June 7 - Mapping Canada's kelp forests

Good morning !

The 63rd annual Oak Bay Tea Party—which began last night—kicks off this morning with its usual parade, working its way from Windsor Park to Willows Park, where the fair is located.

You can read more about the event in our second story, but first we dive into the latest research from UVic on Canada’s kelp forests.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 26 / 12

Tomorrow: ☀️ 29 / 13

Monday: ☀️ 26 / 13

7-day forecast

NEWS

UVic study: Understanding kelp forests could be key to Canada's net-zero emissions goal

Kelp and seaweed are powerful organisms in many ways—they can offer a home to millions of sea creatures, protect coastlines, and could one day be used as biofuel. They’ve even been shown to make cow farts less environmentally lethal.

In Island waters, kelp nurseries are replenishing lost forests and the seaweed aquaculture industry is starting to take off. But it’s the forests’ potential to absorb and trap carbon that’s making the biggest waves in climate research.

Now, local scientists are gathering the full picture of Canada’s sprawling kelp forests, which grow both near the ocean’s surface and far below the waves. They’re also beginning to understand how much carbon these marine plants capture and whether Canada can count on them on the road to net-zero emissions.

In a study released this week, a team of researchers from 14 institutions—including UVic—used aerial and satellite maps of kelp forests on the water’s surface (like BC’s bull kelp) and below the surface. Through this, the team built a national kelp forest database to calculate the carbon that gets absorbed, stored, and exported deep in the ocean.

The study aims to address gaps in data that make it difficult to confirm the potential of a country’s kelp forests to sequester carbon. The study offers “a blueprint for Canada and other countries to follow when assessing their kelp forests," says Jennifer McHenry, lead investigator and post-doctoral student at UVic.

“Our group has been trying to understand if kelp could be a part of that solution portfolio,” McHenry told Capital Daily. She says that, in addition to capturing carbon, these forests have other benefits as a food source and habitat for multiple species. 

“So, we really see this as a potential win-win solution as long as the numbers bear out.”

This study is the first step in understanding all of Canada’s kelp potential. The team’s research suggests Canada’s kelp forests could capture between 40,000 and 400,000 metric tonnes of carbon—which ends up stored in the deep ocean—per year. 

What the team is still unsure of is whether that carbon stays buried in the ocean floor—and out of the atmosphere—long-term. 

Keep reading the full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Weather alert: An early-season heat event begins today on the South Coast and parts of the Island—including the CRD—continuing into early next week. [Environment Canada]

Bike lane painting at the intersection of Gorge/ Hillside/ Douglas/ Government tomorrow. Intermittent lanes; expect delays. [City of Victoria]

Traffic disruptions and CCTV deployment downtown today. [2-4pm]

Victoria 3 Port Angeles 9: HarbourCats lose baseball home opener. [Recap]

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NEWS

Oak Bay Tea Party returns with a parade, pancakes, and paddleboards

Under expected sunny skies and with warm temps, Willows Beach is going to be a popular place over the next few days as the Oak Bay Tea Party takes over the seaside district.

The 63rd edition of the pre-summer fair, which kicked off yesterday and runs through tomorrow, will feature all the fun that has made the event a standout must-do for so many Victorians and visitors.

If you haven’t eaten yet, the Esquimalt Lions are cooking up a pancake breakfast for you today and tomorrow from 7am to 11am. 

The traditional parade begins at 10:30 at Windsor Park and, for 45 minutes, will snake through Oak Bay and come to a halt at Willows Park, where crowds will have gathered at the midway amusements. Once again, the parade is a balloon-free event, in keeping with the fair’s green initiative. 

Performances will take place throughout the day, with appearances from school bands, individual acts, and Victoria bluegrass band Black Angus—today’s headliners—who hit the stage at 8pm. 

There are kids' craft events on the beach—including sandcastle building—an “instrument petting zoo” from the Victoria Symphony, a PISE obstacle course, and rescue and skydiving demonstrations. 

Today from noon to 4pm, Ocean River Sports offers stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals on the beach, easily accessible, with donations going to outdoor kids’ programs.

One of the highlights is tomorrow’s Mayor’s Floating Teacup Race, which last year sent competitors into the ocean. This year, Mayor Kevin Murdoch will race the same Olympians he challenged last year in oversized fibreglass teacups and saucers with mismatched oars.

Security will be increased in light of recent tragic events, and parking will be restricted, so you may want to park and walk—or ride and take advantage of the secure bike area.

The fair runs from 10am to 10pm today and 10am to 7pm tomorrow.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🩳 Summer recreation registration opens on Mon. [City of Victoria]

🐦 Tropical bird goes north: A magnificent frigatebird, normally seen in tropical climates, seen in Victoria skies last week. [BC bird alert]

🐋 Clover Point shoreline cleanup tomorrow 11am-12pm.

⛲ Hot days vs. cool water: New spray park open at Glen Lake in Langford.

🗞️ In Other News

Ottawa on orcas: new federal rules expand protection 
The feds have continued and expanded safeguards for the protection of three types of whales, including our region's Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs). As of June 1, and until late Nov., there will be mandatory speed restrictions near Swiftsure Bank and vessel restrictions around Saturna and Pender islands. Local whale tours have also agreed not to promote seeing SRKWs. The 400m stay-away zone—that’s as close as you can legally be to a killer whale in these parts—remains in effect but could be expanded to 1km. There are just 74 SRKWs remaining in our waters, due to the challenging obstacles these animals face daily.

Wide range of discipline options considered over officer's fatal shots
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner recently determined that a VicPD officer was reckless, and committed misconduct, by firing ARWEN rounds at Lisa Rauch in a smoky room in 2019. On Friday lawyers proposed consequences ranging from verbal reprimand to suspension to dismissal, though they agreed that punishment should be on the lower end for a non-willful error in judgement. A decision comes on Thurs. [CHEK]

Saanich bylaw banning blasphemy gets national attention
An antiquated bylaw in the municipality has been called out by the Canadian Constitution Foundation, which works to protect constitutional rights and freedoms. The group hosted its first Municipal Muzzle Awards, highlighting bylaws that restrict free expression. While a Calgary bylaw took the (unwanted) top spot, a 1997 Saanich parks bylaw received honourable mention for banning inappropriate language, including blasphemy. Councillor Teale Phelps-Bondaroff said he’s long been bothered by the bylaw, which he sees as unconstitutional, and hopes to scrap it soon. [Saanich News]

🗓️ Things to do

🍴 Community Dinner: Honouring Our Loved Ones: Remembering MMIWG, and other Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals affected by systemic violence. Speakers include Martha Martin, mother of Chantel Moore, and Tla’amin Elder Grandma Losah. KWENCH on Store, tonight, 6-8pm. [Info] 

🎂 Celebrate Sooke's 25 years as a municipality today with a Community Day festival at Woodside Farm. 11am-4pm. [Info]

🎉 Vic West Fest: Live music, local artisans, food trucks, a beer garden, a kids’ zone, and the always-popular dog show will take place at Banfield Park today. 12-6pm. [Info]

🥳 Cook Street Village Block Party: It’s the 6th annual version of this popular outdoor party featuring music, vendors, and the fastest dog of Cook Street Village. Tomorrow. 10am-6pm. [Info]

🛤 Langford train track cleanup: Help clean invasive Scotch Broom off of the rail corridor, from the Langford Station to Jacklin, with the VI Transportation Corridor Coalition. 11am-1pm today. [Event]

⚾️ Fireworks tonight for HarbourCats' second home game of the new season. Doors 5pm / game 6:35pm / end 10:30pm. [Tickets]

🐟🦈 Celebrate World Ocean Day 2025: Explore interactive activities, marine exhibits, a touch tank, live diving presentations, ocean conservation displays, a colouring station for children, and more at Fisherman’s Wharf tomorrow. 11am-4pm. [Info]

🍋 Millstream Elementary’s Lemonade Stand: Raising money for wildfire-related charities. 1:15-3:30pm Mon. [Info]

🍺🎵 Beer and Hymns: Have a pint and sing some hymns at Christ Church Cathedral. June 13. 7:30-9pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: Using VR to advocate for endangered orcas; HarbourCats back at RAP; Spectrum senior girls take BC soccer championship. [June 6]

YYJ parking decision has MP and others asking YY-Why? [CHEK]

Last day of Seniors’ Week at local senior centres. [City of Victoria]

Stanley Cup series tied 1-1 after Oilers lost in double-overtime yesterday. [Sportsnet]

War of the roses: The Empress Hotel and Roger the Marmot’s 17-year garden battle. [Victoria News] 

Olympic gold medallist Summer McIntosh among swimmers to compete at national trials in Saanich. [CBC]