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BC Crime Stoppers is under investigation for how it handled private information. On a brighter note, Victoria’s two major hospitals—Royal Jubilee and Victoria General—are in line for a $43-million surgical tech upgrade.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌦️ 12 / 6

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 13 / 8

Friday: 🌧️ 12 / 9

7-day forecast

The Victoria Hospitals Foundation is kicking off Phase 3 of its multi-year It's Time fundraising campaign and hopes to raise more than the first two phases combined.

The nonprofit, which raises money for the Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals, is hoping to collect $43M in Phase 3 after successfully raising $38M in the first two phases in under two years.

That allowed the foundation to buy advanced surgical equipment. RJH and VGH are now home to the first three robotic surgical systems on Vancouver Island: two da Vinci surgical robots and a Mazor X neurosurgical robot.

“Today, Victoria is Western Canada’s first Robotic Centre of Excellence and home to one of Canada’s most comprehensive multi-specialty robotic surgery programs,” the foundation said in a release. 

These new technological additions have attracted top medical talent to the hospitals. Earlier this year, the foundation said five new surgeons joined the teams at RJH and VGH as a “direct result of innovation within the surgical landscape.”

Now, the foundation is hoping to expand the capacity and capabilities of the hospitals' operating rooms.

Of the $43M goal, $25.4M would go toward two new hybrid operating theatres, which allow for traditional surgical procedures and medical imaging in the same room. These hybrid options are designed for patients with time-sensitive and complex conditions, allowing for multiple forms of care at once.

These would be the first hybrid operating rooms on the Island and the first net-new operating rooms in Victoria in 23 years.

The other $17.6M would go toward doubling the hospitals' radiology capacity, adding two new interventional radiology suites, upgrading two existing suites, and establishing dedicated recovery space.

Interventional radiologists treat conditions through veins and arteries, directly targeting blood clots and internal bleeding and combating early-stage cancers. The doubled capacity across the two hospitals would allow radiologists to manage multiple urgent cases at once. 

The fundraiser has already gotten a head start, with its first donor, local philanthropist Craig Mearns, giving $3M to the cause. Soon after, an unnamed donor matched Mearns' contribution with another $3M. So far, $8.2M of the $43M goal has been raised.

Possible cougar sighting in Central Saanich. [Black Press]

Expect commuter delays in the Westshore, southbound on the TCH, particularly near the Island Highway interchange, due to ongoing Highway 1 bus-on-shoulder construction.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

On the water today? Check the tide times for Victoria.

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (OIPC) is investigating whether the BC Crime Stoppers Society adequately protected the personal information of people who reported tips to the anonymous line.

Last week, police services across the country—including Saanich Police, the host agency for Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers—suspended use of the program after it was hacked last March, exposing an estimated 1.5M tips dating back 25 years.

A CBC investigation managed to contact several tipsters, who were shocked to be told their personal info was publicly available. 

It’s those from BC that the OIPC is concerned about. 

Under the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), the OIPC has jurisdiction over organizations (including nonprofits) that collect, use and disclose the personal information of people living in BC, the OIPC said yesterday.

“Organizations are required under PIPA to make reasonable security arrangements to protect personal information that they hold,” it said.

Because this is “an active file,” the OIPC wouldn’t provide further information. It said this investigation is on behalf of anyone affected, so if you believe the breach involved your information, you don’t need to complain to the OIPC.

What you can do is:
• Change important passwords and set up additional authentication
• Alert your financial institution about any unauthorized transactions
• Contact Equifax or TransUnion to place a security alert or credit freeze
• Report to local police/RCMP and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
• Contact ICBC, CRA, Service Canada or any other pertinent agency 

The OIPC also reminds organizations to use this online breach report form if they suspect any unauthorized collection, use, disclosure, or disposal of personal information. 

Pancakes & Pajamas tickets are selling fast! Don’t miss your chance to gather your loved ones for brunch in your PJs at Hotel Grand Pacific on Dec. 6. From cookie decorating to story time with Santa, enjoy some holiday fun while supporting Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island.

📚 Win GVPL's best books: Enter for a chance to take home all nine titles shortlisted for the 2026 Victoria Book Prizes. Open to library cardholders aged 13+. Ballots available through Nov. 13. [Details]

🦁 On Nov. 6 & 7, Greece's Christos Papadopoulos / The Lion and the Wolf kicks off Dance Victoria's milestone 30th Anniversary Season! Tickets from $35.*

🪩 Dinner & a Show: ABBA by the Dimes Trio at Elements Casino tomorrow.

🏨 Second-Hand Hope: Thrift With Purpose at the Bay Centre is Nov. 23 to Dec. 6.

🏡 Many seniors want to age in their current home. This free guide helps them and their adult children decide whether the house can keep up.* *Sponsored Listing

Crystal Pool closure leaves swim clubs on the outside looking in
A big black fence surrounds the 55-year-old aquatic centre on Quadra as the city prepares to tear it down. The city’s interim replacement pool—the old YMCA/YWCA on Broughton—is still being readied after a summertime flood. That’s left some swimming clubs like the Spirit Orcas scrambling to find pool time in Saanich and Colwood. Cathy Hanan of Island Swimming—which was teaching kids to swim at Crystal Pool—says this has become a regional issue. [CTV]

Traveller’s Inn fire victim receives sax from Saanich retiree
When John Billett read that UVic student Samten Stobbe lost all her musical instruments, including a saxophone, clarinet, and flute, in the fire, it struck a note with the former dentist and musician. With his hearing becoming an issue, Billett decided it was time to put down his made-in-Paris alto sax and offer it up as a replacement. “I had tears of gratitude when I read his message that he wanted to give me a ­professional-grade horn,” said Stobbe. [Times Colonist]

Lorne Doerkson wants BC government employees back in the office
The premier-designate says he expects some hybrid work to continue, but his preference is for public servants to return to the office. Paul Finch, president of the BC General Employees’ Union, called Doerkson's comments concerning. He argues there are economic benefits to allowing employees to telework from smaller communities. BC made remote work options permanent after the COVID-19 pandemic to recruit provincewide. Doerkson is expected to be sworn in later this month, after the provincial election results are finalized on Nov. 18. [CBC]

🖌️ Watercolours for Wellness: Gifts of Gratitude. Create special gifts of gratitude for your loved ones with magical watercolours at Emily Carr House. Today. 10am-12pm. [Info]

💻 TechPlay for parents, caregivers: For ages 4-12. Explore educational toys that introduce STEM topics such as coding, robotics, and electricity. Saanich Centennial Library. Today. 3:30-4:30pm. [Info]

🎭 Betrayal: This Harold Pinter play, which deconstructs a failed relationship in reverse at The Belfry. Through Nov. 22. 7:30pm. [Info] 

🎶 Postsecondary Thursday Lunch Concert: Ranging from Bach to Brubeck to Bluegrass to Beatles, students share their work. Victoria Conservatory of Music. Tomorrow. 12:30pm-1:30pm. [Info]

🪶 Indigenous Veterans Day (Sunday) at Royal BC Museum: Elder Wedlidi Speck will share the story of his uncle, Edwin Victor Cook, who served in the First World War. Registration for Grades 4-7 tomorrow. 9:15am-9:55am. [Info] 

🏰 Murder on Paper Street: An improvised Agatha Christie mystery, set at Craigdarroch Castle. Tomorrow-Saturday & Nov. 12-14. [Info]

🎭 Pacific Opera Victoria presents: Remembering Mary’s Wedding. A professor’s lecture on the First World War in Canada becomes the gateway into another story. Baumann Centre. Friday and Saturday. 7:30pm / 4pm. [Info] 

🇮🇪 International Uilleann Piping Day in Victoria: Learn about Ireland’s national bagpipe, hear some music and try for yourself. Victoria Friends Meeting House. Saturday. 1-5pm. [Info]

📸 The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria presents: Into the Wosk Collection: Discovery & Wonder selections from the extensive collection of Yosef Wosk. Opens Saturday. [Info]

Tuesday’s headlines: Tsartlip among First Nations filing court challenges against Pacific Link Pipeline project; VicPD unveils strategic plan, new look for police cruisers; Human remains found at site of Traveller’s Inn fire. [Nov. 3]

Missing person, 53, found safe by VicPD. 

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

Man gets 7.5 years in prison for 2017 machete attack in Oak Bay. [Victoria News] 

Longtime Saanich councillors say so long. [CHEK] 

Vic to host men’s national soccer championship Nov. 12-15. [Times Colonist]

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 is Nov. 21.

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 fig tree. [Auction open through next Tuesday]

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