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Amalgamation is back in the conversation for Victoria and Saanich councils this week, but plans to include a question about a municipal merger in the upcoming fall elections have hit a snag. Check out our In Other News section for more details.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: ☀️ 27 / 13

Tomorrow: ☀ 25 / 12

Day after: 🌧 18 / 14

7-day forecast

Municipal, federal, and religious leaders are speaking out against the alleged attack, which reportedly occurred Thursday in front of the Masjid Al-Iman shortly after evening prayers. 

According to the BC Muslim Association (BCMA), Imam Ebrahim Ali, head imam at BCMA Masjid Al-Iman Victoria, was sitting in his vehicle near his home when he noticed a person “inspecting his car.”

“Upon noticing Imam Ebrahim inside the vehicle and wearing his traditional white thobe, the individual attempted to force open the car door and subsequently assaulted him,” the BCMA said in a statement.

“In the course of the incident, Imam Ebrahim was forced to defend himself, resulting in a physical altercation during which both individuals exchanged blows.”

The BCMA said the attacker directed “xenophobic remarks” at the imam, telling him to “go back to your home country.”

The association said the suspect fled immediately after the assault and Ali called 911, and spoke with dispatchers while following the suspect in his car. BCMA said VicPD took Ali’s statement on the alleged attack and dispatched two patrols, which located and arrested the suspect. BCMA said the person remained in custody over the weekend. 

Leaders speak out

Federal MP Marc Miller condemned the alleged attack in a social media post, calling it “appalling and vile.”

“This type of violence and Islamophobia has no place in Canada,” he wrote. “I stand with the community and trust that authorities will hold those responsible to account.”

Victoria Coun. Krista Loughton shared her outrage online, saying “Islamophobia, antisemitism, and racism [of] all kinds have no place in our community.”

“While I am incredibly relieved his injuries were minor, this should never have happened,” Loughton wrote.

She shared a statement from Victoria’s Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue—which was the target of antisemitic graffiti last year—saying it condemns “the hateful and cowardly attack” on the imam.

“The rise of baseless racial and religious hatred in Canada is well known; this abhorrent incident is yet another example that we in Victoria are not immune to such hatreds,” said the congregation in a joint statement. 

Congregation Emanu-El recently shared that the person who wrote the hateful graffiti on the synagogue’s front pillars last summer has since pleaded guilty and was scheduled for sentencing last week.

Mount Finlayson Trail in Goldstream Park closed due to cougar activity. [BC Gov]

Overnight closure on Hwy 14 (West Coast Road). Thursday, 4pm until Friday, 8am. [BC Gov]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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With “mixed emotions,” the pub’s owners announced the closure—effective this Friday—on Instagram. 

“We are incredibly grateful for your support, friendship, and the many memories shared with us over the years,” the post says.

The pub, located in Fairfield Village Shopping Centre, was a hub for community gatherings, hosting frequent music bingo, sports viewing, and paint nights.

The pub’s location once housed a White Spot and, before that, an O’Donal’s Family Restaurant.

Over the next few days, the pub is encouraging patrons to swing by “one last time for your favourite meal, a pint with friends, and a final toast to the good times we’ve shared.”

The Instagram post notes that some menu and drink items will be unavailable as the kitchen prepares to close for good.

📚 NYT best seller: A Screaming Life by Victoria’s Adem Tepedelen and Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil ranks No.7 for non-fiction on the New York Times Best Seller list. Read our feature on Tepedelen here. 

🌻 Summer at The Butchart Gardens glows with vibrant roses and enchanting Night Illuminations, creating a seamless transition of floral beauty from day into night.*

🐍 Wolf eel: See a “very large, very orange” female wolf eel off the coast of Nanaimo. [Facebook video]

🌿 New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean energy—no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

🧓🏼 Seniors and their families are thinking ahead about a home’s long-term fit for aging in place. This free screening guide helps with the process.*

🥪 Otto Charcuterie to open permanent location on Fort. [Otto]

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Amalgamation question unlikely on Victoria and Saanich ballots
Saanich and Victoria seemed poised to include a question on amalgamation during this fall’s election after getting a favourable recommendation from the citizen’s assembly. However, BC’s housing minister says the province won’t approve the change until further financial and First Nations consultation is held. Victoria staff say the councils can still add a community opinion question without provincial backing. Both councils will discuss the issue this week. [Black Press]

Greater Victoria family pleads for return of father’s ashes taken from cemetery
Su Liyanage says a red urn, which held some of her father’s cremated remains, was inside a large planter that was mistakenly removed by Royal Oak Burial Park’s staff earlier this spring. The planter had been placed at her family’s plot while they waited for a permanent headstone to be installed. Staff checked its holding area for items taken from the cemetery, but say it had been removed. Liyanage says her family doesn’t care about the planter, but wants the urn returned. [CHEK] 

Four rescues in 24 hours for Alberni search and rescue
Over the weekend, Alberni Valley Rescue Squad helped a dehydrated hiker back to a trailhead, hoisted a head-injury patient off the Alberni Inlet Trail by helicopter, located beached boaters who had wandered off a logging road, and assisted a stranded boater with engine issues on Sproat Lake. The rescue squad is reminding people to remain in place once they've called for help. [Times Colonist]

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🎶 Morien Jones: See this free lunchtime folk concert at Ship Point today. 12-1pm. [Info]

🎵 Featured Busker: Richard the Scouser will perform as part of the City's featured busker series at Ship Point today. 4-5pm. [Info]

🎤 PiNDN: Catch this free hip hop concert at Ship Point tonight. 5:30-7pm. [Info]

🎷 Best Coast Big Band: The Victoria ensemble will bring an evening of classic big band tunes, pop favourites, and everything in between to The Coda tonight. 6:30-8:30pm. [Info]

🎺 27th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival: The beloved Victoria festival kicks off with a free evening of live music at Ship Point tomorrow. 4-10pm. [Info]

🗣️ Garden City Harmony: A drop-in choir for everyone, singing indie, pop, rock, and folk songs in simple harmony—no experience necessary—at Cameron Bandshell tomorrow. 5-7pm. [Info]

🪕 The Western Thistles with Poppa Don Gernie: Catch this evening of clawhammer banjo, fiddle tunes, and heartfelt originals at The Coda tomorrow. 6:30–8:30pm. [Info]

Sunday’s headlines: Property sales slow in May; Weekly roundup; UVic study highlights health risks of alcohol. [June 22]

BC CDC warns of contaminated shellfish. [Global News] 

Climate activists mark five years since 2021’s deadly heat dome. [CHEK]

Royal Jubilee Hospital parkade repairs set for mid-July. [Island Health]

TD Victoria International JazzFest continues through June 28.

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