Oct 17 - A Million Acts of Love

Good morning !

For our first story today, we’ve got Part II of our elections promises series, focusing on environmental issues. For our second story, we look at the work of a remarkable teen who’s keeping his late sister’s legacy alive through acts of love.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 12 / 8

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 10 / 10

Day after: 🌧️ 13 / 11

7-day forecast

NEWS

Candidates are making election promises on behalf of ecosystems that can’t vote

As the Oct. 19 election approaches, candidates across the Capital Regional District (CRD) are making environmental promises that will have an impact on the ways we work, live and play for years to come. Because of the way environmental policies overlap with others related to wellbeing and the economy, paying attention to what would-be MLAs have to say about the environment should be headliners. 

But with rising living costs dominating voter concerns, critical environmental issues often take a backseat, despite recent climate-related disasters in BC.

Some of the contradictions in political platforms regarding fossil fuels and climate change raise questions about the seriousness of party commitments to the environment. Premier David Eby, while expressing regret over not meeting climate goals, has approved projects like Cedar LNG that increase carbon emissions and has drawn criticism for his mixed messaging from environmental groups.

In the face of recent climate events that deeply impacted the CRD, the Conservative party aims to accelerate natural gas expansion. The Green party, true to its name, plans to phase out fracking and halt new LNG projects, emphasizing a more sustainable approach.

Ahead of Saturday’s election, see what party leaders and local candidates have promised to do to address environmental issues—and how likely it is that they’ll keep these promises. 

Read Part ll of our election promises coverage here. 

Part III will look at Public Safety, Child and Elder Care.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Atmospheric river expected to hit the Island tomorrow.

You can vote today at electoral offices. 

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Colwood high school student inspires ‘A Million Acts of Love’ in honour of his late sister

Felix Townsin is not your typical 14 year old. The Royal Bay Secondary School student became an author at the age of five, has travelled the world as a guest speaker on the topic of rare diseases, and is about to launch a campaign that will encourage people to perform a million acts of kindness.  

He’s doing it all in honour of his sister Lexi, who passed away five years ago from Blau syndrome, a rare inflammatory disease that affects fewer than one in a million children worldwide.

Lexi, who would have turned 12 this year, was diagnosed with the disease as a toddler and Felix—two years her senior—saw it as his duty to help her.

Now, he’s launching a campaign to spread positivity throughout the world in honour of Lexi’s legacy.

A Million Acts of Love encourages people to find multiple ways to spread love—big and small. Anyone can sign up to take part by themselves or get their classmates and workplaces involved. Each positive action a person does could count as an act of love—donating to a food bank, volunteering at a retirement home, or helping a neighbour in need could all be an act of love to add to Felix’s goal of a million. You could even bake cookies for your coworkers—each cookie would count as an act of love, says Felix.

The campaign will kick off tomorrow with a benefit concert at the Victoria Scottish Community Centre, featuring top Victoria musicians who have donated their time for the cause.

Find out more about Felix and Lexi’s incredible story and how you can get involved in spreading “Lexi Love.”

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🏅 Vancouver Island named 5th ‘best’ North American island. 

📽️ One Take Super 8 screenings this weekend! Short local films projected on celluloid film, Oct 18 and 19 at Metro Studio.*

🌐 The Great BC Shakeout. [10:17 this morning]

🤝 Now hiring: Nursing Opportunities for Senior Care at Amica on the Gorge.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

BC election result could determine the future of species at risk
Some 1,952 at-risk species—including spotted owls—face threats to their habitats from logging, mining, and urban development, and BC doesn’t have a stand-alone law to protect them. The NDP promised one in 2017 but didn’t follow through. In this election cycle, both the Conservatives and the Greens have pledged to protect at-risk species, but the NDP is silent on the topic this time around. [The Narwhal]

Area Facebook Marketplace contractor convicted of fraud
On social media, Bruce William Woods advertised custom-built cedar wood sheds and planter boxes. Some 16 clients paid a total of $16K in deposits but Woods never completed the work, offering excuses, instead. Arrested in November 2022, Woods was convicted Sept. 23 of 16 counts of fraud under $5K. [Saanich Police]

Victoria rugby star Nathan Hirayama going into BC Sports Hall of Fame
Hirayama is the all-time leader in match appearances (363) and scoring among Canada’s men’s sevens players during his 15 years on the national team. He is 15th all-time in World Sevens with 147 tries. Hirayama carried Canada’s flag into the 2020 Tokyo Olympic opening ceremonies and led Canada to the quarterfinals at that Olympiad. He joins soccer superstar Christine Sinclair, former NHLer Ray Ferraro, and broadcaster Jim Hughson among the 2025 inductees. [BC Sports HoF]

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🗓️ Things to do

🍄 Fungi Fest at RBCM: Mushroom movies, lunchtime lichen lectures, hands-on hunts all week at Royal BC Museum. [Info]

🎞️ 27th Annual Antimatter Media Art Festival: A noncompetitive festival setting encompassing screenings, installations, performances, and media hybrids at various locations. Today-Oct. 27. [Info]

🎸 Rumours: See the ultimate Fleetwood Mac tribute at McPherson Playhouse tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎻 Mozart’s “La Clemenza di Tito”: See Pacific Opera Victoria take on a timeless masterpiece at the Royal Theatre tomorrow and Sun. 7:30pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: UVic named No. 2 best ‘comprehensive university’ in Canada; Man found dead on Dallas pathway bench; Husband watches wife run in race for last time. [Oct. 16]

Promises, promises: Keeping up with the election campaign. [Capital Daily] 

Rare albino sparrow spotted in Westshore. [CHEK]

Biggs killer whales swimming near Campbell River. [Facebook photos]

That’s it!

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