Good morning {{First name}}!

How’d you enjoy that booming thunder late yesterday afternoon?
Woo-hoo!
It looks like we're getting another banger of a day with sunshine and heat, so if you’re a sun worshipper like me, you may want to get your fill this afternoon before it cools down tomorrow—as you can see in the forecast below.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌤️ 26 / 15

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 17 / 15

Sunday: 🌦️ 18 / 14

7-day forecast

The police force says it’s leaving the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) for several reasons, including a low homicide rate and the return of five officers and a civilian who have been working for the unit. 

Speaking with Capital Daily yesterday, VicPD Chief Fiona Wilson said part of her job is to look for efficiencies, and this is one.  

“That was certainly a part of this decision,” she said.

The 35-person VIIMCU was created in 2007 to combine resources to investigate homicides and missing-person cases where foul play is suspected. It combines contributions from the RCMP and Oak Bay, Saanich, Central Saanich, and—for the time being—Victoria police.

Wilson said over the last 10 years, Victoria has averaged between one and two homicides a year.

“If that dramatically changes, we have the people, the resources, and the partnerships to adequately and effectively investigate those matters,” she said.

The return of the six staffers will be cost-neutral because VicPD has been paying their salaries. When pressed on that cost, the chief estimated a ballpark figure of less than $1M, including benefits.  

Wilson said the VIIMCU requires 30 days’ notice to opt out, but she has proposed Oct. 1 so current investigations can be wrapped up.

Esquimalt hits the brakes on establishing its own police force

Since 2003, VicPD has served Esquimalt, and it looks like that will continue for some time. 

To open its own police department, the township would have to contract out some services, such as major crime investigation and detention. However, as the Times Colonist reports this week, staff told the council it couldn’t find any neighbouring police services willing to commit to a partnership.

“There is no intention for us to sever our service to Esquimalt for policing services,” Wilson said when asked to comment. 

Give Blood: Canadian Blood Services. [Blood supply down 20%]

Lane closures and delays on Fort between Vancouver and Cook, including for cyclists today, 9am-3pm.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

On the water today? Check the tide times for Victoria.

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TEDxVictoria is set to return this fall, bringing a range of speakers to share their unique perspectives and expertise. After last year’s sold-out show at the McPherson Theatre, the event is scaling up to a larger space at UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium. 

This week, the lineup of speakers was announced, with 12 people sharing their viewpoints on a wide range of subjects. This year’s theme is “Uncharted,” with talks exploring how to move forward in a world full of uncertainty. 

“Climate instability. Technological disruption. Social transformation. The maps we inherited—economic, environmental, professional—no longer show us the way forward,” said Marco Pimentel, TEDxVictoria licensee. “Uncharted invites us to challenge that fear, turning our anxiety about the unknown into curiosity about what we can build together.”

One notable expert set to speak is Lisa Lapointe, the former BC chief coroner whose tenure saw her navigate some of the province’s biggest health crises, including the opioid epidemic, COVID-19, and the 2021 heat dome. 

TEDxVictoria will also bring some hometown scholars to the stage, with five UVic faculty members on the bill.

These speakers and more will share their passions and solutions for navigating the world we live in—from health and climate justice to creativity and law. 

TEDxVictoria is happening Oct. 7 at the Farquhar Auditorium. See the full list of speakers here. Get tickets here.

Turn your daily steps into meals for Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Join/Donate to Team PHS at the Under Armour Eastside 10K on Sept. 27 and help PHS Community Services Society reach $30,000 to improve food security. PHS's vital food program delivers 3,900+ meals daily.

Use code 26PHS for 10% off registration.

🎶 Victoria Summer Music Festival starts today and runs until Aug. 9 at UVic’s Phillip T. Young Recital Hall.

⚾ HarbourCats host Kamloops tonight at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. [Forces Friday]

🎵 6th Indigenous Music Festival is tomorrow at Hampton Park. 

🎞️ The Canadian Vertical Film Festival is tomorrow at the Victoria International Marina.

⚽ Pacific FC hosts FC Supra on July 31. [Kids get in free]

2 Oak Bay boys missing: Terrace RCMP joins search 
Jahmai Nathan Joe, 15, and Joshua Gates, 16, may be travelling together through the Kitimat and Terrace areas. Joe, who was reported missing by the Oak Bay Police on July 10, was seen on July 19 in Terrace. There have been no sightings of Gates since July 10, when VicPD reported him missing, but the RCMP said they have information that places him in Terrace on July 14. Both boys are originally from Oak Bay. [Black Press]

Victoria looks to ban landlords from prohibiting cooling devices
Victoria council voted unanimously yesterday to direct staff to research bylaw amendments that would allow air conditioning units in rental homes and establish a maximum indoor temperature of 26 C. Amendments would include banning landlords from prohibiting cooling devices. Device owners would be required to properly maintain them. Staff will also explore alternative measures, such as exterior shading, to reduce indoor heat. The 2021 heat dome resulted in 619 deaths in BC, many of them occurring in private residences where temperatures in some buildings exceeded 35 C.

Esquimalt residents can erect fences up to 2.5 metres high to keep out deer
The council approved the changes this week, requiring any part of a residential fence above 1.2 metres to be woven wire mesh, in part for esthetic reasons. Borrowing from Saanich bylaws, Esquimalt’s new regulations allow deer fences and extensions to have a combined height of 2.5 metres as long as they don’t border a street or street corner and are not on the property of an apartment building or large condo. Plastic mesh and netting fences are forbidden, as they can snag a deer’s antlers and catch small animals such as bats. Barbed wire and electrified fencing are also verboten. [Times Colonist]

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🎵 Music in the Garden: Musicians from the Victoria Conservatory of Music and the Jubilee Clarinet Choir perform in the heritage garden created by Prince Nicolas and Princess Peggy Abkhazi. Abkhazi Garden. Today. 1-3pm. [Info] 

🍺🎵 Fridays at the Station: Enjoy live music, the tasty delights of food trucks, and shopping at the local businesses and art studios. Langford Station. Today. 4-8pm. [Info]

🎤🇺🇦 Concert Divka, with Opening Act Maria Smolinska: A modern Ukrainian folk duo backed by traditional Ukrainian bandura and the viola. Ukrainian Canadian Cultural Society of Vancouver Island. Today. 7pm. [Info] 

🧑‍🎄🏖️ Christmas in July: Expect festive beats, icy drinks, questionable Christmas outfits, and enough holiday spirit to make you forget it’s July. No cover. Strathcona Hotel. Today. 9pm-close. [Info]

🫛 Farmers Markets: Plenty of Saturday and Sunday farmers markets to pick from if you want to start your weekend with good folk and yummy produce. Various locations. Tomorrow and Sunday. [Info] 

🎉 Summer Fair 2026 at St. Mary Hospital: Help raise money to renovate the resident care unit and create a home-like environment for the more than 250 wonderful residents. Mount St. Mary Hospital grounds. Tomorrow. 10am-3pm. [Info] 

🎉 Colwood Eats & Beats: The annual beach party is back, with live music, food trucks, and games at the Beachlands (corner of Metchosin and Latoria). Tomorrow. 1-7pm. [Info]

📖🍵 Sip & Swap: Book Exchange & Tea Night. An evening of books, stories, meaningful conversations, and tea. Gatherly. Tomorrow. 5-7:30pm. [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]

Thursday’s headlines: SD61 board reluctantly approves ward electoral system; An income of $186K needed to afford the average Victoria home, says report; Victoria Symphony withdraws from David Foster bash next month. [July 23]  

Motorcyclist down: collision in Saanich sends rider to hospital with serious injuries. [CHEK] 

Bear killed, 2 people hurt in chain-reaction crash in Sooke. [Black Press]

Pet-A-Palooza is back: pet fest on Dallas Aug. 16. [Victoria Buzz]

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

Of the 1,024 Little Free Libraries in neighbourhoods across Greater Victoria, which is your favourite? [Nominate here until Aug. 12] 

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

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