May 14 - SD61 teacher charged with sexual exploitation

Good morning !

We have a story about an SD61 teacher accused of having “sexual interactions” with more than one student.
Island Health lauds two fine organizations, and another ferry is cutting back service because fewer Victorians are travelling to Washington state these days.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

SD61 teacher arrested: she faces 5 charges related to youth sex crime

Police say they became aware early last year of a female teacher working in the Greater Victoria School District who is alleged to have had “sexual interactions” with students. Once a victim was identified, Saanich PD was able to begin an investigation, which identified multiple victims. 

Marnie Burnham, 36, was arrested Feb. 15, 2024, by Saanich Special Investigations Section (SIS). Burnham also worked under the name Marnie Forin. She’s since been charged with three counts of sexual exploitation and two counts of telecommunication to lure a child under age 18. 

“She is currently awaiting trial and has been released with several conditions, which include no contact with her alleged victims, not to be on school property, and no contact with anyone under the age of eighteen,” Saanich PD said in a statement.

According to a letter written by SD61 Supt. Deb Whitten, Burnham taught at Oak Bay High School and Mount Douglas Secondary School.

Police say they believe more victims haven’t come forward yet, and they encourage anyone with information on Burnham—especially those under 18 who may have had contact of a “sexual nature” with her before last December—to contact the department at [email protected].

None of the allegations against Burnham has been proven in court.

Support services for victims are available through the Greater Victoria Police Victim Services and the Men’s Therapy Centre.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Hank’s Restaurant sold, Nowhere *A Restaurant to close. [CHEK]

H-MART Victoria grand opening at Mayfair. [May 22]

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

Vancouver Island Counselling Centre, Fateh Care Charity win Island Health awards

Island Health is spotlighting two community leaders in the South Island: a charity founder who helps people facing substance-use and mental-health challenges, and a counselling group that offers free and low-cost counselling to new Canadians suffering from a range of emotional, psychological, and social issues, including trauma, grief, and PTSD. 

The VICCIR supports individuals and families as they adjust to life in Canada after, in some cases, fleeing war or persecution. 

Harjas Singh Popli founded Fateh Care to provide mobile food assistance and essential supplies to those in need.

Popli and the VICCIR have been named winners of the 2025 Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Community Service Awards.

“Congratulations to Mr. Popli and the VICCIR for their excellent work to help people experiencing mental-health and substance-use challenges,” said Island Health board chair Leah Hollins. “Their leadership and dedication to the community deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated.”

Popli began the grassroots Fateh Care about a year after emigrating from India in 2020. He and his family did it with no corporate support, just a lot of hustle—like the time he delivered food non-stop to Victorians in need during a heat wave. 

From its humble beginnings four years ago, Fateh Care—a name which comes from the Sikh word for conquer—has grown into a larger organization through which Popli has organized blood donation drives, and programs supporting seniors, single parents, those with disabilities, and people between jobs.

"This award is not just for me, but for everyone who has stood with Fateh Care to make a difference,” Popli said. 

The VICCIR offers trauma-informed mental health and counselling services in Greater Victoria and across the province. 

Its mission is to support people and families by offering holistic and culturally appropriate therapeutic services to new Canadians navigating a new land and life.

The VICCIR also runs community-based programs to reduce social isolation, help newcomers build support networks, and create safe spaces for people to heal.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🎶 Hope & Belonging Benefit Concert for immigrants and refugees. [May 24]

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🗞️ In Other News

Clipper to clip some Victoria-Seattle sailings as demand falls
Travel to Seattle from Victoria is down 35% as Canadians continue to boycott the US in response to the Trump tariffs and the US president’s taunts about annexation. Travel from Seattle to Vic also is down, by 7-10% over last year. Operator Clipper Navigation is preparing to cut its sailings in half this summer and plans to lay off 20 workers in Seattle and reduce shifts for Victoria staffers. Earlier this month, Black Ball Ferry reduced the Coho’s scheduled sailings between Vic and Port Angeles, citing a similar lowered demand. [Times Colonist] 

Greater Victoria Festival Society to upgrade safety at upcoming events
It’s in response to last month’s tragedy in Vancouver, where 11 people were killed and many others injured when the driver of an SUV drove into the crowd at the Lapu Lapu festival. Beginning with Mon.’s Victoria Day Parade, the GVFS will use additional measures such as placing traffic control trucks at both of the event’s entrances. VicPD plans to put vehicle blockers along the parade route. [CHEK]

Saanich’s Okell scores double victory at racecar competition in Portland
It marks the fifth win for Bill Okell, 70, at the Portland International Raceway, placing him in the SCCA standings despite only racing twice this year. He’ll compete next in a competition at Luna Seca before rejoining the all-British Columbia-based vintage racing series, where he previously won three out of four starts. [Saanich News]

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SPONSORED BY BELFRY THEATRE

Belfry's Lightfoot Musical closes May 25

There are about 300 tickets left for the remaining performances of If You Could Read My Mind: The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot.

Audience comments:

“It was my first time here and I loved it!” 

“Another wild success at the Belfry!” 

The Belfry offers Pay-What-You-Want tickets to all performances.

🗓️ Things to do

🎨 Paint and Cider Night: Sip cider and get creative at Sea Cider’s spring-themed painting night. Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse. Tomorrow. 6pm. [Info]

🩰 Victoria Academy of Ballet—Take Flight: A spring performance featuring students from the professional training program, showcasing a dynamic program of ballet and contemporary works. McPherson Playhouse. Tomorrow. 6:30pm. [Info]

🎤 Heather Ferguson—Found: The local jazz vocalist takes the stage at Hermann’s to debut her latest album, joined by a stellar ensemble. Hermann’s. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🎯 Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival: Celebrate Scottish culture with heavy athletic events, pipe bands, Highland dancing, whisky tasting, and more. Topaz Park. Sat. & Sun. [Info]

🎨 Pro-D Day Art Camp: Keep the kids engaged on their day off with a creative art camp for ages 6–12. A full-day session with guided projects and lots of imaginative fun. Birdhouse Creative Studio. Fri. 9am-2pm. [Info]

🥁 Victoria Day Parade: Celebrate Victoria Day with a world-class parade showcasing diverse cultures and community partners. The parade route runs from Douglas and Finlayson to Douglas and Courtney. Mon. 9am. [Info]​

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Walking School Bus program gets provincial backing; Grizzlies end season with third-round exit from BCHL playoffs; Ward electoral system could become reality for SD61. [May 13]

Fighting for films: Victoria movie lovers push to save downtown multiplexes. [Capital Daily]

Prime Minister Mark Carney names cabinet: Two dozen new faces, but key Trudeau-era ministers remain, as the cabinet was sworn in yesterday. [CTV]

Asian Heritage Month book list from Greater Victoria Public Library. [GVPL]

Beautiful Botanical Beach at low tide. [Colin Smith Takes Pics]

BC Lions in Langford: New batch of tickets released for next week's CFL game sells out quickly.

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