Dec 20 - UVic prof honoured with Order of Canada

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Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

UVic prof & local military historian among Order of Canada appointments

Michael Prince, a social and public policy expert and professor in UVic’s Faculty of Human & Social Development, has been named a member of the Order, one of Gov. Gen. Mary Simon’s 88 appointments. 

Prince has made significant contributions to disability rights in Canada, has advised federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and has served on four royal commissions. BC faculty associations named him the academic of the year in 2014. 

This year, he publicly resigned from the federal disability advisory committee, saying disability benefits were not being properly funded. In an op-ed released this month, he elaborated on his reasons and criticisms.

Also appointed was Victoria author and military historian Mark Zuehlke. His Canadian Battle Series is one of the most thorough histories of a country's WWII campaigns by a single author. Zuehlke also writes the Elias McCann mystery series, which follows a community coroner in Tofino. 

Non-local honourees include sculptor Ruth Abernathy; molecular geneticist David Chitayat; and Vancouver-born superstar thespian Ryan Reynolds, whose Deadpool sequel was shot partly at Hatley Castle. 

This fall, several recent local recipients received their investitures in person: College of Performing Arts founders Janis Dunning and Jacques Lemay; former UVic president Jamie Cassels; and university-community integrator Budd Hall.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Sailing out of Nanaimo? BC Ferries and Hullo schedule changes. 

VicPD on possessing replica guns: [Can you tell the difference?]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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NEWS

Natural gas on the front burner in FortisBC’s push for customers

As the province pushes Sooke to allow for more construction, the council is weighing whether to follow Colwood and View Royal in adopting higher Zero Carbon Step Code (ZCSC) standards.

Once it’s implemented, the Step Code regulates energy use in new construction in BC, by setting mandatory energy-efficiency targets aimed at reaching net-zero energy-ready standards by 2032. All municipalities are expected to be caught up with the code by 2032, but some, like Victoria, have chosen to accelerate their targets.

FortisBC, the province's primary natural gas provider, has been on a tour, asking councils and other local governments in the CRD, to slow that pace down. The utility company argued to councillors that natural gas can help diversify the energy sources that locals use, making the municipality's energy infrastructure more resilient.

The Step Code two-step was recently seen playing out in a higher-profile decision by Vancouver’s city council. Fortis wants to keep its product in BC homes, while environmental groups argue that continuing to use more gas goes against BC's climate targets.

Sunil Singal from the environmental organization Stand Earth told Capital Daily that the Fortis tour “has been happening for the past year across BC, but in particular Vancouver Island, where many municipalities have accelerated the adoption of the ZCSC to the highest level this year.”

Read Sidney Coles’ full story here.

SPONSORED BY THE BUTCHART GARDENS

The Magic of Christmas

This holiday season, discover Christmas magic at The Butchart Gardens. Experience hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights as you stroll the pathways and delight in the Twelve Days of Christmas displays. Treat your family to a festive meal in The Dining Room or Blue Poppy Restaurant, warm up with a hot chocolate from the Coffee Shop, and create lasting memories with a ride on the Rose Carousel.

The Magic of Christmas runs now until Jan. 6. Admission gates are open nightly from 3pm to 9pm, with viewings until 10pm. Pets are permitted from 8pm to 10pm. Reserve your date and time to visit here.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🧙 Potter-thon: Catch a different Harry Potter film each night, starting tonight with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, at the Roxy Theatre. [Through Dec.27]

🤗 PHS Community Services Society has a $100,000 holiday season campaign to provide low-barrier supportive housing, harm reduction, and nutritious food in Victoria. Please donate today.*

🪨 Sunbeam rock: Strange markings on a rock found at a Royston beach. [Facebook photos]

🌈☁️ Rainbow clouds: These colourful clouds were spotted above Mt. Tolmie this week. [Facebook photos]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

VPD union boss critical of handling of investigation that preceded Central Saanich officer’s suicide
Ralph Kaisers said comments from the Vancouver Police Department cast “a shadow over the entire law enforcement community” because he said they prejudged the case before a trial could be held. On Tue., the VPD announced Matthew Ball, 43, and Const. Ryan Johnston, 40, had been accused of sexually assaulting the same woman in separate incidents. On Wed., Ball’s body was found in a wooded area in Shawnigan Lake. [Times Colonist]

VicPD arrest 42 people, recover $10K in stolen merchandise
The third instalment of Project Lifter took place over the first and second Fri. and Saturdays of the month and involved officers working with retail loss prevention teams to identify and arrest shoplifters at various Victoria retail outlets. One person, who was released by the courts in Campbell River that morning, was arrested twice within an hour at two separate Vic locations, police said. [VicPD]

Boater clinging to capsized skiff rescued by BC ferry near Van terminal
Just as it was approaching the Tsawwassen terminal on Mon. afternoon, the vessel had to be diverted to rescue a person clinging to a small, overturned boat. BC Ferries staff deployed a work boat from the ship to get the person out of the water and to an ambulance. The rescuee was admitted to hospital and was expected to make a full recovery. [CP]

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🗓️ Things to do

⛪ The Greatest Story Ever Told: Christmas Musical. Enjoy beautiful choir music and an exciting drama as Lizzie & Sarah are excited to share the Joy of Christmas. Esquimalt Gorge Pavilion. Sun. 11am. [Info]

🛍️ Oops I Forgot Holiday Market: Your last chance to shop for gifts and goodies before Christmas at Junction Orchard and Cidery. Tomorrow. 11am. [Info]

💚 The Grinch Meet & Greet: Reserve your spot to meet the beloved Dr. Seuss character in person. Hillside Shopping Centre. Tomorrow. 12-2pm and 2:15-4:15pm. [Info]

🎁 A Drag Queen Christmas: See renowned drag queens Brooke Lynn Hytes, Shea Coulee, Trinity the Tuck, and more. Royal Theatre. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎶 Garret T. Willie: See the BC artist perform The Holiday Willie Warmer. With Trophy Dad. Capital Ballroom. Tonight. 8:30pm [Info]

🎼 Desi Me Rolling: The Finale. Celebrating One Year of Pardesi. Join us for our anniversary celebration featuring Shalv. Medusa Shot House. Tonight. 9pm. [Info]

🎵 The Nightmare Before Christmas: Golden BSP and guests Mr. ESQ, YD From The North, Filthy Clean Pro’s, Reflectionz, Vic City Soldiers, Lord Condor, Jonny G, and Yukalipis. Wicket Hall. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎶 Will Smith’s 40th BDay Bash: Symmetry Sound. With the legendary John Rolodox, J.F. Killah, Fat Pat, and Triple XL. Tonight. The Downbeat Event Centre. 9pm. [Info] 

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Ferris wheel starts to spin at Centennial Square today; Central Saanich officer arrested on Tue. dies by suicide; BC Ferries planning for at least five more ships; And more. [Dec.19]

Islanders smoke and drink more than the rest of BC. [Capital Daily]

4km of the TCH to be widened for buses. [Times Colonist]

Reclaiming Canada event at Victoria Conference Centre was chaos, according to FOI documents. [CP]

Saanich in search of cold-weather shelters: looks to non-profits. [CHEK]

Breakwater 30 years ago: Storms raged along Dallas just as much in the 1990s. [Facebook photo]

Framing a ferry: Beautiful Saanich Inlet shot. [Facebook photo]