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The CFL hits Langford this weekend, with the BC Lions hosting Edmonton.

But we begin with a difficult look at a series of troubling crimes affecting hundreds of area women and girls.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌤️ 22 / 11

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 20 / 10

Sunday: 🌤️ 17 / 12

7-day forecast

Yin Yeung Derek Chan, 39, was sentenced to 4.5 years of incarceration on Thursday in what police believe to be the most prolific case of voyeurism ever prosecuted in Canada—it involved 652 women and girls. 

In January 2024, Saanich Police’s Special Investigation Section (SIS), with the assistance of BC’s Integrated Child Exploitation Unit, began an investigation into voyeuristic photos and videos being uploaded to a social media site from somewhere in Saanich.

That led police to identify Chan, who had previously been convicted of voyeurism for filming a woman in a shopping mall change room in the Victoria area, as a suspect.

On April 11, 2024, Chan was arrested at his home, where detectives discovered electronic devices containing thousands of images and more than 28 hours of offending video.

It was determined that the footage was recorded between April 1, 2017, and Nov. 30, 2023, without the knowledge or consent of women and girls from across the CRD who were filmed inside businesses, at beaches, and in some cases, police said, through the windows of private residences.

Police said 652 individual women and girls were captured in the photos and videos, which Chan posted online. Detectives were able to formally identify and contact 40 victims, some of whom delivered victim impact statements to the court.

After his initial arrest in April 2024, Chan was released with conditions, but on Jan. 30, 2025, he was arrested again; this time, he remained in custody.
On Oct. 1, Chan pleaded guilty to a series of criminal offences related to voyeurism.

SIS detectives are still trying to identify all the women and girls in this case, and they ask anyone who believes they may be one of the hundreds of unidentified victims to email [email protected]

Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is scheduled to reopen for hiking and backcountry camping on July 1.

Work in Roundabout: Watch for workers at Sinclair at Cadboro Bay.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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The IMAX at the Royal BC Museum is known for bringing the wonders of the world to our local big screen. For the next seven months, our corner of the globe will be in the spotlight.  

Sea Otters: A Wild Family Adventure follows a West Island otter duo—a mother (Bella) and pup (Finn)—as they navigate a harsh winter and Finn’s first few months. 

Created by K2 Studios, it was filmed along the Island’s west coast, with shots from Nootka Island, Kyuquot Sound, and Winter Harbour.

“There’s really two parts to the film. One is the story of sea otters Bella and Finn, a mum and a pup, and the other is that relationship in the context of the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island,” said Paul Wild, VP of film distribution at K2 Studios, in a release. Wild previously served as director of IMAX Victoria for 18 years. 

The film was directed by Sara Beard, Paul Phelan, and Annabel Robinson and features narration by Joe Geoffrey. 

According to Wild, the team had a tough shoot, with the Island’s notorious winter storms causing some chaos. “It was not great for them filming, but they embraced it and kept going,” said Wild. 

“It was wet and cold and miserable in the snow, but they got the shots, which were actually quite unique in the film. [The filming] was done over the winter months, so it gives you a sense of what the weather’s like on the Island.”

Sea otters are known for being shy around people, adding another challenge for the filmmakers. They had to create camouflage out of seaweed, including constructing a floating raft of seaweed that helped the team capture intimate moments without the otters catching on. 

While the documentary touches on some of the harsh realities of sea otter life—including the impact of humans—it’s mainly a “heartwarming coming-of-age tale.”

Sea Otters: A Wild Family Adventure is screening at IMAX Victoria now through Nov. 19. 

This story ran for our Insiders on May 17. Consider becoming an Insider today and be the first to receive stories every Sunday.

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.

♻️ Zero Waste Day is tomorrow at Vic West Community Centre.

⛵ 81st Swiftsure International Yacht Race is this weekend. [Details]

🎡 Find free summer city events with Victoria’s CityVibe Event Finder.  

🎵 Born Reckless at Starlight Stadium today at 5pm. 

🏈 BC Lions vs. Edmonton Elks at Starlight Stadium tomorrow, 2pm.

🏮 Awakening Chinatown is back on Sunday, May 31.

Victoria council votes to explore ways out of graffiti problem
The city spent $472K on graffiti cleanup last year, and yesterday the city council voted 6-2 to direct staff to explore measures to curb the problem. One option to be explored is restricting the sale of spray paint to minors and for shops to keep the products locked up. Coun. Matt Dell, who was opposed, argued it’s unclear whether the city’s graffiti problem was linked solely to minors. [CHEK]

Camp Shawnigan rebuild plans upended by federal funding rejection
The Easter Seals summer camp, which provides camping adventures to children and young people with disabilities, was closed in the fall to begin work on a $25M renovation. But after being turned down for a $10M federal grant, the organization is scrambling. So far, it has raised $11.5M, including a $7M boost from BC. The camp will remain closed longer than planned, and campgoers have been offered spots at other Easter Seals camps, though neither location is on the Island. [Times Colonist]

BC names Site C dam after John Horgan
The late premier once called the idea of building the Peace River dam near Fort St. John a “$9-billion gamble.” Now the controversial megaproject is going to be named after him. Horgan was one of Site C’s harshest critics, and after his NDP formed government in 2017, many thought he would cancel it. But Horgan said BC’s need for electricity was more powerful than spending billions of dollars to pull the plug, and the dam was built—for $16B. [CBC]

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🎸 James Vickers Band: 16-year-old Indigenous guitarist James Vickers will lead his band through originals from their debut album Last Goodbye. The Coda. Tonight. 6:30–8:30pm. [Info]

🎵 CelloFest: Opening Concert, featuring Desmond Hoebig, Minna Rose Chung, Brian Yoon, Lorraine Min, and Laura Loewen. Alix Goolden Performance Hall. Tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎭 And Then There Were None: The Peninsula Players stage Agatha Christie's classic thriller about 10 strangers trapped on a remote island. Mary Winspear Centre. Tonight through Sunday. 7:30pm & 2pm. [Info]

🎶 The Grapes of Wrath with Limblifter: The BC indie rock veterans will play from their jangly, hook-driven catalogue. McPherson Playhouse. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🏃 Ironman 70.3 Victoria: The triathlon will bring swimming and running races to Elk/Beaver Lake and cycling to the peninsula this weekend. Athletes will prepare today and tomorrow. Races on Sunday. [Info]

🪦 Deathly Matters Conference: A one-day conference bringing together people and services to share resources, learn, and connect about death and dying. 1720 McTavish. Tomorrow. 8am-4:45pm. Tickets available. [Info] 

🎵 Meteor in the Metro with Lost Talkers: Two Vancouver Island acts will share the stage for an evening of groove-driven originals, blending rock, funk, and bluegrass. The Coda. Tomorrow. 6:30–8:30pm. [Info]

😂 Hecklers Presents: Dino Archie will perform standup. Hecklers Bar & Grill. Tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

🎹 Voodoo Sometimes—The Great Canadian Jam Tour: Halifax psychedelic jam band Voodoo Sometimes rolls into Victoria on its 18-stop coast-to-coast tour, joined by local support act Ultraviolet. The Coda. Tomorrow. 9:30pm–1:30am. [Info] 

Thursday’s headlines: Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto to seek re-election; See how much funding local events receive from the province; Last Victoria Snowbirds dates. [May 21]

Pacific FC parts ways with coach James Merriman. [PFC]

UVic student challenges eviction over support dog. [CHEK]

$281K raised: This year’s Times Colonist Book Sale is deemed a bestseller. [Times Colonist]

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

Ultimate Toy Fair is at Pearkes Arena this weekend.

Emerging Local Authors Unveiling: Explore the 2026 collection and meet up-and-coming local storytellers at GVPL’s Central Branch tomorrow. 

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

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