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I never thought I would see the day that Hockey Night in Canada wasn’t aired on the CBC. The final whistle comes after a fine run that started in 1952, making it the longest-running sports show in TV history.
And if the internet doesn’t let me down, I can also pass along that HNIC was one of the longest-running programs of any sort on television, right up there with Meet the Press (1947) and The Today Show (1952).

Coronation Street? That began in 1960.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: ☀️ 23 / 12

Tomorrow: ☀️ 26 / 13

Friday: 🌤️ 26 / 14

7-day forecast

The province bears some responsibility for the growing list of cancelled events and parades in our region, according to the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce (GVCC).

“The real issue underpinning [this] is the affordability and the high cost of living that is hindering us here today,” John Wilson, CEO of the GVCC, tells Capital Daily.

Wilson says the affordability factor starts at the top, and while provincial operating spending has increased by 40% over the past four years, revenues have grown by only 18%, leaving a $ 13 B deficit.

“Our debt levels are approximately $33K per person now, and the reduced disposable income limits the ability to spend on these events and entertainment,” he says.

Last week, organizers of the Rifflandia music festival pulled the plug after 18 years, joining a long list of events that have waved goodbye, such as the Symphony Splash—which Wilson said generated $6.65M last year—the Great Canadian Beer Festival, Lights of Wonder, and the Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival, while others have pared back or even cancelled parades, including Oak Bay’s Tea Party and Esquimalt’s Buccaneer Days.

Wilson says new requirements and changes introduced after the tragic attack at Vancouver’s Lapu-Lapu Day Festival in April 2025 have affected insurance and security demands, but affordability remains the core issue.

“The corporate sponsorship is not there to offset the increase in expenses,” Wilson says.

From an individual perspective, Wilson says protecting local businesses is key to making life affordable. The GVCC has long said the way to do that is to cut taxes, reduce regulations, expand public transit, and provide safe streets.

Impaired Driving campaign in effect through July. [RCMP]

Point Ellice Bridge closed in both directions tonight and tomorrow night, 7pm-7am. [City of Vic]

Cook southbound closed between Bay and Hillside for the rest of the week. 7am-7pm. [City of Vic]

Blanshard lane closures between Caledonia and Bay.

Saanich single-lane traffic:
• Tyndall between Hillcrest and El Sereno, through Friday, 8:30am-3:30pm
• Richmond between Kings and Newton, today, 9am-3:30pm

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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

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National Indigenous Peoples Day is this Sunday. The day coincides with the summer solstice, a time when many First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities across Canada have historically celebrated their cultures and traditional practices.

Across Greater Victoria, there will be several events to learn about these traditions and celebrate our local Indigenous communities. 

Friday, June 19
Thunderbird Park Open House | Royal BC Museum | Friday
Connect with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and museum staff through self-guided conversations. Bring your curiosity to learn about different Indigenous perspectives, histories, and traditions. 11am-2pm. Free. 

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration | Royal Roads University | Friday
Join this day of family fun and community relations, with a canoe landing protocol, traditional dancing and drumming, a plant walk along Colwood Creek, games, food, crafts, and more. Please note that parking will be limited. 10am-3pm. Free.

National Indigenous Peoples Day Documentary | Cook Street Village Activity Centre | Friday
Catch this special screening of 1608-1813: The Complex History of Canada's Indigenous Nations, a film that explores the complex relationships between settlers and Indigenous people in the days of early Canada. 1-3:30pm. Free.

Sunday, June 21
Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day | Victoria Conservatory of Music | Sunday 
Take part in an afternoon of interactive workshops and presentations that share knowledge and traditions while sparking creativity. Learn an ancestral song, discover Métis jigging, play a youth-led bone game, and watch music videos created by students at Craigflower Elementary and the ȽÁU, WELNEW Tribal School. 12-4pm. Free.

Concert and Discussion Circle with Mike Paul Kuekuatsheu | Maison de la francophonie de Victoria | Sunday
Join the Francophone Society of Victoria for a special performance and talk with Mike Paul Kuekuatsheu, an Innu Francophone artist from Quebec. Before the show, a discussion circle with the artist will allow the Francophone community to exchange ideas on the realities and daily lives of Indigenous Peoples and the main challenges facing communities today. 2-7pm. Free for members, $10 for non-members.

A Day of Culture, Story & Celebration | Malahat Skywalk | Sunday
This special event will mark Indigenous Peoples Day with storytelling, traditional dances from the RunningBear/GrowingThunder Family, and immersion in nature. Diane Marshall will offer Indigenous spiritual readings. All day. Free with the cost of admission.

National Indigenous Peoples Day Free Swim | Panorama Recreation | Sunday
Celebrate the occasion with a swim on the house at Panorama Rec. 12-2:45pm. Free.

🎤 Bonnie Raitt performs at the Royal Theatre tonight at 7:30. 

🏅 Island Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) open for entries. 

🌮 Taco Justice reopens with new owners months after November closure. [Taco Justice] 

🎼 Lighthouse Community Choir: Shed a Little Light concert and BBQ is this Sunday at 3:30pm at Saint Paul’s United Church.

☀️ Summer, Served is coming to Rally (3515 Producers Way) on June 27 from 1-4pm. Celebrate with pickleball, entertainment, food trucks, cocktails, and more. See you there!*

*Sponsored Listing

Local scientists shocked by US removal of ocean monitors
Researchers at the UVic-led Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) say the United States’ decision to yank ocean sensors from its shores will leave a major gap in data. Starting this week, more than 900 ocean sensors from waters off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina, and Greenland will be removed, ending the collection of ocean temperatures, currents, and sea levels just as an El Niño is set to arrive. ONC scientists say the change will affect its relationship with US research institutions, which historically involved a cross-sharing of data on the Pacific Ocean. [Times Colonist]

Langford moves closer to a new way of collecting garbage
The city council on Monday unanimously agreed to seek a contractor to pick up municipal trash by issuing a Negotiated Request for Proposals (NRFP). The city hopes to have service secured by fall and in operation next year under a phased-in rollout. Proponents say the move will save the average Langford household about half of the estimated $500 they annually spend on garbage pickup, which is currently done through private contractors on an open-market basis. [CHEK]

Parties vie for Oak Bay Marina operating contract 
Oak Bay is looking for a marina operator, and two parties are interested: the Oak Bay Marine Group (OBMG) and Xhamasung Holdings, jointly owned by the Songhees and Esquimalt nations. OBMG has three ideas for the Turkey Head site, including a revamped restaurant with outdoor seating, a more open, welcoming space, and a floating or land-based sauna. Xhamasung Holdings is proposing to make the waterfront more active year-round to create opportunities for Indigenous businesses. [Black Press]

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🍎 Bastion Square Market: A vibrant outdoor market fills Bastion Square with local vendors, running through Friday. Bastion Square. Today, tomorrow, and Friday. 11am–6pm. [Info]

🧘 TFA Fitness: Drop in for a free outdoor fitness class with The Fitness Academy—bring your own mat if you can. Ship Point. Today. 12–1pm. [Info]

🎵🥒 Featured Busker: Dylan & the Dill Pickle Band: Part of the city's featured busker series at Ship Point, running Tuesdays through Thursdays through the summer. Ship Point. Today. 4–5pm. [Info]

🎶🦴 Boneyard Babes: Acoustic roots act Boneyard Babes takes the stage as part of the city's evening concert series, running Tuesdays through Thursdays through Labour Day. Ship Point. Today. 5:30–7pm. [Info]

🧑‍🚒 Victoria Wingstock 2026: The Victoria Firefighters Association's third annual wing festival returns with chicken wings, craft beverages from BC producers, and live music from Luke Lampard, raising funds for local charities. The Roundhouse. Saturday. 1–4pm. [Info]

💬 Let’s Talk Live: Saturday Morning Conversation and Connection. Completely self-guided using our table talkers, conversation prompt cards waiting at your table. Murchie’s. Every Saturday. 10am-12pm. [Info]

📻 Museums on the Air: The Sooke Amateur Radio Association promotes amateur radio as part of a worldwide event that began in the UK in 2002. Sooke Region Museum. Saturday. Time TBD. [Info] 

 🎼 The Victoria Rock Choir: 150 singers plus a live band (guitar, piano, bass, and drums), performing classic rock. All proceeds go to the Cridge Centre charity. United Commons (formerly First Metropolitan) June 25. 7pm. [Info]

Tuesday’s headlines: Kelp has needed help for longer than we thought; Fire breaks out inside downtown temple; Temperatures soar, records fall in weekend heatwave. [June 16]

Shut them: DVBA wants drug-consumption sites closed. [Times Colonist] 

Beach advisories issued for Glen Lake Park and Saanich Inlet (near Stelly’s X-Road) due to high bacterial levels. 

Botanical Beach is closed this weekend. [June 19-21]

Have your say: CRD transportation plan survey open until July 5.

No. 85 Bus route disruptions for West Saanich Road construction beginning June 29. [Plan trip here]

The original Victoria Memorial Arena, before it was demolished in 2003. [Facebook photos]

Brewery & the Beast is on Sept. 27 at Starlight Stadium.

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