Sun. July 16 - Victoria Ranked Canada's 3rd-Most-Expensive City

Good morning !

Today we start out with a look at the increasingly high cost of living in the region, then take a look at a different recent increase affecting locals: heat, drought, and extreme weather. That story tackles what Island farmers are doing about that warm new normal, but we also got you a roundup of cool local drinks so you can do something immediate about the heat for yourself.

— Cam

☀️ / 🌦️ Today's weather: Sunny. Some wind. High 27 (20 near water) / low 14. Humidex 27. UV index 8 (very high).
Night: Some cloud, with 30% chance of showers.

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10), no smoke expected.

NEWS

Victoria ranked 3rd-most-expensive city in Canada in new analysis

Victoria is the 3rd least-affordable city to live in in Canada according to an analysis of Statistics Canada data by Savvy New Canadians, a personal finance website. The piece compared StatsCan numbers for median after-tax family income to average household expenditures (which Savvy used as a proxy for cost of living), and Victoria trailed only Vancouver and Toronto.

Our cost of living index was 17% higher than Canada’s average, while Nanaimo was 8% higher and ranked 5th overall. Calgary (7th) was the only Top 10 city not in BC or Ontario.

The piece ranked BC as least affordable province, with an average cost of living estimated at $79,591. Quebec, PEI, and New Brunswick were most affordable, with Regina, Quebec City, and Saskatoon the cheapest major cities.

Other metrics also have Victoria living costs rivalling Vancouver

Last fall, the annual living wage calculation put Greater Victoria above Vancouver as BC’s priciest major city. The living wage for a local family of two adults and two children was estimated at $24.29 an hour (about $50K a year). BC’s minimum wage is $16.75—about 35K a year.

Numbeo’s ongoing cost-of-living calculator had costs for a single person living in Greater Victoria, at an estimated $1,507 per month ($18K a year) to live–not including rent. This is above both Vancouver and the average Canadian ($1,339 / 16K).

Local rent remains over $2,000 for a one-bed

Rent alone makes up a significant portion of Victorians’ expenses. Rentals.ca’s most recent national rent report for July 2023 has the average price of a listed local one-bedroom rental unit at $2,071, placing Victoria 11th in Canada.

Listed two-beds were 8th in Canada at an average $2,663 ($32K a year). That’s actually a decline from last summer, when prices in the $2,800s put Victoria among the top five for two-bed prices. This summer, several Ontario cities have leapt past us.

Current one-bedroom listed prices are up 15% since last July’s $1,803 specifically, but are fairly similar to last summer as a whole. The long-term rise, though, has been massive. Average one-bed rent is up 28% from July 2021, up 31% from July 2020, and up 47% from July 2019.

By Sarah Madsen and Cam Welch

Capital Bulletin

 🚲 Full road closures around Legislature (Government, Superior, Menzies, Belleville) for today’s Victoria Grand Prix. 7am-4pm. [Map]

⚽ Pacific FC stays in 1st with Friday’s road win vs. York FC, but rivals Cavalry FC and Forge FC have gotten back within striking distance

🔥 Mercedes blaze suspicious, police now say. Tuesday night’s dealership fire was close to other recent possible arsons.

🎾 Pickleball survey: Local municipalities are about to wrap up their public survey on the increasingly popular—but often contentious—sport.

NEWS

Island farmers turn to new old techniques in effort to weather a more extreme climate

Island regions were declared to have hit BC’s highest drought level this past week. It’s the latest indication that the temperate, moderate climates relied on by Island farmers may not be so reliable any more.

Beyond the extreme heat dome in 2021, summers are getting hotter and drier. Hay dries faster, while fruit ripens quicker and becomes more challenging to harvest. In the face of all this, a Cortes Island duo is among those who are returning to traditional techniques as part of the regenerative farming movement.

Read the full story at Capital Daily about what they, and others, are doing in the face of more difficult and unpredictable future conditions.

NEWS

8 places to grab a cool drink in Victoria this summer

The other day we looked at Victoria’s love of what is probably the world’s most popular warm drink: tea. But with temperatures expected to hit 27C today and projected to hang around 25 all week, we expect some of you will be seeking something cooler.

As the sun rays pour down on you this summer while you lounge around downtown or on the beach, the best thing to accompany those good vibes is a refreshing drink. That thirst is easily cured, as Victoria is teeming with excellent cool drinks of all different kinds.

From bubble tea and milkshakes to iced coffee and smoothies, check out some of the city’s best places to grab a non-alcoholic cold beverage in the latest Tasting Victoria roundup.

Capital Picks

🚲 Victoria Grand Prix: The cycling race starts from Legislature today and will be also feature an antique bike show and bicycle polo.

🐳 Whale Blitz at Sidney Spit: This land-based whale watching event provides the opportunity to create community connections and learn about whales. Today at Gulf Islands National Parks Reserve on Sidney Island. 11am-2pm.

👗 The ReLove Market: Shop vintage and secondhand clothing and housewares today in Market Square. 12-5pm.

🎭 Blue Bridge Theatre presents The Last 5 Years by Jason Robert Brown: A rich tapestry of the different stages in a romantic relationship. Running Aug 1 - 13 at The Roxy Theatre. Get tickets online or call 250-382-3370.*

🎙️ Kelby MacNayr at Hermann's Jazz Club: The drummer and vocalist will be joined today by organist Dr. Tony Genge and guitarist Andrew Janusson, 1pm.

⚾ HarbourCats keep rolling: The local ballclub rose to 19-1 at home with Saturday’s win over the AppleSox, and closes out that series today at Royal Athletic. [Tickets]

🖼️ Gordon Scott at The Avenue Gallery: Gordon Scott’s exhibition of his back painted acrylic on glass work opens today.

🎧 Emo Night at the Victoria Event Centre: Get your eyeliner, flat iron, and red and black clothes ready—tonight’s the night to dress up and sing along to all the emo hits. 8pm. [Details]

🎭 SKAMpede: Theatre SKAM’s outdoor performing arts festival continues today with venues around the Galloping Goose trail, Songhees Park, and Songhees Walkway.

👕 Langham Theatre clothing sale: Shop the theatre’s clothing and costume sale today at Langham Court Theatre. 9am-2pm.

🖋️ Gelatin printmaking at RBCM: Learn how to make gelatin prints using natural materials today. 1-4pm.

😊 Now hiring: Early Childhood Educator or Assistant at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

🚨 Uptown bomb scare evacuates shoppers, but nothing found
The Walmart Supercentre and surrounding businesses were emptied beginning at 8:30pm due to a threat, and closed until 11pm. Investigation is ongoing, with no arrests yet made. [CHEK]

👴🏻👵🏻 Couple marries a second time, 55 years after the first
Lynn and Lana stroll Beacon Hill on honeymoon, 40 years after their divorce. The duo remained connected via their kids, and their support for each other through loss, family health troubles, and cancer prompted them to take the plunge again. [CTV]

⚖️ Nanaimo CFO’s wrongful dismissal suit denied by BC Supreme Court
Some (though not all) of Victor Mema’s claims were filed past the six-month time limit, the court found. The city fired its financial officer in 2018 over his use of the city credit card for personal expense; he argues the practice was common and he has been singled out for it. The CAO was also fired in 2018, following an auditor’s report on city staff culture and practices.

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Life Enrichment Coordinator at Amica Senior Lifestyles

• Client Support Technician at ISM

• Veterinary Technician at Sooke Veterinary Hospital

• Accountant at Victoria Hospice Society

• Cooks / Seasonal Custodian at The Butchart Gardens

• Player Success Representative at Kano

• On-Call Administrative Assistant at Fernwood NRG.

Looking for more openings? See 50+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

In Case You Missed It

👵🐶 Local volunteer group helping seniors keep their dogs has split into a second regional group due to recent growth. [The Westshore]

🎾 The future of local pickleball will be determined in a new multi-municipality survey, but the growing fanbase is unlikely to get an indoor court in Victoria. [Sat. newsletter]
Correction from yesterday: the pickleball public survey can be found here.

🪧 Work resumes at ports as tentative four-year deal ends strike. [CBC]

🍷 The Collective Wine bar is closing after this weekend, ending a half-decade in Cook St. Village.

☕ Victorians’ love affair with tea and the places you can enjoy it. [Capital Daily]

🛳️ New rules for cruise ships still do not ban acidic scrubber discharge. [Capital Daily]

🛣️ Two new lanes on Hwy 14 have been completed in Sooke between Connie and Glinz Lake.

🎸 Kele Fleming redefines her sounds: The musician found international success after experimenting with different genres during lockdown. [Capital Daily]