April 19 - Old growth protections could save billions, study says

Good morning !

We hope you're enjoying your long weekend. Below we have stories on a new old-growth study, the best peninsula restaurants, Oak Bay's housing targets, and more.

— Cam

Remember to become a Capital Daily Insider member today if you want to receive the full-length Sunday edition newsletter tomorrow.

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛅ 11 / 8

Tomorrow: 🌧 12 / 6

Monday: ☀️ 13 / 4

7-day forecast

NEWS

Keeping old growth standing could be worth billions to BC, researchers say

A recent study—which piggybacks off one conducted in Port Renfrew in 2020—found that the province could save tens of billions of dollars long-term by protecting remaining old-growth forests.

The Port Renfrew study found that it was more economically sound to keep old-growth trees in the ground when multiple services (not just timber production) are considered.

Researchers at ESSA, an environmental consulting firm, sought to find out if this was the case for other BC forests and looked at timber supply areas (TSA) in Prince George and the Okanagan.

They say their models showed that “fully protecting” old growth forests for the next 100 years in the Prince George TSA could yield $33B more in net economic benefits vs. the current approach (no extra deferrals), while in Okanagan TSA the net benefit could be $10B. In Port Renfrew, the estimate was $40B.

The reasons their models value old-growth forests so highly include tourism, nearby real estate values, carbon sequestration, local climate regulation, unique scientific research opportunities, salmon habitat, and wildfire reduction.

Read the full story at Capital Daily.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Expect busy ferries this long weekend: BC Ferries recommends reserving in advance or walking on, and aiming to travel at off-peak times (e.g. Saturday and Tuesday).

Free parking downtown tomorrow & Easter Mon.

Federal election advance voting today through Mon. in person, or by mail by registering for a ballot before April 22.

Read about the local candidates in our election hub here. 

Long lineups seen at Friday advance polls. [CHEK]

Spokane beat Victoria Royals 9-6 last night, extending the WHL playoff series. [Recap / stats]

Victoria Grizzlies won 4-1 last night, taking early lead in BCHL playoff series vs Cowichan Valley rivals. [Recap]

FOOD

10 Saanich Peninsula restaurants to try

Surrounded by beautiful ocean views, the Saanich Peninsula is a destination that captivates not only with its stunning natural beauty but also with its thriving culinary scene, featuring different flavours that reflect the heart of its community. With access to fresh locally sourced ingredients, the area is home to restaurants that elevate farm-to-table dining.

From upscale dining experiences to breweries and cideries, the peninsula promises a memorable culinary experience.

Here is a list of restaurants and businesses in the Saanich Peninsula that Tasting Victoria recommends.

Spots featured on the list include:

• Deep Cove Chalet: French fine dining in North Saanich

• The Arbutus Room at Brentwood Bay: West Coast cuisine and views of the marina

• The Farmer's Daughter: Cheese specialists in Sidney

• Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, based out of a family-owned organic orchard

• Scoop & Waffle, a newcomer serving exactly what its name suggests

NEWS

New Camosun dorm could count toward Oak Bay's housing quota

Camosun College's 432-bed dorm would be the college’s first-ever student residence. The school plans to build it on an unused parking lot on Foul Bay, situated on the Oak Bay side of the Lansdowne campus. It was announced last summer and is slated to be complete in time for the 2027 fall semester, costing the province $152M and Camosun $3M. There are plans for dorms on the Interurban campus later, but Lansdowne was prioritized due to being close to shopping, transit, and amenities.

Its site being over the Oak Bay border could offer a significant reprieve to the municipality, which has been given a provincially appointed housing advisor due to falling short of its BC-mandated annual construction targets. Oak Bay was among the two least-successful munis in last year's numbers: it completed just 16 units, against a target of 56 (29%).

Mayor Kevin Murdoch has argued that the district has already made the housing-friendly policy changes that the province wants but that units still need to be physically built. The muni now needs to add well over 100 new units every year to catch up to its targets.

As Oak Bay News has covered, city staff believe that, in the Camosun project, the 118 dorm units equipped with a kitchen and bathroom will count toward the municipality’s set target. Murdoch said in the same meeting that Oak Bay housing pressures are partly student-related. As to campus parking concerns, the project manager says there are always many empty spots and that dorms will likely reduce parking demand since those students won't commute.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🥕 Esquimalt Farmers Market now open for the season.

📷 Evening light in Chinatown [Doug Clement photos]

🌱 Join Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary on May 3-4 to shop Vancouver Island’s largest Native Plant Sale! Purchase native plants and support local conservation efforts.*

🤝 Now hiring: 2nd & 3rd Cooks at the Butchart Gardens.

^{*Sponsored listing} 

🗞️ In Other News

Class action over mold on Esquimalt-based warship dismissed 
Plaintiff Félix Dunn says he discovered black mold while stationed aboard HMCS Vancouver in 2016, and experienced a range of symptoms both at that time and long-term. He argued the Forces were negligent about workplace safety. But the court determined that he didn't file grievances while an active member, and had already been compensated with disability benefits from Veterans Affairs. [CTV]

Hedge on fire near Royal Jubilee on Friday
Crews doused it before it spread to a nearby tree or threatened a hospice building. No injuries reported. One witness said he saw a man appear to intentionally set the fire; that person denied causing the fire and fled the area. [CHEK]

Search for missing boaters suspended
A body was found that is believed to have been one member of the Washington trio in their 60s who went missing at sea between the US and the Island. [KIRO 7]

Opponents criticize candidate for avoiding all-party forums to do events with Trump Jr. associate
Cowichan–Malahat–Langford's Conservative Jeff Kibble has held events with Jeff Shockey, a Maple Bay museum operator, former TV host, and big-game / taxidermy hunter who is friends with Donald Trump Jr. Kibble says he booked these events before the all-candidate debates and that Shockey is a well-respected local; Shockey says more people attend his events than the forums. NDP incumbent Alistair MacGregor argues Kibble is unwilling to face tough questions from the general public; Liberal Blair Herbert questions whether Kibble would represent local interests as MP; and Green Kathleen Code says he “disrespects the voters and the candidates.” [Times Colonist]

🗓️ Things to do

🐰 Easter egg hunts today in Saanich, Esquimalt, Metchosin, Sooke, Elk / Beaver lake park, Malahat Skywalk, and more. See the full Easter weekend event list here.

🏒 Victoria Royals host Spokane Chiefs in WHL Western Conference semifinal Game 5. Series tied. [Tickets]

💃 Victoria Kizomba Fest: Join this social and multicultural dance weekend at the Victoria Convention Centre. Today-Sun. [Info]

🤝 Meet a Stranger: Make a new friend at this meetup, which pairs people at random to spark a conversation, at the Gonzales Fairfield Community Centre. 2:15-3:45pm. [Info]

🎶 SpringFest: Head to Whistle Buoy Brewery in Market Square for an evening of live DJs and beer tomorrow. 7-10pm. [Info]

📚 TC Book Drive: Drop off books at the Victoria Curling Club this weekend for the popular sale in May. [Info]

🌏 Saanich Earth Day Fest: Celebrate our planet at this family-friendly event that encourages sustainability. Expect crafts, a bike skills course, and live music at Saanich Municipal Hall. 11am -3pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday's headlines: Federal debate recap. Easter events. VicPD gets drone. [April 18]

Watch federal leaders’ English-language debate here via CPAC (debate itself begins 30 min in).

Thursday’s headlines: Capital Daily opens election hub; Expect BC Ferries to be busy; Vic masseur gets 2 years less a day for sexual assaults on the job. [April 17]

Bare-faced bear in Port Renfrew seen in photo posted this week on Facebook.