Aug. 8 - Local man gets Order of BC

Good morning !

Hope you enjoyed the long weekend! It seems that this time around, fewer of you lost hours waiting for the ferry; BC Ferries is reporting normal sailings and manageable volumes, unlike the Canada Day chaos. More on that below.

— Cam

Today’s approx read time: 7 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️🌦️ 20 / 14

Wednesday: 🌧️ 21 /14

Thursday:⛅ 21 / 11

7-day forecast

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Possible slight smoke.

🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Ferries back on course as long weekend avoids major cancellations and delays

After Canada Day weekend travel was plunged into chaos by ferry disruptions (stemming in part from the abrupt loss of the Coastal Celebration), many feared the BC Day weekend would be more of the same.

But BC Ferries is reporting fairly typical volumes for BC Day—traditionally one of the biggest travel weekends of the year with over half a million passengers—and no cancellations on the major Island-mainland routes.

Spokesperson Karen Johnston told Global that the Celebration’s availability was a huge factor, and that bolstered staffing and travellers’ increased willingness to walk on and travel at off-peak times also helped. Johnston told CHEK that vehicle traffic on Sunday was down 13% from last year’s high volumes, but that foot passengers were up 4%.

It could also be the case that some people burned by last month’s issues opted to stay home (or at least on the same side of the water) this time.

Readers report mostly smooth sailing

Several Capital Daily readers told us this weekend that they avoided going far, in part for that reason (and in part just because they love where they live), while others said they indeed targeted off-peak times. Readers who told us about ferry travel described being pleasantly surprised by the light volumes, though one person said there was a slight delay on a Salt Spring sailing. The roads were more of a mixed bag, with some people delayed and others moving smoothly.

BC Ferries has cautioned riders for months to expect delays and cancellations, due in part to the industry’s long-running labour shortage.

Earlier this travel season, Capital Daily went behind the scenes to look at what goes into the operations at Swartz Bay terminal.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

High-risk missing people located: Both the man and woman reported missing last week have been found.

Cougar spotted near Playfair Park: Monday’s sighting follows several in other Saanich parks in mid-July, and on the Westshore last week.

HarbourCats (38-15) begin playoffs today on the road vs. Wenatchee (37-16), hoping to end a strong season with a WCL title.

NEWS

One Islander appointed to Order of BC this year

New appointee Gordon J. Fyfe of Saanich has led the BC Investment Management Corporation, which manages $235 billion for BC’s public sector. It is one of Canada’s biggest investment managers of any kind; the province said Fyfe has helped to more than double it from $112B in his nine years on the job.

Fyfe grew up locally, and the province said his experiences on farms and sawmills, and later seeing his father’s pension lost in the Eaton’s bankruptcy, drove him to protect people’s pensions. The Order announcement also praised his commitment to ethical industry practices and to sustainability and social responsibility in investment choices.

Ryan Reynolds headlines roster of “superheroes”
All 13 other 2023 inductees announced on BC Day are from the mainland, including movie star Ryan Reynolds, Vancouver Coastal Health chair Dr. Penny Ballem, and two longtime Downtown Eastside outreach nurses. A fall ceremony will formally induct them among the 503 recipients of BC’s highest honour.

Fewer Islanders appointed than last time
Last year 3/14 inductees were from the Island region: Victoria’s Maureen Maloney (BC’s first female deputy attorney general), Alert Bay’s Paul Spong (a researcher of orcas), and Quadra Island's Jody Wilson-Raybould (a former federal justice minister and attorney general).

By Cam Welch

SPONSORED BY UNITED WAY SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND

Hulitan Family Services Trauma Informed Daycare

United Way is mobilizing resources to outfit the Hulitan Family Services Trauma Informed Daycare. This ambitious initiative, now in development, aims to foster an environment that resonates with Indigenous children, providing them with a sense of belonging, and supporting their cultural identity. Every toy, book, and element of décor will be thoughtfully curated to reflect something meaningful and positive about Indigenous culture. Having had its ground-blessing ceremony in June 2023, the center is now ready to procure items for its operation, including Indigenous literature, locally-made furniture, and outdoor elements promoting cultural teachings. With every bit of support, we can help turn Hulitan's vision into reality and shape a culturally rich foundation for Indigenous children's lives.

Unite with them to turn this vision into a reality.

⭐️ Capital Picks

 🖼️ Tony Grove at Fortune Gallery: The artist’s latest work presents bold and vibrant depictions of boats and maritime scenes. Show starts today; opening reception Aug. 19.

🎶 Pacific Opera Victoria's season of full-flavoured opera is on sale now! 3-opera subscriptions starting at $75, single tickets starting at $30.*

🖌️ Lorna Dockstader at The Avenue Gallery: Decorated artist Dockstader takes her landscapes to a new level of abstraction with landscape paintings that contain no actual landscapes, just echoes and representations of a place’s elements. Featured until Aug. 15.

❓ Have questions, comments, or concerns about provincial policies, programs, and services in Oak Bay-Gordon Head? Contact BC NDP MLA Murray Rankin at [email protected] or 250-472-8528.*

😊 Now hiring: Community Engagement Manager at Dance Victoria.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Victoria tourism software company merges with Australian peer
The CEOs of Checkfront—which crafts booking sites for tourism—and Rezdy said they have been eyeing each other from opposite sides of the world for years. The brands will stay separate, but the merger is intended to improve their customer service capabilities. [Victoria Tech Journal] 

Pacific FC retakes #1 spot with win in Halifax
Monday’s 2-1 victory has Langford’s soccer team back atop the Canadian Premier League. With 32 points and +12 on goals, PFC once again has a slight cushion over its key rivals based in Calgary and Hamilton. There are two months left in the season.
Highlights below:

SPONSORED BY THE BAY CENTRE

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With warmer days and longer summer nights, there's more time to rediscover your local favourites at the Bay Centre.

The Bay Centre is now open until 8pm Thursdays to Saturdays. Plus, this summer, get 3-hours of free parking on weekends, and park for free weekdays after 5pm.

In celebration of summer, mention 'Capital Daily' at the shopping centre's Guest Services and get a $10 Bay Centre gift card on us!*

Staff Insider Tip: Be sure to try out their newly renovated outdoor Food Terrace patio – offering affordable dining and skyline views.

Plan your visit today!

*One per customer; 19+. Must be redeemed in person.

🗓️ Things to do

⚓ Summer at Ship Point: Food, games, beer, music, and more at the Inner Harbour’s Ship Point. Tuesday-Thursday. Noon-8pm. [Details]

☘️ Celtic in the Park: Bring your picnic basket, dancing shoes, or both as the Hounds of Cuchulain bring traditional Irish, Scottish, and English folk songs to Beacon Hill Park. 7-9pm.

 🌳 Music in the Park (Saanich series): The Chick Wagon Band plays country and Folk today in Rutledge Park. 6-8pm.

🎶 Victoria Summer Music Festival: London’s Marmen Quartet plays today, then is joined by celebrated viola player Yariv Aloni for the festival finale tomorrow. Both shows 7:15-9:30pm at Phillip T. Young Recital Hall. [Details / tickets]

📻 An Afternoon at the Opera on CFUV: An hour of opera including interviews and biographies. Tuesdays, 1-2pm.

🏡 ​​Emily Carr House: The free summer lecture series starts today at noon, on the grounds, about the restoration of Carr House.

🌇 Eventide music in Centennial: This week, Audio Osmosis presents Pursuit Grooves, Total Chroma, and Psychic Pollution. 6pm-9:30pm Wednesday in Centennial Square. Also streamed online.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Rare octopus nursery: In May, Island First Nations and ocean researchers explored sites of ocean-floor methane seeps and found one of just four deep-water octopus nurseries known in the world. [Full story]

Monday headlines: HarbourCats wrap record-setting regular season. Local company raises $10M to digitally map bridges and dams. [Aug. 7]

Gwen Stefani will headline Laketown Shakedown 2024, while Keith Urban will headline Sunfest 2024. Stefani made the announcement in person while in town with husband Blake Shelton, the 2023 Sunfest headliner.

Sunday headlines: BC firefighters are burned out. Langford gets new parkland. Summer’s best local drinks. [Aug. 6]

Cargo spill clean-up continues in Nanaimo waters.

Saturday headlines: New old-growth blockade. Victoria council plans code of conduct and complaint process. [Aug. 5]

Saanich’s Quadra-McKenzie study will have pop-ups at Rutledge Park today (5:30-7:30pm) and The Root Cellar on Sunday (11am-3pm).

That’s it for today!

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