Jan 7 - Trudeau's legacy on Island and beyond

Good morning !

For the fist time in nearly a decade, we know a new prime minister will be leading Canada later this year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced yesterday morning he would step down once a new leader for the Liberal Party is selected. We’ve got one UVic professor’s thoughts on what could happen once he’s out—and the legacy, or lack thereof, he’s left on the Island.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

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NEWS

‘Sunny ways’ cloud over: Justin Trudeau to step down

Trudeau announced yesterday he’ll resign after the federal Liberal party holds a leadership race—no date set yet.

“I think for most Canadians, it was a relief,” Michael Prince, acting dean at UVic’s Faculty of Human & Social Development tells Capital Daily.

“And maybe some said ‘Hooray, it's time to see you go,’ and others just, ‘Your time is up.’’’

Prince says, on the whole, the Tofino-travelled Trudeau let a lot of Islanders down.

“There wasn't a voice here,” he says drawing attention to the absence of Liberal MPs on the Island. “There wasn't a cabinet presence here on the Island.”

Trudeau’s promises to pump up the middle class have been unfulfilled, his pipeline pause was more pipedream, the healthcare system remains to be a matter of patience over patients, and Island issues including housing, the toxic drug crisis, the environment, and the cost of living continue to seed concern.

Prince applauds Trudeau for finally finding funding for housing but again, it came after the bell. “An unappreciated, positive effect of the Trudeau years will be some of the federal dollars flowing into the housing infrastructure,” Prince says.

Prince says Trudeau managed to stickhandle COVID and skillfully manage Donald Trump in his first term as US president. He also made $10/day childcare a reality and helped pull hundreds of thousands of Canadian children out of poverty with his child benefit program. While he introduced some environmental protections to our oceans, Trudeau has been slow to spend on the Navy in Esquimalt and the Air Force in Comox.  

One of his failures, Prince says, was mismanagement of immigration where he opened Canada’s doors too widely. “The numbers ramped up at a time that were just more than the country could absorb, and we weren't providing adequate housing, we didn't have the jobs,” he says.

If anything, Prince says Trudeau, 53, should’ve pulled the plug earlier.

“I think he left it too late to really give someone in the party a running chance,” Prince said.

Whoever that someone turns out to be—disgruntled former finance minister Chrystia Freeland who abruptly resigned from cabinet last month, former Bank of Canada gov. Mark Carney, and former BC premier Christy Clark who reportedly has been taking French lessons, are all expected to toss their chapeaux into the ring—is likely going to be leading a third- or-fourth-place party, with the Conservatives primed for power and the Bloc Quebecois a step up on the NDP to form the Opposition, Prince predicted.

“Whoever takes it over, their main goal will be to get the party to rebound by some points in the polls, and to maybe help mitigate the disaster they're about to have fall upon them.”

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Otter alert in Sooke: Keep dogs on a leash at Whiffin Spit and avoid getting too close to an otter exhibiting unusually aggressive behaviour. [Details]

VicPD warning on fraudulent e-transfers.

Blanshard at Fisgard one lane only today as workers pour concrete.

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NEWS

Could Island Indigenous lore on Bigfoot help scientists prove its existence?

Bigfoot, the often disputed legend said to roam the forests of the Pacific Northwest, has long left believers intrigued and naysayers rolling their eyes.

It’s easy to file away sightings with the likes of the Loch Ness Monster or Okanagan’s Ogopogo, especially since no photographic or video evidence has confirmed the existence of the large and hairy human-like would-be creature.

Still, some scientists have dedicated their research to unlocking the truth of the legend. One, at North Carolina State University, has been testing DNA from possible Sasquatch remains sent in by people across the US. Another researcher in Idaho has dedicated his life to studying Sasquatch tracks or Anthropoidipes ameriborealis (North American ape foot). He says tracks have been found throughout the continent—a difficult discovery, he says, given the moist forest and acidic soils in the areas believed to be home to the creature.

One place they could explore for evidence of Bigfoot? Vancouver Island, according to the Nuu-chah-nulth people who have many stories about seeing the Sasquatch, with their own unique names for the creature.

Huu-ay-aht First Nations knowledge keeper Qiic Qiica says the belief in Sasquatch, or C̓ac̓uqḥta, is widespread and deeply rooted in his culture.

“Our people, historically, were always hunters. In Nuu-chah-nulth culture, there are a number of animals that we just don’t hunt. One of them is C̓ac̓uqḥta. Another one is the wolf, we don’t hunt them because they are a pack animal, we believe they live like us. Same with the orca,” Qiic Qiica said.

Qiic Qiica says some of the greatest predators in North America are rarely seen.

“More often than not, they see us and we don’t see them,” he said. “Think about how elusive the wolves are, how elusive the cougars are. From our point of view, the C̓ac̓uqḥta is even more elusive than the most elusive. It really is the hide-and-seek champion.”

Find out more about the Island Indigenous connection to the legend of Bigfoot—and why some scientists believe we shouldn’t dismiss the possibility of its existence.

SPONSORED BY CONTINUING STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA

Going back to the basics

Start the year with a focus on strengthening your foundation.

In today’s fast-paced economy, employers are seeking professionals with practical skills in areas like communication, finance, operations management, marketing or project management. Taking courses that focus on specific topics can provide an effective way to complement your existing skills and help you stay competitive.

Anna Fyfe, a graduate of the Certificate in Business Administration (CBA) program, chose courses that aligned with her interests. "There are a few core classes that you have to take and then you can really tailor it," she says.

Interested in learning more? Join the online information session on January 22 to see how the CBA program can help you meet your goals.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🐦 Digging itself into a hole: A short-billed gull does a quick-footed tap dance at Combers Beach to dig for food. [Facebook video]

👐🏽 PHS Community Services Society provides an immediate response to street homelessness in Victoria. Help bring people in out of the cold. Please donate today.*

🌸 Cherry blossom season arrives: See the pretty pink flowers on Douglas. [Facebook photos]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Downtown housing complex evacuated after report of possible explosive device
Entrances to supportive housing Mount Edwards Court on Vancouver, along with a nearby sidewalk were blocked off Sun. afternoon after Cool Aid staff contacted police about the possible explosive—described as a “prop”—discovered while cleaning out a past tenant’s storage area. A dozen officers investigated while tenants took shelter in a BC Transit bus. No explosives were found. [Times Colonist]

UVic student, 22, killed in car crash in Thailand
Ashlie Toews died in the New Year’s Day crash on the island of Koh Tao, just days after completing her diving certification in advance of taking a new job in Australia. Friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and costs for her grieving parents to travel to Thailand to bring their daughter’s remains back home. A celebration of life is planned for May. [CHEK]

CBSA defends detaining Victoria company’s solar panels
The Canada Border Services Agency says it acted in good faith last year when it detained some 50 containers of solar panels over concerns they were made using forced labour. Charge Solar Renewables Inc. sued the border agency in Nov., saying by detaining the $5M, Chinese-made panels the company’s market position suffered. In a statement filed in Federal Court, the border agency said the company "made the economic decision” to import the panels, in full knowledge they could be detained. [CP/MSN]

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SPONSORED BY THE CANADIAN CLUB OF VICTORIA

January Luncheon: Bob Joseph, author of 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act

January 14, 11:45 AM - 1:30 PM at Hotel Grand Pacific

The January luncheon of the Canadian Club of Victoria will feature Bob Joseph, author of the national #1 best-seller 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality and Indigenous Relations: Insights,Tips and Suggestions to Make Reconciliation a Reality. Bob Joseph is the founder and president of Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. since 1994.

Bob is an initiated member of the Hamatsa Society and has an inherited chief’s seat in the Gayaxala (Thunderbird) clan. His third book is scheduled for publication this spring. Copies of his books will be available for sale.

The cost for members is $55 and $65 for non-members. Click here for details and to register by January 10. Space is limited.

🗓️ Things to do

🏛️ Community Days at RBCM: The Royal BC Museum will offer a pay-by-donation entrance to community members this week, running through Sunday. 10am-6pm. [Info]

🎻 Louis Sherman Concerto Competition: See the final round of Victoria Chamber Orchestra’s competition for young string players at the Former First Metropolitan Church tonight. 7pm. [Info]

❓ Benji’s Pub Quiz: Join this weekly show of knowledge, tunes, and sporadic lunacy at Whistle Buoy tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎸 Sum41: See the pop punk legends with special guests PUP and Gob at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. Fri. 6:50pm. [Info]

🕯️ Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons: Hear the music of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons performed live by candlelight at Christ Church Cathedral. Fri. 6pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Monday’s headlines: Sea lion hits the highway; Colwood’s clinic draws national attention; Artist Joe Average dies; And more. [Jan. 6]

Involuntary care sites for addiction due to open on Mainland in May. [Times Colonist]

Name the octopus at Sidney’s Salish Sea Centre.

Open call to artists for Ministry of Casual Living exhibition proposals. Deadline today.

Alice Munro's biographer explains his controversial decision not to reveal family abuse scandal in book. [The Walrus interview]

That’s it!

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