July 12 - Underwater area 4x Vancouver Island gets marine protection

Good morning !

Vic’s city council has approved the use of a referendum to ask for your approval to borrow up to $168.9M to build a new Crystal Pool.

Now it’s up to the province to approve, which could take a couple of months. Then there’s another council vote before a date is set—the city has said likely early next year.

Last month, we published this story on Crystal Pool and asked whether you think the city should borrow the money. Most respondents (54%) said it stinks, but we should do it, while 22% said “Are you out of your Gorge?”

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 23 / 13

Tomorrow: ☀️ 24 / 13

Sunday: ☀️ 24 / 13

7-day forecast

NEWS

Unique underwater mountains near the Island to be protected in agreement with feds and First Nations

A section of the Pacific Ocean 150 kilometres off the Island’s western shores has been designated a Marine Protected Area (MPA). The MPA designation is a joint agreement between the Council of the Haida Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Pacheedaht First Nation, Quatsino First Nation, and the federal government. 

MPA status means the designated region will be managed for the long-term conservation of marine resources, ecosystems, or cultural heritage.

The protection covers an area four times the size of Vancouver Island—approximately 133K square kilometres—making it the largest MPA on Canada’s Pacific coast. It makes up 2% of Canada’s ocean coast. Canada currently has protections on 15% of its ocean waters, with a goal of doubling that by 2030.

“The joint designation demonstrates that all parties share a long-term commitment to ocean protection and biodiversity conservation,” said Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, president of the Council of the Haida Nation.

The area has a unique ecosystem deep beneath the waves—more than 70% of all known Canadian seamounts and all hydrothermal vents are found within the new MPA. These underwater mountains and hotspots are teeming with life, with bacteria gathering energy from the gases escaping the vents (chemosynthesis) rather than the sun (photosynthesis). This creates a food chain of bottom-dwelling animals, some culturally significant to local First Nations.

Each nation will designate an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA) within their respective territories. These allow nations to control stewardship and conservation goals within their territory.

Read Robyn Bell’s full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

BC-wide campfire ban begins today.

Silk & Great Value plant milk recall Canada-wide over possible listeria. [Gov’t of Canada]

Some medications can affect heat tolerance, including antidepressants and antihistamines.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Easygoing: CrabFest expected to draw 2K to Banfield Park tomorrow

Wanna hear a mouth-watering menu filled with delectable delights from our waters?

Local Dungeness crab, corn, potatoes, clams, prawns, fresh bread, and butter will all be served in personal-sized buckets at Victoria’s Banfield Park. Everything in the crab buckets is from local suppliers and the coastal waters of Southern Vancouver Island.

With music, a kids’ zone, and free admission, organizers expect the event to double its attendance and draw 2K locals. All proceeds will go to the Vic West Community Centre and Reciprocity Connect.

The Authentic BC Crab Boil & Festival runs tomorrow from noon to 7pm.

Read more about CrabFest in Tasting Victoria.

SPONSORED BY SOUTH ISLAND PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP

Transforming Greater Victoria’s potential into prosperity

The recent release of Transformation, the new impact report from South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), chronicles the impact of Greater Victoria’s economic alliance on its journey to strengthen and diversify the regional economy. 

SIPP was founded in 2016 with the idea that regional collaboration across sectors and jurisdictions could help us escape the economic stagnation that had plagued Greater Victoria since the 2008/09 recession. 

Using colourful infographics, Transformation details SIPP’s progress to create a resilient regional economy by:

• Promoting regional economic diversification through COAST

• Building an inclusive economy through the Indigenous Prosperity Centre

• Marketing Greater Victoria through Victoria Rising to attract business and essential workers

• Creating opportunities for collaboration through the Rising Economy Conference and Local Leadership Day

Read more here.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🥐 Deer & Dough Bakery is reopening: The cafe and bakery will take over the location previously occupied by Shatterbox Coffee in the Victoria Public Market next month. 

🌊 Vancouver Island named Canada’s favourite island by Travel + Leisure, based on readers’ travel experiences.

🏖️ Beachfest begins: Artists will compete to create sand sculptures at Parksville Community Park & Beach until Aug. 18. [Details]  

🛍️ Downtown Hudson’s Bay reopens after days-long closure due to strain on HVAC systems caused by hot temperatures. [CHEK]    

🗞️ In Other News

Major police response after emergency worker attacked downtown
EHS workers and Vic firefighters were providing medical treatment to a person when they reportedly were attacked. Social media reports indicated as many as 15 police cruisers were dispatched to the area on Pandora near Vancouver just before 8pm. VicPD says the incident has been resolved. [Victoria Buzz]

Indigenous teens confronted for singing, keep on singing
Hundreds of people joined to sing and dance as two Indigenous boys sang in Brentwood Bay on Tue., a day after a stranger walked up to them and told them to stop. The encounter—which was posted to social media—had left the teens feeling anxious and fearful. [CTV]

Life rings and life jackets coming to Thetis and Elk lakes
The safety devices will be installed in a pilot program at Elk Lake’s Hamsterly Beach and at Thetis Lake’s main beach by July 19. This follows a staff recommendation reported in Capital Daily last month. It’s in response to an increase in the number of accidental drownings on the Island last year, and a drowning at Langford Lake last month. [Times Colonist]

Encampment at UVic enters its 10th week
People within the pro-Palestinian encampment say they remain hopeful that changes will be made, while protesters sought community support during the heatwave. The encampment is one of few left at Canadian universities—last week, protesters at UBC dismantled their camp and police ordered protesters to leave theirs in Montreal. [CHEK] 

Earthquakes rock underwater near Tofino, no damage
A magnitude 6.4 quake rumbled some 210 km off the Tofino coastline at approximately 8am yesterday, the US Geological Survey said. Earthquakes Canada also confirmed the quake’s magnitude and said several smaller earthquakes ranging from 3.3 to 5.2 followed. [USA Today]

🗓️ Things to do

🧘🏾 Mayfair x lululemon Yoga on the Roof: Former lululemon ambassador Erin Keir will teach this yoga class on the roof of Mayfair Mall. Today. 11am. [Info]

🌱 Portrait of a Seaweed Farmer: Learn about the growing industry of seaweed farming with Matt Obee from Cascadia Seaweed at Charlie White Theatre. Tomorrow. 6pm. [Info]

🎺 Josh Warren/Sarah Stevenson Quintet: The former Islanders will perform a mix of jazz, latin, and modern grooves at Hermann’s. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🦀 Crab Fest: Enjoy this traditional summer Dungeness crab boil, with local music and kids activities at Banfield Park. Tomorrow. 12-7pm. [Info]

💃 Festival Mexicano: Celebrate Mexican culture at Ship Point, with live music, dancing, and lots of yummy food. Tomorrow-Sun. 11am-6pm. [Info]

🎵 Colwood’s Music in the Park: LoveCats will perform at Meadow Park Green. Green Goose Grill and Deadbeetz will serve up food. Today. 5:30-7:30pm. [Info]

🎭 SKAMpede: The outdoor live performance festival returns with venues across the Galloping Goose trail, Songhees Park, and Songhees Walkway. Performances will include comedy, dance, puppetry and more. Today until Sun. [Info]

🎶 Music in the Park: Mbira Spirit will perform country and roots tunes at Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park. Today. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info] 

🎸 Trooper: The Canadian rockers are here for a good time, in their bright white sports cars. The Soul Shakers will open. Parksville Outdoor Theatre. Tomorrow. Gates open at 4pm. Sold Out. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Hot conditions affect homeless population; May will run for Saanich-Gulf Islands MP again; Fire at Rock Bay recycling centre; And more. [July 11] 

New drug guidelines for provincial universities in response to UVic teen’s death. [Capital Daily] 

Crystal Pool referendum now in province’s hands for green light. [CHEK]

Royal Roads Japanese teahouse gets a $250K donation. [The Westshore] 

Blue-green algae at Elk, Beaver, and Thetis lakes. 

Fried-egg jellyfish: See the colourful creature captured near Quadra Island. [Photo]

That’s it!

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