Tues. June 27 - Summer droughts hit BC

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

There’s possibly a new Southern Resident orca swimming along our coast, according to a photo shared by the Center for Whale Research. We’re lucky to be so close to this complex group of whales, but as a longtime Islander, I’m sad to say that I haven’t seen many orcas myself—only a couple of chance encounters on the ferry in my childhood.

I’m wondering if any of our readers have had better luck than me with spotting our marine neighbours—let us know!

— Robyn

🌤️ Today's weather: Mainly sunny, light wind. High 21C / low 13C.

🌫️ Air Quality: Low risk today (2/10), no smoke expected.

NEWS

Another summer drought is building, province warns

As droughts appear across BC, the province is urging residents and businesses to conserve water. A hot, dry May saw snowpacks depleted and even though many areas of BC finally got some rain last week, it wasn’t enough to make up for the drier-than-usual weather.

The province warns that if drought conditions worsen, temporary protection orders under the Water Sustainability Act will be issued, with fines being enforced for violating water restrictions. The province recommends that residents limit watering lawns and gardens, and reduce personal water use by taking shorter showers or running full loads of laundry.

West and East Vancouver Island have been in a Level 3 drought since early June and, with temperatures predicted to remain high, will likely see this worsen. The drought levels range from 0 to 5, with Level 5 considered the most severe and likely to have adverse effects on communities.

Last year the Island reached Level 5, with the drought continuing well into the fall. Ongoing droughts can have lasting impacts on the health of trees and spawning salmon populations, particularly in temperate rainforest regions on the Island. Impacts on humans include rising Island wildfire risks and exacerbating the water—and in turn housing—crisis on Salt Spring.

The only exception to drought water restrictions will be firefighting. Canada is expected to have its worst wildfire season ever, with the coastal region already seeing an uptick in fires.

Capital Bulletin

📃 Tourism Master Plan survey: Participate in the planning for tourism development and initiatives for the next 10 years. The online survey is open until June 30.

🗒️ Saanich OCP feedback: Weigh in on the new Official Community Plan draft before June 30.

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Week flag-raising at City Hall on the Pandora side, alongside nine flags representing the LGBTQ2S+ community. 11:30am.

🧽 OUR DWTN Scrub-Up: Businesses and city staff will collaborate today to refresh the corner of Broad and Pandora, 9-11am.

NEWS

Point Ellice House reopens after 2-month closure and operator change

The museum by the Bay Bridge reopened Saturday under a new interim operator, the Forager Foundation. Forager has launched a new logo and brand identity and aims for the museum to focus on community-building and preservation. It plans to create online experiences, design publications for different audiences, and develop new programs to bring in more visitors.

The heritage site is one of Victoria’s oldest houses and has one of North America’s largest collections of Victorian artifacts. It closed April 22 after the Vancouver Island Local History Society (VILHS) terminated its operating contract a year early. Then-executive director Kelly Black told Capital Daily in early April that the closure was due to unsustainable chronic underfunding by the province, which he doubted any future operator could overcome.

The Forager Foundation is a non-profit that has partnered with 25% of BC’s heritage sector. In early May it was appointed by the province, until a long-term operator is selected.

Forager’s founder and president Bryce Mathew has said that he hopes to build off the work of previous operators and broaden the museum’s audience. The foundation has continued to work with some existing staff, and intends to gather a Community Input Council to involve locals in the maintenance of the heritage site.

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NEWS

Newborn Southern Resident orca spotted

The L-Pod of Southern Resident orcas appears to have a new member—a three-week-old newborn considered to be their first calf since 2021.

The calf was seen with the pod off the coast of Tofino, according to a photo shared by the Center for Whale Research.

Researchers have yet to identify its sex or determine its mother, but hope to begin including the young orca in their studies of the pod.

Southern Resident orcas are one of the most well-known marine populations—and the most at-risk. They’ve experienced almost no population growth since the ‘70s after their numbers were devastated by captures for marine parks and, with salmon stocks disappearing and water pollution, it’s believed that they will be functionally extinct in the next 100 years.

Last year, the J-Pod and K-Pod each welcomed calves, their first since 2020 and 2011, respectively.

The new calf would bring the Southern Residents’ population to 74, according to recent counts.

Capital Picks

🔄 Levidrome: Which two words spell each other backwards and are described by this clue: OK for this Pegasus star
Answer on Facebook or Twitter and tag #levidrome and #capitaldaily. Last time: Ransack for the gizmo = loot / tool

🍜 Uber unlocked $123 million in additional revenue to restaurants across British Columbia. Learn more about Uber’s impact in the province.*

🎺 Chris Botti at the Royal Theatre: The Grammy winning trumpeter will perform tonight during TD Victoria International JazzFest, 7:30pm.

🎹 Gentiane MG Trio at Hermann’s Jazz Club: During JazzFest tonight, pianist Gentiane MG will be joined by bassist Levi Dover and drummer Louis-Vincent Hamel, 7pm.

🎙️ Storry and Witch Prophet at Victoria Event Centre: Juno nominated vocalist Storry will perform in a twin bill tonight alongside Toronto-based singer-songwriter Witch Prophet, 9pm.

🎥 Persian Lessons at The Vic Theatre: As a part of the Victoria Film Festival, the WWII film about a Jewish man who avoided execution by teaching Farsi to a concentration camp leader will be shown tonight, 7:30pm.

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

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In Other News

🔥 Suspicious wildfires investigated outside of Port Alberni
Crews responded Monday morning to two fires west of Roger Creek, both assumed to be human-caused. Both fires are small—under one hectare—and no structures were at risk as of Monday. [CHEK]

🎒 BC ending letter grades for years K-9 starting this fall
This month’s report card will be the last before the new system, started in 2016 and now used by about half of BC students, is expanded. The proficiency/progress scale will include Emerging, Developing, Proficient, and Extending, along with teacher comments. [CBC]

⛴️ Victoria to Nanaimo foot passenger ferries arrive at Ogden Point
The two Hullo catamarans will carry out two weeks of trials to receive Transport Canada certification before they begin operations. Direct trips between downtown Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver are expected to begin in early August. [Times Colonist]

🐻 Black bear killed, 3 cubs tranquilized in Thetis Lake Park
Conservation officers said they had to kill the bear after it showed signs it was dependent on human food. The three cubs were taken to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre to determine whether they eventually can be returned to the wild.

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Happy Pride!

In Case You Missed It

📰 Monday’s newsletter: BC Ferries warns of summer cancellations, rockfish poaching leads to $17K in fines, octopus fights five king crabs, and more. [June 26]

☀️ Delight-fully in warmer days and long summer nights. Starting Jul. 1, The Bay Centre is open until 8pm Thursday-Saturday. Plus, get free parking after 5pm on weeknights.*

📱 Victoria companies up for BC Tech awards: Locals recognized for work on indoor air quality, building decarbonization, and cancer-drug testing materials. [Victoria Tech Journal]

🗳️ Parmar becomes Langford-Juan de Fuca MLA: Ravi Parmar won the byelection with 53.4% of the vote, securing the seat for the NDP. [Capital Daily]

🍝 4 Italian restaurants to try this month: From pizza to pasta, Victoria boasts an amazing selection of Italian cuisine. [Tasting Victoria]

🗞️ Sunday headlines: Public swimming dock approved for Gorge, Hwy 4 reopens, run for safe drug supply reaches Legislature, and more. [June 25]

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