Dec 16 - An Island "water fight" in BC's Supreme Court

Good morning !

Should Island homeowners be able to sell the water from under their property, in bulk? That’s a question being taken to BC’s Supreme Court after five years of local-level disputes. Read more below.

Plus: The best holiday treats at Victoria-area bakeries.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes

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NEWS

An Island water fight heads to the BC Supreme Court 

A Merville man is asking the Supreme Court of BC to strike down the Comox Valley Regional District’s (CVRD) decision to classify bulk water sales as a permitted home business.

Bruce Gibbons has been pushing for five years to not only counter his neighbour’s plan to bottle up groundwater from an aquifer they both use, but to stop bulk commercial extraction of water in BC.

That neighbour, Christopher MacKenzie, had a provincial licence but had his rezoning rejected in 2018 by the CVRD. The licence expired, but he pivoted to a proposal to store the water in tanks, not bottles, to distribute by truck or on the premises.

The CVRD determined that that was a permitted home business

Now, next month, the higher court will weigh in. 

Read more on the situation here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Sidney getting a new downtown-area park, off Third near Rothesay Beach.

Driving today? Check the current traffic.

Island View Beach partial closure: Coast Loop Trail section and nearby parking and fields closed to Dec. 22. [CRD]

FOOD

Environmental orgs & First Nations get climate action grants after anonymous $550k donation

The Victoria Foundation (VF) is distributing the large legacy donation to 12 local not-for-profits and to the Sc’ianew (Beecher Bay) and Tsawout Nations. Grants of up to $50k went to orgs addressing climate change through nature-based solutions such as ecological restoration, land conservation, biodiversity, and protecting species at risk.

The VF’s trust-based granting model doesn’t prescribe specific projects it wants done. Instead, it assumes that organizations know what’s best for them and can best serve their communities through the work they are already doing. 

One recipient is the Gorge Waterway Action Society (GWAS)’s restoration of the salt marsh ecosystem in Esquimalt Gorge Park. This work tackles flood mitigation, erosion, water filtration, and increasing biodiversity by attracting pollinators, fish, and birds. 

Read more details about the full grant, the VF, and its recipients.

FOOD

12 Victoria bakeries where you can pick up holiday treats

Good will? Cheer? The love of family? Nope, the best part of the holiday season is… baked goods.

Whether you’re looking to complete your holiday spread—or simply don't have the time to do your own baking—Victoria’s bakeries have you covered. 

There are classic holiday staples like panettone, tarts, stollen, and yule logs. There are inventive festive treats like a mulled wine dessert tree and a strawberry yuzu mousse ornament. 

Here is Tasting Victoria’s list of local bakeries’ delicious seasonal goodies. 

SPONSORED BY CFAX SANTAS

Virtual Tree of Wishes

CFAX Santas Anonymous, a local children's charity, is brightening Christmas for 1,200 families and 2,600 children. Join us at the Virtual Tree of Wishes, donate a child's wish, and our Elves will make it come true. Add a food hamper to complete a family's Christmas. It’s a click away.

⭐️ Capital Picks

 🎨 Help rehome Supply Victoria, which redirects unused resources to: For Victoria's artists, students, and teachers. Online fundraiser. Through Dec. 31. [Info]

🎁 Unwrap new oxio internet with no strings attached. No term contracts. Zero activation fees. Use code CAPITALDAILY to gift yourself the first month free.*  

🐙🦭 A different kind of water fight: A close-up shot of the sea lion vs. octopus battle in Island waters.

🤝 Now hiring: Corporate Controller - Hospitality at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Man charged with driving at Palestine demonstrators in Victoria
He faces one count of assault with a weapon and one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle after the Dec. 3 incident. Video appeared to show him accelerating and veering onto the sidewalk toward protesters who were demonstrating for a ceasefire in Gaza. [Victoria News]

New tracking technology coming to Victoria buses
On Jan. 15, NextRide will get a service upgrade to track bus locations more reliably for riders. There will also be new digital displays inside some buses showing the route, upcoming stops, and alerts. [BC Transit]

Two Island farms detect avian flu
Of the 52 farms to have detected the virus since Oct. 20, cases were found at a non-commercial farm in Qualicum Beach and a backyard flock in Port McNeill. The Qualicum Beach location is still considered active. There were also two Island cases reported back in January, though they’ve since been resolved. [CHEK]

🗓️ Things to do

🎄Lights of Wonder: Tonight in Centennial Square: Lion dancers, UVic Vocal Jazz Combo, and the Capital City Syncopators [Info]

🏀 B-ball battle: Oak Bay High, the top-ranked Boys AAAA hoops team in BC, hosts some of its best rivals in the annual Gary Taylor Classic. Final games today. [Schedule]

🛍️ Punk Rock Holiday Market: Shop handmade goods from over 40 vendors and enjoy live music from the Angry Snowmen at the Da Vinci Event Centre. Today. 11am-11:55pm. 

📷 Photos with Santa: Get your moment with Santa at Esquimalt Recreation Centre. Today. 12-4pm.

🎷 Holiday Soul Party: Vocalist Shanna Dance and saxophonist Jonnie Bridgman will perform soul, blues, and motown holiday tunes at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Tonight. Doors 5:30pm, show 7pm.

🥫 Peninsula Firefighters Christmas Food Drive: Neighbourhood drive-throughs will collect non-perishable goods today in Sidney, Central Saanich, and North Saanich. See Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank’s most needed items. 

🎙️ Ken Lavigne: The vocalist will perform show tunes, popular songs, and Christmas favourites at Royal Theatre. Tonight. 7:30pm.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Local police officer accused of grooming and sexual exploitation in a case being investigated by the OPCC. [Friday newsletter]

Victoria budget to be reworked as council looks to trim city’s expenses. [Thursday newsletter]

James Gatsi, CEO of CL Web Developers, is Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s member of the year.

Hartland Landfill: Tipping fee changes and new material bans beginning Jan. 2.

The story behind ‘Charlie Brown’ Christmas tree at the Lege. [CTV]

Boat on the road: No injuries after the vessel fell off a truck in Central Saanich. [Photos at CHEK]

That’s it!

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