May 22 - Langford is getting a new high school

Good morning !

The highlight of my Victoria Day long weekend was a daylong hike in East Sooke Regional Park. The views were breathtaking. The photo below doesn’t do our mid-hike break area any form of justice.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 14 / 8

Tomorrow: ⛅ 18 / 8

Friday: 🌧️ 14 / 10

7-day forecast

NEWS

New high school on the books for Langford

It’s not in the books yet because the feds still have to see the budget before finalizing funding, but it looks like Langford is getting a new high school. It would be the sixth secondary school for the Sooke School District.

It could use another, too, because it’s one of the fastest-growing school districts in the province. Encompassing the Westshore communities of Langford, Colwood, Metchosin, Highlands, Port Renfrew, and Sooke, 13K+ students are enrolled in SD62 schools. “More than 10 years ago, I started advocating for two new schools in the Westshore, and I’m now proud to be an MLA delivering an investment to begin planning for a new high school in Langford,” said Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca.

“The creation of a new, modern school for students to live, play, and grow is going to benefit Langford for generations to come.” Parmar grew up in Langford, so he’s seen first-hand the growth in the community and the resultant requirement for more schools.

There’s no official word where in Langford the high school would be built but the City of Langford already has said it’s down to build a full-size turf field with lights. It also said it would be interested in partnering with the CRD to construct a performing arts theatre on the grounds. 

Over the past seven years, provincial governments have created 2,660 new seats for students in SD62, including the new PEXSISEN Elementary, Centre Mountain Lellum Middle School, an addition to Royal Bay Secondary and SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ Elementary, and a 480-seat school with on-site child care, which is under construction. “As more people choose to make British Columbia their home, we’re investing in schools to welcome new students,” said Rachna Singh, minister of education and child care.

The province says it has created 25K student spaces across the province and has spent $4B to build and seismically upgrade schools and to buy land for future schools. Two prefab additions will be built by the fall at David Cameron Elementary and Ruth King Elementary. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Some lottery ticket validation is to be suspended this weekend. [BCLC]

Victoria road closures and construction map.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

2 Island nurses want to bring Indigenous healing to UVic’s nursing curriculum

Before colonization, Indigenous healers and midwives held significant roles in their communities. But even with Indigenous Peoples’ rich history of traditional medicines and healing practices, Western health-care systems have had a longstanding habit of alienating First Nations people from the sector. 

“The genesis of health care in Canada was a direct result of the relationship that the Jesuit missionaries had with our First Nations healers when they first came to the land,” said Lisa Bourque Bearskin of Beaver Lake Cree Nation, who is an associate professor for the School of Nursing at the University of Victoria (UVic). 

“When the settlers came over, they introduced disease. It was the First Nations healers and helpers that helped cure them and give them access to all of that traditional knowledge that's on the land.”

Bourque Bearskin and Victoria Dick of Tseshaht want to infuse this traditional knowledge into modern health care—they’re currently working on creating a curriculum “from the ground up” called the Indigenous Graduate Education and Nursing (IGEN) program for UVic.

For both Island nurses, the work they’ve been doing over the last few years—including the development of the master’s program—is focused on better aligning health care with the principles of UNDRIP—the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Read the full story here.

SPONSORED BY BAY CENTRE

OSO Cafe Dessert coming to the Bay Centre

If you are searching for Victoria’s most Instagrammable foodie experiences, you’ll find OSO Cafe Dessert top of the list. Created by locals Claudia Roman and Matthew Dupee in 2022, their take on TikTok’s viral croll, a delicious hybrid of a flaky croissant and a cream-filled roll, put these two on the map.

Since then, the duo’s daily creations have expanded from their mouthwatering crolls, to gourmet topped donuts and cookies perfectly paired with their specialty coffees—all are a must-try. 

OSO will be opening soon at the Bay Centre in the newly redesigned Food Terrace. Their menu will include their signature pastry creations plus new items such as savory avocado toast, healthy bowls, and cakes.  All of these are best shared with friends on the shopping centre’s outdoor patio with skyline views of downtown.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🏮Awakening Chinatown. [This Sun.]

⛵ Swiftsure International Yacht Race. [Thu.-Sun.]

🌟 Help Fill A Dream gives sick children the chance to dream big. The foundation turns dreams into realities for children and families with critical conditions. Read the full article here.*

🦭 Not-Emerson, still cute: The unnamed elephant seal has left Cadboro Bay Beach, but you can see him in all his wrinkled glory in these zoomed-in shots from last week. [Photos]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Former Langford councillor John Goudy dies at  93
Born in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK, Goudy began his naval education at Dartmouth Naval Academy at the age of 13 and entered the Royal Navy. He transferred to Canada’s navy when his family emigrated. He would become a physics teacher at UVic and an original Langford councillor who served for 12 years. Langford has lowered city flags in his honour. [Release]

London Drugs reportedly under private information cyber threat
The TC reports a ransomware group is threatening to release confidential data it claims it stole from the pharmacy unless it’s paid $25 million by tomorrow. London Drugs has confirmed a cyberattack took e-files from its corporate HQ and forced it to close all 79 of its Western Canada stores including those in Victoria April 28-May 7. The company said it is “unwilling and unable to pay ransom to these cybercriminals.” [Times Colonist]

BC teacher who kissed student banned from teaching for 15 years 
The high school teacher’s children, who were of age, had a graduation party that involved drinking. The teacher came home and drank with some of the students, who also were of drinking age. The teacher said they did not see Student A (identity sealed by courts) who was not of age, drinking. At one point, the teacher kissed Student A on the lips. This was photographed and circulated on social media. The teacher resigned and eventually agreed their teaching certificate of qualification would be cancelled, as per BC’s Teachers Act. [Online summary]

Robert Pickton critically injured in Quebec prison attack 
The serial killer was himself the victim in what prison officials are calling a “major assault” involving another inmate that happened on Sun. No other details were made available. In 2007, Pickton was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder and is serving life in prison—although it is believed he killed many more of the women who disappeared from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. [CTV]

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🗓️ Things to do

😂 Fernwood Comedy Night: Head to the Fernwood Inn for a night of local comedy. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎶 Louise Rose: Back at Hermann’s with her “Alone Together” series, Louise Rose will perform solo jazz vocals and piano. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎤 Shawn Desman: The Juno-award-winning singer will perform at Capital Ballroom. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎵 Steve Middleton: See the Victoria singer at the Charlie White Theatre. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

💃 Rumba Latin Party: Join this night of Latin dance music at Paparazzi. Tomorrow. 9pm. [Info]

💄 Fern: A Drag Show: See local drag stars Vivian Vanderpuss and Woofie at the Fernwood Inn. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🎙️ Elaine Lakeman Sings Man Songs: The local singer will take on music originally sung by men. Hermann’s. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

Want more events? Subscribe to This Week In Vic and get our weekly events newsletter every Tuesday.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Monday’s headlines: Island swimmer sets world record; Scientists, students scan Quadra Island tallying species; BC real estate tax deadbeats; And more. [May 21]

See palm seaweed: [From Port Renfrew]

One World Multicultural Festival in Centennial Square Monday, captured in 30+ posts by the Greater Victoria Festival Society.

Victoria’s diversity displayed at 124th Victoria Day Parade. [CHEK]

Victoria’s music scene has changed, but it’s still happenin’. [CBC]

Highlands’ first mayor turns 100 years young. [Victoria News]

Why you may have lost power in Esquimalt yesterday. [Times Colonist]

That’s it!

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