April 5 - Rally at the legislature today

Good morning !

The Victoria Royals are on to the second round of the playoffs after defeating the Tri-City Americans 7-0 last night to take their opening series 4-1.

Speaking of Americans… there’s an Elbows Up! rally for Canada this morning.

We speak to one of the organizers for our first story today.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 13 / 7

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 11 / 8

Monday: 🌦️ 10 / 7

7-day forecast

NEWS

Elbows Up, Victoria! Pro-Canada rally to be held at the legislature

Victorians will get a chance today to let out some pent-up emotions and mentally go into the corners to push back against US President Donald Trump. His perplexing economic sanctions and threats of annexing Canada have ignited a wave of overt patriotism usually more readily witnessed on the other side of the border.

“The threats that were coming were very scary, and I think a lot of people are suffering from a lot of anxiety,” organizer Marlaina Blanche tells Capital Daily. 

“You know, sometimes it's better to deal with it together than sitting on your couch feeling helpless.”

Blanche says she’s lived here for 75 years and has never seen Canadians so upset about their country’s relationship with its traditional best friend.

Having said that, the James Bay resident says she doesn’t want, nor does she expect, this morning’s event at the legislature to turn negative.

“We're hoping it'll be just a fun celebration of this amazing country that we live in, that's kind of under attack right now.”

Following peaceful and passionate turnouts in Ottawa and Toronto, the rally is being billed as “a family-friendly, non-partisan celebration” to show “unity, resilience, and strength.”

It will include inspiring speeches, live music by Victoria singer-songwriter Deb Rhymer, and jazz singer-songwriter Heather Ferguson.

Activist group the Raging Grannies, award-winning puppeteer Tim Gosley, and environmentalist Elizabeth May—not wearing her political hat, Blanche says—also will appear.

Blanche and her fellow organizers have been supported by Elbows Up, Canada!, which describes itself as “a grassroots movement dedicated to bringing Canadians together in a positive, non-partisan, inclusive way.”

“We're not going to let [Trump] push us around,” she tells Capital Daily. “‘Elbows up’ by Gordie Howe, you know, I think it's very Canadian.”

The event starts at 11am and is slated for 90 minutes. Organizers encourage wearing red and bringing a sign and a friend.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Closed: Pat Bay Hwy. northbound exit onto Keating Cross, due to downed utility lines. [Updates at DriveBC]

Esquimalt 5K and Kids Fun Run today: Expect road closures and traffic delays. [VicPD]

Search continues for high-risk missing person: Miroslav, 65, has mental-health issues. He was last seen at 3pm Tues. on Lyall. [VicPD]

First cruise ship of April arrived at Ogden Point yesterday. Next one: April 14.

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

Esquimalt votes today in byelection

The voted victor will replace now-MLA Darlene Rotchford and serve out the remaining year-and-a-half in that seat. Today, residents can vote or drop off mail-in ballots from 8am to 8pm at the Esquimalt Rec gym (527 Fraser).

The eight contenders are more than the entire 2022 election had—Esquimalt has six council seats and had only seven candidates vying for spots in 2022.

Today's options are:

• Ed Avery, a third-generation Esquimalt resident

• Cornelis Bouman, a retired social worker and civil servant with the province

• Meagan Brame, a 2008-2022 Esquimalt councillor who ran for MLA in 2024

• Holly Courtright, a realtor and business coach currently acting as president of the Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce

• Marcus McCullough, a youth support worker who previously worked in disaster recovery and economic growth for the Alberta government ministries

• James Myers, an engineer who has lived in many parts of Canada & the US

• Shawn Stewart, a former reserve military officer, mainly in tech roles, and acoustics researcher

• Kody Thomson, an armed forces officer with a background in civil engineering and disaster management
  
  Read more about these candidates' positions at Capital Daily. 

SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA

Dance Victoria presents: Compañía Rafaela Carrasco

On April 11 and 12, Dance Victoria concludes the 2024/25 Season of the World’s Best Dance with Compañía Rafaela Carrasco (Spain) in the award-winning contemporary flamenco performance Nocturna (Architecture of Insomnia). Follow an exceptional cast of dancers and musicians on a sleepless journey from dusk to dawn. Tickets from $34!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🏠 Rental subsidy program boosts for seniors, low-income families. [RAP/SAFER]

⚽ Pacific FC home opener today at 5pm. [Capital Daily offer]

🚣 Brown Cup rowing race: UVic vs. UBC today. [Inner Harbour]

🎸 The world premiere of If You Could Read My Mind: The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot starts April 22. Learn more.*

🛝💦 Lazy river days: See the former All Fun Waterslide Park in Millstream when it first opened in 1983. [Facebook photos]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Victoria’s new OCP passes next step: public can comment in summer
The proposed Official City Plan aims for 4-storey projects allowed in most areas, mainly 4-6 storeys in “community villages,” and taller in certain high-growth areas such as designated town centres and transit corridors. It also proposes several new waterfront village centres, and streamlines and simplifies rezonings. Council’s committee of the whole approved this latest step, 7-2. Opposed councillors argued the plan could cause too much displacement while proponents said it responds to the housing and climate crises, and can now be amended every 5 years instead of 10. [Times Colonist]

Victoria Royals advance to Round 2 of WHL playoffs
They dispatched the Tri-City Americans in 5 games, sealing the series victory with a 7-0 blowout last night down in Washington state. It was the second career shutout for goalie Johnny Hicks.

‘Major delays’ expected on Blanshard for paving next week
Driving downtown is going to be a bit of a slow-speed challenge as a new road surface is poured onto the major north-south artery between Pandora and Fort. One lane will remain open in each direction, but the cross streets will be closed. Closures to last four days, depending on weather. [CHEK]

Disabled single mother faces eviction in Saanich
Fran Hayes says she isn’t sleeping at night, and she’s stressed all the time. Two years ago, the mother of two got a notice from the Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC) saying her three-bed subsidized townhouse in Campus View near UVic was to be redeveloped this year. She was recently given two options to which to relocate, but says neither is suitable. [Black Press]

🗓️ Things to do

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

🐰 Free pet photos with the Easter Bunny: The Easter Bunny is eggs-cited to see you and your furry friends at his newly constructed Cozy Carrot Cottage in Centre Court. Westshore Town Centre. Today & tomorrow. [Info]

🐻 Victoria Grizzlies in BCHL playoff hockey: Game 2 vs. Coquitlam tonight at Q Centre in Colwood. [Tickets]

🎨 Oak Bay Artists’ Studio Tour: The free tour is produced by Oak Bay Parks, Recreation, and Culture, and is self-guided and self-paced, with maps provided. Monterey Recreation Centre, and private home studios. Today and tomorrow. 10am-4pm. [Info]

🎭 Competitive Improv: Theatresports: Join some of Victoria's best improvisers as they go head-to-head in hilarious weekly contests where the audience decides the winner. Theatre SKAM. Today. 8:30-9:40pm. [Info]

🎵 Latin Funk Night: The West Coast Cuban Orchestra. Expect a fusion of genres because the purpose is to reinvent the musical legacy left by legends such as Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Etta James, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, and the Beatles. The Coda (formerly Hermann's Upstairs). Tonight. 9pm. [Info]

🧁 Handmade Village Craft Market’s Spring Market. Visit 50+ local vendors to find spring and Easter crafts, art, baked goods, jewelry, candles, bath and skincare, up-cycled items, wood art, kids + baby apparel, clothing design, homewares, ceramics, knit and crocheted goods, and more. North Douglas Church. Opens at 10am. [Info]

🖼️ AGGV Feel Free–Free Gallery Days. Admission is free on the first Sat. of each month (10am-5pm) and every Thursday (5pm-9pm) at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. On now: From Balzar to Hunt and From Warhol to Banksy. 

🛍️ Issamba Multicultural Food & Crafts Market: Experience a vibrant multicultural market with international cuisine, unique crafts, and a DJ jamboree. Centennial Square. Today & tomorrow. 10am-8pm. [Info]

💡 Kidovate Youth Market: Support young entrepreneurs as they showcase and sell their handmade products. Bay Centre. Today. 10am-4pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: Overdose death review makes 18 recommendations to UVic; Ralliers stump for old-growth; BC’s Pattison is the nation’s fifth wealthiest person. [April 4]

New regional transportation service on CRD wishlist. [CHEK] 

Wayward beaver euthanized after suffering saltwater toxicity from ocean swimming in Sidney. [Times Colonist]

Local Champion program applications are due tomorrow.

Garter party: Garter snakes gather in the garden of a North Saanich home. [Facebook video]

Meet the city’s poets laureate at their first readings. [April 10]