Feb 4 - Fairy Creek logging deferral extended

Good morning !

Well, it finally happened—the snow stuck around yesterday, giving us our first real “snow day” of the season. While it wasn’t enough for schools to close, some chaos occurred on the roads, bus routes didn’t run, and multiple BC Ferries sailings were cancelled. Let us know if your day was upended by the snow.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛅️ 1 / -2

Tomorrow: 🌨️ 1 / 0

Day after: ⛅️ 1 / -1

7-day forecast

NEWS

Fairy Creek logging deferral extended again

The extended protections for old-growth forests in the Fairy Creek watershed will last until Sept. 30, 2026. This follows an older deferral that began in June 2021, temporarily safeguarding nearly 1,200 hectares of Crown land in the watershed, which lies within the Pacheedaht and Ditidaht First Nations’ territory.

In 2021, the Pacheedaht, Ditidaht, and Huu-ay-aht First Nations requested a two-year deferral on old-growth logging to allow them time for resource management planning. 

The Sierra Club applauded the latest extension, calling it a positive step for the Pacheedaht Nation’s planning efforts. However, some, like Michael Coon of Friends of Fairy Creek, remain skeptical, noting that without a formal ministerial order, the deferral lacks legal weight.

Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar emphasized that the extension would help the Pacheedaht Nation develop a sustainable forestry plan with a $500K grant. He acknowledged past criticisms of former premier John Horgan’s handling of the issue but stressed the importance of rebuilding relationships with Indigenous communities.

The forestry sector in BC has been struggling lately with mill closures and job losses, compounded by tariff threats from the US on Canadian softwood lumber. While BC has committed to protecting 30% of its forests by 2030, environmental advocates like Torrance Coste argue that many other irreplaceable old-growth areas are still under threat. 

Meanwhile, the province is also working on new forest management plans, like the Bulkley-Morice project, to balance conservation and industry needs.

Read more about the deferrals—and why US tariff threats on Canadian lumber are putting a strain on BC’s forestry sector.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

New sidewalks being installed at Blanshard and Pandora, Blanshard and View, and Blanshard from Johnson to Yates. All week.

Highway driving reminder when you see flashing lights.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

Pickleball community gets a new online hub

Vancouver Island Pickleball (VIPB)—a one-stop website for pickleballers across the Island—launched last week, providing “an Island-focused pickleball resource,” featuring easy-to-find information, Island pickleball club listings, and a lot more.

“There’s court guides and court maps and some resources and a coaching directory,” James Nielsen, the site's founder, tells Capital Daily. 

“There's definitely opportunities to provide coverage and content and interviews to just help grow the game.”

It’s a game that has been growing, with 80K+ registered to play in Canada—that’s registered. The number of people playing recreationally is believed to be a couple of double bounces higher.

The Victoria Regional Pickleball Association (VRPA), which has 635 active members, applauds Nielsen for helping to spread the word about the game.

“Up and down Vancouver Island, pickleball is flourishing and we know that visitors to our Island are bringing their paddles with them and are seeking places to play,” VRPA president Connie McCann tells Capital Daily. 

“James' website will assist both Vancouver Islanders and visitors to our Island.”

Nielsen, an avid pickleballer who lives in Victoria, says he kept hearing the same question over and over: “Where can we play?”

So, the multimedia communications specialist put the website together to answer that question, while also providing all the information a pickleball needs and wants—without having to scroll around to find it. 

Read more here.

SPONSORED BY CONTINUING STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA

The roles and skills employers are looking for.

According to LinkedIn’s report for the most in-demand jobs, the current labour market is seeing an increased need in certain industries. Globally, the jobs with the fastest-growing demand include accountants, medical techs, and business managers.

Broader skills like communication, customer service, leadership, and project management are also sought-after by employers. 

“Demand is always shifting, but the need for core roles like salespeople, software engineers, and healthcare workers remains constant,” says the report. “Business partners and business managers are also in higher demand lately, perhaps in part because AI continues to rapidly reshape business models.”  

Interested in updating your skills this year? Explore these professional courses and programs.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🌨️ Six more weeks of winter, says Island marmot Violet. [Black Press]

❄️ Snow day in the 1920s: See Cadboro Bay a century ago, with some of the last remaining Hudson Bay Company farm buildings. [Facebook photo]

☕ Enjoy the world-renowned flavour of AeroPress, a velvety-smooth coffee without the grit or bitterness found in other methods. Loved globally, with 55K+ 5-star reviews.*

🦈 Longnose skate: A large skate—a fish in the ray family—washed up on a beach in Port Hardy (photographed with a pug for scale). [Facebook photos]

🍁 Made in Canada Grocery Guide. [Buy Canadian]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

US Tariffs on Canada paused for 30 days
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s second call with US President Donald Trump yesterday, the US announced a 30-day pause on the threatened 25% tariffs on Canadian goods (meant to take effect today). Tariffs on Mexico have also been paused. Trudeau told Trump Canada would pour $1.3B into its border security plan, with 10K front-line workers at the border and a promise of a “fentanyl czar” to reduce the flow of the drug and its ingredients across the border. [CBC]

100+ Women Who Care to hit $1M mark tomorrow night
The philanthropic group expects to surpass one million dollars in collective donations to charities across Greater Victoria at its “Bring a Friend Night” meeting at the Uplands Golf Course. Since 2014, the women have been donating to local charities such as Dying With Dignity and Big Brothers, providing financial assistance in the form of cheques in the $25K range. [100+WWC]

James Bay Starbucks to close in May
A sign on the door at the Starbucks next to Thrifty Foods says the coffee shop will close on May 17. “Following a thorough assessment process, we have decided to not renew our lease after a natural lease expiry and close the store at 425 Simcoe Street,” the company’s corporate office said in an email to Capital Daily. Ten workers to be impacted will be offered jobs at Starbucks’ four other Victoria locations, a worker told Capital Daily.

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Become an Insider member and help keep local journalism and storytelling alive in the Capital Region. 

SPONSORED BY BEAM BEAUTY & WELLNESS CENTRE

Love your skin this Valentine's Day

This Valentine’s Day, indulge in Beam Beauty’s luxurious Energize OxyGeneo treatment. Infused with cocoa and cinnamon, it revitalizes your skin for a radiant, youthful glow. Treat yourself to this sensual self-care experience and let your beauty shine. Because you deserve to feel radiant!

🗓️ Things to do

🎶 Peach Pit: Catch the pop band performing at the Royal Theatre tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🍺❓ Trivia Night: Test your knowledge and grab a drink at Swift Beer tonight. 7pm. [Info]

💃 Miguelito Valdés and Band: Enjoy a fun night of live Latin music at the Bard and Banker tonight. 8:30pm. [Info]

⚰️ Speaking of Death: Join this safe space to discuss the taboo topic of end-of-life planning at Café Fantastico tomorrow. 6:30pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Monday’s headlines: BC and Canada announce counter-tariffs on US goods; More snow and cold on the way; And best date-night restaurants. [Feb. 3]

‘Red-state’ liquor removed from Island shelves. [CHEK]

Mysterious beach baggage: Suitcases filled with food found on beach near Sooke. [Times Colonist]

Canadian wildfire crews return home after fighting fires in Los Angeles. [BC Gov]

Enough of the snow dropping—how about some snowdrops to remind us of springtime? [Work the Angle] 

Cozy up with the pigs of Beacon Hill as they snuffle through a snack before bed. [Instagram video]

Close-ups of bald eagles in Nanaimo. [VanIsleWildlife]

That’s it!

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