Nov 26 - Non-profit spells out its love for Victoria

Good morning !

Conversations about the future look of Centennial Square should resurface in the next couple of days. Victoria’s city council is going to take a look at the new plans tomorrow.
And there’s a sign from a non-profit that could be illuminating.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

Victoria non-profit floats Toronto-style swagger for the Garden City

The Good City Project has offered to donate a large, illuminated “Victoria” sign to serve as a signature anchor to a renovated Centennial Square.

Created by the folks at Big Wheel Burger, Zambris, and Aryze Developments, The Good City Project is a community fund that supports projects focused on creating healthy and inclusive cities.

“We envision this installation positioned prominently within the finalized Centennial Square design—potentially at a gateway or focal point identified through the city’s design process—to complement planned upgrades, such as enhanced lighting, greenery, and gathering spaces.”

You’ve likely seen Toronto’s eponymous sign, first erected during the 2015 Pan-Am Games and repurposed in 2020 to become a popular fixture in Nathan Phillips Square.

The Victoria sign also would celebrate civic pride and a sense of place, Good City Project spokesperson Melanie Ransome said in her letter to the council. It would be locally designed and produced, using durable, sustainable materials, and would be photo-friendly and welcoming to visitors, she said. 

Coun. Jeremy Caradonna said he plans to raise the legacy donation overture in tomorrow’s council meeting when the revised designs for Centennial Square are presented.

“I’d happily accept it and think it’s a wonderful offer,” he tells Capital Daily.
“There are all sorts of charities that have donated amenities to the city over the years, from the Lions’ Club, the Masons, and the Kiwanis to various other charitable and corporate donors.”

In July 2024, Victoria’s city council approved a $12.1M plan to renovate the aging square. It has since redirected $2.5M of that to public safety, and the Centennial plan was sent back to the drawing board following public concern over a seemingly doomed sequoia and concerns over the fountain, a 1962 birthday gift from Esquimalt, Saanich, and Oak Bay.

According to a staff report, the new plans call for the fountain’s monoliths to be removed and stored, and the existing sequoia, sweetgum, and cherry trees to “remain until the Civic Plaza is addressed in a later phase.”

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Gordon Head Rec Centre weight room will not reopen next month as planned. 

Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre closed for annual maintenance Dec. 8-28.

Saanich Town Hall meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 6-9pm.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Four arrested as RCMP begins enforcement at Cougar Camp

After weeks of waiting for a possible RCMP raid, the Critical Response Unit (CRU-BC) began enforcing an injunction yesterday at Cougar Camp (named for the large cougar statue erected by protesters on the logging road in late August) in the Upper Walbran Valley.

For three months now, protesters have blocked a logging road through the valley, about 12 km from the site of the Fairy Creek protests.

The injunction, requested by Tsawak-qin Forestry Inc. (co-owned by Western Forest Products and the Huu-ay-aht First Nations), was approved in September by a BC Supreme Court judge.

Those named in the injunction—including Elder Bill Jones, who has been at the centre of old-growth protests on Pacheedaht lands for the last five years—are banned from blocking the logging company’s access to old-growth forests in the Tree Farm Licence 44 area.

The CRU-BC arrived at 8am with approximately 60 officers and bulldozers to remove the blockade. It’s unclear how many protesters were at Cougar Camp when RCMP enforcement began.

Protesters on the ground said outside communication with the camp was shut down initially, but was restored midday. However, communications were cut off again before 3pm, a spokesperson for the encampment told Capital Daily.

At least four people were arrested and released as of yesterday afternoon. These are the first arrests to take place in the valley since early 2022. Between 2020 and 2022, more than 1K arrests were made at the neighbouring Fairy Creek blockade.

At least one tree-sit (protesters sitting high up in the branches) remains at Cougar Camp. Some protesters have relocated to a backup camp at an undisclosed location.

According to a video posted to the Fairy Creek Blockade Instagram account, police cut the ropes of one of the tree-sit platforms, but a protester managed to climb up to it.

“This is the beginning—this is the first day of enforcement,” said Will O’Connell, a lead protester at Cougar Camp and one of the four arrested. 

“For 30 years, there’s been no real stop to the logging in the Walbran Valley, and these are our last ancient cedar forests on the coast. 

“It’s precious here. It’s something sacred that’s going to be lost forever.”

NEWS

Silent vigil held at BC Legislature to honour 15 women killed by men in the province this year

Participants stoically held signs with the women's names, ages, and the dates of their murders, like the one above for Naomi Sturrock, who was stabbed to death in downtown Victoria on Feb. 12.

The 31-year-old was known to be a kindhearted person who went out of her way to help others. That’s what she was doing the day she died. She went to visit a friend at View Towers, and something went badly wrong.

The Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter, which organized the vigil, said it monitors media and police reports to find information on provincial cases of femicide. It said it doubts it has the complete list of femicide victims in BC. 

“We want the BC Coroners Service to make this information publicly available,” said spokesperson Hilla Kerner. 

“The public needs to know about the deadly reality of male violence against women.” 

The group also wants an inquest held for each case of femicide. 

“Inquests will provide important information on systemic gaps and failures and offer insight on changes needed to protect and prevent future victims,” Kerner said.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🧼🙏 Soap for Hope online auction: 4 days left.

✈️ Catch the next opportunity! Sharpen your skills with online professional development programs with Continuing Studies at UVic.*

🛥️ GVHA’s annual Harbour Holiday Lights event is Thursday, Dec. 4, 5-8pm.

🎄Jingle: A Canadian-African Christmas brings together the warmth of Canadian and African cultures, creating a unique and unforgettable celebration combining storytelling, music, and dance.*

🍁 Meet Captain Canuck creator Richard Comely Friday in Langford.

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY WEST COAST REACH

Warm Your Heart This Sunday!

More than 70 amazing performers in Victoria celebrate our differences and what unites us in "We Are One!" 2025.  Featuring CBC's Gregor Craigie (MC), Hounds of Cuchulain (Celtic band), Caleb Hart (Caribbean), Kalyna Ukrainian Choir, REACH! All-Abilities Performance Co. and others.

Sun. Nov. 30, 2pm. Full info and tickets here.

🗞️ In Other News

City of Victoria defends restrictions on park sheltering in court
Three unhoused Victorians filed a petition for judicial review last October, arguing that banning overnight sheltering in Irving and Vic West parks in spring 2024 violated their Charter rights. On Monday, the lawsuit was heard for the first time in a Victoria court. City lawyers say the case should be thrown out on a technicality, arguing that a judicial review isn’t the right forum to challenge a city’s bylaws and that the city has no duty to offer amenities to unhoused people. [CHEK]

Pacific FC says it’s staying in Langford 
The Canadian Premier League (CPL) says the soccer team—which announced on Sept. 17 that it was exploring sale options—will remain on the Westshore for the 2026 season. The ownership group SixFive says it is pleased with the level of interest being shown in the footy team, although it wouldn’t confirm whether it had any bona fide suitors. It said it’s not going anywhere. “There is no scenario, under current or future ownership, in which Pacific FC will leave the Lower Island market,” the club said. [Black Press]

American teams respond to entangled humpback near Sooke
A Washington state research group was tracking Eugenia the humpback, who appeared to be dragging buoys and 34 metres of fishing line. It looked like she was heading on her annual migration to Hawaii when she entered Canadian waters, prompting rescuers from Port Angeles and Friday Harbor to cross the border to cut her loose. A newly established protocol between the DFO and the US NOAA allows for cross-border rescues such as this. The next morning, buoys and fishing line were found detached from Eugenia, leading researchers to believe the drag from kelp caught on the line helped free the whale. [Times Colonist]

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🗓️ Things To Do

❓GNS Presents: Clue High School Edition. Join Glenlyon Norfolk School's Theatre Company for this laugh-out-loud mystery-comedy. Based on the iconic board game and the cult classic movie. Tonight. Glenlyon Norfolk School. 7pm. [Info]

🏠 Habitat for Humanity Victoria Gingerbread Showcase: The 17th annual gingerbread house extravaganza brings together community members and big imaginations in support of affordable homeownership. Hotel Grand Pacific. 9am-9pm daily until Jan. 4. [Info] 

🎁 Camosun Christmas Market: Shop from 40+ student artists and vendors while enjoying hot chocolate and photos with Santa, with donations supporting Camosun Daycare equipment. Camosun Lansdowne Campus, Wilna Thomas Building, Sherri Bell Hall. Today. 2-5pm. [Info]

🎺 UJAM Club Night—Anything Goes: Open-theme jazz night welcomes singers and instrumentalists to perform their favorite tunes backed by talented local musicians. Hermann's Jazz Club. Today. 7-9pm. [Info]

🥢 SKAL November—Flavours of Fan Tan: Explore the historic Fan Tan Hotel's Gambling Den with featured cocktails, a dim sum feast, and wine pairings hosted by Western Design + Build. Today. 6-9pm. [Info]

🛍️ Bastion Square Holiday Market: Discover handcrafted goods from local artisans, enjoy live music, and find unique treasures for everyone on your list. Bastion Square. Saturday & Sunday. 12pm-5pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: WSANEC chiefs considering legal action against the DFO; $3.65M raised for Victoria hospitals; Uncovered drain hole damages multiple vehicles on the Pat Bay Hwy. [Nov. 25]

Eby tells Carney it was ‘unacceptable’ for BC to be left out of pipeline talks. [CP / CTV]

Sooke Potholes parking lots closed this week for paving. [CRD]

Recall: Certain lots of Apotex Inc. brand Extra Strength Ibuprofen Liquid Gel Capsules (400 mg). [Health Canada]

Recall: Yoplait brand YOP Drinkable Yogurt. [Health Canada]

Goo Goo Dolls coming to Victoria with Dashboard Confessional on March 19.

Victoria’s Nelly Furtado to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. 

That’s it!

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