Good morning {{First name}}!

It's been an exhausting couple of weeks—I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to our first election-free Saturday in a while. 

Whether you're a fan of Halloween or just happy to have one less errand to deal with, it's shaping up to be a good weekend.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: ⛅ 12 / 6

Tomorrow: 🌦 10 / 6

Day after: 🌧 8 / 6

7-day forecast

In 2020, Barron and Nancy Harper had just relocated to Victoria from California when their son told them about an exciting company he’d invested in called My Mortgage Auction Corporation, or MMAC. 

Its owner was Greg Martel, a gruff, forty-something mortgage broker whose business model, as he described it, was simple: he solicited investments from people like the Harpers, then loaned that money to property developers who needed cash to get new projects off the ground. The developers paid extraordinarily high interest rates—up to 1% weekly.

The Harpers had no reason to be skeptical. Their son was making steady money, and his wife, a realtor, recognized Martel’s credentials in the real estate business. So the couple pulled $15K out of their savings and invested it with Martel. 

The interest payments that came in were huge. Eventually, the Harpers sank roughly $400K, accounting for about two-thirds of their net worth, into Martel's company.

The money rolled in for the Harpers for more than two years. Then, in the winter of 2022, it abruptly stopped. 

Martel offered the Harpers a list of excuses. He blamed the Royal Bank of Canada, which handled his transactions. He said a glut of new investors had led to payment delays. He claimed the holdup stemmed from tax issues. But he promised their money would be there next week—then the next, then the next.

The Harpers were not alone. Across the capital city, frustrated MMAC investors were flooding Martel’s office with calls. Soon, they were finding each other online in group chats and on message boards. That’s when they realized no one was getting paid—that MMAC was a real estate empire constructed on quicksand.

As investors pieced together what happened, they discovered that there had been no developments and no loans. MMAC was, in fact, one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in Canadian history—one that had been convincing enough to compel more than 1,700 people to invest a combined $301M. Most, though not all, were from Victoria and Vancouver Island. Some had put enormous sums, even their entire life savings, into the company.

Zak Vescera reports on the rise and fall of accused Victoria Ponzi schemer Greg Martel, the victims he stole from, and why he may never face justice on Canadian soil. Read the full story here.

Traffic delays on Burnside East, between Douglas and Alpha, for BC Hydro utility work. Today through Nov. 6, 9am-3pm. 

Galloping Goose closed in View Royal: Between Island Highway and Atkins, today through Friday. [CRD]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

One person associated with the address remains unaccounted for following Saturday’s massive blaze that destroyed the former Travellers Inn hotel at Blanshard and Queens, VicPD said yesterday.

Victoria Fire Chief Dan Atkinson said firefighters will carefully sift through the debris, and “hopefully we won't locate anything, but if we do, [it will be done with] nothing but dignity and respect.”

VicPD did not clarify whether the missing person was a resident like the nine who fled the building when fire broke out sometime before 3:50am.

Thirty-one residents of an adjacent building at 723 Field were also forced from their homes by the water used to douse the flames. All 40 displaced persons remained in the care of family, friends, or the city’s emergency services, he said.

“We always want to make sure that anybody that's been displaced by an incident has a place to go where they're safe and warm,” Atkinson said.

The fire, which flattened the building, leaving a pile of twisted and burnt rubble, has been declared officially out, and crews have been working on a controlled demolition, the fire chief said. 

Atkinson said it was too early to determine the cause—“especially when you're dealing with a fire of this significance, with the amount of structural damage that occurred.”

Atkinson ruled out any connection to a car fire near the building last month in which a body was found, and he said a joint investigation with VicPD and the Office of the Fire Commissioner likely would begin today.

He said the 53-year-old building at 760 Queens was inspected two weeks ago and there were concerns about “an accumulation of combustible materials” inside the former hotel, including furniture and storage items.

The landlord, who has attended the scene, is responsible for all site remediation, cleanup, and disposal of materials, Atkinson said. 

Can PHS count on your support to help strengthen PHS's Vancouver Food Program through a purpose-built kitchen, expanded cold storage, and a centralized meal production hub? These improvements will enhance food security and service reliability for thousands of supportive housing and shelter residents.

To learn more and donate visit: https://www.phs.ca/community-events-food-security/

🎟️ Raffle for Healing: Enter for a chance to win one of four prize packages and help support the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre. [Enter raffle]

🐟 Holy Mola! A massive mola-mola was spotted in cooler waters near Port Hardy. [Facebook video]

🧦 The Gift of Socks: Cool Aid Society's annual sock campaign has launched with a goal of raising $10K to provide 10K socks to Victorians in need. [Details]

💋 It opens after the affair has ended then proceeds to track it from the final breakup to the first kiss. Betrayal starts tonight at the Belfry.*

🎃 Trick or Treat at the BC Parliament Buildings this Friday, 3pm-4:30pm.

🚣 Something Wicked This Way Floats Halloween Paddle is Saturday at 2pm on the Gorge.

*Sponsored Listing

Learn while you work. Enhance your skills through convenient, online micro-credential programs with Continuing Studies at UVic. Be ready for what's next so you can stay sharp in a competitive workforce.

BC Ferries fires CEO Jimenez in ‘leadership transition’
In a surprise move yesterday, BC Ferries’ Board Chair Cathy McLay announced a “leadership transition” that will see Nicolas Jimenez replaced on an interim basis by Brian Anderson, the carrier’s vice president of strategy and planning. No reason was given in a brief release. McLay said BC Ferries is launching a revitalization review “to unlock efficient and creative solutions within BC Ferries to address growing demands on the ferry system,” after which a formal review will begin to find a permanent replacement.

Voter turnout was the lowest in 3 decades of BC elections
Preliminary data pegs voter turnout at 48.12%, with 99.96% of ballot-box reporting. Thirty years ago, 71.5% of voters turned out for the BC provincial election. Two years ago, 58.45% of eligible voters participated. The low turnout had a direct effect on the incumbent NDP, which received 250K fewer votes. The BC Conservatives got 50K fewer votes but still managed a massive, 63-seat majority to oust the NDP after nine years of power. [CTV]

Doerkson condemns white supremacist stunt at legislature
Premier-elect Lorne Doerkson said his party will "act with every part of the law" to fight hate after an alleged white supremacy group was seen gathering in front of the legislature Sunday morning, a day after the BC Conservatives won a majority. The group held up a banner identifying themselves as Loyalist Pioneers, an extremist organization linked to white nationalism. The group also held signs calling for mass deportation. Doerkson said he was sad and frustrated to hear news of the gathering. [The Tyee]

🧟 Cabaret of Frightenstein: Catch this talent-packed Halloween cabaret at The Mint tonight. 6pm. [Info]

🎶 Cal Volpe: The Port Coquitlam musician will perform his blend of soul, hip hop, and blues guitar at The Coda tomorrow. 6:30pm. [Info]

😂 Laura Ramoso: The German-Italian comedian and social media sensation will perform at the Royal Theatre. Tomorrow & Thursday. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎤 Begonia: The Juno-nominated musician will perform her pop hits at Capital Ballroom. Thursday. 8pm. [Info]

🎻 Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra in Victoria: See young pianist Madison Brecht take on Chopin, with an opening performance of Rossini, at United Commons. Oct. 31. 2:30pm. [Info]

🎃 Halloween events happening in Greater Victoria this week. [Full list]

Sunday’s headlines: Massive fire at former Blanshard/Queens hotel; Weekly roundup; Turn down the water tap in Saanich. [Oct. 25]

BC Election: Oh snap! BC voters give NDP the boot, electing Conservatives to first majority in 98 years. [Capital Daily]

BC Election: Who won on the Island. [Times Colonist]

BC Election: ‘We’ll be back,’ says NDP’s Adrian Dix. [CTV] 

Foul play not suspected after man found unresponsive in Goldstream Park. [CHEK]

Trans-Canada Highway Closure: 1 northbound lane closed between the Island Highway overpass and Six Mile Road overpass through Oct. 31 to repair a water main.

Thetis Lake Regional Park: Multi-use trail between Six Mile & Highland roads is closed through Oct. 31.

Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Dinner is Nov. 7 at the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort.

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