Dec 17 - Saying goodbye to 'John from Langford'

Good morning !

Our top story is a look back to Sunday’s memorial for John Horgan. Pretty hard not to get a little watery-eyed during that song by son Nate.

Also today, a Victoria woman is a wrestling champion south of the border and all-Canadian champion Terry Fox is coming soon to our currency at a bank near you.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 8 / 6

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 10 / 7

Thursday: 🌧️ 9 / 7

7-day forecast

NEWS

John Horgan: sports fan, leader, and dad about town remembered at Westshore memorial

They came by the hundreds and filled Colwood’s Q Centre, something that would make the honouree of this memorial smile, the sports nut that he was. 

John Horgan spent many afternoons and nights in that arena, cheering on one of the many loves of his life, the Victoria Shamrocks.

On this afternoon, the applause—and the tears—were for him.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, BC Premier David Eby, and former finance minister and NDP leader Carole James were among those who spoke in fond remembrance of the former BC premier, who died last month at the age of 65 after his third bout with cancer.

It was appearances from Horgan’s sons that drew sobs and applause from the 3k gathered.

Read Sidney Coles’ full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Mail service resumes today as Canada Post workers return to work. 

Downtown UPCC closed today for a planned BC Hydro outage.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

Victoria’s Chelsea Green wins World Wrestling Entertainment title

Green became World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) first-ever women’s US champion when she defeated Michin (Mia Yim) in the Saturday Night’s Main Event (SNME) bout on Long Island, NY.

“I’ve been doing this for 10 years,” she said in a post-fight interview posted on the WWE’s YouTube channel. “I worked my entire life to be an overnight success, and this is my time. This is my night,” she said, displaying the bravado that defines WWE. 

When asked: “What does a Chelsea Green reign as women’s United States champion look like, going forward?” she retorted in character, “It looks like I’m going to Disneyland tomorrow.”

Turns out, she did just that, albeit a day later. Green, who is married to WWE star—and US men’s champion—Matt Cardona, posed for photos at the Magic Kingdom yesterday.

Green, 33, was born and grew up in Victoria. She trained at a wrestling school in Calgary and clawed and climbed her way up the sport’s entertainment minor league ladder. She has worked extensively in wrestling’s independent circuit in North America and Asia and has appeared under other ring names such as Jaida, Reklusa, and Laurel Van Ness.

According to the website Wrestling Inc., Green has paid her dues.

“After six years of scratching, clawing, and having to work her way back to WWE following her release in 2021, Chelsea Green finally had her moment this past weekend, and made history while doing so,” the post said.

Sat. night’s victory not only secured the Islander the inaugural women’s belt, but it was also payback following her loss to Michin, who in an Oct. WWE SmackDown match shut Green in a dumpster. 

NEWS

Terry Fox to replace Sir Wilfrid Laurier on $5 bill

Fox, who became a national hero for his quest to run across Canada in his Marathon of Hope for cancer research after that disease had taken his right leg, will adorn the $5 banknote, replacing Canada’s seventh prime minister, whose likeness will be shifted to the $50.

The Bank of Canada began the process of replacing Laurier five years ago in an open nomination process with the finance minister having the final say.

In an uncommon set of circumstances, Chrystia Freeland’s choice was included in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement which the federal government released yesterday, just hours after Freeland resigned as finance minister, saying she had lost the prime minister’s confidence.

In 1980, Fox caught the attention of the nation when he ran a marathon a day—that’s 42km daily—and raised $24M+, which at the time, represented a dollar for every Canadian.

Fox, who was born in Winnipeg and grew up in Port Coquitlam, was forced to abandon his cross-country run outside Thunder Bay, Ont. after 143 days and 5,373 km. The following summer, he lost his battle with cancer and died at the age of 22.

His famous wish, “Even if I don't finish, we need others to continue. It's got to keep going without me,” has been granted each summer for the past 44 years. Runs in his name have raised $900M worldwide, per the Terry Fox Foundation.

His eponymous run is now held in 60+ countries. His name is in several Canadian halls of fame, and on numerous schools, streets, and sports venues. His likeness is on a Canadian stamp and a peak within the Rockies bears the name Mt. Terry Fox. 

Victoria’s Terry Fox Memorial at Mile Zero in James Bay is a majestic bronze sculpture commemorating the 25th anniversary of his famous run at the site where he had intended to finish it.

SPONSORED BY WONDERHEADS THEATRE

A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol is pure holiday magic

Acclaimed theatrical imagineers, the WONDERHEADS, will light up the McPherson Playhouse stage this week with A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol, their signature reimagining of the Charles Dickens’ classic. A feast for the eyes, ears, and heart—with a generous kick to the funny bone—this astonishing production brings Ebenezer Scrooge’s magical Christmas Eve journey to life with giant masks, whimsical puppets, and wondrous theatrical invention.

The WONDERHEADS, who specialize in visual storytelling, have been praised by the CBC as “Pure magic” and the Globe and Mail as “Ingenious.” Now in its fifth year of touring, A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol has become a festive tradition for thousands of theatregoers every winter. Running Dec. 18-21, tickets are on sale now!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🎄Night of Lights in Oak Bay. Tour guides tonight & tomorrow 5:30-9pm.

💪 Give the Gift of Fitness. This Christmas get that special someone in your life a BPM gift card for Fitness Classes or Personal Training here.*

🧮 2025 City of Victoria draft budget: Public input opportunity closes on Fri.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Dominic LeBlanc named Canada’s new finance minister after Chrystia Freeland resigns
And she did it just hours before she was slated to give her annual economic statement. Citing disagreements with Prime Minister Trudeau on how to deal with the impending Donald Trump presidency, Freeland resigned in a letter to the PM yesterday morning. She said Trudeau told her last week that he wanted to change finance ministers. Later yesterday, Trudeau appointed loyal ally and childhood friend LeBlanc, whose father Roméo was a Liberal cabinet minister for Trudeau’s father Pierre before serving as Canada’s 25th governor general in the 1990s. [BBC]

Storm-damaged waterfront in Sidney may remain closed until the new year
Sat.’s storm battered the waterfront, dislodging bricks and washing debris onshore and into a catch basin at Ocean Avenue and First Street. That prompted the town to close some roads for several hours so firefighters could clear it to avoid a flood. Lots of logs have rolled in, and brick surfacing particularly downtown at Diver’s Point, was damaged to the extent that the affected area won’t be fixed and reopened until the new year, the town said. [CHEK]

Langford opens new off-leash dog park next to Walmart
Through a licence agreement with the landowning retailer—a Walmart Canada first—Langford can use the 0.2ha of land, which is about 21k square feet, as a dedicated dog park. The City of Langford paid for fencing, site furniture (bench, and garbage bins), and accessories (signage, doggy bags) and will pay to maintain the dog park, the city said on its website. [Langford]

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SPONSORED BY SHAWNIGAN RETREATS

Your winter escape on Vancouver Island

Shawnigan Retreats offers the perfect cozy retreat for family gatherings or romantic getaways this winter. Nestled by the serene Shawnigan Lake, our luxurious accommodations feature a sauna, hot tub, games room with ping pong, cards, and board games, and even a private pickleball court. Enjoy nearby hikes through breathtaking nature and unwind in comfort. With space for up to 18 guests, Shawnigan Retreats promises an unforgettable winter experience.

Explore Shawnigan Retreats and plan your winter getaway today. Learn more about Shawnigan Retreats.

🗓️ Things to do

🩰 The Gift of the Nutcracker: Enjoy Tchaikovsky’s score performed by the Victoria Symphony and Ballet Victoria. Royal Theatre. Dec. 28-30. 7:30pm. [Info]

🧱 19th Annual LEGO Exhibit: Sidney Museum. Visitors can expect to see returning displays drawing from themes such as Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, alongside new featured sets such as Notre-Dame de Paris and Jaws. Sidney Museum. Fri.-March 30. 10am-4pm. [Info]

🎙️Whose Live Anyway?: Cast members of the Emmy-nominated TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? present 90 minutes of hilarious improvised comedy and song all based on audience suggestions. Royal Theatre. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎤 Mobb Deep: Featuring Havoc, Big Noyd and DJ L.E.S. With Guests Reflectionz and DJ Degree One. Tonight. Upstairs Cabaret. 9pm. [Info] 

🎄🚂 The Parkside Express: Festive Tracks of Giving. This holiday display, in support of Rainbow Kitchen’s programs, can be enjoyed throughout the season with the train running and wooden train sets for kids to play with. Parkside Hotel & Spa. Through Dec. 19. 10am-5pm. [Info]

🎄 Festival of Trees: Explore 90+ trees spruced up and on display for the community to vote on and enjoy over the holidays. Bay Centre. Through Jan. 5. During mall hours. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Monday’s headlines: Philippine Mars back at Sproat Lake, last voyage delayed (again); Saanich family says neighbours are wooing their cats from them; BC government branches under a hiring freeze, says premier; And more. [Dec. 16]

Mail service back: labour board sends 55k striking Canada Post employees back to work. [Capital Daily]

Crystal Pool referendum Feb. 8: What you need to know. [Capital Daily]

No Messi, but Langford gets Mexican soccer power Pumas for Starlight Stadium match. [Times Colonist]

The Cozy Christmas food tour is back with seasonal treats from around town. [Tasting Victoria]

A western firefly sits on a Port Alberni mushroom. [Facebook photos]

That’s it!

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