Good morning {{First name}}!

We’ve had a few more record-breaking hot days this week, but starting today, temperatures will drop and rain will come and go throughout the week.

It may quash some outdoor summer plans, but I’m all for a break from the dry heat if it reduces the risk of forest fires.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: ☁ 20 / 12

Tomorrow: 🌧 17 / 12

Day after: ⛅ 20 / 12

7-day forecast

The City of Victoria selected Lime, a California-based company, to bring its e-bike program to the capital. 

Victoria city council approved plans for a shared micromobility e-bike share program last year, launching a Request For Proposals process soon after. Lime won out and next week, installation of e-bike docks will begin across the city. 

Notably, the city did not choose the same e-bike carrier as its neighbouring municipalities—Saanich and Langford partnered with Evolve, run by BCAA, for its bike share program. 

LimeBikes will allow people to rent an e-bike and helmet from a docking station and drop it off at another station in Victoria. Those stations will be located in physical parking zones, and users can find available bikes through an app, the company said.

Victoria had an e-bike system before: U-Bicycle did not have a reliable tracking system and it lasted only about a year—2017-2018—after multiple bikes were stolen or vandalized

“Since being selected by the city we have been working to build custom operational plans that will set the program up for success from day one,” said Carling Dick, Canadian government relations at Lime. “We’ll be monitoring the program’s progress and adjusting in real time in the hopes of making our presence a win for the entire city, including riders and non-riders alike.”

Ross Kenny, Victoria’s assistant director of transportation, says the program will fit into the city’s All Ages and Abilities (AAA) cycling network.

“We are very excited to see a new e-bike share system coming to Victoria,” he said.

Man wanted, do not approach. [VicPD]

Beach advisories in place for Thetis Lake Main Beach (blue-green algae) and Gonzales Bay Beach (high enterococci levels). [Island Health]

BC Conservation Officer Service warns of wolf sightings at Olympic View Golf Club in Colwood. [Black Press]

Saanich road closure: Maddock West at Wascana today 8:30am-3:30pm.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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Indigenous people in British Columbia who have been affected by police violence, misconduct, or negligence can now access free legal support through the BC First Nations Justice Council.

First launched as a pilot program in 2024, the Police Accountability Unit (PAU) was created to give Indigenous communities a more meaningful role in police oversight and accountability in the province. 

“It’s great that they are trying to do something now. It only took so many Indigenous people to die in the hands of law enforcement,” said Martha Martin of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.

“It’s sad that it’s taken this long for it to come.”

Martin is the mother of Chantel Moore, the 26-year-old Tla-o-qui-aht woman who was shot and killed by Edmundston Police Force officer Jeremy Son in her New Brunswick home during a wellness check on June 4, 2020. 

Five months after Chantel’s death, Martin’s son, Mike Martin, died while in the custody of the Surrey Pretrial Centre.

“I hope that the (PAU) can respond to them in a timely fashion and not have the waiting. The hardest thing for me has been the waiting: waiting to have answers, waiting for the coroner,” she said.

“To not have those answers just makes time drag,” she said.

Read the full story here. 

🪸 Nudibranch shuffle: See a sea slug’s mating dance in action, filmed in Nanoose Bay. [Facebook video]

🍓 The 59th Saanich Strawberry Festival is Sunday, July 5, 11am-4pm.

☀️ 2021 Heat Dome 5th anniversary commemoration is on Sunday at Ogden Point.

🛍️ Lost & Found fundraiser by Soap for Hope returns to Market Square, with a range of items left behind at hotels—clothes, accessories, and specialty goods—for sale. [July 21-26]

BC Transit opens new training and maintenance centre
The new training and maintenance centre replaced a tire storage area at the transit authority’s yard on Gorge East. The federal and provincial governments, along with the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, contributed $7M for the renovation. The new purpose-built facility was designed to support BC Transit maintenance workers with a hands-on learning environment as the company’s fleet is updated with e-buses. [BC Transit]

Sidney considering emergency weather shelter inside church
The Sidney council will consider the proposed Extreme Weather Response Shelter (EWRS) at its July 13 meeting. The shelter would be located in St. Andrew Anglican Church on Fourth and would only open during extreme weather events that put unhoused people at risk. Last year, the town’s council rejected an application for an EWRS at Wakefield Manor, a supportive seniors’ home, after residents spoke out against it. The shelter would have 10 to 20 spots and is expected to only be open for 10 days of the year. [CHEK]

Saanich moving ahead with non-binding amalgamation question
While the province is not yet on board with a potential Victoria-Saanich amalgamation—BC wants to do more financial and First Nations consultations before approving—Saanich is still going to include a question about a merger on its upcoming election ballots. The district will not be required to act on the results. Saanich’s question will instead be a check-in to gauge citizens’ opinions on amalgamating the two municipalities. The Victoria council will decide what it wants to do with the question at today’s meeting. [Times Colonist]

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🧑‍🎨 Analog Futures: Check out this group youth art exhibition—presented by Space Blanket Society—at The Ministry of Casual Living! 750 Fairfield location. Today, 5-8pm, and Saturday, 1-4pm. [Info] 

🎶 Sara Rose Hébert: The singer will perform at the lunchtime concert series at Fort Common today. 12–1pm. [Info]

🧘 All Levels Flow Yoga: Drop in for a free outdoor flow yoga class with One Yoga—bring your own mat if you can—at Ship Point today. 12–12:45pm. [Info]

🎼 The Victoria Rock Choir: This fundraiser will bring 150 singers plus a live band to perform classic rock at United Commons (formerly First Metropolitan) tonight. 7:30-9:30pm. [Info]

🏳️‍🌈 Pride in the Park: Join this family-friendly picnic, featuring a drag story hour, at Memorial Park in Esquimalt. Saturday. 12-1:30pm. [Info]

🇧🇷 Brazilian June Festival: This cultural fest will have music, homemade food, games, and more in PKOLS Park, Picnic Area A. Sunday. 12:30-5pm. [Info]

🍝 Italian Day at DaVinci Centre: Live music, delicious food, Italian cars, and family-friendly games will transform the DaVinci Centre into an Italian piazza. Sunday. 12-5pm. [Info]

Wednesday’s headlines: Mormon temple to be built in Langford; Local group fires up new plan to replace old downtown hotel; Bay Centre is sold to Montreal company. [June 24]

Island critically short of dermatologists as skin cancer diagnoses rise. [Times Colonist]

Entangled humpback freed of ghost gear off Vancouver Island. [CTV] 

Victoria standup Mikey Dubs recording his first comedy special tonight at Hecklers. [CHEK]

Come As You Are: Low-barrier Job Fair today on Yates. 

New Childcare Centre Open House in Langford on Saturday.

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