Good morning {{First name}}!

Sure sign spring is here, No. 1: I’m complaining about the Blue Jays.
Sure sign spring is here, No. 2: It’s time to drop off old books for the Times Colonist Book Drive. Some 750K books are expected to be donated tomorrow and Sunday (9am to 3:30pm) at the Victoria Curling Club on Quadra.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: ⛅ 11 / 6

Tomorrow: ⛅ 13 / 7

Sunday: ⛅18 / 9

7-day forecast

A stretch along Blanshard is going to be a little brighter and newsier after the city gave CHEK-TV the green light to erect two digital signs on the roof of the broadcaster’s building near Hillside.

The signs will be like the one you see at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre—about 5.5 metres wide and three metres tall. 

While the arena sign is free-standing and double-faced, CHEK's would have two separate faces mounted on the roof at each end of the building at 780 Kings. 

“The signs will be an extension of our broadcast and digital advertising business, which sustains our news and local programming,” says Rob Germain, CHEK’s general manager.

Germain says to expect a mix of third-party ads—with a priority on local ads—and community messaging, including public alerts, notices from neighbourhood groups, the City of Victoria, the Songhees Nation, and promotion of the arts and community events. 

CHEK plans to display static images. No video. And news and sports headlines will rotate on screens with the same dimensions as those at the arena. 

When asked how many pairs of passing eyeballs the local broadcaster hoped to attract, Germain said the average daily viewership for either billboard is estimated at 20K viewers per day.

“CHEK is celebrating our 70th anniversary in 2026,” Germain said. “It would be great to have the signs up before the end of the year—but if not, early 2027.”

Resurfacing work in Francis/ King Regional Park along the Elsie King accessible trail finishes today. [CRD]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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If you’ve ever wanted to take your kids to court, here’s your chance. 

We did Family Day in February. Tomorrow is Law Day.

The Canadian Bar Association introduced Law Day to commemorate the April 17, 1982, signing of Canada’s Constitution Proclamation, which enacted the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The goal is to raise awareness of the law, legal institutions, and the role lawyers and judges play in Canada.

“Many people understandably find courthouses intimidating, and our justice system is not known to be simple,” says Kirby Hayes, a lawyer with Cook Roberts LLP, and a spokesperson for this particular court date at Victoria’s justice hall on Burdett.

“This event allows the public to learn about our courts and justice system in a fun and family-friendly way.”

The proceedings are organized by volunteers from the region’s legal community with support from the Victoria Bar Association. Hayes estimates that as many as 400 law-curious people would attend before COVID-19 knocked it from the docket in 2019.
It’s back tomorrow, from 10:30am to 2:30pm, and will feature:

“What I like most about this event is how it transforms the courthouse from what is normally a very formal space to one that is lively, fun, and educational,” says Hayes, resting her case.

This story ran for our Insiders on April 12. Become an Insider today and be the first to receive stories every Sunday.

From April 30 to May 3, Design Victoria returns for four days of city-wide exploration, offering (mostly) free open studios, exhibitions, talks, tours, installations, and hands-on experiences.

The festival invites both design professionals and the design-curious to go behind the scenes and meet the architects, designers, and makers shaping how we live. With more than 50 events across the city, visitors can explore creative spaces typically closed to the public, discover new ideas, and connect with Victoria’s growing design community.

From waterfront historical buildings to gallery exhibitions and lively social events, Design Victoria highlights the people and projects defining the region’s creative future—positioning the city as a hub for innovation, culture, and design.

🧑‍🎨 Ruminate: Camosun College Visual Arts’ Graduating Exhibition opens today.

📰 NEWSIES: The Musical begins its run tonight at McPherson.

🪲 Yeah, Yeah, Yeah: The Sutcliffes cover the Beatles tonight at Alix Goolden.

🎵 Pender Island’s Peach & Quiet performs Sunday at Friendship Hall.

🚌 BC Transit will be free in Victoria next Wednesday for Earth Day.

🐸 Tree frog dating show: Hear the little critters as they (loudly) court new mates in Lantzville. [Facebook video]

Saanich budget finalized, homeowners can expect a 5.35% property tax hike
Council passed its 2026 budget on Tuesday, approving the tax increase, which will cost the average Saanich homeowner $215 more this year and strata owners $113 more. The district’s operating budget, expected to be adopted in May, will be $10M more than last year’s. The council cut $3.29M by deferring $1.4M in asset replacement funding, halting municipal hiring, and reducing plans to speed up its active transportation plan. [Times Colonist]

Residents evicted from Songhees mobile park on Craigflower not required to remove homes from reserve
The BC Court of Appeal ruled this week that the evicted residents are not required to remove their mobile homes, but they aren’t entitled to compensation for leaving them there. Last year, a lower court ordered those living in E. George Estates Manufactured Home Park to vacate after the Songhees First Nation gave them three years’ notice. The appeals court ruled the First Nation gave fair warning of eviction and has a right to the land, but determined the mobile homes are fixtures and should be allowed to remain. [CTV]

James Bay tree is pretty much everybody’s cup of tea—and it gives back
It’s on Google Maps and located in one of the province’s prettiest neighbourhoods, so tourists from all over flock to see it. A tree covered in teacups, which began as a tribute to a couple’s grandmother, has developed into a must-click photo op and a place where school arts projects take root. Homeowners Nairn Wilson and Rory Palmer have parlayed the tree’s popularity into a fundraiser for artsREACH, which supports art in schools. [Black Press]

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⚜️ Réseau franco: Official Launch. This francophone cultural and academic initiative within UVic’s School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures officially launches. University Club, UVic, today. 5-7pm. [Info]

🍴🎵 Artemisia: Light & Shadow. A unique Italian-themed musical dinner featuring a dramatic exploration of the life of artist and feminist heroine Artemisia Gentileschi, set to arias by famed female Baroque composers. Leonardo Da Vinci Centre, today & tomorrow. 6pm. [Info]

🍵 Tea Traditions: The Origins of Tea: Certified tea sommelier Bree guides guests through tea's history from ancient China to the 1600s. Island Elixir Tea, Langford. Today. 6–7:30pm. [Info]

🎸 Viva Santana: Fronted by guitarist Amie Said, this high-energy tribute to Carlos Santana delivers soaring solos and driving, danceable Latin rock at The Coda tonight. 9:30pm–1am. [Info]

🌿🧤 Invasive Species Removal at Westhills Park: Reimagine Westshore, Langford FireSmart, and Langford Parks team up to remove invasive species. Drop-ins welcome. Westhills Park. Tomorrow. 9:45am–1pm. [Info]

🧶Spring Fibre Social: Knitters, crocheters, and fibre enthusiasts are welcome to drop in, bring a current project, and enjoy a relaxed evening of making and good company. Beehive Fibre Arts Centre. Tomorrow. 5–6:30pm. [Info]

🎭 Improv Against Humanity: Audience members play Cards Against Humanity while improvisers bring the card combinations hilariously to life on stage. Theatre SKAM. Tomorrow. 8:30–9:40pm. [Info] 

📻 Choral Evolution: All-request radio live in concert with a 50-member choir comprised of singers from all walks of life. Sooke Community Hall & Juan de Fuca 55+ Auditorium. May 1 & 2. 7:30pm & 2pm. [Info]

🌹Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour: Explore nine stunning private gardens across Greater Victoria, each alive with spring blooms and featuring live performances by the Victoria Conservatory of Music. May 9 & 10. 10am-4pm. [Info]

Thursday’s headlines: Hermann’s Jazz Club pleads for pledged donors to send money; Del Manak not running for Victoria mayor; Saanich Peninsula Hospital pulls funding for nonprofit providing doctors. [April 16]

Municipal election in six months: Who’s in and who’s out so far. [Capital Daily]

Obituary: Victoria historian Michael Halleran passes at 82. [Times Colonist]

Gas robbery suspect photos released: [CHEK]

Rhodo Rave at Abkhazi Garden. [Info]

Spring food tours: As the weather starts to warm, explore our springtime local food-tour roundup. [Tasting Victoria]

Lucky tree—as in, lucky it didn’t fall on you on Dallas, circa 1930. [Facebook photo]

Single-lane alternating traffic: Prospect Lake Road between Prospect Ave and Meadowbrook today, 9am-3:30pm.

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