Jan 16 - Yanks up here are worried, too

Good morning !

Three sunny days with daytime highs at or near double digits—that’s the forecast—and that’s easy to take.
Winter in Victoria is a piece of cake for an Ontario/Quebec boy like me.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 10 / 2  

Tomorrow: ☀️ 10 / 3

Sunday: ☀️ 9 / 5

7-day forecast

NEWS

Worried American expats in Victoria voice alarm

Our friends to the south face unprecedented challenges in keeping it together these days, with a federal government rolling back civil rights at home—and acting like pirates abroad. 

Expats up here are feeling it. 

“I can tell you that everyone is concerned,” said Lynne Severance, chair of Democrats Abroad Victoria and the Islands, an organization of roughly 1,800 expats who lean left and live among us. 

“Our organization is doing everything we can to encourage American citizens to register to vote and to vote in all upcoming US elections that they are eligible to vote in.”

Hold on until November’s midterms—that seems to be the hope, says fellow expat Bob Broughton, a 76-year-old retired computer programmer, who now calls the Burnside area of Victoria home. 

Bob grew up in Fredericksburg, VA, about 130 km from the White House. But he says he can hardly recognize the place these days—and not solely because a big chunk of it was recently knocked down, but yeah, that too. 

“I'm continuously appalled,” he tells Capital Daily.

“The blatant disregard of the Constitution, the blatant disregard of the separation of powers,” he says. 

“The Constitution states categorically that only Congress has the power to declare war, and Trump has just ignored that,” he continues, pointing to Venezuela and expressing concern about Greenland, Canada, and whichever other targets the US president seems to want. 

Bob says he speaks for a lot of his expat mates. He hears their worry when they get together, usually once a month.

Last week’s shocking slaying of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis turned up the temperature, he says, and “has pushed a lot of people over the edge.”

“The ICE person who killed that woman should be prosecuted for murder,” he says.

Bob says he’s attended rallies and encourages all expats to continue to voice their opinions—but that it’s bigly important they put in their absentee ballot applications now, ahead of the primary season, which starts in March.

“If you don't think the Democrats are doing a good job, the primaries are the opportunity to replace them with better people.”

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Galloping Goose trail closures: The trail remains closed between Cecelia and Viaduct Park due to slope instability, and at kilometre 45, due to a landslip. [CRD]

Thetis Lake closures: Geotechnical work continues today, with most trails inaccessible. [CRD]

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

Esquimalt firefighters first on the Island to get new chemical-free protective gear

Esquimalt firefighters can breathe a bit easier through their air packs, knowing the suits they're wearing don’t contain forever chemicals that could harm or even kill them.

Esquimalt Fire’s 35 frontline firefighters have become the first on the Island to use what’s being called the next generation of protective gear that doesn’t contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, synthetic chemicals that have been linked to cancer.

January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. Data from the International Association of Firefighters suggest cancer is responsible for 94% of line-of-duty deaths (LODDs) in Canada. 

“This transition to PFAS-free gear is an important and proactive step to reduce long-term exposure to harmful chemicals while maintaining the highest standards of protection on the fireground,” said Esquimalt Fire Chief Matt Furlot.

Vancouver Fire was the first in BC to get them, in 2024, and last Tuesday, Esquimalt received its shipment of coats and pants—called turnout gear in the firefighting biz.

Esquimalt’s 32 suppression firefighters and three command staffers were fitted for the new gear, which Furlot said was the same weight and thickness as the old protective ensemble.

“There is no notable difference to its fit or mobility,” he tells Capital Daily.  

“There may be some slight differences, we are told [in relation] to heat penetration, but it is within the performance standards of NFPA (National Fire Protection Association).”  

Esquimalt Council approved the purchase of PFAS-free turnout gear through supplemental funding back in November 2024, but its delivery was delayed as the manufacturer in New Hampshire continued to refine and test the new materials to ensure they met or exceeded safety and performance standards 

“While the delay was longer than originally anticipated, it reflects the care taken by manufacturers to ensure the gear performs at the highest level for our firefighters,” Furlot said.

While Vancouver and Esquimalt are the only BC fire departments to change their protective wardrobe en masse, the Victoria Fire Department may soon join them.

The Times Colonist reports that Victoria Fire recently received six sets, has ordered another dozen, and will phase in even more as current gear hits its service life limit.

This story ran for our Insiders on Jan. 11. Consider becoming an Insider today and be the first to receive stories every Sunday.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

📅 Therapeutic art for wellness: Calming collage with old calendars at Emily Carr House. [1-3pm today]

☠️🛻 Monster Trucks: Motorsports Spectacular at Save on Foods Memorial Centre. [Tomorrow and Sunday]

🏡 Victoria homeowners can save 10% on interior painting with West Coast Pro Painting. Premium quality, reliable crews, and exceptional results.*

🎤 Victoria’s Jade LeMac performs tomorrow night at Capital Ballroom.

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY BELFRY THEATRE

Maanomaa, My Brother opens February 3

Childhood friends Kwame and Will reunite in Ghana for the funeral of a loved one and discover how much has changed since they separated 25 years earlier. Telling their story in a beautiful combination of dialogue and movement, the play is both fiercely personal and curiously abstract.

Tickets & Information

🗞️ In Other News

New communications tower on PKOLS: Work expected to start Monday
The current tower on the 225-metre-high mountain, used for cellphone communication and public safety, is 20 years old and no longer meets federal regulatory standards. So, after much planning and debate, a new one will be erected next to the old one, near—not in—the parking lot. Saanich planners anticipate it will take roughly three months to get the new tower up and running. The old one will be carted off in the fall. The park is still open, and hikers can still hike, just with restricted access to the summit. [Saanich]

Belmont Secondary School was put on hold and secure for about an hour
The school was placed on hold and secure yesterday afternoon out of an “abundance of caution,” while RCMP responded to a person uttering threats with a weapon on Langford Lake Road. There were no injuries, and the suspect was arrested without incident, the RCMP said. The hold and secure was lifted at 1pm. The emergency protocol is issued when it’s determined there is a security concern outside the school: doors to get in are locked, while school activity continues inside. A lockdown involves a higher level of security, with all activity stopping. [CHEK]

Police watchdog finds man’s injuries self-inflicted after Victoria arrest
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) reviewed the arrest last month of a man who was sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. After examining medical records, police testimony, and witness statements, the watchdog determined the injuries he sustained were unrelated to his arrest. VicPD said the man was acting erratically and that officers drew, but did not fire, a Taser. While in the police car, the man began striking his head against the interior of the vehicle. Paramedics were called as his behaviour escalated. [Victoria News]

🗓️ Things To Do

🎶 Terriblething & Fembite: Victoria's four-piece Terriblething brings demented time signatures to their gentle pop-punk roots, joined by queer pop-rock-punk band Fembite to blend Paramore energy with vulnerability. The Coda. Today. 6:30pm. [Info]

🧜 Mini Mariner Mornings: Secrets of the Deep Sea: Journey into the ocean depths and learn about mysterious deep-sea creatures through reading, submarine crew activities, and creating your own lanternfish. Maritime Museum of BC. Tomorrow. 10-11am. [Info]

💠Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop: Learn about the history and beauty of sea glass while designing your own stunning piece of jewelry using locally sourced materials. Maritime Museum of BC. Tomorrow. 2-3:30pm. [Info]

🦅🎸 Eagle Eyes: Arguably the best Eagles tribute in North America captures lead and harmony vocals with breath-taking precision, performing hits like Hotel California and Take It Easy. Mary Winspear Centre. Tomorrow. 3pm & 7:30pm. [Info]

🎵 David Vest: The Dawn of Rock and Roll: David Vest presents music from Sun Records, featuring songs from Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis, joined by his red-hot band. Hermann's Jazz Club. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

😂 Hecklers Presents: Julia Hladkowicz: Saturday night comedy featuring top comics from across Canada and beyond, with early and late shows available. Hecklers Bar & Grill. Tomorrow. 7pm and 10pm. [Info]

🤣 Snowed In Comedy Tour: Canada's biggest comedy tour returns for its 17th year with a powerhouse lineup including Dan Quinn, Paul Myrehaug, Pete Zedlacher, and Erica Sigurdson. Royal Theatre. Tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🔻🚴 Great Ride of Return Victoria: Join this fundraiser for the Gaza Sunbirds, the para-cyclists delivering aid to displaced Gazans. The ride begins at 12:45 at Vic West Community Centre. Sun. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: BC pulls the plug on drug decriminalization; Saanich prepares for pushback on Panama Flats dog plan; SD61 board switches to a ward system for member elections. [Jan. 15] 

Salt Spring woman asked to explain to the province how she was able to pay $1M for home. [Times Colonist]

Mushroom recall: Mushmoshi brand Enoki Mushrooms recalled due to Listeria. [CFIA] 

Pistachio recall (again): Various pistachios and pistachio-containing products, due to Salmonella. [CFIA]

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce member of the year is… Tony Joe.

20th Victoria Whisky Festival began yesterday and runs through Sunday at the Hotel Grand Pacific. [Info]

Out-of-towners: California sea lions swim past Clover Point. [Facebook photos]

That’s it!

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