Good morning {{First name}}!

Great to hear from Carole James, the first woman of Métis descent elected to the BC legislature. James has been out of the political spotlight since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020. She’s doing great—and she’s boxing!

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌦️ 19 / 10

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 17 / 9

Friday: 🌦️ 13 / 8

7-day forecast

Six years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the former BC finance minister says she’s doing well. While she has experienced an increase in symptoms such as balance issues, stiffness, and muscle challenges, she looks to the positive.

“I am learning to live in the here and now, to focus on what’s really important, to enjoy the small moments, and to find that time for family and friends,” James tells Capital Daily.

Through the support of the Parkinson’s Wellness Projects (PWP), James takes twice-daily walks totalling 10 km. She also takes a pair of fitness, strength, and balance classes, and two boxing classes each week.

“And through PWP, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know some of the most courageous, resilient people I’ve ever met.”

James says while everyone’s journey with Parkinson’s is unique—symptoms and progression can vary—if she had one piece of advice for any of the 18K or so British Columbians who are battling the progressive brain disorder that affects movement and balance, it would be to reach out and stay positive. 

"Attitude matters,” she says. “Find the small joys. Go for that walk when you can. Laugh, exercise, and remember that time with family and friends truly is medicine.”

James will be one of the many taking part in next Monday’s Victoria Mile, which is open to participants of all ages and abilities, including people using walkers, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids.

Participants can walk, roll, run, or simply come out to cheer on those taking part, who hope to raise $100K for PWP’s programs for people living with Parkinson’s and their families.

Victoria Mile
Date: Monday, May 18, 8:30am
Start Line: Parliament Buildings
Finish Line: Government and Chatham
Participants are asked to complete the course within 30 minutes
Register here.

Roadwork on Government, Discovery to Pembroke, starting today. 7am-7pm. [City of Vic]

Highway 1 McKenzie to Colwood project: what’s happening there.

McLoughlin Point Wastewater Treatment Plant maintenance for 2 weeks beginning May 22.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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The Island now has 188 new child-care spaces, including some in Victoria, through funding from the provincial government.

The capital city has opened 16 new spots at Tolmie Child Care—eight for children aged 30 months through kindergarten and eight for multi-aged children. 

“Families in Victoria work hard to find child care for their little ones in their community, and I know that demand is high,” said Nina Krieger, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake. 

So far this year, nearly 900 new child-care spaces have opened in 17 BC communities.

Further up-Island, Duncan now has 12 new spaces on-site at Drinkwater Elementary for its out-of-school care program, and Fanny Bay’s Little Oysters Child Care program has opened 52 new spots.

Courtenay launched the largest number of child-care spaces, with 108 openings at Vanier Child Care Centre, including spots for infants through school-aged children.

The province wants to increase the number of spaces even further—a recent ministerial order requires boards of education throughout BC to identify available child-care space in elementary schools.

School districts can now apply for funding to transform these spots. The Ministry of Infrastructure is providing $5M in grants for repurposing existing spaces into child-care facilities, and the Ministry of Education will provide a total of $20M to cover operational costs of new child-care programs over three years.

“Schools are community hubs, and this funding will help schools turn available space into much-needed before‑ and after-school child care faster," said Lisa Beare, minister of education and child care.

“School districts have been clear; this support is critical to creating more child-care spaces for families.”

🏫 Vic High turns 150: Events May 21-23.

 🥳 Central Saanich turns 75: The municipality is throwing a birthday party on July 25. [Details]

💪 163rd Victoria Highland Games continue this weekend at Topaz Park, and tonight, it’s the Tilted Kilt Pub Crawl.

🗑️ More recycling drop-off locations for flexible plastic and foam are now available. [CRD]

🎭 "Very moving. Totally engaging..." The Belfry's production of Casey and Diana closes on Sunday, May 17. Pay-what-you-want tickets are available for all performances.*

*Sponsored Listing

BC Nurses Union votes 98.2% in favour of job action
Union president Adriane Gear calls it a “defining moment.” The union, representing 50K nurses, is now in a position to take job action after six months of talks failed to lead to an agreement. The nurses have been without a contract since March 31, 2025. “Nurses across British Columbia are demanding the respect, safety, and fair contract they deserve,” the union said in a release. The main issues are workload, workplace violence, and pay and benefits. [CBC]

82-year-old cyclist dies after colliding with a dump truck in Langford
The collision happened on Monday, just before 1pm, near the intersection of Leigh and Mantle Heights, near Goldstream, where bystanders performed first aid and flagged down an officer. Emergency crews arrived on scene but could not revive the man. Police have determined that the Sterling dump truck was turning right at the time of impact and that there was no criminal element, and they will continue to investigate. [RCMP]

DFO examining video of a whale-watching boat near orca pod 
The federal fisheries department is assessing a video that surfaced on social media, which appears to show a whale-watching boat moving slowly near a pod of killer whales off the coast of the Gulf Islands last Saturday. Prince of Whales tours says the incident involved Bigg’s killer whales, which means the boat was required to be 200 metres from the pod. The company says sometimes it’s difficult for observers to gauge distance on the water, especially through a telephoto lens. [CTV]

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🎶 Eric Kane: The Canadian singer-songwriter will perform at The Coda tonight. 6:30pm. [Info]

🪡 Drop-in Sewing Evenings: Learn new skills or restart an old project with the help of fellow sewers at the Community Art Hub on Kings tonight. 6-8pm. [Info]

🎲 Soirée jeux de société: Francophone Board Game Night. Discover new people and new games. Beverages served. La Société francophone de Victoria on Langley tonight. 6-8pm. [Info]

💃 Ready, Set… Pirouette!: Pirouette Dance Studio’s year-end show featuring students from preschool to adult in ballet, tap, hip hop, and more. Day 2. Farquhar Auditorium, UVic, tonight. 7-9pm. [Info]

🩰 Take Flight: Emerging artists from the Victoria Academy of Ballet will host this evening of dance at McPherson Playhouse tomorrow. 6:30pm. [Info]

🤝 Caffe Fantastico Unplugged: Turn off the devices and connect in person, with crafts, games, and good conversation at the Kings location. Friday. 6:30-9pm. [Info]

🫖 Alice in Wonderland: The ballet, based on the classic novel, will take audiences down the rabbit hole at the Royal Theatre. Friday 7:30pm; Saturday 2pm. [Info]

🍻 Big Patio Days: Whistle Buoy Brewing is bringing back its summertime beer garden with $5 pints, live music, and games in Market Square. Saturday. [Info]

🎞️ Clinging by a Claw: The Fernwood Community and Arts Association presents the screening of a documentary about the journey of Scotland's wildcats' return from the brink of extinction. Followed by a fireside chat. Paul Phillips Hall. May 28. 7-10pm. [Info]

Tuesday’s headlines: 4 Canadian passengers from hantavirus cruise are isolating on the Island; Victoria council to explore options for keeping renters cool in the summer; Car racing leads to TCH crash. [May 12]

Court dismisses charges against Central Saanich police officer who hit cyclist while on duty. [CHEK]

The Island’s allergy season is expected to be a long one. [Times Colonist]

Wings looking at you: A Western one-eyed sphinx moth seen in Campbell River shows off its incredible wing pattern. [Facebook photos]

Wild Art for the Big of Heart: through May 31, at Gage Gallery.

Luxton Spring Fair is this Victoria Day long weekend, starting tomorrow.

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