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If you’re a fan of the Snowbirds and were saddened to hear the news yesterday that the flying fleet will be grounded until the early 2030s, you can check our third story today for details on the final Victoria showcase.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 7 minutes

Today: ☀ 12 / 9

Tomorrow: ☀ 18 / 13

Day after: ☀ 15 / 11

7-day forecast

Marianne Alto says the work isn’t finished, and she wants four more years to get it done. 

“We're just kind of getting started in some of these really important things,” she said, pointing to Victoria’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan as this city council’s most impactful decision.

Under the slogan “Experience that delivers," Alto kicked off her campaign yesterday, five months ahead of the Oct. 17 municipal elections. She said housing and community well-being are her two top priorities, and she sees the safety and well-being “to-do guide” as key to delivering.

Last July, the council approved $10.35M to support the first phase of the 99-point plan to clean up downtown street crime and address homelessness, addiction, and the housing crisis.

“It was intended to be multi-years long, and it needs to be multi-years long because so much of it relies on partnerships and relationships—and that takes time,” she said.

Under Alto, a councillor for 12 years before taking the mayor’s chair in 2022, the city—as of the latest tally last fall—has attained 48% of its provincially imposed target of 4,902 net new housing units by September 2028. In a new term, Alto said she would want more multi-bedroom units built for families.

The well-being part is more complicated, she said, because it includes so many elements, such as building and infrastructure design, public maintenance, and sports and recreation, which she called “the things that go into making a city liveable.”

Asked about her most gratifying achievement in her 3.5 years as mayor, Alto cited the city's success in hosting a CFL regular-season game and Hockey Day in Canada.

“They both had significant economic impact, as well as national impact, on showcasing the city and its capacity to, in a sports vernacular, play ball in the big leagues,” she said.

Road Safety at Work is reminding drivers to slow down in construction zones. It says 11 roadside workers were killed and 263 were injured in BC work zones between 2016 and 2025.

Victoria roadwork: Expect traffic delays on Cook between Summit and Slater, with intermittent closures on Finlayson, between Cook and Quadra. Now through May 29. [City of Vic]

Upcoming Galloping Goose closure: Starting June 1, BC Hydro work will close the Galloping Goose Regional Trail through Viaduct Park to Cecelia Road. 24/7. [CRD]

Saanich single-lane alternating traffic: Blenkinsop between McKenzie and Cedar Hill Cross, today, 9am to 3:30pm.

Saanich seniors days tax info drop-ins: May 25, 28 & June 1, 4.

There has been a string of headlines over the last couple of months announcing bad news for Victoria events: parades cancelled or shortened, festivals axed, and Hermann’s nearly closing permanently.

For a city known as a tourism hub with a vibrant arts scene, it has been concerning to see so many popular community gatherings taking a hit. 

High costs have been cited as a key reason for many of these changes. Last year’s Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy has led to new requirements for heightened event security, and inflation has brought up the cost of programming.

Thankfully, multiple Victoria events will get a financial reprieve through a boost from the province. BC announced it will put nearly $640K toward gatherings across the capital city.

“Here in Greater Victoria, we’re lucky to have wonderful events throughout the year for locals and visitors to enjoy, while supporting local businesses, artists, creators, and innovators,” said Nina Krieger, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake. “This support will help with some of the costs these events take on to run each year.”

The funds will go toward events happening this year and next.

Music and art shows, including the Victoria Ska and Reggae Festival and JazzFest, and sports events, such as the TC10K and the 2027 Super Sprint & Relay National Championships, are among the beneficiaries. 

The biggest benefactors will be this year’s Royal Victoria Marathon, receiving $100K, and Rifflandia Festival, receiving $90K. 

Local events that have received or will receive a funding bump:

We mentioned yesterday in our In Other News section that Canada’s Snowbirds are slated to go on hiatus for a few years while an order for a new fleet of Swiss-made CT-157 Siskin 11 turboprops is filled.

So, that leaves a full summer to get your last looks of awe in.

If you don’t plan to travel, you have two more chances to see the Snowbirds live before they return sometime in at least four or five years.

On Aug. 4, and as part of the BC Day holiday weekend, the Snowbirds will perform a full show in the skies along the Dallas waterfront. The aeronautical exhibition is expected to start around 5pm.

That weekend, the BC Aviation Museum in North Saanich expects to unveil the restored Snowbird 1—the lead aircraft when the Snowbirds started flying in 1971.

The other opportunity—you may hear it before you see it—is four days later on Aug. 8, when the Snowbirds will do a flypast of the Inner Harbour as part of the David Foster Foundation gala.

If you are travelling this summer, here’s where you can catch up one final time—at least for now—with Canada’s aerial acrobats.

On May 26, Victoria's Royal Theatre hosts a spectacular musical collaboration between the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy and the ROKN Band, highlighting an important diplomatic partnership. The diverse repertoire features works by Gordon Lightfoot, BTS, live breakdancing, and the traditional Taepyeongso. Supporting Wounded Warriors Canada, tickets are $15 and available through the Royal and McPherson Theatre Box Office.

Le 26 mai, le Royal Theatre de Victoria accueillera une collaboration musicale unique entre la Musique Naden de la Marine royale canadienne et la Musique de la MRC, célébrant leur diplomatie. Ce programme varié comprend Gordon Lightfoot, BTS, du breakdance et le Taepyeongso traditionnel. Au profit de Wounded Warriors Canada, les billets sont à 15 $ à la billetterie des théâtres Royal et McPherson.

🍽️ 7 new restaurants coming to Victoria in the next 2 months. [Tasting Victoria]

📚 Emerging Local Authors Unveiling: Explore the 2026 collection and meet up-and-coming local storytellers at GVPL’s Central Branch. Saturday, 11am-12pm. 

😲 Some Kinda Fun, the Belfry's 50th Anniversary Bash, on Saturday, May 30, features songs from the theatre's past, and some very special guests.*

🤠 Corb Lund plays the Capital Ballroom tonight. 

*Sponsored Listing

City staff advise council to turn down 27-storey tower for Fort and Quadra
The city council is expected to vote today on a rezoning and development permit for a three-building, 329-unit development that includes a 27-floor tower, and staff has recommended it just say no. In a report, staff said the proposal for 829-899 Fort and 846-856 Broughton doesn’t adhere to guidelines for density and building height in the city’s downtown core plan. The tower, staff said, goes against Victoria’s Official Community Plan guideline of spreading residential growth across the city and not concentrating it in one area. [Times Colonist]

Phase 2 of $416M Bellevue terminal begins
One of the largest infrastructure projects ever built in Victoria is a little bit closer to completion. Phase 2 of the project is now in its “heavy construction mode” with foundation work underway. Crews will spend the next year adding 320-piles for the foundations of the wharf and new terminal. The design of the building is still underway, but the province says the project is still on track to open the terminal in 2028. [CHEK]

Eby and Carney enter negotiations amid Alberta pipeline agreement
Prime Minister Mark Carney and BC Premier David Eby held a closed-door meeting in Vancouver on Wednesday, where they agreed to negotiate BC's economic priorities, days after Eby slammed Ottawa for its handling of a pipeline agreement with Alberta. Eby has been critical of the lack of BC involvement in the pipeline decision. The premier says his focus is to align economic growth with protecting the environment. Carney says the pipeline will only move ahead if the Pathways carbon capture project is approved and the pipeline has substantial economic benefits for BC. [CTV]

🍺🌊🎨 Beer, Ocean and Art: An evening of drinks, art, and mingling at Gage Gallery tonight. 5-7pm. [Info]

🎸 The Journeymen: A night of guitar magic, featuring the best of Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana, at McPherson Playhouse tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎵 Born Reckless in Langford: The Victoria country-rockers will perform at Starlight Stadium tomorrow, ahead of Saturday afternoon’s BC Lions-Edmonton Elks CFL preseason game. 5-9pm. [Info]

🤘 Metal for Munchkins Spring Fling: See the high-energy spring benefit show raising funds for CFAX Santas Anonymous at Phoenix Bar tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎶 CelloFest: Catch this three-day cello event at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, kicking off tomorrow. [Info]

💏 Speed Dating Walk for Age 40+: Single in Victoria? Join this romantic speed dating walk in Beacon Hill Park. Sunday. 12:45pm-3pm. [Info]

🎞️ Motown High: The award-winning documentary about the Victoria High School R&B Band and Motown diva Martha Reeves—who will make an appearance—will screen at Vic Theatre. Sunday, 3pm & 7pm. [Info]

Wednesday’s headlines: Ottawa proposes $164M in BC whale protection measures; New bus lanes promise faster Westshore commutes; Comox's Snowbirds to take major break. [May 20]

ARRESTED: Wanted man Joel Reed, 35, turns himself in. [VicPD]

Community Memorial: Honouring five Victorians recently lost to the toxic drug crisis. St. John the Divine Anglican Church, today. 1pm. [Info]

Victoria woman slowly recovers after a bout with a vaccine-preventable virus. [Times Colonist]

Peacock takes on Mercedes in Cook Street clash. [Victoria Buzz]

Shakespeare in Love begins its run at Langham Court Theatre.

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