Aug 13 - RCMP hired spies for Fairy Creek blockades

Good morning !

We have a photo today in Capital Picks from hikers who had their path blocked by a curious cougar. The hikers chose to find a different route and left the cougar on her own trail—it is the cat’s home, after all. Have you ever had an encounter with a cougar or other big wild animal while hiking on the Island?

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 19 / 14

Tomorrow: ⛅ 21 / 12

Thursday: ☀️ 21 / 13

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NEWS

RCMP used third-party spies at Fairy Creek, documents show

An invoice obtained by Canada's National Observer shows that the officer leading the RCMP C-IRG program signed off on paying roughly $10K to Human-i Intelligence Services. That payment was for an “online intelligence report” on old-growth blockades and surrounding protest activity—presumably including online activity that did not violate the physical injunction zone. Human-i is led by Julie Jones, a retired police officer who has written a book on investigation and appears on the reality TV show Hunted. 

The invoice was obtained by Jimmy Thomson, who was managing editor of Capital Daily during the bulk of the Fairy Creek protests. Capital Daily had obtained a copy of the report in question, but was blocked from publishing any of its contents by a mid-2022 BC Supreme Court decision in favour of the RCMP. Those contents remain blocked. But the invoice, obtained via federal freedom-of-information request, publicly confirms that the report exists. 

Read the story from Canada's National Observer here.

C-IRG (Community-Industry Response Group), the RCMP force focused on BC-based resource-extraction protests, has since been renamed CRU-BC. It remains under a federal investigation launched in 2023 after years of allegations of rights violations, excessive force, surveillance, and collaboration with industry and private security. 

The latest docs resurface what has been a long line of concerns about RCMP conduct in enforcing the injunction against obstructing forestry in the South Island watershed. Media outlets, including Capital Daily, won a court challenge against the extensive “exclusion zones” by which police limited media documentation of the site and arrests. 

In Aug. 2021, RCMP officers pepper-sprayed a crowd; reporting by Capital Daily showed that the RCMP then misled the public about why. 

Ultimately, many charges against activists were thrown out due to the court finding that RCMP read the injunction to them improperly.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Gorge Road improvements continue.

Other ongoing City of Victoria construction work.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Victoria Brain Injury Society to open new office downtown amid challenges with opioid and housing crises

The Victoria Brain Injury Society (VBIS) is set to open a new office at Nootka Court on September 10. The move aims to provide a central, accessible space for brain injury survivors, including those who are unhoused. 

Executive director Pam Prewett emphasized that the new office aligns with VBIS's mission to support brain injury survivors, removing barriers like transportation for those without stable housing. The office represents an additional and timely support in addressing the intersection of brain injuries, homelessness, and substance abuse in Victoria.

The announcement comes amid growing concerns about the impact of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) on individuals experiencing homelessness. Recent incidents, such as the arrest by VicPD of Hayden Hamlyn—who was tased by its officers during a medical call—highlight the challenges that health-care and other professionals face when responding to a person exhibiting TBI-related aggression. Experts suggest that stress and environmental factors of homelessness and substance use exacerbate aggressive behaviour in those living with brain injuries.

Researchers and public health officials are increasingly recognizing the link between TBI, homelessness, and substance abuse, a link further complicated by the opioid crisis.

Brain Injury Canada reports that half of all homeless people have experienced a brain injury, stressing the need for better training for frontline workers. VBIS says it’s actively working with Island Health and Victoria Police to improve support for individuals with brain injuries.

Read the full story by Sidney Coles.

SPONSORED BY BEAM BEAUTY & WELLNESS CENTRE

Beam Beauty to host IV Therapy night

Join Beam Beauty & Wellness Centre for an exclusive evening on August 15, from 6- 8pm where they will discuss IV Therapy and how it can enhance your health and wellbeing. Hosted by Dr. Ayla Lester, discover how Beam Beauty’s custom IV vitamin infusions can help you replenish your body’s essential nutrients. The evening will also feature specials on selected services, discounts on skincare products as well as tasty appies and bubbles.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your health journey! Learn how IV Therapy can benefit you. RSVP today to: [email protected]

⭐️ Capital Picks

⚾ 😿 HarbourCats eliminated from WCL playoffs with a 7-2 loss to Wenatchee AppleSox last night.

🦁 Hiking cougar: Two hikers were forced to take an alternative route on Mt. Becher after running into a (modelesque) cougar on the trail. [Photo]

🐦 Dive in: A gull takes a plunge to catch its next meal in Esquimalt. [Photo]

🛩️ Martin Mars’ last flight as photographed by Capital Daily reader Arlene Bethune:

🗞️ In Other News

Newlyweds celebrate wedding with Hawaii Martin Mars photos
Faylen Goort and her groom Will grew up on Sproat Lake, so the huge water bomber was a big part of their childhoods. Now, it’s a big part of their wedding photos. The day before their nuptials, they wanted to take photos in front of the plane but then were asked whether they’d like to climb aboard. Naturally, they both said: “I do!” [CHEK]

Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club disagrees with $3.2M fine
The province fined the Quadra club following public safety ministry raids in 2019 and 2020, saying the VCBC didn’t have a licence or permit to sell marijuana. The club, which provides “cannabis products to medically approved patients who are unable to access medical cannabis through any other channel,” argues there are too many limits on both recreational and medicinal cannabis products, and not enough medical info at government-regulated shops. [Victoria News]

Big, long waits at BC Ferries yesterday: reservations needed
Multiple-sailing waits were on order for those who didn’t call ahead. In fact, all Vic-Van sailings were full until 6pm for those who didn't reserve. Same deal for those headed Nanaimo-Van. BC Ferries says Mon. and Thu. are days becoming noticeably busier—even on non-long weekends. [Times Colonist]

Two South Islanders richer after lotto wins this weekend
Someone in Victoria won $1M with seven correct numbers in Friday’s Lotto Max Maxmillions. Meanwhile, a person in Sidney scored $500K in the Saturday Lotto 6/49 Classic Draw Extra Prize.

SPONSORED BY SOUTH ISLAND PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP

Victoria is rising. Rise with us.

Greater Victoria is rising, and we want to attract businesses and talent, including essential workers, to strengthen our regional economy. Follow Victoria Rising on Instagram (@makevictoriahome) to access a free brand toolkit including professional photography, videos and graphics by local talent to promote our region.

Follow @makevictoriahome on Instagram.

🗓️ Things to do

🖼️ Cindy Revell at The Avenue Gallery: The artist and illustrator will exhibit her collection of oil paintings. Until next Mon. [Info] 

🧘 Free Yoga in the Park: Stretch with your neighbours at this free weekly yoga class at Willows Park in Oak Bay tonight. 6pm. [Info]

🎶 Music at Ship Point: Catch live music in the Inner Harbour today and Thursday. 6-7pm [Info]

🌇 Oaklands Sunset Markets: Check out 50 local vendors, a huge variety of food trucks, great music, kids activities, and more at the Oaklands Community Centre tomorrow. 4:30-8pm. [Info]

Looking for something to do this weekend? Subscribe to This Week In Vic to get the full list of what’s on this week.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Monday’s headlines: Langford Gatweway project in legal battle with contractor; This is what was making that shipyard noise Fri. night; Nanaimo’s Ethan Katzberg hammers home our flag in Paris; And more. [Aug. 12]

AI-assisted weather tool launched by Vic’s MarineLabs. [Victoria Tech Journal]

Hawaii Martin Mars final flight. [64:29 Video] [Photos]

Vic’s Compost Education Centre nourishing soil and minds. [CHEK]

7 farmers markets you have to check out before summer ends. [Tasting Victoria]

Whoo? What? A Parksville owl stares right at us. [Facebook photo]

That’s it!

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