Oct 22 - The Great Esquimalt Baker

Good morning !

We’re just over a week away from Halloween. I plan to hand out candy this year and I’m debating whether I should wear a costume for the trick-or-treaters. As a kid, I always thought it was fun when adults took part but I have a feeling we won’t get many visitors in our quiet neighbourhood.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

Esquimalt baker competes on The Great Canadian Baking Show’s new season

Jennifer Childs auditioned for the popular cooking competition show every year since its first season. Over the past eight years, auditioning became a cherished tradition for her, her husband, and their three kids. This year, her persistence paid off.

But baking isn't just a hobby for her, or a chance to make it on TV. It's a long-standing family tradition, a way to connect with herself and her loved ones.

“I think I was baking cookies with my mom before I can even remember,” she tells Tasting Victoria. Inspired by TV shows featuring icons like Martha Stewart and Anna Olson, Childs developed a love for ambitious baking projects such as a gingerbread house replica of her own home. That ambition won her this season's first technical bake challenge and its first “star baker” crown. 

It wasn't just food, it was a way for her to experiment and push the boundaries of what was possible—a source of fun that she's now passed on to her kids, who bake with her often.

Childs says her favourite bakes are all about who she's baking for— not what she's baking.

Read more at Tasting Victoria about her story, her recipes, and the ins and outs of the popular show. 

You can catch up on the show on CBC Gem and watch new episodes on CBC on Sundays at 8pm.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Food recall: Multiple frozen waffle products sold on Island recalled due to possible listeria contamination.

Highway 14 closed between Port Renfrew and Jordan River until tomorrow morning due to flooding.

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

NEWS

What is happening with the BC election counts?

BC's election result wasn't yet certain on Monday, and may not be for another week. A record 2.04M votes were cast, but some 49k mail-in and absentee ballots remained uncounted. 

What will these remaining votes do?

Those votes will shape the final riding totals, but with an average of barely 500 per riding are unlikely to change a result. Except, that is, in very close races. BC's closest was local district Juan de Fuca-Malahat, in which the NDP were up by only 23 votes—close enough to also prompt a recount by hand during final count weekend (Oct. 26-28).

Afterward there may also be full judicial recounts, handled by the Supreme Court of BC, for ridings with victory margins within 1/500 of total ballots. More info on recounts & final votes here.

Why do these narrow ridings matter?

The BC NDP and BC Conservatives are very close and both short of a majority (47 seats). If the NDP maintains its slim leads in the 2 recounted regions (or if final tallies manage to flip a riding such as Surrey-Guildford that was not quite in automatic-recount territory) it can make a deal with the Greens to govern comfortably with 48 seats. With a single recount-riding win, they can govern less comfortably. Under BC's system, an incumbent government gets a shot to maintain power if no party has a majority.

What happens with a narrow 47-46 advantage?

Yesterday, we noted that 47 of 93 seats may not be a sufficient advantage, due to the Speaker—a necessary procedure-enforcing role that one MLA must take on, which is supposed to be impartial and nonpartisan, and does not attend party caucus meetings. We need to make a correction to how we explained that aspect: The Speaker does vote, just not in the initial vote. 

When and how does the Speaker vote?

The Speaker can vote to break ties—however, guidelines expect the Speaker to vote in ways that allow for further discussion by the assembly. The Speaker should avoid being the decisive vote to ultimately pass something, and hew to the majority position of those in the Legislative Assembly. They are to vote based on their role, not based on their personal position. 

This is why we said that a 47-46 advantage can often result in the legislature being locked in practice. To keep a functional government, the leading party or its coalition partners would have to ensure there is a Speaker. But supplying that Speaker limits how effectively they can win votes to advance legislation. This became an issue in 2017.

What can happen, and when?

If a party or collaboration/coalition reaches a narrow lead of 47 seats, there will likely be no change to the government—though also no real legislative activity—until an early 2025 legislative sitting. At that point, the result of a confidence vote could force another election. The BC Conservatives have said that if the NDP does narrowly retain government, they will look for every opportunity to bring it down early.

If the NDP + Greens have 48 seats, the government would be less vulnerable, though its ability to pass legislation will depend on to what extent the Greens provide support.

SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA

Support Dance Victoria through online auction

Support Dance Victoria by participating in their online auction fundraiser! Starting today, Oct 22 until Nov 5, bid on a variety of unique items, experiences, and services generously donated by local businesses and community members. Highlights include Helijet tickets, luxurious hotel accommodations, indulgent spa packages, and tickets to a range of activities and performances.

All proceeds benefit Dance Victoria’s Artist Supports, Community Engagement, and ticket access programs. Don’t miss your chance to win exclusive prizes while supporting local artists and increasing access to dance in our community!

Also, consider attending IGNITE! A Dance Victoria Launch Party, on Nov 2 at Luxe Home Interiors. Tickets still available to this unique fundraiser event with live dance performance, gin tasting, featured wines and cocktail, tasty bites, and more!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🍂 Fall stroll: See a couple walking through the misty forest near Royal Roads University, captured by Doug Clement. [Facebook photo]

🎙️ Learn how a play comes together at the Belfry's live talk show, B4Play, this Saturday at 11 am. Tickets and more information here.*

🐻 Mama bear teaches cubs how to fish on the Island, photographed by Juan Rodriguez. [Facebook photos]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Suspicious man arrested at Central Middle School
The school was put on lockdown when the man, 40, entered and exhibited erratic behaviour. Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) units arrived within minutes after receiving several calls, according to VicPD. They found the man in the library where he appeared to be in a drug-induced state, police said. The unarmed man resisted arrest, leading officers to use a taser. He has been assessed by paramedics and placed in a VicPD cell. [VicPD]

Cyclist killed in crash with truck during Central Saanich bike race
The woman, 41, was taking part in the TripleShot CrossFondo cycling event Sun. morning when she was struck by the pickup on Central Saanich near Tanner at approximately 10. The woman died of her injuries at Victoria General. Alcohol has been ruled out as a factor in the crash. The pickup driver remained at the scene and was compliant with police. [Times Colonist]

1 dead, 1 missing after road washout near Bamfield this weekend
The aerial and ground search for two separate missing people began Sat. night when a driver headed to Victoria from Bamfield didn’t arrive when expected. One vehicle was found fully submerged in the Sarita River, with the driver found dead nearby. The second vehicle was also found submerged and the driver is presumed to be deceased inside—RCMP are waiting for flood-risk conditions to improve before attempting recovery. RCMP are warning people to avoid the river. [CBC]

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🗓️ Things to do

🍝 Italian Cuisine Cooking Class: Join Chef Vincenzo Capitano at HOB Fine Foods for a night of preparing three classic Italian dishes—starter, entree, and dessert—tonight. 6:30pm. [Info]

🎃 Pumpkinfest at Galey Farms: Family fun featuring hay rides to the pumpkin patch, u-pick pumpkins, train rides, corn maze, adult and children’s haunted house, and more. Every weekend this month. 9am-4pm. [Info]

🛍️ Island Makers Market: Check out this fall-favourite market featuring local artists, makers, and producers on Saturdays at Victoria Public Market. Every weekend until Dec. 21. 11am-3pm [Info]

Looking for something to do this weekend? Subscribe to This Week In Vic to get the full list of what’s on this week.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Monday’s headlines: Taxi driver killed in downtown collision; Recounts set as election goes into OT; 13 places to eat for less than 10 bucks; And more. [Oct. 21]

Rains, records fall but all is clear now for Vancouver Island. [CHEK]

Island breweries big winners at beer awards. [CBC]

Plenty of pinnipeds on Race Rocks. [James MacDonald photo]

New garage rock from Victorian King Bob. [Bandcamp]

That’s it!

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