July 16 - Beloved statue in flames

Good morning !

Today we’ve got some sad news about a local wooden mammoth statue being destroyed. But first, we have a story on new protections for those in retirement homes.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 27 / 14

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 27 / 15

Day after: ☀️ 24 / 14

7-day forecast

NEWS

Tenancy protections will apply to BC retirement homes

Seniors living in retirement homes in BC will have the support of the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) to protect them from illegal rent increases and evictions.

The Office of the Seniors Advocate said the province has agreed to ensure the RTA applies to some 30K seniors in independent living, who it said often face “exorbitant fee increases.”

BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt said the provincial government agrees seniors independent living units are subject to the RTA. 

“It also recognizes that both rent and mandatory service fees are subject to annual limits on rent increases, which need to be enforced consistently,” he said.

In a July 4 report, the seniors advocate said many landlords ignore the RTA and increase service fees, leaving seniors facing increases ranging from the inflation rate to as much as 24%. 

According to the report, some seniors have tried to opt out of services such as housekeeping—and even meals—and were issued eviction notices.

“The law is very clear that anything a tenant is required to pay to the landlord as part of their tenancy, whether it is for meals or a parking spot, is included as part of the rent and protected by the annual allowable rent increase,” said Levitt. 

Currently, independent living in BC is not regulated. A typical mandatory service package in independent living includes two meals per day and housekeeping, with options for a la carte services such as personal laundry, guest meals and meal tray services offered for an additional fee, the seniors advocate said.

Read Mark Brennae’s full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Bag fees mandatory at BC stores: Minimum $2 for reusables and $0.25 for paper. [BC Gov’t] (Please note this item appeared yesterday with an incorrect link)

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Royal Bay mammoth statue set on fire, suspect arrested

The large statue of a mammoth at Royal Bay Beach in Colwood was set on fire yesterday and the Beachlands sign and a staircase also were damaged. 

"Unfortunately, the mammoth statue is charred—but still standing," Greg Chow, Colwood’s assistant fire chief, tells Capital Daily.

Chow says fire crews were dealing with a beach fire about 1K feet away at Esquimalt Lagoon when the fire was spotted a short time after 7am.

“So when they saw some smoke, that's when they radioed back for an additional truck.”

Chow said it took about 15 minutes to put out the fire but crews stayed around to douse hotspots within the statue.

West Shore RCMP arrested a 41-year-old man a short distance from the scene. They also seized nearby a hatchet.

Earlier, a witness called RCMP reporting a man appearing to be having a mental health issue and carrying a hatchet.

The statue, which is about nine feet tall and seven feet long, is made from beach wood and was built by driftwood artist Alex Witcombe, who was referencing mammoth remains that previously had been discovered at the former gravel pit that’s now the Royal Bay development. 

Witcombe also created an accompanying baby mammoth, which Chow said had not been damaged.

Two letters in the Beachlands sign were pushed over and there was some damage to a nearby staircase. Chow couldn’t say whether the vandalism—estimated at $30-$40K in total—was related. 

He did note the bizarre nature of the fire.  

“It's just unfortunately, the society today is, you know, not respectful of other people's properties and everything else.”

Chow offered a timely reminder.

“The weather is at [the] extreme at the present time and we just want everybody’s diligence that we do not permit any fires at the beach at any time, let alone, these summer months.”

SPONSORED BY TALL TREE HEALTH

Who wants to get better sleep?

Can’t sleep? You’re not alone. Over one-third of Canadians fail to get the daily recommended amount of sleep.  

Tall Tree Health’s new Sleep Therapy and Insomnia Program can help. Learn how to conquer insomnia through scientifically proven Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i). Tall Tree’s dedicated team will help you understand the root causes of your sleep problems and how to overcome them. 

The program is designed for individuals aged 19+ and includes a comprehensive assessment and tailored treatment for your unique sleep patterns and challenges. Get better sleep. Book now with Tall Tree Health. 

⭐️ Capital Picks

🌳 Timber! Monkey puzzle tree fell into the street on Niagara early Monday morning. [Photo]

🐝 Bees enjoy sweet honeydew liquid left by aphids on lily pads in Maple Lake. [Photos]

🤝 Now hiring: Communication Consultant at Sooke Region Museum and Visitor Centre.

🗞️ In Other News

Oak Bay cafe owners celebrate patio win
Hide + Seek Coffee’s patio was approved by Oak Bay council last week after a tense meeting about added fees and the patio’s aesthetic. The patio was built as a short-term option during the pandemic and was denied renewal earlier this year. After pleading the community benefits of the space, it was approved but the owners will have to pay $2K in fees. The cafe hosted a neighbourhood painting party to decorate the now permanent patio. [Times Colonist]

Buoy “campground” to solve Cadboro Bay’s derelict boat problem
Cadboro Bay Dead Boats Society wants a managed zone in the bay for boats to hook up to buoys. The society says this could help prevent boats with poor anchors from drifting to shore, an ongoing issue in the area. The society hopes to receive a license of occupation to set up the “campground” on the Oak Bay side of the bay. [Oak Bay News]

Province and Snuneymuxw First Nation purchase former Nanaimo Howard Johnson site
The site was once a village for the First Nation before the HoJo hotel was built in the 1960s. The hotel closed in 2018 and the land is now being returned to the Snuneymuxw. The province paid $26M for the property, buying from a developer who planned to build commercial space without consulting local Indigenous communities. The province will pay an additional $1M to tear down the old hotel. The space will be developed, with Snuneymuxw managing all plans. [CHEK]

14 Victoria sports orgs to split $488K+ in funding
Among the 736 BC sporting groups [full list] getting $25M from BC’s Community Gaming Grants Program are local nonprofits such as:

• $158K – Victoria Minor Hockey Association

• $80K – Gorge Soccer Association

• $50K – Victoria Curling Club

• $26K – Hampton Little League Association

• $15K– Victoria Youth Paddling Club Society

• $15K – Gorge Narrows Rowing and Paddling Club

• $3K – Victoria Aikikai Society 

🗓️ Things to do

🎨 Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s 35th annual Paint-In. Vancouver Island artists get together in celebration of art. Artists, activities, music, food, beer garden. Sat. Moss Street. AGGV opens at 10am. Paint-in at 11am. [Info]

🛍️ Oaklands Sunset Markets: Check out 50 local vendors, a huge variety of food trucks, great music, kids activities, and more at the Oaklands Community Centre tomorrow. 4:30-8pm. [Info]

🎶 Music at Ship Point: Catch live music in the Inner Harbour tonight and Thursday.  6-7pm. [Info]

Looking for something to do this weekend? Subscribe to This Week In Vic to get the full list of what’s on this week.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Monday headlines: Speed limits drop in Esquimalt; New tenancy rules begin Thu.; Langford takes part in its first Pride parade; And more. [July 15]

7 of Victoria’s most photo-ready restaurants. [Tasting Victoria]

Last day to apply to display art for a year in Commercial Alley. [Victoria]

A 4-ear deer? A local claims to have seen one in Oak Bay with a triple-lobed ear. [Drawing]

A bald eagle sits proudly in its Qualicum Beach nest tree. [VanIsleWildlife]

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.

And before you go, let us know: