July 2 - Order of Canada just appointed these locals

Good morning !

Hope you enjoyed the day off yesterday (or for the past four days). Below we look at the locals appointed to the Order of Canada this week, just in time for Canada Day.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤 22 / 12

Tomorrow: 🌤 19 / 13

Day after: ☀️ 20 / 13

7-day forecast

NEWS

Bonnie Henry and peninsula philanthropists named to the Order of Canada

Victoria-based Henry is BC's provincial medical health officer, and gained prominence while leading BC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fellow doctor Theresa Tam, who retired this month as Henry's national-level counterpart, will also be invested as an officer of the Order.

The Order of Canada has several tiers: Companion, Officer, and Member. Inductees begin as members and can be promoted roughly every five years.

Also appointed this week, as members, were North Saanichites Don James and Ruth James. They were named for their major contributions to healthcare and medical research, particularly clinical care and patient services. Together they run the James Family Foundation, which has contributed major money to local initiatives such as the Rapid Relief Fund. Ruth James is also a longtime volunteer for the African Children’s Bookbox Society in Tanzania. 

They also donated flight points to enable a national tour for US and Them, the homelessness documentary created by now-Victoria-Councillor Krista Laughton. Don James is the former CEO of Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada, and the couple have a large North Saanich estate and raise Arabian horses.

The latest round of appointees by Governor General also includes UFC martial artist Georges St-Pierre, former deputy PM John Manley, and 1990s NAFTA negotiator Donald Campbell.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

UV index 8 (high) but temps cooler where winds blow ashore.

Highs rising to mid-high 20s by next week.

Road closure: Gorge closed from Harriet to Jutland today for underground servicing work. 7am-5pm. [City of Victoria]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Rifflandia gets a display at Royal BC Museum

The major local festival marks its 15th edition with a show in RBCM's free Pocket Gallery. That installation is an extension of Beyond the Beat, the museum's current exhibit on music's relationship to protest and social change.

The festival's history is “rich with artists who’ve used their platforms to challenge injustice,” RBCM's Jodi Giesbrecht said in a release. Featured musicians include Pussy Riot, Moby, Macklemore, Courtney Love, and this year's performers, Public Enemy.

The festival's showcase in the museum will run until next Jan., while in Sept. the museum will have a showcase at the festival. RBCM's Learning & Engagement staff will be part of the family zone “Kidlandia,” running activities inspired by music and storytelling.

Rifflandia runs Sept. 11-14, at its new home on the Matullia Lands in Rock Bay. It moved there last year, leaving its longtime venue of Royal Athletic.

RBCM's other new show looks at how we relate to climate change & fire

The museum also recently opened the exhibit Uprooted in its Climate Change Gallery. It features 100+ delicate paper houses floating in a shadowy canopy, and visitors use flashlights to blow small details up into wall projections. The show by Victoria-raised, Montreal-based Jaimie Robson, looks at climate anxiety and the physical and emotional effects of wildfires. It explores solastalgia: “the distress and grief one feels when their home environment is altered beyond their control.”

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🚘 Oak Bay Collector Car Festival July 13. [Register here]

🎆 The fireworks over the Inner Harbour last night:

🧶A lake ball, surf ball, beach ball, spill ball, or ball of debris. [Field Naturalists of Vancouver Island]

🎉 Celebrate 10 years of Royal Bay on July 12 at Quarry Park with live music, local vendors, family fun, and exciting prizes and giveaways!*

Enjoying our newsletter? Help us make it even better! Become an Insider member and help keep local journalism and storytelling alive in the Capital Region. 

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Grizzlies may have permanently moved to Sayward
A sow and cubs likely remained on the Island over winter after first being sighted here last year. Usually the only Island grizzlies are young males temporarily visiting, but as this trio becomes established residents are asked to be more “bear aware” and to “haze” the bears. [CHEK]

Canada Day draws thousands to downtown festivities 
Esquimalt Chief Jerome Thomas and Songhees Councillor Eugene Sam, and Mayor Marianne Alto spoke. The crowd saw performances from Island bands Blue Moon Marquee and MIINA, and headliners Delhi 2 Dublin. [VicNews]

Saanich man pleads not guilty to stabbing roommate
The alleged victim testified on Monday that he confronted the accused over damage to the third housemate’s car. Their altercation happened on a Feb. 2022 morning after the trio had gone to a movie and eaten together. [Times Colonist]

🗓️ Things to do

🪶 Romeo and Juliet: This classic Shakespeare play will be set against the backdrop of Craigdarroch Castle, today through July 19. 7pm. [Info]

🎼 Music in Beacon Hill Park: Bring your family and friends for some outdoor entertainment at the Cameron Bandshell. 11am-12pm. [Info]

⛰️ PKOLS sign rededication ceremony today. 10:30am-1pm. [Info]

💃 Learn Bachata for free: Learn the basics of Bachata, a style of music and dance that originated in the Dominican Republic, at Cameron Bandshell. 5:30-7:30pm. [Info]

🐳 Big Gay Whale Watch: Join Ocean Wise and fellow whale-lovers for the second annual Big Gay Whale Watch, in celebration of Pride, at Clover Point. 10am-5pm. [Info] 

🎶 Phillips 2025 Backyard Music Festival: Tilt weekend is here for three days of outdoor music, with headliners Cold War Kids and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Fri.-Sun. [Info]

🎉 Tropic Rooftop: Groove & Getaway: Think palm trees, neon lights, beachy vibes, and nothing but good energy under the stars at Strathcona Rooftop. Sat. 9pm-1am. [Info]

🎵 Victoria Folk Music Festival: Catch folk artists including Frazey Ford, Joel Plaskett, and Kacy & Clayton at Royal Athletic Park. Sat. 12-10pm. [Info]

🍵 Ross Bay Villa Garden Party: Enjoy a cup of tea and a piece of traditional pound cake while listening to award-winning fiddlers on the lawn. July 13. 1-4pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday news: Shirtless man accused of punching & biting BC Ferries crew. Canada Day events. Latest in Can-US trade wars. [July 1]

BikeFest: Canadian X-Country Mountain Bike Championships in Langford, July 17-20.

Fresh eggs: A turtle laying eggs near a pond in Sooke. [Video]

Parents of terminally ill Langford girl, who turns 10 today, will meet with BC Health Minister this week about million-dollar drug’s discontinuation. [Times Colonist]

Wildfire near Lytton prompts evacuations, four years after destructive blaze. [CTV]