Good morning {{First name}}!

I hope your first couple of days of Pacific Time (PCT) have gone smoothly! The change (or lack thereof) caused minor chaos with some devices not getting the memo that BC was sticking with daylight saving time, including at BC Ferries where some ticket times were off by an hour. 

Fingers crossed the confusion has been resolved by today.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: ☁ 10 / 6

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 11 / 9

Day after: 🌦️ 11 / 9

Tsartlip (W̱JOȽEȽP) First Nation has joined Indigenous communities across BC and Alberta in challenging Canada's decision to fast-track a new West Coast pipeline.

The Pacific Link Pipeline, which is listed as a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act, would transport 1M barrels of crude oil per day from Bruderheim, Alberta to a port in Delta. The pipeline is expected to increase tanker traffic in the Salish Sea as the oil is shipped to markets in Asia.

Under the Building Canada Act, select projects are streamlined by receiving all federal approvals at once. The act requires Canada to maintain consultations with affected First Nations throughout a project's planning process, including before it is deemed of national interest.

The pipeline was the first project to be listed under the act, with its designation announced last month. Last week, the federal government listed Roberts Bank Terminal 2, a three-berth shipping container terminal in Delta, as the second project under the act.

On Friday, Tsartlip First Nation, a W̱SÁNEĆ nation, filed an application in federal court for a judicial review of the Pacific Link project's requirements, including confirming that Canada must "meaningfully consult" with the nation before designating a national interest project in its territory.

Tsartlip Nation defined meaningful consultations as providing clear information about the project and its potential impacts on Indigenous communities—something the nation says hasn't happened yet.

Tsartlip Chief Curtis Olsen said the First Nation intends to hold Canada to the promises made more than 174 years ago in the Douglas Treaties, which guaranteed W̱SÁNEĆ people could continue to live on the land and water as they always have. 

"The federal government has essentially given approval to all the permits of an oil pipeline and terminal before there are specific details about the project,” said Olsen.

Read the full story here.

High-risk missing person: Mark, 53, was last seen yesterday morning on Douglas near Burnside. Police say his family is worried about his well-being. [VicPD]

Blue-Green algae bloom advisories are in place for Prior Lake, Beaver Lake, and Elk Lake. [CRD]

24-hour road closure: Judah at Carey for sidewalk construction until Friday.

The five-year plan, unveiled yesterday, emphasizes VicPD’s relationship with its communities, the needs of people seeking help, and the well-being of its officers.

VicPD says community safety in Victoria and Esquimalt and building a modern police force are its top priorities. So is looking into a unified police force for the region.

VicPD Chief Fiona Wilson has called for a renewed focus on community policing, reducing street disorder, foot patrol teams, Indigenous engagement, and modernizing the department.  

“I made a commitment to focus on the people who work here, the people who make up our communities, and those who are most in need of our help,” Wilson said in a statement.

“Our ambition is to build an organization unlike any other agency in Canada, shaped by the communities we serve and the standard of service we expect of ourselves.”

4 goals of VicPD's plan:

VicPD said residents and businesses will notice a more visible police presence, while members will receive clear direction and a commitment to secure the resources they need.

The plan’s new vision:
“VicPD. The standard for excellence in policing.” 

Its mission:

“To champion public safety with heart and resolve.”

5 values for VicPD members:

New black and blue units with stylized wolf 

VicPD also revealed the look of all new vehicles gradually entering its fleet. It features Sta'qeya, or Coast Salish wolf, which appears on the force’s crest and was designed by Songhees elder and master carver Yux'wey'lupton—known by his English name Clarence “Butch” Dick.

The wolf is significant to lək̓ʷəŋən origin teachings and represents the department’s connection to the people whose traditional territories it serves, VicPD said.

A data breach or frustrated client can quickly become a public issue within hours. Julie Gathercole, an instructor with Continuing Studies at UVic, has seen how a crisis can affect an entire organization.

 “When a crisis impacts an organization, it’s not just the communication team that’s involved,” she says. “Legal, HR, IT—many departments play a role and having more people across an organization who understand crisis response is a huge advantage.”

 A survey in Samsara’s 2025 report found that 60% of Canadian emergency-management professionals didn’t feel prepared to handle a major crisis. But organizations can start planning before a disruption happens.

 Protecting the reputation of a business isn’t just about damage control—it's about strengthening organizational resilience from preparation through recovery.

🐦 Geese-filled skies: A flock of migrating geese had Saanich skies looking like a Hitchcock film. [Facebook video]

⛸️ Westshore Wolves Pink in the Rink in support of Victoria Hospice.

💋 It opens after the affair has ended then proceeds to track it from the final breakup to the first kiss. Betrayal continues to November 22.*

🎵 Winter Harp Victoria 2026 is Dec. 11, with two concerts at Alix Goolden Hall.

🍃 Silent auction: Support South Island FarmHub and bid on local goods, including a cutting from Capitol 6's iconic fig tree. [Auction open today through next Tuesday]

*Sponsored Listing

On Nov 6 + 7, Athens-based dance company The Lion and the Wolf brings My Fierce Ignorant Step to the Royal Theatre. Led by award-winning choreographer Christos Papadopoulos, nine dancers build an ecstatic soundscape of voice and movement inspired by the sonic memories of Papadopoulos childhood in Greece. From $35!

Human remains found at site of Travellers Inn fire
VicPD confirmed yesterday that human remains were found among the debris of the former Travellers Inn after a massive fire destroyed the building last week. One person was unaccounted for after the building was evacuated. VicPD said it's working with the BC Coroners Service to identify the remains and can't comment on whether the remains belong to the missing person. Investigators spent the past week conducting a detailed examination of the scene, which is now complete. The cause of the fire is not yet known. 

Christmas tree farm in Saanichton shutting down ahead of the holidays
Saanichton Christmas Tree Farm, a family-run Peninsula business since 1981, announced Sunday that its owner is retiring and the farm won’t open for Christmas 2026. Founded by siblings Mike and Joan Fleming, the farm offered pre-cut and U-cut trees in 17 varieties along with fresh fruit, vegetables and award-winning preserves and jams. Joan continued running the business after Mike died in 2018. 

US expats in Victoria looking south today as America votes
The Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands chapter of Democrats Abroad—one of 13 in Canada—says they are seeing a higher number of Island people registered to vote in today’s US midterm election than in previous votes. Foreign-based Americans can apply for ballots from the last US state in which they lived. It’s believed roughly 7K South Islanders were born in the US. [Times Colonist]

✍️ Poem Performance Workshop: Transform ideas into poetry fragments that will be used to create experimental performances in this workshop at Intrepid Studio today. 6-9pm. [Info]

🎼 Flute Studio Recital: Hear performances by flute students from UVic's School of Music at Phillip T. Young Hall tomorrow. 12:30pm. [Info]

🪩 Bee Gees Revisited: Hear the sounds and harmonies of the Bee Gees' biggest hits in this tribute act at McPherson Playhouse. Thursday. 7:30pm. [Info]

🤘 Got Stones: This high-energy Rolling Stones tribute performs at the McPherson Playhouse. Friday. 7pm. [Info] 

🧶 Creative Craft Fair: The 47th edition of this three-day craft fair, with artisans selling gourmet food, fine art, clothing, jewelry, and more at Pearkes Rec Centre. Friday-Sunday. [Info]

🌱 Let’s Talk Plants: Learn about the fascinating diversity of plants from horticulturist Bryan Emery at the First Memorial Meeting Room. Nov. 10. [Info]

Sunday's headlines: Young Islander part of landmark federal climate trial; Weekly roundup; BC NDP announces interim leader. [Nov. 1]

Missing person: Meike Mantai, 71, was last seen in the Saanich area. [RCMP]

Road closure: Haultain and Cedar Hill for two months. 7:30am-3pm.

Rollover crash near Uptown may have been caused by a sudden turn. [CHEK] 

Colour printing and copying services no longer available at Greater Victoria Public Libraries starting today. Black and white printing and photocopying services will continue. [GVPL]

Victoria's fairy tale cottage: Fable Cottage on Cordova Bay Road, seen here in 1967, was relocated to Denman Island in the 1990s. [Facebook photos]

The Lightfoot Band concert cancelled; no show on Wednesday. [McPherson Playhouse]

Victoria International Wine Fest returns to downtown Victoria. Friday & Saturday. 

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.

And before you go, let us know: