Thurs. June 1 - Safer roads are on their way

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

This weekend is the Oak Bay Tea Party which is in its 61st year. As a longtime Oak Bay resident, I’m sure I’ll be waking up Saturday morning to the sound of marching bands tuning their instruments to get ready for the parade—a sound that always brings me back to my days of playing the saxophone in the Oak Bay High band. The months of learning to coordinate dance moves while playing an instrument are certainly not easy—neither are the hot polyester uniforms on a sunny June day—so be sure to cheer those teens on as they march by!

Now let’s dive into today’s stories.

-Robyn Bell, Newsletter Writer

NEWS

South Island communities receive Vision Zero grants for safer roads and crosswalks

Safer roads are in the works for multiple communities on the Island, including Oak Bay, Metchosin, and the Songhees Nation. The province will award $1M in Vision Zero grants to 59 communities in BC, nearly doubling the over $500,000 awarded to 32 communities last year.

Vision Zero is an international best practice in road safety, having run its program in Europe for about 30 years. This will be the second year that BC districts will benefit from these grants.

The program aims to reduce road injuries and deaths, which have a significant impact on the health-care system—an estimated $300M in health costs in BC each year. By creating safer roads, Vision Zero also encourages climate-friendly active transportation, adding to the recent funding that Island communities will receive from the province.

Updated speed limits, flashing crosswalks to be added to local roads
Oak Bay will receive $10,000 to update a slightly hidden pedestrian-activated crosswalk with flashing lights to better alert motorists.

Metchosin will get over $14,000 to install a crosswalk at Hans Helgesen Elementary School, including school zone signs and crosswalk ahead warnings.

The Songhees Nation will get nearly $75,000 from four different grants, adding:

• LED speed indicator signs on shared roadways

• Speed limit and stop signs along Cooper Road, Chief Robert Sam Lane, and Middle Road

• Dual Lekwungen and English language speed limit and stop signs on Songhees land

While these updates are set to improve safety, there are still several intersections in Greater Victoria that experience frequent accidents and sidewalks that community members say need improvements.

By Robyn Bell

Capital Bulletin

☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny. High 19C / low 10C.

🚧 Traffic-pattern changes: Traffic changes start today on Highway 17 near Keating Cross Road in preparation for the upcoming overpass project.

🪖 Military training across the Island: Military aircraft and vessels will have an increased presence in the area May 31 to June 28 while training is conducted.

NEWS

$1.5 M for a climate-focused farming solution

Cascadia Seaweed, Canada’s largest ocean cultivator of seaweed, will receive $1.5 million from the BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE), a not-for-profit supporting BC-made green technologies.

The Sidney-based company develops sea-grown products for land-based farmers. The company processes harvested kelp into farming products, including biostimulants for crops and cattle supplements. Through its kelp farms, Cascadia aims to strengthen the ocean ecosystem by providing shelter for marine life, and producing oxygen.

Cascadia will direct the funds towards the development of a 100-hectare seaweed farm and bioprocessing facility in Prince Rupert. The expansion is a partnership between the company and the Metlakatla Development Corporation, the business arm of the Metlakatla First Nation.

“This builds on the support we’ve received from Sustainable Development Technology Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and enables us to deliver nature-based and climate-positive solutions in a timely manner,” said Rob Napoli, CFO of Cascadia Seaweed, in a press release.

“This commendable joint initiative reduces methane emissions from cattle and improves soil carbon retention,” said Ged McLean, executive director of CICE. “Recognizing the vital role of kelp in future carbon management solutions, CICE is excited to support Cascadia in becoming a global leader in seaweed cultivation, pioneering first-of-its-kind advancements on the west coast.”

Last year, Capital Daily reported on how Cascadia Seaweed entered into a partnership with Tsawout Nation to farm seaweed between Saanichton and James Island in order to strengthen and restore the marine ecosystem.

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The Belfry opens their new season with Kat Sandler’s hit comedy-thriller Yaga. Enter a world of murder, sex, and romance, where nothing—and no one—is exactly as it seems.

‘I Think I’m Fallin’: The Songs of Joni Mitchell, celebrating the glorious music of one of this country’s best-loved icons returns in November.

The Belfry will premiere Christine Quintana’s As Above. The play combines elements from The Secret Life of Trees with the challenges facing a disgraced professor.

The season closes with the internationally acclaimed The Lehman Trilogy—winner of the 2022 Tony Award for Best Play. The history of the Lehman brothers, starting with their arrival as immigrants, charts the evolution of American capitalism.

The Belfry offers pay-what-you-want season tickets. Learn more.

Capital Picks

🎧 Island Crime podcast: Season five of Laura Palmer’s podcast focuses on the 2020 Whisky Creek homicide on Halloween. [Island Crime] Capital Daily interviewed Palmer last year about her work covering Island disappearances including Lisa Marie Young, Brandon Cairney, and Michael Dunahee.

✨ Night Illumination begins tonight at The Butchart Gardens and runs every Wednesday-Sunday until mid September. Enjoy The Gardens at night until 11pm.*

🍷 Victoria International Wine Festival: Tickets are on sale today at 9am for the festival that runs Sept. 29-30 at the Victoria Conference Centre. [Tickets]

🌲 Tall Tree Health. Your professional health nerds. Specializing in longevity, concussion, back pain, anxiety, and beyond. Their obsessive learning accelerates your recovery and optimizes health.*

🏢 Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia: The Royal BC Museum’s exhibition on ancient Angkor opens Fri. and will run until Jan. 14. [Details]

🤝 Now hiring: Senior Consultant - Full-Stack Developer at EY.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

🤝 Victoria Mayor pitches new community safety plan
The plan proposed by Mayor Marianne Alto would give specific guidelines to approach issues like vandalism and assault, including alternative approaches to policing. The plan will be presented to council on Thursday and if passed, will develop a community safety plan, harm-reduction solutions, and support agencies that create life opportunities for unhoused people. This will be in addition to the announced $1M in safety and beautification funding for downtown. [CTV]

🔥 Woman arrested following two Sooke fires
Sooke RCMP said the two fires on Tuesday near Sooke River Road were set deliberately. One of the fires resulted in a tree being fully engulfed in flames. Sooke Fire were able to extinguish both the fires. The incident comes at a time when the risk of wildfire is considered high, meaning that small fires can quickly escalate due to the dry conditions. [CHEK]

In Case You Missed It

📰 Wednesday newsletter: Plan for on-leash rule for dogs in Saanich parks, report finds healthy diets unaffordable for many Islanders, Uber launch approaches, and more. [May 31]

🥑 This is the place: The Root Cellar at Oxford Corner in Cook Street Village—your innovative destination market for fresh, locally grown produce and extraordinary food experiences. Learn more at TheRootCellar.ca.*

🚐 The Tow Away Zone: A UVic student finds himself living in a van due to the housing crisis, while he interacts with millionaires during his day job. [Capital Daily]

*Sponsored Listing

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