Good morning {{First name}}!

We’ll be getting a lot of rain this weekend.
High winds and waves have already disrupted BC Ferries’ morning schedule. The 7, 8, and 9 to Tsawwassen have been cancelled.
Nothing is leaving Swartz Bay until at least 11am and BC Ferries said if conditions don’t improve, they may have to scrap additional sailings through the early afternoon.

Travellers, you know the drill: Check the BC Ferries website for updates.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌧️ 13 / 10

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 14 / 10

Sunday: 🌦️ 13 / 7

7-day forecast

Someone used a forklift to try to break into Deerland, forcing the popular indoor play centre for kids on Finlayson and Blanshard to remain closed yesterday morning and early afternoon.

General manager Vicky Liu was woken by a phone call from the alarm company that spotted trouble at 4:20am and arrived to find a glassy mess at the front door. “They only stole two tablets [from] in front, and they broke all the windows with a forklift,” Liu said.

Liu said she watched a surveillance video showing two men driving a forklift she thinks was taken from a contractor at Mayfair Shopping Centre, just across Finlayson.

“These two people somehow found the key, found the forklift, changed the propane and started it,” she told CHEK.

Liu said after ramming into the front of her business, the suspects drove to the Mayfair parking lot, where they flipped a pickup truck.

Liu said that’s when the police arrived and caught the two suspects, although VicPD has not confirmed any arrests.  

Deerland is a roof-covered playground with a large trampoline park, giant slides and obstacle courses, climbing walls and an arcade. It’s owned by Ruby Liu, the owner of Mayfair and the Woodgrove Centre mall in Nanaimo.

The forklift heavily damaged the front doors, but some quick carpentry allowed the play centre to open around 3pm, Vicky Liu said. 

Liu expressed gratitude that the suspects didn’t get through the second set of doors and into the play centre.

“That definitely would have affected the business operation, definitely ruining a lot of birthday parties being planned," she said.

Construction on Galloping Goose Trail results in some detours.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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

A drone came in handy back in August when VicPD had to find an injured elderly woman along a jam-packed Dallas Road as people watched the Snowbirds perform overhead, the police department said.

It’s an example of how police forces are employing remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) for emergency management and another reason VicPD has decided to incorporate drones into its regular patrols under its newly launched Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) program.

VicPD started using drones to monitor large-scale events back in spring 2025. The program’s second phase began earlier this year, with drones deployed to support more investigations and improve police response.   

“The program's expansion in 2026 is about providing safer, quicker, and more efficient public responses,” said VicPD Inspector Conor King. “Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems have been a valuable tool for public safety and risk management.”

VicPD said the RPAS provides tactical situational awareness, minimizing risk to both the public and police in scenarios such as missing persons investigations, high-risk weapon calls or arrests, and emergency situations. 

VicPD said RPAS cameras don’t record everything, and that safeguards are in place to adhere to privacy standards. The police service said it has worked closely with BC’s Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, Transport Canada, and NAV Canada and that it will continue to alert the public whenever it deploys a drone. 

Saanich Police use drones to help in collision reconstruction and search operations. Central Saanich Police deploy the small aircraft for emergency response and in missing person cases.

This story ran for our Insiders on Nov. 1. Consider becoming an Insider today and be the first to receive stories every Sunday.

Make the Magic of Christmas part of your holiday tradition. Explore dazzling light displays, enjoy seasonal music, warm up with hot chocolate, and skate beneath the stars. Visit from 3pm to 9pm, with viewing until 10pm. Christmas tickets are now on sale. Book your date and time to visit.

🏒 Victoria Royals host Moose Jaw Warriors tonight at 7pm, and Tri-City Americans tomorrow at 6:05 at SoFMC. [Military Appreciation Night]

🏀 UVic Vikes host UNBC Timberwolves at CARSA tonight (8pm) and tomorrow (7pm).

🫦'The performances and design of this Belfry Theatre production were truly brilliant.’ Betrayal continues to Nov. 22. Ticket sales are brisk; book tickets here.*

🍷 Victoria International Wine Festival is today and tomorrow at the Victoria Conference Centre.

👷🧑‍🎨 Open House: Rock Bay Square Arts & Industry welcomes you tomorrow from 10am to 4:30pm.

🏡 Aging in place starts with an honest look at the house. This free guide helps families take that look together.*

🤣 Ron James offers his standup tomorrow night at the McPherson Playhouse. 

🫶 Saanich residents are invited to apply for appointments to boards, committees, and foundations. 

*Sponsored Listing

Newbie councillor Wendy Bowkett faces protest at Victoria's inaugural council meeting
About a dozen protesters gathered outside city hall during the council’s swearing-in ceremony. Their target was Bowkett, whom they accuse of making transphobic comments on a social media account that has since been removed or deleted. CHEK said it had verified some of the posts. When asked on camera whether she was transphobic, the newly installed councillor responded, “Absolutely not. Absolutely not. I just have a point of view that respects women’s and girls' rights and leaves children alone. That’s really all I’ve really said.” [CHEK]

Want to buy a bunch of buildings downtown? Market Square is up for sale 
The 1.5-acre cluster of heritage buildings between Lower Johnson and Pandora was listed this week for $25M by owner Anthem Properties, which bought the space more than 20 years ago. Built between 1890 and 1912, the buildings are home to popular restaurants and retailers, including Whistle Buoy Brewing, Cafe Mexico, and The Drake. It has about 95K square feet of leasable space, under 10% vacancy, and earns $1.94M in annual net operating income, according to the property's real estate agent. [Times Colonist]

Victoria preps for possible coastal flooding as El Niño pushes sea levels higher
Rising tides from Kelvin waves and El Niño have battered some coastal areas in California, and since meteorological conditions don’t stop at the border, the City of Victoria has been preparing for coastal flooding. The city’s engineering department says staff monitor weather forecasts and tide levels 24/7 during fall and winter and have crews ready to respond. The city is also modelling possible scenarios, including what would happen if sea levels increased by a full metre. [CTV]

🖼️ Winter Exhibition Celebration: The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria celebrates a new season of exhibitions. AGGV. Today. 5-8pm. Free. [Info]

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

🎵🛋️ Furnishing Jazz: Vibraphonist Nick Apivor and pianist Attila Fias perform elegant sounds in elegant surroundings at Luxe Home Interiors. Today 7:30-9:30pm. [Info]

🦇 Bourne to be Ozz: Canada's Black Sabbath and Ozzy tribute act plays the Charlie White Theatre tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🩰 Christos Papadopoulos: The Lion and the Wolf: See choreography from the revered Greek contemporary dance at the Royal Theatre. Today & tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info] 

🎭 Remembering Mary's Wedding: This popular Canadian play reflects on love, loss, and remembrance at the Baumann Centre. Today, 7:30pm; tomorrow, 4pm. [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. Today–Sunday. [Info]

🕯️ Diwali Show 2026: Celebrate the annual festival of lights, with local artists performing Indian classical, folk, and Bollywood music and dance at The Farquhar, UVic. Tomorrow. 6pm. [Info]

🎺 Chet Baker Tribute by The Daniel Lapp Quartet: Hear the timeless music of legendary jazz trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker as interpreted by Lapp and his mates. First Church of Christ, Scientist. Tomorrow. 7:30-10pm. [Info]

🔮 Intuitive Arts Festival: More than 40 exhibitors and a full day of workshops provided by professionals in the metaphysical field. 195 Bay. Tomorrow & Sunday. 10am-5pm. [Info] 

🧑‍🎄 Snack & Shop: Gigi’s 3rd annual festive event to get you into the spirit with live music, canapés, mulled wine, and 10% off your shopping. 105-5118 Cordova Bay. Nov. 26. 5:30-8pm. [Info]

Thursday’s headlines: Plans for a proposed downtown hotel released; New commercial centre proposed for airport lands in Sidney; Stew Young is back at Langford council. [Nov. 5]

What is happening in Greater Victoria in November. [Capital Daily]

Blue-green algae advisories: Main beach at Lower Thetis Lake, Prior Lake and the east end of Durrance Lake in Mount Work Regional Park, and for the Brookleigh Boat Launch at Elk Lake, and for Beaver Lake. [CRD / Island Health] 

All clear: George Jay Elementary was put under lockdown Wednesday afternoon. [Times Colonist]

Repealing BC housing legislation is not the way to go, says UBC expert. [CHEK / CP] 

Free BC Transit for armed forces members next Wednesday for Remembrance Day.

Free pop-up yard waste drop-off in Langford [The next 3 Saturdays]

118th Canadian Bowl: Westshore Rebels host Regina Thunder in the Canadian Junior Football League’s finale on Sunday at Starlight Stadium. 

Dance of the herring: See the unique movement patterns of a school of herring—and the cormorant trying to eat the fish—near Comox. [Facebook video]

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