Good morning {{First name}}!

We’re not waking up to tariffs on everything from auto parts and honey to hockey sticks.
The Trump regime put a pause on threatened 50% taxes late yesterday.
So, that’s super good news.
Hmmmm. That reminds me.
I think I’ll have tacos for lunch.

— Mark

^{Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes}

Today: 🌤️ 23 / 13

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 24 / 14

Friday: 🌦️ 27 / 16

7-day forecast

Even in one of the most affluent communities on the planet, food security is an issue, and some people go hungry.

As government services are cut, reducing support for those in need, altruistic organizations like the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Vancouver Island have had to step up to provide for those who can’t provide for themselves. 

On Saturday, you can be part of the benevolence by supporting the final Cram the Van food and fundraising drive to wrap up its Cure the Summertime Blues campaign.

What: Cram the Van food drive
When: Saturday, Aug. 22, 9:30am-4pm
Where: Country Grocer in Royal Oak

Since its spring launch, the campaign has donated more than $19K toward the Society’s $25K goal and has collected more than 750 kg of nonperishable food. 

Derek Pace, executive director of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Vancouver Island, says that while the community’s generosity has been overwhelming, the need for more is growing.

“Every dollar and every food donation helps us provide nutritious food to individuals, seniors, and families who are facing difficult choices between paying rent, buying groceries, or covering other essential expenses.”

Pace says this is especially true in the summertime when schools are out, and their programs are on hold.

“We hope the community will join us one last time to help fill the van—and our pantry."

Saturday’s haul will help fill shelves at the Society’s Choices Food Pantry, a grocery-style, choice-based relief program run on Yates.

What is needed:

Donations can also be made online at www.ssvpvancouverisland.ca.

Applications for mail-in voting are now open for Esquimalt residents.

US citizens living on the Island looking to vote in November’s midterm elections can request a ballot here.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

On the water today? Check the tide times for Victoria.

A program that helps people who are blind, deaf-blind, or visually impaired gain workplace skills and improve employability is getting an $840K boost. 

Part of this funding will go to the Victoria chapter of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), which runs the Come To Work program in the capital city. Training will also be offered to people in New Westminster, Kelowna, and Prince George through the CNIB.

The funding will provide up to 16 visually impaired British Columbians with hands-on, essential skills training, occupational development, and workplace experience. Training lasts 16 weeks, followed by 13 weeks of work experience. After that, each trainee will receive four weeks of individual follow-up support once the program ends. 

Nearly a quarter of a million people in BC have sight loss, but only two in five of them are employed due to "inaccessible workplaces, technology gaps and misconceptions," said Ana Booth, executive director of CNIB BC-Yukon.

She said CNIB's previous contract with the province supported nearly 400 people with workplace training, but "some barriers remained." 

The current Come To Work program "addresses these gaps through assistive technology training, paid work experience and partnerships with inclusive employers," Booth said.

Pei Tien, a Victoria-based participant, said the program helped with building confidence after a years-long break from work.

“I have strengthened my digital and interview skills and learned that I have the right to request accommodations during interviews and in the workplace," Tien said. "I now feel better prepared to advocate for myself.”

Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill, says all British Columbians should have access to meaningful work opportunities where their talents can shine.

"CNIB in Victoria has helped many of their clients achieve this aspiration," Lore said in a statement. 

Both fires burned in natural areas near hiking paths, which remain open.

The first was relatively small, at 10 feet by 10 feet, and was extinguished pretty quickly after firefighters arrived at around 9am yesterday.

Three hours later, a larger blaze was reported. It was 90 feet by 90 feet, Trevor Stubbings, Saanich’s deputy fire chief, said. That’s the size of a standard baseball infield.

The cause of both fires remained undetermined.

It’s a good reminder “to stay diligent and control all your sources of ignition, including cigarette butts or any kind of spark,” Stubbings said.

“It's an extreme condition out there right now, extremely dry, and anytime we have a little bit of wind, that can be a consideration too for the rapid spread of a grass fire.”

The PHS Run Team is taking on the 2026 Under Armour Eastside 10K, intending to raise $30,000 to construct a purpose-built kitchen and expand the PHS Vancouver Food Program. 

So far, PHS has raised $8,000, and there's still a long way to go. 

Every day, PHS provides more than 3,900 meals, including over 2,000 hot meals, to people living in supportive housing, shelters, and community programs. As food costs continue to rise, so does the need. This program is vital for people who don’t have access to a kitchen or cold storage.  

Your support helps ensure vulnerable community members have access to reliable, nutritious food every single day. 

Donate, share, or support a runner today.

🏊 One month left of Crystal Pool programs. [Registration]

🌍 Greenhouse gas monitoring: CRD introduces an interactive GHG Inventory Dashboard.

🌿 New from Mateína: A zero-sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean energy—no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

🥍 Victoria Shamrocks host Coquitlam Adanacs in Game 3 of the WLA Finals. [6:30pm tonight at Q Centre]

🏈 Westshore Rebels host Okanagan Sun on Saturday at Starlight Stadium. [’90s Summer Bash]

🏡 Adult children of seniors are helping their parents decide whether to age in place. This free guide helps everyone figure it out together.*

*Sponsored Listing

Man, 27, dies swimming at Goldstream Falls
The man was swimming near the waterfall in Goldstream Provincial Park on Monday night when he went underwater and did not resurface, the Westshore RCMP said. Bystanders pulled the man from the water and immediately began life-saving measures until emergency services arrived. The man was transferred to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. [RCMP]

On the buses: BC Transit workers begin job action, uniformly
After 16 months with no progress in contract negotiations, some 750 workers in Greater Victoria started their job action on Monday by leaving their uniforms behind and working in their civvies. The BC Transit drivers and mechanics issued a 72-hour strike notice last week and are in a legal position to walk over wages and working conditions. Unifor Local 333 said right now, it has no intention of disrupting service. [CHEK]

Summer impaired driving prohibitions plummet, under shorter campaign
This year's summertime impaired-driving clampdown resulted in 229 driving prohibitions across the province—a sharp decline from the 626 issued in last year’s summer blitz. The big difference: this summer’s campaign was six weeks long, four weeks shorter than last summer’s. On the Island, 32 drivers were found to be impaired by alcohol and four impaired by drugs, compared with last year when 131 were penalized for alcohol impairment and 17 for drugs. [RCMP]

🎶 Mister Mojo: A free children's music and entertainment show as part of the Wednesday summer series running through August. Cameron Bandshell. Today. 11am–12pm. [Info]

🤸  TFA Fitness: Enjoy a free drop-in fitness class with The Fitness Academy. Bring your own mat if you can. Ship Point. Today. 12–1pm. [Info]

🎵 Richard the Scouser: The Liverpudlian plays rock from the 1950s, ‘60s, and '70s as part of the city's free Tuesdays–Thursdays series running through the summer. Ship Point. Today. 4–5pm. [Info]

🍺 Oaklands Sunset Market: This weekly evening market runs through Sept. 2, bringing together food trucks, local vendors, a beer garden, and live music each week. Oaklands Community Centre. Today. 4:30–8pm. [Info]

🎶 Fembite: Pop rock act Fembite performs as part of the city's free evening concert series running Tuesdays through Thursdays through Labour Day. Ship Point. Today. 5:30–7pm. [Info]

🎸  Eventide Concert curated by Near Dark: CFUV 101.9 FM and the City of Victoria showcase the independent music scene with an all-ages, free concert series. Centennial Square. Wed. 6–10pm. [Info]

🍎 Snow White: By Passion and Performance. A reimagining of the classic story, blending hip hop, lyrical, jazz, and tap into a spellbinding theatrical experience. Langham Court Theatre. Tonight. 7pm. [Info] 

🖌️ End of Summer Paint Party: A guided and interactive painting experience with a professional artist. Little Fernwood's Paul Phillips Hall. Tomorrow. 6:30-8pm. [Info] 

🐐 Goats in the City: Experience an innovative approach to wildfire mitigation. Help make your community more resilient to wildfire. Starlight Stadium parking lot. Sunday. 12-3pm. [Info]

Tuesday’s headlines: 19 wildfires burning on the Island; Underwater cable work begins in the Gorge; Sooke man shoots neighbour in stomach: costs him $1.1M. [Aug. 18]

Obituary: Fairway Market founder Don Yuen dies at 94. [Times Colonist]

BC Ferries may have to cancel some sailings between the Island and Central Coast due to a mechanical issue. [CHEK]

SoberFest in Langford raises $20K for people battling addiction. [CTV]

Community Memorial tomorrow: Honour the lives of 5 Victorians who died from toxic drugs last month at St. John the Divine at 1pm. [Info]

Greater Victoria Little Free Library Awards voting is open. 

Greater Victoria Hiring and Education Expo 2026 is Sept. 10.

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