Good morning {{First name}}!

Have you been following that story about the Scottish-born midwife who is having just a terrible time getting cleared to work in Canada?
Her name is Heather Gilchrist, and the latest is that she’s returned to Scotland.
It’s a sad story not only for Gilchrist but also for the Victoria woman she was helping.
Anika Bell is two weeks away from giving birth to her first child. She is now without a midwife, and she’s just learned that her baby is in a breech position.
CHEK News is following the story closely.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: 🌤️ 17 / 8

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 13 / 8

Sunday: ⛅ 14 / 7

7-day forecast

Cyclists and pedestrians now have a smooth and uninterrupted pathway along the Galloping Goose Trail as it winds its way 55 km from Victoria to Sooke. 

No more will cyclists have to detour from the trail along Wale Road and the Island Highway, wait to cross at the light, then follow the sidewalk before getting back on the Goose. Now they can just go over the highway.

"This new bridge gives people of all ages a safer, more enjoyable way to walk and bike through Colwood,” said Christine Boyle, the provincial housing and municipal affairs minister. 

A group of seniors from a nearby independent living residence was the first to cross the bridge at yesterday’s official opening. The West Shore Village residents regularly use the walking trail and say they look forward to becoming daily bridge users. 

Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi said the overpass ticks a lot of boxes for the community, including improving health and well-being, easing traffic congestion, reducing climate impact, and drawing customers to area businesses. 

The paved bridge is 38 metres long and four metres wide. It’s built to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians headed in each direction.

The city says, on average, 1,000 cyclists travel through the area each day and expects that number to climb now that they can cruise safely over the highway uninterrupted.

Saanich single-lane alternating traffic:
Admirals between Cowper and Arundel, 9am-3:30pm, through April 17
Reynolds, between Cedar Hill Cross and Cumberland, 8:30am-3:30pm, through today

Saanich road closures:
Reynolds at Cumberland
Kremlin at Christmas, all day through April 17
Kremlin between Kisber and Midgard, 4pm-8am (overnight), through April 17
Wascana between Obed and Maddock West, 9am-3:30pm, through April 24

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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It’s a one-day fest on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Starlight Stadium, with Canadian country stars Aaron Pritchett (“Hold My Beer") and Doc Walker ("Beautiful Life") headlining.

The Country Roads Music Festival is an all-ages outdoor event that will feature alternating performances from two stages.

Along with multi-award-winning Pritchett and Walker, the inaugural lineup features Born Reckless, Tumblin’ Dice, Jamieson Rhy, and Eagle Eyes, an Eagles tribute band.

“This is about creating something right here at home for West Shore country fans,” says festival organizer Dylan Stone of Cascadia Concerts. 

“We want to build a festival that’s close, accessible, and truly theirs—where people can walk to a world-class venue, bring their families, and still be back home at the end of the night.”

As the Times Colonist points out, Stone is the driving force behind the Victoria Folk Music Festival, which debuted last year and returns to Royal Athletic Park on July 4.

Tickets to the Country Roads Music Festival start at $50 for grandstand seating, including the no-alcohol zone, and are available at countryroadsfest.ca.

Concertgoers who buy general admission tickets (starting at $65) will be welcome to bring their chairs to sit on the field for the show, which is slated to begin at 3pm.

The Country Roads Music Festival becomes the area’s second country music gala.
Sunfest is scheduled for July 30 to Aug. 2 at Laketown Ranch in Lake Cowichan.
Tyler Hubbard, Jon Pardi, Riley Green, and Tim and the Glory Boys headline the four-day event.

👄 Boca Tuya makes its Canadian debut tonight in Victoria.

🐳🎵 Said the Whale tonight at Capital Ballroom.

📈 Sidney Museum AGM is tomorrow at 10am.

🏒 BCHL playoffs: Victoria Grizzlies vs. CV Caps. [Tomorrow at 6pm]

🌷Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour. [May 9 & 10]

*Sponsored Listing

Greater Victoria School District approves budget and cuts to music programs
In 2026-27, the district will reduce funding for middle school music programs—specifically jazz band and choir—by $232K. A $250K reduction had been planned. Chris Leeson of the Greater Victoria Music Educators Association said the $18K could restore an extra block of music teaching time. Leeson also applauded Mount Douglas Secondary music students who started an online fundraiser. SD61 confirmed that all money raised will go toward middle school music. As of last night, the campaign had raised $31,960. It has been extended to April 17. [Times Colonist]

Construction begins on Langford arts and child-care centre
Ground has been broken at 3014 Glen Lake, near Starlight Stadium, for the new modular, mass-timber building. It will be home to 49 licenced child-care spaces and the Centennial Arts Centre, which is relocating from its current site on Carlow. The $10.6-million facility will feature a dance studio, pottery studio, art and music rooms, and a versatile area for community and cultural gatherings. Half of the spaces will be for toddlers and half for children aged three to five. The facility is expected to open in spring 2027. [CHEK]

BC group launches Canadian social media platform Northsocial.ca
The site officially went live yesterday, with core messaging such as “It's time for a change” and “Canadians need a platform that focuses on what's important.” The Chilliwack-based company says it’s providing a place for Canadians to connect without being affected by Big Tech algorithms. Northsocial.ca will provide a “homegrown alternative to US-dominated” social media sites, its website says. [CTV / CP]

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🪈 Skyla J: The Victoria artist performs material from her EP Quantum Leap, weaving dub-infused trip hop, soul, and live flute. The Coda. Today. 6:30-8:30pm. [Info]

🎶 The Clover Point Drifters: Enjoy a repertoire that consists primarily of traditional bluegrass songs, with a sprinkling of country, folk, blues, and pop melodies. Oak Bay Rec Centre. Tonight. 7:30pm. [Info] 

🇨🇺 A Tribute to Buena Vista Social Club: Cuban pianist Pablo Cardenas and the West Coast Cuban Orchestra revisit the timeless son, bolero, and danzón of the Buena Vista Social Club. The Coda. Tonight. 9:30pm-1:30am. [Info]

🎵📚 Music Library Book Sale: Buy gently used books, sheet music, and musical resources. All proceeds support the VCM's library. Victoria Conservatory of Music. Sat. 11am-3pm. [Info]

👜 Fabric Printmaking Workshop: Carve your own ocean-inspired linocut stamp, then apply your design to a tea towel or tote bag to take home. Maritime Museum of BC. Tomorrow. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info]

🎸 Rockwood: The Victoria classic rock and country outfit plays songs that have stood the test of time. The Coda. Tomorrow. 6:30-8:30pm. [Info]

🎶 The Australian Bee Gees Show: Las Vegas's award-winning Bee Gees tribute band recreates five decades of hits from the Brothers Gibb. McPherson Playhouse. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🎩 Tower of Song: A Creative Tribute to Leonard Cohen: Oliver Swain and Glenna Garramone reimagine Cohen's songs and poetry for two voices, banjo, string bass, piano, and guitar. Mary Winspear Centre. Tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🐉 Dungeons Yes, and Dragons: Garden City Improv blends D&D-style roleplaying with live improv comedy. Theatre SKAM. Tomorrow. 8:30-9:40pm. [Info]

🎶 ‘80s & ‘90s Night: Bobby Dazzler Band delivers a high-energy night of ‘80s pop hits and ‘90s anthems back-to-back. The Coda. Sat. Doors 9pm, show 9:30pm-1:30am. [Info]

🎭 Upstairs Downstairs: The Paper Street Theatre Co. tells an improvised British story as our castle becomes the star setting for drama inspired by Downton Abbey. Craigdarroch Castle. May 7-16. 7pm. [Info]

Thursday’s headlines: Suspect arrested in playground fire; Buckle up and put down the phone; BC Ferries expects more fare increases. [April 9]

Cheese Recall: CFIA issues warning of Listeria monocytogenes. 

It's a La Niña year, but we could experience an El Niño effect (warmer weather) this summer. [CHEK]

Sidney Flying Club hijacking suspect says he did it. [Times Colonist]

Lyle Lovett is coming to the Royal Theatre. [Tickets on sale today]

Rhodo Rave at Abkhazi Garden. [Starts today]

Earth Day Do-Si-Do is Saturday, April 18, at Fernwood Community Centre.

Hills to Shore Artists Tour is on May 9, 10 & 11.

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