Feb 12 - Many top BC employers are in Victoria

Good morning !

BC is in mourning after news of the devastating shooting at a Tumbler Ridge high school.

In its latest update, RCMP say that one educator, 39, and five students aged 12 to 13 years old were found dead in the library and stairwell. The shooter has been identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, who killed her mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at home before opening fire at the school. Van Rootselaar was also among the deceased.

At least 25 more were injured, some critically.

The province says a “variety of services dedicated to supporting mental health” are on the way to Tumbler Ridge, a small community of 2,400.

It’s hard to know what to say when such a profound tragedy occurs, especially one close to home. Our thoughts are with the students and the victims’ families. If you’re looking for a way to support, a GoFundMe has been started by parents and students of Tumbler Ridge.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 7 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛅ 9 / 6

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 8 / 4

Day after: ☁️ 6 / 4

7-day forecast

NEWS

1 in 5 of BC’s ‘top 100 employers of 2026’ are in Greater Victoria

Eighteen area businesses and corporations from the private and public sectors made the list, with provincial government agencies and centres of education leading the way, and the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) landing recognition for the seventh straight year.

The VAA earned praise for its comprehensive family-benefits package, including maternity and parental leave top-ups to 100% of salary for 16 weeks, its flexible time off, professional development, and strong retirement support.

“Over the past year, our team has grown substantially, and we remain focused on fostering a workplace where our people feel supported, valued, and empowered to succeed,” VAA CEO and president Elizabeth Brown said.

Provincial government offshoots, such as BC Transit, BC Assessment, the BC Pension Corporation, the BC Public Service, BC Ferries, the BC Investment Management Corporation, and the Land Title and Survey Authority, all made the list.

Lauded for its pension plan, alternative work arrangements, support for new parents, and professional development opportunities, the District of Saanich made the list for the fourth straight year.

“Creating a workplace where every person is treated with respect, has a real voice, and can do their best work is not optional—it’s how we serve our community well,” said Saanich CAO Brent Reems.

The honours have been handed out for 21 years now to employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. 

Editors at Mediacorp review employers on eight criteria: workplace; work atmosphere & social; health, financial & family benefits; vacation & time off; employee communications; performance management; training & skills development; and community involvement.

Camosun College was recognized for offering employees three paid days off per year for volunteering, while UVic rode onto the list with accolades for its bike-friendly campus and transit subsidies, which can cover half the cost of monthly bus passes for its 1,004 employees.  

The Broadmead Care Society and Island Health also made the list. 

IT firm Advanced Solutions and consulting engineering company AME Consulting Group led the Victoria contingent of private-sector businesses. Software manufacturer Redbrick Technologies and Maximus Canada, a government consulting firm, are also in the top 100. So is PBC Solutions, a health benefits services company.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Day of mourning declared across BC: Throne speech cancelled; lieutenant governor to deliver solemn address on the Tumbler Ridge tragedy. 

Saanich road closure: 

• Kremlin between Broadmead and Kisber, through Feb. 27, 4pm-8am

• Reynolds at Cedar Hill Cross, today, 9am to 3pm

Saanich single-lane traffic: 

• Quadra between Glenora Pl. and Union, through Friday, 9am-3:30pm

• Quadra at Ambassador, today, 9am to 3pm

Saanich single-lane alternating traffic: Interurban between Columbine Way and Marigold, today, 9am to 3pm

Dogs banned from Tofino’s Wickaninnish Beachas wolf sightings increase. [Parks Canada]

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NEWS

More ‘proactive policing’ coming to Victoria intersections

VicPD is ramping up its traffic safety enforcement, partnering with the CRD Integrated Road Safety Unit (CRD-IRSU) to monitor roadways.

This partnership announcement comes weeks after VicPD warned of an increase in collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists. There were 17 such collisions in the first 19 days of the year (thankfully, nobody was killed during these incidents).

These types of collisions are more likely to happen at busy intersections, according to VicPD, leading the department to prioritize enforcement at these crossroads.

Road safety is a concern that many Victorians have as well—according to VicPD’s most recent community survey, traffic offences were the third main concern from respondents. The police department says it’s taking a “proactive policing” approach to prevent potential crashes. 

“Road safety is a shared priority,” said Sgt. Kristin Greffard, VicPD’s media relations officer, in a statement. “Visible enforcement acts as a deterrent and promotes safer driving behaviours. We are grateful to partner with IRSU on initiatives like these.” 

During three recent enforcement events, VicPD says it issued 46 tickets and nine warnings. Of those tickets, 41 were for using a cellphone while driving.

The department says police also spoke with cyclists and pedestrians about road etiquette, such as wearing a helmet or waiting for a crossing signal. 

Greffard says VicPD wants “all road users” to be mindful of the regulations of the Motor Vehicle Act.

“For safer streets, we need everyone to slow down, be situationally aware, and be mindful of their actions,” she said.

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🗞️ In Other News

Wind Cries Mary owners to take over Friends of Dorothy space
Cottage Hospitality Group, which owns Wind Cries Mary in Bastion Square and Rudi on Pandora, is opening a third restaurant—Birdman—in Dorothy’s spot on Johnson, once renovations are completed, possibly as early as May 1. Last month, the owners of Friends of Dorothy—a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community—said it was “taking some time off” and that it was not goodbye. [CHEK]

Overboard BC ferry passenger matches description of missing man
Nanaimo RCMP were alerted about a missing man on Monday and began searching, with a call out to other jurisdictions for help. That night, the man’s vehicle was found on a BC Ferries vessel at the Tsawwassen terminal. Surveillance footage shows a person matching the description of the missing man going overboard while the ship was in transit. A search by the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre and RCMP West Coast Marine Services is underway, and BC Ferries is working with multiple police departments. [CTV]

Longtime Canucks voice Jim Robson dead at 91
Robson was the first radio voice of the Canucks and the team’s play-by-play announcer from 1970 to 1999. His final radio call was Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals, when the Canucks lost to the New York Rangers. Robson transitioned to TV for the final five years of his career—the broadcast booth at Rogers Arena bears his name. Robson began his career at the age of 17, covering men’s basketball in Port Alberni, before joining Vancouver’s CKNW when the Canucks entered the NHL in 1970. [Sportsnet]

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🗓️ Things To Do

🎶 CCPA presents Showtune Piano Bar Cabaret #1: Canadian College of Performing Arts Year II students will present a New York-style cabaret featuring classic and contemporary show tunes at Hermann's tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎸 Door d'Or Single Release Party: Moody, guitar-driven indie rock band Door d'Or will celebrate their upcoming debut album at The Coda tonight. 6:30-8:30pm. [Info]

😂 Heartless—an Anti Valentine’s Day Show: Catch this comedy show about everything NOT Valentine's Day at Hecklers Bar & Grill tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎨 Community Day: Drawn Together: Take part in this watercolour activity, reflecting on family members who shaped your story, at the Maritime Museum of BC tomorrow. 9:30am-4:30pm (drop-in crafts 1-4pm). [Info]

🎉 Victoria at Dusk: Wander through an illuminated self-guided walking route, discovering interactive installations, art, and live performances throughout Downtown Victoria. Tomorrow through Sunday. 5-9pm. [Info]

🎵 April Wine: Canadian rock legends bring their extensive catalogue of hits to the McPherson Playhouse tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

👪 Family Day Lecture: Join award-winning UVic assistant prof. Georgia Sitara at Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum to learn about the history of children and family in Victoria. Feb. 19. 7:30pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: RCMP warn of jewelry scam in the Westshore; Free Family Day events; Saanich mayor won’t seek re-election. [Feb. 11]

12 new officers in 10 years is not enough, says VicPD chief. [CHEK]

Duncan hand gliding crash update: Meet the Victoria man who saved a 70-year-old’s life. [Times Colonist]

Partial closures coming to E&N Trail next week as BC Hydro conducts work. [CRD]

The Victoria Women’s Expo. [March 7 & 8]

Pink Shirt Day is in 2 weeks. [Show support]

Olympics at the library: Catch the Games at your local GVPL branch. [GVPL]

That’s it!

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