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The heat wave was expected to end yesterday, but looking at today's forecast, it seems the hot weather may linger a little longer.

As temperatures soar this summer, the BC SPCA is reminding pet owners to be mindful of their furry friends on hot days. The animal advocacy agency shared several summer tips, including leaving pets in a cool place at home, avoiding hot pavement, and carrying cool treats when walking your dog.

Belly rubs are also encouraged, though that has nothing to do with the weather.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: ☀ 27 / 16

Tomorrow: ⛅ 27 / 15

Day after: ☀️ 21 / 15

7-day forecast

The Greater Victoria School Board voted unanimously to update its board election bylaw to reflect a change to a ward electoral system during a special meeting on Monday.

The decision to change how school board members are elected was made while trustees were removed from their positions. The board was fired en masse in early 2025 after disagreements with the Ministry of Education over school police liaison officer (SPLO) programs.

While the trustees were gone from their positions, Sherri Bell, a ministry-appointed special trustee, recommended that SD61 board elections move to a ward system. This new system creates seven electoral areas, each of which votes for its own representatives on the board, rather than an at-large model. This means each ward would elect one trustee—except Victoria and Saanich, which would each elect two—to create a board of nine trustees.

After being reinstated this spring, the board initially paused plans to shift to the ward system, asking staff to gather more information. But, ultimately, the board said this week that the ministerial order was binding and trustees would have to honour the change with an adjusted bylaw.

However, many trustees and a representative of the Greater Victoria Teachers Association (GVTA) said the decision to change the electoral system was not made democratically.

See what they had to say here.

Vegetation work on E&N Trail, now through July 31. Trails remain open, users urged to be mindful of at-work crews. [CRD]

Amber Alert in Kelowna cancelled. [RCMP]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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Buying a home last month was a little more expensive than in May as housing affordability dipped in many Canadian cities, including Victoria.

Results of a home affordability report from Ratehub.ca, a platform that compares mortgage rates, show housing costs going up last month in 11 of the 13 cities studied.

While housing prices fell slightly in several centres—including Victoria, where the average home price fell $2,900 to $890,100—the cost of borrowing went up, nullifying any gains.

Borrowing costs were pretty steady until June, when fixed mortgage rates increased. The average five-year fixed mortgage rate among Canada's Big Five banks rose to 4.57% in June from 4.49% in May.

The study pinned the increase on tensions between Canada and the US and the Trump regime’s war in Iran, which increased Canadian bond yields. 

The estimated monthly mortgage payment for that $890K average Victoria home increased to $4,603 from $4,582.

That meant with a 4.57% mortgage rate, the income required to buy that home increased $700 to $186,200, the study said.

Vancouver’s average home price was $1,099,100–$1,600 less than in May. However, Vancouverites looking to buy that average million-dollar dwelling would be paying $1,200 more because of the higher interest rates.

Vancouver and Toronto were the only two cities that required a higher income than what was needed in Victoria to service a mortgage on a new home last month.

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Explore Shawnigan Retreats and plan your getaway today. Learn more about Shawnigan Retreats.

📚 1,024 Little Free Libraries in neighbourhoods across Greater Victoria: Which one is your favourite? [Nominate here until Aug. 12]

🦭 Baby seal out with its mother near Salt Spring Island. [Facebook photos]

💐 Enjoy an eclectic lineup of live music on the outdoor stage beneath open skies, Wednesday through Sunday evenings at The Butchart Gardens. Details at butchartgardens.com.*

🎤 Indie folk singer-songwriter Sophia Ammann performs tonight at James Bay United Church Sanctuary.

*Sponsored Listing

City of Langford considers selling oceanfront property after millions spent on upgrades
Langford's only oceanfront property, bought in 2019 with the purpose of turning it into a public outdoor recreation spot, remains undeveloped after costly geotechnical work, including $2M+ in rock stabilization. The city now recommends selling it, citing access issues and fire risk, with proceeds going toward other parks projects. Former mayor Stew Young—who was in office when the site was purchased—opposes selling, calling it a property worth preserving rather than giving up. [CHEK]

CRD to build wetland, add oxygen to Saanich lake plagued by algae
Elk/Beaver Lake, prone to blue-green algae blooms, will be the focus of a long-term CRD restoration plan. An oxygenation system installed in 2024 has helped to reduce deep-lake phosphorus, but additional tools are needed to minimize algae growth. A new $380K wetland, slated to be built at Haliburton Brook in 2028, will slow the flow of water and filter nutrients before they reach the lake. [Black Press]

Victoria Symphony pulls out of David Foster concert due to union restraints
The symphony is no longer scheduled to perform at the free David Foster Foundation 40th anniversary celebration in the Inner Harbour. The foundation decided it could not proceed with the requirements of the symphony’s collective agreement with its unionized musicians. The concert, happening Aug. 8, is still set to bring notable artists to Victoria, including Josh Groban, Katharine McPhee, and others. [Times Colonist]

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👗 Bastion Square Market: A local market running through the summer season in Bastion Square today. 11am–5pm. [Info]

🎲 Little Fernwood Game Night: This all-ages social night will have a variety of games available to play at Little Fernwood Gallery tonight. 6-9pm. [Info]

👯 The Roxy Talent Show: See the unique talents and skills of the Victoria community at this 19+ show at the Roxy Theatre tonight. 6:30pm. [Info]

🎵 DIVKA: See the duo perform traditional Slavic folk, mixed with whimsy and femininity, at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🎼 Victoria Summer Music Festival: The 30th edition of the festival starts today and runs until Aug. 9 at UVic’s Phillip T. Young Recital Hall. [Info]

🎶 Indigenous Music Festival: The 6th edition of this free festival will bring live performances, an Indigenous makers market, and local food to Hampton Park. Saturday. 4-8pm. [Info]

🎸 Dylan and Springsteen: Lonnie Glass and Brad Hawkes will take on the songbook of two American rock legends at The Coda. Sunday. 6:30pm. [Info]

Wednesday’s headlines: Eviction reprieve for Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club; Victoria councillors target derelict buildings; Van man starts class-action suit over World Cup tickets. [July 22]

Axed from the start: Saanich council has rejected a motion to adopt tenets of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Tree. [Times Colonist]

Jet ski scheme sinks: US man gets 15 years in prison for plan to smuggle drugs onto the Island from Washington state. [CTV]

Someone broke into the Sidney Lawn Bowling Club and stole $1,200. [CHEK]

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.

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