Feb 19 -Throne speech more rally than plan

Good morning !

You folks, our readers, have always been notably supportive of our work.
After months of getting things organized in our closet space, we have another way you can show your support and look fab while you represent.  

We’ve cobbled together our first collection of merchandise that subscribers (and non-subscribers) can buy. We’re talking hoodies and T-shirts, coffee cups, tote bags, and more—all featuring our logo and resonating with good vibes. Check it out here.

I almost look cool in my ballcap. 

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 9 / 7

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 9 / 7

Friday: 🌧️ 8 / 7

NEWS

Throne speech emphasizes unity, diversification and not becoming the 51st US state

Two key themes dominated BC’s 43rd throne speech, delivered yesterday in the legislature by Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia: teamwork and unity.

The speech which traditionally kicks off a parliamentary session and frames the government’s business to come, came blanketed in a wartime tone.

It referenced BC’s role in aiding Churchill and the Brits at the onset of the Second World War and highlighted BC’s resolve against potential US tariffs and threats to Canada’s—and by extension, to the province’s—autonomy.

With a record $9.4 billion deficit, the speech indicated the government aims to bolster self-sufficiency by focusing on critical minerals, wood, hydro, and natural gas resources.

It echoed a recent promise from the premier to expedite $20 billion in projects, primarily in northern and rural communities, and to create 8K+ jobs.

Cocchia, the new L-G, called for unity, and a true North strong and free. “We will never be the 51st state. Not now or ever,” Cocchia read. “Instead, we will take our destiny into our own hands—by building on our strengths.”

Read Sidney Coles’ full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Strong winds for Victoria to continue until about noon. [Environment Canada]

MEC recall: Kids’ toaster and toaster bunting suits. [Mould hazard]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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FOOD

African & Caribbean restaurants in Greater Victoria

Black History Month is well underway and as a tip of the culinary cap, Tasting Victoria has assembled a list of some of Greater Victoria’s celebrated African & Caribbean restaurants. These local favourites include: 

• Messob & the recently reopened Blue Nile have both had decades of success serving East African cuisine anchored by spongy injera flatbread.

• House of Boateng is one of the Island's most acclaimed restaurants of any kind; its inventive global fusion dishes blend West African & Caribbean flavours with local ingredients.

• Stir It Up provides Caribbean classics such as roti and jerk chicken in a conveniently central downtown location on Yates. 

• Caribbean Village Cafe, beloved by regulars in Quadra Village, has plenty to try while on the go, from classic beef patties to ackee & salt fish. 

• Trini to D Bone on Burnside specializes in authentic Caribbean roti.

Read the full story at Tasting Victoria to see photos, learn more about these restaurants, and profiles of more local Caribbean & African restaurants and shops. 

NEWS

VicPD makes large drug seizures in Langford, including from SUV’s hidden compartment

A month-long drug-trafficking probe turned up a large amount of fentanyl, cocaine, GHB, methamphetamine, and money from a Bear Mountain home and a suspect's car, including a loaded Glock handgun that was found in the vehicle’s professionally installed hidden chamber, VicPD said on Tue.

A male suspect was arrested on Feb. 7 and released, pending further investigation, police said. 

“Targeting drug traffickers remains a priority for our department, and this operation is just one of many successful outcomes in our ongoing efforts,” VicPD Chief Del Manak said in a release.

The VicPD investigative unit Strike Force followed the movements of a suspected drug dealer throughout the region for four weeks. 

It got a search warrant to root around their home and says it found: one kilogram of fentanyl it says was prepackaged in one-ounce bags; 20 litres of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB, the date rape drug); 13 ounces of methamphetamine and six ounces of cocaine—also prepacked in one-ounce bags, police said.

An RCMP drug-sniffing dog ferreted out more drugs hidden in the suspect’s primary vehicle, VicPD said. Trained officers from the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) used X-ray technology and found a hidden compartment that required a specific sequence of buttons within the vehicle to be pressed to open.

That vehicular search turned up one kilogram of cocaine, 500 grams of fentanyl, and 500 grams of methamphetamine, along with the gun and a bag of ammunition, police said. 

See the hidden compartment in this VicPD video.

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🎭 Habitat for Humanity artist applications: 3rd annual Open a Door online charity art auction. [Until Feb. 27]

🏀 UVic Vikes men a perfect 20-0 in the regular season. [UVic]

♥️ It’s Random Acts of Kindness Week.

🍵 Mateina’s low to no-sugar Yerba Mate beverages offer steady energy without the unwanted crash or jitters. Get 15% off Mateina's Energy Brews while supplies last.*

😇 2025 Virtual Conference on Communication Ethics. [Register here]

🌼 Salt Spring native flowers to cure the winter blues. [Facebook photos]

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🗞️ In Other News

Shoppers Drug Mart Douglas staff wearing body cameras
Parent company Loblaw has expanded its body-cam program to Western Canada to address what it called a “notable rise” in violent incidents at its stores. The cameras were tested at two Shoppers stores in Calgary, which saw a “significant” drop in violent crime incidents, the company said. The equipment, most commonly used in policing, provides real-time streaming for employers to see exactly what their workers are doing and how their interactions with customers play out. Workers at Shoppers on Douglas are now wearing the cameras. [Times Colonist]

Unauthorized overdose prevention site to pop up again today near Royal Jubilee
The group Doctors for Safer Drug Policy says physicians and volunteers trained in overdose response planned to open the site—just down the street from the hospital—yesterday and today from 10am to 6pm. The doctors themselves are paying for the site and other expenses, the group said. The province said it supports the use of overdose prevention sites and will collaborate with the doctors. [CHEK] 

Maritime Museum’s Float the Boat campaign aims to raise $25K
The Maritime Museum turns 70 in April and it’s looking for donations to be used for museum operations. The museum has 35K objects to display and hopes to do so at a restored Steamship Building in the Inner Harbour, working in tandem with the Songhees Nation and the Xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt) Nation. You can donate here. The MMBC is open seven days a week in its current location on Douglas, near the Victoria Conference Centre. [MMBC]

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🗓️ Things to do

🧣 Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser: A family-friendly fundraising walk in support of Our Place Society, for people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness... because it’s cold out there. Sat. Downtown and in Langford. [Info]

🎸 Our Lady Peace with Collective Soul: The OLP30 Tour arrives in Victoria. The Toronto band revisits its biggest hits and introduces new tracks. Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Mon. [Info]

🍛 Savour Sidney: Sidney’s best eateries showcase their tasty eats in this month-long culinary celebration. Ends March 18. Various locations. [Info] 

❓ Trivia Night: Sixty Watt Trivia. Teams of three to eight compete for random-fact accolades. Spinnakers Brewpub. Tonight. 7-10pm. [Info]

🎭 The Little Prince: Academy Award-winning composer Rachel Portman’s The Little Prince opera brings Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beloved worldwide literary classic to life with enchanting melodies and heartfelt storytelling. Tonight-Feb. 25. Royal Theatre. [Info]

❔ More trivia: Disney & Pixar Trivia Night. Calling all Disney fans! Bring your inner child and join us for a night of Disney & Pixar Trivia hosted by Got Pop? Concerts. The Mint. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Royal BC Museum opens its nature photography exhibit; MLAs return to work at the BC legislature; Lifelabs workers begin rotating strike to protest wages. [Capital Daily]

The first Flag Day: When Canada’s prime minister was charged with assault. [Capital Daily] 

Groundbreaking agricultural hub planned for Saanich’s Blenkinsop Valley. [Times Colonist]

Romeo’s rejuvenation is realized in Duncan. [CHEK]

VIDEO: Inside and outside the upside-down plane crash in Toronto. [CTV]

Hummingbirds in motion in Saanich. [VancouverIsland_wildlife]