June 5 - Federal-ordered orca protections put in place

Good morning !

Police say a woman used a machete to scare off a downtown taxi driver and steal his cab the other day.

That’s the last story in today’s newsletter. Our first involves protecting the orcas, the second explains how the taps have been turned on for more tanker traffic in the Juan de Fuca.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 16 / 9 

Tomorrow: ☀️ 19 / 8

Friday: ☀️ 24 / 10

7-day forecast

NEWS

Canada commits to new protections for Southern Resident killer whales

As of this weekend, Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) that swim in Island waters do so under new federal government protection. The measures came into effect Sat., along with $3.5M in funding for protection initiatives.

In April, scientists sounded alarm bells about the long-term health of SRKW, with a study showing the population of 74 whales is on a fast track to extinction.

The study highlighted the need for more conservation measures, including slower boat speeds to reduce noise and allow SRKW to hunt more efficiently, preserving SRKW’s key food source, Chinook salmon, and addressing the high amount of contaminants in the water. 

The new measures announced will address some of these concerns in 2024 and 2025, including new sanctuary zones for the summer, lower speed limits for ships, and a ban on salmon fishing in key SRKW hunting areas.

Read the full story by Robyn Bell here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Walk On, Victoria seeks steering committee members for the pedestrian advocacy group. [Walk On, Vic]

BC Seniors’ Week. [June 2-8]

Current road construction and closures in Victoria. [Map]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

TMX tanker traffic on its way to Juan de Fuca Strait

A few days ago, the Salish Sea witnessed a historic event as an Aframax tanker embarked on its journey from Vancouver to China, loaded with heavy oil from the Trans Mountain pipeline (TMX). These vessels, favoured by oil shipping companies, boast capacities ranging from 80K to 120K deadweight tons. 

Despite its initial $4.5 billion price tag in 2018, the Trans Mountain project's cost surged to $34 billion, leading to heightened scrutiny. With its expanded capacity, TMX can now handle up to 890K barrels of oil and refined products daily, a significant increase from its initial 590K barrels per day. The Canada Energy Regulator greenlit TMX's operation on April 30, paving the way for tankers to navigate the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

However, environmental concerns loom large, particularly regarding the transport of heavy diluted bitumen (dilbit) through delicate marine ecosystems. 

Despite efforts to enhance marine safety through compulsory pilotage and advanced weather monitoring, uncertainties persist. The implementation of initiatives such as the Maritime Situational Awareness Initiative (MSAI) and QR code-based coastal mapping tools underscores the ongoing commitment to minimize spill risks. 

The specter of increased tanker traffic in the region underscores the imperative for continued vigilance and collaboration in safeguarding the Salish Sea's fragile ecosystem.

Read Sidney Coles’ full story here.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🚍 Free BC Transit today. [It’s Clean Air Day]

🏃 This is the best metric to improve if you want to live longer. Measure and track your cardiovascular fitness level with a VO2 max test at Tall Tree Health.*

🍄 Fun Funghi: Check out this massive olive shaggy parasol mushroom in Metchosin. [Photos]

💐 The Butchart Gardens shifts into summer! Open Wednesday – Sunday until 10pm, and Monday – Tuesday until 5pm. Experience the enchanting beauty of Night Illuminations.*

🤝 Now hiring: Enhanced Executive Support Analyst - Full Time - Victoria at ISM.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

CORRECTION: Yesterday, we misidentified the address for the Salvation Army’s new Langford location. The correct address is 975 Langford Pkwy. Capital Daily regrets the error.

High levels of bacteria found at four beaches in the CRD
Coles Bay Beach in North Saanich, Saanich Inlet off Clarke Road, Victoria’s Ross Bay Beach, and Kinsmen Beach in Esquimalt Gorge Park all tested high for bacteria in late May, according to Island Health. Signs have been put in place to advise those using the beaches and will be removed when the advisory is lifted. [Times Colonist]

Border guards could strike tomorrow: What you need to know
The union (PSAC) representing more than 9K workers, including the guards is in mediation talks with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Higher pay and more workers are among its demands. Most (90%) of the workers are designated essential, which should limit disruptions at airports and border crossings. [Yahoo! Finance/CP]

Sooke and Saanich school boards get playground funding
SD62 and SD63 are among 26 school boards each receiving $195K to help build modern and safe playgrounds. The provincial government says playgrounds promote “physical activity for kids, teaches social skills, such as sharing, and helps them develop life skills, such as conflict resolution.” [Provincial gov’t]

BC government looks to set accessibility guidelines 
It wants the public’s input on its draft recommendations on standards to remove and prevent barriers restricting people with disabilities from equally participating in the workforce and accessing community services. There’s an online questionnaire and a virtual town hall for the Island region on June 11. See Sidney Coles’ story on this.

Machete-wielding would-be carjacker arrested in Westshore
Just before midnight Fri. a taxi driver called VicPD to say someone with a machete got into their cab near Johnson and Wharf and stole the vehicle. Vic officers didn’t give chase for safety reasons. Still, they combined with Saanich Police and West Shore RCMP–who laid down a spike belt—to arrest a woman who has been charged with robbery and possessing a weapon for dangerous purposes. [VicPD]

🗓️ Things to do

🏮 Chinese Lion Dancing: See the performers at the Cameron Bandshell. Today. 5:30pm. [Info]

🧓 C.A.R.E. Fair for Seniors: Get info from multiple speakers, vendors, and organizations offering senior services at the Mary Winspear Centre. Tomorrow, 10am-5pm. [Info]

🎷 The Andrew Greenwood Quintet: The saxophonist and his crew will perform music by Stanley Turrentine. Hermann’s. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

📽️ Super 8 Film Series: Head to Centennial Square tomorrow to see a screening of What Home Means to You, with eight short films shot on Super 8 with live music. 8:30-10pm. [Info]

🧑‍🎨 Fernwood Art Stroll. A free two-day event. Experience the studios, homes, and gardens of the participant artists in an intimate way, and meet and talk to them. Sat. and Sun. 11am-4pm. Fernwood/Oaklands. [Info]

🎭 Victoria One-Act Play Festival. A spotlight on local theatre with 13 new shows, all written and produced by Victorians. Belfry Theatre. Today-Sat. Various times. [Info]

Want more events? Subscribe to This Week In Vic and get our weekly events newsletter every Tuesday.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Murray Rankin leaves provincial politics; Oak Bay Tea Party gets windy and wet; Salvation Army to open in Langford; And more. [June 4]

Legal professionals worried legislation will hamper autonomy. [Capital Daily] 

First Nations art nominations are open. [Polygon Award]

Missing person: Lia, 18, also goes by Taylor or Tay. [VicPD]

Indigenous language lesson: Learn the Hul’q’umi’num word for June from Cowichan Tribes member Jared Qwustenuxun Williams. [Video]

Minimum passing distance in effect for overtaking people riding or walking. [Details]

Westjet forced to pay BC traveller $1,300 for missed connection. [CTV]

Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame to welcome 8 new members in Oct. [GVSHoF]

Garbage truck fire on Gabriola: Improperly disposed lithium battery suspected. [Nanaimo News Now]

That’s it!

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