Sept 24 - One Island council vs Alberta's "war room"

Good morning !

Today we’ve got lots of items on things to do today in the region, plus some news on funding going to help boost Island projects—and some funding going to a push against an Island project.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 7 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 17 /11

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 16 / 10

Tuesday: 🌧️ 13 / 9

7-day forecast

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Current smoke forecast.

🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Nanaimo’s move to ban new gas hookups draws ire of Alberta’s “war room”

Nanaimo’s new plan to phase out FortisBC natural gas hookups next year is a big challenge—and it’s attracted some big enemies.

Alberta’s Canadian Energy Centre (CEC)—a provincial corporation which was created by ex-premier Jason Kenney to promote and defend the oil and gas industry, and had its budget quadrupled to $32M this year—has mounted a campaign against the policy, which passed in a narrow vote.

City councillor and former federal Green MP Paul Manly alleges that the campaign is being run on behalf of Fortis; the utility company denies this.

This battle is unfolding amid wider calls to limit local municipalities’ involvement with energy companies; calls driven in part by concerns about Fortis being the top sponsor at this past week’s gathering of BC local governments.

Read the full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

“Significant fall storm” tonight: Warnings issued for high winds—some even gusting above 100km/h—that may knock out power in some areas.

Wind forecast:

• West Island: 80-100km/h

• North Island: 90-110km/h

• East Island: 70-90km/h

• Victoria & Gulf Islands: 60-80km/h

Rainfall forecast:

• West Island: 50mm

• Northern Strait of Georgia: 30mm

• Victoria & Gulf Islands: <10mm

• Elsewhere: 10-20mm

Flu outbreak declared at Victoria’s Lodge at Broadmead

NEWS

Local VR arcade, pier, and ziplines receive latest federal tourism funding

Federal funding to go to Victoria and Island tourism
As part of the Tourism Relief Fund, the federal government is offering a boost to tourist-draws in Victoria and elsewhere on the Island through PacifiCAN. The $1.5M will be split between 15 projects on the Island and the coast.

Inner Harbour gets a revamp
The funding for Greater Victoria Harbour Authority will provide $549K to create interpretive art in Victoria’s Inner Harbour showcasing Lekwungen culture and history, in partnership with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. This funding will also go to repairing the Broughton Pier, a. project the GVHA launched last fall. 

Downtown’s VR arcade to expand
Infusion Edutainment XR Amusement Park will receive $420K to grow operations at Victoria’s only virtual reality arcade, including new programming and purchasing new equipment in the hopes of expanding VR and tech tourism.

Sooke’s ziplines
AdrenaLINE Adventure Tours will receive $100K to construct a dual-zipline to enhance the adventure park.

Up-Island projects
Tofino’s Inter-Island Excursions will get $18K to complete renovations on its heritage boathouse and upgrade washrooms and parking.

As part of the Community Revitalization Fund—separate from the Tourism Relief Fund—PacifiCAN will give K’όmoks First Nation $750K to create a community park in Comox with a playground, outdoor kitchen, gazebo, and washrooms.

NEWS

A new front line in the local campaign against invasive plants

Like the various invasive species it battles, the Greater Victoria Green Team has been rapidly spreading throughout the region. Today the stewardship organization runs its first event in Langford, building on long-standing partnerships with neighbouring View Royal and Colwood.

They’re looking for volunteers to come out, 9:45am-1pm, and get the invasive English ivy out of Porcher Park. But their work isn’t just getting rid of plants that shouldn’t be there—it’s also helping out the ones that should be. Earlier this month, the team planted 227 shrubs in the Saanich Woods.

More about the team, and today’s event, at The Westshore.

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The Rising Economy podcast from South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) features leading thinkers, news-makers and change-makers sharing bold insights about economic issues and trends impacting Greater Victoria. Check out the latest episodes:

Retail in Revolution
We talk with Darlene Hollstein, General Manager of The Bay Centre, about the challenges and opportunities facing retailers amidst urban changes, demographic shifts, a hiring crisis and a massive digital transformation. 

Why the Arts & Culture Sector is Vital to a Thriving Economy
Greater Victoria contributes $800 million annually toward our GDP and employs over 10,000 people across the Capital Region.

We talk with Franz Lehrbass of the Royal McPherson Theatres Society and Dallas Gislason of SIPP about why we need to nurture the arts and culture sector.

Listen.

⭐️ Capital Picks

💎 Victoria’s best hidden-gem restaurants: No gatekeeping here, just great food that readers like you voted best-in-town. [Tasting Victoria]

🐶 Dog Friendly Condominiums: Home is where the dog is, find your next home for you and your pet. Browse real estate listings that permit dogs.*

 ☕️ Morning coffee with orcas just metres off the coast of Oak Bay as the T69s make a local appearance. [Video]

🍎 Who Else Wants to Live Longer and Healthier? With a team of experts and 45+ evidence-based metrics, Tall Tree’s longevity medicine program helps you fight disease before it starts.*

📷 A beautiful garter snake dressed in maroon, orange, and khaki scales in this photo taken in East Sooke.

🤝 Now hiring: Enhanced Executive Support Analyst at ISM.

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Last time: Where blondie sleeps = Deb / bed
Congrats to everyone who submitted the correct answer!

🗞️ In Other News

A three-legged cat on a tricycle: Debilitating foot neuropathy derailed a Wyoming mountain climber’s post-retirement adventure plans. But then a recumbent tricycle enabled him to explore thousands of kilometres—and currently, the Island—with his cat Miss Bunny in the basket. [CTV video]

Islanders win Indigenous Business Awards: Daxgedim Haanak Nation Building (Comox) won for Business of the Year in the 1-2-person category, and Totem Design House (Courtenay) in 3-10-person.
More tech & business news in Victoria Tech Journal.

Canucks beat Canucks 3-1 in Victoria, as Vancouver’s NHL club wraps up this week’s Island visit for pre-season training camp. Watch the highlights below or read a full recap.

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🗓️ Things to do

🍖 Langford festival: Brewery and the Beast brings the stadium a feast of fire-kissed meats, craft beers, cocktails, ciders, and wines. Details at Tasting Victoria.

🖌️ Sophie Pemberton exhibit opens at AGGV: Explore the life and work of the Victoria artist at this exhibit.

🍎 Cider Harvest Festival at Merridale: Enjoy the best in Island and BC craft cider with handheld eats available.

🚂 Victoria Model Railway Show: See the best in model rail accessories, with options to purchase. Starts 10am.

🟧 Truth Before Reconciliation: Hear from historian Dr. Sean Carleton on the effects of colonialism and residential schools in BC at the Royal BC Museum or on Zoom. 2pm.

🎶 Electric Dream: Catch an evening of local electronic music at the Victoria Event Centre.

📚 18th annual Victoria Anarchist Bookfair: The long-running alternative fall festival has books, workshops, and more. Today in Fernwood

🍏 Apple Day at Sea Cider: Join in on the family fun with food, activities, and plenty of cider.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Victoria Symphony did music for a new miniseries: Bones of Crows, a gripping Roots-esque show and movie about residential schools. [Capital Daily story]

Final week at Sherwood: The eatery across from City Hall with the memorable green interior will close Sept. 29. [Tasting Victoria]

📰 Stay in the loop with the Victoria Foundation. Subscribe to their newsletter for updates about local non-profits, donors, funding and grant announcements, publications, and more.*

Victoria’s best patios, as voted by readers like you. [Tasting Victoria]

*Sponsored Listing

That’s it!

A slight adjustment to yesterday’s lead-off message: I described the recent “official” end of summer as being based on solstices, but that’s better described as solstices and equinoxes.

The summer and winter have solstices—when the sun appears to reach its highest and lowest point, respectively—while the fall and spring have equinoxes. At equinox, the sun appears to rise directly in the east and set directly in the west, and the Earth is not tilted toward or away from it.

Happy equinox!