July 17 - Private plane hijacked at YYJ

Good morning !

Today we’re sharing news that ranges from good (more funding for the arts), to bad (campfire ban), to ugly…and strange (small plane hijacked at YYJ). Read on to get all the details.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 27 / 14

Tomorrow: ⛅ 22 / 13

Day after: 🌤️ 18 /12

NEWS

Man arrested after small plane hijacked from Victoria Flying Club

A man arrested after a small aircraft was commandeered from the Victoria Flying Club at the city’s main airport and flown to Vancouver International Airport on Tue. afternoon has been identified and formally charged.

Shaheer Cassim, 39, was charged with one count of hijacking and has been remanded until his next court appearance on July 22.

It’s alleged the suspect “threatened a flight instructor and successfully hijacked a Cessna plane by taking control of the aircraft,” RCMP said in an email.

Investigators have determined the suspect wanted to disrupt the airspace, said RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Tammy Lobb.

“[At] approximately 1:10 p.m., Richmond RCMP received a report that a Cessna 172, a small passenger aircraft, had been hijacked from the Vancouver Island area and was entering into airspace near Vancouver International Airport (YVR),” Richmond RCMP said in a statement.

“The suspect was the sole occupant of the aircraft.”

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) scrambled American F-15 fighter jets, and according to a Times Colonist report, the airplane circled YVR several times, forcing the airport to temporarily stop inbound planes from landing.

“[Tuesday's] security incident resulted in several dozen flight delays, averaging 27 minutes each,” a Vancouver Airport Authority spokesperson told Capital Daily.

Air traffic control delayed/diverted nine flights as the incident played out, including three that reportedly landed at Victoria’s YYJ, which halted takeoffs for about 20 minutes, while landing aircraft were unaffected, an airport authority spokesperson said. 

“The civilian pilot landed the aircraft at Vancouver International Airport before the NORAD fighters intercepted the general aviation aircraft,” NORAD said in an email to Capital Daily.

Videos and photos online show a man with his arms in the air on YVR tarmac surrounded by police with guns drawn. 

“At 1:45 p.m., the plane safely landed at YVR and Richmond RCMP officers arrested the suspect without incident,” the RCMP said.

Colin Williamson, president of the Victoria Flying Club, told the TC the suspect was not a member of the club and that an instructor involved was “OK.”

Capital Daily has reached out to the Victoria Flying Club but was told the organization would have no further comment. 

“This is an active and ongoing investigation with numerous factors still being assessed; as such, no further details can be shared at this time,” Richmond RCMP said.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Campfire ban starts today at noon: scroll down for details.

James Bay street closure today: Belleville (Menzies to Oswego) for Northwest Deuce Days. [12-4pm]

7.3-magnitude earthquake off the Alaskan coastline. BC not at risk.

New online emergency dashboard launched by 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

CRD looks to expand funding support for 2 Victoria theatres

The CRD board has asked staff to create a draft service plan and a new bylaw that would result in $1M of funding allocated to the Royal Theatre and McPherson Playhouse in downtown Victoria, and the Charlie White Theatre in Sidney. 

In November, the board hired an outside consultant, Nordicity, to evaluate potential funding models that would support regional performing arts facilities. The report was released in May and recommended the three theatres as venues to invest in, being the most beneficial in terms of cost per CRD resident. 

All three venues book notable international acts and local stage performances, drawing Victoria spectators and out-of-towners alike. The report highlighted that the Royal and the McPherson both showed steady recovery in audience demand following the pandemic.

“The goal was to assess which service model best aligns participant contributions with the cultural benefits they receive,” the Nordicity report states. 

“Although the three theatres are physically located in Victoria and Sidney, audience data confirms that their community reach extends across the entire CRD.”

The report recommends that all 13 CRD municipalities pitch in the $1M—broken down, this would cost $13.16 per household every year.

The funding might also support a possible Westshore venue to be built in the future, with planning grants set aside to help with early development. Nordicity highlighted that the fast growth and audience demand in the Westshore have not been met with equivalent arts support. 

The report notes that if a new facility were to be built in Langford, “all 13 municipalities in the Capital Regional District would be able to access a regional theatre within a 40-minute drive time.”

The board says the plan would align with its goal to “sustain and enhance arts throughout the region,” as per its 2023-2026 Corporate Plan. 

Last week, staff were directed to work on a draft service plan and bylaw, which are expected to be presented to the board this fall. If approved, the city would seek elector approval through a district-wide Alternative Approval Process (AAP).

NEWS

Fire ban goes into effect today—and the fines are serious

As of noon, Category 1 campfires are verboten in the Coastal Fire Centre, which includes all of Vancouver Island and a large swath of the Mainland, from the Fraser Valley up to Bella Coola.

Campers caught red-handed could get a ticket for $1,150, face a $10K administrative penalty, and a fine of up to $100K and/or a sentence of one year in jail.

If it’s found that the camper’s action caused or contributed to a wildfire, that person could be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

“This prohibition is being enacted to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety,” the BC Wildfire Service said on its website.

Category 1 fires refer to any fire no larger than half a metre by half a metre wide, used for recreational purposes or by a First Nation for ceremonial purposes. 

Larger Category 2 and 3 open fires have been prohibited since May 30.

Currently, four forest fires remain under control on the Island. A fifth—in Sea to Sea Regional Park in Sooke—is being held, with a one-kilometre radius around Grass Lake remaining closed, the CRD said.

The restrictions—which apply to all areas outside municipal boundaries along with parks, recreation sites and trails, ecological reserves, and privately managed forest lands—are expected to remain in place until Oct. 31.

Additionally, fireworks, sky lanterns, and some wood-fired devices are also banned. It does not include approved outdoor stoves with a flame less than 15cm high.

SPONSORED BY PRESSURE PROS

VICTORIA'S GREEN MONSTER TAKING OVER? 🦠💚

Don't let moss and algae devour your home! Those black streaks and slippery surfaces aren't just ugly—they're destroying your property value.

PROOF IT WORKS: PressurePros transformed an Oak Bay home in HOURS, using eco-safe solutions that protect everything from heritage brick to modern surfaces.

Why live with the green when you could:

• Save THOUSANDS vs. replacement

• Boost curb appeal instantly

• Eliminate dangerous slippery spots

🔥 SPRING SLOTS DISAPPEARING FAST! Call NOW for your FREE estimate + BONUS gutter inspection ($75 VALUE)! 🔥

⭐️ Capital Picks

🍪 Habitat Victoria’s Gingerbread Showcase baker registration.

❄️ Cool down this summer at Pure Day Spa with our exclusive Phyto-Cool Facial. Instantly soothe redness, calm inflammation, and deeply hydrate with a refreshing botanical mask and cooling wand massage.*

🐝 Leafcutter bee hangs out on an echinacea flower. [Plumbker Rapidius / Facebook photo] 

🏮 New exhibit at Victoria Chinatown Museum highlights the dark history of the Chinese Exclusion Act. [VCM]

^{*Sponsored listing}

🗞️ In Other News

First Nation says artifacts dug up on Salt Spring Island
The Tsawout (SȾÁUTW̱) Nation is working around the clock to preserve its community’s artifacts after a provincial contractor dug them up during a highway construction project. The items found have not been confirmed by archeologists, but the nation says it found ancient tools and a midden (a former waste or compost site) mixed in with construction debris. A stop order was issued in May when the nation was notified, but a Tsawout official believes the findings were discovered earlier than that and digging continued without Tsawout’s knowledge. [CHEK]

780 US health professionals apply to work in BC, says province
More than 2,250 doctors, nurses, and health professionals have signed up for webinars and have expressed interest in working in BC since the province launched a recruitment campaign in March, targeting US doctors and nurses. Ten days ago, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC) relaxed some regulations, enabling American-trained and certified doctors to more quickly be registered to work here. In that week and a half, the CPSBC has received 29 registration applications from US doctors, the college said. [BC Gov’t]

Island girl belts out ‘O Canada’ at MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta
Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk weren’t the only sources of Canadian content at Tue. night’s midsummer classic. Lauren Spencer-Smith, a five-time Juno-nominated singer-songwriter from Port Alberni, sang our national anthem prior to the game at Truist Park. Spencer-Smith gained attention five years ago as a contestant on American Idol when she was 16 and has since garnered millions of listens to her songs on iTunes. [Nanaimo News Bulletin]

SPONSORED BY BUTCHART GARDENS

Summer Dining at The Gardens

Nestled within the captivating beauty of The Butchart Gardens, guests can indulge in a fine dining experience in the original home of the Butchart family. From Wednesday through Sunday evenings, savour exquisite dishes crafted from local ingredients surrounded by breathtaking views in The Dining Room Restaurant.

🗓️ Things to do

🚘 Northwest Deuce Days 2025: See 1K+ fabulous classic hot rods and vintage vehicles—up to and including 1951—by the Inner Harbour, today-Sun. [Info]

🎸 Garden Sessions All Stars music showcase at The CODA  tonight. 6:30-8:30pm. [Info]

🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Pride Poetry Night: Hear original poetry exploring trans joy, grief, and celebration at Caffe Fantastico on Kings tonight. 7pm. [Info]

😂 Debra DiGiovanni: See the hilarious Canadian comedian, as seen on Much’s Video on Trial, at Hecklers tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🖼️ Art Battle: Watch artists compete in painting the perfect masterpiece—the winning painting will be auctioned off—in two rounds at Club KWENCH tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🎧 Icarus: The British brothers are bringing their electronic sound to Capital Ballroom tomorrow. 10pm.[Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: Tall US Coast Guard ship in town; Orcas are also back in town; Langford girl to get treatment. [July 16]

Island citizen scientists monitor bats against a devastating disease. [LJI / The Discourse / Capital Daily] 

Texada grizzly bear, “Tex,” found dead after reports that it was shot at by a member of the public. [Times Colonist]

Oak Bay waterfront: Developers pitch a massive 658-unit project. [CHEK]

Horse hassle: VicPD looking for cyclist involved in disturbance with horse-drawn carriage on Mon. at 11:30am near Inner Harbour.

Baseball tonight: Mavericks vs. HarbourCats. [$12 Thursdays]

What a lovely… spine you have: A long spine belonging to an unknown creature was found on a Saanich beach. [Facebook photo]