April 23 - Victoria riding election primer

Good morning !

Our first story is for those of you voting in Victoria proper, as we continue our coverage of the 2025 federal election.

A few centimetres below, you’ll find our story about a change in your property taxes if you live in the BC capital. Oh, they’re still going up, just not as much.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️15 / 6

Tomorrow: ☀️17 / 8

Friday: 🌤️12 / 8

NEWS

Victoria candidates answer key questions ahead of federal election

We’re five days from what many political and historical minds are calling this country’s most important federal election.

It comes at a time of unprecedented unrest between Canada and the United States.

US President Donald Trump has imposed himself squarely in the centre of Canadian politics, leaving leaders of all stripes to try to tell you they and only they can best defend Canada in trade talks with him.

So, what’s Canada’s strategy in a world where our big brother is no longer to be trusted?

The Liberals say they would grow Canada’s economy through investment in clean energy, infrastructure, and trade reform, which would strengthen tourism, enhance environmental protection, and expand cross-border commerce.

The Conservatives say they’ll strive to secure strong trade deals that protect Canadian industries, including BC’s forestry and fishing sectors, while standing firm against Trump’s tariffs. 

The NDP pledges that if elected, it would ensure every dollar collected from Canada’s counter tariffs goes directly to support workers and communities hit hardest.

The Greens say they’ll eliminate domestic trade barriers and form new international trading relationships. Furthermore, they promise to create a 120K-strong national civil defence corps to protect our nation.

Donald Trump’s New World Order is certainly a big part of this election, but there are plenty of other issues in need of address, including housing, the environment, and the skyrocketing cost of living.

To better understand the politicians vying for your votes, Capital Daily asked all eight candidates in the Victoria riding eight key questions about their agenda if elected. We received responses from seven of the candidates, including all the major parties.

Read how they responded here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Cougar sightings: Multiple reports in Central Saanich. [CSPD]

Whose coin collection is this? [West Shore RCMP]

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. 

NEWS

Victoria’s property tax increase cut to 6.99%

Thanks to a boost in tax revenue from new developments in the city, the overall property tax increase will be reduced to 6.99% from the previous projection of 7.23%. The initial projection in Feb. was a 12% hike. 

Victoria council also plans to gradually introduce a new business-to-residential tax ratio to alleviate the strain on businesses, eventually hitting 3:1 in 2030. The ratio was 3.67:1 last year and will drop to 3.5:1 this year.

The change means residential property owners will be hit with a larger hike—the ratio adjusts the difference in tax burden, creating a 2.58% gap between residential and business owners, up from last year’s 2% gap.

This means the average residential property owner will have an 8.18% tax increase, while average businesses will face a 5.6% hike. 

Councillors acknowledged that homeowners were facing multiple challenges with the tariffs, inflation, and the affordability crisis, but that business owners faced unique challenges and are struggling to keep their doors open. Coun. Jeremy Caradonna said during the Thu. meeting that shifting the tax ratio would “show some love” to downtown businesses. 

“That doesn't mean that taxes are technically going down, but it does mean that they are at least going up at a lower rate and that is one of the few ways that we can materially, tangibly show our support for our small business community,” Caradonna said.

Mayor Marianne Alto said that when the idea of shifting the tax burden was first raised, she knew it would be “hugely controversial and very difficult.”

“It's not like we can find new money, it just shifts it around, and that's hard,” Alto said. “But at the same time, as many others have said for years, small businesses—businesses in general—are often considered the engine of cities. 

“I consider them an engine, but also the heart of the city as well. Without that particular impetus being here, we would be in a very, very poor place.”

The final report on the financial plan is expected to go to council later this week, according to city staff.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🚌 BC Transit route change proposal survey. [Until May 2]

🌸 Experience exclusive LED therapy with the Blossom Facial at Pure Day Spa—erase the years, restore your glow, and reveal radiant, firmer skin. Relax with courtyard views and enjoy free parking.*

⛵ 46th annual Classic Boat Festival in Inner Harbour. [Register now]

🎭 On now to May 1, join Pacific Opera Victoria for Rigoletto Revelry, an online fundraising auction to fuel the future of opera in our community.*

💗 Cheryl-Lynn Townsin: Royal Roads’ 2025 Emerging Changemaker.

🌊 🍅 Not tomato soup: An early season “red tide” algae bloom seen on a North Saanich beach, which displays bioluminescence at night. [Facebook photos]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Colwood’s city-owned clinic on track to add two more doctors
The city says it’s about to sign the doctors, adding to the current roster of one. A fourth doctor is expected to be hired in September. Colwood’s mayor says it’s likely the city will exceed its goal of eight physician hires in two years. The municipal clinic is currently hiring out-of-province candidates to avoid poaching doctors from other communities; recruitment advertisements will soon be run on social media in the UK, US, and South Africa. [CP/ MSN]

Man accused of kicking Saanich police officer, and being involved in second scuffle
Police were conducting a routine traffic stop on a vehicle with a broken tailight on Irma near Burnside East just before 1am Mon. The officers said they saw drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle and ordered the driver and passenger to get out. The female driver complied, but the male passenger resisted and had to be forcibly removed, during which time it’s alleged he kicked the officer repeatedly, including in the head. Zachary Mott was charged with one count of assaulting a police officer and was then released. Saanich Police said Mott got into a second incident where he assaulted an officer from a neighbouring force. [Saanich Police]

Police investigating the Royal Jubilee bush fire as suspicious
The fire broke out next to the Jubilee’s hospice building on Fri. No suspects are in custody, but a witness says they saw a person crouching next to the bush moments before the fire began. Fire crews managed to douse the flames before they reached a large nearby tree. [CHEK]

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🗓️ Things to do

🧠 Trivia Night: Test all the random knowledge your brain has been stockpiling: movies, music, sports, etc. Spinnakers. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎵 Louise Rose: Alone Together: Join the jazz legend for an intimate evening of soulful melodies and storytelling. Hermann’s. Tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🤣 Phillips Comedy Night at The Mint: Laugh the night away with top local comedians. The Mint. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

📷 Pacific Crossing Photo Presentation: Photographer Taylor Burk shares tales and images from his Pacific sailing expedition. Whistle Buoy Brewing. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎭 Rigoletto: See the Pacific Opera Victoria perform a tragic tale of love, betrayal, and revenge in the licentious world of Renaissance Italy. Royal Theatre. Opens today. 7:30pm. [Info]  

👠 Cinderella: A whimsical retelling of the classic fairy tale, featuring the Canadian College of Performing Arts’s signature mix of humour, romance, and stunning choreography. McPherson Playhouse. Thu-Sat. 7:30pm. [Info]

🍽 Downtown Flavour Trails Festival: Celebrate the vibrant and diverse array of flavours in the downtown core this weekend. The self-guided festival offers cooking demos, workshops, and dishes featuring local, seasonal ingredients. Sat. & Sun. All day. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Key election questions posed to Saanich-Gulf Islands candidates; Earth Day events in the CRD; Court challenge against Victoria delayed by shelter bylaw amendments. [April 22]

Pope Francis: Victoria Catholics mourn a humble man. [Times Colonist]

Victoria connection to blind athlete’s Boston Marathon run. [CHEK]

1 dead, 1 airlifted after sailboat capsizes east of the city. [CTV]

Missing: Stephanie, 35, was last seen on Tues. and is 37 weeks pregnant, Saanich Police say. [Info]

Missing: Aaron, 48. Last seen April 11, according to West Shore RCMP. [Info]

Food recall: Captain’s Choice shredded coconut could be contaminated with salmonella. [Info]

Orca rake marks: These marks are the result of play, courting, and displays of dominance. [Facebook photo]

Island waters: See waves crash along the shore near a lush forest. [Facebook photo]

That’s it!

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