- Capital Daily
- Posts
- Oct 9 - BC's plans for electric ferries are off track
Oct 9 - BC's plans for electric ferries are off track
Capital Daily Team
October 09, 2023
Good morning !
Hope you’ve been eating good over this holiday weekend, and that you’re well-fed and well-rested—tomorrow is already the return to usual daily life.
— Cam
What do you like to eat for the holiday weekend? |
Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Current smoke forecast.
🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
The plan to make BC’s smaller ferries electric has been delayed
Island Class "Gwawis" by Wzelisk09 / Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4)
Just two years ago, BC Ferries was approved to switch its new hybrid “Island Class” ferries over to electric by 2025. To do this, these ferries, which serve smaller routes, would need terminals equipped to charge them.
But the funding needed (seemingly about $135M) for that transition hasn’t emerged from higher government yet, so the ferries continue to burn diesel. There are now plans to electrify only four.
With the delays it’s looking less and less realistic to hit the sustainability target of 27% reduction of (2008-level) emissions by 2030; currently BC Ferries is at just 4%.
NEWS
Islanders are thankful for family this weekend
Yesterday we asked readers what you’re thankful for, and the most common answer (nearly 60%) was family. Others appreciated good health, while some cited living somewhere that is both beautiful and at peace.
More specific comments included being nearly finished a PhD thesis (congrats!) and having found affordable housing.
With many folks thinking about family this weekend, it seemed like a good time to bring out the (updated) roundup of our articles about Island families. Stories of support, sacrifice, and struggle from all around the region.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Road closures include parts of Cook, Alder, Douglas, and Gorge East.
Salt Spring lowers road speed to 30km/h in Ganges village; new signs are now up. [Driftwood]
Remember, today is a statutory holiday.
Weather this week is mostly rainy, but now with some sun mixed in on Thurs. and possibly Fri.
NEWS
New program will train locals as professional chefs—for free
Photo: Camosun College
In response to the major shortage of professional cooks facing restaurants and bars not only in Victoria but across the country, Camosun College is offering free tuition to train in its eight-month professional chef course.
Students who qualify will get the $3,052 tuition waived—as well as a knife kit, uniforms, lunch card, a bus pass, and other supports, a spokesperson for Camosun told Capital Daily.
Up to 18 spaces at Interurban campus will be made available to people facing pandemic-related career changes, new Canadians, and anyone under-employed.
SPONSORED BY NEXT DAY ACCESS
Stay independent while increasing the value of your home
For access in and out of your home, Next Day Access has the solutions and expertise to keep you safe in your home.
Outside your home there are multiple solutions from ramps to vertical platform lifts. Inside, stairlifts are a common solution to get you from one floor to another, but if you’re interested in increasing your home value, then a residential one level elevator may be the right fit.
Schedule your free in-home assessment to find the best solution to keep you in your home!
⭐️ Capital Picks
📷 Beautiful blue-ocean shots of the Trial Islands from our friend and collaborator James MacDonald. [Photos]
🏡 Recently sold single family homes: View all the recently sold homes in Victoria by neighbourhood. View the sale prices, photos, and more. (Registration Required)*
☕ Grab a warm autumn drink to counter this cool and wet fall weather. See some of the best local options, from pumpkin pie lattes to hot apple cider.
🤝 Now hiring: Cooks at the Butchart Gardens.
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
Islander sets new half-marathon record in Royal Victoria race
Black Creek’s Cam Levins finished in just 1:01:18. He is also the current Canadian and North American marathon record holder, and has already qualified for the 2024 Olympics. The race drew 9,059 participants, resurging after its pandemic dip. [Full results / Times Colonist]
Saturday was Victoria’s latest 23-degree day on record
At the airport station, 1936, 1945, and 2022 had later hot days; in town, 1991 and both the 15th and 16th of last year were the top three. [YYJ Weather Records]
Man dies in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
The death on Sept. 16 at Florencia Bay near Tofino has now been confirmed, and the BC Coroners Service is investigating. [Westerly News]
Another blowout win for Westshore Rebels
The undefeated Rebels beat Surrey 61-7 on Saturday, securing 1st place in the BCFC. They play one last regular season game in Nanaimo this weekend before playoff football begins.
SPONSORED BY PACIFIC OPERA
An epic serving of fate
Pacific Opera Victoria presents Wagner’s Die Walküre - October 12 – 21 at The Royal Theatre. In Richard Wagner’s mesmerizing opera Die Walküre, the second installment of his epic tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen, a dramatic tale of gods, heroes, and destiny unfolds.
🗓️ Things to do
Thanksgiving at Abkhazi Garden Abkhazi Garden will be open for those looking to take a Thanksgiving stroll with loved ones. 11am-5pm
Die Walküre (The Valykrie): See a preview of Wagner’s epic opera at the Royal Theatre. 6pm.
Thanksgiving at the Beacon Hill petting zoo: Enjoy your last day with the goats before the Children’s Farm closes for the winter season. 10am-4pm.
Thanksgiving Dinner at James Bay Inn Don’t feel like cooking today? Grab a traditional turkey meal at lunch [$29 / 11:30am-2pm] or dinner [$37 4:30-9pm].g
👀 In Case You Missed It
It’s a new season for whale songs, in Island waters and beyond—and a new project is letting you listen in. [Capital Daily / LJI]
New Oak Bay sculpture honours local lone wolf Staqeya / Takaya, who lived on the islands located just off the coast. [Sat. newsletter]
Long weekend ferries: BC Ferries has added 70 sailings to this busy weekend, but advises to walk on, travel off-peak, and book ahead.
When driving in wet fall weather, give yourself more time and distance, DriveBC warns.
Close-up shots of Island beasties—bees, bats, frogs, spiders, moths, and more—by photographer Pip Knott.
Where to get Pacific Northwest cuisine in Victoria. [Tasting Victoria]
Friday headlines: Victoria wants help with homelessness. New welcome pole at marina. COVID rising in BC. [Friday newsletter]
That’s it!
Thank you all once again for your support!
What did you think of today's newsletter? |