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- July 9 - $7K in fines for illegal taxis at Ogden Point
July 9 - $7K in fines for illegal taxis at Ogden Point
Essential Indigenous midwife service in Victoria closes after funding ends suddenly. Brickyard Pizza building for sale. Eerie mirage seen on BC Ferries.
Capital Daily Team
July 09, 2025
Good morning !
Last month, three local beaches were declared unfit for swimming. While some of these advisories have been lifted—Willows Beach appears to be fit for use, according to Island Health’s website—other Island beaches, including ones in Ladysmith and Lantzville, have joined Elk/ Beaver Lake, Prior Lake, and Ross Bay Beach as being unfit for people and animals to swim in.
These alerts are the result of high bacterial levels or harmful blue-green algae detected in the water.
Thankfully, we’re on a coastal island filled with lakes and rivers that continue to provide idyllic—and safe—spots for a summer dip. Let us know your favourite Island swimming holes—we may gather a list to share in the future.
— Robyn
Do you have a favourite outdoor swimming location on the Island? |
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Funding cuts shut down this successful Indigenous midwifery service in Victoria
Photo: Shutterstock
An Indigenous-led midwifery service on southern Vancouver Island that reduced child apprehensions says it has had to close due to a lack of provincial funding.
This closure affects the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) peoples—on whose traditional, unceded territory Victoria is built—urban Indigenous communities on the South Island, and Indigenous people flown to Victoria during their third trimester, according to Nathalie Pambrun, co-founder of the midwifery service.
Since 2022, the South Island Indigenous Midwifery Service, or SIIMS, has shown its services reduced child apprehensions by the Ministry of Children and Family Development by around 70%. The service has increased prenatal care access and postpartum follow-ups and reduced the burden on acute care settings, Pambrun said.
Child apprehensions disproportionately affect Indigenous parents. Today, 6% of B.C.’s population is Indigenous, but around 68% of kids in government care are Indigenous.
Pambrun said SIIMS’s success comes from being able to work with culturally rooted housing supports, collaborative wraparound programs for people who use substances, respectful and trauma-informed care that addresses long-standing health inequities, early engagement with Indigenous-led child and family supports, and transparent communication about rights, choices, and legal processes.
Funding ended with little notice
The Ministry of Health told The Tyee it is reviewing the program’s application for funding submitted by Island Health, the health authority for Vancouver Island. In the meantime, Island Health “continues to support this service through an interim contract while the review is underway.”
But Pambrun said provincial funding ended on May 30, and they were told “two days before the funding was to run out” that the contract wasn’t going to be renewed. The providers were also not given a reason for the funding halt, Pambrun told The Tyee.
Without the culturally grounded, wrap-around services of SIIMS, Indigenous pregnant people on the South Island must face a healthcare system where anti-Indigenous racism—especially towards birthing parents—has been well documented.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Asphalt repair on Galloping Goose: Crews will be on site between Atkins Road and Trans-Canada Highway today and tomorrow. Expect minor disruptions and lane closures. [CRD]
Future of the Gorge: As sea levels rise, have your say in flood management planning for the area. [Survey]
Early voting today for Sooke byelection. Learn more about candidates here.
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NEWS
More than $7K in tickets handed out to illegal ride-hailing vehicles in Victoria
Police at Ogden Point during crackdown on taxis, Ubers. Photo: RCMP
Last month, the RCMP Integrated Road Safety unit partnered with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit CVSE officers to crack down on taxi and rideshare drivers operating illegally.
Major violations found included drivers without the correct ride-hailing licence or who were operating outside of the conditions of their licence.
The two-day check—happening over June 19 and 20—targeted ride-hailing drivers picking up and dropping off passengers at Ogden Point Cruise Ship Terminal.
Police say the officers issued 18 violation tickets, totaling $7,715 in charges. Another 12 “Notice and Orders”—which don’t require payment—were issued, with drivers expected to bring themselves or their vehicles into compliance.
RCMP say they plan to continue these checks to “ensure the safety of passengers who use commercial vehicles, as well as the regulatory compliance of drivers who operate them.”
Sgt. Jereme Leslie says the goal is ultimately to “deliver highly effective education and enforcement for taxis, ride-hail, and other commercial vehicles” on the Island.
SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL BC MUSEUM
Feel the Rhythm of Change
Explore how music became a force for justice in Beyond the Beat: Music of Resistance and Change at the Royal BC Museum. From Neil Young’s harmonica to Chuck D’s baseball jacket, discover iconic protest songs and artists who challenged injustice. Don’t miss this travelling exhibition from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, open until January 5.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🐴 Remembering Sampson: The Tally-Ho carriage horse passed away this week. [Tally-Ho]
🚢 Ghost ship: A woman spotted a mirage while on BC Ferries that looked like a transparent ship. [Times Colonist]
🪷 Water lilies in bloom at Cameron Island in Nanaimo. [Facebook photos]
🗞️ In Other News
Brickyard Pizza and Roll N’ Bowl building up for sale
The single-storey building was recently listed as for sale, joining its neighbour, The Odeon Cinema, which has been listed since May. The building is currently valued at $2.36M. Brickyard Pizza has been a Victoria favourite for over 30 years. Roll N’ Bowl, an Asian-fusion restaurant, began operating next to Brickyard last year.
Langford girl’s parents hopeful for change to drug decision after meeting with minister
Just before her 10th birthday, Charleigh’s family found out her life-sustaining medication, Brineura—costing $1M a year—would no longer be funded by the province. But on Friday, her parents met with Health Minister Josie Osborne and an expert on Batten disease (of which Charleigh is the only child in BC to suffer from). The Batten expert says it’s “perplexing” that BC didn’t consult anyone knowledgeable of the disease and that the metric used to determine whether her disease has progressed beyond Brineura’s effectiveness has been proven to be unreliable. [Times Colonist]
Convicted murderer accused of trying to kill housemate makes no closing submissions
Mohamed Daud Omar, 30, is serving a life sentence for killing a man outside Lucky Bar in 2022. Omar is now self-representing in a different case, where he’s been accused of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and an attempt to break-and-enter. The incident allegedly occurred one month before Omar stabbed the man. Omar is pleading not guilty but chose not to testify in the judge-only trial. Omar is accused of trying to break into his roommate’s bedroom and attacking him with a knife, which resulted in multiple injuries. These allegations have not been proven in court. [CHEK]
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🗓️ Things to do
🎶 Garden City Harmony: Join this free drop-in choir at Cameron Bandshell every Wed. 5-7pm. [Info]
😆 Longform Improv Jam: Practise your improv skills with Second City alum Kevin Matviw—all levels welcome. [Info]
☀️ Oak Bay Summer Concert in the Park: This week’s show features soul musicians at Willows Park tomorrow. 6pm. [Info]
🇲🇽 Festival Mexicano: Check out this free cultural festival at Ship Point, with salsa dancing, piñatas, yummy food, and live music. Sat. & Sun. 11am-6pm. [Info]
🐴 VTRA Picnic with the Herd: Join the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association for a family-friendly day picnicking and watching the horses roam and graze. Bring your own blanket. [Info]
🌽 Farmers Markets: Find out which markets are happening this week here.
👀 In Case You Missed It
Tuesday’s headlines: Controversial mid-Island shipbreaking project loses Crown lease; No problems found with escalator linked to fatal fall; Dry June leads to wildfire risk on Island. [July 8]
Federal review ordered on BC Ferries’ $1B contract with Chinese shipyard. [Capital Daily]
BC looks to ban ownership of exotic cats, including servals and ocelots. [CHEK]
Pacific chorus frog: The frog—which is able to change colours—was spotted on the North Island. [Facebook photos]
Robert Bateman's Full Stride: Great Blue Heron is on display at Sidney's Peninsula Gallery and will soon be auctioned off to benefit SPH’s Acute Care Unit renovation.
Cowichan’s months-long transit strike continues as workers reject mediator’s recommendations. [Cowichan Valley Citizen]
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