April 16 - Climate activist faces deportation

Good morning !

Sad news from Sooke’s Food Bank that says its costs have risen 36% this year, while its donations have dropped by 21% as more donors become users of the service. With inflation causing skyrocketing prices at the grocery store, it’s no surprise that many vulnerable people are struggling throughout the CRD.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 12 / 4

Tomorrow: ☀️ 15 / 4

Day after: ☀️ 15 / 7

7-day forecast

NEWS

BC climate activist to face deportation decision today

Today a judge will decide if Zain Haq, co-founder of the BC climate group Save Old Growth, will be deported from Canada. Haq, 23, has spent the last five years living in both Vancouver and Victoria with his wife Sophia Papp—a life he may soon have to leave behind.

The Canada Border Security Agency (CBSA) says his deportation order is related to issues with his academic standing at Simon Fraser University. Haq’s legal team says there’s reason to believe the real reason for his deportation is tied to his climate activism. If it’s decided today that he’s inadmissible to Canada, he would be the first person in North America to be deported for involvement in environmental activism.

Read the full story by Robyn Bell here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

National Volunteer Week: Celebrate and recognize the support of volunteers across the city. 

Start clicking before you start digging. [Fortis BC]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Missing middle housing initiative catalyst for demolition of Fairfield heritage house

Victoria's architectural heritage is facing challenges amidst the city's push for housing development. The missing middle housing initiative (MMH), aimed at addressing housing needs, puts pressure on homeowners with heritage properties to go for more lucrative real estate deals rather than hang onto and preserve their historic homes. The process for designating individual structures as heritage sites involves considering historical style, design, and construction.

1734 Hollywood Crescent, a craftsman-style bungalow built in 1922 for sea captain John Calvin, received approval as a municipal heritage site after a presentation by the Hallmark Heritage Society. Some residents would prefer to save the property, specifically, its unique stone garage but there's no room on the lot to save it after property's new owners planned a two block eight-unit development.

While MMH aims to offer housing options between condos and single-family homes, concerns arise about its compatibility with maintaining the feel of historic neighbourhoods. The loss of the iconic garage highlights tensions between heritage preservation and urban development goals in Victoria.

Read the full story by Sidney Coles here.

SPONSORED BY FLIGHT CENTRE

Straight Playoff Bandwagon ready to launch

The Georgia Straight Playoff Bandwagon is leaving the station and heading to either Nashville, Vegas or LA. 

As a dedicated Vancouver Canucks fan, you have the opportunity to experience the exhilaration of playoff hockey in the opposing city, thanks to Flight Center which is facilitating fan travel.  

Seize this rare opportunity to be part of an extraordinary playoff ride. Join us on a memorable journey to Nashville, Vegas, or LA for the first-round Games 3 and 4. Share the thrill of the open road, the chants, and the cheers in a collective expression of support. The Straight will accompany you, hosting meet-ups and tailgate events in each city. 

This trip is a pilgrimage, a testament to our enduring spirit and love for the Canucks. Join the excitement, immerse yourself in the playoff atmosphere, and secure your spot on this epic adventure. 

Let’s cheer on the Canucks together in their quest for glory!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🥾 Summer camp registration. [City of Victoria]

🔥 The Flame returns on April 29. Hear real people tell their real true stories. Learn more.*

🌳10-billionth tree planted in BC. [BC Gov’t]

🚔 Making Victoria safer panel: VicPD Chief Del Manek and others discuss safety issues. [Chamber AGM]

🐉 Victoria Chinatown Museum Society’s Awakening Chinatown returns May 26 with free festivities including Chinese cultural performances, music, magic, dancing, Kung Fu, and more.*

🤝 Now hiring: Program Coordinator at Scale Collaborative.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Another stabbing in downtown Victoria: That’s 5 in a month
One person had to be hospitalized after being stabbed at Yates and Douglas yesterday morning. The area was cordoned off and as of mid-morning, police had not made an arrest. It’s the fifth Vic knifing in just over a month and the seventh since March 1, following fatal incidents last week at Douglas Centre Plaza and the week prior near Ocean Island Inn. [VicPD]

Public hearing begins into fatal 2019 Christmas shooting
On Christmas Day five years ago, a 43-year-old woman suffering from a mental health issue barricaded herself in a social housing room on Pandora. When smoke began to billow from the unit and the woman refused to come out, police shot her three times with rubber bullets. Lisa Rauch died four days later. The officer who shot her was cleared of any wrongdoing but her family said it wanted to know why police used the force it did. [CHEK]

Sooke Food Bank says costs rising, donations dropping
The nonprofit that provides groceries, haircuts, and access to a public health nurse out of Sooke Community Hall’s basement says costs are up 36% this year, and donations have dropped by 21% as more donors are becoming users. [Times Colonist] 

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🗓️ Things to do

🍽️ Clive's Gastronomia Week: Chef Josh Chilton prepares a special three-course dinner at Clive’s Classic Lounge. Today until Thu.

🎸 Bands!Bands!Bands!: Silverton, Anne Martina, Black Treacle, and Sweet Delirium will perform at Victoria Event Centre. Today. Doors 7pm, show 7:30pm. 

🎥 Seagrass at Cinecenta: The TIFF award-winning film set on Gabriola Island will be shown at the UVic theatre. Today. 5pm and 7:15pm.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Monday’s headlines: Short-term rental deadline coming, so’s litigation; Using video-game technology to help manage Millstream Creek Watershed; Shatterbox shuttered; And more. [April 15] 

Man makes tricky escape from Juan de Fuca clay pit. [Capital Daily]

Carnarvon Park Master Plan open house: Have your say on the park’s future. [Tomorrow]

Wanted man arrested in Victoria. [VicPD] 

New Royal Canadian Navy patrol ship expected in Esquimalt. [CHEK]

An eagle is reflected, in this shot from local photographer Christy Grinton.

That’s it!

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