Nov 6 - Amalgamation exploration takes another step

Good morning !

Today we cover a new milestone in Victoria and Saanich’s process of looking into amalgamation, and a new gem in the crown of one of the region’s most successful sports dynasties.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 11 / 9

Tomorrow: ⛅ 12 / 4

Day after: ⛅ 10 / 5

7-day forecast

NEWS

Study of Victoria-Saanich amalgamation moves a step closer

Victoria and Saanich have selected a group to run the Citizens’ Assembly process, which will gather 48 locals (27 from Saanich, 21 from Victoria) to assess the pros, cons, and other implications of merging. Those people will be chosen by lottery next year and will issue a recommendation by summer 2025; voters will then go to a referendum. 

Voters chose in the 2018 election to study the issue, but this process started late due to the pandemic. The search for an independent operating team began this spring.

Chosen group ran previous Island assembly

MASS LBP has run more than 50 assemblies and other similar processes over the past 16 years, including one for Duncan and North Cowichan in 2017. Friday’s announcement promises that MASS will “operate the Assembly at arms-length from both municipalities to safeguard the independence of the process.”

In 2022 the municipalities and province agreed to split $750K to fund the assembly, and the province wants a preliminary work plan by the end of this year.

So what are some of the pros & cons?

The official process may still be a ways off, but Capital Daily has covered some of the main benefits and drawbacks we could expect to see from merging munis. 

Read that story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Weather this week: Some sun tomorrow and the next day, but back to rain after that.

Eby headed to meeting of premiers in Halifax to discuss federal housing help, the cost of utilities, and coordinating healthcare hirings. [CityNews / CP]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

UVic wins its 5th straight national championship in field hockey

The Vikes lost in a shootout in the first game of the best-of-three U Sports final on Friday, putting them on the brink of elimination. But UVic shut out University of Toronto on Saturday and scored with just over a minute left, avoiding another shootout.

Then, in Sunday’s decisive game, the local women scored within the first two minutes and never looked back, winning 3-0 to claim the school’s 16th title.

Local Libby Hogg was named Championship MVP and Anni Kleinschmidt received the sportsmanship award; both were also named to the All-Canadian team last week. UVic also had Canada’s top rookie in Rebecca Stone, another Victoria local—most of UVic’s roster is home-grown. 

The dynasty continues—and reinvents itself

Though a fifth straight crown may seem like business as usual, the Vikes had to find new ways to succeed after losing two of the main pillars of that success.

This was the first season in 40 years without longtime head coach Lynne Beecroft, who last season won her 6th Coach of the Year award and 15th title. Krista Thompson took over, and has now won a title in her first year as a head coach after eight as an assistant.

It was also the first title in this current streak without superstar Anna Mollenhauer, a Victoria-raised Team Canada member who was named Canada’s best university player in three different years.

Watch the final game below:

SPONSORED BY SOUTH ISLAND PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP

Taking Greater Victoria’s economic pulse

The Rising Economy podcast from South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) features leading thinkers, news-makers, and change-makers sharing bold insights about economic issues and trends impacting Greater Victoria. Check out the latest episode, “Vital Signs: Taking the Pulse of Our Region”

This episode of Rising Economy features an in-depth interview with Jonathon Dyck of the Victoria Foundation. Explore how Greater Victoria residents scored our region on key issues like health, housing, quality of life and the economy in the latest edition of the Vital Signs report. Find out how our community can identify concerns and support action on key issues.

Listen

⭐️ Capital Picks

🍺 The best local beers: These 9 Greater Victoria breweries picked up wins at the recent BC Beer Awards. [Tasting Victoria]

🚴 Why VO2 Max? It’s the best metric to improve if you want to live longer. Measure your cardiovascular fitness level and enhance your training with Tall Tree Health.*

🧦 Get socks for those in need: In Cool Aid’s 17th annual campaign, running all this month, $1 will get two pairs of socks to someone living outdoors or in poverty.

📸 A stunning overhead shot of paddleboarders off Cattle Point by James MacDonald.

 🤝 Now hiring: Digital Marketing Specialist at Westin Bear Mountain.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

“Do not feed” the Parksville wolf dog
Pet rescue organization FLED is trying to trap the loose animal, which area locals say was dumped out of a white van last month. But “some guy” has been feeding it, FLED alleges, preventing it from being hungry enough to walk into their traps. [CHEK]

Local unemployment holds steady—but that’s not the whole story
Victoria remained at a 3.8% unemployment rate (the same as September), per StatsCan, while Canada as a whole was at 5.7%. But food banks say a growing number of people in the region, including plenty of previously stable families with jobs, are struggling and relying on them. [Times Colonist]

Trying to record a spouse cheating is still voyeurism, court rules
Probation and a conditional discharge have been given to a Courtenay-area husband who installed cameras in his bedroom while suspecting his wife of infidelity. The videos’ content is irrelevant, the judge said, since just placing the hidden bedroom cameras meets the criteria for criminal voyeurism. [CTV]

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION

Make a difference in your community

Calling all millennials and Gen X’ers: Start your philanthropic journey with the Gadsden Initiative.  

This Victoria Foundation program helps community-minded citizens build relationships with local organizations through a series of learning sessions, community activities and networking opportunities. 

Create a meaningful legacy. Make a lasting difference in your community. 

🗓️ Things to do

📽️ Light leaks experimental film screening: 7-10pm tonight at the VEC. All ages and by donation. Details.

Dance Victoria presents New York’s world-class Gibney Company in a virtuosic mixed evening on November 17 and 18 at the Royal Theatre. Get your tickets here.*

💃 Dirty Dancing in Concert: See this film favourite on the big screen with live musicians performing its hits. 7:30pm.

🪖 Remembering WWI in this run-down of historical objects and locations that are significant to BC. Streaming via Royal BC Museum on Thursday.

*Sponsored Listing

👀 In Case You Missed It

Why BC is still changing clocks this year, despite deciding to move away from it in 2019. [Capital Daily]

Creepy hallways and stunning sunsets: A nighttime delivery driver’s view of Victoria. [Capital Daily]

New Hawaiian restaurant in downtown Victoria, with burgers, poke bowls, Paradise Pies, Mai Tais, and Hawaiian wines. [Tasting Victoria]

Flying electric vehicles coming soon(ish) to local skies. Photos of a traditional Coast Salish pit cook. Railway battery heists. [Sat. newsletter]

Friday headlines: CRD buys golf course. James Bay murder mystery book. Victoria among Canada’s “rattiest” cities. [Nov 3]

10 of the best soups in Victoria: Try them this month as the temperature dips. [Tasting Victoria]

UVic basketball begins: The two teams went 1-3 at home vs. Calgary this past weekend.

That’s it!

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