May 2 - How to book the legislature lawn

Good morning !

Responding to a reader’s request, our first story is a backgrounder on the ins and outs of holding a protest or event at the legislature.

Then we head into the garden.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 21 / 8

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 16 / 8

Sunday: ☀️ 12 / 8

7-day forecast

NEWS

Want to hold an event here? There are rules

Ever wonder how groups get to use the legislature lawn to hold protests and demonstrations, and whether they have to pay for police?

According to the Office of the Clerk at the BC Legislature, there is no fee to use the lawn for a protest or demonstration, and VicPD does pick up the bill for policing.

“Many of the costs associated with policing protests that start or end at the legislature are recoverable under a memorandum of understanding we have with the BC Legislature,” VicPD spokesperson Griffen Hohl tells Capital Daily in an email.

Last year, 130 demonstrations outside the legislature—more than double the 71 from 2023—were patrolled by VicPD. 

It’s difficult to estimate how much it costs VicPD to cover a protest because there is a lot of hidden work like planning and liaising ahead of the demonstration, Hohl says.

“It would not be possible, or reasonable, to capture a full and accurate cost.”

As a bit of insight into VicPD’s protest bill, Hohl said the department has “recovered” approximately $1 million for “demonstration activities related to the Gaza conflict between October 2023 and December 2024.”

“Demonstrations are simply part of policing in a capital city,” Hohl says.

Read more about the legislative lawn rules here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

TCH southbound lanes closed between Helmcken and Admirals due to a serious MVI collision, Saanich Police said late last night.

Increased wildfire risk over the weekend for Southern BC. No open burning. [BC Gov.]

A 3.0 earthquake was detected yesterday morning 23km east of Ucluelet.

Lane reductions: Pandora to Fort for construction/painting roads again today.

Last Day: Book of condolences for victims of Lapu-Lapu Festival attack open for signing at the legislature. [8:30am-4:30pm]

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. 

EVENTS

Get ready for plant sales happening in Greater Victoria this month

With a string of beautiful spring days ahead of us, this is the time of year when the gardening gloves come out and plant lovers start getting their hands dirty. Given that we live in the “Garden City,” it should come as no surprise that plant sales are sprouting up all over town. 

Grab some native plants to support local bees and butterflies, or embrace your food sovereignty by growing your own fruits and vegetables. Want something low-maintenance? A cactus or succulent might be up your alley. All these options and more are or will be available at plant sales and shows around Greater Victoria over the next two weeks.

If you want to wait until the May long weekend—the unofficial start of gardening season for some—you can pick up seeds that will be ready to grow when you’re ready to plant them. 

Check out the full list of May plant sales. 

SPONSORED BY PATIO GARDENS

Plan something special for Mom

Join Patio Garden’s Mother's Day hanging basket workshop! Make memories with Mom — create moss hanging baskets together!

• May 10 from 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm

• May 11 from 10:30am-12:30pm

Make your own custom baskets to take home and enjoy all summer!

Give her the gift of time together.

⭐️ Capital Picks

⛪ Lapu-Lapu Festival Memorial Mass at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. [Tonight at 7:30]

🎶 Cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs in Vic on Sun. [Victoria Symphony]

🎵 "That was awesome... incredible and very emotional." If You Could Read My Mind: The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot has been extended to May 25.*

🚶Inaugural Jane’s Walk in James Bay. [Tomorrow & Sun.]

🍵 Mateina’s low-to-no-sugar Yerba Mate beverages offer steady energy without the unwanted crash or jitters. Get 15% off Mateina's Energy Brews while supplies last.*

📸 Vintage Vic: Douglas Street in the 1940s. [Facebook photo]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Orange and green no more: Island politics changing colours, says Black
Royal Roads associate professor David Black calls it a “tectonic shift” with Islanders voting more like the rest of Canada, leading to three Conservatives, two Liberals, one New Democrat, and a Green Party MLA representing the Island in the next sitting of Parliament. Black says it’s a new political order and reality, but Green stalwart Elizabeth May says it was a Trump bump. “This is not the future for Vancouver Island, going hard left or hard right,” she tells the TC. [Times Colonist]

Counter tariffs not terrific for developers on Vancouver Island
The construction industry is starting to see the effects of tariffs imposed on US building materials—one of Canada’s responses to the Trump administration's aggressive new trade policy. A spokesperson for Seacliff Properties, which, in partnership with Reliance Properties, is building the massive 2,900-unit Beachlands development in Colwood, says the industry is bracing for increased home prices and, potentially, the sidetracking of some projects. [CTV]

Duo arrested in Sooke drug & exploitation investigation
RCMP arrested men aged 48 and 51 after a search at a mobile home park. Police said they were tipped off that “two individuals were allegedly taking advantage of young, vulnerable women” aged 19-22. They say the search found photos of some such women, and they believe others have yet to come forward. The suspects were released and have been scheduled to appear in court in mid-July. [RCMP]

Central Saanich astronomer names asteroid after his community
An asteroid that was discovered by UVic researcher David Balam in 2003 is finally getting a name. The asteroid is small—though “you wouldn’t want it to land on your house,” Balam says—and is currently orbiting between Mars and Jupiter. Balam has named dozens of asteroids and has identified some 700 others, often choosing a Victoria theme. There are asteroids named “UVic,” “Tsawout,” and “Vicsympho” for the Victoria Symphony. [CHEK]

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🗓️ Things to do

🎤 TED at Royal Roads University: Inspiring TEDx talks by thought leaders. Hear dynamic speakers share inspiring ideas. Enjoy delicious local food and drink. Dogwood Auditorium. Royal Roads. Today. 1pm-6pm. [Info] 

🎵 Soundtrack of our Lives: Familiar hits with fresh harmonies from Choral Evolution. Tonight. 7:30pm & Sun. 2pm in Sooke. Tomorrow. 2pm in Esquimalt. [Info]

🪴 Critter Terrarium Workshop: Build your own terrarium with VI Plant Shop. Tonight. 6:30pm. 515 Chatham #103. [Info]

🎵 Lunchtime Concerts at Market Square: Enjoy live music every Friday in May. Market Square's lower courtyard. Today. 12-1pm. [Info]

🕯️ Candlelight Concert: A Tribute to Taylor Swift: String quartet performs Taylor Swift’s hits in a candlelit setting at St. Ann's Academy. Tomorrow. 6:45pm. [Info]

🎵 Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9: Victoria Chamber Orchestra and Victoria Choral Society anniversary concert. UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium. Tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🍦 Solaris grand opening at Westhills, with ice cream, hot dogs, and games. Tomorrow. 12-4pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: BC to miss climate targets; Man gets 13 years for 2022 stabbing outside Lucky Bar; Cloaked man gets nothing in Oak Bay bank robbery attempt. [May 1]

Events happening in Greater Victoria in May. [Capital Daily]

Two popular beer festivals paused for 2025: The Great Canadian Beer Fest and the Langford Beer Fest won’t happen this year due to rising costs. [CHEK]

Stephanie McLean: Meet your new Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke MP. [Times Colonist]

More campsites and facilities are coming to China Beach. [BC Gov.]

Beacon Hill putting green is open for the spring/summer season. [City of Victoria]

Island’s San Josef Bay #32 on North American top beach list.

Colourful dawn: McNeil Bay early in the day. [Doug Clement]

That’s it!

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