Sept 25 - 2 million bones for Vic's Humane Society

Good morning !

It’s always nice to see people with means reaching out to groups in need. Case in point, last night. A very generous donation to the Humane Society is barkingly good news for a lot of dogs. That’s one of our stories this morning. But we begin with a quick primer on BC’s upcoming election.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 16 / 10 

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 13 / 10

Friday: 🌤️ 18 / 11

7-day forecast

NEWS

Welcome to Capital Daily’s provincial election coverage kick-off

If you take part, you’ll be helping to vote in a record number of MLAs on Oct. 19. The BC legislature seating chart is expanding—to 93 from 87—with the addition of six seats and six politicians to sit in ‘em. Confidently, we can predict this: None of those 93 chairs will go to the BC United, the old Liberals, pre-rebrand.

The Libs, er, BC United decided they were so far behind the eight ball they pulled the plug on this election. On Aug. 28, leader Kevin Falcon suspended the party’s campaign and threw his support behind the BC Conservatives, led by John Rustad.

Rustad welcomed a handful of United candidates into the Conservatives’ tent, but the vast majority of United hopefuls are now on the sidelines.

As is the Green Party’s Adam Olsen. Following seven years as Saanich North and the Islands’ MLA, Olsen decided to leave provincial politics. That’s bad news for Sonia Furstenau and the Greens who will be in a battle with the NDP’s Grace Lore in the Victoria-Beacon Hill riding.

We’ve compiled a campaign brief of candidate profiles for each CRD riding as well as thumbnails of each of the three party platforms. We’ll be covering the campaign trail more in-depth in the lead-up to the vote.

Read Sidney Coles’ primer here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Blue-green algae bloom advisory for Durrance, Beaver, and Prior lakes.

Swimmers, kayakers & boaters: BC Hydro working in, near the Gorge to replace a cable. [All week]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Victoria’s Humane Society gets $2M donation, will build new wing

The doggone, amazingly magnanimous gift from Craig Mearns and the Mearns Family Foundation will allow the Victoria Humane Society (VHS) to acquire 15 ha of land to build a new rescue and adoption centre.

“This generous donation marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing mission to save and rehome animals in need across the Greater Victoria region,” says Penny Stone, VHS executive director. “Without the ability to purchase this land, our dream of transforming animal rescue and adoption would not happen.”

Meares, a retired businessman and former North Saanich councillor, said what the VHS does for animals is worth investing in, and he was pleased the money will be used here on the Island.

“This is a small group doing great things with very little resources. They needed a permanent place and I wanted to help with that.”

The VHS said pretty much every day, it has the heartbreaking task of turning away five to seven dogs that need urgent help, mostly because of a lack of space. The new wing will allow the VHS to assess and match more dogs into foster and adoptive homes.

The VHS also attracts dogs from other communities, so sometimes there can be as many as 70 dogs on site. Many of these animals take longer to find homes because unlike puppies, cats, or kittens which can go directly into a new home, dogs often need time to decompress and receive training before they can be placed. 

The gift paves the way for the VHS to transform how it rescues and rehomes pets across the region, it said.

SPONSORED BY TELUS

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TELUS is not just a company; they are the hometown team and part of the fabric of British Columbia. They understand the unique needs and aspirations of British Columbians because they are British Columbians.

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✅ They give where they live: Working with communities to support initiatives across BC, ensuring everyone has a place to call home.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🚲 Bike riders needed for Reconciliation Ride. [Sept. 30]

🍎 Apple harvest: A black bear having a fall snack on the Island. [Facebook photo]

📈 Join over 2000 subscribers getting the latest insights on our region's pressing economic issues like housing, healthcare, and more from South Island Prosperity Partnership’s weekly newsletter.*

🌳 Free tree tour with City of Victoria arborists. [Details]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Island Health looking for new homes for hard-to-house patients
This, after two long-term home projects—The Summit on Hillside and Dufferin Place in Nanaimo—didn’t work out for people isolated with active substance-use and behavioural issues. Staff said the small group of clients—many suffering from addiction or who have brain damage—smoke illicit drugs, can be disruptive, and often command a disproportionate amount of the staff’s time. [Times Colonist]

Unconscious man found in car with ‘large quantity’ of drugs
He was parked on Deville, near the TCH, Sat. morning when West Shore RCMP were called on Sat. morning. They said he had drug paraphernalia in his lap and 340 grams of what they suspect is cocaine, 170 grams of suspected fentanyl, 85 grams of what is believed to be methamphetamine, and a quarter litre of GBH, along with packaging and weighing materials. The man had not been charged. [RCMP]

West Shore RCMP nab reckless go-karter on Langford roads
Officers are reminding the public that Langford streets “are not Mario Kart tracks” after catching an adult driver speeding along in a tiny go-kart. The driver was moving in and out of traffic on Peatt and Hockley and has been charged with failing to present a vehicle licence. The go-kart was towed. [RCMP]

SPONSORED BY GLOW INTEGRATIVE CLINIC

Navigating ADHD: A practical and compassionate workshop for young adults

Join Glow Integrative Clinic on Oct. 8 from 6-7pm for an online workshop offering a compassionate and practical alternative to the often isolating experience of ADHD, led by one of their counsellors, Elena Trenholm, who has ADHD.

The workshop is designed to provide education, coping skills, and an opportunity for self-reflection for participants with ADHD as they gain a deeper understanding of how their brains work and how this knowledge can support symptom management and self-nourishment in everyday life. This neurodiversity-affirming workshop is also open to attend if you have ever wondered if you might have ADHD, have self-diagnosed ADHD, or care for someone with ADHD.

REGISTER HERE.

🗓️ Things to do

☑️ All-Candidates meeting. Major provincial party hopefuls Tim Thielmann, Grace Lore, and Sonia Furstenau share their platforms and stances on issues relevant to the city. Victoria Conference Centre. Oct. 1. 6:30-9pm. [Info]

🍎 Apple Fest & Vintage Emporium put on by the Ross Bay Villa Society. Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum. Oct. 12. 10am-2pm. [Info]

🎸 Ruby Waters: The Canadian singer-songwriter artist will be performing at Capital Ballroom. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🥕 Farm to Table Market at The Langford Station: Bringing together local farmers and producers offering a selection of fresh produce, sauces, and jams, with live music and great food. Today. 4pm. [Info]

❓ Benji's Pub Quiz: Victoria's quiz master Benji will deliver his classic show with eight rounds of trivia at Ile Sauvage Brewing Co. Tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🧡 Orange Shirt Day Ceremony at Camosun College: An educational roundtable workshop where educators and college community members discuss allyship and reconciliation at the Building of Na'tsa'maht in Camosun’s Lansdowne campus. Tomorrow. 1pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Victoria Book Prize finalists announced; Canada Post delivers $50K to Moose Hide Campaign; Parking woes in Saanich; And more. [Sept. 24]

Boat ‘saves’ sea lion chased by an orca. [CHEK]

BC Transit taken to court in land battle. [Times Colonist]

Stop the spray: Itty Bitty Kitty Committee is offering affordable spaying and neutering via its mobile clinic.

Traffic is killer: See a spooky surprise sitting in a Victoria car. [Facebook photo]

On Sun., reader Shelly Moore experienced an incredible encounter on the Juan de Fuca Strait, roughly midway between Port Angeles and the Race Rocks lighthouse.

That’s it!

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