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The City of Victoria spends about half a million dollars a year to remove graffiti.
One councillor has an idea that he says could help limit the damage to walls and buildings: Make it tougher to acquire spray paint in the first place.
Coun. Stephen Hammond says it’s time to restrict minors from buying it.
We’ll see if the council buys that tomorrow, when it votes on this motion in the committee of the whole.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌤️ 17 / 10

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 19 / 11

Friday: 🌤️ 16 / 13

7-day forecast

The funding, announced in the federal government’s spring economic update, would go toward conservation efforts along BC’s coast, especially for the at-risk Southern Resident killer whale population. It’s part of a $258M strategy for endangered whale populations across Canada.

The funding would boost research on underwater noise mitigation, whale monitoring, and surveillance. It could lead to new restrictions on vessel speed and proximity to whales, with the hope that fewer ship strikes occur.

“British Columbia’s coastal waters and the iconic Southern Resident killer whales are central to our province’s identity, economy, and culture,” Stephanie McLean, MP for Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke, said in a statement. 

The federal government says it plans to work with BC Ferries to adopt quieting technologies that could potentially reduce the underwater noise of its vessels by 50%. Research has found that the Salish Sea has become too noisy for Southern Resident killer whales to hunt efficiently, contributing to the population’s decline. 

The ferry company is working with Ottawa to enter into an agreement under the Species at Risk Act to support the recovery of at-risk species.

Marine traffic expected to increase

The investment was announced a week after Alberta and Ottawa signed an agreement to fast-track a potential new pipeline to the Pacific coast. This agreement could end the tanker ban on BC’s north coast, which has been in place since 2019, depending on where the pipeline is built. A southern BC route is also being considered. 

The federal government said its trade diversification strategy, which includes the agreement with Alberta, could lead to increased marine traffic on the West Coast. 

The BC government has pushed back against the pipeline deal and ending the tanker ban, with First Nations on the northern coast saying it will never get their approval.

Wanted Man: Joel Reed, 35. [VicPD]

Community Memorial: This month’s memorial will honour five Victorians recently lost to the toxic drug crisis at St. John the Divine Anglican Church. Thursday, 1pm. [Info]

Wheelchair-accessible beach ramp now in place for the summer at Cadboro-Gyro Park. [Saanich]

Saanich road closure: McKenzie between Borden and Quadra today, 9am to 3pm.

Saanich single-lane traffic: Borden at McKenzie, today, 8am to 2pm.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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Bus riders commuting between the Westshore and downtown Victoria should have a shorter ride with the opening of new bus-on-shoulder lanes over Burnside in Saanich.

Construction to widen the Colquitz River bridges and add a new lane in each direction between Tillicum and the McKenzie Interchange has been completed, removing a daily peak-hour commuter slowdown spot. 

“These new bus-on-shoulder lanes on the Colquitz River bridges along Highway 1 will help keep buses moving reliably through busy traffic and improve travel times for commuters during peak hours,” said Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth. “With construction of this portion of the project complete, people will notice a smoother, faster commute right away.”

The new lanes will connect to the bus-on-shoulder lanes currently under construction between the interchange and Colwood. Those are expected to be finished in fall 2027. 

The province pegs the area as one of the busiest in the region, with buses passing through 300+ times each day.
The additional lanes will improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and help make transit service faster and more reliable, particularly during peak travel periods, the province said.

“By reducing congestion, these new lanes will allow more residents to get where they need to go more quickly and sustainably,” Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock said.

The $33.5M project—part of the South Island Transportation Strategy, which focuses on highway, transit, and active transportation improvements—began in the summer of 2024.
The province paid $23.5M, and the federal government contributed $10M.

From JUNO Awards to Netflix specials and appearances on Conan, Ivan Decker has become one of Canada’s most recognizable comedy voices. Known for his sharp observational style and effortless delivery, he returns to Victoria on June 12 at the McPherson Playhouse. All ages welcome. Tickets available now at jflvancouver.com

⛵ Swiftsure International Yacht Race is this weekend. 

🪶 Shakespeare in Love begins its run at Langham Court Theatre. 

🪀 Ultimate Toy Fair is at Pearkes Arena this weekend.  

🎉 Pop-up at the Point: LampPost is hosting a free daytime party at Ship Point, with music and food, this Friday. 5-9:30pm. [Details]  

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It’s the Snowbirds’ last summer until the early 2030s
The iconic Canadian air squadron is getting new planes to replace the CT-114 Tutor jets it has used since the 1960s. Following the summer and fall tour, the Snowbirds will be temporarily grounded during the transition. The new planes—CT-157 Siskin II turboprop aircraft from Switzerland—are on order, Defence Minister David McGuinty said yesterday. He didn’t say how many Canada was buying, nor exactly when in the next decade the Snowbirds—who have been training out of Comox for years and have a date with Victoria on Aug. 4—would be back in the air. Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged the Snowbirds’ popularity among Canadians but said the aircraft should have been replaced long ago. [CBC]

You can now tap and pay to ride the bus as BC Transit expands payment system
As of yesterday, riders can use their credit card, debit card, or mobile wallet to tap-to-pay on a BC Transit fixed-route bus. Until now, riders could only use cash or pay through the transit authority’s Umo system, which required an app or physical card. To ensure daily fare caps are applied, riders are encouraged to pay with the same card all day and to tap a single card—not their full wallet—to avoid being charged twice. [BC Transit]

PHOTOS: Victoria Day Parade draws crowds to shorter route
More than 4K participants marched in Monday’s parade, with many more on the sidelines to watch. Safety concerns stemming from last year’s Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy in Vancouver led to a 1.6 km route, less than half the usual 4 km course. Bobby Barlow, a Victorian who holds the NHL record for fastest goal in a career—six seconds into his first game when he scored for the Minnesota North Stars in 1969—was the honourary marshal. [Times Colonist]

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🎶 Oaklands PAC Music Bingo Fundraiser. Adults only. There is a limited number of tickets for online purchase. Fernwood Inn. Tonight. 6pm. [Info] 

🏫 Victoria High School 150th Celebration: See the renovated Vic High and celebrate by joining several events. Vic High & Victoria Conference Centre. Tomorrow-Saturday. [Info] 

🎞 Green Valley: Film and fundraiser. In their debut feature documentary, Victoria-raised filmmaker Morgan Tams explores Blue Jay Lake Farm, a remote, self-sustaining community. Vic Theatre. Friday. 6:30pm. [Info] 

🍵🧑‍🎨 Tea House Gallery Opening: Artist Roberta Pyx Sutherland launches the Tea House Gallery at 314 Huntington Place, adjacent to Beacon Hill Park. Saturday & Sunday. 11am–4pm. [Info]

🎵 Michael Jackson HIStory Show: The world’s premier MJ tribute show, starring Garth Field. Royal Theatre. May 25. 7pm. [Info] 

🍞 Cram the Van to the Max: Saint Vincent de Paul food and donation drive. Outside the Sticky Wicket. May 30. 11am-2pm. [Info]

🎒 National Red Pashmina Walk: Join the Victoria Chapter on a 2.5 km walk in support of Afghan women and girls denied their right to learn. Irving Park. May 31. 12:30pm. [Info]

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Sunday’s headlines: 31 Islanders killed by toxic drugs; Weekly roundup; Documentary on Island otters at Victoria Imax. [May 17]

Vic High 150 bash events are happening this week. [Times Colonist]

Dolphins temporarily trapped near Qualicum Beach: likely chased into shallow waters by orcas. [CHEK]

Spamalot coming to Victoria: Tickets for the popular Monty Python musical go on sale on Friday. 

6 Greater Victoria restaurant patios ranked among the 100 best in Canada. [Victoria Buzz]

Sooke Museum workshops: Learn old and new skills, including eco-printing and sewing, at the museum this summer. [Details] 

Book a park in Saanich for a picnic. [Rates]

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