May 3 - SD61 school liaison officer program still up in the air

Good morning !

I don’t know about you but for me, quitting smoking was easy. Quitting beer: Easy. Quitting junk food? Now, for me, that’s a challenge!

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

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Tomorrow: 🌧️ 16 / 9

 Sunday: 🌧️ 14 / 8

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NEWS

Questions remain about the potential future of SD61’s SPLO program

Since School District 61 announced the removal of its School Police Liaison Officer (SPLO) program last May, debate has raged over whether it should have been cancelled and if it should be reinstated. 

The board's decision was based on data and public input, revealing gaps in provisions for student well-being. However, letters from police departments, parents, and the learning community suggest there is disagreement and confusion around the program’s mandate and implementation. 

Critics contend the program lacked focused objectives, oversight, and reporting mechanisms. Police departments had differing priorities for the program, and SPLO roles differed from school to school—from youth crime prevention to community engagement. 

While some want the program back, others say good riddance because they feel it operates under the guise of racial profiling and also has negative impacts on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other people of colour) students. 

Should the program be reinstated, the board has suggested recommendations it feels would improve its efficacy, including cultural sensitivity training for officers and establishing an independent complaint process. 

Read the full story by Sidney Coles here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

London Drugs still closed. Phones, pharmacy open. [Updates]

Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month: Learn tips on preventative measures and how to perform skin exams.

Sooke Potholes seasonal paid parking resumes until Sept. 30. 

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

UBC study: Saanich’s e-bike rebates reduced GHG emissions

Findings of a study from UBC’s Research on Active Transportation Lab (REACT) suggest that a Saanich e-bike rebate program led to a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The study focused on a 2021-2022 initiative that offered rebates of $350 to $1,600, depending on income level, to encourage Saanich residents to switch to cycling.

Of those who took part, 93% said they were new to e-bikes and 60% said they were new to cycling entirely. The study found investing in an e-bike encouraged people to rethink their long-term travel choices. One year after purchasing, participants said they reduced their weekly vehicle travel on average by 49 kilometres, a 30-40% reduction. 

Overall, participants reduced their travel-related GHG emissions by an average of 16 kilograms of CO2 per week, with those receiving the highest rebate amount showing the largest reduction in emissions. This high reduction is significant, given that four out of five low-income participants said they wouldn’t have bought an e-bike without the $1,600 rebate, compared with one of five of those who received the $350 discount.

“The larger incentives aimed at lower-income families did a great job [of] getting new riders in the saddle and gave them a lower-cost alternative to using their cars,” said Alex Bigazzi, civil engineering associate professor at UBC and the study’s lead. 

The e-bike program was also shown to be more effective than other transportation subsidies, costing approximately $190 to $720 per tonne of GHG emissions. This suggests e-bike incentives are more cost-effective than electric car incentives, according to Bigazzi.

The strategy’s success—on average, participants said they used their e-bikes three to four days a week—has inspired provincial leaders: Last year, BC rolled out a provincewide rebate program modelled after the Saanich scheme. Saanich has pledged to top off the provincial package with an additional $30K for residents on a first-come-first-served basis. 

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🌞 Summer camps registration. [City of Victoria] 

🍳 Victoria brunch spots named among best in Canada: OpenTable's Top 100 Brunch Restaurants featured Boom + Batten, Glo Restaurant + Lounge, Med Grill, and Vista 18 Restaurant + Lounge.

🏮 On May 26 Victoria Chinatown Museum Society’s Awakening Chinatown Festival offers cultural performances, arts, crafts, games, dance, opera, magic, and more. Free family fun!*

🤝 Now hiring: Impact Investment Associate–Thrive Impact Fund at Scale Collaborative.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Restaurant from Down Under goes under
Bear and Joey on Cook is closing its doors on Sun., four years to the day the Aussie-themed resto opened them. In a farewell post on Instagram, management pointed to the crippling effects of COVID on a new business, the economy, and “the costs of well, everything.” The graceful goodbye thanked customers and staff for helping to “create our little hub of energy.”  [Sad, but classy]

Seniors’ meal program is hungry for donations, faces closure
According to the United Way, 23% of Victorians are 65+ and the number is only growing. Many have become reliant on the meal delivery program that came in during the pandemic and has seen an increase in demand. Charity groups say they need an injection of as much as $500K to keep the meals coming. [CTV]

Boaters cautioned about approaching orphaned orca
Just because Brave Little Hunter is out of the lagoon doesn’t mean she’s out of the sights and minds of the people who worked for almost a month to free her—or out of danger. The Ehattesaht First Nation is gently advising boaters navigating near Little Espinosa Inlet to avoid approaching, engaging, or stopping near the two-year-old killer whale that freed itself last Friday. The DFO is patrolling the inlet to prevent vessel and orca contact. [Rules]

Saanich calls for the expansion of free transit
The council voted unanimously to have Mayor Dean Murdock request BC Transit and the Ministry of Transportation to include kids aged 13 to 18 in a program that provides free rides. Under The Get on Board program, kids 12 and younger don’t have to pay the fare. Saanich’s council says teens should be encouraged to opt for greener transit options. [Times Colonist]

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Bubbles and light fare will be served.

Beam: Buckles & Boots Event
May 9, 4–7pm
#217 – 3561 Blanshard St

Visit the website for more info.

🗓️ Things to do

🍿 Short Circuit Pacific Rim Film Festival: Dozens of local and international short films. Vic Theatre. Various times. Through Sun. [Info]

🌮 Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a day early with this festive dance party. Take a swing at the piñata and enjoy tequila drinks on special. Upstairs Cabaret. Tomorrow. 10pm. [Info]

🎸 Matthew Good: See the BC indie favourite with his band at Capital Ballroom. Sun. 7:30pm. [Info]

☂️ Mary Poppins: See the VOS production of the beloved musical at the McPherson Playhouse. Tonight. 7:30pm. Running through May 12. [Info]

🎭 Bach’s Coffee Cantata: See this touring 30-minute opera about a woman’s unshakeable thirst for coffee. Through Sat. [Info] 

🎶 Kim Churchill: See the Australian musician who has a special relationship with the Island. Capital Ballroom. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎤TEDxRRU: An evening of insightful talks. Dogwood Auditorium at Royal Roads University. Tonight. 6pm. [Info]

🎵 Peninsula Singers: The performers will take on Hollywood hit songs at the Charlie White Theatre. Tonight-Sun. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎶 Damien Jurado: See the Seattle singer-songwriter with Lilly Miller. Capital Ballroom. Tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

🎼 Beautiful Maladies: A group of seasoned pro musicians showcase their own talents through this iconic music of Tom Waits. Hermann’s. Tomorrow. Doors 5:30pm. Show 9pm. [Info]

🎹 Jim Witter: It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me: The Canadian pianist will perform the works of Elton John and Billy Joel at the Royal Theatre. Tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info] 

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Pardon me, NDP nomination secured; Students to pay more as UVic closes free gym; Nighthawk protections expanded on Pender Island; And more. [May 2] 

UVic students set up campus encampment in support of Palestine. [Capital Daily] 

Tanker traffic increasing in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. [The Westshore] 

Vancouver World Cup costs double, with new estimates kicking in at half a billion: [CP/TSN]

Victoria Music Strategy Grant info session: [Next Wed]

Gorge construction from Blanshard to Harriet. [Bike Lanes]

Emerson’s moult underway: See close-ups of the “celebrity” seal’s shedding process. [Photos]

That’s it!

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