Oct. 13 - BC could be doing better in child-care creation

Good morning !

If you’re a parent looking for child-care placement for your lovely little human, it’s apparent the BC government continues to take plodding baby steps in creating new affordable child-care slots.

Our Sidney Coles has that story for you this morning.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5.5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌥️ 18 / 10

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 15 / 11

Sunday: ☁️ 17 / 10

7-day forecast

🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

BC slow to implement its affordable child-care agreement with the feds

Two years ago, the province signed the British Columbia Early Learning and Child Care Agreement with the feds, and it seemed poised to make a major dent in the affordable child-care needs of families.

But its efforts have lagged persistently well below the needs of this region.

That year, 2021, the federal government gave BC a one-time contribution of $349 million to support the creation of new daycare spaces and the recruitment, training and retention of early child-care providers in a bid to begin the creation of a countrywide $10-a-day child-care system.

But the province grossly underspent, leaving 89% of its first-year funding on the table. While it did create 1,200 additional daycare spaces, it is nowhere near the provincial goal of 30K spaces set out in the agreement, and it will have to scramble in the remaining two years of its funding in order to meet that goal by 2025.

To date, there are only 15 $10-a-day public centres operating in Victoria, and there is one in Saanichton. The race is now on to create thousands of additional spaces per year, based on its remaining estimated allocated budget of $150.2M.

Read the full story by Sidney Coles on Capital Daily.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Canadian Navy’s Naval Security Team (NST) to conduct training in waters near Esquimalt Lagoon and Royal Roads. Expect patrol boats operating at fast speeds, loud sirens, commands and the sound of blank ammunition being fired. Today. 9am to 3pm.

EVENTS

Autumn events happening this season

As we say goodbye to 20C weather and pull out our layers for sweater season, it’s the perfect time to get in the autumnal spirit—and there are plenty of events happening in Greater Victoria to make that happen! From pumpkin picking to live performances, here’s our roundup of cozy activities.

Galey Farms Pumpkinfest | Weekends until Oct. 28 | 9am-4pm
Every weekend this month, this beloved fall favourite offers its usual corn mazes, train rides, and pumpkin picking. Pumpkinfest takes place during the day, but if you’re looking for a spookier version, check out Festival of Fear, which happens after sundown.

Oaklands Oktoberfest | Tomorrow | 5:30-10pm
Celebrate autumn in Germanic style with this Bavarian beer festival. Enjoy local brews—including vegan and gluten-free options—great food and live music. Lederhosen optional.

Frankenstein Craigdarroch Castle | Oct. 19-21 & 26-28 | 6pm & 8pm
See actor Jason Stevens—who’s known for his popular performances of A Christmas Carol—take on Mary Shelley’s spooky story in this one-man play, taking place in the historic home that has its own eerie reputation. Performances take place Thu.-Sat. evenings.

Harvest Festival at HCP | Oct. 28 | 9am-3pm
Enjoy a day of family-friendly activities at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, including “pumpkin people” displays, workshops and plenty of fall ambience.

Harry Potter with the Victoria Symphony | Oct. 28, 7:30pm | Oct. 29, 2:30pm
With the witchy energy of fall in the air, it’s the perfect time to get immersed in the magical world of Harry Potter with the Victoria Symphony in this ode to the series and to other literary thrillers.

Fall Fling Market | Nov. 5 | 11am-5pm
With 60+ vendors in attendance, this fall shopping event at the Bay Centre is the perfect place to find hand-made items, harvest goodies and other fall and winter must-haves.

SPONSORED BY HEARTWOOD & CO. BEAUTY SALON

Heartwood & Co. defines downtown beauty

Heartwood & Co. is the city’s premiere beauty studio. Set in the heart of beautiful downtown Victoria, visit their bright, airy space with an upscale, welcoming, and tasteful approach.

Expect professional, world-class talent featuring an impeccable range of services. From hair cutting, colouring and styling, to lash extensions, lifts and tints, to facials, skin care, spray tanning and event hair and makeup, the brand offers everything a client needs to look and feel their best. For every day, travels, weddings, or special events.

Contact Heartwood & Co. to ask about their new and exciting skin care offering (and its promotional launch pricing): the Hydrabrasion Facial. An ideal treatment to replenish and renew, book now for a rejuvenating experience and a glowing complexion. Let’s get gorgeous!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🍄 Spooky fungus: Nature is getting into the Halloween spirit—check out this photo of “bleeding tooth” fungus in Ucluelet.

🎲 Play long-term games. oxio internet is here to stay. Sustainable pricing. Monthly billing without random price increases. Use code CAPITALDAILY for your first month free.*

☎️ Hiring: Front Desk Volunteer Co-ordinator (Mat Leave Cover) at Together Against Poverty Society.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Supreme Court says hell, no to Angels
The bikers have been trying for nearly 20 years to regain ownership of clubhouses in Nanaimo, Vancouver and Kelowna. The gang was denied a relook into an earlier decision that overturned a lower-court ruling in its favour. [CTV]

Oak Bay man scammed out of $150K
The man met a woman online in Dec., and over several months gave her money for medical bills, airline tickets and other expenses. She said she would pay it back and move in with him but when he refused to share his banking info, she ditched him. [Times Colonist]

Victoria Book Prize Society awards 2 with $5K cheques
Author Pauline Holdstock won the city’s Butler Book Prize for Confessions with Keith. Illustrator Julie McLaughlin took the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize for Little Pine Cone: Wildfires and the Natural World. [Release]

Victoria considers consolidating election voting downtown
With 38% of Victorians voting in the 2022 municipal election—down from 43% in 2018, in part because of long lineups—the city is considering booking the Victoria Conference Centre, or a similar facility, for advanced and day-of voting in the ‘26 election. [Times Colonist]

Man, 31, arrested after standoff at Nanaimo motel
Police called to the Castaway Motel just after 6:30am yesterday for a well-being call found the man suffering a mental-health crisis. The RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) forced its way into his room, tasered him, then arrested him under the Mental Health Act. [Nanaimo News Now]

Nanaimo landlord’s ‘illegal eviction’ of dying senior cost him $17,600
A newly released report concludes the landlord deliberately broke Residential Tenancy Act regulations when he cut off the woman’s heat and power, locked her out, and left her looking for a new place to live. [CHEK]

SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA

Dance Victoria presents New York’s world-class Gibney Company

From its home at the heart of Broadway, New York’s virtuosic Gibney Company showcases masterfully executed contemporary dance creations from both world-renowned choreographers and emerging visionaries.

Dance Victoria presents the world class artists Nov. 17 and 18 at Royal Theatre. Visit the website for tickets and info. 

🗓️ Things to do

🖊️ Victoria Festival of Authors. Poetry: These Verses Weren’t Made in a Vacuum: Community and the Muse. Langham Court Theatre. Tonight at 7:30pm. [Tickets]

🎹 Ashley Wey Trio: The pianist and her trio take the stage at Hermann’s. Tonight at 7pm. Doors at 5:30pm. [Tickets]

💿 RUMPUS: The award-winning DJ and friends will perform sets at Capital Ballroom. Tonight at 9:30pm. Doors at 9pm. [Tickets]

🎤 Noah Reid: The Schitt’s Creek star will perform music from his three popular albums. McPherson Playhouse. Tomorrow. 8pm. [Tickets]

💃🏼 FORZA: Check out this queer dance party at Quadratic Sound. Tomorrow. 10pm. [Info]

🎷 Five Alarm Funk: Get funky with this big band at Capital Ballroom. Tomorrow. 8pm. [Tickets]

🕌 Islamic History Month: Celebrate and learn about Islamic history at this event open to all at Cedar Hill Rec Centre. Tomorrow. 1-3pm. [Info]

🎵 Classical Kids: The Victoria Symphony hosts this show honouring Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery, with conductor Maestro Joey. Tomorrow. 3pm. [Tickets]

🎃 Halloween Market YYJ: Get into the spooky spirit with this market featuring all things Halloween at the Da Vinci Centre. Tomorrow. 11am-4pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Local advocate fears proposed drug restrictions could be dangerous for users. [Capital Daily/LJI]

Their funding is frozen, but area libraries continue to be an important place to go in person or online, as an inclusive space for cultural celebration and education. [Capital Daily]

Photo: Beautiful sunset in Chinatown.

Discover hidden treasures with Victoria’s Second-Hand Shop-Around event.

New public washroom in Sidney doubles in price to $810K. [Peninsula News Review]

Hit and run: Police are searching for clues after a pedestrian was struck at Jutland and Cecelia. Pedestrian suffered non-life threatening injuries. Driver took off.

Missing person: William Hall, 36, has not been seen by his family since March and is believed to be in Nanaimo.

Pacific FC in CPL quarterfinals tomorrow vs. host Halifax after scoring in injury time Wed. night to defeat York United 1-0.

That’s it!

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