Good morning {{First name}}!

I don’t want to jinx it, but I think it’s safe to say snow is not in the cards for Victoria this winter. Apparently, it was the fifth-warmest winter on record and the first in nine years not to bring snow to the capital city.

Technically, spring doesn’t begin until March 20, but I’m thinking we’re in the clear.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: 🌦️ 9 / 7

Tomorrow: 🌧 9 / 9

Day after: 🌦️ 11 / 8

7-day forecast

It’s always a great time to celebrate women who influence and innovate in our society, but this weekend will offer plenty of opportunities to reflect on those who inspire us. Hear about women who changed the world, the cosmos, and our South Island communities. 

While International Women’s Day is on Sunday, celebrations will kick off today and run through the weekend.

Voices of Women: Local History, Legacy, and Empowerment | Today | 12-2pm

See this visual and interactive presentation about women who shaped Esquimalt’s history and present day at Esquimalt Seniors Community Centre. Pre-registration required.

Women’s Day Floral Arrangements | Today 8-6pm & Saturday 11-1pm

Gather your favourite women and head to Mayfair Shopping Centre to create your own floral arrangements to take home.

Who is Your Shero? | Saturday | 7pm

Hear stories about inspiring female heroes, as told by four local women, followed by live music and poetry at the Belfry Theatre.

Star Party: Women Who Reached For The Stars | Saturday | 6:30-10pm

From Roberta Bondar to Katherine Johnson, learn about the women who broke the mould and shaped our understanding of the universe for centuries at the Centre of the Universe (Observatory Hill).

International Women’s Day for BIPOC Women | Sunday | 7:30-10:30pm

Celebrate women from multiple cultures at this event at Kinu at Uptown, featuring music, food, and drink, and a stylized photo booth.

Ross Bay Cemetery: International Women’s Day Tour | Sunday | 10am & 2pm

Hear about women who influenced Victoria’s society through its history, from Emily Carr to Nancy Lester, in this special-edition tour of Ross Bay Cemetery.

IWD: Women Building Community | Sunday | 11am-4pm

Explore and honour the history of women’s fight for equality, with guest speakers, group activities, music, and lunch at United Commons (Fellowship Hall).

Jane Goodall “The Hope” Screening | Sunday | 2pm

The Vic Theatre will screen the National Geographic documentary, which follows the life and work of one of the most famous and influential women in science: Jane Goodall.

Women & Girls: Rooted & Rising | Sunday | 2-5pm

Join this afternoon of reflection and sharing focused on women who inspire at Mary Winspear Centre. There will be poetry, storytelling, and a collective art activity.

Oak Bay bike lane construction starts on Tuesday. [Info]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

One of the Island’s more spectacular scenic viewpoints is going to become even more stunning—if you’re comfortable having only 60 mm of compressed glass separating you and the forest and ocean two and a half football fields below.

The Malahat SkyWalk is attaching an enclosed glass cube to its spiral tower so people can walk out high above nature with nothing but a slender see-through layer beneath their feet—similar to the glass floor high up in Toronto’s CN Tower, only they’ll be walled in by a five-sided cubicle of glass.

They’re calling it “The Overhang”—and you likely don’t want to visit hungover. The 360-degree views from 250 metres above the trees promise to be “epic” and may not be for the faint of heart. 

“From The Overhang, you’ll take in a panorama across sea, forest, and islands in both Canada and the USA,” the promotional material reads.

“Look out over Finlayson Arm, Saanich Inlet, the Saanich Peninsula, the Gulf and San Juan Islands, and on clear days, the snowy peak of Mount Baker and the Coastal Mountains beyond.”

Offering equal parts wonder and adrenaline, the enclosed cube is designed to make it feel like you’re floating in mid-air, the SkyWalk team notes.

“This will be the ultimate selfie moment where jaw-dropping views meet ‘I can’t believe I did that' energy,” it continues.

The new cube—the only one of its kind in Canada—is slated to debut on the Victoria Day long weekend (May 16-18).

The glass cube will extend 2.1 metres (7 feet) beyond the edge of the 10-storey spiral tower. Built by BC structural engineering firm Aspect, the cube will consist of five panels of structural glass, supported by a steel frame.

The sides and ceiling will be 36 mm (1.42 inches) thick, with a base of 60 mm (2.36 inches). Each panel will consist of multiple layers (three on the walls and five on the floor) of bound-together glass, the SkyWalk team said. 

“Hearts will race as visitors experience the feeling of floating mid-air, high in the sky, with nothing between them and the dramatic West Coast landscape, all around,” it said.

The Malahat SkyWalk is nestled along the highway bearing its name, approximately 35 minutes from downtown Victoria. It overlooks the Cowichan Valley. The SkyWalk has welcomed nearly one million viewseekers since it was built in 2021.

Choose from 70+ programs. Gain real-world skills, train with experts, and show up career-ready with Continuing Studies at UVic.

🌼 Hola Mohalla began yesterday: Holle Mohalle di Vadhai!

📸 Government Street 1903: See a photograph of the street and its many awnings. [Facebook photo]

🗓️ As tax season approaches, learn key 2025 CRA changes to brackets and credits. Some cut your bill; others impact filing. Numberra has the details.*

⚓ Give like a drunken sailor. [Maritime Museum of BC fundraiser]

🌕 Tuesday’s blood moon is seen hanging over the Parliament Buildings. [Doug Clement] 

*Sponsored Listing

Meet Mischa Farivar, a new-generation BC beekeeper rebuilding a legacy operation for modern realities-breeding Canadian queens, reducing import risk, and strengthening hive health through smarter practices. A sharp, practical look at how innovation takes root in an old industry. Read his story.

Central Saanich considering 7.37% property tax increase
The proposed tax hike would mean an annual property tax increase of $205 for the average home in the peninsula district. Broken down, the increase includes $103 for municipal services, including fire services, $45 for policing, $9 for library resources, and $48 for infrastructure. Central Saanich’s chief administrative officer says the increase is one of the lowest in the region. Residents can share their thoughts on the ​​$75.5M draft financial plan before April 10. [Times Colonist]

BC expands workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters
The province is changing the Workers Compensation Act to include eight additional cancers as diseases presumed to be linked to firefighting, adding to a list of 18 cancers currently covered. The province says firefighters made up 35% of all of WorkSafeBC’s cancer claims from 2010 to 2025, despite representing 0.5% of the provincial workforce. [BC Gov’t]

Member of US Coast Guard now in Washington after convalescing in Victoria
Tyler Jaggers, a rescue swimmer, was injured last Friday after responding to a medevac request for a stroke victim onboard a cargo ship about 120 nautical miles (222 km) from Cape Flattery, Wa. He was flown to Victoria General Hospital for treatment. Two aircraft were dispatched by 19 Wing Comox (a CC-295 Kingfisher and CH-149 Cormorant) to help with the emergency aboard the Momi Arrow. On Tuesday, Jaggers was transferred from Victoria to a US Army medical centre near Seattle. [CHEK]

🌈 The Wizard of Oz at GNS: Students will present the stage production of the classic musical at Glenlyon Norfolk School Senior School. Today & tomorrow at 7pm. Saturday at 2pm. [Info]

🎵 Postsecondary Thursday Lunch Concert: VCM postsecondary students will share works-in-progress spanning everything from Bach to bluegrass at the Victoria Conservatory of Music today. 12:30-1:30pm. [Info]

🎺 Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley: Toronto's award-winning blues and vintage jazz duo will bring their hot, fun sound to Hermann's tonight. 7-9pm. [Info]

🎤 Singer-Songwriter Showcase: Session 8: Three local singer-songwriters—Alexandra Berg, Cameron Schaefer, and Eric Fine—will take the stage at The Coda tonight. 6:30-8:30pm. [Info]

🏳️‍🌈 Sidney Pride Fundraiser: This all-ages fundraiser will feature drag performances by Vivian Vanderpuss, Mina Mercury, Eddi Licious, and Henrietta Dubét, plus a silent auction at Charlie White Theatre tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎻 Strings Showcase Concert: Catch this evening of solo and ensemble performances by students of the VCM Strings Department at Alix Goolden Performance Hall tonight. 7:30-9pm. [Info]

🤣 Hellcats Fundraiser with Graham Clark: See the comedy of Graham Clark—known for CBC's The Debaters and Just For Laughs—and donate to the Hellcats at Hecklers Bar & Grill today. 8pm. [Info]

🎼 The Byrd Ensemble: Seattle's elite classical vocal group presents "Flemish Masters," featuring the music of three seminal Renaissance composers at Christ Church Cathedral tomorrow. 7:30-9:30pm. [Info] 

Wednesday’s headlines: Victoria social platform helping people make friends; Metchosin is chosen for bird sanctuary; Good Samaritan turns in large sum of cash to VicPD [March 4]

How it’s hanging: It takes a team to put together the city’s hanging flower baskets. [Times Colonist]

Support T-Bone Wilson, local mentor, coach, and nonprofit founder, as he seeks treatment for stage 4 cancer. [GoFundMe]

BC Lions vs. Edmonton Elks in Langford, May 23. Tickets on sale March 31.

Heated in Victoria: Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams spotted at YYJ. [CHEK]

Victoria Symphony 2026-27 season plans. 

Greater Victoria Sports Award winners announced.

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