Good morning {{First name}}!

A lot is going on this weekend, including the Oak Bay Tea Party (no parade this year), Island Fancon in Langford, and Sunday’s Cook Street Village Block Party.
And for the Egyptologist in each of us, the immersive Ancient Egypt: Obsessed with Life exhibition opens today at the Royal BC Museum.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌦️ 15 / 9

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 13 / 9

Sunday: 🌦️15 / 11

7-day forecast

Martel was tracked down in the country of Georgia, according to a report by CHEK News.

“Global Affairs Canada is aware of the arrest of a Canadian citizen in Georgia,” Global Affairs Canada told CHEK in a statement. CHEK cited sources identifying Martel as that Canadian citizen. 

Martel was found to have run a Ponzi scheme that bilked investors of nearly $149M. He’s been on the run since his Victoria-based brokerage company, My Mortgage Auction Corp. (MMAC), was put in receivership in 2023. He was staying in Thailand but was deported, and it’s believed he went to the UAE.

He has not been criminally charged in Canada, but warrants for his arrest have been issued here and in the US. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the receiver and trustee appointed to Martel’s estate by the court, determined that between 2018 and 2023, more than 1,700 investors gave him more than $300M to invest through MMAC. They were told the money was going into real estate to fund bridge loans for developers.
PwC determined that no such loans existed. The money was used to support Martel’s lavish lifestyle and to make catch-up payments in what was a Ponzi scheme.

PwC accountants figure Martel brought in $301M but paid out only $210M: 480 investors came out ahead, while the other 1,229 were hit with heavy losses.

Capital Daily has written multiple stories on Martel, including an exclusive on his conduct at CarSHAiR, which led to numerous workplace toxicity and nonpayment accusations. Further details emerged in Zander Sherman’s story for CBC.

3 trails temporarily closed in Sooke’s Sea to Sea Regional Park due to bear activity. [CRD]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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

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If you’re walking along Government this afternoon near the car-free area between Broughton and Fort, you’ll likely spot a dozen or so people at tables who would like you to stop by to chat.

Volunteers from Climate Justice Victoria (CJV) and Seniors for Climate Victoria are gathering today to honour World Environment Day and to help “break through the climate silence.”

“So many people are worried about climate change, but they feel like other people don't want to talk about it,” CJV spokesman Eric Doherty told Capital Daily. 

“It's really hard for members of the general public to see governments that were elected promising climate action to be putting billions of dollars of subsidies towards fracking gas export terminals and LNG terminals to subsidize making the climate crisis worse,” he said.

The groups will be hoping to have a dialogue and to inform, from noon until 4pm. They say we’re five years removed from the June 2021 heat dome that killed at least 1,400 people in North America, including more than 600 in BC, and it’s time the federal government took a stronger stance on climate change.

“The most important thing that people can do to act on climate is to talk about the climate crisis and talk about the kind of solutions they want to see,” Doherty said.

Since opening its doors in 2022, locally owned and operated Philosophy MD has been committed to giving back to its community. Its founding partners actively pursue opportunities to sponsor and support many local causes, from youth dance and sport to the BCSPCA, our hospitals, and more.

Philosophy MD will celebrate its 4th anniversary on June 11 with an Open House from 1pm to 7pm. Meet the team, explore their wellness and aesthetic services offerings, and enjoy a thoughtfully curated experience featuring Beaumont Catering, Twist Of Fate Cocktail Co., and Zingaro Perfumery.

Learn more about Philosophy MD at their Anniversary Event here.

🎓 Royal Roads’ Spring 2026 Convocation ceremonies are today. [Livestream]

🍵 64th Oak Bay Tea Party begins today. [Info]

💥 Island Fancon 2026 begins today at City Centre Park in Langford.

⚾ HarbourCats host Kelowna Falcons at RAP all weekend.

🏺South Vancouver Island Potters Guild Show & Sale is tomorrow, 10am-5pm.

🏓 The Carnarvon Classic: Victoria's newest pickleball tournament is tomorrow.

🎉 Cook Street Village Block Party is on Sunday, 10am-6pm.

Come by on June 27, from 1-4pm at Rally at Royal Bay for Summer, Served, and celebrate the grand opening of Royal Bay's new pickleball courts. Enjoy demonstrations, contests, family-friendly activities, food trucks, tunes from our DJ, and entertainment from The Ocean live on location. See you there!

Saanich’s Lumberworld sold to Home Hardware operator
Homeowners, handypeople, and the construction community have been buying wood there for 50+ years, and its outgoing owners say they’ll be in good hands with Courtenay-based Central Builders, which has purchased the lumber yard on Quadra. The Chemainus Valley Courier said it was unclear whether the outlet’s name would be changed. Lumberworld was heavily damaged by a massive fire in 2006—the arsonist was never caught—and rebounded with community support. [Times Colonist]

SD63 bus pickup cancelled on Prospect Lake Road after accident
A recent collision involving an SD63 school bus led Transport Canada to cancel pickups on the road, citing unsafe conditions. Effective this week, families will have to walk to the nearest bus stop for elementary school pickup—up to 30 minutes away. The change affects 20 children. Parents say the walk along the road comes with risks, including sections without sidewalks and speeding commuters. [Saanich News]

BC Independent MLA Jordan Kealy charged with sexual assault
Kealy, who represents the riding of Peace River North, was charged with one count of sexual assault for alleged offences said to have taken place between Jan. 1 and Sept. 20, 2024, in Fort St. John. Kealy initially was elected as a Conservative Party member but left in March 2025 to sit as an independent. He is scheduled to appear in provincial court on July 6. There is a publication ban in place. [City News Vancouver]

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🎨 The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria presents: As Waters Merge—Swaying Waves Beckoning Us Closer and Picnic by the Edge of the Ocean exhibitions kick off the summer season. AGGV. Tonight. 5-8pm. Saturday. 11am-1pm. [Info]

📖 Book Presentation: Turmoil: Award-winning author Michael Layland discusses the remarkable life of Philip Hankin, a 19th-century figure whose story intersects BC colonial history and a long-lost Indigenous language record. Maritime Museum of BC. Today. 2:30–3:30pm. [Info]

🌱 Kitchen Herb Planter Workshop: Choose five herbs or edible flowers and pot them up to take home in this casual hands-on workshop, with care guidance and a 20% in-store discount included. VI Plant Shop. Today. 5:30–6:30pm. [Info]

🌪 SMUS Jr. School: Wizard of Oz Jr.: St. Michael's University School's junior students bring the classic story of courage, heart, and finding your way home to the stage. McPherson Playhouse. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🖊️ Unwind and Create: Friday Night Art Journalling Workshop: Art therapist Hanna Kaye Verhagen guides a small group through collage, colour, and mark-making in a relaxed evening session, with each participant leaving with their own art journal. Hanna Kaye Art Therapy and Counselling. Today. 6:30–8pm. [Info]

👔 Summer Social Vintage Fair and Makers Market: More than 70 vendors deal in vintage clothing, mid-century modern, collectibles, vinyl, and handmade goods, with a live lunchtime set from Dogwood and The Shakers at 12:30pm. Da Vinci Centre. Tomorrow. 9am–4pm. [Info]

🎶 Spring Student Showcase: Students of local music teachers Alli Bean and Rebecca Mason share the stage in an all-ages afternoon showcase of their favourite repertoire. The Coda. Tomorrow. 1:30–3pm. [Info]

🎼 Victoria Children's Choir: 25 Years of Musical Transformation: The Victoria Children's Choir marks its 25th anniversary with all four ensembles alongside special guests from Pacific Opera Victoria, performing works by Schumann, Copland, Puccini, and more, with a second performance on Sunday. Alix Goolden Performance Hall. Tomorrow. 2–4pm. [Info]

🦞 Lobsterfest Plus: The Rotary Club of Sidney by the Sea's 12th annual fundraiser returns with fresh Atlantic lobster, Vancouver Island crab, prime rib, plus silent and live auctions and live music from The Haven. Mary Winspear Centre. Tomorrow. 6pm. [Info]

🎼 Celebrating Gaia Concert: Featuring Joseph Haydn's The Seasons, performed by the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, conducted by Peter Butterfield. Christ Church Cathedral. Tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info] 

Thursday’s headlines: El Niño could bring a warm Island winter; Saanich’s SD63 is battling a rodent problem; Fairmont Empress Hotel workers vote 99% in favour of a strike mandate. [June 4] 

Brentwood Bay sailor survives storm at sea; sailboat April Alice didn’t make it. [Times Colonist / Vancouver Sun]

Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival moved up to June from August. [CHEK]

FernFest lineup: See the musicians and activities happening at this year’s festival on June 13.

3 more grey whales discovered dead off BC coast, following the 4 found dead in April. [CTV / CP]

Eagle feast: See dozens of eagles battle it out for food during the hake spawning season. [Facebook photos]

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