Good morning {{First name}}!

I hope you’ve all recovered from the one hour lost on Sunday. It might just be me, but I always feel a little off for the first couple of days after the time changes.

We’re now officially in the first year of permanent daylight saving time. I’ll be interested to see how this works out once fall and winter come around, but for now I’ll enjoy the evening light.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: 🌧 6 / 4

Tomorrow: 🌧 7 / 6

Day after: 🌧 7 / 4

7-day forecast

The BC government is promising to introduce legislation to establish 20-metre “access zones” to protect people attending a place of worship from intimidation, harassment, and abuse. 

The zones would be similar to those established around schools two years ago.

The announcement comes a week after the first of three separate incidents in which synagogues in the Greater Toronto Area were struck by gunfire.

“Unfortunately, in recent years, we’ve seen people targeting places of worship and schools with threatening and coercive behaviour,” Premier David Eby said yesterday at the legislature.

No injuries were reported in the Ontario incidents. However, the attacks have prompted police to step up patrols around synagogues, amid heightened global tensions and ongoing conflict in the Middle East. 

On Sunday, VicPD announced on social media that it would be “providing visible patrols at local Jewish community organizations and places of worship in Victoria.”

In August 2025, the Congregation Emanu-el Synagogue on Blanshard—about 1.5 km from where Eby made his announcement—was the target of antisemitic vandalism when a hateful message was written at the entrance of Canada’s oldest synagogue. 

If passed, the legislation would extend similar protective services offered by the Safe Access to Schools Act (SASA), which came into effect in May 2024 but would have expired on Canada Day. The NDP government announced it will extend the act under Bill 12.

“The ability for kids to learn and the ability for everyone to pray without harassment or intimidation is fundamental to who we are as Canadians and British Columbians,” Eby added.

Bill 13, the Safe Access to Places of Public Worship Act (SAPPWA), would create similar protections for people accessing places of worship, such as mosques, temples, gurdwaras, synagogues, and churches.

If passed, the proposed legislation would authorize places of worship to put up signs indicating access areas where specified behaviour would be prohibited. Police would be authorized to arrest or ticket anyone interfering with those zones or attempting to intimidate anyone within 20 metres of the property. 

“Our community has experienced situations when threatening behaviour around mosques has unsettled people arriving for prayer,” said Ebrahim Abdelmaqsoud, imam at the Victoria Masjid on Quadra. “With these steps in place, worshippers can participate in prayer, reflection, and community life with greater comfort and a renewed sense of personal security.”

Calls for reaction from Congregation Emanu-El were not returned in time for publication.

Single-lane alternating traffic:

Lane closures on Cook, from Bay to Lang, through March 20.

No left turn from westbound Hillside to Cook, through Thursday.

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.

The province is speeding up access to WorkBC for spouses and adult children of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) service members who relocate to BC. 

The province says hundreds of military families move from other provinces to BC every year, often with a tight timeline that makes it difficult for the non-service members to find employment.

Before the changes, spouses and adult children accompanying a CAF member to a new location would need to establish BC residency before being able to access WorkBC services—a process that could take months.

Now, they’ll be able to begin their job search as soon as they find out they’re moving. 

To access the service, the military dependents can provide documentation confirming their required relocation, including the posting message from CAF. The dependents must intend to live in BC as part of the transfer.

The province says this change could help families settle into their communities faster, including those coming to the South Island to serve at CFB Esquimalt, the second-largest base in the country.

Kathleen Cormie, a military spouse and the programs coordinator for Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre, says she hopes the change will help families like hers “plan ahead for a successful transition” to the province.

“The requirements of military lifestyle present real obstacles for spouses who are working to maintain a meaningful career,” Cormie said. “I’ve relocated twice in the last seven years for my husband’s military service. The logistical challenges of moving a family are huge.”

The ability to access WorkBC immediately could ease the “financial and emotional strain that comes with every relocation,” says Sophia Song, a realtor and veteran spouse located in the Westshore. 

Song says she knows firsthand “how challenging it is to rebuild your career with every posting” and hopes this change gives spouses and adult children a “head start” in finding the right job.

Introducing Arden, a collection of contemporary rental homes in the master-planned community of Royal Bay in Colwood. Designed with condo-level care, each residence offers quality finishes, private balconies, premium Samsung appliances and energy-efficient heating and cooling.

At its heart, a landmark clubhouse brings residents together with a fully equipped gym, lounge, kitchen, spa, and inviting outdoor gathering spaces, designed to support connection and everyday wellbeing.

With grocery, dining, childcare, and essential services just steps away, and beaches, parks, and schools moments from home, life at Arden extends far beyond your front door.

Through the PATH Home Program, 25% of monthly rent is credited toward the purchase of a future PATH home.

Explore Arden and find yourself at home in Royal Bay. Move-in May 2026.

💰 South Island Gold Rush: See photos of prospectors on Leech River during the 19th century gold boom. [Facebook photos]

🦆 What if protecting birds started with you? Volunteer with Rocky Point Bird Observatory supporting bird monitoring and education programs across southern Vancouver Island.*

🗣️ Need to talk? GVPL is hosting drop-in sessions today with Paul Jenkins, a retired social worker travelling Canada. Chat with him about anything—for free—at the Central Branch. 1-3pm.  [GVPL]

*Sponsored Listing

What if school wasn’t just preparation for life, but part of it?

At GNS, students from JK to Grade 12 are seen and empowered to lead with confidence and compassion. Join us at an upcoming Open House to discover how personalized learning and belonging come together to shape extraordinary futures.

Langford considering new dog rules in updated animal bylaw
Proposed changes would increase licensing fees to $60 for unsterilized dogs, up from $25, and $40 for neutered or spayed, up from $15. These fees would be even higher for dogs designated as “aggressive,” requiring a $200 special license. Under the changes, this designation applies to any dog that has shown aggressive behaviour or has caused minor injuries to people or pets. If a dog is designated “dangerous,” the fees increase to $300. Chokers and shock collars would be prohibited, and sufficient ventilation would be required for dogs in enclosed spaces. [Times Colonist]

Heated Rivalry star fires up social media with strong comments about Victoria
You may recall Hudson Williams was briefly in town the other day. Over the weekend in Paris, he was quoted as saying he was filming a show in Victoria, which he described as “very stabilizing,” following that up with, "It's like 30 minutes away from Vancouver, dead as f*ck, old people.” It prompted an online debate over the city’s quieter reputation. [CHEK]

UVic men’s basketball takes bronze in national championship
The team captured the U SPORTS bronze medal in an 85-81 win over Toronto Metropolitan University. Shaydnn Smid earned Player of the Game honours as he led the Vikes with 19 points. Last year, the team won gold at the tournament for the first time in 28 years, but a second national title win was off the table after a close loss (66-65) to Bishop’s University during this year’s semifinals. The team ended its season as the Canada West champions. [UVic]

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🌈 The Wizard of Oz: Young Performers Edition: St. Margaret's School students will present a jubilant 80-minute production of the beloved classic at McPherson Playhouse, today and tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎺 Winds & Brass Department Collage Concert: See solo and chamber performances by VCM Winds & Brass students at Alix Goolden Performance Hall tomorrow. 7-8:30pm. [Info]

🎶 The Don Leppard Jazz Orchestra: Victoria's 17-piece big band will swing through Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and beyond at Hermann's tomorrow. 7-9pm. [Info]

🎥 Back to the Future in Concert: The Victoria Symphony performs Alan Silvestri's iconic score live in sync with the film on the big screen at the Royal Theatre tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🔭 The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and UVic present: An Overview of the Vera C. Rubin Telescope and its legacy survey of space and time at UVic’s Bob Wright Centre, Lecture Theatre A104 tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info] 

🌸 Hanami Blossom Market: Explore this Japanese spring market featuring local art, vintage wares, and tasty foods at Fernwood Community Centre. Saturday. 11am-4pm. [Info]

Sunday’s headlines: UVic study highlights health benefits of alcohol warning labels; Weekly roundup; Fences vandalized at PKOLS. [March 8]

Higher gas prices on the Island as war heats up in the Middle East. [CHEK]

Sidney considers lowering speed limits on residential streets. [Times Colonist]

Shaggy mouse nudibranch seen on the North Island. [Facebook photo]

Spring Break flag football camp. [City of Victoria]

Summer Campership Program. [City of Victoria] 

Online Silent Auction: Bid on 100+ items and experiences in support of Victoria Women in Need (Win) programs. Online until March 18. [Bid here]

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