Good morning {{First name}}!

The Island had its first wildfire of 2026 over the weekend, near Horne Lake. Thankfully it remained small and is considered under control now, but with unseasonably high temperatures across BC this week, a spring-time forest fire feels like cause for concern.

I love a bit of summer weather myself, but I’d prefer it to take place in the actual summer…

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌦️ 18 / 9

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 19 / 8

Day after: 🌤️ 12 / 8

7-day forecast

Last week, the BC Coroners Service (BCCS) released its February data on toxic-drug deaths in the province. During the shortest month, 115 people lost their lives to the poisonous drug supply, representing an average of 4 deaths a day.

Of these, 31 people in Island Health (including 20 people on the South Island) were killed by toxic drugs. This means Island Health had the second-highest death rate in the province in February (3.5 deaths per 100K people), with Northern BC topping the list (3.8 deaths per 100K).

So far this year, there have been 60 deaths confirmed to be linked to the toxic-drug supply on the Island, the vast majority of those who died were male, representing nearly 80% of overdose deaths in BC.

Across BC, men have made up 78% of these deaths in 2026, with those aged 30 to 60 most at risk. However, there was an uptick in drug deaths for people 60+ in February, accounting for 27% of deaths—the largest amount for this group in the last year.

BC’s toxic drug crisis—which was declared a public health emergency 10 years ago last week—has largely been driven by the unpredictability of fentanyl concentrations found in street substances. 

But according to expedited toxicology reports for the first two months this year, stimulants, including cocaine and methamphetamines, have become the leading cause of drug death. These substances were linked to 81% of these deaths, while fentanyl was tied to 80%.

New substances have been popping up in the illicit market for months now. Medetomidine, a veterinary sedative, prompted the BC Centre for Disease Control to put out an alert at the beginning of the year as emergency calls for overdoses spiked. When combined with fentanyl, the results can be deadly, it said. 

For the first time since the health emergency began, medetomidine was included in the “drugs detected” section of the report.

While toxic drug deaths have been trending downward across BC, Canada, and the US, experts warn medetomidine could upend this progress.

Greater Victoria’s monthly community memorial will take place on Thursday, 1pm, at St. John the Divine Anglican Church. Six community members who died from using toxic drugs will be remembered 

Cook construction: Lane closures and traffic disruptions at Kings, through Friday.

Bay eastbound is closed from Government to Douglas today.

Blanshard lane closure: Caledonia to Bay, through May 1.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life.

His all-out, outstanding catches in the Blue Jays' outfield earned Kevin Pillar the nickname “Superman”—and he’s bringing his cape to Wilson's Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park for this summer’s West Coast League all-star game festivities.

Kevin Pillar, who retired last year after 13 seasons and a tidy 1,234 games in the major leagues, is going to take part in the home run derby, which will have a defensive component, allowing for some potential defensive gems on the warning track, or, knowing Pillar, halfway up the outfield fence. 

“He was definitely a fan favourite with the Blue Jays for how he played the game,” said HarbourCats managing partner Jim Swanson. 

“He’ll have a chance to rob some home runs because of the format of the home run derby style of event that we are going to put on that night.”

That night is Tuesday, July 14, the night before the WCL all-star game on the 15th, the first of two consecutive midseason classics the ‘Cats will host. 

And the style involves a three-on-three, three-inning competition in which batters get 2.5 minutes at the plate, and then they hit the outfield to try to steal points by catching balls near the wall, which basically was Pillar’s office.

Swanson says Pillar, 37, who played briefly in the minors for the Vancouver Canadians and now works on some of the Jays broadcasts, is keen on coming to the Island.

“His wife [Amanda] was here a number of years ago and always wanted to come back and see more of the city.” 

Buy WCL All-Star Game tix here. 

Shawnigan Retreats offers the perfect cozy retreat for family gatherings or romantic getaways. Nestled by the serene Shawinigan Lake, our luxurious accommodations feature a sauna, hot tub, games room with ping pong, cards, and board games, and even a private pickleball court. Enjoy nearby hikes through breathtaking nature and unwind in comfort. With space for up to 18 guests, Shawnigan Retreats promises an unforgettable experience.

Explore Shawnigan Retreats and plan your getaway today. Learn more about Shawnigan Retreats.

🎗️Casey and Diana opens tonight at the Belfry. 

🖼️ Last week to see “Naming a Crisis” art show at the Bay Centre, marking 10 years of BC’s toxic drug crisis. Show ends April 26. [Details]

🎭 Orpheus & Eurydice opens tomorrow at the Royal. 

🐦 Learning to fly: See fledgling hummingbirds as they discover the wind beneath their wings in Nanaimo. [Facebook photos]

PHS Community Services Society supports thousands facing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges.

Help change lives. Join PHS’s Run Team in the Under Armour Eastside 10K —or run remotely in Victoria— to help PHS raise $30,000 for Food Security.

Register or donate today: [email protected]. Use code 26PHS for 10% off.

Island’s first wildfire of 2026 reported near Horne Lake
A small blaze southwest of Qualicum Beach has kicked off an early wildfire season for the Island. The fire reached 0.1 ha on Saturday before BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) declared it “under control.” Most of the Island has a low- or very-low fire risk currently, except North Cowichan, where the blaze occurred—it’s currently at moderate risk. The wildfire was sparked by a burning car, which the RCMP is now investigating. BCWS predicts the Island will have an elevated wildfire risk heading into the summer. [CHEK]

After two years of budget cuts, VIU reports surplus
Vancouver Island University (VIU) eliminated 100+ jobs and cancelled dozens of programs, including those in its music and geographic information systems programs. The school hasn’t achieved a budget surplus since 2019, but this year, VIU’s interim president says the university has solved its “immediate financial crisis.” The faculty union is still bracing for possible layoffs this year, but says this positive budget update could change the likelihood of future cuts. [Times Colonist]

Mother meets the man her late donor son saved: ‘Like I had a piece of my son’
Receiving a card of condolence written by a recipient of her son’s donated organs helped a BC woman navigate her grief. Holly Warner says, “There wasn’t a dry eye in the room” when the enclosed letter was read aloud at her son Ben’s memorial service. In February, Warner got to meet the man her son posthumously saved, and she says it was “surreal.” [CTV]

Enjoying our newsletter? Help us make it even better!

Become an Insider member and help keep local journalism and storytelling alive in the Capital Region.

🌱 Invasive Plant Removal: Earth Week Pop-up: Help protect the environment by removing invasive species at Saxe Point Park today. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info]

⚧️ Transgender Athletes: Science and Policy: Visiting lecturer Dr. Joanna Harper will speak about key issues in light of the Olympics’ recent ban on trans women competing in female sports categories, at David Strong Bldg., UVic, tonight. 7pm.[Info]

💡 Promoting Independence and Home Safety: Learn how the right medical equipment and home safety solutions help reduce risk, increase confidence, and support daily living at Saint Patrick’s Parish tomorrow. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info] 

💻 Pitch Fest: Connect with BC editors and magazine professionals about working with their publications at the Victoria Conference Centre tomorrow. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info]

🎻 Daniel Lapp's Joy of Life Concerts: Lapp will bring together a delightful mix of performers for two nights at Alix Goolden Performance Hall. Friday & Saturday. 7:30pm. [Info]

🐜 Look Closer: A Micro-Nature Walk: Check out the teeny-tiny and often-overlooked while exploring niche habitats hidden in plain sight at Thetis Lake. Saturday. 1:30-4:30pm. [Info]

Sunday’s headlines: Plant show in Sidney; Weekly roundup; Songhees mentor remembered. [April 19]

Where’s Roger? The Empress Hotel’s resident yellow-belly marmot hasn’t been spotted yet this spring. [Times Colonist]

Airline travel prices are expected to soar, thanks to war. [CHEK]

Mark Carney: ‘The US has changed and we must respond.’ [CTV]

HarbourCats home opener on June 2. [2026 schedule]

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.

And before you go, let us know: