May 28 - Local leaders against Bill 15

Good morning !

It’s heating up in the city. Today we’ll have the first glimpse of summer (though technically the season doesn’t start until June 22) with temperatures expected to be in the high 20s.

It’ll cool down tomorrow, so you may want to take advantage of this sunny Wednesday. We promise not to rat you out to your boss for calling in “sick” to work. 😉 

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 27 / 11

Tomorrow: ☀️ 19 / 9

Day after: 🌤️ 18 / 11

NEWS

Local leaders voice opposition to BC’s new infrastructure act

Mayors, First Nation chiefs, and MLAs from the South Island are calling for the retraction of the proposed Infrastructure Projects Act, or Bill 15, which is expected to be voted on today.

The bill was introduced earlier this month to fast-track public projects and strengthen the role of the new infrastructure ministry, which was created after the fall election. 

The act would allow BC to expedite building projects, such as new schools, hospitals, and housing, the government deems “provincially significant.” The act would not speed up the processes for pipelines, LNG facilities, low-barrier housing, or overdose-prevention sites.

But not long after its proposal, the bill gained a number of critics—and continues to spark opposition from multiple levels of government—over concerns that a faster process could allow important steps to be skipped, such as environmental assessments and First Nations consultations. 

Not only are critics concerned that projects under the act would move too quickly, but they also say the bill itself is being pushed through at an alarming pace, as it was introduced a mere three weeks ago.

House Leader Mike Farnworth set a time allocation, meaning a final vote on the bill must happen before 8pm tonight. 

Continue reading to learn why local leaders—including Tsartlip Chief Don Tom, Sooke Mayor Maja Tait, and View Royal Mayor Sid Tobias—say the bill could violate Indigenous and municipal rights.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Blanshard down to one lane from Fort to Humboldt* as crews paint road lines.

VicPD video of assault on View and Douglas. [May 21]

Help reshape Bowker Creek. [Open House] [Survey]

*We humbly spell this street’s name properly today!

NEWS

Nominations open for Victoria’s Honorary Citizen Award

In an age of high-impact news where emotionally charged information and stories about violence, misdeeds or suffering seemingly take centre stage, focusing on positive news can offer some relief.

CHEK’s The Upside, for example, highlights positive stories from our community. And since 1971, the City of Victoria has been looking for that positive side by celebrating people who make our community better.

Every four years, the Victoria Honorary Citizen Award celebrates those who add to our society—and the call is out for nominations.

“We are fortunate to have dedicated community members who volunteer their time, energy and talents to improving the lives of others,” said Mayor Marianne Alto. 

“This award is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional contributions made by these Victorians.”

If you know someone who has made Victoria better, you can—until the end of next month—put their name forward to a selection committee comprised of past recipients, who will recommend its choice to the city council. Recipients will be announced in the fall. 

Nominees must be a current or former CRD resident or local First Nations member who has contributed in any of these categories: arts and culture; business; communication; community/volunteer; education; environment; heritage; Indigenous; inspirational youth; multicultural; social/health issues; sports or other. 

Anyone holding elected office or planning to next year is ineligible, as are previous recipients.

Nomination packages can be emailed to [email protected], or mailed to or dropped off at Victoria City Hall.

In a statement of nomination, you’ll be asked to describe—in four pages or less—how your nominee: is a leader or role model; has broken new ground; provides mentorship or inspiration; makes our community better and brings honour to the city or region. 

The committee will also like to see letters of support—one page, usually.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🧑‍🦽 National AccessAbility Week has begun. [Info]

🐐 Baby goat boom at Beacon Hill Children’s Farm: See the five new kids and their proud mothers. [BHCF]

🎤 Tickets are on sale now for TEDxVictoria 2025: 14 speakers, bold stories, and the ripple effects of powerful ideas. Guarantee your seat before they’re gone.*

🏮 Awakening Chinatown: See photos of the event last weekend. [Colin Smith]

^{*Sponsored Listing}

🗞️ In Other News

VicPD Chief calls for changes to keep crime out of supportive housing
Chief Del Manak says supportive housing staff need better supports to prevent criminals from taking advantage of vulnerable people at the facilities. He says the province should make changes to the Residential Tenancy Act to allow staff to evict people breaking the law. This comes after a man, 62, was arrested at a housing project on Swift with 1kg of fentanyl (500K doses) and a loaded gun. Earlier this month, BC housing groups said the act should be changed to ban weapons after a man was fatally shot at a facility on Gorge. [Times Colonist]

Look for lowest tide of the year today; and then some of the highest 
This morning will be an optimal time to explore tidal pools as our shorelines present the lowest tide of the year. The Canadian Hydrographic Service says water levels will drop to -0.22 metres at 10:46 this morning, following yesterday morning’s low tide that fell to -0.19 metres. We’ll also get some extremely high tides, which were anticipated to peak at 2.93m at 2:01am today, and at 2.93m tomorrow morning. These spring tides occur twice a month but are more pronounced this month with Mon.’s New Moon—at its closest to Earth with its strongest gravitational pull—aligned with the sun and Earth. [Black Press]

Expect delays on TCH for construction of road shoulder bus lanes
Crews will be working on the shoulder lanes between McKenzie and the Colwood exit to make bus travel faster along the highway. Traffic flow won’t be pinched during peak hours but there will be temporary lane closures during non-peak times, and commuters should expect minor stoppages eastbound to the Helmcken off-ramp. There will be nighttime closures on the Burnside on-ramp and Helmcken overpass “as needed” as will the Galloping Goose. For up-to-date information, visit www.DriveBC.ca [CHEK]

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SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Help PHS reach their goal in the Under Armour Eastside 10K

Help PHS Community Services Society reach their $25,000 fundraising goal in the Under Armour Eastside 10K. Your support is needed. Join or donate to Team PHS here.

Use the code 25PHS for 10% off your registration. 

PHS provides supportive housing, meals, and harm reduction services to thousands of marginalized people every day.

🗓️ Things to do

🎨 Paint the town: Help create a community art panel, a free origami terrarium workshop, and more at Market Square today. 10am. [Info]

🎤 Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic: Experience a spectacular tribute to Queen, featuring Dominic Warren as Freddie Mercury, at Royal Theatre tonight. 7pm. [Info]

❓ Benji’s Pub Quiz: Test your knowledge with 8 rounds of mental gameplay designed to challenge your brain at Île Sauvage tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🧶 Weaving Night: A hands-on evening of yarn, texture, and creative flow—no experience needed—at Birdhouse Creative Studio tomorrow. 5pm and 7pm. [Info]

🎞️ The Sound of Music: Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the beloved film with iconic songs like “Do-Re-Mi” and “My Favourite Things” with Triple Threat Performing Arts Society at Charlie White Theatre. Thurs.-Sun. [Info]

🍽️ Chef’s Table Macaron Dinner: Enjoy a macaron-inspired dinner and watch as executive pastry chef Chris Stiebel creates the dishes right in front of your eyes at Bon Macaron. Friday. 6:30pm. [Info]

🎶 Folktoria 2025: A two-day free festival celebrating folk culture with music, dance, and crafts at Centennial Square. Sat and Sun. 12–8pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: 2019 Christmas Day death attributed to VicPD officer misconduct; St. Margaret’s School and Pacific FC pitch in for women’s soccer academy; 80-year-old man dies in TCH collision.  [May 27]

Victoria gets national attention—for homelessness and addiction. [CHEK]

King Charles’ throne speech opens Canada’s parliament. [BBC]

VicPD seeks witnesses to Quadra assault. [Sun. at 5:30pm]

How to pay property taxes without using the mail. [City of Victoria, District of Saanich]

Victoria Hospitals Foundation’s 2025 Miracle Gala raises $1.7M for cancer care.

Grizzly bear cubs play fight up-Island. [CTV]

That’s it!

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