Sept 11 - Victoria brings in single-use items reduction bylaw

Good morning !

Today we have stories about single-use cups, knives, forks, and other items we habitually use at restaurants—and how Victoria views them.

The city has turned off the commenting section on all its official social media platforms because it says, there have been too many mean and abusive messages left there.

Also, find out how the Shamrocks fared last night, and whether they’re any closer this morning to claiming the Mann Cup for box lacrosse.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☁️ 16 / 11

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 17 / 12

Friday: ⛅ 16 / 12

7-day forecast

NEWS

Single-use bylaw enacted by Victoria includes opt-out options

Victoria has enacted its Single-Use Items Reduction bylaw to cut down on the estimated 60 million single-use items distributed annually in the city. 

It’s part of Victoria’s Zero Waste strategy, aiming to reduce landfill waste by 50% by 2040. The bylaw, which will be phased in from December to March 2026, focuses on promoting reusable plates, cups, and cutlery in local restaurants. However, it allows for single-use items to be provided upon request through online food delivery platforms such as Uber Eats and DoorDash.

The bylaw is supported by the BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association, which commended the city's balanced approach. Despite its limitations, the bylaw complements other federal and provincial restrictions on single-use plastics, including the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan and federal regulations. A federal court recently ruled the national plastics ban unconstitutional, but this decision is under appeal, with a stay granted back in Jan.

Read Sidney Coles’ full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Esquimalt pool closed until Sept. 22. Part of the facility is still open. 

Road paving on Hillside between Blanshard and Douglas to continue until Fri. 7am-7pm.

Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Current smoke forecast

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Cost of a one-bedroom rental is down slightly from last month, up 4%+ from last year

While a one-bedroom in Vancouver is 9.4% cheaper year over year on average, it’s 4.4% more expensive than last year for one here in the BC capital.

The average available single-bedroom apartment in Victoria is going for $2,172, which is 0.8% lower than in Aug. 

Rentals.ca and Urbanation released their joint Sept. rental report, showing rents for all residential property types in Canada averaged $2,187 last month, an increase of 3.3% over the past year—the lowest increase in nearly three years.

The authors of the study attribute the modest increase to a combination of more housing in decades being built, Canada’s slowed population growth, and a softened labour market.

A two-bedroom unit in Victoria comes in on average at $2,838, the fourth-highest in the country. That’s a 1.5% month-over-month increase and a 1.5% year-over-year drop. 

The average rent for apartments and condos listed last month in Victoria was $2,374, putting the BC capital at No. 5 nationally, behind Vancouver ($3,116), Toronto, Mississauga, and Burlington, Ont.

NEWS

Victoria turns off social media comment section due to abuse

The City of Victoria has disabled commenting on all its official social media platforms because it received too many abusive and hateful messages. 

“The decision to turn off comments on the City’s social media posts was made to support respectful communication, protect staff and the public, and work against misinformation,” city spokesperson Colleen Mycroft tells Capital Daily.

“We thank the people who have chosen to engage with us in a respectful way,” Mycroft said. “Unfortunately, many have not and that means our followers, and staff who monitor the City’s social media accounts, have been exposed to online harassment, abuse, and hateful content.”

Comments were turned off on Aug. 2, Mycroft confirmed. Followers can still tag the city, share content, and send direct messages through social media, she said. Mycroft also said there are more ways to contact the City of Victoria now than at any time in its history.

“People can email or phone departments, request service online, drop into City Hall, speak at a Council meeting, and participate in public engagement opportunities such as open houses, online info sessions, pop-up events, and public surveys.”

As CHEK reported yesterday, Port Alberni and Tofino have disabled commenting from their social media channels in recent years, but Victoria is the first in the CRD to do so.

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION

Start your philanthropic journey with the Gadsden Initiative

The Gadsden Initiative engages a new generation of philanthropists.

As costs of living rise, philanthropy can seem inaccessible—but it doesn't have to be! Join a cohort of like-minded community members, attend free events, network with non-profit leaders, discover your interests, and start your "give back" journey today! Read more in Pulse 2024 magazine!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🥍 Victoria Shamrocks 9 Six Nations Chiefs 12. Chiefs lead Mann Cup Final 3 games to 1.

🐙 Lion’s mane jellyfish: See the unique creature swimming near East Sooke. [Facebook photos]

🌸 Lovely lilies in the Nanaimo water. [Photo]

🎭 Experience the magic of live opera in Victoria, where every performance promises to inspire and enchant. Season subscription packages and single tickets are on sale now!*

💼 Business Community Meet & Greet. Sept. 19.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Downtown businesses ask provincial parties for help to fight crime
The Business Improvement Associations of BC (BIABC), representing 500+ businesses, sent questionnaires to all the parties five weeks ahead of the Oct. 19 provincial election. The big thing they wanted to know was how the politicians would combat crime. Jeff Bray, the BIABC president, said almost 40% of businesses who took part say if things don’t change, they don’t see themselves surviving another two years. [CHEK]

BC Fire chiefs say changes to building code dangerous
A new provincial rule will cut in half the number of fire escapes in new condos and multi-unit buildings six storeys or fewer. The Fire Chiefs Association of BC wants the province to reverse this rule, saying multiple fire escapes are crucial for safety. The province changed the building codes to expand the number of units in buildings. [Vancouver Sun]

4K pound load falls on construction worker in Chinatown
Rigger Kyle McIntyre, 50, went to work Sat. at Herald and Government and had a load of reinforced concrete drop on him from a height of 10 or 12 feet. He suffered multiple serious injuries, including a dislocated knee and three open-skin leg fractures. He said he thought he was going to lose the leg but doctors managed to save it. Another worker sustained minor injuries but McIntyre’s will require a long convalescence. A fundraiser has been set up for the family. [Times Colonist]

🗓️ Things to do

📚 Victoria Festival of Authors: The weekend will offer four workshops with a selection of BC’s most celebrated authors, and a reading that includes all four. Canadian College of Performing Arts. Sept. 21-22. [Info]

🎸 10th SALT New Music Festival: Featuring diverse and thought-provoking free music from the 20th and 21st centuries. Various venues at UVic. Through Sept. 20. [Info]

🍵 The Victoria Tea Festival Revival: Activities include a tea fair with tastings, a tea symposium, live music, food, a ceramics gallery, documentary screenings, and the World Tea Championship. Nootka Court. Oct. 5. [Info]

🧑‍🎤 Pacific Edge Chorus: Are you a woman who likes to sing?  Learn to sing a cappella in a fun, free, six-week workshop. Gordon United Church Hall. Sept. 17-Oct. 22. [Info]

🎶 Rifflandia: Victoria’s biggest music festival is back in its new location, featuring headliners REZZ, TLC, and Feist. Matullia Lands at Rock Bay. Fri.-Sun. [Info]

🏮 Esquimalt Lantern Festival: Check out this annual festival to explore beautiful lanterns lit after sundown. Enjoy live music, local food vendors, and glow-in-the-dark face paint. Gorge Park. Fri. 6pm. [Info]

🤣 Phillips Comedy Night at the Mint: Bringing the best comics in the city together for a fresh, fun night of laughs. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🍞 Sourdough workshop: Join Megan Hennis for a comprehensive sourdough baking class where you will learn to create a loaf from start to finish. Victoria Public Market. Sun. 5-8pm. [Info]

🎤 Virginia to Vegas: Alex Porat brings his Greatest Hits tour to Victoria. Wicket Hall. Tomorrow. Doors at 7pm. [Info]

Want more events? Subscribe to This Week In Vic and get our weekly events newsletter every Tue.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday headlines: Youth suicide prevention program expanded; Tombo bakery closes 7 months after opening; Jordie Benn retires; And more. [Capital Daily] 

Copper and zinc effluent found in Baynes Sound. [LJI / Capital Daily]

Mother of Victoria man who died in psychiatric care wants answers. [CHEK]

Vic Coun. Jeremy Caradonna is guest for ‘Ask Me Anything’ hosted by Vibrant Victoria on Fri. [Info]

Morning sun + smoky skies = eerie red clouds in Colwood. [Facebook photo]

Pink skies as birds fly on the West Coast Trail. [Facebook photos]

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.

And before you go, let us know: