April 25 - Green deputy leader sentenced to jail

Good morning !

Earlier this week, we shared some sad news about Southern Resident orcas, but today we have a more positive whale update: the first humpback calf of 2024 has been spotted in the Salish Sea. The calf is three or four months old, and is the offspring of a humpback named “Black Pearl.”

Humpbacks in the region, like Southern Resident orcas, were nearly wiped out in the 20th century due to the whaling industry. Thankfully, their numbers have improved significantly in what some are calling the “humpback comeback.”

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

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NEWS

Green Party deputy leader and Fairy Creek activist sentenced to 48 days in jail

Angela Davidson, also known as Rainbow Eyes, was sentenced yesterday for charges related to her protesting at Fairy Creek, where she was a prominent leader at the camps.

She had argued her involvement at Fairy Creek was part of her duties as a Kwakwakaʼwakw land guardian, however, the presiding judge disagreed.

In Jan., she was convicted of seven counts of criminal contempt for continuously returning to the Fairy Creek blockades, breaching injunction orders, and later breaching bail orders. 

She was sentenced to 60 days in total, reduced by 12 days for time served before her trial. She will also need to complete 75 hours of community service.

An appeal could be on the table

Davidson’s lawyer, former Victoria councillor Ben Isitt, told Capital Daily that Davidson is considering all of her options, including a potential appeal. He said that 28 of the 48 days of jail time are for two charges from a period when she was searching for a fellow Coast Salish person, Bear Henry, who went missing for two months in 2022 while en route to Fairy Creek. 

“She does find particularly that part of the sentence to be unreasonable,” said Isitt. “And she's strongly considering challenging it on appeal.”

While Davidson does not agree with the sentencing, Isitt said she feels good that her trial brought Indigenous laws into a Canadian legal context, especially having Kwakwakaʼwakw and Pacheedaht elders speak on her behalf. 

“I think having those Indigenous voices heard in the colonial courts was important for Angela,” said Isitt. “I think she’ll see that as a positive outcome of her trial.”

Greens denounce sentencing

The Green Party released a statement condemning the sentence, saying the case was an example of problematic injunctions that prevent peaceful protests. 

“Injunctions are used to convert the justice and policing systems of the state into private cops to protect corporate profits over the public interest,” the statement read. “This has to stop.”

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Victoria Music Strategy grant calls for application. [$150K]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Carjacking suspect scores arrest hat trick: 3 arrests in 3 days

A man arrested for a downtown carjacking on Mon., and for a similar incident the day before has been detained following a residential break-and-enter Tue. night.

“After the same individual caused two motor vehicle collisions, attempted to steal several vehicles and was successful on one of the attempts, and is now entering into peoples’ homes without consent, all in a matter of days, it is a miracle that no one has been seriously hurt or injured,”  VicPD Chief Del Manak said in a statement.

Seth Packer, whose age and residential information were not made available, faces a total of nine charges that have not yet been proven in court, despite Manak’s statement.

Packer—who VicPD said is being detained until his next court appearance—is accused of stealing a wallet from a North Jubilee area home Tue. night—just hours after he was released on strict bail conditions, including house arrest, the BC Prosecution Service said.

“The accused was only allowed to be outside of his residence between noon and 2pm or for very specific reasons, such as attending court,” acting spokesperson Ann Seymour said in an email to Capital Daily. 

Packer was arrested on Sun. after a man tried to steal an occupied vehicle on Shelbourne and he was apprehended again the following day after a man pushed a woman away from her car and took off in it down Johnson, eventually colliding with two vehicles. 

The BC Prosecution Service’s policy is that every person charged with an offence has the fundamental right to bail on reasonable terms and the right not to be denied reasonable bail without just cause.

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA CHINATOWN MUSEUM SOCIETY

Awakening Chinatown offers family fun

Step into the vibrancy and resilience of Chinese heritage during the third Annual Awakening Chinatown festival on Sunday, May 26, from noon to 5:30 pm.

Presented by the Victoria Chinatown Museum (VCMS), this free all-ages festival celebrates Chinese Canadian heritage and community spirit, with dance, magic, opera, arts, crafts and more, all taking place in Victoria's historic Chinatown neighbourhood.

VCMS was formed in 2020 to honour the history, culture, and contribution of Chinese Canadians. The society launched the festival in 2022 as part of its mission to create broader awareness of the integral role Chinese culture plays in weaving the cultural fabric of Greater Victoria.

Awakening Chinatown 2024 is supported by Lead Sponsor RBC and Dragon Sponsor Townline, amongst others.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🏓 Victoria Pickleball Centre grand opening and open house. [Fri. 5-9pm]

🐦 City Nature Challenge. [CRD Biodiversity]

🛍 Bay Centre Spring Clothing Swap gives new purpose to over 2,600 lbs. of clothes! Created in 2020, this free event has diverted over 16,600 lbs. of clothes from the landfill. Learn more and plan your visit!*

🐋 First humpback calf of 2024 spotted in Salish Sea. [PWWA]

💪 Why get a body composition scan? A Dexa scan gives you a complete picture of your bone density, lean mass, and fat tissue and helps identify health risks. Now at Tall Tree Health.*

🤝 Now hiring: Horse-Drawn Carriage Driver & Sales People at Tally-Ho Carriage Tours.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Island Health memo to nurses: Don’t stop illicit drug use in hospitals
The health authority says drug use is not allowed in hospitals and if patients use, nurses should assess for safety and let the patient finish. “Instead of requiring patients to stop using substances when they access care or services, a harm reduction approach offers ways for care to be provided,” says the memo, presented in the legislature Tue. by the Opposition BC United who asked whether nurses should be exposed to such behaviour. [Times Colonist]

Food is coming to Saanich parks, Christmas trees, too
Saanich council voted to streamline the permit process for mobile food trucks and concession stands—including yuletide trees, so they can operate independently, with less bureaucracy. Mayor Dean Murdock says “It’s about creating more activity in our parks.” Sales will continue to be prohibited in natural and conservation-zoned parks. [Times Colonist]

Nanaimo hotel redevelopment approved despite First Nation objections 
Rezoning the former Howard Johnson hotel site across multiple lots passed a third reading by the Nanaimo council, despite continued written objection by Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN). Chief Michael Wyse said in a letter submitted at a public hearing that SFN is concerned about the environmental impacts of the redevelopment and says the developer has not properly addressed the archaeological significance of the site. [Nanaimo News Now]

Ask and you shall receive 1 returned swiped bicycle
A 15-year-old who had locked their bike up at Oak Bay High reported it stolen on April 15. Four days later—last Friday—they called police back to tell them their father was driving down Pandora and spotted a man with the bike, valued at $800. The father politely asked for the bike back and the man gave it to him. [Oak Bay Police]

🗓️ Things to do

🎸 The Pack a.d.: The duo will bring their rocking sound to Wicket Hall. Tonight 7pm. [Info]

💄 Peaches’ Palace: Local Afro-Indigenous drag star Peaches N Screams will perform alongside other BIPOC drag and burlesque artists at Friend of Dorothy’s. Tonight 8:30pm. [Info]

🎷 David Santana Quartet: Hear Santana’s Quartet take on music by John Coltrane at Hermann’s. Tonight 7pm. [Info]

👒 Anne of Green Gables: The Canadian College of Performing Arts will tell the beloved story of Anne Shirley at McPherson Playhouse. Tonight and tomorrow, 7:30pm. [Info]

🎨 Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Exhibition: A View From Here at the AGGV. Opens Sat. 10am.-5pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: Unions, students insist on more provincial funding; Suspect in downtown carjacking arrested; Island man honoured for dangerous rescue; And more. [April 24] 

Biosolids pellets pressure at CRD: [Capital Daily] 

Urban core plan approved by Saanich council: [CHEK]

Harbour Air buying 50 electric motors: [Herald]

Vic’s first psychedelic healing centre opens. [On Fisgard]

Beautiful butterflies’ photos taken at the Victoria Butterfly Gardens.

Lion's mane jellyfish in San Josef Bay. [Photo]

That’s it!

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