Good morning {{First name}}!

I don’t know about you, but I like me a good dumpling. The cabbage, fresh ginger, scallions, and sesame oil. Mmm.
Dumpling Fest Victoria is on tonight, so a bunch of people will be checking out various restaurants, trying different potstickers, kofta, and mandu.
Sounds like yummy fun.
The event sold out pretty quickly.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌤️ 25 / 13

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 25 / 11

Friday: 🌤️ 18 / 10

7-day forecast

Bus service in the capital could soon come to a halt, depending on what happens next in the dispute between BC Transit and its unionized workers.

Members of Unifor Local 333-BC will vote on a possible strike tomorrow after contract talks broke down last Thursday.

“I want our passengers to know our members have been keeping this city moving for over 100 years and, with pride, we will continue to do so,” union president Stephen Bains said in an emailed statement to Capital Daily.

“As rising living costs drive more Victorians to use the bus, our union is fighting to ensure there are Victorians who want to actually drive the bus.”

The two sides have been negotiating on and off for the last 14 months, and Bains said future talks are being discussed.

The main issues the union is prioritizing:

“Increases in stress leave have resulted in a need for increased sick leave, and our Members are one of the only groups of unionized workers at BC Transit without enhanced dental coverage,” Bains said. 

BC Transit said it remained committed to negotiating in good faith to reach a deal that balances the needs of employees, riders, and the long-term sustainability of transit service.

Any job action would not affect its handyDart service, the bus company said.

The last BC Transit strike happened in 2001 and lasted two weeks.  

BC minimum wage to increase June 1: Wages will rise 2.1%, to $18.25 from $17.85 per hour. [BC Gov’t.]

Witnesses and dashcam footage sought in suspicious vehicle fires. [Saanich Police]

Saanich single-lane: Saanich between McKenzie and Lodge through tomorrow, 9am to 3pm for paving.

Saanich’s Interurban and Wilkinson intersection changes: survey open until June 2.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

On the water today? Check the tide times for Victoria.

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The Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) just released its latest Emerging Local Authors Collection, highlighting the work of 100 authors from 10 South Island municipalities. 

It’s the 11th year of the program—since 2015, more than 1,700 local books have been featured in the annual roundup. 

“Each year, this collection highlights the depth and range of writing in our region,” Maureen Sawa, CEO of GVPL, said. 

Most of the titles in the collection were self-published or independently published, and Sawa says it can be an exciting moment for local authors to see their work on shelves next to “books from publishers with much bigger resources.”

“For a lot of these authors, getting their book into a public library is a significant moment,” Sawa said. 

This year’s collection offers a range of themes for all kinds of book lovers, including memoirs, regional history, fantasy, wellness, identity, and family. Three authors from the first cohort in 2015—Sever Bronny, Audrey Driscoll, and Martin Phipps—have returned with new titles.

Print copies of the 2026 Emerging Local Authors Collection can be found at the Central Branch or requested for pickup at all GVPL locations. Ebooks are also available through Libby, the library’s digital collection. 

If you’re thinking about writing a book, now’s a great time to put pen to paper (or, perhaps more likely, fingers to keyboard)—applications for the 12th annual collection will open this fall. 

Find print titles from the emerging authors here and Ebooks from the collection here.

Shawnigan Retreats offers the perfect cozy retreat for family gatherings or romantic getaways. Nestled by the serene Shawinigan Lake, our luxurious accommodations feature a sauna, hot tub, games room with ping pong, cards, and board games, and even a private pickleball court. Enjoy nearby hikes through breathtaking nature and unwind in comfort. With space for up to 18 guests, Shawnigan Retreats promises an unforgettable experience.

Explore Shawnigan Retreats and plan your getaway today. Learn more about Shawnigan Retreats.

🐒 The Emily Carr Chronicles Guided Walking Tour is 10am to 12pm on Saturday. 

🎶 Victoria Folk Music Festival is on July 4 at RAP.

⛺ Give the Gift of Camp Campaign.

Popular Quadra Village cafe closes its doors after 8 years
Gigi’s Cafe, which has been at the corner of Quadra and Hillside since 2018, shut down on Saturday. The cafe owners say the landlord wanted them to sign a longer new lease, but they wanted to go with a shorter one. They ended up opting for a month-to-month agreement. It’s unclear what business will take over Gigi’s, but there are online rumours that a bakery may open in the space. [Victoria Buzz]

Dash cams will soon be required for commercial vehicles
A private member’s bill from BC Conservative MLA Ward Stamer passed its third reading on Monday, making BC the first Canadian jurisdiction to require commercial dash cameras. The legislation, which will come into law six months after it receives royal assent from the lieutenant governor, will apply to large commercial trucks weighing over 11K+ kilograms. Dash cams are to be forward-facing, capable of retaining at least 72 hours of recording, and feature night vision. [CBC]

ICBC: Automobile-related crime drops 31% over the last 10 years on Vancouver Island
The number of vehicle break-ins dropped 60% over the last decade, while the number of stolen vehicles declined by 46%. Instances of vandalism remained about the same. Over the last five years, an average of 615 vehicles were stolen on the Island. Last year, 535 were stolen on the Island, 302 were broken into, and 2,119 were vandalized. ICBC also said that despite more vehicles on the roads, the number of crashes and crashes with injuries fell below pre-COVID times. [CHEK]

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🏠 Home-based Business Open House: Learn about Oak Bay’s proposed changes, including a tier-based system, and speak with staff and consultants. Oak Bay Municipal Hall. Today. 5-7pm. [Info]

🎶 Oratorio and Sacred Song Competition: VCM voice students perform oratorio arias and sacred songs before adjudicators in this annual competition open to all ages. Alix Goolden Performance Hall. Today. 5–7:30pm. [Info]

🎶 Grand Opera Aria Competition: Senior-level VCM voice students compete in grand opera arias before adjudicators in this annual showcase of advanced vocal talent. Alix Goolden Performance Hall. Today. 8–9pm. [Info]

🎷 The Metro Big Band: Juno-nominated saxophonist Ryan Oliver leads Victoria's top high school and college jazz musicians through the repertoire of Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Count Basie, and more. The Coda. Today. 6:30–8:30pm. [Info]

🍷 Wednesday Wine Club: Black Sage Bench: Taste six wines from acclaimed Black Sage Bench producers Stoneboat, Phantom Creek, and Bartier Brothers, paired with cheese and charcuterie. Cask and Keg Liquor Store. Today. 7–8:30pm. [Info]

🖨️ Intro to Fusion 360 for 3D Printing: Participants will learn navigating Fusion 360; sketching; creating 3D models; preparing files for 3D printing. No prior CAD experience required. Saturday. 11am. [Info]

⛰️ Art of the Six Mountains: Group Exhibition: The Cowichan Valley Arts Council and environmental writer Larry Pynn of SixMountains.ca present art depicting the Six Mountains—Prevost, Sicker, Richards, Maple, Tzouhalem, and Stoney Hill. 2687 James Street, Duncan. June 3-29. [Info] 

Tuesday’s headlines: SD61 board reinstated after province’s court document mistake; Nice beach—if you can get there; and Korean sub and frigate visit CFB Esquimalt. [May 26]

Victoria mom seeks service dog for her son with neurodivergent needs. [CHEK]

It was a very, very bad day in Victoria, 130 years ago yesterday. [Times Colonist]

Quazar’s gets the Hollywood treatment: The downtown arcade was recently transformed into a New York subway station for a film production. [Quazar’s Arcade] 

Galloping Goose closed, between Sooke River Road and the south side of the Charters Trestle, through Friday. [CRD]

Saanich bike lanes: Help identify suitable streets in this survey, open until June 7.

GoByBike Week starts on Saturday. Free transit for cyclists. 

Patrick Arena—where the Victoria Cougars won the Stanley Cup in 1925—before and after it burned down in 1929. [Facebook photos]

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