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The premier and his party are rolling the dice with an early election.
They see their opponent as vulnerable. They have a uniting cause to provide cover.
So, we’re voting twice next month.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌦️ 18 / 11

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 16 / 11

Friday: 🌧️ 14 / 12

7-day forecast

Premier David Eby got the blessing of Lt.-Gov. Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia to dissolve the legislature and call an early election: Oct. 24, one week after the municipal election on Oct. 17.

Eby cited the “existential” threat of US President Donald Trump and his tariff attacks as the prime reason. He said BC needs a strong government to act decisively.

“When you smell smoke, you don’t sit and wait to see what happens next,” said Eby, whose NDP government is two years into a four-year term and holds a majority.

The election will come with the opposition BC Conservatives in disarray. After almost winning the last election in October 2024 with 44 seats, more than a dozen MLAs—including then-leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay—either quit or were kicked out of the party since the beginning of August. Seven have since returned, and the party is now led on an interim basis by Lorne Doerkson. 

Green Party Leader Emily Lowan said the decision to go back to the polls will be “costly” for the NDP. 

“It isn’t wanted, and it continues this government’s track record of putting its interests ahead of everyday people,” she said.

Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto was “disappointed” with the decision. She said two elections at the same time for different orders of government reduce candidates’ ability to share their messages and be heard. 

“Most importantly, overlapping provincial and municipal campaigns distract voters from local candidates and local issues. It undermines the importance of local government.”

Just last week, the Union of BC Municipalities opposed a provincial election during a local election period, the mayor said.

Galloping Goose detour near Cecelia Ravine Park until next spring. 

Temporary Trail Closure: Lake Shore Trail in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park through Friday. 

Free leaf mulch, compost, and wood chips today in Fernwood. [Other neighbourhoods]

Driving today? Check current traffic conditions on Google.

On the water today? Check the tide times for Victoria.

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A long-talked-about medical clinic in Sooke is inching toward reality.

The provincial government announced Monday that building permits were approved for a new urgent- and primary-care centre to be built at 2101 Sitka Court (formerly 6651 Wadams Way), near Evergreen Centre. The six-storey building would also include residential housing.

The planned clinic and housing complex is a collaboration of the District of Sooke, Catalyst Community Development, Island Health, and the provincial government’s BC Builds program.

Dana Lajeunesse, MLA for Juan de Fuca-Malahat, said the clinic will allow thousands of residents to access care quickly, without the need to travel to other municipalities.

“The Sooke Region is experiencing continual growth, and we need to ensure that we match the increasing needs for healthcare services close to home,” he said.

The facility—estimated to cost $8M—will be built on land provided by the District of Sooke. Island Health will own and operate the clinic, staffing a team of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals. The BC government said "patients can expect urgent access to primary care services" at the centre.

Early steps on the project, such as site clearing, should begin by the end of this year, the province said.  

“This project is moving from plans on paper to work on the ground," Sooke Mayor Maja Tait said in a statement. "By bringing healthcare and housing together on one site, we are creating a community asset shaped by needs."

After earning a PhD at UC Berkeley, Katie Sardinha returned to her family’s organic orchard in Summerland. Now she’s thinking about more than fruit: healthy soil, biodiversity, resilient farms, and a stronger connection between growers and consumers. Meet a young farmer rethinking what BC agriculture can become. Read her story here.

🎡 American Crown Circus at Mayfair through Sunday. 

🌳 National Tree Day is today. [City of Victoria]

🆒 Cooler Condos Town Hall to be held Sept. 29, 6-8pm at Cedar Hill Golf Course.

🐻 "Great show, great performances, go see it! Oh yeah, very funny too!" Women of the Fur Trade is on now until Oct. 4.*

🤝 Victoria All-Candidates Meet & Greet tomorrow, 6-8pm at The Atrium. 

*Sponsored Listing

Let’s hit the brakes on bus-only lanes, 2 business groups say
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Victoria Business Association have asked the Victoria Regional Transit Commission to halt its expansion of bus-only lanes downtown. They also want the new bus lane leading to Colwood—starting from Discovery near Victoria’s downtown core—converted into a high-occupancy vehicle lane. The two business representatives said they’re worried about the loss of another lane into downtown. They argue commuting habits have changed since the current regional transit plan was established 15 years ago. The pandemic played a part, too, they said. [Black Press]  

Out-of-control wildfire near Sooke grows quickly
The wildfire on the slopes of Mount Jack, about 4 km from Sooke River, doubled in size within hours yesterday. The blaze was just 12 ha Monday afternoon, growing to 50 ha yesterday morning. By the afternoon, the fire's size jumped to 100 ha. BC Wildfire Service said the rapid growth was due to the wildfire's lateral movement along the mountain slope, with dry conditions and some wind propelling it. The fire service said the growth is expected to slow as the blaze moves toward the north side of the mountain, where conditions are more favourable for containment. [CHEK]

Retired BC judge to decide fate of embattled VicPD constable 
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) has appointed the Hon. Elizabeth Bennett to review the case of Const. Denis Belkin, who was found responsible for misconduct. The OPCC said one witness reported seeing the officer knock a man from his bicycle before repeatedly punching and kicking him. An investigation into incidents on Dec. 7 and 9, 2023, found the officer abused his authority, neglected his duty, and was deceitful. Belkin has requested an independent review of discipline proposed for him, which includes dismissal from the force. [CTV]

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🌊 COAST Ocean Tech Live 2026: A free, visual, and hands-on waterfront showcase of top-tier ocean technologies. Ship Point Pier. Today. 11am-4pm. [Info]

🎞️ Gary Malkowski: A Deaf Legacy in Ontario: A film to celebrate the International Day of Sign Languages and the International Week of the Deaf. Royal BC Museum. Today. 4:30-7:30pm. [Info]   

🐸 iNaturalist at Night—The Great Canadian Bioblitz: An introduction to using iNaturalist, followed by a guided outdoor bioblitz opportunity at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary tonight. 6-7:30pm. [Info]

🎤 Goldfinch Open Mic: An inspiring night of live music, talent, and community spirit in the heart of the Westshore at Goldfinch Arts Centre tonight. 6:30-8:30pm. [Info]

🎸 Band Fun(d)!: Ten bands play 10 minutes of original material each and win prizes at The Open Studios tonight. 7-9:45pm. [Info] Postponed

🧑‍💼 Engaged: Managing Tough Talks at Work: Participants will learn strategies to manage their reactions to tense situations and to defuse disagreements respectfully and safely. Via Zoom. Tomorrow. 9am-10:30am. [Register]

🎉 Veterans Memorial Park Grand Reopening: Help celebrate the opening of the expanded park, featuring a new bandshell and picnic areas, enhanced washrooms, and increased parking. Veterans Memorial Park. Tomorrow. 1-4pm. [Info]

🪶📕 Book Reading with Truth and Reconciliation Talk: Elder Bill Jones and co-author Karen Moe discuss their book, Listening Once Again to Our Great Mother. First Peoples’ House, UVic. Tomorrow. 1:30pm-4pm. [Info] 

🎶 Band of the Month Showcase: See local act Charmed perform in the third installment of this monthly showcase at The Coda tomorrow. 6:30pm. [Info]

Tuesday's headlines: Future of the Oak Bay Lodge site is being explored; First Island police academy opens in Victoria; Drug-checking service coming to UVic. [Sept. 22]

Room Change: Hotel Zed, Accent Inns, sold to Vancouver-based Synvest Group. [CHEK]

BC is suing OpenAI over Tumbler Ridge info. [CP24/CTV]

View Royal—Battle Royal: mayoral race heats up. [Times Colonist]

Esquimalt All-Candidates Meeting/Debate is Oct. 5 at Esquimalt United Church.

Mayor for the Day Colouring Contest: Kids 12 and under can enter their art to be displayed in Victoria City Hall. Three participants will be chosen to serve as Mayor for the Day next year. Entries due Nov. 27.

Victoria Tech Week 2026 runs through Friday. [Events]

Cool Aid Health + Homecoming Gala: Saturday at Hotel Grand Pacific.

Provincewide Survey: Should healthcare assistants be regulated in BC? 

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