Nov 21 - Victoria writers get their due

Good morning !

Two of this area’s more expensive capital projects experienced some hiccups over the last few days. One of the regional sewage treatment pipelines got plugged, and the Johnson Street Bridge was closed to marine traffic due to “operational issues.”
The bridge is back up and working, but the wastewater treatment line was still blocked as of last evening (see below).

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

3 writers score: Victoria Book Prize winners fêted

The city has announced the winners of the 2025 Victoria Book Prizes, honoured Tuesday at a Government House gala hosted by Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia.

The awards were established in 2024 to promote the public’s knowledge and appreciation of literary works produced by writers living in the Victoria area for more than two years. 

“Victoria’s writers enrich our community with their creativity and insight,” said Mayor Marianne Alto.“ The Book Prizes remind us that our local literary scene is vibrant and inspiring.” 

There were three categories, with each award winner receiving a $5K prize.

Barbara Black took the City of Victoria Book Prize for Little Fortified Stories, a witty collection of very short stories described by publisher Caitlin Press as “filled with wit, wonder and weirdness.”

Black’s yarns involve a tobacco-smoking ghost, a one-eyed desert monster, and rules that no longer apply.

Prodigious writer Uma Krishnaswami won the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize for Birds on the Brain, which was recently shortlisted for the NEEV Literature Festival in her native India. 

Birds on the Brain is Krishnaswami’s sequel to Book Uncle and Me, a kids’ book about how young people can make a difference, which won the International Literacy Association Social Justice Literature Award.

It’s the story of a bird lover who wants to save her city’s bird count event after the mayor cancels it.

A new award—the DC Reid poetry prize, named to honour Reid, an author and Canadian literary advocate—was presented this year. It went to Melanie Siebert for Signal Infinities, a collection of poems that “embody human suffering and environmental collapse, human resilience, and the buoyancy of water,” according to a release.  

Siebert’s first collection of poetry, Deepwater Vee, was a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award in Poetry. 

Last year, Reid, the recipient of 20+ writing awards for his books on poetry and fishing, invested $1.5 million in Canadian poetry by establishing an endowment at the Writers’ Trust of Canada over 10 years. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Saanich single-lane alternating traffic: Cedar Hill between Shelbourne and Mount Doug Cross. Today through Monday, 9am-3pm.

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

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Victoria city council rejects motion to cancel councillor pay raises

A motion to cancel raises for the mayor and city councillors that were approved 15 months ago was shot down last week at Victoria City Council. 

“As the city enters a period of financial restraint, councillors need to lead in fiscal accountability by tightening the purse strings,” reads an explainer to the motion filed by Coun. Marg Gardiner.

“Fiscal prudence and transparency are essential to public trust.”

Last August, following a study by an independent panel, the council approved a series of recommendations, including an increase in council salaries to 45% of the mayor’s salary, which would raise their annual pay to $58,972, based on the mayor’s salary, which was estimated at $135K for 2025.

Councillors’ annual salary for 2024 was $53,223. The pay raises are to kick in for a new council, following next year’s municipal election, scheduled for Oct. 17. 

At that point, the mayor’s salary will be based on the average of the mayors’ salaries from the 10 provincial capital cities. As of 2024, councillors acting as mayor during times of vacation or sickness receive an additional $1,785.

“The decision made by this council in 2024 tells a story: a story of a council which I believe was out of control, creating a whopping pay raise at a time when the city [and] our taxpayers face financial challenges,” Gardiner said, adding tough budget decisions—which have Canada Day plans and downtown flower pots hanging in the balance—are on the council’s agenda this upcoming week.

“While our fellow residents are anxious about rents, mortgage payments, strata fees, and grocery bills, this council is intent on enrichment for mayor and councillors.”

Gardiner’s motion, seconded by Coun. Susan Kim recommended ending payments to councillors who temporarily serve as mayor and limiting any pay increase for the mayor to match inflation.

The council wasn’t receptive, turning down the motion by a 6-3 vote, with Coun. Gardiner, Stephen Hammond, and Chris Coleman in favour, and the rest defending what they considered a done deal. 

“It doesn’t make any sense to me to randomly question decisions that have already been made,” said Coun. Jeremy Cardonna

The second part of the motion to end acting mayor payments failed by a 7-2 vote, with Hammond and Gardiner in support.

This story ran for our Insiders on Nov. 16. Consider becoming an Insider today and be the first to receive stories every Sunday.

SPONSORED BY THE CANADIAN CLUB OF VICTORIA

Annual Christmas buffet lunch - December 1st

The December Canadian Club of Victoria meeting will be our annual Christmas buffet lunch with seasonal music provided by St. Andrew's High School Choir. In addition to the buffet and music, this will be our Camosun College/Canadian Club of Victoria bursary fundraiser. 

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DAY:
Monday, Dec. 1, 11:45am to 1:30pm at The Hotel Grand Pacific.

Deadline for registration is Wednesday, Nov. 26, at noon.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🛍️ Uniqlo opens in Mayfair Mall today: Shoppers have a chance to win prizes all weekend. [Details]

🥤Reuse Stamp Card Contest success: October’s city-wide effort kept 1K+ disposable coffee cups out of landfills.

🏰 Craigdarroch Castle: Holiday Tour. [Next month]

📸 Busy shopping day at The Bay in 1947: See the packed parking lot at the old HBC building. [Facebook photo]

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🗞️ In Other News

Sewage pipeline blocked by lodged ‘PIG’ cleaning device
A PIG, or pipeline inspection gauge, is pushed by pressure inside the 10-inch diameter pipeline, which transports semi-solid sewage 19+ km from the main treatment plant at McLoughlin Point to the Hartland residuals facility. The bullet-shaped device, made of high-density foam, has been stuck since Friday. On Tuesday, the CRD warned residents of Victoria, Esquimalt, and Saanich to expect possible odours and to see more trucks (it now says as many as 50 or 60) on the roads at all hours, as sewage solids are transported by road until further notice. [Times Colonist]

Mt. Washington resort undergoes $3M in renovation upgrades
Half of that was spent improving the slopes during the off-season, including work to reshape, smooth, and cut back brush. Maintenance was done on the Hawk chairlift, and new lights were installed on the beginner slopes. The rest of the investment went to facility improvements, such as new washrooms and a “glow-up” for Ted’s Bar. A new eatery is also in the works, with the resort promising an “even better” après-ski experience. [CHEK]

BC residents say ferries should be built at home, not in China
The BC Ferry and Marine Workers Union is calling for more shipbuilding in BC after a recent survey of BC residents found that 84% of them would rather see the province develop a plan to keep the shipbuilding work here. Some 61% of respondents said the new ferries should be built in BC, no matter the costs—even though the provincial government is predicting an $11.6B deficit. Many felt BC Ferries did not provide enough information about the decision, with 81% saying they’d like to know more. The ferry company says it chose foreign builders after no Canadian companies entered bids. [Victoria Buzz]

🗓️ Things To Do

⚱️Potters by the Sea: A curated show and sale featuring a diverse collection of functional and decorative ceramics by local artists. ArtSea Gallery, Tulista Park, Sidney. Today-Nov. 27. 10am–4pm. [Info]

🧑‍🎄 Bilston Creek Farm 2025 Yuletide Market Series: Shop local at this popular Christmas craft market. Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays through Dec 21. 10am-4pm. [Info]

🎁 Magic of Christmas Artisan Market: Handmade gifts from 130+ artisans at Westshore's largest holiday shopping event, running all weekend at Eagle Ridge Community Centre. Today 4-8:30pm; Tomorrow 10am-5pm; Sunday 10am-4pm. [Info]

🎶 Shawn Desman with Jamie Fine: The Canadian R&B and pop star will perform with opener Jamie Fine at the Royal Theatre today. 8pm. [Info]

🎤 Snotty Nose Rez Kids: The Polaris Music Prize-winning Indigenous hip-hop duo will take the stage at Capital Ballroom. Today and tomorrow. 9pm. [Info]

🎄SPHA Christmas Bazaar: Shop for handmade crafts, Christmas decorations, gently used books, and household items at Mary Winspear Centre tomorrow. 9am-2pm. [Info]

🧑‍🏫 Museum Tots: Drop-in program introduces children ages 3-5 to maritime learning through crafts, play, songs, and movement at the Maritime Museum of BC tomorrow. 10:30-11:15am. [Info]

😂 Hecklers Presents: Aaron Read: See the Canadian comedian and actor at Hecklers Bar & Grill tomorrow. 7pm and 10pm. [Info]

📀 Jane Siberry CD Release Concert: Iconic singer-songwriter celebrates her brand new album at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

😆 The Comic Strippers: Award-winning improv comedians perform a sexylarious male stripper parody with unscripted comedy sketches at Mary Winspear Centre tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎭 Garden City Improv with Becky Johnson: Professional improv comedy, featuring performers from Second City Toronto, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and Just For Laughs, at Encore by Paparazzi tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Police misconduct report includes officers from three Greater Victoria departments; New ‘dry’ housing coming to Victoria; Loaded barge sinking off BC Coast. [Nov. 20]

Overdose alert in Cowichan Valley. [Island Health]

Saanich scales back operations centre upgrades. [Times Colonist]

Thieves put a massive hole in a Nanaimo business’s wall to steal silver coins. [CHEK]

Langford package thief caught on camera, says RCMP. [CTV]

Sidney’s Annual Holiday Open House is today, 5-8pm.

St. Cecilia's Day Musical Open House is tomorrow 9am-5:30pm.

That’s it!

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