Aug 30 - Victoria lowers speed limits on more streets

Good morning !

I first noticed it a few years ago on Cook Street. Now it seems there are many Victoria arteries with a 30 km/h speed limit. And there’s more to come—part of the city’s We Go Slow initiative. That’s our first story today.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛅ 23 / 13

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 18 / 13

Friday: ☀️ 25 / 12

7-day forecast

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Light smoke expected.

🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Victoria drops speed limits on more streets

Life on the Island can move a little slower—and for two Victoria neighbourhoods, that’s now officially the case.

At the end of June the city lowered speed limits for Quadra-Hillside, and last week it completed the same on Burnside-Gorge.

The maximum speed on these “local streets” (roadways without a centre line, considered to be more residential) is now 30 km/h, instead of the previous 50 km/h.

According to the city’s website, a pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling 50 km/h has an 80% chance of being killed, but if the vehicle is moving 30 km/h that likelihood drops to 10%.

The speed changes are part of Victoria’s We Go Slow initiative, which aims to achieve Vision Zero, an international best practice in road safety.

Island communities, including Oak Bay, Metchosin, and Songhees Nation were recent recipients of the $1M Vision Zero grant from the province.

The city launched the staggered project earlier this year with construction in Oaklands expected to begin at the end of October and completed by the end of the year. Oaklands residents will be contacted about the work in the coming weeks.

Salt Spring also will implement lower speed limits—those driving through Ganges Village will notice new 30 km/h zones installed by September, with LCC commissioner Brian Webster confirming the speed change will happen in the north end of town.

Guilty plea expected in crash that spurred Saanich’s street safety push

Saanich adopted a road safety plan to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities following the December 2021 collision that killed 16-year-old Kaydence Bourque.

The woman driving that night plans to plead guilty.

Margarita Citron told the Times Colonist she doesn’t want to fight the case and risk further traumatizing the victim’s family.

The speed limit on Cedar Hill Cross Road—where the collision occurred—has been reduced to 40 km/h from 50 km/h. Speed limits in eight other corridors are expected to drop to 40 km/h, with some stretches reduced to 25 km/h.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Digital memory wall: For International Overdose Awareness Day, the memory wall honours those lost to toxic drug poisoning. Until Sept. 30.

Odour advisory: Maintenance work at McLoughlin Point Wastewater Treatment Plant in Esquimalt today may produce foul smells between 8am and 1pm.

NEWS

You don’t have to be a farmer to love the market

The earlier sunsets tells us summer is coming to its end, but that just provides another season to enjoy. While the calendar calls for three more weeks of summer, fall is inevitable as we approach Labour Day. And fall just seems like the time to take a leisurely stroll through one—or more—of the area’s fine farmers markets.

Stocking everything from art to baked goods to beer and wine, BC’s capital city has no shortage of markets to find neat trinkets and fresh, local food fare.

We’re letting you know where they all are today so you have time to plan. Remember, you may need to scope out parking, so if you’re not walking or cycling to a market this weekend, get there early to avoid any parking problems.

They’re usually an early-morning thing, these farmers markets, so you may as well get there early before all the good stuff is gone.

Our Sarah Madsen has written a handy guide to Victoria’s farmers markets in Tasting Victoria, and here’s a little taste of where you can find one: Fairfield, James Bay, Oak Bay, Oaklands, Goldstream, Esquimalt, Sidney, Saanich, North Saanich, Metchosin and Sooke.

Need more? Read Sarah’s piece here.

SPONSORED BY THE BAY CENTRE

Calling all Pinball Fans!

Are you ready for the connected pinball revolution? Quazar's Pop-up Arcade will be returning to the Bay Centre this fall bringing the classic game of pinball with a modern twist.

Launching Sept. 6, the pop-up will feature six Premium Edition Stern pinball machines including Jurassic Park, Deadpool, Godzilla, Foo Fighters, and more. The pop-up will also feature a live connected leaderboard where the best players will compete for Stern prizes.

Pinball has been seeing a revived interest with its popularity at an all-time high. This all-ages pop-up arcade will be located in the centre court of the Bay Centre and runs through Oct. 31. Learn more!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🍸 Tasty eating and drinking deals are here: This week’s Tasting Victoria best bets for happy hour.

💻 Tired of long wait times and shifty prices? Switch to oxio for fast, affordable internet, transparent pricing, and 100% online customer service. Use code CAPITALDAILY for your first month free.*

⛸️ Fall skating at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre: Register for beginner, intermediate, and private lessons.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Lightning strikes: Lots of them Monday
Lightning is believed to have triggered at least 18 of the 19 new wildfires now burning on Vancouver Island, according to the BC Wildfire Service. The strikes occurred Monday, sparking fires as far north as Port McNeill and as far south as Sooke. [CHEK]

Negotiations between Clipper and union back on
Unifor Local 114—representing 24 Clipper workers from Victoria—tells Capital Daily talks will resume tomorrow after three weeks of silence. The Victoria workers will be in a position to strike Sunday morning.

The Beach House Restaurant in Cordova Bay closes
The oceanfront restaurant at 5109 Cordova Bay shut down Sunday. Formerly McMorran’s, the property has been up for sale for eight months. Staff was given 19 months’ notice. [Times Colonist]

Belmont Secondary hangs up cell phones
Students at the Langford high school either will place their cell phones in a holder before entering the classroom or leave their phones in lockers or backpacks. [CHEK]

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Community Engagement Manager at Dance Victoria

• Out of School Care Team Lead at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group

• Out of School Care Coordinator at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group

• Christmas Installers at The Butchart Gardens

• Buyer Seed & Gift Store at The Butchart Gardens

• Associate Dentist at Oaklands Dental

• Delivery Driver at Otto Logistics

• Cooks at The Butchart Gardens

Looking for more openings? See 40+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

SPONSORED BY THE ROOT CELLAR

Those who love green sauce; and those who haven’t tried it yet

Which are you?! No sauce is as famous in the City of Victoria as this deliciousness from The Root Cellar.

Discover your love of green sauce at TheRootCellar.ca, available exclusively at their flagship market on McKenzie Avenue at Blenkinsop, and their second location in Cook Street Village.

🗓️ Things to do

🎸 David Barber at Butchart Gardens: The musician will perform country, rock, and blues tunes tonight on the open-air stage, 8pm.

🎍 You are invited to attend an introductory workshop to learn about gardening with native plants! Join us Sept. 16, 17, 30, or Oct. 1. Register here!*

📄 Drag bingo at Vicious Poodle: Bring some friends and win prizes tonight, 8pm.

🧙 Barry Potter and the Magic of Wizardry: As part of the Victoria Fringe Festival, comedy magician Tim Motley performs tonight at Metro Studio, 7:45pm.

😂 Aliya Kanani: Where You From, From?: The comedian’s show takes place tonight at Wood Hall, 7pm.

🎟️ No Worries if Not: Comedian Katie-Ellen Humphries performs today at the Victoria Fringe Festival at SKAM Satellite Studio, 5:45pm.

*Sponsored Listing

👀 In Case You Missed It

Giant Pacific octopus shakes it up at Ogden Point
Two divers got a close-up look at a cordial cephalopod, which appeared to almost shake hands with one of them. [CHEK]

Nuu-chah-nulth youth restore clam gardens: Two clam gardens have been restored using traditional practices, with plans for more. [Capital Daily]

Tuesday’s headlines: Staff shortages behind 40% of BC Ferries’ cancelled sailings last year, Parksville sand sculpture festival winners, Oak Bay to review sidewalk conditions, and more. [Aug. 29]

Record 1,455 drug deaths already in BC this year: July was the thirteenth consecutive month that over 190 British Columbians were lost to toxic drugs. [CBC]

Jagmeet Singh calls for lower grocery prices during Nanaimo visit: The NDP leader called for increased competition and greater transparency of stores’ profits. [CTV]

That’s it!

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