Good morning {{First name}}!
If you’re like me, and two of your lifelong loves are hiking and cheese (sometimes even enjoyed together at the summit), there are two serious advisories today.
Check your boots: A large portion of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail remains off-limits because of serious storm damage
— Mark
Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes
🌡 Weather Forecast
⚠ Capital Bulletin
Cheese Recall: due to Listeria monocytogenes.
Douglas closed between Humboldt and Belleville, 7:30am-3pm, through tomorrow
Blanshard lane closure: Caledonia to Bay, through April 17
Cook Construction: lane closures, traffic disruptions near Yates
Maplewood northbound is closed between Slater Pl. and Oakmount, work hours through April 14
Vista Hts. is closed (from Rise to Cook), work hours through April 14
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
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NEWS
The RCMP says we still have a seatbelt and cellphone problem
A BC Highway Patrol officer stops a truck on the side of the highway. Photo: RCMP
BC’s Highway Patrol says motorists haven’t improved—or worsened—when it comes to fastening in and remaining focused behind the wheel. The numbers are in for last month’s distracted driving and occupant restraint campaigns across the province.
“When you consider staffing changes, different enforcement techniques, weather, and other factors, these numbers are essentially flat,” says Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol.
“Having said that, you can look around and see that too many people are still using their phones while driving. And why some people can’t bring themselves to use their seatbelt remains a mystery.”
Vancouver Island: 241 distracted and 89 seatbelt violations in March 2026 (versus 276 and 61 in 2025)
Provincewide: 2,722 distracted and 775 seatbelt citations (versus 2,738 and 821 in March 2025)
“Distracted driving is still one of the top three things that can kill you on BC roads, along with speed and impairment, and seatbelts are just such an easy way to save lives in collisions,” McLaughlin says.
“As long as they continue to be problems, we will continue to educate through enforcement.”
SPONSORED BY BELFRY THEATRE
Casey and Diana starts April 21
As human and as funny as life, and just as fragile.
“Casey” is Casey House in Toronto, Canada’s first hospice for men dying of AIDS.
“Diana” is Princess Diana—who visited Casey House in 1991—and changed the world’s attitude towards the disease.
Thomas has spent five months in Casey House waiting to die. Now he’s hoping he’ll live long enough to meet the Princess he idolizes.
The Belfry Theatre offers pay-what-you-want tickets to all performances.
Rehearsal photos by Peter Pokorny.
⭐️ Capital Picks
👠 Belfry Fundraiser at Fluevog on Johnson. [6-9pm tonight]
🎤 Lyle Lovett is coming to the Royal Theatre. [Tickets on sale tomorrow]
🌺 Rhodo Rave at Abkhazi Garden. [Starts tomorrow]
🌎 Earth Day Do-Si-Do is Saturday, April 18, at Fernwood Community Centre.
🎨 Hills to Shore Artists Tour is on May 9 & 10.
🗞 In Other News
Esquimalt First Nation opposes Songhees Nation’s claim to Hatley Park
The Esquimalt Nation is going to court to block federal plans to designate the area as Songhees Nation treaty lands. The 230-hectare site in Colwood—home to Royal Roads University—is currently owned by the Defence Department. The land is earmarked for divestiture as part of an agreement in principle signed by the Songhees and four other First Nations in 2015, according to the claim filed in BC Supreme Court. The Esquimalt Nation says it “has not consented to and opposes" the land’s designation and transfer. [Black Press]
BC Ferries expects a ‘30% or more fare increase in 2028 alone’
Travellers began paying higher fares when increases averaging 3.2% kicked in yesterday, adding about $5 to the cost of a driver and vehicle. Rising inflation and the escalating costs of maintaining an aging fleet could lead to more dramatic increases, a company spokesperson said yesterday. Based on projected demand and current investment, BC Ferries is “anticipating a 30% or more fare increase in 2028 alone,” Jeff Groot said. [CHEK]
Searchers find overdue hiker and remind others that the Juan de Fuca Trail remains closed
A day after carrying out a hiker with a leg injury, Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue located an overdue hiker. That’s prompted a reminder that much of the trail remains closed due to significant damage wrought by storms in 2024. “The trail is unsafe and impassable, with damaged bridges, unstable slopes, washouts, fallen trees, and blocked sections,” BC Parks says on its website. Searchers also said that with fewer people on the 47-kilometre-long trail, wildlife had become less habituated to humans, making it more dangerous to be there. [Times Colonist]
SPONSORED BY BC DAIRY
The work behind the milk
At Pickmick Dairy in Delta, Melissa Thibaudier balances motherhood, technology, and a generational legacy. Her story reveals the care, precision, and people behind every jug of milk. Read how BC's next generation of farmers is adapting to keep food on our tables. Read her story.
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🗓 Things To Do
🎵 Postsecondary Thursday Lunch Concert: VCM's postsecondary students share works-in-progress spanning classical, jazz, bluegrass, and original compositions in a free drop-in concert. Robin & Winifred Wood Hall, Victoria Conservatory of Music. Today. 12:30-1:30pm. [Info]
🎤 Pop Song Competition: VCM voice students of all ages and abilities perform a single pop song each, competing for prizes and feedback from professional music industry adjudicators. Alix Goolden Performance Hall, Victoria Conservatory of Music. Today. 5-9pm. [Info]
🐈🪈 Three for the Tillerman: An Intimate Tribute to Cat Stevens: Pierre Trépanier leads a trio through an acoustic evening of Cat Stevens' most beloved songs, performed with guitars, piano, flute, and close vocal harmonies. McPherson Playhouse. Today. 7:30pm. [Info]
🪖 Vimy Ridge Candlelight Tribute: The Langford Legion hosts a candlelight memorial marking Canada's sacrifice at the April 9-12, 1917 Battle of Vimy Ridge. Veterans Memorial Park, Langford. Today. 7:45pm. [Info]
🤣 Amy's Bunny Barn Society Fundraiser: A comedy night raising funds for Amy's Bunny Barn Society, featuring Howie Miller. Hecklers. Today. 8pm. [Info]
🧑⚕️Indigenous Nurses Day: Honouring the incredible contributions of Indigenous nurses in healing, health care, and wellness. Camosun College Interurban Campus. Tomorrow. 1:30pm-3:30pm. [Info]
🎻 Breakwater Quartet: This incredible local string quartet will play a variety of musical covers arranged by its members. View Royal Community Hall. Tomorrow. Doors 6pm. Show 7-9pm. [Info]
🎼 See and Hear the Rehearsal: The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge rehearses for its future accompaniments with the Victoria Symphony. Working rehearsal. The Farquhar at UVic. Saturday. 10am-12pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Wednesday’s headlines: Victoria Curling Club needs $75K to complete ice machine purchase; Green Shirt Day and why; BC Transit transforms its website. [April 8]
Murder trial begins for man accused of stabbing woman in front of Ocean Island Inn in 2024. [Times Colonist]
Downtown Blanshard Block goes on sale for $9.8 million. [CHEK]
Sooke Road: Overnight BC Hydro work. [Until April 24]
New recreational court booking system launches today. [City of Victoria]
Sooke Secret Garden and Artisans Tour. [June 6 & 7]
Blue Rodeo plays Parksville on Aug. 21.
That’s it!
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