Good morning {{First name}}!
I usually associate the fall season here with rain, but we've had one of the loveliest Octobers I can remember. Unfortunately, that's probably not normal. Victoria and Vancouver are on track to have the driest October on record.
I'm hoping for more of a balance in November—we do need rain—but I'll soak up the sun while we have it.
— Robyn
Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes
🌡 Weather Forecast
NEWS
More voters turn out for civic election, but numbers still below 50%
Provincial elections typically draw more voters than civic ones in BC. Photo: Shutterstock
Voter turnout for municipal elections continues to remain lower than provincial and federal votes, but small increases seen on Saturday represent meaningful movement in engagement, according to David Black, a political science associate professor at Royal Roads University.
“The turnout story in this election, broadly speaking, is a good one,” said Black. “You know, even in Langford.”
Langford turnout percentages hovered in the low 20s or high teens in the three decades Stew Young dominated with seven straight mayoral victories.
Following his 2022 loss to Scott Goodmanson, Young returned to politics and wrested the mayoral chair back—and Langford saw an 8.9 percentage point voting jump to 32.91% from 24%.
“It's always the case that great races inspire people to vote,” Black said.
Voter turnout is determined by dividing the number of ballots cast by the estimated number of eligible voters as reported by CivicInfoBC. All figures are preliminary.
Potentially aided by more people voting in advance—Victoria’s advance vote total doubled, for example—overall, voter turnout was up across the board in the CRD.
⚠ Capital Bulletin
Witnesses sought: Collision at Douglas and Saanich roads on Oct. 18. [Saanich Police]
Esquimalt Road closed from Tyee to Sitkum, today through Thursday. [Details]
Saanich Police warn of catalytic converter thefts.
N is for No Second Test: Novice drivers with clean records don’t need another test as of yesterday.
NEWS
8 of 12 Victoria polling stations had internet connectivity issues during voting
Long lines were seen at multiple voting locations Saturday. Photo: Mark Brennae / Capital Daily
When the delivery of mail-in ballots for Saturday’s municipal election was delayed in a mix-up with Canada Post, the City of Victoria advised some 2,300 affected voters (that’s 62% of all voters who requested a mail-in ballot) to make alternative arrangements, including voting in person.
For some, there were delays there, too, turning what was expected to be a 15-minute process into a 90-minute wait.
Eight of the city’s 12 polling stations—all at SD61 schools—experienced internet connectivity issues, forcing election officials to direct voters to the Crystal Garden to avoid long lineups at James Bay Community School and Sir James Douglas Elementary School in Fairfield.
Victoria spokesperson Colleen Mycroft said the city worked with its SD61 partner to resolve the issues and that seven of the eight affected locations were fully operational by 10am.
The eighth, James Bay Community School, had opening-morning problems, leaving it playing catch-up with long lineups all morning and into the early afternoon.
In response, the city called in extra IT workers to staff the polling stations and mobilized a shuttle to take people to the Crystal Garden.
A delay in setting up arose early in James Bay when a custodian was late to open the site. It was then determined there was no working wifi. The city eventually brought in hotspot equipment as the line of delayed voters snaked out of the building and down the sidewalk on Oswego.
“We haven't had this type of IT issue before, so this will be a 'lesson learned' that maybe… in the mornings we have an IT person at each location until we know everything is running smoothly," Mycroft told Capital Daily.
Despite the technical difficulties, the situation did not prevent anyone from voting, Mycroft said.
“At no time was the James Bay voting location closed down. It was just operating slowly,” she said.
Voter feedback from the Crystal Garden described the voting process as efficient and fast-moving.
This story ran for our Insiders on Oct. 18. Consider becoming an Insider today and be the first to receive stories every Sunday.
SPONSORED BY CHILDREN’S HEALTH FOUNDATION OF VANCOUVER ISLAND
Can’t-miss holiday event for families
Celebrate the season in your coziest pajamas at Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island’s signature holiday fundraiser, Pancakes & Pajamas, on December 6 at Hotel Grand Pacific, presented by Peninsula Co-op. Gather your loved ones for a festive brunch buffet, holiday activities, and a special visit from Santa, with two seatings to choose from: 9 AM and 12:30 PM.
Best of all, your morning of holiday fun helps support children with complex health needs and their families across Vancouver Island. Tickets on sale now! Exclusive hotel packages are also available.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🎞️ Box office hit: UVic grad Nathan Fielder's new Elizabeth Holmes documentary, You Can See Everything, was No. 2 at the box office its opening weekend. [CTV]
🚀 This is your moment—go. Build skills that open doors with Continuing Studies at UVic. Your next role is one course away.*
🎭 A Chorus of Disapproval: A comedy at CCPA Performance Hall in Oak Bay. [Thursday-Sunday]
🎹 Cheng²: The Juno-nominated act performs Saturday night at Alix Goolden Hall.
*Sponsored Listing
SPONSORED BY SHAWNIGAN RETREATS
Your escape on Vancouver Island
Shawnigan Retreats offers the perfect cozy retreat for family gatherings or romantic getaways. Nestled by the serene Shawinigan 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.
🗞 In Other News
Recount ordered in Sooke as 5 votes separate candidates for last councillor position
The district will conduct a full recount today after a post-election ballot review found two of the 65 ballots cast through the mail and the special voting opportunity at Ayre Manor were identified as “requiring further adjudication.” The electors clearly marked the candidates’ names, but the circle wasn’t sufficiently filled in. The district said there is no indication of a malfunction or error with the tabulating equipment. Preliminary results indicate a five-vote difference between Elliott Lifton and Helen Ritts for the sixth councillor position.
BC Ferries vessel strikes humpback whale in Salish Sea
The Queen of Surrey vessel struck a humpback on Sunday near Gambier Island on the Horseshoe Bay-Langdale route. Researchers say they fear the collision was fatal given the vessel's speed. BC Ferries says the whale surfaced directly in front of the ship, leaving little reaction time for the crew. Witnesses reported blood and thrashing. The whale remains unidentified and has not been confirmed dead. [CTV]
Accessible trick-or-treat initiative coming to Victoria
Treat Accessibly is launching in Victoria this month. The initiative, started by a Toronto dad in 2017, makes Halloween easier for children with special needs by having homes hand out candy at the end of the driveway instead of the door. It can also reduce stress for pets that are reactive to doorbells. Participating homes will have orange signs on their lawn—more than 250K Canadian homes participate each year. Treat Accessibly will hold its first Victoria Halloween Village event on Oct. 31 at Mayfair Mall. [CHEK]
🗓 Things To Do
🎶 The East Pointers: The Juno-winning duo will perform their lively folk tunes at Capital Ballroom tonight. 7pm. [Info]
🎸 Band Fun(d): Up to 10 bands will perform a 10-minute set of originals, with a chance to win prizes, at The Open Studios in Nootka Court tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]
🏠 We All Need a Home: A play co-created and performed by inclusive housing advocates at David Dunnet Community Theatre tomorrow. 1pm. [Info]
👠 All Drag Rocky Horror: See a live performance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show with an all-drag cast at the Greenhouse Theatre on Quadra. Thursday-Sunday. [Info]
🐴 Trick or Trot: This event allows kids to connect to horses at the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association Barn in Saanichton. Saturday. 10am-12pm. Register by tomorrow. [Info]
🎵 Allan Rayman: The Toronto artist celebrates 10 years of Hotel Allan with a show at Encore Victoria. Saturday. 7:30pm. [Info]
🎃 Halloween Market YYJ: The 5th annual market returns with spooky creators, magic makers, and more at the Da Vinci Centre. Saturday & Sunday. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Sunday's headlines: Greater Victoria municipal election results; Weekly roundup; Sooke wildfire largest to burn near Greater Victoria’s water supply in 30 years. [Oct. 19]
Canada takes the women’s title, and Switzerland takes the men’s at Victoria’s Grand Slam of Curling. [CHEK]
Residential leaf collection: James Bay, Fairfield, Rockland, and Gonzales began Sunday and will run up to 4 weeks. [Details]
New James Bay mural complete. [By Austin Knill]
UVic named second-best mid-sized university in Canada by Maclean’s magazine.
Big cat purrs: Cougars can be heard purring while inspecting a marmot burrow in Strathcona (no marmots were harmed). [Facebook video]
That’s it!
If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.
And before you go, let us know:
