April 14 - 2 weeks to election

Good morning !

With a fortnight to go until the federal election, today we have the last of our South Island riding profiles. We also look at local transit news, with a new high-price-tag HandyDART facility opening and a new bus schedule taking effect today.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤 14 / 7

Tomorrow: ☀️ 16 / 7

Day after: ☀️ 17 / 4

7-day forecast

NEWS

Federal riding spotlight: Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke

There are two current ridings that cover parts of the Westshore. Both are descendants of Esquimalt Juan de Fuca, which was redistricted in 2015.

The old riding had been dominated by Keith Martin with the Liberals (2004, 2006, 2008), Alliance (2000), Reform (1997, 1993), and briefly as an independent. Before Martin the seat was held by Dave Barrett, formerly the NDP's first-ever BC Premier. 

The NDP's Randall Garrison had been a relatively close second to Martin at points in the 2000s before breaking through to win in 2011. Parts of that riding then became Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke, which Garrison and the NDP held until his retirement last year. Garrison won comfortably multiple times before stepping aside this past winter for health reasons after cueing up Sooke Mayor Maja Tait as his successor as NDP candidate.

Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke skirts underneath the other Westshore riding, going along the coastline from Sooke at the edge through Metchosin and Colwood and then Esquimalt, and cuts inland to include View Royal and parts of Saanich.

Here are the 2025 candidates: Maja Tait (NDP), Stephanie McLean (Liberal), Grant Cool (Conservative), Ben Homer-Dixon (Green), Nikita Heurtier (PPC), Robert Crooks (Communist), Param Bhatti (Independent), David Schaafsma (Christian Heritage).

Read more on them at Capital Daily.

Read the breakdowns of the other local ridings here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

High UV Index (6) today.

You can now vote at Elections Canada locations.

Royals lose 3-4 in double overtime to open second-round series in Spokane. [Recap]

Tsunami Preparedness Week: Victoria advises residents to check their area's hazards level.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

New $83.5M HandyDART facility enters operation in View Royal

The depot, 5 years in the making, will roughly double the region's capacity to send these smaller community buses to provide door-to-door pickup for locals with disabilities. It's expected to become fully operational here in mid-April.

The $83.5M cost will be split between the BC and federal governments and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission.

The facility will be BC Transit’s first Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Gold standard building. The full electrification process didn't come cheap, though. BC and Canada kicked in $51M in 2023, on top of the initial cost estimate in 2019 of $32M, to get it there—although that money was also for increased costs of inflation and construction. 

The site needed environmental improvements, and for that work the project was designated as the first “Salmon Safe” urban development project on the Island. It created over an acre-plus of protected habitat for salmon and trout in the Craigflower Creek watershed, and salmon have returned to the site in higher numbers since its remediation. Some 8,000 endemic plants and 350 trees were planted as part of the project.

The facility at Watkiss and Burnside will host 50+ buses, and can handle up to 100. BC Transit says the new site “positions BC Transit to expand HandyDART ridership in Greater Victoria to meet the expected growth in demand as the region’s population ages and grows.”

The province owns the land and was able to bypass View Royal bylaws on project approval because it was designated as an arterial highway. But the project agreed to make land along Watkiss—and $150K—available as View Royal public space, with a park design released last fall.

By moving HandyDART operations to the View Royal location, BC Transit will be able to repurpose its old location to use for the upcoming Saanich Transit Centre.

NEWS

Spring bus schedule changes start today

The departure of many students and the upcoming arrival of many, many tourists has Victoria Transit shifting its peninsula and campus routes.

The 75 between downtown and Keating Cross (and on to Butchart Gardens on weekends) will get more trips, as will the 70 to Swartz Bay. The 72 will get more trips and adjusted times on weekdays to match ferry departures.

The 76 between Swartz Bay and UVic will be on hiatus until fall classes begin. This direct bus was resurrected this Jan. due to student demand after being cut when Covid began. It takes under 50 minutes, saving time compared to a two-leg trip, but only ran on Fridays, Sundays, and holidays. 

Also, the 51 Langford-to-UVic route will be reduced. It's one of a few routes getting service level changes based on public feedback, BC Transit says  the others include routes 24 (Cedar Hill/Tillicum Centre) and 46 (Dockyard/Westhills).

The 49 will get new stops along Bear Mountain Parkway.

Until June the 70, 71, and 32 (Cordova to Royak Oak), will also continue to detour along Ravine (rather than Saanich Rd.) due to construction. 

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🌸 The cherry blossoms of Fernwood [Doug Clement photos]

⛴ Cheaper ferry tickets on less-busy sailings: BC Ferries recently added more Saver Fares for spring.

⚖ Keep your licence. The experienced lawyers at Acumen Law Corporation will give you the strongest legal defence to keep you in the driver’s seat.*

🤝 Now hiring: Summer program staff at Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People.

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🗞️ In Other News

Vikes stars signed to play pro with Vancouver Bandits
Fresh off a national championship, Oak Bay sharpshooter Diego Maffia and defensive ace Sam Maillet will head to the mainland with the CEBL club. Maffia suffered a season-ending knee injury before the university playoffs, and so won't play this summer with the Bandits, but will be signed onto their suspended list to allow them the first chance to retain him in 2026. [Vikes]

Ramen restaurants moving to new locations
Kizuna Ramen is now downtown at 1314 Douglas in a space also home to Good Filling Sankaku, a local business offering gluten-free handmade onigiri rice balls. Meanwhile, Ramen Arashi is opening a new location in Langford soon.

Off-duty officer hit two pedestrians in Cowichan, RCMP say
North Cowichan / Duncan RCMP responded to the Thursday crash around 6am, which sent both pedestrians to hospital in serious but stable condition. The Independent Investigations Office is now looking into the crash and seeks witnesses; it did not state which police dept. the officer was from.

Victoria Grizzlies win first-round playoff hockey series 4-2
The local club knocked out Coquitlam with a 5-1 win on the road in the only game this season between the rivals that was not won by the home team. The Grizzlies will next play Prince George or Chilliwack in the BCHL's second round. [TriCityNews]

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Discover the GNS difference at their open house

Families are invited to discover how Glenlyon Norfolk School empowers students to be curious, engaged and prepared for the future. Attend an April open house to explore the school’s campuses, meet dedicated staff and talk to students. GNS helps learners thrive as balanced individuals ready for success. Register today!

🗓️ Things to do

🧠 Trivia Monday at 5th Street Bar and Grill: Test your knowledge and grab a bite. 7:30pm tonight. [Free to play]

🍸 A Vermouth Masterclass & Pairings: As part of Victoria Cocktail Week, Matadora Taperia and Esquimalt Vermouth are doing two immersive masterclasses. Learn all about vermouth—from its historic roots to European aperitivo culture—with some tasty pairings. Weds.

🎂 Cake Decoration Workshop: Flourish BeauTea in Langford hosts an artistic evening for learning new techniques & meeting fellow cake enthusiasts. [Weds. 6:15pm]

🎤 Wesli: This Juno-winning artist fuses Afrobeat, reggae, and Haitian roots. 7:30pm April 16 at Wicket Hall. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Sunday newsletter: Riding profile of Cowichan–Malahat–Langford. Snowpack, weather, and drought forecast. 12 new restaurants. [April 13]

Ferries adding more Saver Fares for spring.

Floor collapsed at downtown construction site on Friday. [CHEK]

See 8 different mosses found in Campbell River. [Facebook photos]

Over 100 heron nests up in the trees in a rookery. [VanIsleWildlife video]

Donate books next weekend for the Times Colonist book sale in May. [Details]