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- Jan 16 - It's hockey week in Victoria
Jan 16 - It's hockey week in Victoria
Mitzi Dean ousted from child welfare role, Belmont students stage walkout, more snow for the Island.
Capital Daily team
January 16, 2024
Good morning !
We’re looking ahead at some of the events taking place for the Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada this week, with book signings, a gala, and plenty of hockey fun for the whole family.
— Robyn
Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes
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🌡️ Weather Forecast
EVENTS
Hockey Day in Canada events happening this week
Photo: Hockey Day in Canada
Since it was announced this summer that Victoria would host Canada’s biggest single-day hockey celebration, fans of the sport have eagerly awaited the special event. This week, it’s finally here and the stacked list of events are sure to light up the community. It’ll be the first time that a BC city will play host since Kamloops in 2016.
As Canadian NHL teams go head-to-head in games throughout the day, Victoria will act as the focal point during the broadcast, hosted by Ron McLean.
The main events can be found at Ship Point in the Inner Harbour, with skating, ball hockey, and many other all-ages activities taking place.
While the city saw some impromptu outdoor rinks appear this past weekend during the sub-zero temperatures, the forecast for this week sees a return to our usual mild weather and with it, an alternative synthetic skating rink will be brought to Ship Point.
The Victoria Hockey Legacy Society will keep the high-tech rink, with plans to bring it out for future Canada Day celebrations.
Do you plan to attend Hockey Day in Canada events? |
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Snow expected to return to parts of the Island today.
No glass collection in blue boxes until next month, CRD says.
Missing person: Kole May-Cyre, 19, was reported missing from Nanaimo Jan. 9 and may be in Duncan.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
Live webcams: See the status of Vancouver Island’s highways before you travel.
NEWS
Mitzi Dean removed as children and family development minister, replaced by Victoria MLA
MLA Mitzi Dean / Province of BC Flickr
After calls throughout 2023 for the removal of Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA Mitzi Dean from the position of child care, children, and family development minister, Premier David Eby announced yesterday that she has been pulled from the position. Victoria MLA Grace Lore will take over the role, with Dean moving into Lore’s former position as minister of state for child care.
Dean was criticized for the department’s mishandling of several foster care cases, particularly after an Indigenous boy, 11, was beaten to death while in care. Details of the torture he and his sister, 8, endured while in care came to light last summer, with a court finding the ministry had not checked on the children in seven months.
The First Nations Leadership Council called for Dean’s resignation, blaming her for an “inadequate approach and ongoing lack of accountability.”
Further calls for her resignation came after a damning audit released in October showed the ministry had not checked on at least 14 other foster care cases, despite the ministry’s own standards to check on children in care every 90 days.
Eby said in a release that his government has “made considerable progress on the very difficult files within the ministry of children and family development,” saying Lore’s experience and passion will be beneficial to the role.
SPONSORED BY TOURISM VICTORIA
Scoop up your tickets to the Dine Around Gala
Last-minute movers: this one's for you. There are still tickets left for the Dine Around Gala, happening January 25 from 5-8pm at the Victoria Conference Centre. The night will dazzle foodies with unlimited bites and sips from over 50 eateries and beverage purveyors, live entertainment, and lots of socializing!
Get your ticket before it’s too late.
⭐️ Capital Picks
⛸️ Rare outdoor rinks in CRD: See skaters on the frozen Panama Flats in Saanich and an impromptu hockey game on a pond near Dallas Road.
🩰 Dance Victoria presents Compagnie Hervé KOUBI for a breathtaking contemporary dance performance on February 2 and 3 at the Royal Theatre. Learn more at the website.*
🐦 See a kingfisher strike a pose near Little River area of Comox Valley. [Facebook photos]
🍽️ Nominate your favourite local restaurants in the Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards. Enter your nominations in any of the 18 categories here!*
🤝 Now hiring: Executive Director at Capital Bikes.
*Sponsored Listing
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🗞️ In Other News
Greater Victoria getting vegan-specific meal delivery service
The meal kits are made with local foods and seasonal ingredients, and include dishes such as chickpea coconut curry and miso maple tacos. Easy Vegan is also partnering with the South Island Farm Hub, a project to make local farm-fresh food accessible. [Tasting Victoria]
Belmont students stage walkout for better sexual assault policies
The students walked out of classes on Friday, calling for changes to Sooke School District’s sexual assault policies. The students say that the district has failed to properly investigate allegations of sexual assaults occurring on school property. The district says they’ve added new training for teachers and a sexual health coordinator role to improve protocols after mishandling a sexual assault that occurred on a Westshore school property, but will work with students to find more solutions. Another district-wide walkout is planned for this Wednesday. [CTV]
Sidney Chief Administration Officer retiring after 25 years
Randy Humble will leave the position in June, saying “it has been a privilege to serve this remarkable community.” Several bylaws were spearheaded by Humble, with the zoning bylaws that allowed for a walkable downtown winning an award for urban planning. The Town of Sidney has begun steps to find his replacement. [Peninsula Review]
🗓️ Things to do
Family Story and Playtime: Story reading, puppets and songs to keep little ones entertained at GVPL Central branch today at 10:30am.
Hotel Mira: See the band perform at Capital Ballroom, Wednesday at 8pm.
Victoria Whisky Festival: Enjoy tastings of the spirit at this multi-day festival at the Hotel Grand Pacific, happening Thurs-Sun.
👀 In Case You Missed It
Monday’s headlines: Hearings begin for contentious Vic West project, interest in Highway 4 detour resumes, fire at Oak Bay Beach Hotel. [Newsletter]
Jagged icicles on waterfront railing in Sidney, from waves splashing in subzero cold. [Photo]
Tips for helping hummingbirds in the cold winter weather. [SPCA]
Boaters saved from frigid waters off Port Hardy.
A little crawler: The spider-like Ortholasma pictipes poses in Goldstream park for close-ups.
Extra bedding for the animals at Beacon Hill Children’s Farm during the chilly weekend. [Photos]
That’s it!
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