Oct 16 - Promises made and to be voted on

Good morning !

If you came across someone who appeared to be unresponsive, would you stop to check? Lots of people didn’t on Mon. morning when a Victoria woman and her dog found a man hunched over on a park bench on an oceanside trail off Dallas. The man was dead.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 13 / 8 

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 13 / 8

Friday: 🌨️ 12 / 9

7-day forecast

NEWS

‘Tis the season for promises, ahead of this weekend's BC election

With an election in three days and electioneering at full throttle, candidates in the CRD are making ambitious promises on key issues such as housing, education, and healthcare. 

These commitments serve as indicators of their potential governance and are crucial to shaping voter perceptions. 

Incumbents can draw on past achievements, whereas the newbie candidates must align with their party's record—an aspect that can lead to skepticism, especially if the electorate knows promises have been broken.

Across the spectrum, candidates recognize the rising cost of living as a key issue for voters. NDP and Conservatives are suggesting tax cuts to ease financial pressures, while the Greens propose increasing taxes on higher earners to support those in need. 

As candidates clarify their positions, the public awaits further promises and analyses, particularly when it comes to public safety and environmental issues.

Learn more about candidate promises in Part 1 of Capital Daily’s election promises guide.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Roadwork alert: Bay and Vancouver will alternate single-lane traffic 9am-3pm today and tomorrow.

See a pothole? Report it to the City of Victoria. [email or phone]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

UVic named the No. 2 ‘comprehensive university’ in Canada

Maclean’s magazine has UVic at No. 2 behind Simon Fraser, as the best “comprehensive university”—meaning it has a significant research component and offers a varied list of graduate, undergraduate, and professional programs—in the country.

“Not many schools can offer a campus surrounded by ocean, mountains, and forests, with just a 10-minute walk to the beach, but the University of Victoria has so much green space that students flock to the outdoors in the springtime—which comes in early March—to study and sunbathe on blankets,” the magazine’s description of UVic begins.

In its latest annual ranking of Canadian unis, Maclean’s says UVic’s location plays a part in the school’s identity, which is strong on the research side for studying the ocean and climate change; along with Indigenous knowledge, clean growth, health sciences, and sustainable communities. 

The school scores high for its research arms, particularly Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), which it hosts and owns. Through its undersea network of cables, ONC produces ocean data for communities, governments, and industry.

The school gets kudos for its faculty of fine arts which Maclean’s says “is home to programs in music, writing, visual arts, and theatre, while entrepreneurial start-ups in business, engineering, and computer science extend to community partnerships and boost co-op opportunities,” the profile continues.

The survey finds UVic’s Indigenous studies, civil engineering, and climate science to be “standout programs.”

Overall, UVic was ranked No. 16 in the country, with Toronto and UBC at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively. Montreal’s McGill University placed third.

The magazine surveyed university faculty, senior administrators, and business people across Canada.

SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA

Royal Winnipeg Ballet's ‘Nutcracker’

Since the first Nutcracker performance in 1892, it has become the most performed of all ballets and has served as an introduction to classical music for children worldwide. From Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, you can partake in this holiday tradition with Dance Victoria's presentation of Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Nutcracker!

⭐️ Capital Picks

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🐳 Bigg indeed: See these shots of large Biggs killer whales swimming near Campbell River. [Facebook photos]

🌊 Bella Park is the Westshore's most popular seaside community—1- to 3-bedroom condos starting from the low $400s. Book a tour today.*

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🗞️ In Other News

Saanich man cooks Thanksgiving dinner for ‘strangers’
James Taylor has walked across Canada three times to raise awareness about reconciliation, and over the weekend, he was putting others first again. Taylor invited people he had never met to his home for a holiday meal he cooked for them. He got hundreds of responses to his online invite, so he made two dinners. [CHEK]

Husband waiting to die watches wife run competitively for the last time
Tim Kite has watched Lisa de Lusignan compete in the New York and Chicago marathons, among many others, so her appearance in this past weekend’s Royal Victoria Marathon was emotional for the couple, knowing Kite, who suffers from ALS, has an assisted death scheduled for Nov. 2 via MAID. Marathon organizers allowed Kite to sit in his wheelchair near the half-marathon finish line so he could see his wife cross the finish line one more time. [Times Colonist]

UVic students, RBCM researchers find dinosaur fossils
The discovery of 90+ fossils was made in July in the Skeena Mountains in northern BC and includes the nearly complete foot of a meat-eating dino. The bones are expected to be part of a public display when the Royal BC Museum opens its PARC Campus (Provincial Archives, Research and Collections) building in Colwood in 2026. [The Martlet]

🗓️ Things to do

🍸Art of the Cocktail: Victoria’s biggest cocktail party is back with 50+ local and national exhibitors. Sat. Crystal Garden. [Info]

🪄 I Hate Magic: Find out why award-winning magician Rob Teszka might hate the thing he loves. Berwick Royal Oak. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎶 Adam Baldwin: Listen to the singer-songwriter with special guest Mariel Buckley. Capital Ballroom. Tonight. 9pm. [Info]

📚 Victoria Festival of Authors:  Vancouver Island’s largest celebration of books with inspiring panel discussions, insightful readings, and forest walks. Langham Court Theatre. Today through Sun. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Massage worker trial begins; UVic’s ONC explores waters of Antarctica; Victoria part of movie shoots; And more. [Oct. 15]

8 Cafes to try this fall. [Tasting Vic]

Ditidaht First Nation asks for improved signage near Port Alberni. [Ha-Shilth-Sa]

Seniors’ non-profit Silver Threads needs new lease. [Times Colonist]

Chinook salmon may not be what’s ailing Southern Resident killer whales: UBC study. [CHEK / CP] 

Swim, salmon, swim! [Videos]

Humpback whale is seen incredibly close. [Photos]

That’s it!

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