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NEWS
Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club gets 6-month reprieve from eviction
Ted Smith, founder of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club. Photo: Mark Brennae / Capital Daily
The VCBC, an unlicensed “compassion club," won’t have to leave its base at Quadra and Balmoral after the BC Supreme Court granted the nonprofit a six-month injunction.
There was plenty of online celebrating among some of the 2,500 active club members who rely monthly on the club for affordable high-potency THC dosages to battle serious health conditions such as PTSD and cancer.
“This decision is exactly what the VCBC needed to survive while we continue to fight the province in court,” said Ted Smith, who founded the club in 1996.
The injunction temporarily prevents the club’s eviction from 1625 Quadra, which the landlord began to push for after the province filed civil forfeiture documents against them in May.
“The injunction pauses that internal landlord-tenant dispute while the VCBC seeks to challenge federal cannabis laws,” the club said.
The club is waiting on a judicial review this fall that will determine whether federal cannabis regulations violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“You know, the gun's been taken away, but I still have a knife to my heart,” Smith said.
“Now, I have this opportunity to really make this work and to make the government listen and make the changes necessary [so] that we can continue and that others across Canada can use this as medicine in a way that they haven't been allowed to so far with these restrictive rules.”
BC’s Community Safety Unit (CSU), which is responsible for monitoring and enforcing the province’s cannabis regulations, has conducted four raids on the club since the federal government legalized cannabis in October 2018.
The province is seeking $3.24 million in administrative monetary penalties against the club, based on the estimated value of product seized over the years.
⚠ Capital Bulletin
Discoloured tap water on Salt Spring: High manganese levels causing the colour change; water is still safe to consume. [CRD]
Check for smoky air: BlueSky Canada Firesmoke.ca forecast.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
On the water today? Check the tide times for Victoria.
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NEWS
Victoria councillors want to crack down on derelict properties
Derelict buildings can pose public safety risks, say Victoria councillors. Photo: Shutterstock
Victoria councillors Matt Dell and Dave Thompson will present a motion at tomorrow’s council meeting asking staff to review bylaws on enforcing repairs or redevelopment of derelict buildings.
In their motion, the councillors write that neglected properties can create public safety hazards, accelerate the deterioration of surrounding buildings, and have a higher risk of fire or collapse.
“They also represent [a] delay or lost opportunity to reduce the housing shortage through redevelopment and creation of net new housing,” Dell and Thompson write.
One of the reasons properties sit empty for years is that the building owners treat them as “investment sites,” keeping them vacant as their value increases year to year, according to the councillors.
“Victoria needs to put the needs of residents and existing businesses ahead of investors,” Dell and Thompson contend.
As the city puts money toward downtown beautification—including its Business Facade Improvement Grant, which helps business owners cover the costs of improving their businesses' exteriors—the councillors say Victoria needs “all private landowners to commit to improving their buildings” and ensure they are tenanted.
If the motion passes, the council will direct staff to report back with the following:
A review of existing bylaw and enforcement tools, staffing capacity, and gaps in jurisdiction
A review of other municipalities’ approaches to dealing with derelict properties, including inspection programs, registries, and authority to demolish or remediate at the owner’s expense
Potential bylaw amendments, new policies, or resources needed
An assessment of whether provincial legislative changes are needed and how to advocate for those adjustments
⭐️ Capital Picks
🎼 Harpist Emily Sanzaro performs music from Metallica, Radiohead and more tonight at Paul Phillips Hall.
🏀 Canada’s national women’s team vs. UCLA tonight at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
🚨🐶 Goodbye Halla: a police dog’s life well-lived. [Westshore RCMP]
🏠 Seniors and their families are thinking ahead about a home’s long-term fit for aging in place. This free screening guide helps with the process.* *Sponsored Listing
🗞 In Other News
1,450 residents missed public notification of escaped prisoner in Metchosin
The names of about 1,450 residents who registered for an emergency public-notification system were dropped due to system changes during the transition to Metchosin’s new fire chief in the spring. Because of this, they weren’t notified when Ernest Egon Jensen escaped from William Head on June 28. Jensen was found dead the next day. Former Metchosin mayor John Ranns said there was a large administrative turnover after he left office, leaving gaps that the new fire chief was unaware of. [Times Colonist]
BC’s N drivers no longer need to take second road test, starting this fall
Starting Oct. 19, N drivers will be upgraded to their Class 5 licence after a review of their driving record shows 24 months of good driving habits. Any unsafe behaviour, including tickets for speeding or phone use, will cause the 24-month period to reset. In the first year of their Class 5 licence, drivers will be subject to a 12-month probationary period. Learner’s licence periods will also be shortened for those aged 25+—the L phase is shortened from 12 months to nine, and the N phase will be reduced from 24 months to 12. [CHEK]
Vancouver man starts national class-action lawsuit against StubHub over World Cup tickets
Mark Gallagher says he spent more than $19K to see Team Canada games against Qatar and Switzerland but never received the tickets. The lawsuit alleges the defendants “implemented a scheme to sell event tickets they either knew did not exist when advertised or were procured in breach of the laws of the respective place where an event would occur.” It also asserts the defendants “provided a guarantee, at least parts of which they knew would not or could not be honoured.” The allegations have not been proven in court. [Black Press]
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🗓 Things To Do
🎶 Lelolai FAM: A free interactive children's concert blending Latin music and culture, part of the Wednesday summer series running through August. Cameron Bandshell. Today. 11am–12pm. [Info]
🧑🎤 Pop Up Opera 2026: Pacific Opera Victoria singers appear in parks, plazas, markets, and public spaces for unexpected moments of beauty and connection. Various locations. Today through July 28. [Info]
🍎 Oaklands Sunset Market: A weekly evening market running through the summer. Oaklands Community Centre. Today. 4:30–8pm. [Info]
🖌️ Brushes at the Golden Hour: A relaxed evening of painting, sipping, and golden hour magic. Guided by artist Shanna Hamilton with a four-wine tasting flight. Everything Wine. Today. 6-8pm. [Info]
🎵 Flamenco Guitar Night: Four acclaimed Victoria flamenco guitarists—Gareth Owen, Iminah Kani, Juan de Marias, and Jake Lee ‘Chinito’—join three flamenco singers for an evening of the finest Spanish melodies and rhythms. The Coda. Today. 6:30–8:30pm. [Info]
🤣 Judge My Jokes: Eleven comedians perform their best 5-minute sets and get judged. Hosted by Lucia Ribeiro. The Mint. Tomorrow. 6pm. [Info]
📚 Book-ISH: This book drive and sale supports accurate, inclusive, and affirming sexual health education programming at Island Sexual Health, happening at Books & Shenanigans. Saturday. 11am-4pm. [Info]
🎵 Victoria Folk Music Society Weekly Gathering: Chris Baron Duo. All welcome. Jam at 6:45pm. Open Stage at 7:30pm. Friendship Hall (formerly Norway House). Sunday. 9pm. [Info]
🍺🍖 Brewery & the Beast: An extraordinary lineup of chefs, beverage makers and artists deliver a feast of dishes cooked over live fire. Starlight Stadium. Sept. 27. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Tuesday’s headlines: 90+ violations found in Island roadside fisheries blitz; BC’s first battery energy storage site opening in Duncan; Dangerous Colwood slide to be replaced. [July 21]
The Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Tree: How Saanich could become 2nd Canadian municipality to adopt it. [CHEK]
Project Peanut Butter lands 1,319 jars at Mustard Seed. [CTV]
BC Ferries to return lost toy to five-year-old owner after taking it on an adventure. [Times Colonist]
Victoria folk group video goes viral. [Thistle]
Be water safe: 40 drowning deaths in BC since May 1.
Saanich road closure: Palo Alto, through Thursday, 8am-3pm.
That’s it!
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