capital Regional District.
Since 2017, the project has delivered over 148,000 books, mapped out over 1,024 LFLs, and helped set up 142 little libraries.
To celebrate our region reaching the 1,000th LFL milestone last year, the Greater Victoria Little Free Library Awards were launched. Due to the success of the awards, they are back for their second iteration this year.
“Last year, we launched the Greater Victoria Little Free Library Awards to celebrate all the creativity, care, whimsy and love that goes into creating and maintaining our region’s amazing network of little free libraries, and they were a huge success,” said Teale Phelps Bondaroff, volunteer lead of the Pocket Places Project.
“I hope that this year’s awards inspire people to get involved in placemaking in their communities.”
This year, the categories for the Greater Victoria Little Free Library Awards include:
Best plant/seed LFL
Best puzzle/board game LFL
Most verdant green roof
Best children’s LFL
Most creative LFL
Best LFL with a fish on it
Best LFL that looks like another thing
Best LFL built from upcycled/reused materials
Best Gulf Islands LFL
Coral Reef LFL – best associated placemaking element(s)
The awards official launched at the Oaklands Sunset Market on Wednesday, July 22nd.
Submissions and nominations are now open to the public, who are encouraged to put forward their favourite LFLs across the ten categories, with the nomination period ending at noon on August 12th.
Once the nominations are in, people will then be invited to vote on their favourites between August 12th and September 8th at 10 p.m. Winners will then be announced at a community event on September 13th.
“Last year it was incredible to showcase our region’s Little Free Libraries, and spotlight the uniqueness of each one, and bring together communities that love and enjoy the LFLs in their neighbourhoods,” said Bella Lee, board member with GVPN.
“For folks that have borrowed a book, this is the best time to give back to your Little Free Library, and celebrate the many others you pass by, or are wowed by online.”
Police are asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect after approximately $1,200 in cash was stolen from the Sidney Lawn Bowling Club last week.
In a media relase, Sidney/North Saanich RCMP said they were contacted at around 12:42 p.m. on July 17th after staff discovered that the clubhouse had been broken into and rummaged through.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows an unidentified man entering the building at approximately 8:33 p.m. on July 16th and remaining inside for more than an hour.
During that time, the suspect allegedly accessed a lockbox containing approximately $1,200 from a recent ticket sales event.
Police are still working to determine whether anything else was taken from the clubhouse.
Images released by RCMP show the suspect wearing a red hooded jacket, grey pants and dark shoes.
Anyone who was near Fifth Street that evening or has information about the break-in is asked to contact Sidney/North Saanich RCMP at (250) 656-3931.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
UPDATE: West Kelowna RCMP have ended the Amber Alert issued for a four-year-old boy after the child and his mother were safely located by police.
— original:
A BC Amber Alert was activated overnight after a four-year-old boy was allegedly abducted in West Kelowna.
Many Vancouver Island residents received the emergency alert on their phones just after midnight Wednesday.
According to the West Kelowna RCMP, officers received a report of a parental abduction on Tuesday, July 21st.
Following an investigation, police activated a province-wide BC Amber Alert in an effort to locate Ryan Atlas Andrews, who goes by the name Atlas.
Atlas is described as a four-year-old Caucasian boy with brown hair and hazel eyes. He is approximately 3’ tall and weighs about 51 pounds.
Police are also searching for 40-year-old Alisse Andrews, who is described as Caucasian with brown hair and brown eyes.
She is approximately 5’ 4” tall and weighs about 121 pounds.
Investigators believe they may be travelling in a black 2021 Nissan Qashqai with BC licence plate RV003L.
Anyone who has seen Atlas, Alisse Andrews or the vehicle is asked to call 911 immediately. Police are asking the public not to approach them and instead report any sightings to emergency services.
The RCMP says further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
No updates have been provided since the Amber Alert was issued.
The BC Licence Parks Licence Plate Program is giving back in a big way.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Parks, the program is providing support and funding for more than 100 community-led projects in the province, including trail improvements, ecosystem restoration and accessibility enhancements.
The ministry says that in 2026, $350,000 generated by BC Parks licence plate sales will help support projects aimed at conservation and recreation in parks and protected areas through the Community Park Enhancement Fund.
“The Community Park Enhancement Fund empowers local organizations, volunteers and Indigenous partners to identify and lead small projects that make a difference for the people who frequently use and help steward parks,” said Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks.
“For nearly a decade, the BC Parks Licence Plate Program has helped fund meaningful improvements in parks across the province. These community-led projects demonstrate the power of partnerships in making parks more inclusive, welcoming and sustainable for everyone.”
The fund began in 2013, with projects delivered in collaboration with Indigenous partners, community groups, volunteers, academic researchers and non-profit organizations.
The projects’ scopes are varied, and the fund provides support for initiatives like invasive species management and removal, habitat and wildlife monitoring, trail improvements and maintenance, education and interpretive signage, ecosystem restoration, accessibility enhancements, youth engagement programs and more.
The BC Parks Licence Plate Program allows motorists to choose one of three specialty plate designs depicting scenes from BC’s parks and protected areas, and is managed through a partnership between the Province and ICBC.
All net proceeds from plate sales are invested back into provincial parks through the Park Enhancement Fund, which then supports the delivery of programs and services throughout the province.
For more information or to purchase a specialty plate, visit the BC Parks websitehere.
Who knew a stylish licence plate could do so much good?
Island Health has confirmed a travel-acquired case of measles in the Nanaimo area and is warning residents about two potential public exposures.
The health authority said the risk to the broader public remains low and its public health team is contacting people known to have been exposed.
However, anyone who visited the following locations on Sunday, July 12th during the specified times may have been exposed:
Beban Park Golf Course: Indoor check-in area between 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
Woodgrove Centre: Lululemon, Booster Juice or SportChek between 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Island Health said the risk is extremely low for people who were elsewhere in Woodgrove Centre and did not enter one of the three identified businesses.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air. Most people in Canada are protected through vaccination or a previous measles infection.
Anyone who may have been exposed should monitor for symptoms for up to three weeks. Initial symptoms can include a fever, dry cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed several days later by a rash that typically begins on the face and spreads down the body.
People who develop symptoms are being asked to stay home, avoid contact with others and call their health-care provider, urgent care centre or hospital before arriving.
This allows staff to take precautions to prevent the potential spread of the virus.
People are considered at greater risk if they have never had measles or have not received two doses of a measles vaccine after turning 12 months old.
Those born in 1970 or later who have not received two doses are encouraged to get a booster.
Babies younger than six months, pregnant people and those with certain immune conditions should not receive the vaccine. Anyone in these groups who may have been exposed should contact public health as soon as possible, as medication may be available to prevent the illness.
People who may have been exposed and are unvaccinated, unsure of their vaccination status, immunocompromised, pregnant or caring for an exposed child younger than one can contact Island Health’s communicable disease team at (250) 519-3575.
Nanaimo residents can book an appointment through public health by calling (250) 755-3369. Pharmacies can also vaccinate anyone over four years old.
According to Island Health, two doses of the measles vaccine are nearly 100% effective and generally provide lifelong protection.
A five-year-old boy will soon be reunited with his beloved stuffed animal after it was accidentally left behind on a BC Ferries vessel last week.
The bright pink donkey was found aboard the Salish Raven on Thursday, July 16th, following an afternoon sailing from Swartz Bay to the Southern Gulf Islands.
While crews searched for its owner, the stuffed donkey quickly became an honorary BC Ferries crew member and an online celebrity.
BC Ferries shared photos of the little traveller enjoying soft-serve ice cream, doing some light reading, touring the bridge, visiting the engine room and making new friends aboard the vessel.
Online commenters soon gave the donkey a name, “Churro the Burro.”
According to BC Ferries, the search generated more than one million views and thousands of reactions, comments and shares before BC Ferries announced Monday that Churro’s family had been found.
According to the family, the stuffed animal belongs to five-year-old Alfie and was purchased for him by his nana in Mexico. It is believed Churro fell out of the family’s vehicle while they were travelling from Swartz Bay to Pender Island.
“We’ve found Churro’s family!” BC Ferries wrote in an update. “Thanks to our incredible online coastal community, the search is over.”
BC Ferries is now planning a reunion between Alfie and Churro later this week.
Alfie is reportedly very excited to have his pink travelling companion back home, while BC Ferries says more from the reunion will be shared in the coming days.
Things are about to get wild this Wednesday with Team Canada playing UCLA at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, Eventide taking over Centennial Square and the Oaklands Sunset Market going down at the Oaklands Community Centre.
If those aren’t your style, catch some Flamenco at the Coda or some reggae, soul and hip hop at the Capital Ballroom!
Whatever you get up to, get out and get involved!
Here are 5 things to do in and around Victoria this Wednesday, July 22nd:
Eventide is back this week with Ready, Set, Sound presenting Fembite, Small Pleasures, Savy and Concrete Vehicles taking to the stage.
Under the moniker Ready, Set, Sound, Megan Harton curates diverse, inclusive and accessible concerts.
The project brings together a wide range of genres—from bluegrass to punk, drone to drag—creating events that prioritize harm reduction, safety and accessibility. Each show is a step toward building a stronger community and fostering a more equitable music scene in Victoria.
These free weekly concerts in Centennial Square are always a blast. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Head down to the 11th edition of Flamenco Guitar Night at the Coda! This show will feature four of Victoria’s highly acclaimed flamenco guitarists: Gareth Owen, Iminah Kani, Juan de Marias and Jake Lee.
The talent in this group of flamenco guitarists is phenomenal, and you do not want to miss this concert!
Everyone is either just back from Andalucía, Spain, or just about to go there. This is your chance to relax and enjoy the finest of Spanish melodies and flamenco rhythms.
These four guitarists will be joined by three local flamenco singers.
Embodying the vibrant Chicago music culture, LowDown Brass Band is a one-of-a-kind horn ensemble weaving the rhythm of the streets with conscious hip hop, reggae and soul.
Rigorously touring, LowDown has performed on the most unique stages from Electric Forest, Bonnaroo, Summer Camp, Alaska’s Salmon Fest, Montreal Jazz Fest and a five week 2025 EU/UK tour with Australia’s Cat Empire.
Tickets for the show are $25 plus fees and can be purchasedhere.
New drivers in BC will no longer have to pass a second road test to move from their “N” to a Class 5 licence.
Beginning October 19th, ICBC will replace the second road test with a driving record assessment that looks at a driver’s experience and behaviour during the novice stage.
However, passing the assessment will not immediately result in a fully unrestricted licence.
Drivers who qualify will receive a Class 5 licence with a new 12-month restricted period.
During that time, they will be required to maintain zero blood-alcohol and drug levels and could face greater scrutiny than experienced drivers if they receive a violation.
“Evidence shows that driving experience gained over time predicts long-term safety as reliably as a single road test,” said Nina Krieger, B.C.’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
“The changes we’re making to the GLP maintain our high road safety standards, with a focus on helping new drivers get more time behind the wheel to develop the habits they need to drive responsibly.”
To pass the new driving record assessment, drivers will need:
At least 24 months of safe novice driving if they are under 25 years old
At least 18 months of safe novice driving if they are under 25 and completed an approved Graduated Licensing Program course
At least 12 months of safe novice driving if they are 25 or older
No convictions for excessive speeding or using an electronic device during the required period
No driving prohibitions or suspensions during the required period
Certain unsafe driving behaviour could cause the novice period to restart, meaning drivers would have to build up another clean stretch of driving before qualifying for a Class 5 licence.
A shorter process for drivers 25 and older
The BC government is also creating a faster route for people who begin learning to drive at age 25 or older.
For those drivers, the learner stage will be reduced from 12 months to nine months, while the novice stage will drop from 24 months to 12 months.
Drivers under 25 will continue to spend 12 months as a learner and 24 months as a novice, although completing an approved driver-training course can reduce the novice stage to 18 months.
Both age groups must still pass the first road test to move from a learner’s licence to a Class 7 novice licence.
What happens to people who already have an “N”?
Some drivers currently enrolled in the Graduated Licensing Program may qualify for a one-time automatic upgrade from a Class 7 to a restricted Class 5 licence.
Those who qualify will not have to complete an in-office driving record assessment.
ICBC says letters will be sent to affected drivers beginning in early fall, explaining whether they qualify and what steps they need to take.
Anyone with a second road test booked for October 19th or later will have that appointment cancelled. ICBC says affected drivers will receive an email with further instructions.
Until the new system takes effect, eligible drivers can still take the existing Class 5 road test.
Other licensing changes are coming
The updated program will also lower the age at which someone can apply for a driver’s licence without parental consent from 19 to 18.
A new immediate-family exemption is also being introduced for passenger limits, which could make it easier for novice drivers from larger families to gain experience behind the wheel.
Driving record assessments will be available through ICBC driver licensing offices, Service BC offices and driver licensing agents.
The Province says the changes are intended to make licensing more accessible for people living in rural, remote and First Nations communities where booking or travelling to a road test can be difficult.
BC’s graduated licensing program has not been significantly updated in more than 25 years. Once the second road test is removed, Ontario will be the only Canadian province that continues to require an exit road test from its graduated licensing program.
The change is part of a broader modernization of driver licensing in BC and global licensing practices.
The Province is also working toward allowing eligible drivers to renew or replace their driver’s licences and BCID cards online beginning in 2027. Separate changes to BC’s motorcycle licensing system are also expected to take effect next year.
Are you planning a surprise proposal, an anniversary, or a special moment that you and a partner will want to remember forever?
A brand new business in Victoria is helping people do just that. They say their goal is to ensure those who are planning these types of celebrations make them feel truly special.
Petals & Memories Co. is a new event decor business based in Victoria, with a focus on creating memories that last.
According to the company, they believe every love story deserves its moment. They specialize in bringing these moments to life, and adding the special flare to make them something that will never be forgotten.
Anyone who has planned a proposal, anniversary, or a similar moment knows that this planning can feel overwhelming.
Petals & Memories Co. designs setups with creativity, intention, and attention to detail to help clients ease the pressure and focus on the weight of the moment.
Big or small, any celebration is designed to feel personal, beautiful, and unforgettable.
Their unique style is personalized, timeless, and romantic, and their setups are designed to reflect the couple, the specific moment they’re celebrating, and what it means to them.
From luxurious floral installations and candlelit pathways to smaller, intimate details that will make a moment last forever, their goal is to make these experiences both beautiful and meaningful.
The heart-shaped arch is their pièce de résistance, and is available in both red and white.
Petals & Memories Co. also builds relationships with every client they work with, and strives to make the process as stress-free and smooth as possible.
Their goal is to take the time needed to listen, understand clients’ ideas, and work with them to bring their vision to life.
If you’ve got a special moment coming up in your life that you need to make unforgettable, don’t settle for anything less than what the moment deserves.
Petals & Memories Co. is now accepting booking in Victoria and surrounding areas. To book an inquiry and take the next step into creating your own special memory,click here.
(Soup's On! / Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore Society)
There’s a ‘soup-erb’ event coming to Colwood this October!
The Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore Society will be hosting Soup’s On!, a community fundraiser to support food security in the region.
According to the society, hundreds of kilograms of food that might otherwise go to waste will be rescued from landfill and transformed into chef-inspired soup.
On Saturday, October 3rd, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Royal Bay Secondary School Auditorium in Colwood, local chefs, community partners and residents will come together to address food insecurity and support programs that aid women, girls, seniors and families in the area.
The society has partnered with The Mustard Seed and Food Share Network to host the event.
Four local chefs have volunteered their time and culinary expertise, and will be creating globally inspired soups using rescued ingredients donated by local growers, grocers and food distributors.
Attendees can enjoy unlimited servings of chef-inspired soups alongside fresh bread. There will also be dairy-free, gluten-free and vegetarian options available.
“Many people across Greater Victoria continue to struggle with food security during these challenging economic times,” said Rhona Beaumont, President of Soroptimist Victoria Westshore.
“Through Soup’s On!, we hope to bring our community together to raise awareness about regional food insecurity while generating vital funds for programs that support women, girls, seniors, and families throughout our region.”
Tickets are available on a pay-what-you-can basis, with each ticket including unlimited servings of soup and bread. There will be $40 ‘Soup Supporter Tickets’ available, which come with a handcrafted pottery bowl.
Purchase your ticketshere while they’re still in ‘stock’.
Nothing says summer quite like fresh corn on the cob, especially when it has been picked just a short drive from home.
Corn season is now underway at several Vancouver Island farms, with peaches and cream, yellow and super-sweet varieties beginning to appear at farm markets and roadside stands.
While some farms are already selling their 2026 crop, others expect their corn to be ready later this summer. Availability can also change quickly, so it is always a good idea to check with the farm before making a longer drive.
Here are 9 places to find fresh corn on the cob across Vancouver Island this summer:
Silver Rill is one of the best-known corn stops on southern Vancouver Island, specializing in premium non-GMO sweet corn.
The farm’s 2026 corn season began July 9th with its early peaches and cream variety. Yellow and super-sweet varieties were expected to follow around July 20th.
The market is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including holidays.
Galey Farms grows much of the produce sold at its Blenkinsop Valley market, including several varieties of sweet corn.
The farm says corn has begun arriving on its shelves for the season, with additional white and bi-colour varieties typically appearing later in the summer.
This family-run Mill Bay market has strong roots in corn. The business began with its owners selling freshly picked corn from the back of a pickup truck before eventually growing into a year-round farm market.
Sweet Meadows now carries its own produce alongside food from other Vancouver Island farms. The market is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but has not posted a specific 2026 corn update, so call ahead at (250) 929-0040.
McNab’s has been growing and selling its well-known super-sweet corn for more than 40 years.
Its Yellow Point roadside produce stand is open for the season and carries sweet corn when available, along with potatoes, carrots, beets, zucchini and squash.
The stand is open during daylight hours and can sometimes be unattended. It is cash only, with exact change recommended. Corn availability can be confirmed by calling (250) 755-6005.
Silver Meadows Farm Market has announced that its 2026 corn season is underway.
The 116-acre family farm grows sweet corn, strawberries, raspberries, vegetables and pumpkins. Its rustic market also carries eggs, meat, local cheese, preserves and other Vancouver Island-made products.
Naesgaard’s has also announced the arrival of its own freshly picked corn for the season.
The Port Alberni farm grows corn, strawberries, carrots, potatoes, beans, cucumbers, squash and several other vegetables. Its market is open daily, though supplies can vary as crops are harvested.
Corn lovers in the Comox Valley will have to wait a little longer for McClintock’s award-winning non-GMO sweet corn.
The farm grows four varieties, ranging from peaches and cream to solid yellow corn. Its harvest normally runs from mid-August through early September, with corn sold at the farm stand and the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market.
Where: 3419 Dove Creek Road, Courtenay
Did we miss a must-try spot on Vancouver Island? Let us know in the comment section below!
Get ready, Vancouver Island—things are about to heat up.
Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for several areas in BC this week, with the majority of inland Vancouver Island being affected.
From now until Wednesday, July 22nd, high heat is expected in the region, with temperatures in the low 30s in many areas on Vancouver Island.
Environment Canada is warning of potential risks to public health due to the high temperatures, with particular risk to seniors, people who live alone, people with pre-existing health conditions including diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease, people with mental illness such as schizophrenia, depression or anxiety, people with substance use disorders and people with limited mobility.
The news comes as Environment Canada and firesmoke.ca both anticipate wildfire smoke blanketing much of Vancouver Island over the next several days, although air quality is expected to stay low risk.
In Victoria, temperatures are expected to reach 28°C on Wednesday, while Environment Canada is forecasting highs of 30°C on both Tuesday and Wednesday in Courtenay and Campbell River.
After Wednesday, things are expected to cool down gradually.
Environment Canada is reminding residents to stay safe during this period of elevated temperatures, and is urging residents to take precautions:
Check on family, friends and neighbours, who are at higher risk, particularly if they live alone, to make sure they have a cool space
Watch for the effects of heat illness: heavy sweating, rash, cramps, fainting, high body temperature and the worsening of some health conditions
Keep your house cool. Turn on your air conditioning (if possible), block the sun by closing curtains or blinds, or relocate to a cooler location such as a basement or public cooling centre.
Use fans to pull in cooler air from outdoors, but if you or someone you care for is experiencing symptoms of heat illness, find a cooler space. Fans alone cannot effectively lower core body temperature, especially for older adults.
Seek out cool spaces like shaded parks, splash pads, misting stations, or air-conditioned public buildings
Stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day and wear lightweight, breathable clothing
Never leave children, pets or dependent adults in parked cars — even with windows open
More information on how to protect yourself during hot weather is available by clicking here or by calling 8-1-1.
A dramatic rollover crash in Colwood was captured on dashcam as a rare thunderstorm brought heavy rain to Greater Victoria last week.
At around 3:28 p.m. on Thursday, July 16th, West Shore RCMP were called to Veterans Memorial Parkway near the Carindale intersection.
Dashcam footage captured a Ford F-150 swerving off the roadway, striking the shoulder and rolling onto its passenger side as weather conditions worsened.
The 36-year-old driver had to be extricated from the truck before being assessed by BC Emergency Health Services for non-life-threatening injuries.
According to police, responding officers observed signs and symptoms of impairment. The driver provided a breath sample using an Approved Roadside Screening Device, which resulted in a “WARN” reading.
He was issued a three-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and the truck was impounded.
During the investigation, officers also determined the vehicle was uninsured. The driver was ticketed for operating an uninsured vehicle and received an additional 90-day driving prohibition.
“Impaired driving continues to put everyone on our roads at risk and is entirely preventable,” said Corporal Nancy Saggar, Media Relations Officer for West Shore RCMP.
“This collision serves as a reminder that choosing to drive after consuming alcohol can have serious consequences. We encourage everyone to plan ahead and arrange a safe ride home if they have been drinking.”
Police are reminding motorists that impaired driving remains one of the leading contributing factors in serious injury and fatal collisions in BC.
Anyone who suspects a driver is impaired should safely pull over and call 911.
Police attended several locations connected to her disappearance before locating her deceased later that day.
In an update released the following month, RCMP revealed Shelley had been found after officers responded to a vehicle fire in a wooded area on College Drive near Highway 19.
Investigators subsequently determined her death was a homicide.
The Nanaimo RCMP Serious Crime Unit took over the investigation with assistance from the BC Coroners Service.
RCMP said investigators conducted a “meticulous investigation” and submitted a comprehensive report to the BC Prosecution Service, which approved the charges against Compton.
As summer enters its hotter months, the BC Coroners Service (BCCS), Lifesaving Society, BC Emergency Health Services and BC AdventureSmart are reminding residents and visitors to take safety seriously around bodies of water.
According to BCCS, preliminary data in 2026 shows that there have been 40 accidental drowning deaths in British Columbia between May 1st and July 16th.
This number is higher than last year’s during the same period, which was 26.
“We have seen an unfortunate upwards trend this summer when it comes to accidental drowning deaths,” said Dr. Jatinder Baidwan, chief coroner at BCCS.
“It is our hope that people will take a serious look at the data we are sharing and make smart choices when planning any water-related activity in the coming months.”
BCCS’s Accidental Drowning Deaths in BC report (2015-2025) revealed that July and August usually see the highest number of drowning deaths throughout the year, with yearly averages of 13.9 and 12.4 respectively.
Last year, 36 deaths were reported between June and August, which accounted for 39% of the year’s total drowning deaths.
In 2025, 22 drowning deaths were associated with swimming, 19 were associated with bathing and 16 with unintentional falls into water. Between 2015 and 2024, alcohol and/or drugs were identified as a contributing factor in 40% of closed accidental drowning cases.
The report also revealed that 29% of drowning deaths occurred in lakes or ponds, 20% occurred in rivers or creeks, and 20% occurred in baths.
With many bodies of water on Vancouver Island frequented by residents for swimming, the report serves as a reminder to be safe and always follow safety precautions when swimming.
For more information on water safety, visit BC AdventureSmart’s websitehere.
The BC government and BC Hydro are planning Vancouver Island’s first utility-scale battery energy storage project near Duncan.
According to the Province, this endeavour will help strengthen reliability and prepare for growing electricity demand in the region.
Once completed, the project will have a capacity for at least 100 megawatts of battery storage capacity, which will store power when electricity demand is lower and provide energy when demand is highest.
This project will reportedly maximize the use of existing electricity infrastructure, providing a more resilient system for Vancouver Island’s growing communities.
“As demand for electricity continues to grow throughout British Columbia, we are making strategic investments to continue to deliver reliable, affordable and clean power to homes and businesses,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions.
“BC’s first utility-scale battery storage facility will help power the Island and is a key part of BC Hydro’s Powering Growth plan to strengthen our electricity system and support the province’s future growth.”
Beginning Thursday, July 30th, BC Hydro will put out a request for supplier qualifications to find experienced companies capable of designing and delivering the project.
Once identified, a pool of respondents will be invited to participate in a request for proposals later this year.
“This first project will help ensure we continue delivering reliable electricity to our customers as demand grows across Vancouver Island and throughout British Columbia,” said Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO at BC Hydro.
“As the first utility-scale battery storage project in BC, it will allow us to use a new technology that can store electricity when it is available and deliver it back to the grid when customers need it most.”
After the Province conducted a comprehensive assessment a site was selected for this project that is adjacent to the Vancouver Island Terminal Substation near Duncan.
Because this land is already owned by BC Hydro, the facility will be integrated into the existing electricity system, thus minimizing development impacts.
According to the BC government, the facility is projected to be completed by 2030.
Hawk & Steel featuring Char McGee (Photo by Tyson Elder)
Victoria and Vancouver Island have a lot of musical talent, and Victoria Buzz wants to highlight some of the best and brightest local artists and bands.
Every Monday, there will be a fresh ‘New Music Monday’ article to help people find and support local artists and bands that are up and coming, well established or hidden gems!
For this endeavour, Victoria Buzz has partnered with our good friends at CFUV 101.9 FM, UVic’s campus radio station, to find and select the musicians and bands for this regular column.
To date, there have been 83 New Music Monday features published through this collaboration.
This week, Hawk & Steel is the New Music Monday highlight!
Hawk & Steel is a Victoria-based Americana band that started playing together back in 2011.
Though the band has seen several iterations with band members coming and going, it was started by Peter Gardner who sings lead vocals and plays guitar, as well as Ian Johnson on lead guitar. The modern iteration also includes Rob Phillips on drums and Rob “Bobby” Walsh on bass.
The band just released their first album in nearly a decade, following a nine-year hiatus. It’s called Ain’t Never Movin’ On.
According to Gardner, Hawk & Steel stepped away from playing in 2017 after pushing themselves hard as a touring band.
“We played a lot of shows and had a good time but were starting to lose a little steam, I think just because we had been playing so much for so long that we just, for no other reason that it was just time, we stopped,” he explained.
“We stopped for seven or eight years.”
He said that in 2024, he and the rest of the band decided to get back in the jam space to play together once again, this time just for fun.
“Sure enough it was really fun, and then very quickly, we were like, ‘We have those few old songs that we never really did anything with before we went on hiatus, let’s try playing those songs again,’” Gardner continued.
“That was fun and then we started making new songs and before we knew it we had a whole new record.”
According to Gardner, the hiatus allowed the band some time to replenish their energy and to get better and more confident with their instruments.
When they came back together, Hawk & Steel set out to make the album they wanted to make for themselves, rather than creating for what others may enjoy.
“Now I think we are able to make decisions that are just for us, that maybe we would have been too cautious to do before,” he said.
“Like, we have a couple new songs on this record that have saxophone on them and it rules, but I feel like maybe 10, 15 years ago, we would have been like, ‘Would that be too Bruce Springsteen or whatever,’ but who cares, Bruce Springsteen’s awesome.”
Gardner noted that the band went into Ain’t Never Movin’ On trying not to take themselves too seriously and letting go of preconceived notions on what they should be doing.
Throughout the new record, despite some songs being new and others being older, Gardner says that there is a loose overarching theme of “getting in your own way and not really letting yourself do good things.”
The last song on the album, “I Want You (To Break My Heart),” plays into that overarching theme because it’s all about taking risks.
“Yeah, maybe if we fall in love it will end horribly and we will not like each other at the end, but when we’re in love it’s so good and those good times are worth the bad times,” explained Gardner.
“It’s just kind of about saying, ‘Let’s take the chance cause why not.’”
This was one of the newer tracks on the album and Gardner said it came about after he got the song’s title stuck in his head and wrote around that central idea.
“I don’t really know where it came from,” he laughed. “I’ve been with my wife for like 15 years so it’s not like I’m drawing on experience.”
“But I think it’s kind of indicative about everything, not necessarily love—just letting yourself take that risk when maybe you move to a different city or maybe your new career move, or even getting a cat. There’s risks in everything.”
“I Want You (To Break My Heart)” also included friends and fellow musicians Charlotte McGee on vocals, Marc Jenkins on pedal steel and Hugh Mackie on organ.
For this track, Hawk & Steel made a DIY music video that features the band members playing through the song on each other’s instruments.
Gardner says the video makes him laugh because he feels like people will be able to tell who in the band is the worst at drumming.
“Last time we put out a record we didn’t even have an Instagram account, because that’s how old I am,” he said.
“So we wanted to put a music video out for some quote, unquote ‘content,’ and we were trying to think about something funny, silly, something we could completely do ourselves… You can tell that drums are the hardest to play for three out of four of us,” he laughed.
Check out the music video for “I Want You (To Break My Heart)” by Steel and Hawk below:
Listen to “I Want You (To Break My Heart),” Ain’t Never Movin’ On and the rest of Hawk & Steel’s catalogue on Bandcamp, Tidal, Spotify and Apple Music.
The band just played their album release show for Ain’t Never Movin’ On at The Duke in late June, which was also their first performance in around 10 years.
Gardner says they currently don’t have any upcoming shows in Victoria, but hopes to put something together for the fall.
“It’s something we definitely want to keep going with,” he said.
“Last time we were doing this thing, we were playing shows every couple of weeks and I think we also got kind of burnt out on that so we’re going to dip our toes back into it as we go.”
He also noted that the band is already working on some brand new material and he hopes to be able to keep writing, recording and playing in the years to come.
CFUV is a non-profit campus and community radio station that plays a ton of local music of all kinds across Vancouver Island. If you like to support local music they are an amazing resource with a plethora of new local tunes in their arsenal.
“I think that the support [CFUV] gives to the music community in this city, whether its playing them on air, talking about them on the internet, hosting the Eventide shows in the summer, it’s really endless,” said Gardner.
“I love CFUV so much, I think what they do is so important, I’m so glad they exist in this city and I hope they continue to exist forever.”
With the dust settling after the FIFA World Cup, Victoria seems to have shown a particular passion for soccer during the tournament.
According toBetano, an online sports betting company, Victoria is Canada’s most passionate soccer city.
With a 69.9% net favourability among fans surveyed, the city ranked ahead of many of Canada’s larger metropolitan areas.
“Victoria’s position as Canada’s leading soccer city demonstrates that passion is not limited to major metropolitan centres,” the website read.
“Despite its smaller population, the city has developed a highly engaged soccer community supported by strong grassroots participation and a deep appreciation for the game.”
Fans in Victoria saw this passion firsthand, with many venues across the region seeing huge turnouts for Team Canada’s games, as well as for the final, semi-final, Round of 16 and Round of 32 matches.
Market Square downtown saw thousands show up for matches, and other venues including the Irish Times Pub, Langford Station, Boomtown, Herald Street Brew Works and other establishments in the Greater Victoria area also filled up with fans watching their favourite teams take to the pitch.
The website also broached Canadian fans’ interest in players, with Jonathan David coming out as the most popular player and Alphonso Davies being most Canadian fans’ favourite player.
Internationally, Messi was the most popular player among Canadians.
Now that the World Cup is over, it remains to be seen what the impact will be on support for local soccer organizations.
On Vancouver Island, the Pacific FC will take to the pitch on Friday, July 31st for the first time since the World Cup started, welcoming new coach Terry Dunfield with the hope that he can help turn the season around for the club. Dunfield was a professional player himself, and served as an analyst on TSN during the World Cup.
In Vancouver, the fate of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC is still in question as the team and fans try to secure a long-term future in the city.
There are some great concerts happening in the city this Tuesday, along with a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the beautiful Craigdarroch Castle.
If those aren’t your things, check out the classic Dirty Dancing at the Vic Theatre, or try your hand at improv with Garden City Improv at Theatre SKAM.
Here are are 5 things to do in and around Victoria this Tuesday, July 21st:
Let the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival lead you up and down with a modern production of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved and unique comedies: A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
In this production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, two worlds collide; one of wealth and privilege and another full of powerful, natural magic. While the concept was inspired by environmental and social justice, this version fully embraces the raucous comedy in this play. This 90-minute romp is packed full of action, romance, music, magic and even puppets!
Four young lovers, a community theatre troupe and a group of warring fairies. By the end you’ll agree, lord, what fools these mortals be!
Tickets are $30 for the public, $25 for those aged 25 and younger and free for children under 15 or BIPOC individuals. Purchase yourshere.
Twin brothers, Josef and Jan Prasil, known collectively as Amistat, have embarked on a remarkable musical journey that transcends borders and is rooted in an unspoken and unexplainable bond.
Their captivating story is best experienced through the power of their harmonious melodies, which have been influenced by a rich tapestry of cultures.
Born in Germany with roots in the Czech Republic and Australia, thanks to their parents, Josef and Jan’s upbringing was a cultural whirlwind.
With every note, they turn the ordinary into something unforgettable. Join them on their musical journey, a live experience you won’t want to miss.
Tickets are $25 plus fees and can be purchasedhere.
This week, Vancouver Island may be impacted by wildfire smoke being blown into the region from BC’s interior.
According to firesmoke.ca, smoke from fires in the interior of BC will make its way to Vancouver Island and settle in over the next couple of days.
Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index indicates that air quality will remain in the low-risk range over the next 24 hours while the smoke is present, hovering between a two and three on the 11-point scale.
Smoke is forecast to remain in the area until at least Wednesday, which is as far as firesmoke.ca is able to predict.
Smoke has engulfed much of the country in recent weeks, with many locations in eastern Canada seeing some of the worst air quality in the world this summer.
As of this publication, there are 105 active fires in the province, with 16 having been started in the last 24 hours. Out of these 105 fires, 39 are considered ‘out of control.’
According to the BC Wildfire dashboard, 83 of the fires have been caused by lightning, while 13 are human-caused.
The news comes as Victoria’s weather forecast calls for a string of hot days, with temperatures expected to reach 25°C multiple times this week.
The smoke serves as a reminder for all BC residents to be cautious and follow local fire prohibitions and restrictions.
For a list of restrictions in your area,click here.
Campbell River RCMP is calling for the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects in connection to a series of break and enters in the downtown core last week.
The first instances occurred during the early morning hours of Monday, July 13th and Tuesday, July 14th when police responded to three break and enters and two attempted break and enters at local businesses in the area.
Since that time, there have been additional incidents. In total there have been seven break and enters and two attempted break and enters.
According to police, the suspects are believed to have gained entry to the businesses by smashing the front glass doors and windows before entering and stealing merchandise.
Items reported stolen include cellular phones, clothing, a hair dryer and baseball bats. Police noted that in the two attempted break-ins, suspects were unable to gain entry but caused significant damage to the businesses.
Investigators have released surveillance images of the two individuals believed to be connected to the incidents and are asking anyone who recognizes them to come forward.
The first suspect was seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and dark shoes, while the second second suspect was observed wearing a light-coloured hooded sweatshirt, light-coloured sweatpants and dark footwear.
“These incidents resulted in substantial property damage and losses to local businesses,” said Corporal Brett Urano, RCMP spokesperson.
“We are asking anyone who recognizes the individuals in the photographs or who has information about these break-ins to contact investigators.”
In response to these incidents, Campbell River RCMP has ramped up their downtown presence in attempts to prevent further occurrences.
Anyone with information should contact Campbell River RCMP at (250) 286-6221. To report anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
This week, Greater Victoria’s weather forecast is calling for a mix of sun and cloud with plenty of hot days on the horizon.
According to Environment Canada, Monday, July 20th is expected to be mostly sunny with a mix of sun and cloud. The daily high is expected to reach up to 25°C. Overnight, the low will drop down to 14°C.
Tuesday is expected to be the nicest day of the week, with another predicted high of 25°C and sunny conditions throughout the day. The overnight low will reach 15°C.
Wednesday is predicted to be another hot one, with a daily high of 25°C predicted once again. Conditions will bring a mix of sun and cloud into the region. The overnight low will drop down to around 15°C.
On Thursday, Environment Canada is calling for sunny conditions all day with a high of 23°C. Overnight the temperature will reach down to 13°C.
Friday will bring another day of sun with some clouds expected. The forecast calls for a high of around 23°C and a low of 13°C.
Victoria is in store for another beautiful weekend with moderate summer conditions. The high is expected to be around 22°C during the day on both Saturday and Sunday. There will be a mix of sun and cloud throughout the weekend. Overnight the low will drop down to around 13°C.
Victoria’s cruise ship terminal is heading into another busy week, with 14 vessels carrying an estimated 44,439 passengers expected between Monday, July 20th and Sunday, July 26th.
Sunday will be the busiest day based on passenger numbers with three ships carrying an estimated 11,815 passengers scheduled to visit throughout the day. Tuesday will be the only day where no cruise ships are expected.
Saturday’s ships are expected to bring a combined 10,216 passengers, while Friday’s three vessels will carry an estimated 9,914.
Friday will also see one of the week’s quickest rushes. Norwegian Bliss and Eurodam are both scheduled to arrive at 8 p.m., followed by Royal Princess just 15 minutes later.
The largest ship of the week will be Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, which arrives Sunday afternoon. The 1,139 foot vessel is expected to carry up to 4,919 passengers, making it both the longest ship and the one with the highest estimated passenger count this week.
It is only about six feet longer than Star Princess, which arrives Saturday evening.
Star Princess is the newest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet and began sailing in October 2025. The 21-deck ship can accommodate 4,300 guests and features a large glass-enclosed entertainment venue known as The Dome.
Another notable arrival is Norwegian Bliss, which features a two-level go-kart racetrack at sea. The 1,094-foot ship was built in 2018 and refurbished in 2025. Norwegian Cruise Line
Victoria is also now slightly more than halfway through its projected 2026 cruise season.
To date, 176 cruise ships have visited the region between April 10th and July 19th, with an estimated 527,085 passengers.
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority expects 335 cruise ship calls and just over 1 million passengers during the entire 2026 season, which would set a new record for the terminal. Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
Here is this week’s schedule:
Monday, July 20th
Riviera: 1,328 passengers, arriving from Sitka at 2 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11 p.m.
Carnival Spirit: 2,124 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.
Tuesday, July 21st
No cruise ship calls are currently scheduled
Wednesday, July 22nd
Carnival Miracle: 2,124 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.
Thursday, July 23rd
Voyager of the Seas: 4,000 passengers, arriving from Endicott Arm at 10 a.m. and departing for Seattle at 6 p.m.
Celebrity Edge: 2,918 passengers, arriving from Skagway at 5:30 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.
Friday, July 24th
Norwegian Bliss: 4,250 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.
Eurodam: 2,104 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.
Royal Princess: 3,560 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8:15 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.
Saturday, July 25th
Star Princess: 4,300 passengers, arriving from Skagway at 7 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.
Noordam: 1,918 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.
Norwegian Encore: 3,998 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:59 p.m.
Sunday, July 26th
Norwegian Joy: 3,883 passengers, arriving from Ketchikan at 8 a.m. and departing for Seattle at 6 p.m.
Anthem of the Seas: 4,919 passengers, arriving from Juneau at 5 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 10 p.m.
MSC Poesia: 3,013 passengers, arriving from Tracy Arm at 7 p.m. and departing for Seattle at 11:30 p.m.
VicPD have announced charges in two separate incidents that occurred in the city last week, including an alleged knife assault involving a BC Transit supervisor and a case of widespread vehicle damage in a residential parkade.
In the first incident, police arrested a man following an alleged assault on a transit supervisor in downtown Victoria on Thursday, July 16th.
According to VicPD, the incident began around 7:45 p.m. after an emergency “Call 911” sign was displayed on a BC Transit bus travelling along Douglas Street near Herald Street.
While the alert was initially believed to be a false alarm, police later learned that a transit supervisor had allegedly been assaulted and that a knife had been produced during the confrontation.
The suspect fled the area on foot before officers located and arrested him following an investigation. Police say the man was found with a knife matching the description provided by the victim.
The suspect remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, July 20th.
In a separate case, a suspect is facing multiple charges after several vehicles were damaged inside a residential parkade on the 1200 block of Yates Street.
Police were called to the building at about 4 a.m. on Saturday, July 11th, after receiving reports that someone was using a hammer to damage parked vehicles. Officers located and arrested the suspect nearby.
The accused has since been charged with one count each of break and enter, theft under $5,000, possession of stolen property and breach of probation, along with 11 counts of mischief.
The suspect appeared at a bail hearing on July 12, was remanded in custody and is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday, July 21.
Ever opened a sewing pattern and felt completely overwhelmed?
This workshop is designed to take the mystery out of sewing patterns and help you understand how to choose, read and use them successfully.
In this two-hour class, attendees will learn the differences between commercial, indie and PDF patterns, explore the pros and cons of each and gain confidence selecting patterns that match their goals and skill level.
Attendees will also learn how to read pattern envelopes and instructions, understand sizing and fabric requirements, and decode the symbols and terminology commonly found in sewing patterns.
Tickets for this event are $45 and can be purchasedhere.
The Victoria library system is about to come under new leadership.
The Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) has announced that Stephanie Hall will take over as the new CEO and chief librarian.
She will be joining GVPL on September 21st of this year.
According to GVPL, Hall is a seasoned and collaborative leader with extensive expertise in public library services.
She currently serves as the director of library services at West Vancouver Memorial Library and previously held the position of CEO for the Okanagan Regional Library system.
During her tenure in the Okanagan system she led 29 branches, which served more than 370,000 residents.
In a media release, GVPL said that Hall is recognized for her inclusive and strategic vision as she has championed innovation, community engagement and partnerships throughout her career.
“The GVPL is one of the busiest urban libraries in Canada, which reflects an embedded culture of learning in the region,” said Hall.
“I’m excited to work with an amazing team and Board to support our community as we contend with a changing world.”
Her colleagues are looking forward to working with her as well.
“I’m excited to welcome Stephanie as GVPL’s new CEO,” said Duncan Cavens, chair of the GVPL board of trustees.
“She brings extensive experience leading public library systems and understands the important role libraries play in the communities they serve. After a thorough process, the Board is confident she is the right person to lead GVPL, and we look forward to welcoming her.”
Hall succeeds Maureen Sawa in the role, who is retiring after having served as GVPL’s CEO since 2010. Sawa will remain in her role through to Hall’s start date in September.
After months of construction, the Bay Street Bridge project is now complete.
Since early February, the bridge, also known as the Point Ellice Bridge, has been closed to eastbound traffic for months and has seen numerous full overnight closures.
The project was initially supposed to get underway back in October 2025, but had to be postponed until February due to delayed specialized construction materials.
The scope of this project saw a replacement of the main deck joint installed, allowing the bridge to expand and shrink with temperature changes.
Additionally, crews made improvements to the 65-year-old drainage system that runs under the bridge.
“Thank you to residents, businesses and commuters for your patience and support throughout construction,” said the City of Victoria in a media release.
“We recognize the project created temporary disruptions and appreciate the community’s understanding while this important work was underway.”
The City noted that this work will help extend the life of the bridge so it can continue serving the community for years to come.
Community members contribute to mural in the new Black & Here Community Centre space (Black & Here Community Centre/Instagram)
On August 1st, the much-anticipated Black & Here Community Centre will be opening in downtown Victoria on the corner of Douglas and Johnson Streets.
The opening of this centre is the culmination of years of work by the BC Black History Awareness Society (BCBHAS), who have operated in Victoria since 1994.
The organization has been running programming and events for Black community members in Greater Victoria and beyond since its inception, but have never had their own space.
“This has been a dream for many many years,” Jamila Douhaibi, executive director of BCBHAS told Victoria Buzz.
They noted that one of BCBHAS board members—who is an elder in the community with family ties to the first Black immigrants that came from San Francisco in 1858—was talking about how long she’s been wanting this.
“Community members who moved here 20 years ago and looked around wouldn’t see a lot of folks who looked like them, but now the visibility and representation is a lot higher,” Douhaibi explained.
In order to acquire the space, BCBHAS partnered with an organization with aligning values and goals.
Around three years ago, they started in conversation with Rep Here in Canada, a non-profit organization that supports immigrants, refugees and newcomers.
“We’ve been in conversation about having and creating this space and realizing this is something we could do by ourselves, but it makes way more sense to do things in collaboration,” Douhaibi explained.
“We started looking for a space and we were just really lucky to find the space where we’re at.”
As both organizations will be splitting the cost of running the community centre, they came up with the name “Black & Here” as a way to combine their names and ethos in the centre’s namesake.
The space they ended up finding was formerly a 7-11, located at 1327 Douglas Street.
“It definitely does not look like a 7-11 anymore,” Douhaibi laughed.
“It’s been cleaned up, bathrooms have been added, there’s a stage with accessible ramp, there’s a beautiful community mural in here now—its just big, open, bright and kind of just open for all the future possibilities.”
Some features of the centre include a fully accessible space, three bathrooms and plenty of outlets and tables for people to work and study there.
Douhaibi noted that the space is mostly just one big open space, allowing event organizers to move things around to best suit their needs while hosting community members.
The renovations to the space ended up taking a bit longer than anticipated during early stages, but now the space is complete and ready for its grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 1st.
This date is of particular importance as it marks Emancipation Day in Canada.
August 1st now commemorates the day in 1834 when the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 took effect across the British Empire.
“Highlighting that date, creating more awareness around it and having that as the date for our opening makes it even more powerful,” she said.
“One of the big things is that on August 1st, 1843, it wasn’t suddenly Black people were free and slavery in Canada didn’t exist—anyone who was older than six still had to work 40 hours a week unpaid and actual Emancipation didn’t come until several years later and obviously we’re still fighting for equality and that’s why this centre is so important.”
Douhaibi noted that the centre will be at capacity for the ribbon-cutting ceremony through RSVPs, but there is a waitlist for those who want to put their name down in hopes of attendance.
Once open, the Black & Here Community Centre will be putting on several programs and events, primarily for Black community members in the region to gather and connect, but it will also welcome all members of the community for certain occasions.
Over the past month or so, BCBHAS has been inviting members to the space and getting their ideas of what they would like to see in terms of programming.
Douhaibi noted that some ideas included a tea to bring elders together, bringing a choir in on Friday nights, some health and wellness programs were made and after-school sessions for youth to gather and study.
“The sky’s the limit,” she said. “As community members come in, if there’s things they want to see and do, it really is a community space and we want people to come in and be in the space as they want to.”
Following the opening ceremony, Douhaibi said that there are a few events on the docket.
On Sunday, August 2nd, there will be open mural time for artists who created the community mural in the space to show their work to friends, family and community members. There will also be a songwriting session with local musician Caleb Hart.
Wednesday, August 5th will see a unique event take place where facilitators will speak with community members about the power in their names as well as traditional remedies and herbiculture.
According to Douhaibi, those events are just the tip of the iceberg—once the space is open there will be a plethora of programs and events for all community members to gather at and connect.
(Torque Masters - Sidney Summer Car Show / Facebook)
Car show season is in full swing on Vancouver Island, with dozens of opportunities to check out classic cars, hot rods, custom builds and specialty vehicles before summer comes to an end.
From large downtown shows in Oak Bay, Sidney and Ladysmith to smaller community gatherings in Sayward, Sooke and Honeymoon Bay, there is something happening almost every weekend through September.
Here are 27 upcoming car shows and vehicle displays to add to your calendar:
More than 100 Jaguars and Aston Martins are expected to fill Oak Bay’s Windsor Park for this annual concours d’elegance and public car show. More info.
Where: Windsor Park in Oak Bay
When: Saturday, July 18th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Antique Truck Show
Duncan’s BC Forest Discovery Centre will showcase antique trucks of all sizes during its annual one-day event.
Where: BC Forest Discovery Centre in Duncan
When: Saturday, July 18th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Ted Brown Memorial Show & Shine
Hosted by Honeymoon Bay Fire Rescue, this community event includes a pancake breakfast, parade, car display, prizes and a People’s Choice award.
Where: Honeymoon Bay Community Hall
When: Saturday, July 18th beginning at 11 a.m.
Cobble Hill Show & Shine
Classic cars, vintage vehicles and hot rods will take over the grounds outside Cobble Hill Hall for the sixth annual show.
Where: Cobble Hill Hall, 3550 Watson Avenue
When: Saturday, July 18th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Oak Bay Collector Car Festival
Oak Bay Avenue will close to traffic as hundreds of classic, rare and specialty vehicles line the street for one of Greater Victoria’s biggest car shows. More info.
Where: Oak Bay Avenue
When: Sunday, July 19th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Valley Street Rods Show & Shine
This Port Alberni show will feature classic vehicles, hot rods and custom builds in memory of longtime local car enthusiast Gary Schley.
Where: Port Alberni Fall Fair Grounds
When: Sunday, July 19th from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Blast From the Past Car Show
The 28th annual Blast From the Past will feature classic cars, hot rods, trophies, food, live entertainment and prize draws.
Where: Coombs Fairgrounds
When: Saturday, July 25th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cruisin’ the Valley Car Show
Cars and trucks of all makes and models will fill Lewis Park for the Comox Valley Classic Cruisers’ annual show. A community cruise will also leave the park Saturday evening.
Where: Lewis Park in Courtenay
When: Sunday, July 26th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
August
Torque Masters Auto Extravaganza
Downtown Sidney will transform into a massive outdoor car show as classic cars, muscle cars and specialty vehicles line Beacon Avenue. More info.
Where: Beacon Avenue in Sidney
When: Sunday, August 2nd from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Comox Nautical Days Car Show
Held as part of the annual Comox Nautical Days celebration, this display will feature classic and antique vehicles beside the waterfront.
Where: Comox Marina Park
When: Monday, August 3rd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hot August Nights
More than 500 classic American cars are expected to line the fairways at Crown Isle for the ninth annual Romeo St. Jacques Memorial car show.
Where: The Park at Crown Isle in Comox
When: Saturday, August 8th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
LayedOut Field of Dreams
This charity car show returns to the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre with lowriders, custom trucks, classics, imports and special guests from the television series Lost Car Rescue.
Where: Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre lower fields in Colwood
When: Sunday, August 9th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ladysmith Show & Shine
Downtown Ladysmith will be filled with classic and specialty vehicles during this popular annual summer show.
Where: Downtown Ladysmith
When: Saturday, August 15th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Beverly Corners Show & Shine
The Cowichan Valley show is moving to a new location this year, with vehicles gathering at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds. A rod run will also take place the night before.
Where: Cowichan Exhibition Grounds in Duncan
When: Sunday, August 16th beginning at 8 a.m.
Langford Show & Shine
Classic, concept and custom vehicles will line Goldstream Avenue for this free family-friendly event, which will also include live music, food trucks and activities. More info.
Where: Goldstream Avenue in Langford
When: Sunday, August 16th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sayward Valley Show & Shine
Vehicles of all types are welcome at this North Island gathering, followed by a community cruise through Sayward.
Where: Sayward Valley Resort
When: Saturday, August 22nd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sooke Fall Fair Car Show
Cars and specialty vehicles will gather at Fred Milne Park for an all-day display associated with the Sooke Fall Fair.
Where: Fred Milne Park in Sooke
When: Saturday, August 22nd from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Island Muscle Car & Hot Rod Show
This Coombs show is dedicated to classic cars built in 1979 or earlier.
Where: Coombs Rodeo Grounds
When: Sunday, August 23rd from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Corvette Club Sponsor Appreciation Show
Corvettes of different generations will be displayed during the Victoria Corvette Club’s annual sponsor appreciation show.
Where: Wheaton GM in Victoria
When: Sunday, August 23rd
Mustangs & Classic Fords
Mid Island Mustangs will host its fifth annual gathering of Mustangs and other classic Ford vehicles.
Where: Family Ford in Parksville
When: Saturday, August 29th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sooke Street Iron
The South Island Rangers will host a display of vehicles built before 1984, along with selected specialty cars.
Where: 3498 Luxton Road
When: Saturday, August 29th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Island Bug Jam
Volkswagen enthusiasts will gather for a weekend that includes a Saturday cruise and Sunday show and shine.
Where: Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds in Courtenay
When: Sunday, August 30th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Canamera Cruise-In
Vehicles of all makes and models will be welcomed at this family-friendly charity cruise-in in Saanichton.
Where: 2205 Keating Cross Road in Saanichton
When: Sunday, August 30th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
September
North Island Cruisers Show ’n’ Shine
Collector vehicles, classics, sports cars and race cars will fill downtown Campbell River during the club’s annual Labour Day weekend show.
Where: Tyee Plaza and Shoppers Row in Campbell River
When: Sunday, September 6th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Woodgrove Centre Cruise-In
Light ’Em Up.TV will bring hundreds of vehicles to Nanaimo for its second annual Woodgrove Centre event.
Where: Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo
When: Sunday, September 6th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chase River Heritage Days Vehicle Show
Classic and specialty vehicles will be displayed as part of the Chase River Heritage Days celebration. Vehicle space is limited and pre-registration is required.
Where: Chase River School in Nanaimo
When: Saturday, September 12th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
VIEx Cruize & Car Show
The Vancouver Island Exhibition is introducing a new car show featuring classics, customs, muscle cars, hot rods, imports, trucks and motorcycles. Vehicles will leave the exhibition together for a cruise at 2 p.m.
Where: Beban Park in Nanaimo
When: Saturday, September 26th from 8:30 a.m. with the cruise beginning at 2 p.m.
Event dates and times can change, so anyone travelling to a show should check with the organizer before heading out. If we missed a car show, feel free to add it to the comment section below!
Have you ever taken a look at Vancouver Island through the eyes of a visitor?
A viral travelling couple from the UK, James and Josie Travel, have just made a visit to Victoria and will be continuing their travels throughout Vancouver Island in the coming days.
The couple, who have filmed visits to Australia and parts of the UK together, have taken their series to Vancouver Island as they begin a trip through Canada in their van.
The start of their travels through Canada took them immediately to the West Coast, where they say they were stunned by the rugged beauty and kindness of people living here.
“On our first night camping on the mainland, we met a lovely couple who lived on the Saanich Peninsula,” the couple told Victoria Buzz.
“They invited us to stay with them and told us all about Victoria and the rest of the Island. The following day, we caught the ferry over with them, and we haven’t seemed able to leave the island since!”
After a quick trip to Canadian Tire to fill up on supplies for the charming (if a bit dubious) new van they had purchased, their first stop was Victoria.
“We absolutely loved Victoria,” the couple said.
“It has such a relaxed, happy atmosphere, and the architecture is stunning. Some areas even felt quite European to us, which gave the city a lovely sense of familiarity while still feeling very Canadian.”
The couple makes a clear effort to research the areas that they are visiting, and appreciate the history behind them.
After a walk along Dallas Road and Beacon Hill Park, they made a visit to the famous Totem Pole and reveled at the history and stories of these structures in Western Canada.
They also made a visit to the Inner Harbour and downtown Victoria.
From the Empress to the legislature buildings to Barb’s Fish and Chips down in Fisherman’s Wharf, the couple was immediately impressed by the atmosphere and beauty that Victoria had to offer.
“Seeing the snow-capped mountains at the end of the shopping street, with the water below, quite literally stopped us in our tracks, we were so awe struck ” they said.
“It was such a spectacular view and one of those moments when you stop and realise just how beautiful and incredible this world is.”
While they hit many of the major spots, James and Josie said there was plenty that they would want to come back and experience.
From trying out the local food scene to some of the attractions on the water like taking a float plane or a hot tub boat, there simply wasn’t enough time to do everything.
“One of our biggest dreams would be to return for an orca-watching tour when our travel budget allows. That would be a genuine bucket-list experience for us. There is certainly no shortage of things left to do!”
For now, the couple heads north.
After a quick trip to the Sooke Potholes and some classic Vancouver Island hikes, the couple is excited to see what the rest of the region has to offer.
“We are definitely excited to experience some great wilderness, more mountain views, wild swimming is also a massive thing for us, we love pretty swim spots,” the couple said.
This excitement, and some apprehension after seeing a bear for the first time near Port Renfrew, has the couple buzzing for their next step in the journey.
James and Josie have received outstanding support from the community here in Victoria and on Vancouver Island, and are seeing more and more locals pop up with travel recommendations in their comment sections.
“Firstly, we cannot thank everyone enough for the love and support we have received since arriving in Canada, and particularly here on Vancouver Island,” they explained.
“It has been incredible to read so many lovely comments and messages welcoming us, wishing us well and sharing recommendations for our journey. We have been completely blown away by the kindness people have shown us, and we are genuinely so grateful.”
If you’d like to check out their Vancouver Island adventures or leave your travel suggestions, make sure to head to their YouTube pagehere or their Instagramhere.
James and Josie say they read every comment on their YouTube videos and Instagram posts, and are always happy to receive more recommendations. The only trouble is making time for all of them.
With so much beauty here on Vancouver Island ingrained in the day-to-day life of those who live here, it’s easy to forget what a wonderful place it is.
Every so often, watching someone experience it for the first time is something truly special.
Saanich Police have issued a traffic advisory following a single vehicle crash bringing down BC Hydro power lines at the intersection of Elk Lake and Royal Oak Drives.
The incident occurred at around 8:54 a.m. on July 17th when a driver struck several street signs and a BC Hydro pole in the blocks north of the intersection.
The driver of the vehicle sustained minor injuries and the collision is believed to have been caused by a medical incident.
Police have since temporarily closed the road as BC Hydro and Saanich Fire Department crews attend the scene for the repairs.
According to Saanich Police, the repairs are estimated to take between six and eight hours. BC Transit has been notified and some routes may be detoured while the power lines are repaired.
The power lines coming down have caused a small outage in the area, with 157 BC Hydro customers currently without power.
BC Hydro’s outage map indicates that the impacted area affects mostly residential units located on and around Normandy Drive.
The announcement came from Beacon Community Services (BCS), which runs the SHOAL Centre.
Truffles will be moving in to provide temporary, six-month food services from the SHOAL Centre commercial kitchen while BCS addresses current staffing challenges and evaluates long-term food-service delivery options.
Food services at the SHOAL Centre are essential, as the facility serves assisted living residents, visitors as well as community programs and activities.
BCS says the arrangement with Truffles will ensure food services continue without interruption while future operating models for the kitchen are reviewed.
“The SHOAL kitchen is an important part of our operations and supports a wide range of services for residents and community members,” said Tricia Sexton-Earl, chief executive officer of BCS.
“This temporary arrangement provides stability while we address current staffing shortages and take the time needed to determine the most sustainable long-term approach for food service delivery.”
The temporary arrangement was approved by Sidney town council in the regular council meeting held on Monday, July 13th.
The fire at Truffles Catering’s previous facility was recently deemed not suspicious by Central Saanich officials.
