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July 29 - Transportation is evolving in the Westshore
Camping with care beats being fined
Capital Daily Team
July 29, 2025
Good morning !
I just booked a trip to Saskatchewan for later this month. It’s the only province I haven’t visited. Can’t wait to do a little camping. And unlike in our second story today, I’m going to make a proper reservation. Our first story is about e-mobility in Langford.
— Mark
If you plan on camping this summer, how will you do it? |
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
BCAA’s car-sharing Evo program expands to the Westshore
Photo: City of Langford
Residents on the Westshore can get in on something carless Victorians have known since the summer of 2021—driving someone else’s vehicle can be a lot of fun and a lot cheaper than owning one.
Fresh off last month’s launch of Evolve, its new e-bike and e-scooter rental program, the BCAA (British Columbia Automobile Association) has expanded its Evo Car Share program to Langford.
In addition to providing Westshore residents with 150 electric vehicles across 30 stations, the BCAA is making its fleet of 175 Evo cars available to connect with the program launched in Victoria four summers ago.
“As Langford grows, so does the need for flexible and environmentally responsible transportation,” said Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson.
Goodmanson said the announcement reinforces the city’s commitment to innovative transportation options.
“These initiatives help meet our climate goals, reduce traffic congestion, and improve accessibility for all residents.”
While Modo is a car-sharing co-op that offers round-trip bookings in Victoria, Evo is a one-way car-sharing service, which means drivers pick up a car in one location and drop it off at another within the designated Home Zone.
Evo Car Share drivers will be able to begin and conclude their journeys anywhere within the new Evo zone in Langford. The city said six Evo parking spots will be set up in public parking lots along Station Avenue (between Jacklin and Veterans Memorial Parkway), with more spots available soon on Atkins (between Veterans Memorial Parkway and approximately 636 Atkins).
Evo carries the Toyota Prius Hybrid and the fully electric Kia Niro, “because they’re easy to drive and easier on the environment,” the company said on its website. Each vehicle seats five and is equipped with two bike racks and another for skis.
Rates start at 49 cents per minute, including gas, insurance, and parking. It’s $17.99 per hour and $104.99 for a day. Evolve’s e-bikes and e-scooters cost 35 cents per minute and $12.99 per hour, with an unlocking fee of $1.29 per trip.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Road closure: Pandora between Cook and Vancouver all this week. 7am-5pm. [City of Victoria]
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
Illegally camping near Tofino could cost you up to $25K
Ucluelet resident Awilda Sanchez snapped this photo of a group of about 15 out-of-towners unlawfully camping at Kennedy Lake during the Canada Day long weekend. Photo: Awilda Sanchez
It’s high season for camping on the Island, and that means there are tons of tourists pitching tents and sleeping over.
Some of them just aren’t doing it right.
With the price of a hotel in the $700 range for just one night, you can understand from a fiscal point of view why some overnighters are choosing to set up camp on the cheap—in the woods.
But they’re playing roulette and could face a hefty fine that would dwarf any hotel bill.
“As per the Canada National Parks Act, individuals can be fined up to $25,000 for camping without a permit,” said Dave Tovell, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve superintendent.
Parks Canada and area officials are out on regular patrols, looking for illegal camping within the areas of the Clayoquot Arm, along the Kennedy Lake Watershed, within Tla-o-qui-aht, Yuułuʔiłʔath, and Toquaht traditional territories, on municipal lots, in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and in BC Parks.
It’s not just to bust the freeloading campers who didn’t book ahead and pay to camp—according to the camping website Hipcamp, depending on the park, camping can be had for as little as $13 a night if you book early—it’s about the environment and wildlife.
Last month, Tofino-area leaders released a joint statement encouraging campers to reserve campsites and avoid squatting.
“The disrespectful behaviours of some users have had a negative impact on Indigenous territorial lands and on highly sensitive ecological areas, including local aquifers,” reads the media release.
Wildfires are always a concern, and backroads campfires are a wildfire risk, putting pressure on emergency services. Then, there are the animals whose environment shouldn’t be disturbed.
Three weeks ago, conservation officers had to shoot a bear that was attracted by garbage left behind by campers.
“It’s sad that we see a lot of wildlife being in danger for the amount of debris that is left in the woods,” said West Coast Campground owner David Schiaffino.
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⭐️ Capital Picks
🛣️ Hwy 17 Keating Cross flyover is open.
🎵 From protest anthems to iconic artifacts, Beyond the Beat explores how music shaped movements—until January 5 at the Royal BC Museum.*
🛍️ Japanese global apparel retailer Uniqlo is coming to Mayfair this fall.
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🗞️ In Other News
Victoria man charged with hate crime after demonstration incident
In March 2024, VicPD responded to a report of alleged antisemitic remarks directed toward a group of Jewish demonstrators at a protest on the legislature lawn. Following a lengthy investigation, Khalid El Boyok, 28, was charged with public incitement of hatred. “The prolonged nature of this investigation is an indicator of the seriousness of this type of offence and the complex nature of proving Criminal Code offences related to hate propaganda,” said Det. Tom Hayward, VicPD’s hate crime coordinator. [VicPD]
Saanich welcomes Little Leaguers from across Canada
It’s the Canadian championships—and they’re taking place at Layritz Park. BC takes on Quebec in the first game this morning in a weeklong tournament that has been years in the making. Some 3K volunteer hours have been invested already. “It takes lots of volunteers to pull something of this magnitude off,” says Layritz Little League president Graham Plumb. [CHEK]
‘Serious accident’ at the intersection of Quadra and Greenridge
Saanich Police arrived just before noon yesterday and immediately closed Quadra in both directions, they said. No other details were given, but the Times Colonist reported a cyclist had been struck by a pickup. A black GMC Sierra pickup was at the scene, along with a damaged bike on the ground, the TC said. [Saanich Police]
SPONSORED BY THE GARDEN CITY ELECTRONIC MUSIC SOCIETY
Wonderment's decade of free music in the parks
Wonderment's 10th Anniversary Edition takes place this weekend (Aug 2-4), featuring free live performances of ambient and electronic music.
Headliners include 2022 Juno nominee Ruby Singh's Vox.Infold, Swiss ECM Records artist Samuel Rohrer, and Berliners Mike Shannon and Mathew Jonson (as Freedom Engine). They'll be joined by regional talent, including local favourites like Righteous Rainbows of Togetherness and The Mole.
The Wonderment arc begins with avant dance music at Songhees Park Plaza / Johnson Street Bridge on Saturday evening before settling into its core ambient programming with electro-acoustic music at the Cameron Bandshell on Sunday evening, and ambient electronics at Banfield Park (Vic West) on Monday afternoon.
All park events are free, all-ages events, with 19+ ticketed programming at night taking place at the Downbeat Event Centre. There is no concession available in the parks, so come prepared with food, water, and sunscreen, and pack-it-in, pack-it-out.
🗓️ Things to do
🎶 Sooke Music & Arts Festival: Econoline Crush and SirReal headline the 10th edition of this family-friendly festival. Free opening party Aug. 2 at the Legion. Fred Milne Park. Aug. 2, 8 & 9. [Info]
💬 Let's Talk Tuesdays: Meet new people, share stories, and enjoy relaxed chat in a welcoming space with conversation prompts to get things flowing. Spinnakers Brewpub. Today. 12-2pm. [Info]
🌊 Summer at Ship Point: Pop-up beer garden 4-8pm. Live music by Sarah Smith Duo—Canadian roots/rock from 5-6:30pm. Ice cream, poutine. More. Ship Point. Today. 4-8pm. [Info]
🎸 Rob Fillo: Folk music performance as part of the city's summer concert series in the beautiful outdoor bandshell setting. Cameron Bandshell. Today. 6-7:30pm. [Info]
💃 Ballroom in the Square: A 30-minute beginner dance lesson followed by social dancing—no partner or dance experience necessary, so come, embrace your inner dancer. Centennial Square. Today. 6:30-9pm. [Info]
🎺 Miguelito Valdés + Band: Latin Night with Trumpet Maestro Miguelito Valdés + Band promises an evening of authentic rhythms and musical mastery. Bard & Banker. Today. 8:30-11:30pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Sunday’s headlines: More beaches under advisories; VicPD wants ban on gun-shaped lighters; Weekly roundup. [July 27]
Sooke Harbour House sold to West Van’s Fred’s Hospitality Group. [Times Colonist]
Old Hells Angels-related clubhouse in Langford to be converted into mental-health centre. [CTV]
Eby says BC deserves the same ferry funding as Atlantic Canada. [CHEK]
Best reads for teens: GV Public Library released its summer roundup of new and notable books. [GVPL]
Eight-legged strut: See a juvenile giant Pacific octopus as it crawls along a Comox beach in search of the perfect tidal pool. [Facebook video]
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