March 7 - Saanich officer dies on duty

Good morning !

Two police stories this morning remind us of the pressures and dangers law enforcement endures in our service.

Sunshine today. Rain for much of the weekend. Perfect for walks along Dallas.
Man, it’s amazing living here.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 8 / 6

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 9 / 7

Sunday: 🌧️ 10 / 4

NEWS

Saanich police officer dies on duty

The officer died on Wednesday while working at the department, Saanich Police said.

“It's with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of one of our officers, who suffered a sudden medical emergency while on duty,” Chief Const. Dean Duthie said in a release.

The officer’s name and age were not released, and Duthie said support teams had been called in to lend assistance to the grieving family and co-workers.

“Our focus and attention will remain on all staff and the officer’s family to ensure that the appropriate and required supports are in place,” he said.

A procession of police and emergency vehicles—with sirens sounding—from all forces and departments streamed past Saanich Police headquarters on Vernon yesterday morning in honour of the fallen officer.  

Woman in hospital, 2 arrested after downtown stabbing 

VicPD says officers were called to Pandora near Store just after 12:30 yesterday afternoon on word a woman had been stabbed.

A heavy police presence descended upon the area near the Johnson Street Bridge.

The woman was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, CHEK News reported.

VicPD said it arrested a man and a woman and that there was no risk to the public. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Daylight Saving Time: Set clocks ahead before bedtime Sat. night. 

Roadwork on Gorge tomorrow (Government to Jutland) & Jutland (Gorge to Cecelia). [7am-7pm]

Missing Man: Marcus, 51. Last seen Jan. 27 near Courtney & Blanshard. [VicPD]

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

International Women’s Day events in Victoria 2025

International Women’s Day (IWD) is tomorrow, marking a day to celebrate and uplift the women in your life. It’s also a day to recognize that gender inequality continues to persist, with issues like reproductive rights and violence against women affecting women around the world and at home. 

IWD began in the early 20th century as a way to shine a light on women’s contributions to the workforce and acknowledge the many inequalities women faced—and still face today.

This year’s IWD theme is “Accelerate Action,” emphasizing that decisive steps must be taken to achieve gender parity, where women are represented and paid equally to men in all sectors.

Data from the World Economic Forum show that, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158—roughly five generations—to reach full gender parity. 

In 2022—the most recent stats on this—Canada’s pay gap was 16.4%, meaning women earned 84 cents for every dollar men made when median wages are compared. 

BC made strides at the parliamentary level last year when it became the first province to reach gender parity in its legislature.

To mark IWD in Victoria, there are plenty of informative talks and storytelling nights to hear and share tales of inspirational women. There will also be self-care events, craft workshops, and family-oriented festivities to share with the women you love.

Check out our full list here. 

FOOD

7 new restaurants we can’t wait to visit this spring

Victoria has no shortage of incredible places to eat, but every year, a few new spots open that completely steal the show. 

Here are some of the more popular restaurants to open in Victoria over the last year—they're all raising the bar on the city's already impressive restaurant scene and bringing fresh flavours to the table.

From incredible seafood and fine French dining to world-class Japanese and Syrian bites, these are the eateries Victorians are buzzing about.

Check out the full list in Tasting Victoria.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🍁 Needless tariffs got you feeling furious? [Sing along here]

⏺️ Grammy-nominated Victoria band Spiritbox releases its new album, Tsunami Sea, today.

🏆 Award-winning actor Anand Rajaram stars in Crosstown, his 2024 hit solo show that addresses class, abortion, ambition, and faulty memory. March 8 and 9 only.*

🚲 The Victoria Segment Challenge: [On until April 27]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

US tariffs on Canadian goods paused… sort of
Two days after being enacted, 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican exports to the US will be paused until April 2 for CUSMA-compliant goods. Canada, in turn, paused the second wave of tariffs on $125B worth of US products until the same date. Still, 62% of Canadian exports would not be included in the pause because they aren’t compliant with the trade agreement. Stock markets in both countries fell yesterday. [CTV]

Orca eating: Inner Harbour becoming Bigg’s place to dine
As the Bigg’s killer whale population continues to grow, they’ve been seen more frequently in BC harbours—including Victoria’s, where visits from the cetacean have spiked. An expert says it’s likely that the abundance of harbour seals in the area makes for an easy catch, calling the orcas “a little complacent and a little fat.” A single matriline with four to seven whales needs to eat 10 seals a day. Businesses in the harbour say they are prepared to modify their activities when pods swim near. This behaviour is expected to continue because orcas pass hunting knowledge to their offspring. [Victoria News]

VicPD looking for witnesses after SUV and bicycle collide near downtown
Police are looking for footage, including dashcam video, if you were in the area of Caledonia and Douglas on Sun. around 11am. That’s when a red SUV reportedly struck a cyclist in the bike lane. Police said the driver stopped to check on the cyclist but then left the scene. The cyclist was assisted by passersby and was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries, police said. [VicPD]

SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Make a difference in your community

A Vancouver-based charity that houses, feeds, and supports people experiencing homelessness is closing in on its $100,000 fundraising goal but needs your help by donating.

PHS Community Services Society operates more than 1,900 units of supportive housing and low-barrier sheltering in Vancouver and Victoria and a supporting network of community-based services, including recovery from substance use, Indigenous health programs, affordable dentistry, and low-barrier banking.

Supportive housing brings people who are in crisis off the streets and back indoors to living with stability, hope, and dignity. 

Your support helps PHS provide a path back to independence for people in desperate need. Please donate to PHS today.

🗓️ Things to do

🖌️ Paint & Prosecco: Mountains Wood Art: Join Wendy Creative for a hands-on workshop where you'll paint and assemble a multi-layered mountain scene wood art piece. Prosecco will be provided. Westshore Town Centre. Tonight. 6pm. [Info]

🍴 'Open Table Dinner Series' from Hide N Seek: Handcrafted ramen, gyozas, pork spring rolls, and delicious drinks and dessert, as well as Asian comfort food alongside specialty beverages & pastries. Asian Comfort Food Truck. Tonight. 6-9pm. [Info] 

👚 Glenlyon Norfolk School’s Mean Girls The Musical: See the high-school-friendly version of this musical performed by students. GNS. Tonight. 7pm. Tomorrow. 2pm. [Info]

🎸 Rock of Ages: Youth Edition: Students from SMUS Middle School perform in this rocking musical, set in 1987 LA. McPherson Playhouse. Tonight. 7pm. [Info] 

🥁 Mardi Gras Bash with Bijoux du Bayou: Get your dancing shoes and come out for a fun evening of Cajun music to celebrate Mardi Gras. Upstairs Lounge. Oak Bay Rec Centre. Tonight. 7:30-10pm. [Info]

💻 Stickybuds: AKA Tyler Martens, has been an exceptional music force for two decades, captivating audiences globally with his turntable mastery and genre-blending prowess. Capital Ballroom. Tonight. 9pm. [Info]

🎸 Busty and The Bass: From a university buzz band, the Montrealers have blossomed into one of Canada’s most dynamic live acts, blending soul, alternative R&B, hip-hop, and jazz. Capital Ballroom. Tomorrow. 9pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Construction starts on 11 new dedicated, outdoor pickleball courts at Topaz Park; Vic property taxes going up 8.8%; Holocaust education in Vic gets $124K in federal funding. [Mar. 6]

BC releases ‘measured’ budget in the face of US tariffs. [Capital Daily] 

‘Tariff This’: Victorians react to Trump’s aggression. [Times Colonist]

BC making electricity backup plans for ‘man-made disaster’. [Yahoo! / CP]

The first cruise ship of the season arrives at Ogden Point. [Cruise ship schedule]

Another earthquake was felt here on Wed. at 4:18pm.

Cougar spotted in Central Saanich near The Butchart Gardens. [Peninsula News Review]