April 3 - Neighbourhood upset over development

Good morning !

Today, we have stories about a community frustrated by development and another community coming together to support a beloved local couple.

US tariffs were also announced yesterday—they weren’t as bad for Canada as anticipated, but the 25% duty on Canadian aluminum, steel, and auto parts went into effect today.

While we were exempt from the sweeping reciprocal tariffs slapped on dozens of other nations, the effect on world trade could still hurt Canada’s economy, with one Canadian auto business expert saying it’s “like dodging a bullet into the path of a tank.”

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 12 / 5

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 12 / 7

Saturday: 🌤️ 12 / 8

7-day forecast

NEWS

Oak Bay townhouse proposal perturbs some in the neighbourhood

A Victoria developer wants to move a 111-year-old Oak Bay mansion a few metres within the property at 960 Foul Bay to make room for a complex consisting of 16 townhouses, with 24 units in three buildings. 

Marking Developments owner Jennifer Travelbea said the large home, built in 1914 by renowned BC architect Samuel Maclure, would be renovated to fit an additional eight strata units and that the project would help Oak Bay meet its provincial housing targets.

“You can't pick up a newspaper in this province without hearing how desperately we need housing, right?” Travelbea tells Capital Daily.

In January, the provincial government appointed an adviser to Oak Bay when the municipality failed to meet its housing targets. It was required to oversee the construction of 58 units, but by Christmas, only 16 had been completed.

Travelbea says the new housing would be a mix of three- to four-bedroom units priced at market value, and that there would be internal parking for 34 vehicles. 

“Our goal is for it to be attainable to families of all shapes and sizes, whether that be couples, individuals, retirees, families with one or two kids,” Travelbea says.

Not everyone is onside.

"This development is a massive money grab,” says Alex Armitage, who speaks for a group of neighbours who oppose the project as it’s been designed.

“The proposal takes advantage of the community's need for more housing and ignores what makes our community unique, livable, and safe.”

Read Mark Brennae’s full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

High-risk missing person: Miroslav, 65, suffers from mental health issues and was last seen at 3pm Tues. on Lyall St. [VicPD]

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

Greater Victoria community rallies around Langford couple in their final weeks together

Victoria is coming together to celebrate and fundraise for a Langford couple who recently received devastating news. 

Two weeks before Sarah and Geri Kramer celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary, Sarah found out she had terminal brain cancer. They were told it’s unlikely she’ll live beyond April.

But their community has shown up in droves to support the couple—within 24 hours of Geri starting a GoFundMe, hoping the two could step away from work and spend their last weeks together at home, they raised $90K. At the time of writing, $113K in total has been raised since March 18.

The sentiment among donors was clear: The Kramers are a pillar to many in the Greater Victoria community. 

The two are known as the owners of Tattoo Zoo on View, where Geri is an artist, and for their podcast, Meet the Kramers, where they share details of their relationship, including how Geri’s gender transition shaped their marriage. Sarah is also an internationally known vegan cookbook writer who has inspired many people to commit to the lifestyle. 

An additional fundraiser—happening tonight at 7pm—has been organized on their behalf at the Vicious Poodle. Geri responded to the event, saying, “This is honestly so unbelievable. I had no idea so many people cared so much.”

Sarah is now home from the hospital, which Geri says has brightened her mood. Geri wrote on her Instagram that donations to the GoFundMe have “alleviated the stress of having to go back to work immediately.” She plans to take a break from tattooing to focus on spending time with Sarah.

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The Victoria Foundation accepts new Gadsden Initiative members at any time. Click here to learn more and to join a vibrant community of over 80 people who are making a lasting difference in our community!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🪣 Free spring clean-up for downtown businesses. [Registry deadline tomorrow]

🪨 🖼️ Mondrian-esque rock: See the artistic-looking rock found on an Island beach. [Facebook photo]

👮 VicPD community survey opens. [Until April 25]

🛝 Spring recreation registration opens April 14. [City of Victoria]

🗞️ In Other News

Major project, including 20-storey tower, proposed for Blanshard
BC Housing intends to apply for rezoning to build eight new buildings and the tower on an eight-acre plot of land that runs from Bay to Hillside. The project would include 900 new housing units—341 at below-market rates—and would be built over two decades. If greenlit, the plan would be to tear down existing buildings, including 175 low-income townhouses in Evergreen Terrace, which went up in 1970 and are at the end of their useful lives. [Times Colonist]

Canada and Mexico exempt from sweeping US reciprocal tariffs, existing duties remain
Goods imported under CUSMA will not face additional tariffs, while those outside the trade deal will have a 10% tariff—significantly lower than the tariffs dozens of nations face. The 25% tariff on auto parts, steel, and aluminum will remain. The effect of the global tariffs could still be damaging for Canada; economists say a global recession is possible. Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will “fight” them with a series of counter-measures. The US has not ruled out future tariffs on Canada. [CTV]
Hours after US President Donald Trump announced the global tariffs, the US Senate voted to block some of Trump’s tariffs on Canada—with support from some Republicans. The measure will likely stall out in the US House, but the 51 to 48 passage within the Senate signals bipartisan opposition to the president’s trade war. [The Guardian]

Humpbacks back to Island waters
The species spends the spring and summer months in the Salish Sea, and according to one Nanaimo whale-watching tour group, the season began on Tues. with the first confirmed humpback sighting. The group says the whales have been returning from the warmer waters of Hawaii and Mexico earlier and staying here longer every year—a positive sign, given the importance of the migratory whales in the Salish Sea’s ecosystem. The rise in humpbacks in Island waters is a sign conservation efforts are working, the group says. [CHEK]

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🗓️ Things to do

🧵 Sew Magic Quilt Show, Sale and Gala 2025: Help celebrate 20 years of saying: “Sew what? Sew everything!” at Juan de Fuca Rec Centre. Tonight-Sat. [Info]

🧶 Craft and Connect: Drop in to work on your own art project or try something new at Luther Court Society Main Lounge today. 3pm. [Info]​

🎺 Kelby MacNayr's Blue Note Repertory All-Stars: Experience a night where drummer Kelby MacNayr leads a stellar lineup, featuring Cuban trumpet sensation Miguelito Valdes, saxophonist Roy Styffe, and pianist Dr. Tony Genge, at Hermann’s tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🛍️ Issamba Multicultural Food & Crafts Market: Experience a vibrant multicultural market at Centennial Square, with international cuisine, unique crafts, and a DJ jamboree. Tomorrow 5pm; Sat. & Sun. 10am. [Info]

🎭 On Hold: See a contemporary dance production—humorously exploring the emotions of being on hold—at McPherson Playhouse tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🐣 Pet Photos with the Easter Bunny: Bring your pets for a photo with the Easter Bunny at Westshore Town Centre. Proceeds go to Raincoast Dog Rescue. Sat. & Sun. 4-8pm. [Info]

🎤 The Story of Taylor Swift: Experience the journey of Taylor Swift's rise to fame on a tribute starring recording artist Charity Eden at McPherson Playhouse. April 10. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: Tesla target victim takes high road; Marmots were once a food source; Gas prices drop. [April 2]

Steeple to people: First Metropolitan Church may be converted into housing, arts space. [Times Colonist]

Recent travel Trumped: BC-to-Washington state trip numbers tumble. [Vancouver Sun]

BC Hydro flatly offering option to traditional tiered payment system. [CHEK]

Missing girls found, says Saanich Police.

Gyro Park’s octopus reflected in the rain. [Colin Smith]

Flowers and feathers: A peacock tries to outshine the daffodils in Beacon Hill Park. [Facebook photo]

That’s it!

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