June 5 - 25 years of Sooke

Good morning !

One of the CRD’s youngest municipalities is celebrating its 25th birthday this week. If Sooke were a person, it would be old enough to rent a car without paying additional fees!

While the municipality is young, the area has plenty of history. A celebration will be hosted this weekend at one of the town’s heritage gems—Woodside Farm is slightly older than the District of Sooke at 174 years.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 18 / 11

Tomorrow: ☀️ 21 / 11

Day after: ☀️ 18 /14

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NEWS

84-year-old Victoria man gets back $80K in stolen cryptocurrency in BC first

VicPD used a newly enacted law on seizing digital assets to recover and return the money to a senior who was bilked in a complex high-tech scam six months ago. 

“We are proud to be the first police agency in BC to utilize this new legislation, demonstrating our commitment to staying ahead of emerging cybercrime trends and protecting our community,” said Sgt. Simon de Wit, VicPD’s Cyber Crime Unit supervisor.

In Dec., the senior discovered unauthorized transfers from his cryptocurrency accounts, so he contacted police, who revealed he was the target of an elaborate scam they believe originated in South Africa.

The man had been having cellphone issues and used a voice assistant to find a number to reach his provider, Telus. That’s when things went awry.

The person he reached identified themself as a tech support worker who ended up gaining remote access to his phone. The person resolved the technical issue, but soon afterward, the victim found $110K had been transferred out of his cryptocurrency accounts.

VicPD traced the funds through various accounts on a crypto exchange, identified a suspect living in South Africa, and arranged for a special warrant to seize the digital assets.

Police used a new section of Canada’s Criminal Code created under the Bill C-47 legislation to search for and freeze digital assets, including virtual currency.  

Under C-47, which came into law last fall, police can be authorized “to use a computer program to search for the assets and to seize the assets, including by taking control of the right to access the assets,” if under reasonable grounds it’s believed someone has cybercrimed themselves to someone else’s cryptocurrency.

“This legislation provides us with a crucial tool to pursue and recover stolen digital assets and aids us in our fight against these increasingly sophisticated scams,” de Wit said in a release.

A significant amount—$80K—of the $110K that was stolen was returned to the man last month.

VicPD spokesman Griffen Hohl, who describes the nascent cryptocurrency world as the Wild West, tells Capital Daily it's believed the perpetrator had already spent or transferred out the other $30K.

“It's really difficult when we're trying to work in an unregulated market where there are no borders to cryptocurrency,” Hohl said.

Police remind the public that if they discover cryptocurrency has been taken from them, to contact police immediately to increase the likelihood the funds can be recovered. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Temporary area closure in East Sooke Park: Paving crews will be at Aylard Farm today. Main washrooms will be closed. [CRD]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

Sooke to celebrate 25 years of incorporation with Community Day at historic farm

Sooke has been partying as an incorporated community since 1999—and on Sat. the district is going to celebrate the last two and a half decades.

Residents and visitors are invited to Sooke’s 25th Anniversary Community Day, slated for 11am to 4pm at Woodside Farm (7149 West Coast Rd.).

“This is a celebration of who we are as a community—resilient, connected, and proud of our roots,” says Mayor Maja Tait. 

“We’re inviting everyone to come together, enjoy the day, and reflect on how far we’ve come since Sooke’s incorporation in 1999.” 

It’ll be a family- and farm-friendly affair, with animals, a classic hayride, and access to an orchard maze to get “delightfully lost.”

The SEAPARC Recreation Station will host games and activities and a cupcake celebration at noon. 

The Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre will offer hands-on history and interactive displays, and a 25-year retrospective.

Sooke is home to 15K+ residents (per 2021 stats), an increase of 2K since 2016, for the stunningly beautiful community 40km southwest of Victoria, “where the rainforest meets the sea,” as the district’s website states. 

Woodside Farm—which dates back to 1851—will be part of the allure as the oldest active farm in Western Canada. The family-run farmstead is a cornerstone of Sooke, with its year-round produce stand brimming with fresh eggs, apple juice, microgreens, firewood, and hay. 

Covering an area of 56 square kilometres, Sooke is known for its beaches and parks, and incredible vistas. A hiker’s paradise with East Sooke Park and the Sooke Potholes, the area attracts thousands of nature lovers each weekend.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

📚 At Glenlyon Norfolk School, a world-class education is closer than you think. Schedule a tour to explore their campuses and learn about financial support opportunities.*

🐻 🐆 Cougar vs bear: A cougar was seen chasing down a black bear in Langford. [Video]

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⚾ HarbourCats home opener tomorrow. [Info]

🐐 New in town: The five baby goats at Beacon Hill Children’s Farm are nine days old and starting to explore. [BHCF]

🪷 Explore The Butchart Gardens after dusk from Wednesday to Sunday to witness the enchanting transformation as Night Illuminations fill the gardens with soft ethereal lighting.*

🏳️‍🌈🐕 Sooke to host first Paws for Pride Parade: The family-friendly—and dog-friendly—celebration will take place June 22. [District of Sooke]

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🗞️ In Other News

Langford onlookers startled as worksite rock flies through fence
Residents of a neighbourhood near Goldstream heard a loud boom and looked on in disbelief at a huge rock that crashed through a fence and trashed a car windshield late Tue. afternoon. It turns out it was the result of a controlled worksite explosion. No one was hurt, and the RCMP said no laws were broken, but neighbours said there was more damage after what sounded like “a big blast and earthquake all at once.” [CHEK]

Saanich to limit farm residential development to preserve agricultural land
Saanich wants to get as much farming potential out of its agricultural land, so it’s creating a farm residential footprint. Under new zoning bylaws, residential buildings will be required to be confined to an area of not more than 2K square metres, or 21,500 square feet. Accessory buildings on properties that already have residential buildings will need to be within 8-12 metres of the main residence, and there are more regulations planned. [Times Colonist]

BC premier says no to second pipeline despite Ontario's push
David Eby has spurned the wishes of Ont. counterpart Doug Ford, saying he has no intention of supporting a new pipeline running through BC. Earlier this week, Ford had said he was confident Eby would warm up to the idea of a second pipeline, but speaking from a 10-day trade mission in Osaka, Japan, Eby said BC already has the TMX pipeline snaking through the province and his government has no intention of lifting the oil tanker ban in place along BC’s northern coastline. [CTV]

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🗓️ Things to do

🍅 Sooke Night Market: Wander the Sooke Region Museum grounds and explore vendors, live music, food trucks, and local treats tonight. 5-8pm. [Info]

❄️ SMUS Frozen Jr.: The talented students of St. Michaels University School bring the world of Frozen Jr. to life on stage at the McPherson Playhouse, tonight and tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🥕 Sidney Street Market: The popular market is back for the summer, filling Beacon Avenue with 150+ vendors, live music, street food, and local goods every Thur., starting today. 5:30-8:30pm. [Info]

🍻 Fridays at the Station: A summer pop-up with live music, BC craft beer, local food trucks, and a market with local businesses and artisan studios at Langford Station tomorrow. [Info]

🥳 Cook Street Village Block Party: The popular outdoor party is back for its 6th year, featuring music, vendors, and the fastest dog of Cook Street Village. Sun. 10am-6pm. [Info]

🌊 World Ocean Day at Fisherman’s Wharf: Celebrate World Ocean Day with touch tanks, divers, and hands-on learning about Salish Sea wildlife and ocean conservation at this family-friendly event. Sun. 11am-4pm. [Info]  

🚣 Come Try Coastal Rowing: Celebrate World Oceans Day with a free, fun, and safe introductory rowing session in large, stable coastal boats. Certified rowing coaches and enthusiastic volunteers to be on hand at Tulista Park. Sun. 9am-12pm. [Info]

🍎 Welland Orchard Tour: See 100+ heritage apple varieties, pollinators habitats, and unique fruit trees at 1215 Stancil Lane in View Royal. Sun. 11am-noon, with orchard work party afterward (1-3pm). [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: Rock Bay to grow, but remain industrial; Oak Bay gallery worker now running the place; Island Health wants to put a cap on kids’ concussions. [June 4]

Daughter's captivity, the subject of North Saanich writer’s new book. [Capital Daily]

BC’s gender gap contracts but remains among Canada’s largest. [Capital Daily]

No measles vaccination required for BC students. [CHEK / Tyee]

Hummingbird feeder tips to keep fast feathered friends safe. [Times Colonist]

Ocean: With David Attenborough today, tomorrow & Sun. [Vic Theatre]

Local mermaids: Clarence “Butch” Dick (Yux’wey’lupton) of Songhees Nation shares art and lore about harbour seals. [GVHA]

Jumping spiders: a closer look. [Facebook photos]

That’s it!

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