Sat. June 24 - Dumping our sewage on Nanaimo

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

It was only a few years ago that Victoria had a reputation for dumping its sewage right into the ocean. Although $775M in recent state-of-the-art facilities has changed that, Greater Victoria is still looking for a place to put its (now-treated) sewage. The preferred option so far seems to be Nanaimo.

The only problem? Nanaimo doesn’t want it.

The details on that dispute below, plus new whales, a new restaurant, new weekend events, and more!

—Cam

🌤️ Today's weather: Mainly sunny, light wind in afternoon. High 22C/ low 12C.

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10), South Island will avoid much of the smoke in Washington state.

NEWS

CRD committee votes to send biosolids up to Nanaimo

As the Capital Regional District tries to determine what to do with the region’s sewer sludge, it looks like sending it up-Island remains the No. 1 choice.

The CRD’s Environmental Services Committee voted on Wednesday to continue exploring options to send the treated waste to the Nanaimo area, despite concern from many Harbour City residents who poo-pooed the idea of receiving another region’s waste.

On May 30, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) sent a letter to the CRD, urging it to consider options within its own boundaries.

“We have difficulty understanding the current approach of the CRD to prevent land application of biosolids within your region while shipping it to another region for the same use,” wrote RDN chair Vanessa Craig.

She said the CRD should develop a better long-term plan in its own backyard.

The RDN has its own successful biosolids program, which mainly creates soil and fertilizes forests.

Why the options for biosolid disposal are limited

Biosolids are the solid substance left after wastewater treatment; the RDN describes them as a “nutrient-dense organic material with a humous-like texture.” Provincial regulations require biosolids be used for beneficial purposes, such as converting it into fertilizer to mitigate any environmental impact.

In order to meet these regulations, the CRD had been incinerating biosolids, providing alternative fuel to the LaFarge cement facility in Richmond. However, the LaFarge kiln hasn’t been fully operational since July 2022, forcing the region to rely on its backup option: sending biosolids to the Hartland Landfill.

That landfill—already a controversial site for biosolids—reached its capacity for biosolids quicker than expected. And since it’s not legal as a long-term solution, the CRD is in violation of the provincial regulations.

When criticized in early 2022 for landfilling biosolids and sending as little as 10% to Richmond, the CRD faulted in part the unfinished refining process, saying that by Jan. 2023 more of the output would reach Class A standard—by then, though, LaFarge wasn’t taking it.

Nanaimo plan needs board approval

The CRD board still has to approve the committee’s vote to send biosolids to Nanaimo—to be used as to be used as fertilizer in forest and logging regions or for gravel pits at a former quarry. The CRD eventually plans to launch a long-term pilot incineration project and hopes to have a final plan for the Province to review by next year.

By Robyn Bell

Capital Bulletin

 🗳️ Election Day for for Langford- Juan de Fuca: Vote in the by-elections today at eligible locations, 8am-8pm. Read the candidate Q&A in The Westshore.

🚗 Hwy 4 reopens, then closes within hours: Hwy 4 resumed single-lane alternating traffic after more than two weeks of closure. But on Friday, it was temporarily re-closed due to high winds. Update expected this morning.

🎧 “Sounds of Victoria”: Victoria’s Artist in Residence is requesting audio submissions for a public art project for Eventide. Submissions are due July 7.

🏥 Saanich Peninsula ER closed overnight tonight, 10pm-7am. The hospital had already been deprioritizing non-urgent patients overnight.

NEWS

New restaurant from Canucks owner’s group opens in long-empty space across from City Hall

For years a sign in a ground-floor window of the Rotunda building across from Victoria City Hall has promised “A New Culinary Experience Coming Soon!” Well, soon has finally arrived after extended pandemic-related delays.

The new opening of Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar turns that empty storefront into a 160-person dining room, mounting wall of award-winning spirits, winding hallways leading to stocked wine cellars, and an authentic Japanese raw bar.

The latest restaurant from the Aquilini-owned Toptable Group has a range of high-end dishes in a menu headlined by local seafood, created by head chef Kristian Eligh—a Victorian who returns after originally leaving in 2002.

Read the full story for Tasting Victoria’s review, preview, and head chef interview.

NEWS

New whale calves spotted in Salish Sea as humpbacks continue comeback

Humpback whales have begun to return to BC with at least three new calves. Among these are the first calf of well-known seven-year-old humpback Poptart. She got her name back when she was a calf herself, for popping all the way out of the water as if out of a toaster.

Last year, 396 humpbacks were spotted around the Salish Sea—a record number, and a huge rebound for a species that had been nearly wiped out in the region 60 years ago.

Humpbacks typically feed in BC and Alaska during the summer and fall, and breed in Hawaii and Mexico during the winter. Grey whales make a similar trip through Island waters that is the longest seasonal migration by any mammal on the planet.

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Capital Picks

🔄 Levidrome: Which two words spell each other backwards and are described by this clue: Ransack for the gizmo
Answer on Facebook or Twitter and tag #levidrome and #capitaldaily. Last time: Tummy pull = gut/tug

🎷 Ostara Project at Hermann’s Upstairs: The JUNO nominated jazz group performs today as a part of TD Victoria International JazzFest. 8pm.

🎆 Enjoy Firework shows every Saturday evening at The Butchart Gardens from Jul. 1 until Sept. 2. Shows included with price of admission. Fine the start times and further details here.*

🎹 Kate Wyatt Quartet at Hermann’s Jazz Club: The pianist and composer will perform for JazzFest tonight. 7pm.

🥓 Bacon, Beer, and Bourbon Festival: Celebrate BBQ season and enjoy bourbon cocktails and beers tonight at Starlight Stadium. 4-8pm. [Details]

🍻 Whistle Mania: In celebration of Whistle Buoy’s birthday, the brewery is hosting a party full of beer, music, and live wrestling in Market Square’s lower courtyard. 3-10pm.

⚜️ Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day: Celebrate the holiday with a barbecue station and musical performance at Plaza Franco. 12-2pm.

🎧 Brother Ali at Victoria Curling Club: As a part of Ska Fest today, Brother Ali will perform alongside Kid Koala, DJ Anger, and King Benz.

🎤 Maxi Priest at Ship Point Harbour: Maxi Priest will be joined by Sister Carol, Junior Toots, and Pan Wizard Steel Orchestra for Ska Fest today. [Details]

🤝 Now hiring: Tax Coordinator at Together Against Poverty Society.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

🚓 Ricky’s fire was arson, police now say
VicPD seeks dashcam footage from June 16, 2:30am to 3:15am, for the area around Douglas and Burnside. The fire, which took five hours to fight, gutted Ricky’s Grill.

⚖️ Tofino man killed mother and baby bear, court finds
A three-day trial found Ryan Owen Millar guilty of one count of shooting a black bear outside of hunting season and one count of killing a black bear under the age of two. Witnesses saw him shoot the two bears with a crossbow, and filmed him moving the cub under a tarp before calling the police. He later gave inconsistent stories about either not killing the bears or doing so in self-defence. Sentencing is in Sept. [CTV]

⚽ Pacific FC hasn’t lost in 8 weeks
The local soccer club won another 1-0 game in Langford on Wednesday to move to a league-best 24 points (7 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss). No other Canadian Premier League team has more than 17. Next home game is Friday.

In Case You Missed It

🧵 Friday headlines: Victoria softballers represent Canada, plane crash kills two, mental health services for Island refugees and immigrants, and more. [June 23]

🗳️ Langford - Juan de Fuca candidate Q&A: The candidates for today’s by-election answer questions about priority issues. [The Westshore]

🎵 Another free concert tomorrow: Ship Point hosts the third and final free SkaFest concert. Sunday 2-9pm.

🍎 A longer, healthier life is possible. With a team of experts and 45+ evidence-based metrics, Tall Tree's Longevity Medicine program will add healthy years to your life.*

🛠️ City plans Centennial Square reno: The proposed plans include replacing the central fountain with a splash pad. [Thursday newsletter]

⚠️ Toy recall: Health Canada has recalled the Zuru Robo Alive Junior Baby Shark Toy, due to a laceration hazard.

*Sponsored Listing