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- Sept 21 - Protests heat up at Legislature
Sept 21 - Protests heat up at Legislature
Porter takes off to Toronto from YYJ. Northern lights seen from Island.
Capital Daily Team
September 21, 2023
Good morning !
Today we’ve got your rundown on yesterday’s protest at the Legislature, and the scoop on the latest airline to fly people to Toronto directly from Victoria.
— Robyn
Have you flown with Porter Airlines before? |
Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Current smoke forecast.
🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
Protesters clash at countering SOGI demonstrations
Photo: Robyn Bell
Thousands of people gathered on the Legislature lawn on Wednesday—but not all for the same reason. Across Canada, protests run by a group called 1MillionMarch4Children (1MM4C) took place, calling for the end of sexual orientation and gender identity education (SOGI) in schools. With it came multiple counter-protests defending SOGI, calling 1MM4C transphobic and anti-2SLGBTQ+.
In Victoria, the counter-protest appeared to be overwhelmingly larger than the anti-SOGI protest it came out to challenge—considering Victoria has the highest proportion of non-binary and trans residents in Canada, this shouldn’t come as a surprise.
For many at the counter-protest, the calls to remove SOGI from schools are an alarming step backwards for inclusivity in education.
On Tuesday, BC Human rights commissioner spoke out against these protests, calling them “hate-fuelled.” An inquiry from her office showed nearly two-thirds of LGBTQ students don't feel safe at school, compared with 11% of heterosexual students.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Missing woman: Nathalie Cavill, 56, was last seen Sept. 10. Police fear she may be in medical distress.
Sidney resident drowns at Coles Bay: Police believe he was trying to retrieve his boat that had drifted from the launch.
NEWS
Porter Airlines swoops into YYJ for travellers to Toronto
The Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. Photo courtesy Porter Airlines.
With the low-cost carrier Swoop just weeks away from folding into parent company WestJet, Toronto’s Porter Airlines has landed to provide another option for Victorians to get to and from Canada’s largest city.
Porter Air sold out its inaugural flight to Toronto yesterday, beginning a flight-a-day schedule between the two cities.
“We’re really growing a North American network and Victoria is day one for us here,” Brad Cicero, the company’s director of communications, tells Capital Daily.
Victoria’s air travellers had only two options to fly directly to Toronto: Air Canada, with return air fare typically in the $1K range, or the low-cost Swoop, costing approximately $600 for a round-trip flight until Oct. 28 when it no longer flies under that banner.
Looks like Porter is going to swoop right in between the two, with its daily return flights going for as low as $715, although prices vary.
“They are offering basically an enhanced economy experience,” Rod Hunchak, director of business development and community relations for the Victoria Airport Authority, tells Capital Daily.
“It’s two seats with one aisle, so you’re never going to feel like you’re overcrowded.”
In addition, Porter offers complimentary beer or wine served in glassware, free wi-fi, snacks, and catering consisting of fresh—never frozen, Cicero emphasizes—foods that are healthy.
“We’re definitely not a low-cost carrier,” says Cicero. “We’re a full-service carrier, offering an elevated, premium product.”
Read Mark Brennae’s full story here.
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⭐️ Capital Picks
📸 See photos of the northern lights near Nanaimo.
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🗞️ In Other News
Teen sued for selling car that buyer claims fell apart
The woman’s filing argued it fell apart immediately; the minor responded that it had no issues when he sold it to her. [VicNews]
Island teacher loses license after relationship with student became sexual
The BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation (BCCTR) announced the removal of his license on Tuesday, though he had been instructed not to teach since 2022 when a complaint was first made. Ian Alexander Stephen McKenzie taught at a school in Sooke since 2006, beginning the inappropriate relationship with a Grade 10 student in 2007. [CHEK]
Salt Spring Island school to shutter
No students were registered this fall—and there’s a budgetary deficit—so Phoenix Elementary School will be closing, the K-7 school board heard at its meeting last week. Only 34 students were enrolled there last year. [Gulf Islands Driftwood]
Upcoming Fort tower seeks 11th storey
The proposal near Blanshard got its rezoning for 10 storeys in 2019, but Victoria’s downtown plan has since pre-zoned for up to 12. The builders now ask council for 119 units (34 at median-income based affordable rates) rather than 105 (31 affordable). [Citified]
🗓️ Things to do
Luna Collective Night Market: Shop local handmade goods at this market hosted by Luna Collective to celebrate its sixth anniversary.
For Glitz and Giggles: A night of drag fun with top local performers at Victoria Event Centre.
Qairo at Hermann’s: The French group returns to Victoria tonight to perform a Mediterranean Flamenco Fiesta.
Canucks training camp kicks off: The Vancouver NHLers will take the ice at Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena from today until Monday as they prep for the upcoming season.
👀 In Case You Missed It
Whale photo-bombers identified: The people in the background of the incredible orca in Oak Bay photo, featured in our Sept. 15 newsletter, have all been found—and got a copy of the photo. [Times Colonist]
Mustard Seed completes renovations, reopens after fire. [CHEK]
DFO sells off illegally-caught tuna, receives over $100K from sale. [Capital Daily/ LJI]
The confusion around restaurant tip outs in Victoria: Tips are a major part of Victoria restaurant workers’ salaries—but where they end up is the employer’s call. [Capital Daily]
That’s it!
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