BC Ferries scores high in Capital Daily poll

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Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

4 in 5 say BC Ferries does a pretty good job: poll

The vast majority of respondents to our Wednesday morning poll—83%—gave the ferry service passing grades, with more than half (52%) describing their overall BC Ferries experience as good or very good with no complaints, and 12% calling their experiences excellent, something they love every time. 

“Having travelled around our globe some, I can say that I have not yet encountered ferries anywhere else that equal our larger ferries,” wrote one respondent.
That person was among 1,602 who as of last night answered the poll bell, the vast majority with favourable experiences.

“Engines were cut and a large pod of orcas came swimming alongside us. Fantastic!,” wrote another.

There were 267 who gave the service a failing mark, including 70 who voted OMG. Terrible.

“The food is terrible,” wrote one reader. “The wait without a reservation is ridiculous. When I can't get off the island for HOURS, that is unacceptable. The staff is always friendly, though.”

That last bit there, the shoutout to service was common in the opinions we received. Most accolades were for friendly and helpful staff, spectacular views, the ships' cleanliness, and the service's overall professionalism.

Complaints ranged from food tastes to pricing, the absence of onboard wifi—and of the buffet—the frustration of cancellations, blaring car alarms, not being allowed to remain in vehicles on lower decks, the fare when pulling a trailer, concern about merchandising being made in China, and the ubiquitous concerns about making reservations.

That sounds like a long list of grievances, but overwhelmingly, the responses to our albeit unscientific poll—with a margin of error of 2.5% or so—were favourable.

Wrote one reader: “BC Ferries does the best it can with the available resources. I believe we take the service for granted.”

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Have your say: 2025 City of Victoria draft budget. [Survey extended until Dec. 20]

Last day to register to get food hampers from Goldstream Food Bank in December. [Info]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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NEWS

Hot hockey: there will be Salsa on the ice tonight

A unique hockey team concept returns to spice up the ice tonight when the Victoria Grizzlies celebrate their 30th anniversary by temporarily returning to their original identity.

Tonight, and for multiple games this season, the BCHL team will don the uniforms in which they won their lone championship. Those jerseys feature an extremely chiselled, anthropomorphic pepper skating by wearing nothing but skates and a mischievous grin. 

Pass the Salsa, please!

The team launched in 1994 at the old Memorial Arena as the Victoria Salsa, owned by the family that also owned the Island's Taco Time restaurants. 

The Salsa name and looks (both the buff red pepper and angry green one) were divisive at the time. By 2006, the team rebranded to the more conventional “Grizzlies”—which also fit their new arena and part-owner's ties to the Bear Mountain development.

But David Michaud, the team’s present-day president, says the time is ripe to celebrate what has become a popular piece of local sports nostalgia.

“It's about as far from traditional hockey branding as you can get,” he says. “Especially for a team in Victoria, BC—maybe if you're in El Paso or something.”

But “everything about it was fun,” and he says that's what junior hockey is ultimately about.

For more on the Salsa's rise, fall, and resurrection, and to see photos of the Salsa/Grizzlies through the ages, read the full story here.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

⚾🧑‍🎄 HarbourCats Christmas open house. [Today & tomorrow]

🍷 Bidding is now open for the Belfry Theatre's Crush+ Online Auction. Click here to learn more.*

⛷️Mount Washington opens early. [Ski tomorrow]

🎄 Brighten your holidays with FestiLight's custom, holiday lighting solutions. Enjoy a stress-free experience with professional design, installation, and maintenance—bringing festive joy effortlessly. Get your free estimate today!*

🌲🚗 Island road trip in 1924: See vintage photos of the Cameron Lake area. [Facebook photos]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Confirmed case of avian flu in Greater Victoria: CFIA
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency verified an occurrence on the Saanich Peninsula, putting poultry farmers on guard and some restrictions in place. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham said the virus was found in a flock of roughly five dozen chickens. A control zone has been placed around the identified area—which was not immediately made public—within which poultry will be confined. [Times Colonist]

Saanich warms up to the idea of adding shelter beds after multiple requests from Victoria
Saanich council agreed this week to look into requirements to add more shelter space after Victoria asked the district and other municipalities to take pressure off its downtown services. Saanich currently has a limit of 33 beds to offer, compared with Victoria’s year-round 350 shelter beds. Saanich councillors expressed interest in taking immediate action, but instead directed staff to create a report on increasing beds. [Saanich News]

Devon Properties puts the brakes on $150 parking fee request
The property management company told residents of Glen Valley Grove they would start owing $150/month for parking, as of Jan. 1. Tenants contacted the City of Langford, which confirmed that the covenant guaranteed residents one free parking spot. The company says it mistakenly believed that this guarantee was expiring. [CHEK]

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SPONSORED BY 42ND PENINSULA CO-OP SANTA CLAUS PARADE PRESENTED BY CHEK TV

Kick off Christmas on the West Coast and welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus with the largest nighttime parade in Canada

The Annual 42nd Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade presented by CHEK TV will be on Nov. 30 at 5:20pm at Belleville and Government! The largest nighttime parade in Canada will kick off Christmas on the West Coast! With 80+ entries, and 1800 participants, welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Capital City! Plan to come early and enjoy the Royal BC Museum Winterfest from 10am to 5pm, grab dinner or a snack and your seat for the best Christmas parade!

🗓️ Things to do

🎵 Jon and Roy Holiday Special: With guests Anna Tivel and M. Ward. Seasoned musicians and long-time friends Jon Middleton and Roy Vizer perform, with Esme John on bass and Dave St. Jean on trombone. Royal Theatre. 8pm. Dec. 14. [Info]

🎶 Checo & the Sweet Soul Choir: Singing in Victoria for 20+ years. This Mustard Seed benefit will bring you a mix of classic Motown and soul, and heart-warming Christmas favourites with a vibrant twist. North Douglas Church. Tonight. 7:30pm. Info]

🍽️ Pacific Centre Family Services Association: 2nd Annual Discover PCFSA Fundraising Gala. Some 150 of Greater Victoria’s community and business leaders, and philanthropists get together for a great meal and many great causes. Olympic View Golf Course. Tonight. 6:30pm. [Info]

🐴 9th Annual Deck the Stalls: The Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association will decorate 12 horse stalls. Vote for your favourite stall and enjoy holiday treats, and beverages and have your photo taken with a very special horse. 6917 Veyaness. Tomorrow. 10am-2pm. [Info]

🎼 All Together Now Drop-in Choir presents a super fun afternoon of singing, as we learn ABBA’s Take A Chance On Me in simple harmony and other tunes from Sweden’s awesome ABBA. First Unitarian Church of Victoria. Tomorrow. 1pm. [Info]

🪨 Beyond Stonehenge: Camosun College Pop-up Exhibit. Join students from Camosun’s Anthropology of Death class for an insightful exploration into burial traditions and landscapes of the dead (necrogeographies). Royal BC Museum. Tomorrow. 1-3pm. [Info] 

🤣 12th Annual Ho Ho Ho Comedy Show: Experienced comedians and a handful of newbies make their stand-up comedy debuts, and will have you rolling in the aisles. Sports View Bar at Oak Bay Rec Centre. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🧇🧑‍🎄 Breakfast With Santa: Mr. Claus has taken a special break from his North Pole Christmas prep to visit Victoria for his eponymous parade. He’ll pose for photos with your family. Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Sun. 10am-1:30pm. [Info]

Want more events? Subscribe to This Week In Vic and get our weekly events newsletter every Tuesday.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Comic Co Comic Gone from Greater Victoria; Esquimalt businesses want different bike lane plan; Students say close UVic in bad weather; And More.  [Nov. 28]

Holiday concert listings for Greater Victoria. [Capital Daily]

5 mezcal cocktails to try in Victoria. [Tasting Victoria]

Hiker found alive after 5 weeks+ in northern BC woods. [CTV]

Longtime Munro’s bookseller mourned: died on BC Transit bus. [CHEK]

Wanted man arrested at BC Ferries terminal. [VicPD]

Good Night Out donations here in advance of Int’l Day of Consent.

The Beach Boys kick off Canadian tour in Victoria on March 22.

That’s it!

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