Good morning {{First name}}!

We start your morning’s light reading with a brief recap of the non-binding, pseudo-referendum included on the Saanich and Victoria election ballots this past Saturday.
The question was “Do you support Saanich and Victoria becoming one municipality?”
Now the question is: have we put this all behind us?

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌤️ 16 / 4

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 15 / 6

Friday: ☀️ 13 / 6

7-day forecast

“The message was clear,” Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto said, three days after a non-binding question on the civic election ballot returned two polar responses from the Victoria and Saanich electorates. 

Victoria voted 61.67% in favour of the municipalities becoming one, while Saanich turned it down with a loud 67.96%.

“I think it's probably done for the foreseeable future,” said political analyst and Royal Roads associate professor David Black. “It might be that Victoria has more to gain from taking on Saanich than Saanich does in taking on Victoria.” 

Black said the municipalities have much in common, but their differences carry a lot of weight: Urban, progressive Victoria versus rural, more conservative Saanich. He said a lot of it is just Saanich not wanting to take on the political culture and voter base in Victoria. 

“In ways, although they are connected geographically, they're pretty divergent places in terms of the very texture of things,” Black said.

As mayor, Alto has steered clear of taking a position—“because I didn't want, as mayor, to influence the outcome.” 
As a councillor, she has supported a type of amalgamation—“which wasn’t necessarily this one,” she said. 

“For me, the message I take away is not now, not yet.”

The Saanich position is more emphatic: If either community voted no, “It would show there is not enough public support to continue pursuing amalgamation, and no further work would take place.”

For 15+ years, the grassroots Amalgamation Yes has been pushing for all 13 Greater Victoria municipalities to merge. President Trevor Barry said the ballot question became pointless the second the province decided the question wouldn’t be binding. He’s hopeful there could still be life. 

Saanich mayor-elect Rishi Sharma said the people have spoken.

Last day of advance voting in the 2026 BC election. [Find your voting place]

Saanich Road Closure: Townley between Richmond and Dean today, 8:30am-3:30pm.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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

The Southern Resident killer whale population grew by two between 2025 and 2026, according to the most recent census from the Center for Whale Research (CWR) in Washington state.

There are 76.

It's the second year of growth for the endangered whale population; last year's census found the group grew by one member between 2024 and 2025.

During this year's census period, four Southern Resident orcas were born, with two surviving to the July 1 census date.  

The two surviving calves—one in K-Pod, the other in L-Pod—appear to still be in normal health, said the CWR. No other whales died during the survey period. 

While the growth is a positive trend, the CWR said the population size remains "much smaller" than historic levels, and periods of growth have typically been followed by even longer periods of decline.

“For the Southern Residents to grow consistently, we need to address the threats they’re facing,” said Michael Weiss, CWR research director.

“Saving these whales means restoring Chinook salmon habitat, improving fisheries management, and addressing the sources of noise and toxicants in their environment. Doing these things is the only path towards more years of population growth."

Researchers have been tracking the endangered orca population in the Salish Sea since 1976, with the CWR sharing an annual census for the last five decades. 

Breakdown of the 3 resident pods
• L Pod: 34 individuals (gained calf L130)
• J Pod: 27 individuals (unchanged)
• K Pod: 15 individuals (gained female calf K47)

Curious to know more about the individual whales? The Orca Behavior Institute, also based in Washington state, has compiled bios for each living Southern Resident killer whale.

This Saturday, Oct. 24, Out Innerspace brings the tragi-comic Rhino to the McPherson Playhouse. Blending theatricality, humour, and innovative design, this surreal, cinematic dance theatre production invites audiences into the company’s dreamlike world. Use code OIS-FRIENDS to save 15% on Category A + B tickets.

💼 WorkBC Small Business Showcase is 1-3pm today at the Baumann Centre. 

📖 Carol Off book launch for True Patriot Love tonight, 7-8pm at Bolen Books. (Limited number of tickets available at the door).

🌿 New from Mateína: A zero-sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean energy—no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

🎭 We All Need a Home: A matinee play tomorrow, 1pm at Oak Bay High.

🎻 Virtuoso Ray Chen performs with the Victoria Symphony on Nov. 8 at the Royal Theatre.

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

☕ Sip local, win prizes: Collect stamps every time you bring a reusable cup to a participating Victoria cafe for your chance to win. [Details]

*Sponsored Listing

Citizens’ group wants investigation into mail-in ballot delay; city says it did its best
The City of Victoria is defending its election process after a filing error left 2,310 mail-in ballot packages sitting in a Canada Post warehouse, leaving some voters scrambling to vote in last Saturday’s civic election. The Sustainable Victoria Network—a grassroots governance group—wants an independent review of the election process. The city says it contacted more than 2K affected voters with options and even hand-delivered ballots. City spokesperson Colleen Mycroft says 71% of people who requested mail-in ballots ultimately were able to vote—a similar percentage as the last municipal election in 2022. [CTV]

Fewer women elected as mayors on the Island
Once sworn in, only seven women will be mayors across the Island’s 36 municipalities, down from 11. Three women mayors chose not to run again and three lost their seats. On the South Island, only six of 40 mayoral candidates were women. Council representation in the region is more balanced, with 31 women and 32 men elected as councillors. [CHEK]

New retro Victoria store turns heads as it turns back time
The Nostalgia Nook opened in the Bay Centre on Oct. 1 and offers an array of vintage video games, CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes, vinyl, and all kinds of collectibles, including VCRs for rent. The husband-and-wife owners, Shaun and Catharina (Cat) Peterson, have set up a retro living room where visitors can sit on the couch and play Super Nintendo for free. [Victoria Buzz]

The screen goes off. The argument starts. This evening is about stepping out of that loop without dropping your limits.

A practical parenting night with expert Dr. Allison Rees. Join us on Monday, Nov. 2 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the Upper Hall of the Gorge Pavilion.

Get Tickets here.

📚 Shelf Talk Book Club: Bring your own book to this drop-in where you can meet fellow book lovers. GVPL–Saanich Centennial. Today. 11am-12pm. [Info]

🎃 Aunty Collective Victoria: October community art night. Come make art at 2620 Rock Bay. Today. 5-8pm. [Info]

😂 A Chorus of Disapproval: The Canadian Heritage Arts Society (CHAS) and the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA) present Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy at the CCPA Performance Hall in Oak Bay. Tomorrow-Sunday. 7:30pm & 2pm. [Info]

🎹 Cheng² in Concert: The Juno-nominated sibling team, Cheng² Duo (pronounced Cheng squared), is joined by clarinetist James Campbell at Alix Goolden Hall. Saturday. 7:30pm. [Info] 

🎭 Il Trovatore: See one of Verdi's most thrilling operas at the Royal Theatre. Tomorrow & Saturday. 7:30pm & 4pm. [Info]

🦕 Halloween Dino StoryTimes: For ages 3-10. The Dino Lab team reads stories and shows off the Halloween-decorated gallery. Dino Lab. Tomorrow and Oct. 29. 12pm. [Info]

✍️ Sketching and Watercolour: Join Visual Storyteller Audrey Greenlees to learn painting in a welcoming environment. Tomorrow. 6-8pm. 521 Craigflower. [Info] 

Tuesday's headlines: Voter turnout up for civic election; Tech issues at Victoria polling locations; BC Ferries vessel strikes humpback. [Oct. 20]

Witnesses sought: Collision at Douglas and Saanich roads on Oct. 18. [Saanich Police] 

Esquimalt Road closed from Tyee to Sitkum today and tomorrow. [Details]

Island mother remembers son killed in fire at Alberta military training ground, which took four lives and injured 33 CAF members. [CHEK]

Saanich Police warn of catalytic converter thefts. 

Memory Lane: A Love Story: Lilian Harper Phibbs, 100, was a ‘Wren’ who deciphered enemy communications during the Second World War. [Times Colonist] 

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]

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