Wed. May 10 - A new design festival kicks off today

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

This weekend will see the return of Esquimalt's Buccaneer Days, the pirate-themed fair that has always felt like the kickoff to the summer season—with the Saanich fair marking the end of summer in my mind. Basically, if I find myself screaming on The Zipper or eating cotton candy on a ferris wheel, I know that I should probably reapply my SPF. What other summer fairs or festivities in the CRD do you look forward to? Let us know!

NEWS

RidgeView residents voice concerns and feedback to city on poor handling of building evacuation

Displaced RidgeView Place residents addressed Langford city council in a heated meeting Monday night, where residents were able to ask questions about the cause of evacuation—questions that the city did not have answers to.

When asked by resident Tyler Samson what was wrong with the building, Mayor Scott Goodmanson said this had not been identified.

Goodmanson said that two structural engineers and a concrete specialist conducted a visual inspection of the building the weekend prior to evacuation, alerting building owner Centurion Property Associates that RidgeView Place should be vacated. He said they will not have an answer on the exact cause until a thorough examination of the building is completed.

The building had its occupancy license revoked by Langford after the city received a letter from Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of BC on April 17, stating that there were unresolved structural design flaws that had not been repaired after a 2019 evacuation.

“This is an invasive investigation that will take a long time,” Goodmanson said. “As frustrating as that is, they can’t go in there and do what they need to do until everyone is out.”

Samson said he found it “alarming” that the city did not know this information. According to him, there are still several residents occupying RidgeView who either can’t leave without alternative housing options or won’t leave because the risk level is not clear.

Many residents said they were disappointed that the city did not reach out to the affected individuals. Resident Ashley MacDonald told councillors that they “should be ashamed” for their lack of support “for nearly 200 of their constituents.”

“I have never received direct communication from any of you and it’s despicable,” MacDonald told councillors. “What we have endured is trauma—there’s no way around that. We are so far past sympathies, prayers.”

Capital Bulletin

☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny and clear skies. High 18C / low 9C.

🚨 Emergency Preparedness Week: A country-wide test of Canada's emergency alerting system will take place today at 1:55pm.

🔒 Fol Epi bakery will shut down this Sunday. The decision comes months after the closure of its sister restaurant, Agrius, at the same location at 732 Yates St.

NEWS

SD61 trustee on indefinite leave after assault charge

Angela Carmichael, a first-time trustee elected last fall, was charged with common assault over a Feb. 7 incident. The school district announced on May 2 that she had requested and received an immediate leave of absence. She will not be at board or committee meetings, trustee events, or schools (as a trustee).

SD61 said the charge is from “circumstances unrelated to her role,” and that it will not comment further on a matter before the courts.

Per her trustee bio, Carmichael has been chair of the Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils and president of the George Jay PAC, and runs a home daycare.

Her conditions forbid her from doing work or volunteering that would bring her in contact with people under 16, the Times Colonist reported. She also must not contact the alleged victim (whose identity is under publication ban).

SPONSORED BY PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA

Friends of Timothy concert and exhibit

Book your seats to join Pacific Opera Victoria on May 15, 2023 at the McPherson Playhouse for an evening of celebration!

Hosted by the voice of CBC Radio’s Saturday Afternoon at the Opera, Marion Newman, the concert features Lauren Margison, Suzanne Rigden, Allyson McHardy, Colin Ainsworth, Bruce Kelly, the Victoria Symphony, and the Pacific Opera Chorus under the batons of Maestros Giuseppe Pietraroia, Kimberley-Ann Bartczak, and Timothy Vernon.

Participate in an immersive lobby experience by contributing to the creation of a commemorative guest book and exploring the archival displays of treasured costumes, props, and set pieces curated by Pacific Opera’s shop and administrative staff from 43 years of productions—including an Opera Shop photo booth!

6pm lobby exhibit, 7:30pm concert. Tickets for this historic event start at $25.

Friends of Timothy by Pacific Opera Victoria.

NEWS

New Design Victoria festival kicks off today

Victoria is getting a design festival, running from May 10 to 14 at several locations across the city. The festival will host events to exhibit the achievements of Victoria’s design community. Admission is mostly free and events will include an architectural bike tour, an open house downtown at the historic Powerhouse Building, and a hanging installation at Thomas and Birch. A celebration of the festival’s launch will take place May 13 at KWENCH on Store Street.

Co-founders Carla and Will Sorrell are excited to kick off the first edition of this festival.

“Victoria has a strong history as home to artists, makers, and writers,” said Carla. “Design is at the core of so many businesses, from architecture to fashion and technology, that is inspiring a new era for the city and the region. I hope this event is an opportunity for people to experience the potential of good design in Victoria.”

The organizers hope to inspire Victoria’s creative sector by showcasing excellent and diverse design. Design Victoria’s digital map outlines event listings as well as registration and programming details.

By Sarah Madsen

Capital Picks

⚽ Canadian Championship soccer: Pacific FC hosts TSS Rovers FC at 7:30pm in the national interleague quarterfinal. [Tickets]

🕹️ Quazar’s Pop-up Arcade now open at Bay Centre. Find restored 80s and 90s classic games that will bring you back to your childhood.*

✈️ Come From Away opens tonight: The story of a small Newfoundland town that welcomed 7,000 stranded plane passengers during the 9/11 crisis. The award-winning Broadway musical runs until May 24. [Tickets] 

😂 Comedy night at the Mint: Get your week’s worth of laughs in at this comedy show, hosted by Phillips Brewery. Show 8pm / tickets $17.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

🏠 Several Victoria homes evacuated due to gas leak. Fortis BC claims that an “external party” hit a main gas line on Tuesday morning at Fairfield and Shotbolt Roads. [CTV]

🚒 Two people in hospital after View Royal fire. The Monday night fire at an apartment building left two people with injuries from smoke inhalation. The fire was contained and an initial investigation shows it was likely accidental. [Victoria News]

🚗 Uber Rent available now in Victoria. Customers can rent cars through the Uber apps from companies including Budget, Hertz, and Avis. The BC Passenger Transportation Boards (PTB) is still reviewing Uber’s license application for a ride-hailing service.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Investment Administrator at Meritage Financial Group

• Veterinary Technician at City Pets Animal Clinic

• Room Attendant at Hotel Grand Pacific

• Transit Operator at BC Transit

• Yard Attendant at GFL Environmental Inc.

• Concierge at Flytographer

• Delivery Driver at Sherwin-Williams

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!

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION

Take Victoria’s 2023 Vital Signs survey today

Your opinions matter!

Take the Victoria Foundation’s Vital Signs Survey today. This year, you can complete a short or long version of the survey.

In Case You Missed It

🎳 Duncan bowler secures win for Team BC. Ethan Frehlick placed first in the junior division of the Youth Bowl Championship in Guelph, Ont. Frehlick, who won 10 of 12 matches, scored 160-128 in the final. [Cowichan Valley Citizen]

🏠 Want to age in place? Next Day Access delivers and installs mobility and accessibility products right to your home. Schedule your free in-home assessment today!*

🏥 BC nurses experience continuing problems: Shortages are one of many challenges nurses face in an overwhelmed health system. [Capital Daily]

📩 Go beyond the headlines for an in-depth understanding of the stories that affect the Westshore, from View Royal to Sooke. Subscribe for free to The Westshore for the latest news and stories, in your inbox every Tuesday and Thursday.

🏢 Conflict of interest found in BC Housing forensic audit: Mismanagement of protocol occurred between former CEO Shayne Ramsay and his wife Janice Abbott, CEO of Atira Women’s Resource Society. [Tuesday newsletter]

*Sponsored Listing

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