Dec 12 - Lekwungen Nations to explore future of Island Rail

Good morning !

Heavy rains and sewage overflow have led the CRD to close multiple beaches around town. If you frequent a local beach, you may want to check out our second story today to make sure your favourite spot isn’t affected.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

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NEWS

Local First Nations and municipalities explore potential Island Rail revitalization

The much-talked-about return of the Island Rail Corridor just got one step closer to becoming a reality. A coalition of Lekwungen Nations and CRD municipalities agreed yesterday to explore the feasibility of a rail system that connects Victoria and the Westshore.

Esquimalt Nation Chief Jerome Thomas and Songhees Nation Chief Ron Sam were joined by representatives of the CRD, Victoria, Esquimalt, View Royal, Langford, and Colwood to sign the agreement, which multiple attendees called “historic.”

The Reconciliation Corridor Initiative (RCI) will be led by the Lekwungen Nations. Part of the agreement focuses on a realignment of the corridor to redirect the railway away from existing residential areas of the Esquimalt Nation’s reserve lands and a return of rail land to the First Nation. 

The initiative will explore economic opportunities tied to the rail system, including transit-oriented development, that could benefit the Nations. It could also be a solution to the “Colwood Crawl” and the increasing congestion between Victoria and Westshore communities. 

All of this will be examined through a technical feasibility study that the RCI will commission—results are slated to be released in the next 12 to 16 months. The findings will then be shared with other regional transportation organizations.

Reconciling past wrongs 

Chiefs Sam and Thomas say the initiative provides hope for reconciling a historic wrongdoing.

The rail was built through the reserve lands of both First Nations without warning or consent. The Songhees People were forced off their reserve land at Songhees Point when the rail was built in 1886—a clause in the Indian Act allowed this—and had to relocate to the current reserve at Admirals. 

Last year, the Songhees Nation filed a lawsuit against the federal government, which it says should have immediately cleaned up the rail lands after it shut down operations in 2014. It also claims that the railway operation contaminated the land with chemicals, coal, ash, gasoline, and cinder. 

“For the Lekwungen People, the story of the railway began in a time when our lands were taken and our voices were not heard,” Sam said in a release. “That brutal history can’t be separated from this conversation. But as we look to the future of reconciliation, this next chapter starts with Lekwungen leadership.”

Read the full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Lane reduction on Hillside between Doncaster and Shelbourne today: Entrances to Hillside Centre will be closed to westbound traffic. 8am-3:30pm. [City of Vic]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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NEWS

No swimming: Wastewater overflow affecting Greater Victoria beaches

The heavy rains that battered southern BC this week have led to highway closures and evacuation alerts on the mainland, but in Greater Victoria it’s caused a fouler situation for winter beachgoers.

The onslaught of rain caused combined stormwater and wastewater overflows on Wednesday and Thursday along some shorelines, leading the CRD to issue warnings for several popular beaches. The contaminated water could pose health risks to people and pets.

In consultation with Island Health, beaches in the following areas will be closed until water quality samples confirm the risk has passed:

• Between Seaview Road (Saanich) and Currie Road (Oak Bay), including Cadboro Bay and Willows Beach.

• Between Radcliffe Lane (Oak Bay) and Cook Street (Victoria), including Clover Point, Ross Bay, Gonzales Bay and McNeill Bay. 

• Between Arbutus Cove Lane and Telegraph Bay Road, including Arbutus Cove, Finnerty Cove and Telegraph Cove in Saanich.

• Craigflower Road into Portage Inlet in Saanich.

Signage has been posted in these areas to alert the public, except in places where permanent signage advises against swimming 48 hours after rain.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🦆 The many colours of a wood duck seen in King’s Pond. [Facebook photos]

🏒🧸 Teddy Bear Toss Night: Vancouver Giants at Victoria Royals at 7:05 tonight.

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🗞️ In Other News

Esquimalt couple on the hook for removing deer killed by someone else’s dog
The deer was attacked by an unknown dog last Friday and was injured but alive. The couple called the BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCO) several times over the weekend, but by Monday the buck had died. The couple reached out to BCCO, the CRD, and Esquimalt to deal with the deer, but were told by all three that it couldn’t be removed unless it was on the street or in a park. The octogenarians could not carry the buck themselves and had to pay a Hartland Landfill worker $300 to take it away. [Times Colonist]

Victoria to lease former Romeo’s building as plans for downtown park remain years away
The city will lease the restaurant facility to an unnamed tenant until 2031, which aligns with the city’s planned park design process (running from 2028-2030). The city hopes to break ground on the park after the lease ends, but it could take years or even decades, according to Coun. Matt Dell. The tenant will be paying Victoria $123K per year to operate in the space, which Dell says is part of the long-term plan funding the construction of the future downtown park. [CHEK] 

Fake gold jewelry scam reappears across Sidney and North Saanich
RCMP is warning of a scam happening across the CRD, involving a person pretending to be in distress to sell fake jewelry. Police say they were called after a couple approached a victim at a Peninsula gas station, saying they needed money to get home. The individuals offered what appeared to be valuable jewelry in exchange for cash, but the items were later found to be fake. Similar incidents have been reported for the last two weeks. [Black Press]

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🗓️ Things To Do

🎺 Holiday Soul Party: Shanna Dance and Jonnie Bridgman: Celebrate with soul, Motown, and New Orleans style holiday favourites Hermann's tonight. Doors 5:30pm, show 7-9pm. [Info]

🍿 Free Holiday Movie Screening: The Polar Express: Bring the whole family for a screening of the film at Cineplex Odeon West Shore tomorrow. 10am. [Info]

 📯 Holiday Tubas: The classic Tuba Christmas concert returns to Market Square, gathering tuba and euphonium players for a festive performance tomorrow. 2-3pm. [Info]

🌱 Invasive Ivy Removal in North Saanich: Help pull out English ivy, holly, blackberry & daphne at Dickson Woods, near YYJ, tomorrow. 9:45am-1pm. [Info]

⛸️ Teen Winter Ice Skating: SD62 teens can enjoy free outdoor ice skating, with skate and helmet rentals included—plus special pricing on s'mores—at City Centre Park tomorrow. 8:15-9:30pm. [Info]

🎁 Hark! The Herald Street Holiday Market: Browse quality vendors in a festive atmosphere with food and music at Sunset Labs. Sun. 10:30am-3:30pm. [Info]

🎥 Free Holiday Movie Screening: The Grinch: The classic Christmas movie will screen at Cineplex Odeon West Shore. Sun. 2pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Police searching for Saanich assault suspect; New calf born to K-Pod; Colwood delaying RCMP detachment expansion to review cost. [Dec. 11]

Overdose alert extended in Cowichan Valley. [Island Health]

Indigenous woman seeks answers after husband’s death following a day procedure at Victoria General Hospital. [Times Colonist]

Elk/Beaver Lake: Filming on Eagle Beach to cause increased vehicle and foot traffic today through Saturday. Temporary fishing dock closure today. [CRD]

Recalls: JC Green dried cannabis products may contain less THC than advertised. McCain Tasti Taters may contain pieces of plastic.

Grocery store coming to Bay Centre: Owners of Vic West’s Market Garden to open Sabayons in a section of the former Hudson’s Bay store. [Sabayons]

New tenant in Market Square: Keep an eye out for the owl roosting in the square. 

Cowichan sweater archives: See photos from the 20th century that showcase the master knitters, their work, and a gift for Queen Elizabeth II. [Facebook photos]

One year of the BC Human Rights Book Club: Check out the monthly book list curated by Commissioner Kasari Govender.

That’s it!

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