Nov 14 - Festive lights will be back downtown

Good morning !

The Festival of Trees begins today at the Bay Centre.
Where does the time go?
Our first story is also Christmas-related.
It involves a big wheel—and this year, beer.

Following?

Bueller? Bueller?

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 9 / 7

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 10 / 9

Sunday: 🌧️ 11 / 6

7-day forecast

NEWS

Lights of Wonder returns to downtown 2 weeks from tomorrow

The cool light show that attracted thousands to the downtown area each year is back at Centennial Square two Fridays from now for another Christmas season of free, outdoor family fun.  

The Ferris wheel will be back, and for the first time, there’s going to be booze on-site. 

The Lights of Wonder—a presentation of the Downtown Victoria Business Association—has been held each winter since 2018 as a vehicle to attract residents to the downtown core and its stable of businesses.

The lights will officially be turned on after the Santa Claus Parade, two weeks from tomorrow. The Nov. 29 carcade and march features a new route starting at the legislature at Belleville and Government, following Wharf to Johnson, and ending at Centennial Square on Government and Fisgard. 

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand for photos with families that night.

The LampPost Beer Bus will be there to serve brews from downtown breweries such as Phillips, Vancouver Island Brewing, Whistle Buoy, Herald Street Brew Works, and Swift Brewing on Fridays (except Dec. 26) and again on New Year’s Eve, the final day of the lights event.

Visitors can enjoy the light displays 24/7, while the Info Hut and food trucks will be at their disposal Sundays to Thursdays from 4pm to 9pm, and Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm to 10pm. 

The Ferris (ahem, Bueller) wheel arrives Friday, Dec. 19, and will operate Sundays to Thursdays from 4pm to 9pm, and Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm to 10pm, through New Year’s Eve.

NEWS

Island Health reports a drop in child poverty, and 70% of us don’t have a family doctor

Cases of child and youth poverty, substance use, and self-harm among youth are trending downward, according to Island Health’s 2025 Population Health Status Report, released yesterday.

“This report shows that progress is possible and already happening,” said Dr. Réka Gustafson, Island Health’s chief medical health officer.

“From decreasing child poverty rates to improved youth mental health, we’re seeing positive shifts that reflect the strength and resilience of our communities.”

BC’s medical health officers are responsible for monitoring and reporting on the health of the population and providing advice on public health issues and the pertinent policies that are undertaken. The population health status report is intended to support dialogue among public health staff, clinicians, local governments, and community organizations.

In this one, Dr. Gustafson notes a 41% drop in child and youth poverty between 2016 and 2021; that immunization rates in this region now exceed the provincial average; and that rates of substance use and self-harm among young people are going down.

Island residents continue to use more tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol compared with the rest of the province, even though there was an overall decline in their use. 

“Substance use continues to be elevated in the Island Health region, leading to avoidable harms like injury, illness, and death,” Dr. Gustafson said. 

The report also said more people in the Island Health catchment (70%) are without a family doctor than the provincial average of 65%.

It found an increase in cases of communicable diseases, including syphilis and tuberculosis, with housing insecurity being a risk factor.

The report said life expectancy varies by up to eight years depending on where people live within the region, with men disproportionately affected by premature mortality, largely due to unregulated drug poisonings.

The report also pointed to many young people having little sense of community connection since 2018. 

“While some indicators are trending in a positive direction, overall youth mental health has yet to rebound to pre-pandemic levels,” Island Health said.

“To make a real difference, we must intervene early, work collaboratively across sectors, and focus on the social conditions that shape health,” Dr. Gustafson said. 

“These are not just health system issues—they are community-wide challenges.”

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Galloping Goose closes at Viaduct Park on weekdays starting next Monday. [CRD]

Rockland closed at Cook today and tomorrow for emergency underground repair. [City of Vic]

Cook closed between Johnson and Yates for underground utility servicing. 7am-5pm through Nov. 26. [City of Vic]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Rental prices cooling in BC: Average Victoria apartment now $2,268

It’s still the most expensive province to rent an apartment or condo, but prices are coming down more quickly in BC than anywhere else in the country, according to a report released last week.

Rentals.ca says rental prices across the province have dropped by 9.6% over the past two years and are 5.8% lower than last year.

There are many factors for rental price fluctuation not covered in the report—vacancy rates, population changes, housing supply and constraints, and turnover rate—but the BC government credited itself for being part of that equation. 

“Our efforts to fight speculation and return short-term rentals back to the market as long-term, sustainable housing remain a key part of our strategy, as well as preserving affordable rental supply through the Rental Protection Fund,” said Christine Boyle, the provincial housing minister.

“We can’t go back to the way things were, where speculation was causing housing prices to skyrocket.”

The cost of the average one-bedroom in Vic was $2,014 in October, unchanged from the previous month but 6.4% cheaper than last October. 

A two-bedroom comes in at $2,630, a drop of 0.8% from last month and 8.6% from last October. The average rental in Victoria sits at $2,268.

The report said year over year, rent prices have fallen for 13 consecutive months. However, October’s 2.2% year-over-year drop was the slimmest in nearly a year, which it said suggested a softening in the trend. 

The cost of a purpose-built rental remained stable, dropping 0.7% year over year, while studio condo rents fell sharply (-14.2%), and the average cost of a three-bedroom purpose-built unit increased by 3.5%.

This story ran for our Insiders on Nov. 9. Consider becoming an Insider today and be the first to receive stories every Sunday.

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION

Kickstart your philanthropic journey with the Gadsden Initiative

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Explore critical issues impacting our community. Build relationships with local organizations. Learn how your interests align with local initiatives. Explore causes you may want to support while building a fund at the Victoria Foundation.

This year, members took a tour of Soap For Hope, exploring the world of social finance and eradicating hygiene poverty through sustainability. They also joined an interactive workshop with the Story Studio Writing Society, an award-winning charity that empowers youth to be great storytellers.

Come be inspired by your community! The Victoria Foundation accepts new Gadsden Initiative members at any time. Contact donor services to join over 90 people who are making a lasting difference.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🎷 Pink Martini announced as a headliner for the Victoria International Jazz Festival. [June 19-28]

⚡Reduce your hydro bill by 10% and get a $100 credit from BC Hydro.

🧑‍🧒 1Up Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre: Building Hope for Single Parents, One Family at a Time. Empower single-parent families to thrive by donating today.*

🏠 Open house: Esquimalt Municipal Archives. Wednesday, 10am-2:30pm.

*Sponsored Listing

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🗞️ In Other News

Al Ferraby court appearance adjourned; defence sought more info 
A court appearance for the former CFAX 1070 radio morning host was put over until Dec. 1, as his defence requested more information from the prosecution. The 59-year-old has been charged with—and has planned to plead not guilty to—one count of telecommunicating to lure a child under the age of 16 for the purpose of sexual touching and one count of telecommunicating to lure a child under the age of 18 to facilitate the commission of child pornography. He was arrested on Sept. 18 and has been released with conditions not to communicate online with anyone under 18.

Student assaulted at Langford middle school; 35-year-old man arrested
West Shore RCMP were dispatched to Spencer Middle School on Goldstream just before 9am yesterday after a call about an assault. A male student had suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries. A male adult who had entered onto school property fled before police arrived. A suspect, 35, who is not related to the victim, was arrested and was scheduled to appear in court today. Police said they think it was an isolated and targeted incident and that no other student or staff member was at risk. [RCMP]

Government workers’ union members ratify tentative agreement
Roughly nine in 10 members (89.3%) of the British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) who voted on the proposed deal said yes, with 79% of the union’s 36K taking part in the ratification process. The signing officially ends the eight-week strike—the longest public service strike in BC history—which saw pickets come down on Oct. 27. The mediated agreement makes for a general wage increase of 3% per year for four years, along with additional targeted pay adjustments for the lowest-paid workers and a range of non-monetary improvements and enhanced benefits. [BC Gov’t.]

🗓️ Things To Do

🎞️ Victoria Black Film Festival: Two nights of BC Black filmmakers' short and long films with director Q&A panels, including unscreened works. Today features Being Tucked In, Dark Eyes, African Rifles, and more. Vic Theatre. Today & tomorrow. Doors 6:15pm, films 7pm, Q&A 9pm. [Info]

🎵 Alick Mac at Caffe Fantastico: Watch the award-winning rapper perform alongside DJ Donuts in this all-ages hip hop show. Caffe Fantastico on Kings. Today. Doors 6:30pm, show 7-9pm. [Info]

🎸 Sloan: The Canadian indie rock institution celebrates over 30 years with their 14th album Based on the Best Seller, in their trademark democratic power-pop style today. 9pm. [Info]

🧶Local Makers' Holiday Pop-up Market: Support local artists and discover one-of-a-kind gifts, including organic soaps, knitwear, candles, baked goods, and more from artisan vendors. Monterey Recreation Centre. Tomorrow 10am-4pm, Sunday 10am-2pm. [Info]

🚣 Museum Tots: How To Not Crash Your Boat: Children ages 3-5 learn through maritime-themed crafts, play, song, and dance, with drop-ins welcome and parents required to stay. Maritime Museum of BC. Tomorrow. 10:30-11:15am. [Info]

📑The Soft Storm: Experience dreamlike spaces featuring poetry by 6th Poet Laureate Emeritus Marie Metaphor Specht and Indigenous poet Shauntelle Dick-Charleson with spatialized soundscapes and immersive analogue light art. Kirk Hall. Tomorrow. 6:30pm (masks required) & 8:30pm. [Info]

Shari Ulrich & The Unfaithful Servants: Multiple Juno Award-winning folk legend and BC's most exciting newgrass band share the stage with individual sets and various collaborations. Alix Goolden Performance Hall. Tomorrow. Doors 7pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Former CFAX sports announcer Steve Duffy dies at 73; Vic’s downtown museum with no walls or roof; Goodmanson to run again in Langford. [Nov. 13]

Update on Cowichan sweaters: Eddie Bauer grounds ‘replica’ jumpers. [CHEK] 

BC Conservatives dissolve Esquimalt-Colwood riding association. [Times Colonist]

Saanich road closure: Maddock W. at Wascana, through Monday, 7am-4pm.

Design Victoria’s IDEA: Island Design Excellence Awards 2025 winners.

W̱SÁNEĆ podcast: The First Nation has launched a new podcast, exploring key issues for the W̱SÁNEĆ people. [Listen here] 

That’s it!

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