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- Oct 23 - BC election only a year away
Oct 23 - BC election only a year away
New polling looks at voting landscape. Supporting Cowichan sweater makers. UVic wins west again. Island dad wins LEGO honour.
Capital Daily Team
October 23, 2023
Good morning !
Yesterday we looked at the delay of the BC Ferries plan to upgrade major terminals including Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, with several changes shifting toward a more subway-style streamlined process.
— Cam
Do newer, faster-moving ferry terminals appeal to you? |
Today’s approx. read time: 7 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
BC election one year away; NDP lead polling comfortably despite dissatisfaction on issues
A year from the scheduled election, David Eby (right) is in good position to remain BC’s premier. BC Gov photo (Flickr)
The latest Angus Reid polling would have the incumbent BC NDP government re-elected comfortably with 43% of current voting intention.
BC United, formerly the BC Liberals, clings to a distant second place with 22% intention to the BC Conservatives’ 21 . The recent Conservative resurgence (seen here with a second-place finish in the Westshore byelection) seems to coincide with United’s name change. The Greens are in fourth at 12% overall, but in third at 19% on the Island.
While these polls suggested another NDP majority, and Premier Eby held up at around 50% approval, a year still remains and other questions conveyed the lack of satisfaction with the provincial government. Among a slate of 15 key issues, it only had more approval than not in two areas: dealing with the federal government and Indigenous issues.
Among regions, Islanders were likeliest to think that ferries were a problem (81% “poor job”), but remained fairly comfortable with Eby’s premiership and BC’s handling of emergencies.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Lows below 0C later this week, but some sun by weekend.
First real BC snowfall of season expected in mainland’s mountain passes. [CP]
Tattersall now closed for 8 weeks from Quadra to Blenkinsop for water main work. [Saanich traffic info]
Free transit for bike riders continues until Oct. 29.
Two Wilkinson Road inmates injured (non-life-threatening) in undisclosed incident at jail, per Saanich police. [CHEK]
Courtenay man wins $1M in lottery; says he’ll now spend money on travel, his son, and travelling with his son.
Paving on Tillicum (Craigflower to Gorge bridge), for new active transport lanes, will cause delays all week.
NEWS
New local initiative to support Indigenous-made Cowichan sweaters
Zena Roland holds a sweater she made for the Knit launch. Photo: VNFC
Victoria Native Friendship Centre’s (VNFC) Knit will support Coast Salish artisans who create Cowichan sweaters, ensuring fair wages for those keeping the traditional craft alive.
Cowichan sweaters were originally made, starting in the 19th century, using Salish wooly dog fur, knitting culturally significant patterns into the now iconic designs. In the decades since, these sweaters rose in popularity for non-Indigenous people, leading to the production of imitation sweaters from large fashion corporations, like American Eagle and Aritzia.
VNFC said in a statement that “these knock-off sweaters are disrespectful to First Nations knitters and a cultural exploitation of the true Cowichan sweater.”
Knit is designed to ensure that the cultural aspects of the sweaters are honoured and that Indigenous creators are compensated for their work. It launched this week at The Powerhouse in Victoria, showing Collection 01’s 30 handmade sweaters for sale.
“The Cowichan sweater is so much more than clothing. It’s the passing down of culture, of telling stories and sharing traditions,” said Ron Rice of VNFC. “Properly compensating Coast Salish artisans for their work not only provides them with a quality of life but ensures the continuation and protection of the sacred designs that are passed down through generations.”
NEWS
UVic best in Western Canada at field hockey,
for 5th straight season
The Vikes once again claimed Canada West gold by beating UBC 1-0 on Sunday, ending the conference season with four straight shutouts. It’s the 22nd regional banner for the local sports dynasty, which in two weeks will play for a 5th consecutive Canadian crown.
Victoria local Rebecca Stone was named conference Rookie of the Year, while three other Vikes—Maeve Connorton, Annika Kleinschmidt, and Libby Hogg—were all-stars. Their play helped offset the absence of graduated superstar Anna Mollenhauer, the Victoria-raised national teamer who was named Canada’s best university player in three different years.
Rugby team settles for silver
UVic women’s rugby also faced UBC for a Canada West title on Sunday, but were held scoreless for the first time in over a decade and lost 0-10 in the defence-heavy match. They’ll look for redemption at nationals next week.
UVic had four all-stars (Zoe Williams, Madi Jumeau, Maggie MacKinnon, Lucie Romeo) and won the Student-Athlete Community Service Award (Soleil Brooks).
Victoria’s newest rugby star
Victoria-raised UBC player Adia Pye, who just helped defeat her hometown UVic, was named the year’s best rookie. As the league’s highest scorer by far (11 tries), she’s become the latest success story for a region that hosts the national team and produced its captain Sophie de Goede.
SPONSORED BY THE ROOT CELLAR
Together with The Root Cellar
Locally grown goodness from your locally owned green grocer.
Time spent gathered around the table is what connects us as people, families, and communities. Step into one of the two Root Cellar markets here in Victoria to experience it, including their second location in Cook Street Village.
Both markets offer Vancouver Island’s largest selection of locally grown, organic, and conventional produce, as well as full-service butchers, delis, artisanal grocery, and more. Poised at the intersection of Victoria’s urban and agricultural regions, their McKenzie Corner flagship, founded in 2008, is also home to the Potting Shed, a boutique florist and beloved garden centre.
Cultivating a strong appreciation of fresh local food and sustainable food systems in the community is a responsibility the award winning Root Cellar takes seriously.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🍸 The best fall cocktails in the region, with flavours from apple pie to fig to maple, rounded up by Tasting Victoria.
🌲 Tall Tree Health. Your professional health nerds. 115 clinicians dedicated to their craft. Specialized programs and specialized clinicians mean that you get specialized care.*
🐻 A black bear splashes through the water in these photos taken near Campbell River.
🤝 Now hiring: Front Desk Volunteer Coordinator (Mat Leave Cover) at Together Against Poverty Society
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
The Empress is letting guests into its wine cellar—if they have $1,200
The Inner Harbour hotel has never opened its cellars before, but next month it will let 22 people sample its rare wines while enjoying its finest dining. But for an experience that grand… you’ll need to drop a grand. [Tasting Victoria]
Nanaimo dad recognized as one of world’s best LEGO builders
What started as a way to bond with his boys became a serious hobby with its own dedicated room in the house, and won him a free trip to Denmark to create a piece for the Masterpiece Gallery. [CTV]
Saanich family objects to cost of diagnosing dyslexia
The Comartins say that an official diagnosis for their child has run them $4K. Dyslexia BC argues that early detection should be better funded, and that schools should use more modern literacy practices that make it easier for students to read—and easier to identify those with barriers. [Saanich News]
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🗓️ Things to do
🎃 Halloween Happenings: Our roundup of all the seasonal and spooky events this week and next. [Capital Daily]
👱♀️ "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot..." I Think I'm Fallin': The Songs of Joni Mitchell starts October 31. Learn more.*
🦌 Natural History Tour: This Tuesday and next at RBCM. 2-2:30pm.
🍕 Brickyard Improv Jam: Live improv at the pizza place tonight. 8-9:30pm.
*Sponsored Listing
👀 In Case You Missed It
Swartz Bay upgrades delayed as BC Ferries withdraws (for now) its application for five terminal overhauls. [Sunday newsletter]
The West Coast Trail and the guardians who maintain it, keep its hikers safe, and share and preserve its history. [Capital Daily]
Great horned owl is giving a look in these striking shots caught near Nanaimo.
New Greek food in town: Gyros, shrimp skewers, and fries wrapped up in a pita are all on hand at Esquimalt newcomer Gyrosa. [Tasting Victoria]
Sat. headlines: As weather cools, local shelters say they need more spaces and earlier planning. Top 10 local soups. Westshore’s best leaf-watching. [Oct. 21]
Friday headlines: Contentious Royal Bay development; Halloween events; a new fire chief and an old arson suspect. [Oct. 20]
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
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