Oct 23 - Hundreds protest to protect Goldstream

Good morning !

On Tuesday, we shared the best spots to watch the fall salmon runs on the Island. Today, we’re taking a closer look at one of the most beloved locations on the list: Goldstream Park.

Upcoming plans to expand the highway through the area are being met with pushback from First Nation leaders and environmental groups, who say the project could do irreparable harm to the stream and surrounding wildlife.

Yesterday, hundreds of people voiced their opposition to the project on the legislature lawns—read on to find out more.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 14 / 11

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 12 / 10

Day after: 🌧️ 10 / 8

NEWS

Hundreds join protest to protect Goldstream from highway expansion

Carl Olsen, a WSÁNEĆ elder from Tsartlip Nation, has spent nearly three years protesting the planned expansion of the Trans-Canada Highway along the Malahat Corridor, which cuts through Goldstream Park. Every week, he stands near the entrance of the park, calling for stronger protections for the stream and the surrounding forest.

But yesterday, he took his protest to the BC government’s doorstep—and brought roughly 400 people with him. 

Olsen and other WSÁNEĆ leaders—including his son Adam Olsen, former BC Green MLA for Saanich North and the Islands—spoke at the demonstration, with support from the Wilderness Committee, saying BC’s $162M expansion project could cause irreparable harm to the pristine watershed, which is a traditional gathering and fishing place for the nation. 

The project would add a median and a pedestrian path to the 1 km stretch of highway that cuts through Goldstream Park. It’s a section of the Trans-Canada Highway where accidents and traffic jams are common as drivers try to rush through the single-lane corridor. 

But the project isn’t adding more lanes, so it appears traffic patterns will likely remain the same. The province says improving safety in the area is a top priority, but Indigenous leaders and environmental groups argue the damage and possible pollution caused by rock blasting, tree removal, and construction isn’t worth the expensive median. 

Read on to learn the risks of the expansion project and what we lose if this serene wilderness near Victoria is destroyed.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Missing person: Ashley Bosma, 40, from the Comox Valley, was last heard from on Oct. 13. [Comox RCMP]

Single-lane alternating in Saanich:

• Cedar Hill Cross between Borden and Cumberland, through tomorrow, 8am-4pm

• McKenzie at Braefoot, today, 9am-3pm

Paving on Esquimalt Road from Dominion to Lampson. [7am-3 pm weekdays until Oct. 28]

NEWS

‘Renewed vision’ of Panama Flats gets the go-ahead

After almost a year of public consultation, Saanich’s city council has endorsed its updated concept plan, which sides with conservation and preservation of the low-lying parkland bordered by Carey and Interurban.

“The plan will help ensure the flats can continue to be enjoyed for many years to come—not only by the people that live here, but by the birds and other wildlife who call them home,” said Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock.

Saanich sought the opinions of residents, as well as environmental, recreational, and agricultural groups—and it said conversations continue with First Nations, who will be involved in future planning—to come up with a new plan that Murdoch said “strikes a balance between recreational enjoyment of Panama Flats and the need to preserve and protect this incredibly special place.”

Highlights of the updated concept plan include creating a disturbance-free zone for migratory birds and other wildlife, restoring the river and habitat where feasible, addressing invasive species, and maintaining stormwater management while improving water quality and quantity.

Saanich said it will continue to support residents’ enjoyment of the area, whether that be cycling on the Colquitz River Trail, hiking year-round on some of the trails, or walking with their dogs on- or off-leash.

The updated concept plan includes a perimeter trail around the area for pedestrians, with dogs and bicycles prohibited. 

The councils said it would welcome community-led proposals for small-scale agriculture north of Roy, which borders the north side of the 27-acre (11 ha) parkland. 

Saanich bought the parkland in 2011 with the idea of creating a larger agricultural area.

The province’s Agricultural Land Commission rejected a 2014 concept plan to add more of the flats to the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). The concept was abandoned after it was deemed too expensive, mostly because the land, which acts as an important floodplain for the Colquitz River, has poor drainage.

NEWS

Oak Bay Rec Centre patrons to party like it’s 1975

That’s the year the pool, rink, and fitness facility opened—50 years ago tomorrow—as a multi-use facility that consisted of a skating rink, swimming pool, sauna, curling rink, and banquet room. 

To celebrate a half-century of it being the community’s gathering place, the district is hosting a family fun day with admission rolled back to 1975 prices. 

Festivities will continue all weekend, with activities for all ages that will include a kid zone with a bouncy castle, 70s-themed swims and skates, and music bingo.

Visitors will be able to contribute to a digital memory book to share their favourite rec centre moments. 

“Oak Bay Recreation Centre has remained a pillar of the community, bringing people together from across the region for 50 years,” said Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch.

When it was built—for $3.75M—it was one of the largest recreation centres in the region.

Over the years, the building at 1975 Bee has been updated with new programs, services, and amenities to meet community demand. In 2004, an expansive fitness centre was added, and the curling rink was converted into an indoor sports field. 

Today, approximately 3K people use the rec centre each day to participate in a wide range of registered programs, special events, and third-party rentals or to take a swim or a steam. 

“We’re proud that [the rec centre] remains a destination for so many in 2025, a testament to the continued investment made over the years and to our innovative recreation staff who keep the facility, equipment, and programming relevant year over year,” Murdoch said. 

They’ll be doing some filming of the events at Oak Bay this weekend, so if you don’t want to be caught on camera, the district asks that you let a rec centre worker know.

SPONSORED BY PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA

Live Opera in Victoria — 3 Shows Left!

Introducing an eerie event perfect for spooky season — Pacific Opera Victoria's production of Britten's The Turn of the Screw at the Royal Theatre.

ONLY 3 SHOWS LEFT!
Friday Oct 24, 7:30pm
Sunday Oct 26, 2:30pm
Tuesday Oct 28, 7:30pm

This haunting opera delivers suspense, spectral shadows, and psychological chills. Based on Henry James’s novella, the story follows a governess who arrives at a remote estate to care for two children, only to discover the house may be haunted...or her mind is unraveling.
Don’t miss this performance, tickets start at just $35. Get yours here.

⭐️ Capital Picks

✈️ PNW’s ‘best kept secret’: Vogue Magazine calls Galiano Island “one of Canada’s most alluring eco-getaways.” [Vogue]

🧲 Ready for opportunities? Get real-world skills, train with experts, and show up career-ready with Continuing Studies at UVic.*

🌭 Evil Weiner pop-up: Try some killer hot dogs and beer at this one-night event at Floyd’s Diner (Gorge). Oct. 25. [Info]

🏡 Fall is the perfect time to refresh your space. West Coast Pro Painting provides expert interior painting with lasting quality and outstanding customer care.*

🐦 Heron at sunrise: See a great blue heron wade into the water in Lantzville. [Facebook photo]

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🗞️ In Other News

Suspect arrested after string of break-ins in Victoria, Oak Bay
At lunchtime on Monday, a resident called police when someone broke into the garage of their home on Beechwood near Ross. The suspect got away, but an hour later, police were called to a break-in in progress at a home on St. Charles and Fairfield, where a resident confronted a male running away with jewelry and other personal items. VicPD “flooded the area” with officers who arrested the man without further incident. In the suspect’s possession, police said they found jewelry and other items that were reportedly taken from a home on Lillian that had been burgled. They believe the suspect may be responsible for a break-in on Carrick in Oak Bay. [VicPD]

UVic enacts policies to ensure Indigenous jobs, scholarships go to Indigenous people
Following some high-profile Indigenous heritage and citizen claims that raised questions about their legitimacy, universities pledged to enhance their vetting processes. Starting Nov. 1, a new policy will take effect, revising the criteria for participating in Indigenous-specific opportunities at UVic. Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Dr. Robina Thomas, a member of Lyackson First Nation and UVic’s acting president and vice-chancellor, said over the years, Indigenous people have missed out on opportunities that were “taken up by people that are misrepresenting their Indigenous identity.” [Times Colonist]

VicPD expected to ask for a 10% budget increase at council
The police board is looking for approximately $7.8M more than it got this year, which would raise the police department’s 2026 budget to $86M, up from the $79M it’s operating on for 2025. The City of Victoria would be responsible for roughly $6.7M, and Esquimalt would pay about $1M. The board argues that the opioid crisis, more gang violence, and other significant public safety concerns are making it more expensive to operate the department. VicPD has received an annual budgetary boost of between 7% and 10% for the last three years. [CHEK]

🗓️ Things To Do

🎻 Bedtime Stories: A Recital for Horn and Piano: Join UVic horn instructor Sam McNally and pianist Jany Lu for bedtime-inspired music at Phillip T. Young Hall tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🍺 Small Gods Dark & Candy Beer Fest Weekend: Sample imperial stouts, brown ales, and candy-inspired brews with $7 full pours at Small Gods Brewing tomorrow, 11am-9pm. [Info]

🍻 Scotoberfest: Enjoy high-energy Celtic music with the Hounds of Cuchulain, with one food item and one drink included at the Victoria Scottish Community Centre tomorrow. 7pm-12am. [Info]

🎃 Gather and Groove Presents: Millet Monster Mash: Dance the night away with three bands, including seven-piece jazz-funk-rock MILLET, at this costume-encouraged Halloween party at Encore by Paparazzi tomorrow. 7:30-11pm. [Info]

🎸 The Beaches: Catch the popular rockers at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, with supporting act The Valley, tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

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1Up Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre: Building Hope for Single Parents, One Family at a Time

Raising children alone can be overwhelming. Between skyrocketing housing costs, juggling childcare, and trying to put food on the table, single parents in Greater Victoria often face impossible choices. For more than 40 years, 1Up Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre has been standing beside them, offering not only practical resources but also compassion, community, and hope.

In a city where the cost of living can push parents to the breaking point, 1Up offers a lifeline. With community support, that lifeline can be stronger than ever.

Empower single-parent families to thrive by donating today.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: Inner Harbour totem pole going home; New housing in Saanich for seniors, veterans; More unpaid leave for BC workers. [Info]

BC Judge won’t certify class-action lawsuit against Bonnie Henry, calling it an abuse of process. [Times Colonist]

Greater Victoria teacher suspended for 3 days for inappropriately touching students. [CHEK]

J-Pod’s newest member: See J64, the weeks-old calf, as it swims alongside its mother. [Center for Whale Research]

Massive fossil at Ammonite Falls near Nanaimo. [Facebook photo]

That’s it!

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