What’s Up on Vancouver Island

Tofino just changed their downtown parking rules from parking to paid parking. While some concerns over affordability for residents were raised before the change was made, the expected $220,000+ in city revenue was too large to pass up for most of the City Council. “Frankly, people paying downtown will largely be tourists. There will be some residents, but most likely residents have the opportunity to avoid the downtown because they’re not here on holiday, and they can make other choices,” said Aaron Rodgers, Tofino’s Director of Infrastructure and Public Works, in a meeting. However, new concerns have been raised now that paid parking has been implemented. Residents from Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, and Ahousaht communities rely on the 110 allocated offshore parking spots to safely leave their vehicles while they travel home by boat or seaplane. Forty of these spots are given to Tla-o-qui-aht, according to the District of Tofino. However, new signage has led to confusion for both locals and tourists. To avoid the pay parking, some tourists park in the offshore spots, which were previously clearly indicated as such. “Even if we have a valid permit hanging on our rearview mirror, we have nowhere to park,” lamented Ahousaht resident Curt McLeod to Ha-Shilth-Sa. He has even seen vehicles with Washington and Alberta plates using these spots. Until recently, residents could park almost anywhere if the offshore spots were taken, but now all other parking spots are paid, so offshore residents run the risk of tickets or towing. In response to the concerns, the District of Tofino has said they know of the limited parking in the downtown core and are committed to working with offshore communities for a long-term solution. However, in an email, the city stated it is “aware that parking is limited in the downtown core and cannot meet the demands of everyone.” They emphasized that all drivers must comply with the posted time restrictions. Offshore permits are free and valid for one year, and residents can obtain them at the Tofino municipal office or register online with their license plate number and proof of offshore residency. But there is not much point in having an offshore permit if tourists fill the allotted spaces. The offshore parking spaces are available on a “first come, first served” basis. Permit holders may park in unrestricted areas or time-limited spots with the applicable fee if there is no offshore parking. McLeod highlighted the importance of the offshore areas for residents. “If there weren’t offshore areas…we wouldn’t be able to park in Tofino. That’s really our parking lot down there.” The change has confused everyone, and offshore residents hope for a resolution soon.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, underwater cinematographer and editor John Roney’s travel plans were shelved. So the Parksville resident decided to take his camera and capture local marine life. “I realized I had the opportunity to just hone in and film our local wildlife rather than travelling abroad and capturing the more famous tropical creatures,” says Roney. After two years of documenting the waters off of Vancouver Island comes the short film Beneath the Pacific Northwest. “It was filmed all over Vancouver Island, a lot in Victoria, up in Nanaimo and Nanoose Bay area, some even in the north island,” says Roney. “Really what made the cut for me was trying to fit in the animals that people didn’t already know about.” Just weeks after its release on YouTube and other online platforms the video is already drawing rave reviews. “The reception’s been awesome from both locals and around the world, so that’s been really cool,” says Roney. Roney hopes that the project helps educate islanders and British Columbians alike about the beauty that lies beneath the waves. “I think people don’t realize that we do have some of the best scuba diving in the world,” says Roney. “Most people think of Vancouver Island as having murky dark waters and the visibility is pretty poor, but at the same time the amount of colour is just amazing.” To see the full video and to see more of Roney’s work, visit his website [https://www.roneydives.com/].

Whether you love it or hate it, of all the sports news, none seems to generate funnier headlines than Pickleball does. The exciting mix of tennis and ping pong has a generous fan club in the gulf islands – and a just as prominent group of haters. The reason for so many people’s vehement distaste for what most would simply view as a fun game is the record level of noise it can generate. Unlike tennis, which uses a relatively soft and furry ball, pickle palls are made of hard plastic, producing an almost gunshot-like sound with every hit. The noise can be so bad that it induces some pretty crazy behaviour from those living near a court – a Chilliwack couple just went so far as a week-long hunger strike in protest of the pickleball courts near them. Yikes. While no one has yet had to resort to a hunger strike, residents across the Island have staged their own forms of protest. On Mayne Island, a BC Supreme Court judge recently dismissed a case involving a group of tennis players who had tried to take over two tennis courts to prevent people from playing Pickleball there. Although the case has gone away, the struggle over the courts created a genuine rift between Mayne Islanders. “It’s been quite devastating,” Adrian Gowing, Mayne Island Tennis Association president, told CBC News. “You know, we’re in our little village here. At times we get on the ferries to go places, and now you’re sort of looking around going, ‘Oh, I don’t want to talk to that person, I don’t want to talk to that person.’ It’s become quite uncomfortable,” said Gowing. On the other hand, Pickleball has been gaining a massive following in the Comox Valley and seems to be bringing the community together. “Pickleball is fun….. Pickleball is competitive….. Pickleball is recreational….. Pickleball is social; Pickleball is anything you want it to be!.. YOU WILL LOVE IT!” says the uber-enthusiastic Comox Valley Pickleball [https://www.facebook.com/cvpickleball.ca] group on their Facebook page. They host weekly skill sessions and don’t seem to have gotten any public flack over generating noise – likely because the courts are mainly indoors and out of residential earshot. In recognition of National Pickleball Day, the Comox Valley group is hosting an Open House at the Rotary Highlands Pickleball Courts for their 500 group members and anyone else that would like to join! Will this be your new favourite sport? Or do you hate Pickleball just as much as pickles? Let us know in the comments.

October 3, 1936 – October 22, 2025 With broken hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Frank Andrew Herman on October 22nd in Nanaimo, B.C. at the age of 89. Above all else, Frank loved his family and will be deeply missed by his children Craig (Tina) and Lynda (Larry), and his two grandsons, Liam and Dawson. He is survived by his sister, Sharon and preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Patricia, his brother, Edison, and his dear friend, Joan. Born in Nanaimo to his parents John and Josephine (Andre), Frank graduated from NDSS in 1956. Frank met Pat in 1958, and they married in 1959. Frank was trained as a Registered Industrial Accountant and his career with McMillan Bloedel began in 1957 in Port Hardy. As his career progressed, he became a Logging Division Manager, and lived in Ucluelet, Port Alberni and Campbell River. Frank retired from McMillan Bloedel in 1991. As a side endeavor, in 1970, Frank, together with 3 partners, developed Arbutus Point Estates (now known as Madrona Point in Nanoose B.C.) Having been successful with that venture, they then went on to build a development at Fairwinds, including the Fairwinds Golf Club in 1979. Frank and Pat loved to travel the world, with his favorite destination being Australia. One of his highlights was being able to brand cattle on the Australian Outback! Another favorite pastime was fishing, where he enjoyed many adventures with Craig. Frank will be remembered as a loving, kind, generous and devoted father, Bubba and friend to many. His quick wit will be missed by all. His family is grateful for the incredible care and support from the staff members at Berwick on the Lake in Nanaimo. At Franks’s request, there will be no funeral service, but a celebration of life will take place at a later date.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Kelly Brian McKenzie on October 14th, 2025, at the age of 66. He was predeceased by his beloved grandparents who raised him, Hugh and Bessie McKenzie; his father, Rex McKenzie; and his uncles Doug and Hughie McKenzie, and Clint Unwin. He is survived by his partner of 14 years, Kathy Sarrasin; her children, Jeremy (and family) and Jaclyn Sarrasin; his brothers, Michael, Sean, Collin, Kevin (Rebecca), Graham, and Aaron; and his aunt, Nita Unwin, whom he always thought of as a big sister. He is also lovingly remembered by numerous other family members and friends. Also missing him deeply is his Chihuahua, Eli — they were inseparable. Kelly drove transit in Nanaimo for 36 years. He retired 8 years ago and enjoyed every minute of it. Kelly loved animals, the outdoors, Island drives and adventures, kayaking at Spider Lake, and playing his guitars. Kelly will be laid to rest at Cedar Memorial Cemetery at a later date. Family and close friends will be notified.

For the second year in a row, the UVic Vikes women’s rugby team came up just short in the U Sports national championship, losing 15-13 to the UBC Thunderbirds on Nov. 2. The low-scoring final was a nail-biter, and fourth-overall meeting on the season between UVic and UBC. The Vikes had beat the Thunderbirds in all of those occasions, including a 18-17 win in the Canada West final on Oct. 19. But, on Nov. 2, the host Thunderbirds got the upper-hand. In the dying seconds, Claremont Secondary School graduate Adia Pye scored the game-winning try for UBC, sealing the Vikes’ fate. > The crowd goes wild!???? Adia Pye scores a breathtaking try, putting UBC ahead! > > La foule est en délire!????Adia Pye marque un essai époustouflant, mettre > @ubctbirds [https://twitter.com/ubctbirds?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] avant ! > > > > > > > Watch live ???? Regardez en direct : https://t.co/B2EnlWxShC > [https://t.co/B2EnlWxShC] > > UBC: 15 > UVic: 13#ChaseTheGlory > [https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChaseTheGlory?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] | > #ViserHaut > [https://twitter.com/hashtag/ViserHaut?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] > pic.twitter.com/j2BVYfIOlR [https://t.co/j2BVYfIOlR] > > — U SPORTS Rugby (@USPORTS_Rugby) November 3, 2025 > [https://twitter.com/USPORTS_Rugby/status/1985159087705792577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] “I want to start off by saying that UVic are an absolutely outstanding team,” said UBC head coach Dean Murten. “They’ve got some world-class players, they’re well-coached, they’re aggressive defensively and knew it was going to come down to the wire, but not the last play of the game, absolutely not.” The Vikes entered the tournament with strong credentials, coming in as the number one ranked team in the country. On the individual side, Olympic silver medalist, Carissa Norsten was named U Sports player of the year, while head coach Brittany Waters received U Sports coach of the year. “She comes to practice early, she works as hard as anyone in this league,” Waters said before the tournament. “You often see the superstars get the recognition, and with this one, it really is so well-deserved. She’s a leader for our group in more ways than one.” Norsten, along with Olivia Newsome, Justine Blatt-Janmaat, Emily Findlay and Sierra Gillis, earned spots on the tournament all-star team. Victoria opened the U Sports Final 8 tournament with a 41-8 victory over the University of Ottawa, followed by a 42-0 semifinal win against the University of Guelph.

The Nanaimo African Herage Society put fairy tales front and centre in royal tea party, at which attendees got to dance and hear stories about women of colour who have contributed to B.C.’s heritage. On Oct. 19, Elsa from Frozen, Ariel from The Little Mermaid, Snow White and more gave local children a show, joining them for tea and activities. Queen Shalema’s Princess Tea Party is an annual event hosted by the society, giving opportunities for children to hang out with their movie heroes – including not only princesses, but also a guest apperance from Spider-Man. In a press release following the event, Shalema Gantt, founder of the the Nanaimo African Heritage Society, said the event was well-attended.

When Ladysmith artist Sarah Leo began fainting without warning, she didn’t know if she’d ever get her health — or her rhythm — back. For two months, she lost consciousness regularly. Doctors never found a clear cause, but the experience forced her to rebuild from the inside out. “It took everything in my power to get myself back healthy,” she said, sitting in the cosy studio of her Ladysmith home. “This is the next chapter of my life because of that.” This chapter is one filled with art. Her creative projects span music, poetry and painting, but it’s her custom jean jackets that have become Ladysmith legends. Born in New Westminster and raised mostly in Edmonton, Leo’s family moved to Vancouver Island when she was 10. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts followed by a Bachelor of Education. She went on to teach high school, but the realities of the classroom and long evenings of marking left no time for her own creative practice. “I loved encouraging kids to believe in themselves,” she says. “But I realized I needed to take my own advice.” Then her body forced the issue. Leo began fainting several times a day. Once, when she collapsed at home, she called out to her Alexa smart speaker for help. The device connected her with her husband at work, who called a neighbour to help. Those were dark days filled with health issues and uncertainty, but Leo leaned on music to stay grounded. “I had never really listened to blues music before,” she said. “It’s people singing about their pain, and yet when they leave the stage, they’ve done something. They’ve transmuted that negative feeling and they’ve helped other people feel human.” That process of taking pain and turning it into something that helps others became central to her own recovery. “Art has always given me a way to feel better. Every challenge I’ve gone through, art has helped me get to a healthy place.” She painted, she sang, she took photos and she created a different kind of lesson plan: not one for her students, but for herself. She built what she calls her Bliss Checklist [https://sarahleoartist.weebly.com/-bliss-checklist.html], which includes music first thing in the morning, gratitude before coffee, a deep, slow breathing practice and more. That shift set the stage for an artistic breakthrough that started, quite literally, in her closet. On a previous vacation to Tofino, she had fallen in love with a thrifted jean jacket that made her feel amazing when she tried it on. She brought it home, hung it up and forgot about it. Fast forward to postpartum depression, health issues and a closet full of clothes that no longer fit. One day she came across the jacket and remembered how good it had felt in that moment in Tofino. “I found it, put it on, and I breathed the biggest sigh of relief that I’d felt in a very long time,” she recalled. “I wore it around the house like a lunatic for two weeks. I felt great. I felt like myself. I started going out again. I was going for walks. I thought to myself, ‘I have to give other people this feeling.’ Then I was like, ‘Hey, I could paint on these.’” And she did. The result is custom-painted jean jackets that make the wearer feel like a rock star. Each jacket order begins with a questionnaire Leo sends to her new client. “I ask, How do you want to feel in it?” she said. Clients provide their own jacket or choose from her inventory. Leo creates each piece digitally, projects her design onto the fabric, and then paints it with acrylics mixed with a fabric medium. Her signature style features text above and below a central image, with colour that seems to glow. Her clients are mostly local, and when she has stock, she sells in stores, but most of her business is direct and through her website [https://sarahleoartist.weebly.com/]. For now, her creations turn heads around town, but she’d love to see one on a red carpet someday and dreams of creating jackets for celebrity clients. The jackets range from $120 to $220 per jacket, but the real currency is emotional. Leo lives for the moment when a customer sees her completed work for the first time. She usually mails her creations, but not always. “Sometimes I drive the extra mile just to see the reaction,” she said. “They dance around, they scream, their eyes start tearing. It makes me feel so fulfilled to provide something that makes somebody feel that comfortable in their own skin.” That feeling is something Leo fought hard to attain for herself, always via her art. In addition to her jean jacket business, Leo is now an in-demand singer. She performs at venues across Vancouver Island, from galleries and universities to restaurants and bars. Her goal has never been about recognition. “It’s about how much impact I can leave in the places I’ve been.” Now thriving in both life and art, Leo makes her home a creative haven with her husband, Chek TV journalist Tchadas Leo [https://tchadasleo.ca/], and their young son. The family stays rooted in Ladysmith, a community Sarah credits for both inspiration and support. “It was the first place I really felt accepted,” she said. “People here take care of each other.” Surrounded by a caring community, Leo found the safety and support to care for herself. Now she’s inspiring others to do the same. “If I take care of me, I take care of everybody,” she said. It’s a philosophy that turned her own healing into art, and her art into healing for others, one song, one poem, one jacket at a time. web1_sarah-leo-before-and-after-sized [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/11/web1_sarah-leo-before-and-after-sized.jpg;w=960]Now and then. Artist Sarah Leo stands with two of her hand-painted jean jackets — one created during a period of illness and depression, and another made after she found healing through art.

A Campbell River author has added another award to her resume. Shari Green was awarded the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People at a gala event in Toronto on Oct. 27 for her novel, Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams. “Green’s gripping novel in verse explores the familial, personal, and political complexities of living in late 1980s communist East Germany,” the jury wrote. Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams was published by Andrews McMeel Publishing, and was also a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award and the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize. The novel is centered around a 16-year-old pianist living in Leipzig, who tries to pursue her dreams during the months of protest preceding the fall of the Berlin Wall. The book begins in August 1989, and explores the pianist’s (Helena) hopes and dreams of becoming a conductor, disrupted by politics, such as the East Germany government’s ban on music such as Italian operas, Russian folk songs, and music from the United States, and even the Beatles. Her father is also a dreamer, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, and organizes protests when he is not teaching his university students to think critically about the world they live in. “When I was writing this book,” Green said during her acceptance speech,” I was struck by how often the events and themes of the time were so similar to what I was seeing in the news currently. And it reaffirmed for me the importance of listening to and sharing the stories of history.” In an interview with the Campbell River Mirror last October, Green said the book follows Helena as she is drawn into the protest movement known as the Peaceful Revolution, also known as Die Wende (“the turning point”) in Germany. The Peaceful Revolution began with a series of protests called the Monday demonstrations, which started in Leipzig on Sept. 4, 1989, outside St. Nicholas Church. Despite the Stasi’s attempts to crush the movement, the rest of the country soon followed suit.

It doesn’t happen often that a musical group comes along that redefines an entire genre and sets a new standard to which others can aspire, but that’s precisely what Gogo Penguins has done. The Manchester trio manages to seamlessly blend jazz, electronic and classical music in a way that is both exhilarating and wildly entertaining and their most recent album release, Necessary Fiction, is their most adventurous record to date. They’ve managed to retain their understated, cinematic sound while injecting expansive piano riffs, spectacularly sharp percussion and fluid baselines that set them apart from their counterparts. And that unforgettable sound is coming to Victoria on Nov. 17 when Gogo Penguins take the stage at the Royal Theatre. For those of you who haven’t yet experienced the amazing sound of Gogo Penguin, here’s a little background. They are an English jazz fusion band from Manchester, consisting of pianist Chris Illingworth, double bassist Nick Blacka, and drummer Jon Scott. They formed in 2012 and, as of 2025, they have released seven studio albums, two EPs, and three live albums. That’s the basics, but the band itself is so much more, which explains its exploding popularity in the U.K., France and across Europe. Their music features backbeats, minimalist piano melodies, and powerful baselines that have led to comparisons with modern classical composers Shostakovich and Debussy or contemporary minimal music composers like Philip Glass. “There were actually a lot of influences that we wanted to draw from,” said Blacka in a recent interview with Monday Magazine. “We’re from different backgrounds and each brings our own musical influences into the mix. Chris (Illingworth), for example, started out as a classical musician. I studied jazz double bass at Leeds College of Music and Jon (Scott) is a genius on the drums who has played for years and has this creative and flexible style that is just amazing.” “Really, though, we create music to feel the emotion of the sound, but it’s not an explicit meaning. People listen to us, and they bring their own meaning. They listen to it, and I’ve had people come and tell me how a track meant so much to them because it was the soundtrack of a particular event or crisis in their life. The same song can bring a sense of joy or hope or any of a dozen emotions out in different people.” The group has, to date, been able to create those feelings in their audience without any lyrical or vocal accompaniment, but on their most recent album, Necessary Fictions, they featured their first song with a vocalist, featuring British-Ugandan singer-songwriter Daudi Matsiko, whose smoky voice blends perfectly with the trio’s signature styles. “Daudi’s voice has been a friend for years. His voice is quite dark and gentle, and it really resonates with our music,” said Blacka. Victoria is the first stop for Gogo Penguin’s upcoming tour that will see them perform in a series of cities across Canada and the U.S. before returning to Europe for a tour that will take them across the continent for what’s sure to be sold-out crowds. “Success for me is to be able to do what we’re doing. Sure, money is always a part of success, but real success is that you get to bring something to the world that you want to say. We’re very grateful that we have that opportunity,” said Blacka. Tickets for Gogo Penguin’s Victoria appearance are available at www.rmts.bc.ca/production-detail-pages/2025-royal-theatre/gogo-penguin/.

ECHO Players is preparing to welcome theatre lovers to the Vancouver Island One Act Play Festival, running Nov. 5 to Nov. 9 at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach. This adjudicated festival showcases a mix of established works and fresh new voices from across central and northern Vancouver Island, according to a news release by ECHO Players. Each evening features two one-act plays, followed by public remarks from adjudicators Eliza Gardiner and Ward Norcutt, with a final awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon. Festival Lineup: Nov. 5 – 7:30 p.m. · Yesterday by Colin Campbell Clements, directed by Alistair McVey (ECHO Players) A Lady and a British officer, late of the Indian Army, find themselves alone, after escaping from a party. They begin to talk about their past, only to discover that they had met, long ago. · Going Avocado by Marian Buechert, directed by Gail Tisdale (ECHO Players) Five women find themselves in a holding cell after being arrested at a protest. They share the cell with a cynical stranger whose assertions force them to re-examine their moral assumptions. Nov. 6 – 7:30 p.m. · After Effects by Brian March, directed by Barbara Metcalf (Yellow Point Drama Group) On Remembrance Day, two men meet in a city park. Both of their fathers fought in the war on different sides, and the repercussions are felt years later. · The First to Stand written and directed by Leila Sadeghi A gripping psychosexual drama about a young actress on the brink of her off-Broadway debut. As she navigates an increasingly volatile relationship with a powerful partner, the play she rehearses begins to mirror her life. What unfolds is a haunting exploration of passion, vulnerability and ambition. Nov. 7 – 7:30 p.m. They Glowed Green written and directed by Kelly Barnum and Sarah Kielly (NDSS Performing Arts) Based on the lives of the “Radium Girls” — female factory workers who contracted radiation poisoning from painting radium watch dials using the “lip dip paint” technique. Poptart! written and directed by Ashera Richard (ECHO Youth Theatre) Tia’s excited to introduce her boyfriend Nick to her quirky, unpredictable family — but Nick quickly realizes this is no ordinary meet-the-parents night. From awkward dinners and bizarre family games to mysterious ‘energy jam’ and confusing rules, Nick struggles to keep up without losing his mind. With a secret safe word and plenty of laughs, this one-act comedy explores the chaos and charm of family, love, and learning to fit in — one wild moment at a time. Nov. 8 – 7:30 p.m. · Laundry and Bourbon by James McClure, directed by Dennis Hawkins-Bogle (Rivercity Players Society) The setting is the front porch of Roy and Elizabeth’s home in Maynard, Texas. Elizabeth and her friend Hattie are whiling away the time folding laundry, watching TV, sipping bourbon and Coke, and gossiping about the many open secrets which are so much a part of small-town life. They are joined by the self-righteous Amy Lee who, among other tidbits, can’t resist blurting out that Roy has been seen around town with another woman. · Poetry in Motion by director Mary Littlejohn (Nanaimo Theatre Group) Four fictional characters from famous poems show up in a waiting room, unsure of their purpose for being there. When the truth comes to light, they suddenly must fight for their existence. An awards ceremony is set to follow on Nov. 9. Come celebrate bold storytelling, passionate performances and the vibrant spirit of community theatre. Tickets are available at echoplayers.ca or at the Village Theatre box office.

An 18-year-old from Nanaimo is dead as the result of a fiery collision south of Nanaimo on the weekend. According to RCMP B.C. Highway Patrol, the crash happened in South Wellington, south of Nanaimo, near Morden Road in the northbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2. An Audi sedan crashed and caught fire. Witnesses told police that a second dark-coloured car was also driving in the area at the time, but did not stop when the first car crashed. B.C. Highway Patrol is looking for witnesses and dash camera video because criminality hasn’t been ruled out. “We need to know more about that second dark car, possibly a black Honda Civic, that was driving in close proximity to the black Audi in the moments before it crashed,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin, B.C. Highway Patrol spokesperson. “Dash-camera video and witnesses will be key to learning exactly what caused this collision.” The 19-year-old Nanaimo man who was driving the crashed Audi went to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. His 18-year-old male passenger died at scene. Anyone who has information about the dark-coloured car that drove away from the scene is asked to call the RCMP B.C Highway Patrol in Duncan at 250-746-2751 and quote file No. 7001 2025-2168.

In Animal Farm, George Orwell warned what happens when those in power rewrite the rules: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Here in Saanich, that line feels uncomfortably familiar. Rules that once seemed firm are suddenly open to interpretation — depending on who’s asking. At the centre of the controversy is the Planning Department, which applies bylaws for everything from small home renovations to major projects. Residents are seeing a pattern of inconsistency and weak accountability that’s eroding trust in local government. A striking example sits in Ten Mile Point. A new home – nicknamed the “Observation Tower” – rises almost a full storey higher than the bylaw allows. Like The Emperor’s New Clothes, the result is obvious to anyone who looks. Yet the city insists all is well. Saanich’s zoning bylaw once left little room for doubt, ensuring fairness and predictability for everyone – builders, planners, and neighbours alike. When the plans for this house first came across the counter, city staff denied a height variance. But days later, a permit was granted after officials quietly invented an off-books interpretation that stretched the meaning of “height” like an elastic band. When neighbours asked where this new logic was authorized, no one could point to any line in the bylaw. Yet the same explanation was repeated up the chain — by the directors, the chief administrative officer, and even the mayor. Each defended the decision, but none cited an actual rule. A mistake could have been corrected. Instead, it is becoming a policy. The department closed ranks, construction continued, and what began as an error is hardening into a precedent. The deeper problem is not just bureaucratic overreach – it’s the refusal to admit error and the willingness to mislead the public about what the bylaw actually says. Some will shrug and say, “It’s just a few feet.” But bylaws aren’t about inches – they’re about fairness. Every homeowner and builder should face the same rules. When staff can quietly bend those rules, the entire planning system loses credibility. Everyone agrees Saanich needs more housing. But growth must happen through transparent planning, not through rule-bending behind closed doors. Bylaws exist to create balance: encouraging density in some areas, preserving character in others, and ensuring everyone plays by the same standards. As Orwell might remind us, corruption rarely begins with bad intent. It starts when words are twisted to serve power. If Saanich wants to live up to its own principles of fairness and transparency, it must prove that all residents are equal under the bylaw – and none are more equal than others. Sign the petition: Stop the Rule-Bending: Demand Accountability in Saanich’s Planning Department https://change.org/Stop-Saanich-Rule-Bending [https://change.org/Stop-Saanich-Rule-Bending]. Franke James Saanich

A new opportunity to demonstrate your generosity and caring will be landing at the Tillicum Mall on Nov. 14. Although the concept was first developed in 2017 and has been popular in the United States, New Zealand, the U.K., Spain and even Tokyo, it’s the first time that the Light the World Giving Machine campaign has been run in B.C., and only the second time it’s operated in Canada. Essentially, the idea is that folks can use a giant, seven-foot-tall, touch screen to browse a host of items that are badly needed by a variety of charities. Then, much like the touch screens that you might have become accustomed to while doing your online shopping or at a fast-food outlet, you simply browse through the items, add your selections to your ‘cart’ and then cash out. This is where the twist comes in. “Instead of getting something, you’re giving,” said Joyce Thomson, Giving Machine City co-lead. “It’s a chance to raise community spirit and awareness and help those who so badly need our help.” The campaign is the work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and operates in partnership with local and international charities. One hundred per cent of the donation goes directly to the charities involved, as the church covers all overhead costs and receives no financial benefit from this initiative. “I want to make it very clear that this project involves absolutely no proselytizing or religious advocacy,” said Thomson. “We will have some volunteers there with the machines in case people have some trouble navigating the screens, but they will only be there to help with those screens and to answer questions about the specific charities.” In fact, Thomson explained that the project is a cooperative effort of her church, the charities and that other faiths, churches and groups have been invited to join in the project. “All we want is to help people,” she said. In Victoria, the machines will provide 25 giving options for five local charities, as well as an additional five giving options for two international charities. “The way this is set up, a family in Victoria may choose to buy chickens for a family in a Third World country, or provide groceries for families in need locally,” said Thomson. “Other items include things such as water purification tablets, vaccine packs, emergency shelters, kids’ lunches, meals for seniors, hot meals for the homeless, wellness and fitness classes, garden supplies, postpartum newborn care, hygiene kits, and fresh linens. And the good thing is that neither the church or the charities retain any portion of the donations. One hundred per cent of everything donated goes to those who need it most.” Since its inception in 2017, more than two million people have visited a Giving Machine and have donated more than $60 million in goods and services. In the 2024 campaign alone, about 600,000 people visited a Giving Machine and purchased more than 350,000 items. The machines will be at Tillicum Mall until Dec. 3, when they will be moved to Vancouver’s Tsawwassen Mills mall.

Every time Canada’s budget season rolls around, I hear the same question: Why send money overseas when we have problems right here at home? I get that question. I live and work in communities where poverty, racism, and inequality are very real. But after more than 20 years of working with Indigenous and systemically marginalized youth through the Victoria International Development Education Association (VIDEA), I’ve seen firsthand that international aid isn’t charity — it’s connection. It’s a two-way exchange that builds strength, opportunity, and leadership both abroad and here at home. At VIDEA, a Victoria-based human rights organization, we run programs that connect Indigenous youth from across Canada with communities in Zambia, and Uganda. These youth travel, work alongside local peers, and share traditional knowledge, environmental skills, and leadership approaches rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing. What comes back is powerful: confidence, perspective, and renewed commitment to making change here in Canada. This is not “aid,” it’s about solidarity — mutual learning between communities who have both survived oppression, colonization, and systemic barriers. When Indigenous youth and youth with barriers to employment from Canada exchange knowledge with youth abroad, both sides grow stronger. They learn how to tackle climate impacts, gender inequality, and community healing in ways that honour culture and land. And the benefits don’t stop there. Studies show that every dollar spent on conflict prevention can save up to $60 in military costs, and every dollar of development assistance generates more than a dollar in Canadian exports. But the real return is human — the leadership, creativity, and global awareness our youth bring home. When Canada retreats from international cooperation, we don’t just abandon people overseas — we shrink the possibilities for our own young people. We cut off chances for them to learn, to lead, and to see themselves as part of something bigger. International cooperation helps build a safer, fairer world. It strengthens the very systems – health, education, climate resilience – that make global and local communities thrive. So as we head into another federal budget and hear talk of cuts, I hope we look beyond the numbers. Because this isn’t about charity. It’s about shared humanity – and about investing in the kind of future our youth, here and everywhere, deserve. Lynn Thornton, executive director Victoria International Development Education Association

Host Thunderbirds flock to win over Vikes in rugby final For the second year in a row, the UVic Vikes women’s rugby team came up just short in the U Sports national championship, losing 15-13 to the UBC Thunderbirds on Nov. 2. The low-scoring final was a nail-biter, and fourth-overall meeting on the season between UVic and UBC. The Vikes had beat the Thunderbirds in all of those occasions, including a 18-17 win in the Canada West final on Oct. 19. But, on Nov. 2, the host Thunderbirds got the upper-hand. In the dying seconds, Claremont Secondary School graduate Adia Pye scored the game-winning try for UBC, sealing the Vikes’ fate. > The crowd goes wild!???? Adia Pye scores a breathtaking try, putting UBC ahead! > > La foule est en délire!????Adia Pye marque un essai époustouflant, mettre > @ubctbirds [https://twitter.com/ubctbirds?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] avant ! > > Watch live ???? Regardez en direct : https://t.co/B2EnlWxShC > [https://t.co/B2EnlWxShC] > > UBC: 15 > UVic: 13#ChaseTheGlory > [https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChaseTheGlory?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] | > #ViserHaut > [https://twitter.com/hashtag/ViserHaut?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] > pic.twitter.com/j2BVYfIOlR [https://t.co/j2BVYfIOlR] > > — U SPORTS Rugby (@USPORTS_Rugby) November 3, 2025 > [https://twitter.com/USPORTS_Rugby/status/1985159087705792577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] “I want to start off by saying that UVic are an absolutely outstanding team,” said UBC head coach Dean Murten. “They’ve got some world-class players, they’re well-coached, they’re aggressive defensively and knew it was going to come down to the wire, but not the last play of the game, absolutely not.” The Vikes entered the tournament with strong credentials, coming in as the number one ranked team in the country. On the individual side, Olympic silver medalist, Carissa Norsten was named U Sports player of the year, while head coach Brittany Waters received U Sports coach of the year. “She comes to practice early, she works as hard as anyone in this league,” Waters said before the tournament. “You often see the superstars get the recognition, and with this one, it really is so well-deserved. She’s a leader for our group in more ways than one.” Norsten, along with Olivia Newsome, Justine Blatt-Janmaat, Emily Findlay and Sierra Gillis, earned spots on the tournament all-star team. Victoria opened the U Sports Final 8 tournament with a 41-8 victory over the University of Ottawa, followed by a 42-0 semifinal win against the University of Guelph. Vikes historic field hockey run ended by York University Lions Victoria’s hopes of a seventh consecutive field hockey national title ended in heartbreak on Nov. 2, as the Canada West champions fell 1-0 to York University in Charlottetown, PEI. The Vikes went 2-0-1 in round-robin play, starting with a 0-0 draw against York before defeating Dalhousie 3-0 and the University of Prince Edward Island 4-0. Juliet Redelaar of York broke through with just three minutes remaining in the national championship, scoring the only goal of the match past Victoria goalkeeper Anais Chace. It was the only goal that the Vikes conceded in the entire tournament. Libby Hogg, a fifth-year defender and Oak Bay High graduate, was named the U Sports Liz Hoffman player of the year prior to the tournament. Hogg, who led the conference with 10 points in 2025, leaves UVic with a storied career that includes five Canada West championships, four U Sports titles, five conference all-star nods, and three U Sports all-Canadian selections. Hogg was named a tournament all-star alongside Julia Boraston. Midfielder Maeve Connorton, a Lambrick Park graduate, also earned U Sports all-Canadian honours.

Ballenas Whalers suffered a heartbreaking 7-6 loss to the John Barsby Bulldogs in the 2025 ‘Border Battle’. The senior varsity game, played under wet and muddy conditions at Kwalikum Secondary field on Oct. 31, was also the final BC High School Football League regular season game. This year’s Border Battle didn’t produce a lot of touchdowns but it highlighted the defensive game of both schools. The Whalers defence was able to slow down the aggressive Bulldogs rushing game and also grabbed the early lead 6-0 on Spencer Jordan’s unconverted touchdown in the second quarter. In the third quarter, the Whalers were battling to move the ball forward and were having little success. The series that changed the Whalers’ fortune was when they were denied three times by the Bulldogs late in the quarter. It was fourth down and the Whalers decided to punt the ball to keep it far away from its end zone. Quarterback Tyler Robinson, also the Whalers’ kicker, saw an opportunity and decided to run the ball instead. It was an uncalled play but it appeared that he stretched the ball beyond first-down marker before being tackled but the referee called the attempt short, despite protestations from Whalers coaches. The questionable call led the Bulldogs to score and they also kicked the convert to take the lead 7-6, which they never relinquished. The Whalers fought hard to find that extra point. They created a scoring opportunity when they advanced the ball close to the Bulldogs red zone. However, disaster struck when a fumble essentially ended the Whalers’ chance of a comeback. The Bulldogs decided to take knee and let time ran out. “We had a good game plan going in and everything was working pretty well,” said head coach Dan Smith. “I am really proud of the way we played. We had some stuff happen to us and I thought we had a first down by at least two yards over here. And that cost us the touchdown. Otherwise, we’re still marching down the field. I’m really disappointed in this crew. I don’t really say much about the referees but this crew was awful today.” Smith commended the team’s defence, who did everything to frustrate the Bulldogs’ offence. “They were just phenomenal today,” said Smith. “That stoppage there when they were just like a couple of yards away, that was big. Huge. That’s big-time football. That is what football is all about.” The Whalers ended the regular season with a 3-3 record and shared third spot with the Nanaimo Islanders. They still advance to the playoffs where they will face the Argyle Pipers. It will be an opportunity for the Whalers to avenge their loss to the Pipers, who blanked them 31-0 earlier in the year. Smith said the Whalers performance against the Bulldogs is a good indicator they will be ready for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Whalers junior varsity side fell 48-0 in their own Border Battle at Kwalikum Secondary. The JV Whalers will get a chance to redeem themselves when they face the Bulldogs in the playoffs. web1_251112-pqn-border-battle-game_3 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/11/web1_251112-pqn-border-battle-game_3.jpg;w=960]Ballenas Whalers defence were not letting the John Barsby Bulldogs offence get anywhere. (Michael Briones photo) web1_251112-pqn-border-battle-game_4 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/11/web1_251112-pqn-border-battle-game_4.jpg;w=960]The Ballenas Whalers defence makes a huge play when they stop the John Barsby Bulldogs from crossing into the end zone. (Michael Briones photo)

A Cowichan woman is missing and North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP is asking for the public’s help to find her. Kyla Gould, 34, was last seen on Oct. 31, 2025 and was reported missing the next day on Nov. 1. She is described as a Caucasian woman, 5 foot 9 inches (175 cm) tall, 181 pounds (82 kg), with blonde hair and green eyes. Gould drives a red Fiat 500 with the B.C. licence plate Xg828V. She is believed to be with a man who is known to her. Police said in the press release they are concerned for her health and wellbeing. Anyone with information about her whereabouts should call North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522, or Crime Stoppers are 1800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Police say the investigation into the homicide of 24-year-old realtor Lindsay Buziak “remains active and ongoing,” despite a recent claim that the case had been closed. “We recognize the continued public interest and emotional impact this case has had on Lindsay’s family, friends and the broader community,” Saanich Police Insp. Drew Robertson said in a Nov. 3 statement. “Detectives and members of our senior leadership team are in regular contact with Lindsay’s parents to ensure they are updated on the case.” The statement comes one day after Buziak’s mother Evelyn Reitmayer posted a three-minute video to YouTube, saying “the active investigation had come to an end and that the detectives assigned to the investigation were being transferred to other departments.” “The news has been devastating,” she added. “Even though the years pass without answers, at least with it being an active investigation, I had hope that one day justice would be served.” But Robertson says periodic reassignments are “standard practice” and “are part of routine operational adjustments and do not reflect any change in the status or priority of a case.” “Our commitment to seeking justice for Lindsay remains steadfast,” he said. “This investigation continues to receive dedicated attention from our major crime unit, with support from partner agencies. Our investigators follow up on all credible tips and information received from the public.” Those with information about this case have been asked to contact Saanich Police at 250-475-4321 – an appeal Reitmayer also made in her YouTube video. “I’m begging you to contact the police,” she said. “As her mum, I think of Lindsay every single day. I need answers and closure.” Buziak was fatally stabbed in a second-floor bedroom of a home she had arranged to show to what she thought were prospective buyers in Saanich’s Gordon Head neighbourhood on Feb. 2, 2008. Nov. 2 would have been her 42nd birthday.

Thieves have interrupted play for a Greater Victoria hockey team that supports players of all ages with developmental disabilities. According to West Shore RCMP, a large amount of hockey equipment belonging to the South Island Ravens was stolen from a storage room at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, located at 1767 Island Hwy. in Colwood. The theft took place between Sept. 28 and Oct. 19. With an estimated total value of approximately $3,500, the stolen items include 10 pairs of ice skates, 10 team jackets displaying the Ravens’ logo, two sets of goalie gear and two pairs of goalie skates. “This theft is heartbreaking for our players and families,” said the team’s general manager and co-founder Gus Ascroft. “Our program is built on community support and inclusion – losing this gear affects our ability to get players on the ice.” The South Island Ravens welcome any donations or equipment to help the team get back on the ice as soon as possible, notes a West Shore RCMP news release. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact the West Shore RCMP by calling 250-474-2264 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.

While crime knows no borders, police jurisdictions on the South Island still do. In a recent push led by Victoria, discussions could soon begin between Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Saanich and Victoria to explore forming a regional police service. In an interview with Saanich News, Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins said Victoria, with support of the three neighbouring municipalities, recently sent a letter to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General expressing their interest in meeting with the minister to discuss regionalization. “At this time, the minister has received that letter and is looking to set up that meeting,” she said. Advocating for the merger, Desjardins argued that this move is long overdue. “This is something that Esquimalt has always been supportive of,” she said. “When we amalgamated with Victoria way back in 2003 it was with the understanding that… other communities were going to follow but that hasn’t happened, and here we are 23 years later.” From Desjardins’ standpoint, the benefits of amalgamation would outweigh the drawbacks, allowing police agencies to join forces and overcome today’s “significant challenges,” namely those related to recruitment and budget constraints among other things. “The opportunity to pool resources for the region may help in terms of the provision of services, and equitable funding, as well as recruitment and retention,” she said. “And there would hopefully be some help from the province if there is interest.” While it’s no done deal, Desjardins says getting all the mayors and the minister on board for a discussion, is a “baby step” toward a big decision. Speaking about the potential benefits of the merger, Desjardins is under no illusions about the challenges, citing her municipality’s police force amalgamating with VicPD over two decades ago, years before her tenure. “It was done very quickly and the parameters were not necessarily well thought out because it was a rushed process,” she said. “I learned that over the years and have done whatever we could to try and improve that situation, but it is a complicated issue. In order for parties to come together, there have to be mechanisms in place.” With collaboration and conscientiousness at its core, Desjardins believes that issues surrounding equitable service delivery, governance challenges, as well as the allocation of resources and costs could be resolved. “We need to do the due diligence and the homework, such that we can learn from our previous amalgamation, but let’s not shy away from an opportunity,” she said. On behalf of the three other mayors, Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto sent two letters to the solicitor general’s office – dated July 14 and Aug. 6 – to begin discussions on the future of regional policing in Victoria and neighbouring communities. “The letter(s) noted our collective interest in examining the future of police services in our communities, while ensuring that any future regional police force maintains excellent services in each municipality,” Alto said in a written statement. In a written response to Victoria News, Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock said he was approached by Alto earlier this year to gauge his interest in meeting with the minister to discuss regional policing. “Public safety is a priority and Saanich will participate in any discussion regarding policing in our region,” reads Murdock’s statement. “When it is convened, I plan to attend a meeting with the minister along my mayor colleagues to represent Saanich’s interests and share Saanich’s perspective.” For her part, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger acknowledged receipt of Victoria’s letter and said she is “open to the discussion” and looks forward to meeting with all mayors. “Our government recognizes there may be benefits to amalgamating municipal police departments and some municipal governments have begun exploring this option,” she said in a written statement to Saanich News. Krieger said B.C.’s Police Act permits police departments to merge, but stressed that close collaboration among all parties involved is paramount. “The bottom line for our government is that we want to work with municipalities and help them determine the best policing model for their needs, including amalgamated or regional models, and to ensure policing services are efficient, consistent, and reliable for people across the province.”

Police say the investigation into the homicide of 24-year-old realtor Lindsay Buziak “remains active and ongoing,” despite a recent claim that the case had been closed. “We recognize the continued public interest and emotional impact this case has had on Lindsay’s family, friends and the broader community,” Saanich Police Insp. Drew Robertson said in a Nov. 3 statement. “Detectives and members of our senior leadership team are in regular contact with Lindsay’s parents to ensure they are updated on the case.” The statement comes one day after Buziak’s mother Evelyn Reitmayer posted a three-minute video to YouTube, saying “the active investigation had come to an end and that the detectives assigned to the investigation were being transferred to other departments.” “The news has been devastating,” she added. “Even though the years pass without answers, at least with it being an active investigation, I had hope that one day justice would be served.” But Robertson says periodic reassignments are “standard practice” and “are part of routine operational adjustments and do not reflect any change in the status or priority of a case.” “Our commitment to seeking justice for Lindsay remains steadfast,” he said. “This investigation continues to receive dedicated attention from our major crime unit, with support from partner agencies. Our investigators follow up on all credible tips and information received from the public.” Those with information about this case have been asked to contact Saanich Police at 250-475-4321 – an appeal Reitmayer also made in her YouTube video. “I’m begging you to contact the police,” she said. “As her mum, I think of Lindsay every single day. I need answers and closure.” Buziak was fatally stabbed in a second-floor bedroom of a home she had arranged to show to what she thought were prospective buyers in Saanich’s Gordon Head neighbourhood on Feb. 2, 2008. Nov. 2 would have been her 42nd birthday.

One person was taken to hospital and a house left heavily damaged following a late night fire in Nanaimo. Nanaimo Fire Rescue responded to the alarm at about 11 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, in a home on the 2100 block of Dockside Way near Cathers Lake. Stu Kenning, Nanaimo Fire Rescue deputy chief, said crews brought four engines to the scene. “The fire was in the basement and crews contained the fire to the lower level, but it had already burned through the floor,” he said. One person was outside of the house when firefighters arrived and was transported to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for observation, Kenning said. Fire investigators and an engine crew were on standby at the address Monday morning to try to determine the cause of the fire, which caused heavy fire and smoke damage to the interior of house.

Hope has turned to heartbreak for B.C.’s endangered southern resident killer whales. Newborn calf J64, who was first spotted in mid-September, has been declared missing and presumed dead by researchers from Washington-based Center for Whale Research. The calf’s mother J42, also known as ‘Echo’, was observed travelling with other members of J pod Oct. 23, in Swanson Channel off Mayne Island. “We found J42 and held the camera trigger down while waiting for J64 to pop up behind her,” said researchers in their report. “Unfortunately, J64 did not surface after J42. We hoped maybe it was nursing or something, but we kept seeing J42 surface repeatedly, and there was no calf with her. “After a few long dives and still no calf, we had to conclude that J64 did not survive and was now gone.” Hopes the newborn was playing with other whales, including calves J62 and J63, were also quickly dashed, notes the report. While J64 is “most likely deceased,” researchers will continue to monitor for the calf in future encounters, as their standard protocol is to consider an individual dead after three consecutive encounters without the whale present. “However, unlike adult whales, which may travel a significant distance from other whales for extended periods, we would not expect a newborn to be on its own for any length of time,” researchers said. The newborn was J42’s first confirmed calf. According to the Center for Whale Research, mortality rates for young calves, especially those born to first-time mothers, are incredibly high in the southern resident population. “Poor nutritional status and the transfer of toxins from mother to calf during gestation and lactation are key factors,” they said. “Southern residents need healthy, abundant chinook salmon populations to sustain themselves and the calves they raise if this population is to survive.” News of the calf’s likely death comes only weeks after the Center for Whale Research released the results of its 2025 census study. As of July 1, the southern resident population stood at 74, up just one from last year’s 73. During the census period, one adult male known as K26 – missing since the summer of 2024 – was confirmed dead. Four births were also documented across the year – three in J pod, and one in L pod. Of those four, only two females, J62 and J63, survived to the July 1 census. Born after the census period, J64 was not included in the count.

Brock Boeser scored a dramatic overtime goal with less than two seconds remaining in overtime, giving the Vancouver Canucks a 5-4 win over the host Nashville Predators Monday at Bridgestone Arena. After a board battle, Boeser got a pass from forward Elias Pettersson and backhanded the winner past Nashville goalie Juuse Saros. It was Boeser’s sixth goal of the season, second of the game and fourth career OT tally. “I think it’s a huge win for our team,” said Boeser after the game. Evander Kane also had two goals for the winners (7-7-0), with Jake DeBrusk adding a single. Thatcher Demko made 25 saves to earn the win in goal. Filip Forsberg, Erik Haula, Michael Bunting and Nick Blankenburg replied for the Preds (5-6-3). Saros made 3o saves and took the loss. > BROCK WITH THE BUZZER BEATER❗️ pic.twitter.com/B8Mz6qIxen > [https://t.co/B8Mz6qIxen] > > — Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 4, 2025 > [https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1985563672882598201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] Forsberg opened the scoring at 6:47 of the first, tapping in his own rebound in front of Demko. The Canucks pulled even at 14:45, when Kane took a feed from Arshdeep Bains inside the right point and ripped a one-timer past Saros. Shots after one period were 12-4 in favour of Vancouver. The Canucks took a 2-1 lead 12:57 into the second, when DeBrusk deflected Boeser’s pass behind Saros on the power play. All three of DeBrusk’s goals this season have come with the man advantage.l Vancouver upped the lead to 3-1 two minutes later when Boeser scored his fifth of the season, picking up a puck in the slot after a winding foray from rookie Tom Willander. The youngster picked up an assist on the play for his first NHL point. At 18:45, the Preds pulled within one on Haula’s power-play marker. He took a slot feed from Forsberg and fired a shot high past Demko. It was Haula’s first goal in 10 games and third of the year. Kane restored the two-goal margin on a delayed penalty at 3:02, knocking in a cross-crease pass from Linus Karlsson to make it 4-2. With 8:08 remaining, Spencer Stastney’s point shot was directed behind Demko off the foot of Bunting to pull Nashville within 4-3. Blankenburg pulled Nashville even on the power play at 16:38, with an assist going to Nanaimo’s Matthew Wood. The Canucks return home Wednesday to host the Chicago Blackhawks (7 p.m.) and then the Columbus Blue Jackets come to B.C. on Saturday (7 p.m.) at Rogers Arena. NOTES: The Canucks had captain Quinn Hughes back in the lineup after he missed four games with a lower body injury. He had six shots on goal and played more than 28 minutes… Boeser and DeBrusk also had six shots apiece for Vancouver… The Canucks were 2-for-3 on the power play, while the Preds were 2-for-4.

The Field of Crosses Memorial project, initiated by the Rotary Club of Qualicum Beach in partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 76, will return for 2025. The display will be located on Memorial Avenue at the train tracks, across from the curling rink, from Nov. 3 to Nov. 11. This visual memorial honours the lives of 66 young soldiers of Qualicum Beach, Parksville and the Oceanside area who bravely gave their lives fighting for Canada, never returning home. A white cross with each soldier’s name, military decorations, age at death, rank, regiment or unit and date of death, adorned with a single poppy and a small Canadian flag will be erected for each soldier who is listed on the local cenotaphs. The Field of Crosses will officially open at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 3. The public are encouraged to attend. Everyone is welcome to visit the crosses during days leading up to Remembrance Day. On Nov. 10 at sunset (5:30 p.m.), candles will be lit at the base of each cross to further recognize the fallen. Members of the public are invited to participate in this emotional ceremony. The display will be taken down on Nov. 12. It is the goal of the Rotary Club of Qualicum Beach to include local students in a meaningful way in the Field of Crosses project. This year the Arrowsmith Elementary Grade 3/4 class will recite ‘In Flanders Fields’ as a part of the opening ceremonies on Nov. 3. Classes from local schools will be hosted by the Legion and Rotary to visit the Field of Crosses and complete school projects to explore the story of the soldiers represented. By gaining a better understanding of the sacrifices so many made we will continue to ensure that present and future generations understand the reasons for remembrance. In the past 100 years, nearly 2 million Canadians have served in the military. About 117,000 were killed or died in action. In World War I alone, 66,000 Canadians gave their life with almost 20,000 of those buried in unmarked graves overseas. The Qualicum Beach Field of Crosses is a tribute to 66 young soldiers who left from this area and did not return, their bodies are buried overseas. We strive to ensure that present and future Canadians do not forget those who gave their lives, providing us with the freedoms that we enjoy today.

Guide and service dogs perform an important service, but those skills aren’t something they’re born with. On Wednesday, Oct. 29, the non-profit B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs took a class of more than half a dozen puppies to Nanaimo’s Departure Bay ferry terminal to train on the important task of learning how to use an escalator. While the program is based in Parksville, the relative scarcity of escalators on Vancouver Island meant working with B.C. Ferries to use theirs during a low-traffic day, said Matthias Lenz, B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs director of puppy raising. “It’s a really weird thing for a dog to experience and it’s a really good thing to introduce early on,” he said. “We find if we introduce it early on and we take our time and let our dogs set the pace we encounter less problems, because with an older dog in advanced training we don’t have a lot of time.” To get familiar with the escalator, first the puppies use it when it’s turned off. The volunteer trainers let the puppy walk around and sniff it, before walking up like stairs. The volunteers raise the pups until they are about 15-18 months of age, then they enter advanced training for four to six months, making the dogs about two years old when they graduate. Once they become certified, they are sent to their new homes. “It’s not just guide dogs. It’s guide dogs for the visually impaired, autism service dogs for children with autism and OSI-PTSD service dogs for veterans and first responders…” Lenz said. “There are some who can do anything, and some that are more suited to one than the other. We don’t decide that early on, that happens at some point when the dogs are about 14-15 months we have to send them into advanced training and then we have to decide, in the puppy raising department, we decide if they go to service … or guide.” Volunteers don’t need any prerequisite experience, with each of them being taught alongside the dogs they help train. B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs requires volunteers to attend group classes, as well as additional meet-ups, training and online support. One of the volunteers, Danielle Swanson, brought the 13-week-old labrador in her care, Gibuu, to the escalator training. “When I became self-employed I got a dog and then I found out I was really good at training dogs,” she said. “So I did it first with St. John Ambulance as a therapy dog … Then I saw an ad in the paper for B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs and I thought I would give it a go.” This is her 12th puppy through the program, and while it doesn’t make her sad to see them go to their new home, she said she does tear up when running into the dogs she trained out in public, seeing them assisting people and doing the important jobs they were trained for. “You go into the mall and you see your dog with a vet with PTSD or a first responder with PTSD and you see them working, then you [cry] … Just knowing how they change people’s lives so completely.” As a retired single woman, Swanson said being a volunteer trainer is perfect for her. “We need puppy trainers so badly, that is where the bottleneck is, volunteers like me who have the time and the energy to do it. Really, it has always been a wonderful socialization [opportunity] for older people, most of us are in our 60s or 70s.” Shannon Graham, puppy training supervisor, told the News Bulletin that a big portion of her job is coaching volunteers to train the animals. “It’s a lot of fun working with the volunteers and watching them help their puppy along, learning the ropes,” Graham said. “Aside from teaching their dog basic obedience, it’s really building calm, confident and connected dogs – letting them be dogs but teaching them they can try different things and be resilient and they can look to their person for direction when it is needed, because in the puppy stage if we can build that foundation they can take it to the advanced training stage and teach them all the things they need to know.” While a human may see an escalator as a simple machine, for a dog, Graham said it looks funny, smells funny, sounds funny and moves. “We have to sort of break the experience of the escalator apart.” More information can be found online at http://bcandalbertaguidedogs.com [https://bcandalbertaguidedogs.com/].

After nearly two decades at the helm of Esquimalt, Mayor Barb Desjardins says it’s time to make room for new voices. Desjardins announced during Esquimalt council on Oct. 27 that she will not seek re-election in the 2026 municipal election, marking the end of an 18-year tenure that has made her the longest consecutively serving mayor in Esquimalt’s history. “It’s a bittersweet feeling,” Desjardins told Victoria News. “Esquimalt has undergone a transformation that is exciting, and after what will be 18 years, there can be a new vision. It’s an opportunity for our community to continue to do what it’s doing, which is showing it is the best place to be.” Desjardins first joined Esquimalt council in 2005 and was elected as the township’s 22nd mayor in 2008, winning re-election four more times in 2011, 2014, 2018 and 2022. “When I started, Esquimalt was a community that was shrinking slightly, losing businesses, not having development,” she said. “Now it’s a very sought-after community. That’s because of the vibrancy of the events that are now occurring yearly and the economic development that’s taking place.” Among the milestones Desjardins points to with pride are the construction of the Gorge Pavilion, securing $17 million from the McLoughlin Amenity Fund, and the long-awaited public safety building. She’s quick to note, though, that much of that success belongs to the community itself. “It’s not one person,” she said. “It’s the community that embraced all of that and said, ‘We like where this is going.’ We remain feisty, we remain with heart, and I look forward to seeing how that continues.” While she’s proud of what’s been achieved, Desjardins says there’s one issue she wishes she could have resolved: Esquimalt’s ongoing policing situation. “I would say not resolving that to a satisfactory place, where there would be cost control and better governance, is one thing I regret,” she said. “But I’ve got a year and a bit left, and I don’t think I’m going to sit down on that.” As she prepares for her final year in office, Desjardins plans to focus on those remaining priorities: continuing work on policing, supporting Esquimalt’s economic development strategy, and launching a full review of the township’s official community plan. Her decision not to run again also comes with a personal shift. “I think we’re in a good place,” she said. “Now there’s a perfect opportunity for me to step back and allow a whole new generation of people to come in and help create that vision. And, not small in my decision is the fact that I’m a grandmother now. I want to focus on family again.” Still, she was quick to add she won’t be disappearing. “I’m not done yet,” she said with a laugh. “I’m still here to do things for the community, just in a different direction.”

A Campbell River man is facing 15 charges, including three counts of sexual assault and four counts of forcible confinement in connectionwith a series of Ontario incidents from nearly 30 years ago. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced the arrest of Jason Timothy Davidson, 52, on Oct. 29, following a three-decade investigation, dubbed Project Aerial. Three of his four alleged victims were teenagers at the time. Police arrested Davidson on Oct. 26. “For 28 years, our teams have worked extremely hard to identify the accused by re-examining evidence, following up on more than 450 tips, and reviewing countless witness statements,” said OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns. “Advancements in DNA technology open new doors, allowing our team to apply modern investigative techniques that ultimately led to the investigation of the accused.” Kearns confirmed investigative genealogical research was used in the investigation, but declined to offer specific details or other evidence, as the case is before the courts. However, he did say it took the case to Campbell River, where the arrest was made. The four assaults took place in Ontario between March and August 1997. The first was on March 26, when a youth was abducted near Indian Road in Sarnia. She was taken by an unidentified man to Sombra in Lambton County, where she was sexually assaulted. Another youth was abducted on May 23 in Thamesville in Kent County. She was abducted while walking on Hwy 21 and taken to a wooded area. The third incident was on June 7 in Sarnia. An adult woman was picked up on Campbell Street in Sarnia and driven to another location. The fourth incident involved another youth, who was picked up on Grand Avenue West in Chatham and driven to a remote area and sexually assaulted. In each incident, the victims were able to reach safety and contact police. The three youths were 15 or 16 at the time of the attacks. OPP Detective Inspector Michael Moore said that the four cases were intially investigated separately by OPP and Sarnia Police Service. “While tips were received and thoroughly investigated, none led to the identification of the assailant,” said Moore. “However, it did not take long before investigators noticed the similarities in the attacks and the suspect descriptions. In each case, the assailant used the vehicle to transport the victims to a remote location, committed the sexual assault, and drove away, leaving the victims at the site of each attack.” Moore said the unidentified male was described as in his 30s, tall (around 5’8” or taller), with medium-length brown hair, a mustache, and a distinct nose. “Over time, DNA analysis helped link two incidents from March and June. However, investigators believe that the same unknown offender was responsible for all four sexual assaults,” said Moore. “At that point, investigations were transferred to the OPP under the direction of the Criminal Investigation Branch.” The suspect remained at large and unidentified, despite extensive investigation work and public appeals, until this year when Moore said the Centre of Forensic Sciences and advanced DNA technology connected all four cases to one individual. From there, police deployed other techniques and genetic genealogy to identify Davidson as a suspect. He faces 15 charges, including one count of kidnapping, four counts of forcible confinement, three counts of uttering threats, three counts of sexual assault, one count of sexual assault causing bodily harm, one count of sexual assault with a weapon, one count of aggravated sexual assault, and one count of theft. Police say Davidson has ties to the area where the offences were committed, and moved to British Columbia sometime in 2017. “We wanted to put Davidson’s name and picture out there in the media today because we’re hoping to encourage anybody who may have information that can assist this investigation to come forward,” said Moore. The OPP included two pictures in their press conference. One is from the 1990s, and one is from 2025. The one from the 90s is his photo for his Ontario Driver’s Licence, and the one in 2025 was taken after his transportation to Ontario after his arrest. “Today marks a pivotal moment in a historical investigation that has spanned years and provinces. Project Aerial began nearly three decades ago in 1997, and today, we are finally able to provide answers to the public and bring justice to the four survivors and their families,” said Kearns. Kearns said it was the courage and reports of the four survivors who initiated the investigation. He also said sexual assault remains one of the only violent crimes in Canada that is not on the decline. It is also the most underreported crime in Canada, with only six per cent of sexual assaults reported to police, compared to 36 per cent of physical assaults reported. “To the victims of historical sexual assaults, we recognize that the journey to answers can be long. Project Aerial reinforces that time does not diminish our commitment. We remain focused on delivering on answers, supporting the victims and surviviors, and upholding our dedication to public safety. “We hope this message reaches others who’ve experienced sexual assault. We encourage you to come forward to the police. You are not alone, and we are here to help,” said Kearns. “And finally, to those offenders who remain unknown and at large, often many years later, we are coming for you. I am confident that the continued advancements in DNA technology will continue to greatly assist police in solving many more historical cases.”

A driver exhibiting sings of impairment had their vehicle impounded by Oak Bay police last week. At approximately 3:50 a.m. on Oct. 17, officers conducting patrols near the Oak Bay-Saanich border observed a Toyota hatchback “swerving heavily, accelerating at a high rate of speed and making abrupt side-to-side motions.” A traffic stop was initiated in the 3800 block of Gordon Head Road, where the driver exhibited signs of impairment. The motorist was arrested for dangerous driving and refusal to comply with a mandatory alcohol screening demand. The vehicle was impounded for seven days due to excessive speed and stunting, and the driver was released at the scene with a future court date.

Guide and service dogs perform an important service, but those skills aren’t something they’re born with. On Wednesday, Oct. 29, the non-profit B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs took a class of more than half a dozen puppies to Nanaimo’s Departure Bay ferry terminal to train on the important task of learning how to use an escalator. While the local program is based in Parksville, the relative scarcity of escalators on Vancouver Island meant working with B.C. Ferries to use theirs during a low-traffic day, said Matthias Lenz, B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs director of puppy raising. “It’s a really weird thing for a dog to experience and it’s a really good thing to introduce early on,” he said. “We find if we introduce it early on and we take our time and let our dogs set the pace we encounter less problems, because with an older dog in advanced training we don’t have a lot of time.” To get familiar with the escalator, first the puppies use it when it’s turned off. The volunteer trainers let the puppy walk around and sniff it, before walking up like stairs. The volunteers raise the pups until they are about 15-18 months of age, then they enter advanced training for four to six months, making the dogs about two years old when they graduate. Once they become certified, they are sent to their new homes. “It’s not just guide dogs. It’s guide dogs for the visually impaired, autism service dogs for children with autism and OSI-PTSD service dogs for veterans and first responders…” Lenz said. “There are some who can do anything, and some that are more suited to one than the other. We don’t decide that early on, that happens at some point when the dogs are about 14-15 months we have to send them into advanced training and then we have to decide, in the puppy raising department, we decide if they go to service … or guide.” Volunteers don’t need any prerequisite experience, with each of them being taught alongside the dogs they help train. B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs requires volunteers to attend group classes, as well as additional meet-ups, training and online support. One of the volunteers, Danielle Swanson, brought the 13-week-old labrador in her care, Gibuu, to the escalator training. “When I became self-employed I got a dog and then I found out I was really good at training dogs,” she said. “So I did it first with St. John Ambulance as a therapy dog … Then I saw an ad in the paper for B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs and I thought I would give it a go.” This is her 12th puppy through the program, and while it doesn’t make her sad to see them go to their new home, she said she does tear up when running into the dogs she trained out in public, seeing them assisting people and doing the important jobs they were trained for. “You go into the mall and you see your dog with a vet with PTSD or a first responder with PTSD and you see them working, then you [cry] … Just knowing how they change people’s lives so completely.” As a retired single woman, Swanson said being a volunteer trainer is perfect for her. “We need puppy trainers so badly, that is where the bottleneck is, volunteers like me who have the time and the energy to do it. Really, it has always been a wonderful socialization [opportunity] for older people, most of us are in our 60s or 70s.” Shannon Graham, puppy training supervisor, told the News Bulletin that a big portion of her job is coaching volunteers to train the animals. “It’s a lot of fun working with the volunteers and watching them help their puppy along, learning the ropes,” Graham said. “Aside from teaching their dog basic obedience, it’s really building calm, confident and connected dogs – letting them be dogs but teaching them they can try different things and be resilient and they can look to their person for direction when it is needed, because in the puppy stage if we can build that foundation they can take it to the advanced training stage and teach them all the things they need to know.” While a human may see an escalator as a simple machine, for a dog, Graham said it looks funny, smells funny, sounds funny and moves. “We have to sort of break the experience of the escalator apart.” More information can be found online at http://bcandalbertaguidedogs.com [https://bcandalbertaguidedogs.com/].

Vancouver Island’s economy is at a critical point and hard decisions need to be made to ensure long-term prosperity. This is according to Susan Mowbray, partner at MNP, who delivered the State of the Island economic report at the annual Vancouver Island Economic Alliance summit on Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Nanaimo. “Last year, we talked about how things are going to be OK in the short term, but we need to do something in the longer term,” she said. “I would say today we’re kind of at the beginning of where we actually really need to do something because the foundation upon which our prosperity is built is starting to crumble and we’re starting to see those indicators show that. That’s not just because of what’s happening with the U.S. administration, this is primarily because of past choices we’ve made.” Since the pandemic financial bounce-back, B.C.’s annual economic growth has been a “really low” 1-1.5 per cent, Mowbray said, though there was a small increase this year compared to the previous year. Vancouver Island continues to have a lower GDP than the rest of the province. “We’re not producing a lot of things that are bringing money into the province from the outside, but we’re producing things to support the local population – this is great in the short term.” Vancouver Island has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada, but participation rates are starting to marginally decline, which Mowbray said suggests the beginning of weakening economic conditions “and people are getting discouraged.” “People aren’t able to find jobs so rather than keep looking, they are exiting the labour market.” She reported that most of the employment growth has been in public sectors such as education, health care, social assistance and government. From 2006-2024, the share of employment in the public sector grew from 26 per cent to 34 per cent, while the private sector shrank from 55 to 51. Goods industries such as forestry, agriculture and mining went from 19 to 15 per cent. Mowbray had a mixed outlook of the Island’s major sectors, with forestry down year-over-year with an uncertain outlook, and the farmed salmon sector similarly uncertain. “Those resource sectors that have traditionally been the backbone in the economy are continuing to shrink, with weak market conditions, increases in softwood tariffs by the U.S. and just regulatory strangulation is hammering our forest industry.” Conversely, tourism is doing well as visitor numbers trend up along with occupancy rates, presenting a stable outlook. Mowbray said there are indications of continuous growth in the knowledge economy, such as in professional jobs, film, scientific and technical services, as well as growth in information and culture. Construction of residential homes throughout B.C. showed a decline to $9 billion in 2024 from $10 billion in 2023. “Even though we’re talking about building all this housing, we’re not actually building all this housing,” she explained. “We’re seeing a lot of projects get cancelled, a lot of the insolvencies we’re seeing in businesses are construction companies. So we’re not building housing that is going to help us to address our housing affordability challenges because we’re actually seeing construction start to decline.” Housing costs have also increased, with rents going up between 40-60 per cent on the Island over the past five years. In Nanaimo, the average cost of rent went from an average of $1,166 to $1,775, while in Victoria it went from $1,454 to $1,995. “If you were graduating from post-secondary this spring, you would probably have a really hard time finding a job because firms weren’t hiring, and if you found a job it probably wasn’t in your sector. Those people are struggling already because of high housing or rental costs, and that’s going to have some serious implications in the future of not being able to get started, get out of their parents’ basement and start to work, develop their skills and build up some assets.” Looking ahead, Mowbray said over the next 25 years, population growth is expected to slow, increasing about 13 per cent over that time frame, while an aging population will shift the 70-plus demographic from just over one-fifth of the population to almost a quarter of the population by 2045. “That means we need to be thinking of infrastructure investments and how we address things like housing needs, the provision of health care and transportation services as well as how we respond to a changing climate,” Mowbray said. “Just because Trump has decided climate change doesn’t exist, doesn’t mean the climate isn’t changing, doesn’t mean we’re not facing forest fires and rising sea levels and all those different things that we’ve been talking about for the last few years.” She explained all those considerations will be fundamental in building economic resilience in Vancouver Island’s economy, regardless of trading partners. Potential economic edges Mowbray suggested were the development of technology infrastructure on the Island, and opportunities that may come through Indigenous reconciliation. Following the event, Mowbray told the News Bulletin the goods sector and goods production will always be part of the economy, but moving forward, Vancouver Island has high-value opportunities in the development of technology and meeting the needs of the population in ways that could also be turned into export goods. Potential opportunities may lay in food processing and food security to produce more food locally that can be exported to other parts of Canada or internationally. “We should be thinking about this as an opportunity. It’s scary but we should be thinking about this as an opportunity to lay the foundation for a prosperous future.” The economist said hard decisions need to be made, such as accepting the trade-off that to get affordable housing means the cost of housing will have to go down across the board, resulting in homeowners losing money. Additionally, social programs may need to be cut, she suggested, as the “government debt is not at a level we can sustain going forward.” VIEA’s State of the Island economic summit continues Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 29-30.

The City of Surrey and its police board are caught up in a proposed class action lawsuit by former female police officers despite none of the six plaintiffs listed having been employed by the Surrey defendants. A proposed class action lawsuit by current or former female police officers against the City of Surrey, Surrey Police Board, 12 other B.C. cities and 12 other B.C. police boards alleges the plaintiffs were subjected to gender or sexual orientation-based discrimination, harassment, and bullying by officers and management of B.C.’s municipal police forces. Counsel for the City of Surrey and Surrey Police Board sought an order that would, prior to a certification hearing under Supreme Court Civil Rules, strike out the claims against them on grounds of jurisdiction. The case is brought under the Class Proceedings Act, with Justice Bruce Elwood presiding in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. None of the plaintiffs are or were employed by the Surrey defendants, Elwood noted in his October 28 reasons for [https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/25/21/2025BCSC2120.htm]judgment [https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/25/21/2025BCSC2120.htm]. “There are no factual allegations in the amended notice of civil claim of any acts or omissions by any officers or supervisors of the Surrey police force,” he pointed out. “Instead, the Surrey Defendants are captured by the plaintiffs’ general allegations of wrongdoing against all the “Municipal Police Defendants” and all “the Defendants.” The plaintiffs allege a “wide-spread institutional failure by those responsible to investigate complaints and protect complainants; and a workplace culture that enabled and protected perpetrators.” The plaintiffs are Cheryl Weeks, Anja Bergler, Helen Irvine, Cary Ryan, Lauren Phillips, and Ann-Sue Piper. “The plaintiffs seek to represent a class comprised of all persons who have been employed by the municipal police forces and who are female or were living or presenting as women at the time of their employment,” Elwood noted in his reasons. The defendants are listed as the City of Abbotsford, District of Central Saanich, City of Delta, Township of Esquimalt, City of Nelson, City of New Westminster, District of Oak Bay, City of Port Moody, Corporation of The District of Saanich, City of Surrey, City of Vancouver, City of Victoria, District of West Vancouver, Abbotsford Police Board, Central Saanich Police Board, Delta Police Board, Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board, Nelson Police Board, New Westminster Police Board, Port Moody Police Board, Saanich Police Board, Surrey Police Board, Vancouver Police Board, West Vancouver Police Board, Police Complaint Commissioner of British Columbia, His Majesty The King In Right of The Province of British Columbia, Attorney General of British Columbia, and the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “The plaintiffs allege negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, intentional infliction of mental suffering, harassment, civil conspiracy, breach of privacy, and violation of their rights under Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” Elwood noted. “The plaintiffs seek to represent a class comprised of all persons who have been employed by the municipal police forces and who are female or were living or presenting as women at the time of their employment.” The women on behalf of the proposed class action lawsuit seek a declaration that the defendants breached their Section 15 Charter rights, and are seeking compensation in the form of general damages, damages for lost income, aggravated and punitive damages, and damages pursuant to the Charter. “In effect, the claim against the Surrey Defendants is the same claim that the plaintiffs propose to advance on behalf of the class members against all the defendants. It is, as Justice Saunders once described a proposed class action prior to the certification hearing, ‘an action with ambition,’” Elwood noted. By way of background, Surrey council on Nov. 5, 2018 voted to transition from the Surrey RCMP to a city police force. On June 29, 2020, the provincial government appointed the Surrey Police Board and on Aug. 6, 2020, the board established the Surrey Police Service, which became the city’s police of jurisdiction on Nov. 29, 2024. Elwood noted the SPS in March 2021 began recruiting officers and civilian staff in March 2021 and they became employees of the Surrey Police Board. “Initially, SPS officers were integrated into the Surrey RCMP, under the operational command of the RCMP,” the judge noted. “Although no date range is alleged in the notice of civil claim, plaintiffs’ counsel says the discrimination, harassment, and bullying of female SPS officers began in March 2021 and continues to present day. In other words, the proposed class action covers the entire period from initial hiring, including pre-unionization, collective bargaining, working under RCMP command, and ultimately serving as officers of the police of jurisdiction.” The plaintiffs’ legal counsel confirmed the proposed class includes police officers of all ranks, but not civilian staff. “As a result, it is necessary to consider the effect of two collective agreements between the Surrey Police Board and the unions representing the police officers, but not the separate collective agreement with Canadian Union of Public Employees (“CUPE”) representing the civilian staff,” Elwood noted. The Labour Relations Board certified the Surrey Police Union on July 30, 2021 as the collective bargaining unit for SPS officers below the rank of inspector and on March 10, 2022, the SPB and SPU entered into a collective agreement covering those officers, and then the LRB on Nov. 30, 2022 certified the Surrey Police Inspectors Union to conduct collective bargaining for SPS inspectors. While the SPU collective agreement covers working conditions, seniority and probationary periods, promotions, lateral transfers, remuneration, special allowances, court time compensation, overtime, employee benefits, maternity and parental leave, vacation and statutory leave and survivors’ benefits, Elwood noted, it has no specific provision against harassment or sexual harassment. The Surrey Defendants argue that the exclusive jurisdiction of an arbitrator to resolve disputes begins from the date on which the unions were certified as the exclusive collective bargaining agents for the SPS officers. They argued that as the SPS did not become the police of jurisdiction until after the unions were certified and the collective agreements took effect, that SPS officers’s working conditions “prior to that date were the responsibility of the RCMP,” the judge noted. “In other words, as I understand it, the Surrey Defendants say there is no gap in this case during which SPS officers may have had a claim against Surrey but no right to grieve their complaint under a collective agreement.” Elwood identified the “essential character” 0f the dispute, as argued by the Surrey Defendants’ legal counsel, “is the allegation that the defendants failed to ensure that the plaintiffs could work in an environment free from harassment, discrimination and bullying.” “The plaintiffs argue that the claims are not merely about working conditions. They say the essential character of the dispute is an institutional failure throughout British Columbia—spanning across all police boards, municipal employers, and levels of government—to keep the municipal police forces free from gender-based discrimination. The plaintiffs submit that the issues they seek to address are so pervasively embedded in police culture that this case is about something completely different than a dispute over working conditions.” Elwood said it isn’t “plain and obvious” the collective agreements provide access “to an effective remedy for all former employees of the Surrey Police Board who allege that they were subject to gender-based discrimination, harassment or bullying on the job. “The difficulty is that the plaintiffs have not pleaded any claims by any former members of the SPS. They have not pleaded the material facts on which a court could find that a former employee suffered gender-based discrimination, harassment or bullying that she cannot grieve under the applicable Collective Agreement. At this stage of the proceedings, there is no evidence of any claims by any former employees,” he explained. “In the circumstances,” he decided, a decision “must await the certification hearing and submissions on the criteria” concerning Section 4 of the Class Proceedings Act. “This Court does not have jurisdiction over claims against the Surrey Defendants that arose after the date on which a collective agreement became applicable to the bargaining unit to which the class members belonged,” Elwood concluded. “The question of whether, notwithstanding this conclusion, the Court should retain jurisdiction over claims by former employees of the Surrey Police Board is adjourned to the certification hearing.

I read with great interest the letter from Lee Thiessen in the Oct. 22 Saanich News because it stated many thoughts I have had on this “gung-ho let’s build it big” mentality of our current council. Why do we need 10-15 storeys in our residential areas? Saanich is quickly losing its lovely leafy neighbourhoods, to be replaced by really ugly, no-imagination, too-tall, Lego-block buildings. As Lee Thiessen said, “mind-numbingly dull buildings containing overpriced tiny spaces designed to churn through transient tenancies.” Would people want to raise a family in such a place? Think of the blocks on Mackenzie and Shelbourn – no imagination put into those buildings, just Lego-block construction. And if their “plaza” is going to be like Tuscany Village’s “plaza”, which is really a badly planned parking lot, I say, why bother trying to make it something it isn’t? I will say the Tuscany Village height restriction is more in keeping with what Saanich could do, and isn’t doing. On the whole, I find it disheartening in the rush to meet the demands of housing, so little charm and character is being applied. Jan Cook Victoria

The University of Victoria women’s rugby 15s team has already made history this fall, but they’re hoping their run isn’t done yet. After a perfect season and a Canada West title, the top-ranked Vikes opened their U Sports championship run with a 41-8 victory over the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium on Oct. 29. It’s the first time in program history UVic has entered nationals as the number one seed. The Vikes came in confident after winning all seven of their games this year, including an 18-17 victory over UBC in the Canada West final on Oct. 19—redemption after losing to the same team in last year’s championship. Head coach Brittany Waters said the team’s success comes down to a new mindset and years of steady building. “We knew going into the season that we were going to have a really strong squad,” Waters told Saanich News. “We’ve had back-to-back silvers at nationals, so there were a lot of hungry players coming back who were going for that gold. We also had some new players join who’ve really stepped up. It’s a great, well-rounded group.” Waters, recently named Canada West Coach of the Year for the second time, said her team is focused on itself heading into the tournament. “We have a really hungry group here,” Waters said. “Our attack is tried and true, but I feel like we have a really balanced group. We’re just focusing on what we do and how we can do it best.” Throughout the regular season and the Canada West championships, the Vikes outscored their opponents 325-64. One of the driving forces behind that was fourth-year fullback Carissa Norsten, named Canada West Most Valuable Player after leading UVic with seven tries and 35 points. “She comes to practice early, she works as hard as anyone in this league,” Waters said. “You often see the superstars get the recognition, and with this one, it really is so well-deserved. She’s a leader for our group in more ways than one.” The 2024 Olympic silver medalist was one of six Vikes named conference all-stars, along with Sierra Gillis, Faith Tilley, Justine Blatt-Janmaat, Maggie MacKinnon, and Ella O’Regan. The tournament is being played at the home of their biggest rivals, UBC, but Waters knows her team will have support as the week goes on. “We’re going to be playing for each other out there. Regardless of whether people are cheering for or against us, we have such a strong group,” she said. “We’ve done a really good job of building a positive team culture here, and our players really thrive in these moments.” Waters has led the program to a medal in every season since taking over in 2015. “This isn’t just a job, it’s my passion,” she said. “I get to work with incredible athletes and staff who love the game and each other, and that’s what makes this so special.” The other quarter-finals will see STFX face Guelph, UBC meet Laval, and Queen’s take on Acadia later on Oct. 29. UVic’s next test comes on Oct. 31 against the winner of Guelph and STFX. All 11 games of the U Sports championship are being streamed live on CBC’s digital platforms.

A Campbell River man is facing 15 charges, including three counts of sexual assault and four counts of forcible confinement in connectionwith a series of Ontario incidents from nearly 30 years ago. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced the arrest of Jason Timothy Davidson, 52, on Oct. 29, following a three-decade investigation, dubbed Project Aerial. Three of his four alleged victims were teenagers at the time. Police arrested Davidson on Oct. 26. “For 28 years, our teams have worked extremely hard to identify the accused by re-examining evidence, following up on more than 450 tips, and reviewing countless witness statements,” said OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns. “Advancements in DNA technology open new doors, allowing our team to apply modern investigative techniques that ultimately led to the investigation of the accused.” Kearns confirmed investigative genealogical research was used in the investigation, but declined to offer specific details or other evidence, as the case is before the courts. However, he did say it took the case to Campbell River, where the arrest was made. The four assaults took place in Ontario between March and August 1997. The first was on March 26, when a youth was abducted near Indian Road in Sarnia. She was taken by an unidentified man to Sombra in Lambton County, where she was sexually assaulted. Another youth was abducted on May 23 in Thamesville in Kent County. She was abducted while walking on Hwy 21 and taken to a wooded area. The third incident was on June 7 in Sarnia. An adult woman was picked up on Campbell Street in Sarnia and driven to another location. The fourth incident involved another youth, who was picked up on Grand Avenue West in Chatham and driven to a remote area and sexually assaulted. In each incident, the victims were able to reach safety and contact police. The three youths were 15 or 16 at the time of the attacks. OPP Detective Inspector Michael Moore said that the four cases were intially investigated separately by OPP and Sarnia Police Service. “While tips were received and thoroughly investigated, none led to the identification of the assailant,” said Moore. “However, it did not take long before investigators noticed the similarities in the attacks and the suspect descriptions. In each case, the assailant used the vehicle to transport the victims to a remote location, committed the sexual assault, and drove away, leaving the victims at the site of each attack.” Moore said the unidentified male was described as in his 30s, tall (around 5’8” or taller), with medium-length brown hair, a mustache, and a distinct nose. “Over time, DNA analysis helped link two incidents from March and June. However, investigators believe that the same unknown offender was responsible for all four sexual assaults,” said Moore. “At that point, investigations were transferred to the OPP under the direction of the Criminal Investigation Branch.” The suspect remained at large and unidentified, despite extensive investigation work and public appeals, until this year when Moore said the Centre of Forensic Sciences and advanced DNA technology connected all four cases to one individual. From there, police deployed other techniques and genetic genealogy to identify Davidson as a suspect. He faces 15 charges, including one count of kidnapping, four counts of forcible confinement, three counts of uttering threats, three counts of sexual assault, one count of sexual assault causing bodily harm, one count of sexual assault with a weapon, one count of aggravated sexual assault, and one count of theft. Police say Davidson has ties to the area where the offences were committed, and moved to British Columbia sometime in 2017. “We wanted to put Davidson’s name and picture out there in the media today because we’re hoping to encourage anybody who may have information that can assist this investigation to come forward,” said Moore. The OPP included two pictures in their press conference. One is from the 1990s, and one is from 2025. The one from the 90s is his photo for his Ontario Driver’s Licence, and the one in 2025 was taken after his transportation to Ontario after his arrest. “Today marks a pivotal moment in a historical investigation that has spanned years and provinces. Project Aerial began nearly three decades ago in 1997, and today, we are finally able to provide answers to the public and bring justice to the four survivors and their families,” said Kearns. Kearns said it was the courage and reports of the four survivors who initiated the investigation. He also said sexual assault remains one of the only violent crimes in Canada that is not on the decline. It is also the most underreported crime in Canada, with only six per cent of sexual assaults reported to police, compared to 36 per cent of physical assaults reported. “To the victims of historical sexual assaults, we recognize that the journey to answers can be long. Project Aerial reinforces that time does not diminish our commitment. We remain focused on delivering on answers, supporting the victims and surviviors, and upholding our dedication to public safety. “We hope this message reaches others who’ve experienced sexual assault. We encourage you to come forward to the police. You are not alone, and we are here to help,” said Kearns. “And finally, to those offenders who remain unknown and at large, often many years later, we are coming for you. I am confident that the continued advancements in DNA technology will continue to greatly assist police in solving many more historical cases.”

More than 4,000 BC Hydro customers were without power in Duncan and parts of North Cowichan Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 29). The smaller outage, affecting about 1,153 customers, was reported at 1:25 p.m. in the area west of Boys Road, east of Indian Road, south of Pine Avenue and north of S’eshia Road. Crews are on site and the cause remains under investigation. A second, larger outage, affecting about 3,000 customers north of Trunk Road and east of Government Street was reported shortly after noon. BC Hydro says a tree came down across power lines in that area. The outages knocked out power to much of downtown Duncan and the Tzouhalem Road area. A third big outage was added to the list after 3 p.m., this one affecting 848 customers west of Lakes Road, north of Coronation Avenue, east of Jubilee Street and south of York Road. At least one of the outages was caused by a tree very close or leaning on a double circuit, said B.C. Hydro spokesperson Ted Olynyk. He said it is likely that recent storm events caused the tree to fail, compounded with the large amount of recent rainfall. Two crews worked on the outages, Olynyk said, and power was restored by 6 p.m.

Grace Poole has become a familiar name in Canadian sailing circles, and she’s showing no signs of slowing down. Earlier this month, Poole claimed her third consecutive national championship title at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron in Halifax. Racing from Oct. 10 to 12, the 21-year-old topped the Core (U21 to U29) category of the Waszp Canadian Nationals, finishing with 406 points for a score of 67. She placed sixth overall in the 12-boat field, which featured competitors from across the country. “It was a tricky regatta in Halifax,” Poole said. “We had offshore winds for the whole event, so it was a whole game of trying to sail into the puffs. Strategy was really important.” Poole said training out of Oak Bay has been a major advantage when it comes to preparing for events across the country. “Victoria is a really great place to be foiling,” said the 2021 Glenlyon Norfolk School graduate. “We get similar conditions here and also lots of flat water, so my training here is key to how I did in Halifax.” Waszps, high-speed hydrofoiling sailboats that can reach up to 40 km/h, have exploded in popularity in recent years, largely thanks to their inclusion as a stepping stone into professional sailing through SailGP. The strict one-design format means sailors can jump into any event around the world with identical equipment. That proved especially helpful for Poole, who borrowed a boat from a Halifax sailor rather than shipping her own across the country. “It’s a really close-knit community,” she said. “I just reached out to someone I knew there and was able to find a boat through connections. I was really grateful to be lent one because charter boats can be quite expensive.” Poole, who trains out of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, said the Waszp community on the Island is starting to grow, helped in part by her twin brother, Kelley, who now coaches a local group. “In the beginning, I didn’t really have anyone to sail against,” she said. “Now there’s a little group in Victoria, and it’s fantastic to have that.” With another national title secured, Poole now shifts her focus to her first world championship in Pensacola, Florida this March. “It’s ambitious, but I’m trying to make the podium in the women’s fleet,” she said. “It’ll be my first worlds, and there are some equipment changes to figure out, but I have big goals.” Between training, working in a local marine canvas shop, and mentoring young sailors, Poole’s schedule is packed, but her motivation hasn’t wavered. “I just really want to keep improving my own sailing,” she said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

In 2018, Saanich ranked the redevelopment of its Royal Oak fire station as the second-highest priority in the district, just behind the Parks and Public Works Yard, in its Strategic Facilities Master Plan. The plan stated that “more than any other fire hall, Fire Hall No.2 experiences pressing needs that have a significant impact on the entire district fire services operation.” While reports indicate that the Elk Lake Drive station performs well from an incident response perspective, its limited size, growing equipment requirements and rapidly expanding population have created “significant” operational pressures. As a result, the district determined that the 3,880-square-foot facility, built in 1978, required a much-needed makeover to meet Royal Oak’s growing needs. In May 2019, council unanimously approved a $26.6-million budget for the project, with an expected completion date of 2023. The new facility, nearly 23,500 square feet – more than six times larger – will accommodate up to 10 firefighters instead of five and house eight vehicles, up from the current two. Once the new facility is operational, the existing Elk Lake Drive station is scheduled to be demolished. However, nearly three years after the original completion date, the station remains unfinished and its budget has ballooned to $44.6 million – a 68 per cent increase. In a written statement to Saanich News, the district’s engineering department said the escalating budget and delays were first outlined in an April 2023 staff report, which cited extended timelines, market escalation and design development. According to Saanich, construction began in May 2024. Since then, the project has encountered “several minor and typical construction-related matters,” noted the engineering department, including material delivery delays and impacts from the ongoing tariff dispute with the U.S. The first delay resulted from extended manufacturing timelines for mass timber components, pushing delivery back by approximately five months. A second delay, caused by design revisions to the roof assembly, which supports solar panels, insulation and waterproofing, added two months. The revised completion date, originally set for fall 2025, has now been pushed to summer 2026. web1_251029-sne-firehall2-update-1_3 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251029-sne-firehall2-update-1_3.jpg;w=960]A redevelopment plan of the new Fire Hall No.2 located on Royal Oak Drive. (Saanich.ca) web1_251029-sne-firehall2-update-1_4 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251029-sne-firehall2-update-1_4.jpg;w=960]A view of the current Fire Hall No.2, located on 4595 Elk Lake Dr., set to be demolished once the new station is completed. (Saanich.ca) web1_251029-sne-firehall2-update-1_5 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251029-sne-firehall2-update-1_5.jpg;w=960]Architectural rendering showing the proposed design of Fire Hall No. 2. (Saanich.ca)

The Fifty Fifty Arts Collective will present an "offbeat" solo art exhibition, pee-bee says hello, by Noah MacLeod, from Oct. 11 to 25.  Following the success of his debut solo exhibition at Headbones Gallery in Vernon, MacLeod brings a fresh body of work to Victoria that further explores his "idiosyncratic visual language" under the playful moniker "pee-bee.” MacLeod works combine sculpture, painting, and object-making, the end result carrying a "quiet absurdity, a language that feels both familiar and strange." Outside of his studio practice, MacLeod is the founder of Local Losers, a community-led DIY collective from the Interior of B.C. that supports artists and musicians across the province. What began as a communal studio and gallery later evolved into a clothing brand and now a grassroots music production company. Now based in Victoria, MacLeod is beginning to find his place within the local arts community, bringing with him the energy, grit, and sense of curiosity that have long shaped his approach. The exhibition is open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by appointment. The reception is on Thursday, Oct. 23 from 6– to 9 p.m. at The Fifty Fifty Arts Collective, 2516 Douglas St, Victoria.    

From Sidney to Sooke, teens across the Capital Region could one day hop aboard buses for free. On Oct. 22, the CRD’s transportation committee voted in favour of a motion directing staff to look into the costs, benefits and implications of a free bus pass program for kids aged 13 to 18. Victoria councillor Jeremy Caradonna, who tabled the motion with Victoria councillor Dave Thompson, said “fair, free youth bus passes are something that have very, very, very tangible, real-world impacts on peoples’ lives, and I think the volume of emails and delegations we’ve had on this shows that the community wants us at the very least to be exploring it.” While the province offers free fares for kids 12 and under, Victoria is the only community in the CRD that provides free passes for youth aged 13 to 18. In an Oct. 20 news release, Caradonna and Thompson said approximately 70 per cent of youth in Victoria use the city’s free passes. “The success of the Victoria program suggests that extending this program equitably across the region would deliver value for CRD residents in other municipalities and increase transit ridership,” said the pair. Other communities with similar programs have clocked ridership increases, too. Nathan Bird of the Victoria Transit Riders Union said data from Kingston, Ont. shows that free passes there allowed 10 per cent of teens to participate in recreational activities that they otherwise would not be able to. “It’s … about removing a prohibitive barrier to engagement with their communities and in doing so allowing youth to live more active, social, happier and healthier lives,” he added. Colwood mayor Doug Kobayashi, however, called the move “fiscally irresponsible,” adding free passes aren’t one of the transportation committee’s strategic priorities. Sooke mayor Maja Tait said free passes wouldn’t address a lack of buses available to youth in her community. “There are simply not enough buses to meet the demand here,” she said. But Langford mayor Scott Goodmanson said free youth passes could actually help address a lack of transit available in some of the region’s communities. “It’s hard to get anywhere with B.C. Transit, and we’re routinely told that they won’t improve service until the need is there,” he added. “I think there is a benefit to possibly loading up the system because it’s going to show them they need to put their proverbial money where their mouth is.” This analysis of youth passes will be part of the CRD’s updates to its regional transportation plan, which won’t be complete until 2027. By then, a new transit committee will be tasked with deciding whether or not to move forward with a regional free pass program.

On Oct. 19, 2025, over a dozen community members from across Greater Victoria put in 49 volunteer hours to remove eight cubic metres of English ivy and other invasive plants, which equates to roughly 35 bathtubs full, from the Dickson Woods Forest near Victoria International Airport. Green Teams of Canada’s Greater Victoria Green Team (GVGT) and the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) announced a new partnership focused on restoring and enhancing the ecological health of forest. Over the next year, volunteers will participate in stewardship activities in the area. “It was my first time volunteering, and I never thought it would feel so satisfying to give back to the community and to nature,” said Bahar Sadeghi, one of the 16 GVGT volunteers at Dickson Woods. “As an essential facility in our community, our ecological systems are the centre of the discussion when we talk about overall climate resilience and adaptation planning,” said Allison Waldick, environmental officer, and sustainability lead from the Victoria Airport Authority. “A healthy ecosystem is a resilient ecosystem providing a ripple effect to further support pollinators, watershed health, and flood mitigation for our region. We have a shared responsibility with the surrounding community to manage invasive species that threaten regional biodiversity.” Green Teams of Canada goal is to engage people of all ages and backgrounds in hands-on environmental action that builds community, supports mental and physical health, and restores natural spaces across Canada. “This partnership with the Victoria Airport Authority is a wonderful example of how collaboration between community and industry can have a powerful impact on both people and the planet,” said Lyda Salatian, founder and executive director of Green Teams of Canada. “We’re thrilled to continue engaging community members at Dickson Woods throughout the year.” Upcoming volunteer opportunities at Dickson Woods Park will take place this fall and continue into spring 2026. web1_251024-vne-gvgt-vaa-partnership-ivy_1 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251024-vne-gvgt-vaa-partnership-ivy_1.jpg;w=960]

No one was hurt in the crash after a black Chevrolet Traverse rammed through the emergency entrance at Cowichan District Hospital and stopped inside the waiting room at approximately 7:40 p.m. on Oct. 25. A statement from the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP said two paramedics at the scene attempted to check on the driver, a 42-year-old woman, who then allegedly assaulted one of them, causing minor injuries. The woman was then subdued by hospital staff and was apprehended under the Mental Health Act. No other injuries were reported in the incident. The investigation remains ongoing to determine the leading cause of the crash. Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCMP at 250-748-5522. A statement on Island Health’s Facebook page said the health authority’s facilities maintenance and operations team has assessed the area and initial findings show no structural damage to the building’s foundation. “Temporary doors have been installed and staff will be stationed at the entrance in the coming days to support patient access,” Island Health said. ”The emergency department remains open, safe to access and people should not hesitate to seek care at CDH if they require emergency medical attention.”

It started off as a regular Sunday in Sooke. Gabe Nelson was out in his backyard, playing with his two dogs, Riptide and Silo. The pair spent most weekends together on Nelson’s rural acreage where the dogs would wander through the trees and splash in the nearby creek before returning to his workshop. But on Oct. [https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/local-news/1-dog-killed-another-fighting-for-life-following-sooke-shooting-8312377]19 [https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/local-news/1-dog-killed-another-fighting-for-life-following-sooke-shooting-8312377], that routine took a devastating turn. “I let the two of them run around the yard like they always do, and then they disappeared for a couple of minutes,” Nelson told the Sooke News Mirror. “Then Rip came screaming, yelping and running back to me.” When Nelson saw blood on Riptide (Rip), the three and a half year-old Australian shepherd, he knew something was wrong. Nelson and his mother rushed the injured dog to WAVES Veterinary clinic in Langford, while his father and a friend stayed behind to look for Silo. According to the Sooke RCMP, Silo was found dead in the driveway of a neighbouring property. Silo, a 15-year-old Norwegian elkhound-shepherd mix, had been part of the family for nearly two decades. Rip, younger and full of energy, joined the household earlier this year. The two dogs quickly bonded. “Rip really kept Silo’s energy up,” said Kaylee Peaker, Nelson’s partner. “He really got Silo acting like a puppy again.” The sudden loss of Silo, paired with Riptide’s critical injuries, have left the couple heartbroken. At the vet, Nelson said staff were initially in disbelief when he told them Riptide had been shot. “They kind of all were like, ‘We’ll take him in for a checkup,’ and I said, ‘No, you guys gotta get him in right now,’” he recalled. “We didn’t have much time.” A scan revealed the bullet had entered Riptide’s left chest, passed through his lung, diaphragm, and liver, and stopped just under the skin on his right side. The following days were spent at the veterinary hospital. “It was really expensive—really, really expensive,” Peaker said. “We didn’t get much sleep and were quite worried because he wasn’t doing well.” Over four nights, Riptide had fluid drained from his chest and abdomen multiple times. At one point, vets removed an entire litre of fluid from his chest. “They told us to keep our phones on and be prepared to come in,” Peaker said. “It was that serious.” By midweek, Rip’s condition began to improve. He was sent home with medication and strict instructions to rest. “He’s been really antsy,” Nelson said. “He really wants to play and go out, but so far he’s just kind of relaxing and healing.” Peaker said the couple has seen glimpses of his old personality returning. The emotional toll, however, remains heavy. “When I found out about Silo, I kind of dropped to the ground and screamed,” Peaker said. “It’s just been really difficult, honestly. A lot to process.” Nelson described the week as surreal. “It took me a while to really process that it was even going on,” he said. “It really sucks because my entire family doesn’t feel safe in my home now.” Since the incident, the pair said they’ve spent little time at Nelson’s property, too unsettled to return for long. “When we brought Rip home to visit Gabe’s parents, one of the neighbours was using a nail gun,” Peaker said. “I was losing my mind. Any little sound just feels so scary.” The couple said their frustration has also grown with the lack of updates on the investigation. “We’re sitting here with a dog that’s passed away and a $14,000 vet bill, and we have no information.” As of Monday morning, Sooke RCMP confirmed there are no updates to the investigation. “There is not update at this time and the investigation is still ongoing,” Sooke RCMP told Sooke News Mirror. For Nelson and Peaker, the only focus now is Rip’s recovery. A GoFundMe [https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bring-rip-home] page to help cover the growing vet costs has surpassed $11,550 as of Oct. 27. “It feels really good, but it feels really weird,” Peaker said of the community’s response. “We’re really quiet people. It’s overwhelming, but it’s really nice to see the community come together, you don’t really get to see that much anymore.” As Rip continues to heal, the couple is holding on to small moments of relief, a wag of the tail, a familiar spark of energy, even as they mourn the loss of their longtime companion. “It’s been one of the hardest weeks of our lives,” Peaker said. “But we’re just trying to get by.” web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_3 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_3.jpg;w=960]Two dogs, Rip and Silo, were shot on a rural Sooke acreage on Sunday, Oct. 19. Sadly, Silo was killed, while Riptide has racked up $14K in vet bills. (Photo courtesy of Kaylee Peaker) web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_4 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_4.jpg;w=960]Two dogs, Rip and Silo, were shot on a rural Sooke acreage on Sunday, Oct. 19. Sadly, Silo was killed, while Riptide has racked up $14K in vet bills. (Photo courtesy of Kaylee Peaker) web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_5 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_5.jpg;w=960]Two dogs, Rip and Silo, were shot on a rural Sooke acreage on Sunday, Oct. 19. Sadly, Silo was killed, while Riptide has racked up $14K in vet bills. (Photo courtesy of Kaylee Peaker) web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_6 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_6.jpg;w=960]Two dogs, Rip and Silo, were shot on a rural Sooke acreage on Sunday, Oct. 19. Sadly, Silo was killed, while Riptide has racked up $14K in vet bills. (Photo courtesy of Kaylee Peaker) web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_7 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_7.jpg;w=960]Two dogs, Rip and Silo, were shot on a rural Sooke acreage on Sunday, Oct. 19. Sadly, Silo was killed, while Riptide has racked up $14K in vet bills. (Photo courtesy of Kaylee Peaker) web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_8 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_8.jpg;w=960]Two dogs, Rip and Silo, were shot on a rural Sooke acreage on Sunday, Oct. 19. Sadly, Silo was killed, while Riptide has racked up $14K in vet bills. (Photo courtesy of Kaylee Peaker)

The ride home for almost 30 passengers on Oct. 26 was unexpected, to say the least. After a fallen tree brought down a power pole and live wires onto a BC Transit bus, the passengers were stuck for nearly four hours early Sunday morning. The Route 28 bus was affected as it travelled on Feltham Road, near the intersection with Cedar Hill Road. The incident happened just after midnight. Passengers were not permitted to leave the bus until BC Hydro personnel arrived, resulting in the passengers remaining on board until just after 4 a.m., according to a BC Transit spokesperson. This was due to Hydro crews already managing several incidents throughout the region, the spokesperson said. A secondary bus was eventually brought to the scene, and all passengers were then taken to their destinations. “BC Transit appreciates the patience of the impacted customers, and thanks the transit operator, transit supervisors, BC Hydro and emergency services that supported their safety throughout the incident,” BC Transit said in a statement to Victoria News. Oct. 26 saw a total of 6.7 mm of rain as storms swept the area. Since Environment Canada first forecasted the storm system on Wednesday, tens of thousands of Vancouver Island customers have lost power.

It started off as a regular Sunday in Sooke. Gabe Nelson was out in his backyard, playing with his two dogs, Riptide and Silo. The pair spent most weekends together on Nelson’s rural acreage where the dogs would wander through the trees and splash in the nearby creek before returning to his workshop. But on Oct. [https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/local-news/1-dog-killed-another-fighting-for-life-following-sooke-shooting-8312377]19 [https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/local-news/1-dog-killed-another-fighting-for-life-following-sooke-shooting-8312377], that routine took a devastating turn. “I let them two of them run around the yard like they always do, and then they disappeared for a couple of minutes,” Nelson told the Sooke News Mirror. “Then Rip came screaming, yelping and running back to me.” When Nelson saw blood on Riptide (Rip), the three and a half year-old Australian shepherd, he knew something was wrong. Nelson and his mother rushed the injured dog to WAVES Veterinary clinic in Langford, while his father and a friend stayed behind to look for Silo. According to the Sooke RCMP, Silo was found dead in the driveway of a neighbouring property. Silo, a 15-year-old Norwegian elkhound-shepherd mix, had been part of the family for nearly two decades. Rip, younger and full of energy, joined the household earlier this year. The two dogs quickly bonded. “Rip really kept Silo’s energy up,” said Kaylee Peaker, Nelson’s partner. “He really got Silo acting like a puppy again.” The sudden loss of Silo, paired with Riptide’s critical injuries, have left the couple heartbroken. At the vet, Nelson said staff were initially in disbelief when he told them Riptide had been shot. “They kind of all were like, ‘We’ll take him in for a checkup,’ and I said, ‘No, you guys gotta get him in right now,’” he recalled. “We didn’t have much time.” A scan revealed the bullet had entered Riptide’s left chest, passed through his lung, diaphragm, and liver, and stopped just under the skin on his right side. The following days were spent at the veterinary hospital. “It was really expensive—really, really expensive,” Peaker said. “We didn’t get much sleep and were quite worried because he wasn’t doing well.” Over four nights, Riptide had fluid drained from his chest and abdomen multiple times. At one point, vets removed an entire litre of fluid from his chest. “They told us to keep our phones on and be prepared to come in,” Peaker said. “It was that serious.” By midweek, Rip’s condition began to improve. He was sent home with medication and strict instructions to rest. “He’s been really antsy,” Nelson said. “He really wants to play and go out, but so far he’s just kind of relaxing and healing.” Peaker said the couple has seen glimpses of his old personality returning. The emotional toll, however, remains heavy. “When I found out about Silo, I kind of dropped to the ground and screamed,” Peaker said. “It’s just been really difficult, honestly. A lot to process.” Nelson described the week as surreal. “It took me a while to really process that it was even going on,” he said. “It really sucks because my entire family doesn’t feel safe in my home now.” Since the incident, the pair said they’ve spent little time at Nelson’s property, too unsettled to return for long. “When we brought Rip home to visit Gabe’s parents, one of the neighbours was using a nail gun,” Peaker said. “I was losing my mind. Any little sound just feels so scary.” The couple said their frustration has also grown with the lack of updates on the investigation. “We’re sitting here with a dog that’s passed away and a $14,000 vet bill, and we have no information.” As of Monday morning, Sooke RCMP confirmed there are no updates to the investigation. “There is not update at this time and the investigation is still ongoing,” Sooke RCMP told Sooke News Mirror. For Nelson and Peaker, the only focus now is Rip’s recovery. A GoFundMe [https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bring-rip-home] page to help cover the growing vet costs has surpassed $11,550 as of Oct. 27. “It feels really good, but it feels really weird,” Peaker said of the community’s response. “We’re really quiet people. It’s overwhelming, but it’s really nice to see the community come together, you don’t really get to see that much anymore.” As Rip continues to heal, the couple is holding on to small moments of relief, a wag of the tail, a familiar spark of energy, even as they mourn the loss of their longtime companion. “It’s been one of the hardest weeks of our lives,” Peaker said. “But we’re just trying to get by.” web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_6 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_6.jpg;w=960]Two dogs, Rip and Silo, were shot on a rural Sooke acreage on Sunday, Oct. 19. Sadly, Silo was killed, while Riptide has racked up $14K in vet bills. (Photo courtesy of Kaylee Peaker) web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_5 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_5.jpg;w=960]Two dogs, Rip and Silo, were shot on a rural Sooke acreage on Sunday, Oct. 19. Sadly, Silo was killed, while Riptide has racked up $14K in vet bills. (Photo courtesy of Kaylee Peaker) web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_4 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_4.jpg;w=960]Two dogs, Rip and Silo, were shot on a rural Sooke acreage on Sunday, Oct. 19. Sadly, Silo was killed, while Riptide has racked up $14K in vet bills. (Photo courtesy of Kaylee Peaker) web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_2 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_2.jpg;w=960]Two dogs, Rip and Silo, were shot on a rural Sooke acreage on Sunday, Oct. 19. Sadly, Silo was killed, while Riptide has racked up $14K in vet bills. (Photo courtesy of Kaylee Peaker) web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_3 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_3.jpg;w=960]Two dogs, Rip and Silo, were shot on a rural Sooke acreage on Sunday, Oct. 19. Sadly, Silo was killed, while Riptide has racked up $14K in vet bills. (Photo courtesy of Kaylee Peaker) web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_1 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251025-snm-sookedogshootingfollowup-dog_1.jpg;w=960]Two dogs, Rip and Silo, were shot on a rural Sooke acreage on Sunday, Oct. 19. Sadly, Silo was killed, while Riptide has racked up $14K in vet bills. (Photo courtesy of Kaylee Peaker)

Picture this: you want to raise money for a good cause but don’t know where to start. Then, during an evening walk, you notice the neighbourhood cats lounging on porches and sidewalks. Suddenly, you wonder: what if their charm could be used for good? That’s exactly what Emily Fields did. After seeing the success of the Fernwood Catwalk [https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/community/whiskers-and-purrs-greater-victorias-first-catwalk-hailed-as-a-hit-8043640], Fields decided to launch her own cat-themed fundraiser for Solid Outreach Society [https://www.cutestcat.ca/], an organization providing harm-reduction services in Greater Victoria. “I’m a huge supporter of harm-reduction, Indigenous-led and peer-centred initiatives,” she said. “I work in mental health, so I wanted to find a way for the community to come together and show support for Solid.” Simple and straightforward, the fundraiser, launched in September, invited cat owners of Fernwood and North Park to enter their feline companions in a contest to determine the neighbourhood’s “cutest cat,” with the winners to be featured in a calendar. After submitting a small entry fee along with photos and bios, 25 cats entered the competition. Voting opened on Sept. 25, with community members pledging $1 per vote for their favourite cat. Voting closed a month later, and the results were announced on Oct. 26 at Fernwood Square. In front of a small crowd under a rainy sky, Fields revealed the winners: Juno, a beautifully rotund tabby, took first place; Penelope, a tiny black cat described as “a little lump of coal,” placed second; and Fran, a chicken-loving “diva”, came in third. > View this post on Instagram > > > > [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQStdaxCTZK/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading] > > A post shared by Who’s the Cutest Cat in Fernwood-Northpark? > (@cutestcatfernwood) > [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQStdaxCTZK/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading] Shortly after announcing the winners, Fields revealed the fundraiser had raised $1,943 – far exceeding her original target of $500. “I wanted to keep the goal to myself,” she said. “I was hoping to get four cats participating, but we ended up with so many.” Humbled by the turnout, Fields already plans to make the contest an annual tradition. With calendars expected before the end of November, Fields thanked all those who participated. “It’s a pretty good chunk of money,” she said. “But it’s also a reflection of contributions from so many people. It’s symbolic of our support as a community, which is what I wanted it to be.” For updates on when the calendars are available, visit the fundraiser’s Instagram page at instagram.com/cutestcatfernwood [https://instagram.com/cutestcatfernwood]. web1_251027-vne-cat-fundraiser-fernwood-1_3 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251027-vne-cat-fundraiser-fernwood-1_3.jpg;w=960]Fran, a chicken-loving “diva”, came in third place in a fundraiser supporting Solid Outreach Society. (Cutestcat.ca)

When Crystal Pool shuts its doors next fall, swimmers won’t have far to go. Victoria will temporarily take over the YMCA/YWCA pool space on Broughton Street to keep programs running during the $209.2-million, five-year rebuild. Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto called the agreement “a big win for Victoria’s pool users,” saying the city worked hard to find a local solution that would maintain recreation access throughout construction. “We asked staff to leave no stone unturned in finding solutions that lessen the impact of the Crystal Pool closure,” Alto said in a press release. “The result of that work, in collaboration with community partners, is a big win for Victoria’s pool users.” The downtown YMCA, located at 851 Broughton St., is set to relocate to the top floor of the Bay Centre in early 2026. Once that move happens, the city will step in and begin preparing the existing pool facility for its temporary use. Derrick Newman, the city’s director of parks and recreation, said the interim site will keep its 25-metre pool and smaller leisure pool, along with space for fitness programs and dryland recreation. “It’ll allow us to continue offering our swim clubs as well as swim lessons and aquafit to the community,” Newman said in a press conference Monday afternoon. “In addition to that, we’ll have the opportunity to relocate our core dryland recreation services, as well as all of our other yoga and fitness classes the community relies on.” Newman said the building will need upgrades before reopening under city operation, but those costs are expected to fall within the existing Crystal Pool project budget. “Our consultant team identified a number of renovations and improvements necessary to keep the facility open for another five years,” he said. “We’re going to undertake those repairs to get the facility fit for use so we can keep the doors open there.” The city’s arrangement is with Concert Properties, which owns the Broughton Street site. The company purchased the property for $21.9 million in 2018. Newman said timelines are still being finalized, but confirmed the city aims to secure access to the building for the full five-year construction period. Meanwhile, the new YMCA space [https://vicnews.com/2025/07/04/duct-tape-and-glue-what-prompted-victoria-ymcas-move-to-bay-centre/] at the former GoodLife Fitness location at the Bay Centre will cover roughly 20,000 square feet and include fitness studios, weights, and multipurpose areas. The new location won’t have a swimming pool, racquet courts, or basketball gym and is expected to open in early 2026. While the new arrangement keeps pool access within Victoria, Newman acknowledged there will still be fewer lanes and programs than at Crystal Pool. “The facility is a smaller pool, so we will have a reduction in the amount of lanes available for swimming and the types of programs we’ll be able to offer,” he said. “We’ll continue to work with our regional partners to manage the various demands we’re anticipating.” Crystal Pool’s closure date will be confirmed in early 2026, with construction expected to take a total of 62 months. web1_251017-vne-poolmove-pool_1 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251017-vne-poolmove-pool_1.jpg;w=960]The leisure pool inside the Quadra and Broughton Street facility that was home to the YMCA for nearly six decades. (Tony Trozzo/Victoria News)

He worked for it. He earned it. Damned if he was going to let a hellish mountain pass and darkness stop Darren Zupp from getting his pay. Zupp, from Vernon, was a hockey official assigned to work three Western Hockey League exhibition games with Kelowna’s Dave McClellan and a young linesman from Osoyoos, circa the late 1980s, early 1990s. He and McClellan were Level 6 officials, the highest ranking any hockey referee could achieve, and they traded off refereeing and lining the pre-season tilts. After the final contest in Castlegar, the trio started to make their way back to the Okanagan with Zupp behind the wheel. They made a stop at a pullout near Castlegar so they could change out of their shirt and ties, and into something more comfortable for the drive home. They made a stop in Grand Forks, about 50 minutes away from that pullout, when McClellan discovered he didn’t have his wallet, which just happened to contain the threesome’s weekend cash for meals, travel, and game wages. “I pulled everything out of my pants and put it all on top of the car,” said McClellan, remembering his long-time friend Zupp who died at age 63 in his sleep on one last family cruise Oct. 12 (same day as his late mom Marilyn’s birthday. Marilyn passed in 2020). Zupp’s death came 10 weeks after he was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. “The wallet had my money, Darren’s money, the kid’s money. I figured out it fell off the top of the car.” Rather than write it off, as McClellan suggested, Zupp would have none of that. He made the other two get back in the car and headed over the Blueberry-Paulson Mountain Pass as they went in search of a wallet on the road. They found it when Zupp’s headlights caught a pile of stuff in the middle of the highway, which included McClellan’s wallet with the cash. “I told him I’d just write it off but he wouldn’t hear of it,” laughed McClellan. “Nope, nope, nope. I’m going back, I’m going back.” Zupp was born in Wetaskiwin, Alta., and began playing hockey at age eight. His family moved to Vernon a year later and Zupp – a big Ken Dryden fan – began playing goal in Senior Pups. He backstopped the Vernon Coca Cola Juvenile Reps to the Western Canadian championship in the 1979-80 season after getting in a few games with the Merritt Centennials and Vernon Canadians in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League the year before. He experienced a tough eight-win year with the Lakers in 1980-81, so Zupp knew the highs and lows of hockey. “My first junior game was with the Vernon Canadians in Revelstoke and we lost 8-4,” said Zupp in a September 2004 interview with the B.C. Hockey League . “They scored 19 seconds into the game and I was wondering what I had got myself into. I stopped (future NHL forward) Ron Flockhart three times on breakaways so that was a highlight.” Zupp began officiating hockey games at age 12 and loved it right away, earning $2 per game and a hot chocolate. His first BCJHL ref assignment was a 1981 exhibition game between the Vernon Lakers and Revelstoke Bruins. Zupp would dish out 19 game misconducts and one match penalty, en route to a game total of 360 penalty minutes. He would go on to work close to 800 Junior A games, and earned some prestigious awards along the way, including BC Amateur Hockey Association Official-of-the-Year and Canadian Amateur Hockey Association Most Deserving Official in 1993. Zupp and McClellan worked the 1990 Centennial Cup Canadian Junior A Championship in Vernon, and Zupp did the 1998 Royal Bank Cup in Nanaimo. A smooth, strong skater, Zupp survived three decades with consistent work and a willingness to listen. In his interview with the BCJHL, Zupp said, “I’ve always had a good rapport with players. It’s just a mutual respect. I wasn’t a smart-ass, I never lipped anybody. I never had the gift of the gab so I never used that. I just did my job and was professional.” While his No. 1 fan, his wife of 36 years, Karen, used to be bothered by the catcalls and insults hurled at him by fans, Zupp never took anything personal. “I tuned out most of it. I don’t hear the fans. And with the high glass these days, they’re just wasting their time.” Zupp said the famous Section B crew at the old Vernon Civic Arena – located right behind the penalty boxes and the time keeper’s box – added to the game atmosphere. “They were always fun,” he recalled. “They tried to get a rise out of me but all they got was a grin out of me. A couple of them I worked with. They would tell me, ‘We’re coming just to bug you.’” Zupp listed past Vernon stars like Kori Davison and Scott Longstaff, Vernon team owners Mel Lis and Duncan Wray, and Lakers coach Eddie Johnstone as class acts towards officials. “The only thing I didn’t do in my whole career was make the NHL, but I met Karen and we have two beautiful children,” he told the BCJHL. “I have no regrets.” He ended his career working a BCHL final series in 2004 in Salmon Arm, getting the standard $70 a game and mileage while as is custom picking up the post-game tab for his linesmen. Former Vernon Vipers head coach Mike Vandekamp called Zupp a BCHL icon. “Every coach who has coached in this league is familiar with him and the players are familiar with him,” said Vandekamp. “I always thought Darren was a fair guy, an easy guy to talk to. He seemed to care and when you’re coaching and playing, that’s all you can ask for is a referee who cares. “I personally thought he got better every year…I also liked the fact that he didn’t hold a grudge. Three days after a game, you could walk up and talk to him.” Away from the rink, Zupp was a shift worker for 24 years at the old Lavington Glass Plant. He cycled and roller bladed to stay in shape for officiating. He was a constant source of strength, kindness, and leadership in the North Okanagan. Whether behind the bench coaching kids’ hockey or on the ice as a dedicated referee, coaching lacrosse and baseball or on the field coaching master women’s soccer, or simply lending a hand wherever needed, Zupp made a lasting impact on countless lives. Zupp was the middle of five children, behind older sisters Charlene and Leona, and ahead of brother Terry and youngest sibling, his sister, Shelley. He was a devoted husband to Karen and a loving father to two boys, Dallas and Brenden. “Family was always Darren’s priority and his weekly visits with Terry and weekly pool games with our 94-year-old dad, Gary, showed his goodness as a son and brother,” said Shelley. “He reffed with fairness and integrity and touched so many lives in a positive way through coaching hockey, softball and soccer. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.” And that includes his friend Mac, aka, McClellan. “I lost a bit of a soul mate for what we used to do, and the culture that we participated in,” he said. “We were so fortunate to come through hockey together. You did the best job you could with the tools you had, and he garnered a lot of respect for that.” A service for Zupp will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. at the Vernon Alliance Church. READ MORE: Legendary hockey voice Hughson inducted into B.C. Sports Hall of Fame [https://vernonmorningstar.com/2025/10/23/legendary-hockey-voice-hughson-inducted-into-b-c-sports-hall-of-fame/] READ MORE: Vernon riders rip to top of Rampage ranks [https://vernonmorningstar.com/2025/10/23/legendary-hockey-voice-hughson-inducted-into-b-c-sports-hall-of-fame/]

There are no concrete plans to improve parking or safety at Cathedral Grove aside from the barriers blocking parking. Staff from the province’s ministry of transportation and ministry of environment discussed the provincial park with the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) board at their Wednesday meeting. “There’s still more demand for use of the park than there is parking available. The ministry has no plans at this time to extend parking or revisit the options that we started developing back in 2018,” said Michael Pearson from the ministry. In January 2025 the ministry put concrete barriers in place on shoulders of the road to prevent people from parking on the sides of the highway to access the park. “We recognize that that doesn’t solve the problem,” Pearson said. “We have seen some positives from the barrier placement. Not only is there less chaos going on on the approaches to the existing parking lot because there’s no parking on the shoulder, we’re also seeing a lot of park visitors walking behind the barrier. So in terms of pedestrian safety there’s the benefit we’re seeing with that.” Pearson added the ministry could extend the barriers to stop people from parking on the shoulder of the highway farther up, but people would likely continue parking on shoulders farther up if that is done. But directors of the ACRD board said they have seen people, both drivers and pedestrians, make unsafe choices because of the parking situation and a lack of places to turn around. In the 2018 plan, an expanded parking lot and pedestrian overpass were looked at, but are not being considered due to environmental concerns. Beaufort’s board director, Fred Boyko, said safety is more a problem now than it was in previous years. “It’s getting so dangerous,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s increased traffic but the barriers are not solving the problem. And it’s only a matter of time until someone doesn’t slam on the brakes for a family and we wipe out a family.” One solution the ACRD had been examining was an alternative route to Cathedral Grove by rail. Sproat Lake director Penny Cote said the Wesley Ridge fire put a stop to that idea because of the damage done to tracks between Alberni and the park. When asked why ministry staff aren’t looking into solutions for Cathedral Grove, Pearson said they haven’t been directed to from the government. Directors agreed to send a letter to the province asking them to take action on Cathedral Grove. The ACRD will also seek support from neighbouring local governments, First Nations and regional districts.

Mount Washington is going to have new GPS tracking technology this winter, giving families and parents peace of mind while on the slopes with the little ones. GPS tracking devices made by skiKrumb will be available for purchase at the mountain this year. The technology is designed specifically for ski resorts and unlike smartphones and Bluetooth tags, skiKrumb works seamlessly in cold weather, remote terrain, and tree-covered slopes, areas where connectivity often fails. The device provides 10-second live location updates, instant SOS alerts, and replay features through an easy-to-use mobile app. Devices will also be available for all children enrolled in Mt. Washington’s snow school programs, giving parents and instructors peace of mind with real-time tracking on the slopes. Families and snow schools can now track each child’s location across Mt. Washington’s expansive terrain, from the first chair to the last run. In addition, the replay feature allows kids and parents to review their day together, seeing which runs were taken, total distance skied, and how confidence grew with every turn. “Having directed snow school operations at Whistler for many years, I’ve seen firsthand the challenge of keeping track of large numbers of young skiers spread out over large terrain,” said Russ Wood, Sales Manager at skiKrumb and former Whistler snow school director. “SkiKrumb adds an essential layer of safety and efficiency to lesson management. Instructors can focus on teaching and kids can focus on learning, while parents gain peace of mind knowing everyone is accounted for. It’s a game-changer for snow schools and families alike.” “SkiKrumb was born out of my own experience of getting separated from my son when he was young, the longest 45 minutes as a parent,” said Keith Macintyre, Founder & CEO of skiKrumb GPS Trackers. “That moment sparked our mission: to keep families connected and safe on the mountain while letting kids explore their love of skiing. Our customers tell us not only that skiKrumb is great, but that they will never ski without it. We’re excited to bring skiKrumb to Vancouver Island at Mt. Washington this winter.” The launch at Mt. Washington builds on skiKrumb’s growing network of partner resorts across Canada, including Big White, Revelstoke, Sun Peaks, SilverStar, Mt Sima and Apex. For those who want to stay connected beyond ski lessons, skiKrumb GPS Trackers are available to purchase directly online or at Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Courtenay.

The federal Liberals worked with the B.C. NDP to develop the new bail reform legislation, with major parts of the bill added at B.C.’s urging, according to Sean Fraser, Canada’s minister of justice and attorney general. B.C. Premier David Eby appeared alongside Fraser in Victoria on Monday (Oct. 27) to show support for the reforms, introduced in Parliament last week, that would, among other things, expand “reverse onus” provisions that put the burden on a prisoner to prove they should be released. “It’s great to be here with you to mark the introduction of a bill in federal Parliament that British Columbia has been advocating for for a long time,” Eby said, adding he is “very grateful the federal government has heard our concerns.” More than 80 measures are included in the bail bill in addition to “reverse onus” provisions, some that make it more difficult for violent and repeat offenders to get bail, and others that strengthen sentencing laws. Stronger sentencing rules include the addition of possible consecutive prison terms, instead of concurrent ones. Fraser gave the example of someone convicted of both arson and extortion. The way things are set up now, those sentences would be served simultaneously. This bill would make it so the guilty person must serve the terms back-to-back. Fraser said that much of the bill was developed through conversations with provincial leaders, and the reverse onus provision in particular came “directly” from B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma. This provision would be extended to those convicted of a crime, but not yet sentenced. Attention in B.C. has been focused on the need for changes to what happens when a person is waiting to be sentenced after the death of Bailey McCourt, who was killed in broad daylight in Kelowna last summer. The accused is her former partner, released from jail just hours before. He was convicted of uttering threats and assault by strangulation, but released to await sentencing. McCourt’s family have pushed for Bailey’s Law, which would create a domestic violence registry, GPS monitoring for certain high-risk individuals and mandatory first-degree murder charges for killings related to intimate partner violence. B.C. Conservative MLA Gavin Dew argued the only reason these changes weren’t included in the current bail reform bill is that Conservative MP Frank Caputo (both Dew and Caputo represent the Kelowna area) has introduced a similar bill. “What’s happening is the federal government does not want to give a win to the Conservatives,” Dew said. Dew still supports much of the bail reform bill, calling it a “step in the right direction,” but said Fraser and Eby are “playing politics” by not including the Bailey’s law provisions. Eby said he is meeting with McCourt’s family on Monday afternoon, and Fraser said a new bill will be tabled before Christmas that deals specifically with intimate partner violence and sexual violence. “We had a very useful discussion today before we joined here in public about what the family had requested through the provincial government in B.C,” Fraser said. Eby said he has had conversations with Fraser about the mandatory first-degree murder charges, and Fraser said the bill will include changes related to this. The exact details contained in the second bill will be finalized over the next few weeks, Fraser said. The B.C. Civil Liberties Association has criticized some of the changes in the bail reform bill, arguing it may violate people’s Charter rights. Eby, who is the former executive director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, said there needs to be a “balance.” “We need to ensure that people are safe in their communities, and the balance needs to be correct in order for the public to have confidence in the criminal justice system,” he said.

When Sooke heads to the polls for the 2026 municipal election, a familiar name will be missing from the ballot. Mayor Maja Tait has announced she will not be seeking re-election next fall – a decision she says comes with both excitement and uncertainty. “It’s time to move on and find a new adventure,” Tait told the Sooke News Mirror. “Sometimes you need to plan your exit and be in control of that – that’s what I’ve decided to do. “And I know there are amazing people in our community that are also interested in serving.” First elected to the District of Sooke in 2008, Tait served two terms as a councillor before being elected mayor in 2014. She was re-elected in 2018 and again in 2022. When her current term ends in 2026, she will have served 18 years – the longest of any Sooke council member. “That went by fast,” she says with a laugh. When Tait first took office, Sooke’s population hovered around 10,000. Today, it’s pushing past 17,000 – and the pace of change, she says, has been dizzying. “I had a flip phone and a digital camera back then,” Tait says. “Now I carry a computer around. We went from paper agendas, big printed maps to everything being on an iPad.” Over nearly two decades, Tait has represented Sooke not only locally but provincially and nationally, serving on the Capital Regional District board, the Union of BC Municipalities, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Earlier this year, Tait also ran as the NDP candidate in Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke, but lost to Liberal candidate Stephanie McLean. “That didn’t play out, and that’s fine,” she says. “I gave it a go and did my best. If you don’t try, you don’t know.” That experience – along with nearly 18 years in local politics – has left her feeling “kind of politics’d out,” she says, and ready for the next chapter of her life. But as for what comes next, Tait admits, “That’s the big mystery.” As her time at Sooke winds down, she’s taking stock of the skills she’s developed and what might come next. “It’s a little scary, I’ll share that, because I haven’t actually pounded the pavement looking for a job since, oh boy, 1995,” she said. “ I have a young son and I care for an aging father-in-law – our family dynamic has shifted – so I need to think what would work best for my family too. “That’s why I’m grateful I have time to sort of plan that and think about it. Of course, I’ll do whatever in the end to pay the bills – that’s just the reality of living.” Asked what she’ll miss most about being mayor, Tait is quick to answer. “The people,” she says. “My elected colleagues, the staff I work with, our emergency first responders, community groups – all of them. “And honestly, I’ll even miss the tough decisions. Those times when you need to have really meaningful, thoughtful discussion, tough public scrutiny … in a fair and respectful environment, I’ll actually miss that.” She’s also treasured her connection with the community’s younger generation. “Engaging with children and youth in Sooke – that’s been a lot of fun,” she says. “When I ask what they love about Sooke, it’s our trails and the fact they can safely get around their community. We’ve made huge strides there, and we have a new extension that’s going to open very soon that could make a dramatic difference for kids of all ages.” She’s also proud of Sooke’s growing relationship with the T’Sou-ke First Nation and the ongoing reconciliation work. “Flying T’Sou-ke’s flag and learning to be better stewards of the land — that’s a big part of what I’ll carry with me,” she says. “It’s about recognizing those who have been here since time immemorial and what that means for the work we do.” For anyone thinking about following in her footsteps, Tait has simple but heartfelt advice. “Have an honest talk with your family first, as they’re your biggest allies, and they get the worst of your energy,” she says. “And the role comes with sacrifice – there are late nights, evenings you’re on call, plans change … so you need to be realistic about it. But it’s also deeply rewarding.” She encourages future candidates to step beyond their comfort zones and speak to people in all corners of the community. “Go and talk to people with different views and hear what they have to say. It’s so important to engage with as many people as you can.” But despite its challenges, Tait says there will never be a dull moment serving on Sooke council. “That’s what makes it interesting, it keeps me young – it’d be boring otherwise,” she says. “No two meetings have ever been the same.”

On Sunday, Oct. 26, at approximately 7:30 a.m., a repeat theft offender allegedly robbed two people in Victoria. The victims, aged 73 and 49, were robbed of their belongings before VicPD officers responded and located the suspect a short distance away. Police say he was found attempting to break into another residence. “Officers intervened and safely took the suspect into custody without further incident,” said VicPD. The suspect, a man in his 20s, was taken into custody. Crown counsel has approved three charges, including robbery, break and enter, and obstructing a peace officer. “Additional charges may be considered as the investigation continues. The suspect is known to police with several residential break and enter charges,” said VicPD. Police say this incident is not related to last [https://vicnews.com/2025/10/21/suspect-arrested-after-string-of-break-ins-across-greater-victoria/] week’s string of thefts [https://vicnews.com/2025/10/21/suspect-arrested-after-string-of-break-ins-across-greater-victoria/] that led to a seperate arrest. “While this incident is not being connected to the string of thefts reported last week, additional charges for this suspect are expected,” VicPD told Victoria News. The exact location of the robbery has not been disclosed by police, as the investigation remains ongoing.

The Fifty Fifty Arts Collective will present an "offbeat" solo art exhibition, pee-bee says hello, by Noah MacLeod, from Oct. 11 to 25.  Following the success of his debut solo exhibition at Headbones Gallery in Vernon, MacLeod brings a fresh body of work to Victoria that further explores his "idiosyncratic visual language" under the playful moniker "pee-bee.” MacLeod works combine sculpture, painting, and object-making, the end result carrying a "quiet absurdity, a language that feels both familiar and strange." Outside of his studio practice, MacLeod is the founder of Local Losers, a community-led DIY collective from the Interior of B.C. that supports artists and musicians across the province. What began as a communal studio and gallery later evolved into a clothing brand and now a grassroots music production company. Now based in Victoria, MacLeod is beginning to find his place within the local arts community, bringing with him the energy, grit, and sense of curiosity that have long shaped his approach. The exhibition is open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by appointment. The reception is on Thursday, Oct. 23 from 6– to 9 p.m. at The Fifty Fifty Arts Collective, 2516 Douglas St, Victoria.    

Wendy Donawa is an accomplished poet hailing from Victoria B.C. She has produced her third book of poetry, ‘The Time of Falling Apart’ which explores themes such as politics, personal memories and historical memory. “I suppose all poetry is, in the end, autobiographical, because it’s what you’ve been thinking but memory, personal memory, historical memory revisits as you revisit intricate situations and rethink about them,” shares Donawa of her poetry inspirations. Recent events also shape the poetry that Donawa writes. She draws on recent events throughout the world to create her poems. “I think you can see I write in response to political events. Questions of ‘how do you live in a world that is so dark? And yet not give up on love, on beauty, on hope?” Donawa draws motivation to keep writing her poetry from several areas. “I have an itch to express feelings and put them into words. I’ve always been keen on literature. I taught literature for a long time. Sometimes I think through something and I think sometimes it takes words, so I work on that as a poetry impetus.” Donawa is touring across the Island to do readings of her latest work, something she finds connects her to her readers and helps share her intentions with her writing. “Writing is very solitary. You can get tired of your own company. So to share it in a reading, particularly if people are responsive and have interesting questions, I think it’s quite wonderful.” It takes Donawa years to put together a book of poetry and she feels a burst of activity once it is published. Be it reading tours, interviews with newspapers or feedback from readers. “You have a chance to get feedback when it’s first published. It keeps you a bit realistic, maybe a bit humble.” Her book has been broken down into themes to convey her various thoughts, reflections and ideas with her poetry. “I did that because it is such a wide range that I found myself hopping back-and-forth. THe first section is my earlier life and understanding of the territory I was born into and that I’ve come back to. Then it sort of moves into the wider world. A more widely political section. And then I think the third is an attempt to tidy it all up.” Donawa hopes to bring a light to the darkness that is happening in the world. “If you don’t have the comfort of faith, and the world is getting darker, how do you welcome in everything that is positive and hopeful? I don’t want to waste anyone else’s time with me and my work either. I want it to be worthwhile for people and worthwhile for me.” She looks to her surroundings for inspiration and comfort. Her residence in Victoria looks out over the Salish Sea and she never takes having that roof over her head for granted. Instead, she has great gratitude for all she has. Including her community. “I think one of the great blessings of life is love. Love of friends, love of a partner if you have one. I have made friends of other writers and poets. Friendships are… one of the great blessings of life.” Upcoming events include: October 24, 7:00 Reading with Laura Apol and Susan McCaslin Planet Earth Poetry Russel Books, 747 Fort Street, Victoria November 13, 7:00 Reading with Arleen Paré Artful: The Gallery 5263C Cumberland Road, Courtenay November 14, 2:00 Reading with Linda K. Thompson Qualicum Beach Museum 2:00 Beach Road, Qualicum Beach November 23, 3:30 Reading with Arleen Paré and Susan Braley Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion 1070 Tilicum Road

Bamfield Main Road has reopened to public travel following extensive safety and repair work by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit. However, additional daytime closures will be necessary in the coming weeks. Drivers should expect daytime closures starting the week of October 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. These daytime closures will allow crews to complete additional work between kilometres 8 and 9.5 of Bamfield Main Road, a 1.5-kilometre section managed by Mosaic Forest Management that had been fully closed due to the Mount Underwood wildfire. Crews have removed hazardous trees and repaired fire-damaged areas to ensure the road could reopen safely. The ministry is appreciative of the support of Mosaic Forest Management, which collaborated with the provincial government to restore public access as quickly and safely as possible. A new weather station has been installed to monitor wind and precipitation levels, providing real-time data to help guide road-closure decisions during severe weather. An operating protocol is in place to guide closures during periods of high wind or heavy rainfall, ensuring public safety remains the top priority. Two emergency gates have been installed at both ends of this stretch of road to assist with quick implementation of closures, if required. Extensive signage has also been installed. Drivers are advised to follow signage at all times. “The Bamfield road closure after this summer’s wildfire has been tough on residents, visitors, and local businesses,” said Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island–Pacific Rim. For up-to-date information about this closure and road conditions on alternative routes, travellers can visit the DriveBC website. [https://www.drivebc.ca]

What started with a bowl of soup has grown into one of Victoria’s most heartfelt fundraisers. On Thursday, the Souper Bowl of Hope once again brought hundreds together at the Union Club of British Columbia to support youth in need across Greater Victoria. Now in its 26th year, the annual event raises money for the Victoria Youth Empowerment Society (YES), which helps more than 1,000 young people each year through programs addressing homelessness, addiction, mental health, and food insecurity. This year’s funds will focus on three key areas: the organization’s new youth food pantry, employment skill-building programs, and wellness and mental health supports. Each relies heavily on donations to operate. “Our new food pantry takes up an entire floor of our building at 533 Yates St.,” said YES executive director Julie-Ann Hunter. “Youth can come in for groceries, toiletries, clothing, and school supplies. We even offer cooking and wellness classes, so it feels like a welcoming, supportive space instead of something to be ashamed of.” The Souper Bowl of Hope, first started in 1998 by longtime community leader Helen Hughes, blends creativity and compassion in a distinctly Victoria way. Guests choose handcrafted bowls made by local potters, sample several of gourmet soups, and take part in a silent auction, all in support of youth empowerment. “It’s a really special event,” Hunter said. “It’s about more than just soup. It’s about learning how we can all support youth in our community.” Hunter, who has worked with YES for 18 years and now leads the organization, said this year’s crowd of more than 160 people left her feeling deeply encouraged. “It’s this overwhelming sense of gratitude,” she said. “Every year you wonder what’s going to happen, and to see this many people show up for the young people of our community just fills me with hope.” In 2024, YES provided more than 4,000 meals and basic needs support to over 640 youth, along with daily access to showers, clothing, and counselling. “People really want to know how to help now,” Hunter said. “Every year, more people are interested in what we do and how they can get involved. That’s what keeps this event so meaningful.” Donations to YES can be made year-round online or by dropping off food, clothing, or school supplies at their downtown office. “It’s about giving youth the tools to move forward,” Hunter said. “Because sometimes they come to us not feeling worthy of support, and our job is to show them just how amazing they really are.” web1_251024-vne-souperbowl-soup_2 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251024-vne-souperbowl-soup_2.jpg;w=960]Levi Price of the Victoria Fire Department serves soup to one of the 160 attendees on Thursday. (Tony Trozzo/Victoria News) web1_251024-vne-souperbowl-soup_4 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251024-vne-souperbowl-soup_4.jpg;w=960]Youth Empowerment Society executive director Julie-Ann Hunter has been with the agency for 18-years. (Tony Trozzo/Victoria News) web1_251024-vne-souperbowl-soup_5 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251024-vne-souperbowl-soup_5.jpg;w=960]The Union Club of British Columbia played host to the 26th annual Souper Bowls of Hope. (Tony Trozzo/Victoria News) web1_251024-vne-souperbowl-soup_6 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251024-vne-souperbowl-soup_6.jpg;w=960]Kris Jeffrey poses with one of the hundreds of handmade bowls that patrons got to pick prior to collecting their soup. (Tony Trozzo/Victoria news)

There are more than 8,700 kilometres between Colwood and Kazakhstan, the distance 20-year-old forward Artur Gross travelled to join the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL. The six-foot, 170-pound winger signed with the Grizzlies in the summer, and now, he is set for his Q Centre debut. Gross began the 2025–26 campaign with Nomad Astana in the Pro Hokei Ligasy, Kazakhstan’s top professional league, before making his move to the Island. He recorded eight points through 13 games to start the season. For Gross, the decision to cross the world for hockey wasn’t a difficult one. “Canada is the home of hockey, and I’ve always wanted to experience playing here,” he told the Goldstream News Gazette. “When I heard about the Grizzlies, even players who had already been in the BCHL told me it’s a strong, well-organized team with great players and staff. When the offer came, I didn’t hesitate.” That leap of faith has brought him to a team off to a strong start. The Grizzlies sit at 7-4-0, third in the Western Conference. Their high-octane offence has been among the league’s best, with 47 goals in 11 games, trailing only the defending champion Brooks Bandits. Gross adds another weapon to that attack, not long removed from a standout showing on the international stage. He led Kazakhstan in scoring at the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa, posting three goals and one assist in five games, including goals against Sweden, Czechia and Germany. “I’ll never forget scoring my first goal against Sweden, that was a special moment,” he said. “We had a really close, united team, and that helped us a lot. The tournament gave me confidence and showed me how much I’ve grown.” Last year was a banner one for many reasons, including a call-up to Barys Astana of the KHL, widely regarded as the second-best league in the world after the NHL. “I was really proud when I got the call to play for the Barys main team,” he said. “The level of play was so high, the players are skilled and can change a game in an instant. Those games were very important for me and showed me what level I need to keep working toward.” He expects his smart, creative style to translate well to the BCHL’s smaller ice and faster pace. “I’ve already played on North American-sized rinks before, so I don’t think the adjustment will be too difficult,” he said. “My hockey sense and quick decision-making will help me adapt. Still, I always try to improve every part of my game, especially the physical aspects and puck battles.” The Grizzlies have leaned heavily on strong scouting and international recruitment this season. Quebec’s Samuel Rousseau, who leads the team in scoring with 17 points, and imports like Sweden’s Vidar Blixt, Finland’s Niklas Karjalainen and California’s Max Silver fit that mold. In total, about two-thirds of the team hails from Canada, with nearly 26 per cent from the United States. Gross joins that diverse mix along with another recent addition, 16-year-old forward Eddy [https://www.goldstreamgazette.com/home/im-pumped-16-year-old-forward-from-oak-bay-joins-victoria-grizzlies-8308130]Spytz [https://www.goldstreamgazette.com/home/im-pumped-16-year-old-forward-from-oak-bay-joins-victoria-grizzlies-8308130], who has yet to make his debut. The Grizzlies’ next test comes on Oct. 24, when Gross and the team face the Alberni Valley Bulldogs as they look to extend their win streak to three games.

People living in the Campbell River area are becoming accustomed to massive industrial tires washing ashore on the rocky beaches. Back in 2019, seven enormous tires, each roughly three metres tall, appeared at Shelter Bay, about 15 km south of downtown Campbell River. The tires were fastened together in groups of three and four. Eventually, a government-hired contractor removed them less than a month later, sending them to a recycling facility. The cost was about $1,000. Now, another 10 big industrial tires have washed up, this time along the shoreline south of Shelter Bay. Stories Beach resident Trout Agar watched as the tires got carried by the tide last week, eventually becoming stranded on the beach outside his house. It wasn’t long before the stormy weather caused the styrofoam lining to spill out onto the beach, he said. According to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, two fishery officers attended the site on Oct. 20 and took photographs. However, they were unable to identify the owner of the tires. A DFO spokesperson reported the incident to Emergency Management BC (EMBC), Transport Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada. EMBC issued a dangerous goods incident report. Greenways Land Trust organized a beach clean-up on Wednesday to remove the styrofoam before the large chunks got churned into tiny pieces, posing a risk to the nearby salmon-bearing creek. The Mirror also reached out to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and had not received a response by press time