Good morning {{First name}}!

You know fall has officially arrived when it starts getting damp and nippy—hey, I live by the ocean, and I am definitely not complaining—and talk of Christmas hits your ears.
As our buds over at Victoria Buzz tell us, organizers of the Festival of Trees, which supports the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, are recruiting businesses to sponsor and decorate Christmas trees.
Last year, 80 holiday trees were on display, helping to raise $135K.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌤️ 14 / 9

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 17 / 9

Friday: 🌦️ 16 / 9

7-day forecast

For the first time in 56 active seasons, Victoria’s cruise ship count reached the one-million-passenger milestone in a single campaign.

The Ogden Point port tally hit seven digits when Geri Skardina stepped off the Norwegian Encore yesterday morning.

“This is a significant moment for Victoria and for the many people who support each cruise call,” said Jeremy Dunn, CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.

Victoria welcomed 989,950 cruise passengers in 2025 and 972,268 in 2024.

“Victoria’s one-million-passenger milestone is a powerful reflection of the destination’s exceptional appeal,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.

“For many, a cruise call is their first introduction to Victoria,” Dunn said.

If that’s the case, Geri and husband Gary of Hermosa Beach, Calif., have had eight such introductions, and all have been wonderful—even those without the red carpet, champagne, and VIP treatment they received yesterday.

“It's just beautiful, and the people are lovely, and Butchart Gardens—we love it. Oh my gosh, it's just a beautiful city,” Geri gushed.

You remember that Pointer Sisters song “Jump (For My Love)” that blared seemingly non-stop on the radio in the mid-80s? Her husband Gary wrote and produced it.

Geri, a retired American Airlines exec, almost jumped a night earlier when a call to her cabin Monday night brought news of her No. 1,000,000 status.

“Surprised” and “excited” are how she described it. The couple received a generous gift basket, and there was talk of a private tour of the city. 

The Norwegian Encore is the last of the big ships of the season at Ogden Point. When the expedition cruise ship National Geographic Venture pulls up on Sunday, it will mark 332 total ship calls in 2026. The previous record of 329 was set in 2022.

Witnesses sought in a physical incident around 7am yesterday on Government near View. [VicPD]

Municipal Election advance voting 8am-8pm today at Crystal Garden and 10am-4pm today at UVic.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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

Canada Post is experiencing delays in delivering requested mail ballots to local voters ahead of the municipal election, according to the City of Victoria—though the mail delivery people see things differently.

“The City has learned of a delay in Canada Post delivering requested mail ballots,” the city said yesterday.
CHEK News reported an estimated 2,300 of some 3,437 mail-in ballots are late, but Canada Post told CHEK that all its Victoria mail items are being processed “without delay or backlog.”

Either way, better safe than sorry.

If you receive your requested ballot in the mail this week, the city recommends not putting it in the mail in case it is not received by the deadline of 8pm this Saturday. 
Instead, the city suggested yesterday depositing completed ballots in the drop box at the Pandora entrance of City Hall or at any of the 12 voting locations in Victoria. 

If you haven't received your requested ballot by mail yet, the city advises you to visit an advance poll to vote in person.

There is advance voting today from 8am to 8pm at Crystal Garden and 10am-4pm at the Student Union Building at UVic. 

"Advance voting is generally quieter than general voting day," said City of Victoria spokesperson Colleen Mycroft. 

For those who have placed their completed ballots in the mail and are worried they won't be received in time, the city recommends voting again in person. 

"Your vote will only be counted once in the system," Mycroft said. "If you have voted in person and then received your ballot in the mail, please dispose of it."

If you require assistance, please contact City of Victoria Legislative Services at 250-361-0571.

Disruptions happen, but how organizations prepare for them can make the biggest difference. 

Cyberattacks are one example of a common emergency or crisis. But in the second quarter of 2025, nearly half (47.6%) of Canadian businesses and organizations didn’t plan on taking new cybersecurity measures. For some workplaces, the risk isn't the absence of a plan; it's an inactive plan.

"These plans should be usable, and everyone should know which version is the most current," says Erin Stockill, an instructor with Continuing Studies at UVic with more than a decade of experience in emergency management.

Plans work best when people know how to respond, and helping teams turn those plans into action is a training opportunity—and a leadership responsibility.

🗳️ The BC election debate is tonight 6:15pm-8pm. [Where to watch]

🚲 Ride free to your riding’s polling station for the provincial election. [CHEK] 

🥌 Co-op Victoria Grand Slam of Curling through Sunday at SoFMC.

🕺 Out Innerspace (Vancouver) brings the tragi-comic Rhino to the McPherson Playhouse stage for one night only on Oct. 24. Experience surreal dance theatre from $35!*

🤣 Comedian and actress Steph Tolev tonight at McPherson Playhouse.

📋 Seniors and their families are using this readiness organizer to help keep daily life going when someone needs to step in at short notice.*

*Sponsored Listing

Shawnigan Retreats offers the perfect cozy retreat for family gatherings or romantic getaways. Nestled by the serene Shawnigan Lake, our luxurious accommodations feature a sauna, hot tub, games room with ping pong, cards, and board games, and even a private pickleball court. Enjoy nearby hikes through breathtaking nature and unwind in comfort. With space for up to 18 guests, Shawnigan Retreats promises an unforgettable experience.

Explore Shawnigan Retreats and plan your getaway today. Learn more about Shawnigan Retreats.

Woman found dead at Central Saanich waste facility
Central Saanich Police said they were called to the waste disposal facility DL Bins at 6844 Oldfield yesterday to follow up on a report of the discovery of a dead person. The facility has been closed since the discovery. The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) has taken over the investigation. It is looking for the public’s help in identifying a woman of an unknown race, possibly in her 30s, heavy-set and approximately five-foot-nine, with brown hair and blonde highlights and a horizontal scar on her inner right forearm. The VIIMCU information line is 250-380-6211. [CHEK]

Voting primer: How does the CRD work, and why are we voting?
The next two weeks of voting will bring in a new slate of MLAs provincially and locally, a new council, and a newly elected mayor and school board trustees. It will also help councils appoint 24 board members to the CRD—even though candidates for the positions generally don’t campaign on regional issues. Here’s a primer on the CRD, what it does, how its directors are selected, and how the board works. [Times Colonist]

Greater Victoria transitions to a new emergency call system
The new secure digital system, Next Generation 9-1-1, has backup capabilities and an automatic callback feature for disconnected calls. Residents still dial 9-1-1 as usual. The new system could eventually allow text, photo, and video communication, though these features aren't available yet. Saanich is advising accidental callers to stay on the line and tell the call taker it was inadvertent. [Black Press]

🎭 Il Trovatore: Pacific Opera Victoria's first production of its 2026/27 season takes audiences to 15th-century Spain and Verdi’s Italian tragedy. Royal Theatre. Final dress rehearsal for students and community groups tonight. 7:30pm. Performances Oct. 16, 18, 22, & 24. [Info]

🔢👠 Drag Bingo: Come with fun prizes. First ball called at 8pm. Vicious Poodle. Tonight. [Info] 

🎸 3rd Annual Homecoming Concert: A fundraiser for Parkland Secondary School's Fine Arts Department featuring award-winning local artists with roots in Sidney. Mary Winspear Centre. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

📜 Confabulation: Superpowers: Six people share true, unscripted stories on the theme of Superpowers in this true storytelling series hosted by Carol-Lynne Michaels and Cassandra Togneri. The Coda. Tomorrow. 7:30pm. [19+] [Info]

😂 Oak Bay High Soccer Fundraiser: A comedy night raising funds for Oak Bay High School's soccer program. Hecklers. Tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

🏄🎵 Let's Go Surfin': The Remarkable Beach Boys Tribute: BACKBEAT's acclaimed tribute brings mind-blowing harmonies to the Mary Winspear Centre. Friday. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎶UVic Wind Symphony: Natural Forces: The opening concert of the UVic Wind Symphony’s 2026/27 season showcases an eclectic mix of works. Farquhar Auditorium. Friday. 8pm. [Info] 

Sunday’s headlines: Affordable seniors home in James Bay in need of donations; Weekly roundup; Man charged in alleged attack on Pandora Save-on-Foods manager. [Oct. 11]

Wanted on a Canada-wide warrant, Mitchell Moise, 48. Do not approach. [VicPD]

Witnesses sought in fatal motorcycle collision just before 5:30pm Friday in Saanich.

Everyone eligible—even if not a parent—should vote in school board elections, says the provincial trustee association’s past president. [Times Colonist]

Volunteer divers remove 250 kg of fishing gear from beneath Sidney Pier. [CHEK]   

Victoria Poet Laureates: Call for applications open until Nov. 19. 

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