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- Jan 16 - Goldstream conservation threatened by development
Jan 16 - Goldstream conservation threatened by development
Dashcam footage sought in bizarre three-wheel truck chase, three injured in Sooke crash.
Capital Daily Team
January 16, 2025
Good morning !
Temperatures will be dipping into the negatives tonight, with a couple chilly evenings ahead. Thankfully—at least for cold-weather haters like me—there hasn’t been any snow in the forecast.
— Robyn
Are you hoping for snow this winter? |
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Salmon numbers are up at Goldstream—but highway development threatens conservation efforts
Carl Olsen has protested the Malahat highway expansion every Tuesday for nearly three years. Photo: WSANEC Leadership Council
Vancouver Island is one of the most ideal spots to watch one of nature’s most fascinating yearly cycles: salmon runs. Tourists and locals come from far and wide to watch as salmon swim against river currents, returning to their birthplaces to spawn and start the next generation of Chinook, Chum, Coho, pinks, and more.
These runs have suffered due to overfishing, climate change and development. But according to W̱SÁNEĆ Nation—whose territory is home to Goldstream, or SELEK̵TEL̵, one of the most popular destinations on the Island to see the salmon run—salmon numbers have resurged this season.
In 2021, approximately 10K Chum and 1,300 Coho salmon returned to the stream. In 2022, only 4K Chum and 500 Coho arrived. In 2023, numbers dropped to 1,600 Chum and 500 Coho. Throughout these years, the number of Chinook never exceeded 10.
Carl Olsen, W̱SÁNEĆ member and long-time volunteer with Goldstream Hatchery, says the final numbers have yet to be tabulated but so far, approximately 22K Chum, 3K Coho and 30 Chinook have been recorded in Goldstream’s fall 2024 salmon run. Salmon were even seen trying to jump up a waterfall near the hatchery, a good sign says Olsen.
This resurgence is undoubtedly due to the conservation efforts in the area, particularly the work of the volunteer-run Goldstream Hatchery and the W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians (QENTOL, YEN).
But the impending $162M Malahat Corridor expansion, which will add a median divider to 2.6km of highway along Goldstream, could threaten the progress of salmon conservation.
Olsen can be seen protesting the planned construction every Tuesday near Goldstream. Read the full story here to find out why he’s calling for a stop to the project—and what could happen if it moves forward.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
🚍 Accessible Transportation Advisory Committee seeking new members. [BC Transit]
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
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NEWS
Do you have dashcam video of this Christmas Eve 3-wheeled dash?
Still (cropped) from video going around online and linked below.
You may have missed it over the holidays but the day before Christmas, shoppers outside Mayfair Shopping Centre and others on Douglas experienced the shocking sight of a speeding pickup on three wheels with a rim shooting sparks as the driver blew through red lights.
The owner called police mid-afternoon, saying they spotted their stolen pickup being driven downtown near Store and Herald.
Police came across the truck which had stopped at Spruce and Nanaimo, and used a blocking maneuver to trap it. That’s when the tire popped off, and the driver fled on three wheels.
The truck was spotted speeding through various intersections with the front driver’s rim aglow—VicPD says it didn’t give a hard chase for public safety reasons—and was captured on several videos that were widely viewed online.
No one was injured in the brazen daytime bolt and police later found the truck abandoned near Harriet and Maddock in Saanich—but the driver had fled.
VicPD are now asking the public to contact them if they have any cellphone or dashcam video, or any other information about the incident.
SPONSORED BY SOUTH ISLAND PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP
The business event for business insiders returns
How can AI boost your business? Why is Trump pushing Canada’s buttons? Where can we expect economic shifts? What does the new generation of workers really want? And how do you build the growth mindset and grit to succeed?
These are just some of the hot topics at Rising Economy 2025, Greater Victoria’s top business conference.
Produced by South Island Prosperity Partnership, the action-packed conference returns for its fifth year March 4 to 5 at the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort in Victoria, with March 6 taking place online.
Tickets are on sale now so get yours before they're gone and save $40 with the Early Bird rate.
The conference is held in partnership with PacifiCan, presented by RBC, and the catalyst sponsor is Vancity.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🤼 Former UFC star Georges St-Pierre coming to Island FanCon.
🪺🍄 Bird-like mushrooms: Turkey tail and bird nest mushrooms seen in Parksville. [Facebook photos]
🗞️ In Other News
Head-on collision injures 3, closes Sooke Road Wed. morning
A Chevy Monte Carlo, driven by a 41-year-old woman was eastbound on Sooke near the new four lanes when it crossed the centre line around 5am and collided with a westbound taxi. The cab was driven by a 65-year-old man who had a young passenger, no age available. All three were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Sooke Road was closed in both directions for roughly two hours. [RCMP]
Fire stamped out at Turner building
An early morning structure fire broke out at the derelict landmark building near the Royal Jubilee yesterday. There were no injuries as the building has long been unoccupied. It’s slated for redevelopment, with plans for rental housing and a public plaza. It’s unlikely that a cause for this week’s fire will be found since several fires have previously broken out at the site. [Times Colonist]
Structure erected on Dowler Place access hub violates zoning bylaw
The city says the structure built inside the fenced area violates bylaws, after North Park residents flagged that the large structure was on both private and public land. It also appears to exceed the 10 square metre accessory building limit by approx. 50 square metres. The access hub, which is run by SOLID, has faced pushback from residents in the area since it was announced. [CHEK]
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SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY
Support marginalized people
PHS Community Services Society is 76 per cent of the way to reaching their $100,000 fundraising goal.
Donations to PHS before February 28 are applied to 2024 tax returns as the government has extended last year’s donation deadline.
Donate today to support marginalized people in your community.
🗓️ Things to do
🥃 Victoria Whisky Festival: The popular fest kicks off today. Enjoy a variety of scotch, bourbon, rye, and more at the Hotel Grand Pacific. Today-Sun. [Info]
🏮 Winter Painted Luminaries at the Crooked Goose: Design your own unique luminary, decorating a mason jar with hand-painted winter designs at the Crooked Goose today. 6:30pm. [Info]
💃 Flamenco Guitar Evening: An evening of flamenco music at The Mint tonight. 7pm. [Info]
🎷 The Noah Becker Quartet: See the quartet led by alto saxophonist Noah Becker, known for his dynamic and engaging playing at Hermann's tonight. 7pm. [Info]
🤠 Steven Lee Olsen: Country Night In Canada: Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Steven Lee Olsen brings his Canadian tour to the Charlie White Theatre in Sidney tonight. 7pm. [Info]
🍕❓ Trivia Thursday: Test your knowledge and grab a bite at Brickyard Pizza tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]
🎉 Little Fernwood Fundraiser Weekend: A fun weekend of fundraising events to help Little Fernwood with renovations, starting tomorrow. Catch a variety show, a silent auction, music, yoga, and more. All weekend. [Info]
🍷🎨 Pinot & Paint: A step-by-step painting class for all levels, with all materials, snacks, and a glass of wine included, at the Oaklands Community Centre. Sat. 2pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Wednesday’s headlines: Cops in the council in Langford; Uptown traffic hub expected ready for summer; McLoughlin Point wastewater treatment plant to bypass sewage steps #2, #3. [Jan. 15]
Man arrested after fight on BC Transit 95 bus. [Times Colonist]
On the Island: Federal Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre on a visit. [CTV]
Victoria floating sauna HAVN to expand into Vancouver. [CHEK]
Fighting LA fires: Cockpit footage of Port Alberni firefighting Coulson Aviation as pilots pour retardant on the Palisades fire. [Facebook video]
Stranger in a strange land: A white goose is seen with a flock of Canada geese in Comox. [Facebook video]
Christy Clark bows out of federal Liberal leadership race. [Vancouver Sun]
That’s it!
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