Mon. July 3 - No environmental assessment for quarry

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

Hi everyone,

we hope your weekend continues to be safe and pleasant. Today we’ve got updates on YYJ’s flight options, the contentious Bamberton quarry, people rescued from the sea and from a tree, and more.

— Cam

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny. High 24C (21 near water)/ low 12. Humidex 25.

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Smoke expected over Island tomorrow.

NEWS

Bamberton Quarry expansion won’t receive an environmental assessment after all

BC environment minister George Heyman shut down repeated efforts to get the expansion reviewed under the Environmental Assessment Act, announcing Tuesday that an assessment was not needed. Instead it will go through an enhanced review through the Mines Act permit process. The quarry, owned by the Malahat Investment Corporation, resides near the Saanich Inlet’s pristine coastal environment.

It’s been contentious in recent years as it applies to expand its operations—a process it has done several times, but always below the amount that would trigger an automatic assessment. Advocates say the government needs to look at the cumulative expansions and take a comprehensive look at the quarry impact.

Peninsula MLA Adam Olsen is one of the people who doubts the permitting process will be thorough enough.

“It’s the minister of environment’s job to protect the environment and it’s the minister of mining’s job to mine,” he said.

Read the full story at Capital Daily.

Capital Bulletin

🚌 Buses on Saturday schedule today, with no late-night service, for the holiday.

☀️ This week's weather: Hot, hot, hot! Sunny with highs near 30C and lows around 14.

⛴️ Expect delays and crowds if you’re taking the ferry today. See conditions here.

NEWS

New airline comes to Victoria International

Porter Airlines, a generally lower-cost Canadian airline, announced this week that it is adding Victoria to its network. Flights between YYJ and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) begin Sept. 20, with one daily round-trip flight that arrives in Victoria at 1pm and leaves at 2pm. There will be connecting flights with Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and St. John's. Rates would start at $476 for a round trip.

New lower-cost service arrives just as another departs
The announcement comes just weeks after the news that budget airline Swoop would be folded into parent WestJet. Swoop had flown from YYJ since 2021, and its departure left Flair as the only country-wide budget airline at YYJ—though WestJet has said it will preserve a certain number of cheap seats on its flights. Swoop will run until October; right now its flights from YYJ go only to Toronto. Those flights’ one-way tickets are in the $300s and $200s in July and Aug., and the $100s in Sept. and Oct.

NEWS

Your favourite patios in Victoria

With a long weekend still underway, a week of heat just starting, and months of sunny summer still ahead, what better time to revisit your choices for best patio in Victoria?

In the winter we asked Tasting Victoria and Capital Daily readers to vote for the best patios (among other categories) in town, and now that it’s summer you can try out any of them in the warm air.

Here are your choices, beginning with Glo Restaurant + Lounge and its 180-degree views of the Selkirk Waterway near the Galloping Goose.

See more at Tasting Victoria.

SPONSORED BY BAY CENTRE

Bay Centre launches late nights

Why is everyone rediscovering the Bay Centre this summer? With warmer days and longer summer nights, there is more time to rediscover your local favourites.

The Bay Centre is now open until 8pm Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Plus, this summer, get 3-hours of free parking on weekends, and park for free weekdays after 5pm.

With over 80 shops, a third of which are proudly locally owned, the Bay Centre is yours to rediscover. Where city life meets shopping comfort.

Plan your visit today!

Capital Picks

🎤 Karaoke Idol big finale: Watch the final karaoke performances at Paparazzi tonight to find out who will take the karaoke idol crown, 9pm-2am.

🎥 You Hurt My Feelings at The Vic Theatre: As a part of Victoria Film Festival, see this comedy about a writer whose marriage is challenged after her husband gives his honest opinion about her book. 5:15pm.

🏠 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!*

💗 Hearts of Freedom exhibit, from the Museum of Migration, wraps up today and tomorrow at the downtown library.

💪 ManCrush Monday: Drag king performances and Q&A at Friends of Dorothy today. 7:30pm-10:30pm.

🤝 Now hiring: Mid to Senior Software Engineer at SingleOps.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

🛟 Boaters rescued 3km south of Victoria
A US Coast Guard air crew recovered a woman and pair of teen girls on Friday after their 12m dinghy sunk in the Salish Sea. They were taken to Victoria General due to showing signs of hypothermia. Video below:

🎫 Victoria company makes BC-wide startup competition’s top 25
Organic period-care company Joni is the only local contender in the long-running New Ventures BC. [Victoria Tech Journal]

🏗️ In Fernwood, 46 apartments & 4 townhouses will go to public hearing
The 3-rising-to-5-storey condo at Pandora and Camosun was well-received by both the generally pro-development and development-skeptical Victoria councillors. The nearby townhouse plan advanced despite city staff’s recommendation to reject it over the design and orientation; staff argued more could be done with that land plot and those beside it. [Times Colonist]

🎣 Nanoose Bay woman catches a fish as big as a first-grader
She’s been going up to the North Island’s Winter Harbour for years trying to catch a bucket-list-worthy halibut. Last month she reeled in a 44-pounder right from the dock. [CHEK]

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Community Engagement Manager at Dance Victoria

• Office administration, receiving, shipping at Anchor Marine Electric

• Server at Revera Inc.

• Seasonal Custodian at The Butchart Gardens

• Comfort Advisor (Outside Sales) at Sasquatch Heat Pumps

• Tax Coordinator at Together Against Poverty Society

• Client Support Technician at ISM

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!

In Case You Missed It

📰 Sunday’s headlines: $304M Inner Harbour Ferry terminal will go ahead. A look at the Colwood Corners pay-parking dispute. Weekend ferry delays. [July 2]

🪂 Paraglider rescued from tree: Alberni Valley Rescue Society volunteer extricated the glider on July 1, two weeks after saving French tourists who got stuck on a high Beaufort Range ledge on the final day of a three-month hiking trip. [Alberni Valley News]

🥡 Victoria’s cheap eats: A few of the downtown spots at which you can get good food at great prices. [Tasting Victoria]

⚾ HarbourCats 8 Bells 2: Victoria (19-8) swept Bellingham at home this weekend and has a chance to win the league’s first-half title if the Bells lose again and Wenatchee gets swept this week.

🎤 Outdoor Summer Concerts continue at The Butchart Gardens with entertainment Wednesday-Saturday evenings. Enjoy dinner in the dining room, 5-8pm.*

📰 Friday’s headlines: Nanaimo’s Lisa Marie Young still missing, Saanich approves on-leash pet strategy, Google to remove Canadian news links, and more. [June 30]

*Sponsored Listing