April 30 - Conservatives' campaign proves costly

Good morning !

It’s a minority, albeit a large one, for the Liberals. A UVic professor tells us why it happened.

And BC’s Supreme Court holds firm on a case that sent a Tofino man to jail for killing two black bears.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 16 / 7 

Tomorrow: ☀️ 18 / 9

Friday: 🌦️ 15 / 9

NEWS

Conservatives failed to pivot, says UVic professor

Michael Prince figured there would be a bit of a Liberal bounceback after Justin Trudeau stepped down as prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party on March 24, but the UVic political scientist didn’t anticipate such a huge red wave sweeping the Liberals almost into majority territory. 

“Talk about a turn of events,” he says. 

“I thought, you know, they've been in power almost 10 years, three mandates. People are not just tired of [Trudeau], they're kind of tired of [the Liberal] government.”

And as you know by now, that red wave was powered by the hot air blowing up from the White House: winds that both inflated Canadians’ sense of patriotism and deflated the Conservatives’ blue balloon that mere weeks ago was floating 20% higher than the Liberals’ wrinkled and worn red one. 

However, as David Frum wrote in The Atlantic, “Donald Trump pushed the Conservative Party of Canada down the political stairs.”

Prince sees the result of Canada’s 45th federal election as part existential circumstances gone wrong for a pivotless party and part Hail-Mary completion by a last-minute callup in Mark Carney, who not only caught the pass but ran it in for a touchdown.

“Looking back now, it looks like, you know, there's some Dr. Evil behind the Wizard of Oz, or somebody behind a curtain pulling levers, you know? Wow!”

Read the rest of this story here.

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⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Book of condolences for victims of Lapu Lapu Festival attack open for signing at legislature. [8:30am-4:30pm through Fri.]

Lane reductions: Pandora to Fort for construction/painting roads all week.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

BC Supreme Court upholds first-ever jail sentence for man who killed 2 black bears in his Tofino backyard

Two years ago, Ryan Owen Millar was sentenced to 30 days in jail, along with an $11K fine and a 20-year ban on hunting and purchasing firearms, for killing a nursing mother bear and her small cub.

The bear and her cub—believed to be under a year—were 15 feet up a tree in Millar’s Tofino backyard when he shot them with a crossbow several times in 2021. It is illegal to hunt a bear with cubs less than two years old.

Millar was seen by a man staying next door in an Airbnb, who witnessed him killing the bears and hiding the cub, and captured much of it on video. Millar first told police he did not know about the shooting, then changed his story to say they were aggressive toward him. However, the witness’s testimony proved the bears were keeping their distance.

Millar did not receive the full possible sentence—a $100K fine and up to a year in jail—in 2023, but still appealed the decision, arguing jail time was unprecedented. 

This month, the appeals judge upheld the jail sentence, but reduced Millar’s hunting ban to two years and waived the firearms prohibition. He’ll still have to pay $11K to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.

Read the full story here.

SPONSORED BY DESIGN VICTORIA

Design Victoria festival opens tomorrow

Immerse yourself in Victoria’s lively design scene!

From May 1-4, get a sneak peek at how products, buildings, ideas, and neighbourhoods are designed right here in Victoria through dozens of free events taking place across the city. 

Take part in free talks, open houses, studio tours, exhibitions, and a feature family day workshop for young, curious minds. From architecture to landscape and product design, there is something for everyone.

Check out the Design Victoria hub at the Rotunda (1515 Douglas St.), where the team will give you a map and recommend the best events for you to visit.

Join them on Thursday night for the party of the year! Celebrate with the city’s creative community while enjoying live music, DJs, and signature cocktails at specially-made designer bars.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🥾 Hike for Hospice 2025. [Sun. 9am-12pm]

🚶Inaugural Jane’s Walk in James Bay. [Sat. & Sun.]

🕷️ Johnson’s jumping spider seen in Duncan. [Facebook photos]

🗞️ In Other News

Call it a minority: further counting leaves Liberals with 169 seats
Ballot counting continued into the early afternoon yesterday, and when it was done, the Liberals ended up with 169 seats, three short of a majority. The Conservatives took 144 seats—party leader Pierre Poilievre’s was not one of them—the Bloc Québécois garnered 22, the NDP could muster just seven, meaning the New Democrats are no longer an official party and will lose certain funding and Commons privileges. The Greens won one, with Elizabeth May retaining her Saanich-Gulf Islands seat. [Elections Canada]

BC to hold an independent commission into deadly Lapu-Lapu Day attack
Premier David Eby says the commission investigating the Sat. evening attack that killed 11 and injured 20, will have a quick turnaround so other festival and event organizers can have full insight by June. Eby also says a public inquiry will be held if the current criminal case against Kai-ji Adam Lo, 30, doesn’t provide answers the public is looking for. Lo was under the care of a mental health team in Vancouver and was on leave from the hospital the day of the attack. [CP/ Castanet]

Victoria Royals players suit up for Team Canada at U18 Worlds
Forward Cole Reschny, 18, and defenceman Keaton Verhoeff, 16, will hit the ice in Texas to play in the IIHF U18 World Championship. The competition could help the Victoria players make an early case for a spot on the 2026 World Junior roster. Verhoff is a record-breaking goal scorer for a blueliner on the Royals. Reschny–who racked up 92 points in 62 games—also set a record for the team, with 66 assists this season. Preview games began last week. [Victoria News]

SPONSORED BY PRESSUREPROS

Is your home disappearing under Victoria's green blanket?

The signs are unmistakable: black streaks down your siding, slippery moss on your walkway, and that green film that makes your driveway look decades older than it is. Just yesterday, PressurePros transformed an Oak Bay property in hours, removing years of Victoria's notorious moss and algae build-up. Using advanced equipment and eco-safe solutions, they safely restore everything from heritage brick to modern surfaces.

Why wait? Spring cleaning season is here, and spots are filling quickly. Save thousands compared to replacement costs, and protect your property value.

Book your free estimate today and receive a complimentary gutter inspection ($75 value).

🗓️ Things to do

🧠 Trivia Night at Spinnakers: Weekly trivia covering movies, music, sports, and more. Spinnakers. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

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

🍞 Simple Sourdough: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started: Intro to sourdough baking with Emillie Parrish. James Bay Community Centre. Tonight. 6pm. [Info]

❓ Benji’s Pub Quiz: Trivia night with craft beer and burgers. Île Sauvage Brewing. Tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

📚 TC Book Sale: The massive book sale is back at the Victoria Curling Club, with thousands of used books available for a low price. Sat. & Sun. [Info]

💐 Mother's Day Artisan Market & Workshops: Unique gifts and creative workshops. The Bay Centre’s Mother's Day market. Sat. 10am-6pm. [Info]

🍵 Vintage Fashion Show and Tea. Vintage Fashion Showcase will present Local History Through Fashion from 1860 to 1980. St. Luke’s Community Hall. Sat. 2-4pm. [Info] 

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Liberals win federal election; Election takeaways; Langford baseball fence swiped. [April 29]

Voter turnout highest in 3 decades; above 70% on the Island. [CHEK]

BC Premier David Eby not interested in Jagmeet Singh’s federal NDP gig. [CTV]

Wrong ballots were used in Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke. [Times Colonist]

Victoria Grizzlies at Chilliwack Chiefs in Coastal Conference Finals. Game 1 Fri. in Chilliwack.

Frogs & camas mark springtime at Thetis Lake. [Facebook photos]

Giant pink sea star seen on a Lantzville beach. [Facebook photos]

That’s it!

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