Sept 3 - Another pedestrian killed in a crosswalk

Good morning !

It’s one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, and already there have been delays on the ferries—though major cancellations were narrowly avoided yesterday.

With such a high volume of people moving, this is also one of the year’s most deadly weekends on the roads. More on that in today’s top story, and please be safe out there.

— Cam

Today’s approx read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️🌧️ 21 / 12

Tomorrow: ⛅ 21 / 10

Tuesday: ⛅ 21 / 11 

7-day forecast

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (3/10). Light smoke is possible at points.

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

NEWS

Saanich pedestrian killed in crosswalk crash

A woman, 55, was hit and killed by a driver while crossing a marked crosswalk before 9pm on Friday, Saanich police said in a release. The driver remained on the scene at Interurban and Grange, police said. Investigation is ongoing but has concluded that speed and impairment were not factors; police seek witnesses and dashcam footage.

Second Friday crash threatens life of motorcyclist

Saanich Police also announced that a motorcycle rider after life-threatening injuries after losing control and going off the Tillicum and Gorge Road West shortly before 11pm.

Outcry over crosswalk collisions in recent years

Last fall advocates staged street safety protests in Saanich after a child was hit, though not seriously injured, in a crosswalk.

And it was nearly two years ago when a driver struck and killed Kaydence Bourque, 16, at the crosswalk at Cedar Hill Cross and Merriman. Resulting outcry over safety led to changes both at that notorious crosswalk—including a new light, different flashing beacons, and signage—and in Saanich generally.

The driver who struck Bourque plans to plead guilty and spare herself and the family a trial, despite her lawyer’s emphasis on the crosswalk’s unsafety.

Street speed reductions continue

Cedar Hill Cross’s limit has dropped from 50 to 40km/h, as will eight other corridors’ limits, with other stretches reduced to 25 km/h as the district pursues a “Vision Zero” of ending all deaths and serious injuries on roadways.

Meanwhile Victoria has just completed reductions to 30km/h on residential streets in Quadra-Hillside and Burnside-Gorge as part of a planned neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood reduction. It cites evidence that dropping a car’s speed from 50 to 30 can cut a collision’s lethality from 80% to 10%.

On Tuesday, street safety becomes even more paramount as grade schools resume and school zones are back in effect.

Labour Day weekend one of deadliest times on BC roads

At least two Islanders were killed just on Friday. Near Parksville, a senior died after his SUV struck a garbage truck head-on.

By Cam Welch

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Long weekend ferry traffic is expected to hit 500,000 people; BC Ferries is encouraging passengers to travel at off-peak times, make reservations, and walk-on if possible. Volumes have already delayed some sailings.

BC Ferries cancels, then un-cancels Sat. sailings; the Queen of New Westminster was short-staffed, but enough staff were pulled in.

Drivers on the Malahat should expect congestion this weekend and avoid peak times.

https://twitter.com/BCFerries/status/1698055651669234105

NEWS

Amazing Race samples Island food and attractions

As the summer winds down, many of us are trying to cram in as many classic Island attractions and activities as we can. But the people seeing the most on the Island in the least time are probably the Amazing Race Canada contestants rushing through the region as part of the cross-country TV competition.

The show has been all over Vancouver Island this summer, including the Malahat Skywalk, the Craigdarroch Castle, and the Bug Zoo. They’ve also been sampling some of the Island’s most popular food, including the memorable Tacofino food truck.

No spoilers, but there are two Vancouver Island groups competing: Allie and Eddie, and Tyler and Kayleen. Most notably, Tyler Turner is a Paralympic gold medalist.

Keep reading at Tasting Victoria.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🚘 Do you have one of BC’s dirtiest cars? To encourage people to save water by limiting car washes, ICBC is running a contest for people who post their dirty vehicles on social media. [Details]

📷 A turkey vulture rules over a pile of bones from a sea animal in this striking Cortes Island photo.

😩 Bargaining with your internet provider sucks. oxio offers sustainable plans so you never have to bargain again. Use code CAPITALDAILY for your first month free.*

 🍁 Fall community recreation: Register for cooking classes, gardening courses, art classes, and more.

🇻🇪 Popular food cart Los Panas now has food in stores, selling its Venezuelan arepas at Market on Yates. [Tasting Victoria]

😊 Now hiring: Out of School Care Team Lead at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Baby born in back of taxi: When it became clear the passenger wouldn’t make it to the hospital in time, a Nanaimo cab driver helped with delivery before paramedics arrived. He told CTV that unexpected new adventures like these make cab driving like being a “road pirate.” [CTV]

The cat came back—3 years later: Pet-reuniting group ROAM has a new record for longest absence after Colwood cat Smokey resurfaced 39 months after getting outside in his owners’ unfamiliar new neighbourhood. He was quickly back to being affectionate with his people again—though not so much with the new cat siblings they adopted when he was gone. [CHEK]

Pacific FC alone in second place for now, after yesterday’s 2-1 home win over Valour FC of Winnipeg pushed them back ahead of the pack (though still below Calgary’s Cavalry FC). Match highlights below:

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Accounting Technician at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa

• Early Years Manager at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group

• Christmas Installers at the Butchart Gardens

• Delivery Driver at Otto Logistics

• Communications & Engagement Officer at COAST

Looking for more openings? See 40+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

🗓️ Things to do

🥇 BC Horseshoe Championships: Watch the horseshoe action and take part in the event today at the Victoria Horseshoe Club at Glanford Park.

🎉 Saanich Fair: Western Canada’s oldest continuous agricultural fair continues today.

👗 Vintage, retro, & collectible show/ sale: Shop second-hand gems today at the Mary Winspear Centre, 9:30am-4pm.

🥇 Pick of the Fringe Awards: Vote on the best performances of this year’s Victoria Fringe Festival. Voting ends 6:30pm, event starts 10pm.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Flair flight left 50 people behind at YYJ as staff struggled to manage a two-hour line. The budget airline is offering refunds after the “chaos” (and expensive re-bookings) that some passengers described to Capital Daily.

Rocket launcher found in house at estate sale; police were called, then they called CFB Esquimalt, whose crews determined the launcher was not a threat. [CTV]

Maria’s Deli closes after 46 years in Saanich. [Tasting Victoria]

Expanded Salt Spring ferry schedule will continue through Sept. with 10 sailings / day between Swartz Bay and Fulford Harbour.

New public washroom opens downtown on the corner of Broughton and Douglas.

Guide to Victoria farmers markets: Where to buy fresh produce, artisan crafts, and baked goods. [Tasting Victoria]

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a friend or family member. With some social media sites now blocking Canadian news, newsletters are one of the best ways to stay informed.