Sign In Subscribe Now the glaciers covering Vancouver Island slowly melted away after dominating the landscape for millennia.  bare land gave way to lush pine forests and juniper shrubs The first oaks are believed to have arrived on Vancouver Island over 10,000 years ago acorn-bearing branch drifting from the Olympic Peninsula explained conservation biologist Matt Fairbarns.  the Garry oak ecosystem spread as far as Campbell River to the north and the Lower Mainland to the east now remaining in small pockets concentrated in B.C.’s Capital Region Garry oak ecosystems became important to south Island First Nations offering ideal hunting grounds and hosting a small unassuming flower that was central to their diet: the camas “The Salish people would pit cook [the camas bulb] and that would convert the starches into an edible form so it's a very useful plant for them,” said Fairbarns “It became a centre of [their] agricultural system.” Margaret Lidkea has invited residents of Greater Victoria and beyond to celebrate this little purple flower that plays a mighty role in the region’s ecosystem Camas Day gave attendees a chance to enjoy live music take guided tours of nearby meadows in Uplands Park and learn more about the plant on a sunny Sunday (May 4) “We're celebrating the beautiful camas flower as a symbol of all the beautiful wallflowers in this endangered Garry oak ecosystem,” said Lidkea “We picked the camas because it's the most dominant one but it's also culturally significant to the Lekwungen-speaking people.” life-sustaining plants that serve as a primary food source for countless native insects As the pressure of urban development and climate change jeopardize the future of Canada’s last remaining Garry oak ecosystems located in the region Lidkea highlighted the importance of celebrating this conspicuous plant.  Something as simple as adding native plants to one’s garden can help in creating a small haven in between parks and green space home to Garry oaks.  “It’s important that the whole community gets involved in looking after this ecosystem,” she said Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines After winning the Battle River-Crowfoot riding with an overwhelming victory in the federal election which took place on April 28 MP-elect Damien Kurek has announced his intention to resign.  Kurek announced his decision to allow a by-election to be called for party leader Pierre Poilievre to run in the riding.  whose riding faced controversy due to having over 90 candidates on the ballot lost by around 4,000 votes to Liberal newcomer Bruce Fanjoy.  “It has been a tremendous honour to serve the good people of Battle River-Crowfoot as their Member of Parliament since 2019," wrote Kurek in the media release announcing the resignation "Their support and commitment to the Conservative movement and our mission to bring back hope and prosperity to this country has been unmatched after much discussion with my wife Danielle and I have decided to step aside for this Parliamentary session to allow our Conservative Party Leader to run here in a by-election." Kurek further noted that the Conservatives under Poilievre received the highest vote share since 1988.  "I know we need Pierre fighting in the House of Commons to hold the Liberal minority government to account," said Kurek and is what's best for Battle River-Crowfoot." Kurek intends to temporarily step away as an MP and support the party in other ways while Poilievre continues to hold the Minority Liberal Government to account in the House of Commons "The people of Battle River—Crowfoot will be represented well by Pierre for the remainder of this Parliamentary session and I will keep working with our incredible local team to do everything I can to remain the strong voice for you as I support him in the process and then run again here in Battle River—Crowfoot in the next general election," said Kurek "We need to build on the momentum that we have with that strong united vision that will restore the Canadian promise." Kurek was elected with around 80 per cent of the vote in the riding Poilievre noted that he had accepted Kurek's resignation "with humility and appreciation." "Damien’s selfless act to step aside temporarily as a Member of Parliament shows his commitment to change and restoring Canada’s promise," wrote Poilievre "I will work to earn the trust of the good people of Battle River-Crowfoot and I will continue to hold the Liberal minority government to account until the next federal election when we will bring real change to all Canadians." -This story was updated to include Poilievre's X response Sign up for a free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters While allergy sufferers struggle through a pollen-laden spring honeybees are rejoicing and springing forth early across Greater Victoria the first swarm of the season came a couple weeks early president of the Capital Region Beekeepers “Swarming is a natural way for the bees to reproduce If they swarm it’s usually two hives out of where there was once one It’s still something beekeepers try to avoid through a variety of avenues including splitting a hive – or faking a swarm A swarm happens once a hive starts to get overpopulated The bees task the queen with laying two or three eggs to hatch new queens and once those get to a pupa stage about half the hive takes off in a cloud that sounds like a lawnmower – with the old queen And they’ll land anywhere – conveniently in a low tree branch or less conveniently someone’s front door “In controlled beekeeping you don’t want to see the bees disappearing over the fence,” Cavers said noting some neighbours are less than receptive This winter was a nice healthy one for the south Island Cavers said their members found the mild winter of 2024 offered a stunning turnaround from the year before This winter saw about a 30 per cent death rate in the hives The winter before there was a 70 per cent death rate caused by a sudden and severe (for here) cold snap and I think it does a world of good for the environment But it does require attention and a bit of work – like anything that’s worthwhile,” Cavers said “You can’t just put a hive down and leave it alone for the rest of the season; it takes regular consistent attention.” This time of year in particular is good fun with loads of pollen and nectar for the foragers to load up on “The foragers come out and they are lean and they’re fast like a jet,” he said they’re like fully loaded water bombers and it’s funny to watch them do face plants on the side of the hives.” Anyone who spots a swarm can call the hotline at 250-900-5787 The club will organize a collector to come out and assess a swarm They’ll tackle honeybees and bumbles but don’t bother calling for wasps or hornets “Collecting swarms is actually kind of fun – when it’s not your bees,” Cavers said Visit CapitalRegionBeekeepers.ca for more information Perry Brazier has called Victoria home for more than three decades there’s one place that draws him back: the Beacon Hill Park putting green Nestled in the heart of the sprawling 740,000-square-metre park the putting green quietly reopened for the season on Monday as city workers removed the fencing that had protected it through the winter it’s a welcome sign that summer is around the corner The putting green sits near the Robert Burns statue framed by lush landscaping and crisscrossed by the park’s many pathways but it offers something uniquely relaxing for locals like Brazier and golf has always been a fun hobby for me,” he said “This spot offers me a chance to get my wedge and putter it’s not the same as a full-18 golf course or traditional mini-putt but the community is lucky to have something like this.” Beacon Hill Park offers a wide range of amenities for all ages the park remains a cornerstone of outdoor recreation in the city the putting green remains a hidden corner of calm in one of Victoria’s most beloved spaces It’s only appropriate that the town of Sooke located in some of the most naturally beautiful landscapes in the world would have eating establishments that value the natural goodness of what’s grown and raised on the land.  But let’s look at the alternatives. To start the nutrient level of food diminishes following harvest and the longer it takes for food to be consumed the fewer nutrients – and flavour – it will have.  The produce available in most grocery stores and some restaurant food has probably been picked early (before it ripens and the taste has fully developed) and subjected to chemical treatments and storage strategies to make it more palatable.  But bite into a locally grown heirloom tomato and the difference is immediately recognizable.  The good news is that some shortfalls can be addressed by sourcing food locally at farmers’ markets or selected food vendors.  for folks who want a great restaurant meal it’s possible to find Sooke-area establishments that almost exclusively use locally produced food to create their menu items.  serving truly fresh food can’t be compared to some of the other products out there,” said Val Lessard She operates the West Coast Grill at the Prestige Oceanfront Resort and is a proponent of the farm-to-table concept.  “The food we source locally can’t be compared to other suppliers It has a completely different taste profile It’s also a way of supporting our local community echoes that sentiment and takes it a step further Located just up the street from the Government Wharf on Maple Avenue South the restaurant occupies what was once the home of a local fishing family.   The ingredients used are almost all locally sourced from farmers The restaurant’s menu changes with the harvest and the season so whatever arrives at your table is fresh “We first adopted this philosophy while in Italy and joined with a movement called Slow Food International It was a grassroots movement formed to promote good clean food for everyone while defending biological and cultural diversity,” said Fader "It’s important that we support our fishers and farmers the knowledge and the stewardship of the land.”  He came to the community specifically to supply Wild Mountain.  It’s all hand-tilled and better for the environment,” Shrum said our harvest is taken to the restaurant and may be served within hours of being picked You can’t get any better than that.”  And while some restaurants out there may claim to be “farm fresh,” it’s usually possible to discover the truth by simply asking them to name the farm the farm-to-table restaurants will pass that test every time.  For more information on Wild Mountain restaurant, visit www.wildmountaindinners.com/.  Madrona Gallery: Light Rhythms and Mama Look at that Shiny Cloud | 606 View St B.C.-based Brent Lynch is internationally recognized for his distinct approach to landscape painting who has over 25 years of experience in design and illustration In her third solo exhibition with Madrona Gallery Megan Dietrich examines memory and what it means to leave your mark on something Mama Look At That Shiny Cloud reflects on what is needed to feel content and embrace the sometimes quiet yet awe-filled moments of life The opening reception runs May 24 from 1-3 p.m Learn more at www.madronagallery.com/ William Liao and Jan Lovewell  | 2184 Oak Bay Ave The Avenue Gallery welcomes Anne-Sophie Falconer a figurative sculptor who centres her work around the human soul The self-taught Vancouver Island-based artist works with Winterstone, a multi-component cementitious mixture William Liao was raised in post-Cultural Revolution Beijing surrounded by the elegance of classical Chinese culture and the growing presence of European art – powerful influences that shape his work today Jan Lovewell presents her latest collection of ceramics made with a technique called naked raku Lovewell has been creating pottery for over 30 years.  Discover these artists and more at https://theavenuegallery.com/ Saanich Scattered Artists Spring Art Tour | May 24-25 Thirty-two artists will be scattered across eight locations at this self-guided, market-style event. Apart from a variety of art mediums, there will be music, refreshments and garden settings. This well-established art tour has been part of the community for around 30 years. Learn more about the tour, running 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at https://scatteredartists.ca/ Saanich Municipal Hall: Haunting series honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women Priscilla Omulo’s Haunting painting series honours those murdered and missing across Turtle Island It also focuses on the red handprint and its importance for Indigenous people representing silenced voices and the lack of attention given to these women's cases using my usual style with bold colours and blending traditional with contemporary,” Omulo said in a press release which I don’t often – I used more black and dark tones .. This is about feeling the message and not explaining it.” Cordova Bay 55+ Art Group Spring Art Show and Sale | May 10 from 10 a.m art cards and gifts in various mediums can be found at this free indoor event AGGV: Architectures of Protection | May 24 through Oct An exhibit reflecting on ideas and modes of protection and refuge, with regards to oneself, to community, knowledge, culture, identity and land. It features artworks by Dana Claxton, Jessica Karuhanga, Emilio Rojas, Beth Stuart and France Trepanier. Visit aggv.ca for more Deluge Contemporary Art: Some Films 1997-2010 | 636 Yates Street An installation of moving works by L.A.-based artist Judy Fiskin comprising a trio of seminal films she made after unable to continue with her photographic practice Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club in Victoria is presenting a new challenge to Vancouver Island runners this summer beginning Victoria Day (May 19) and ending on the final day of summer is a 126-day event that will have runners and walkers exploring the beauty of parks – with a twist It includes two main challenges: who can run (or travel by foot) in the most parks and who can visit the largest variety of parks. The location of the parks can be anywhere in the world we want to encourage people to get out and explore,” said club member Christopher Kelsall Prize packages will be awarded at the end of the summer to winners of each challenge the contest will raise money for the Land Conservancy of British Columbia walkers and hikers of all abilities are welcome. Weekly prizes will be awarded to contestants who complete mini-challenges our club members beta-tested it all summer we thought we should share it with the world,” Kelsall said “People will be surprised at the number of parks that are available – there are hundreds in every city.” any designated park will count towards the challenge along with regional district parks and UNESCO and National Historic Sites Qualifying ventures must be at least 3km in distance or 30 minutes of moving time Participating in the challenge is easy with Harriers Running Club’s new website and app which allows Strava users to upload their run data Those interested can register for the Summer Parks Challenge at RaceRoster.com Entry is $40 for non-Harriers members and $10 for current members with all proceeds donated And for those who want to run close to home there will be plenty to explore: Vancouver Island has 128 provincial parks alone Regarding the letter suggesting Victoria Hudson’s Bay stores should be used for housing, I’m curious to know whether the writer has been to downtown Victoria in the past decade The original Bay store is a market and has had multiple dwellings built to house everyone mentioned in the writer's list As for the properties the Bay stores presently occupy They are both located in shopping malls and not really residential buildings The Bay has done well to be among the last of the department store holdouts They probably should have been sold a decade ago as the decline in department stores has seen the demise of Woodwards K-Mart and Target, and there doesn’t appear to be anyone remaining to buy up these large premises in shopping malls Short of repurposing them into coffee shops I don’t know of many other businesses that could survive A person with celiac in search of a coffee and cupcake or muffin can head for a Sunday sojourn at Cook Street Village starting this month Muff launches its weekly gluten-free bakery pop-up at the busy activity centre starting May 4 "We’re so excited to bring something that hasn’t been done before,”  founder Jordan Glowicki said in a news release “Muff is about more than just gluten-free baking – it’s personal We are providing an experience that those of us who are gluten-free or celiac regularly miss out on A muffin with a coffee seems so simple yet is nearly impossible to find.” Muff plans to set up each Sunday from 8 to 11 a.m serving a lineup of fresh gluten-free muffins cake slices and more alongside Drumroaster coffee Current favourite flavours orange cranberry with cinnamon streusel and lemon poppyseed with lemon drizzle are just two of the fresh muffins available Pre-Order is available online at muffmuffin.com About the Author: Greater Victoria News Staff Victoria Hospice’s annual Hike for Hospice returned to Willows Park in Oak Bay on Sunday in support of end-of-life care and grief services drew more than 100 participants who walked through Oak Bay to honour loved ones and support hospice programs Event organizer Carley Gibson said this year’s event raised nearly $60,000 – and counting All funds raised will support Victoria Hospice’s palliative and end-of-life care services “We also have a bereavement support centre out on Chatterton and they run workshops,” she said “They’ve got counsellors for people dealing with grief after their loved ones have passed as well as a specialized child and youth counsellor.  “We also have our spiritual health coordinator and a music therapy program as well.” speeches and a moment of silence to honour loved ones Imagine 150 individuals moving in perfect unison feet and bodies flowing through gentle, deliberate postures.  This was the scene at Mary Winspear's Bodine Hall in Sidney over the first weekend of May as members of the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Taoist tai chi in Victoria advisor to the institute's board of directors is "a whole way of everything – body and mind The practice first arrived in Canada in 1970 thanks to Taoist master Moy Lin Shin making its way to Victoria five years later Rooted in a 13th-century Chinese monastery born from the Taoist pursuit of balancing yin and yang has evolved into a practice renowned for its physical and mental benefits The anniversary celebration included workshops and talks dedicated to practicing the art with members sharing personal stories of how tai chi has helped them manage anxiety "It's not just about the physical practice but it's also just coming together," emphasized Gwen Griff "We're very fortunate to have Marsha come here and help lead us through the weekend so we'll have a chance to practice tai chi." Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism boasts four branches in Greater Victoria with approximately 300 members spread across nine locations "Both teachers and volunteers are essential components of what we do," said Griff highlighting the community aspect of the practice emphasized the diverse reasons people are drawn to tai chi often seeking to improve their overall health "We have people with quite serious medical conditions who find this extremely beneficial people with MS or Parkinson's even – sometimes it's hard to find other kinds of treatment that help." credits the art with improving his strength Tai chi involves a set of 108 flowing movements and emphasizes body alignment and proper posture Edwards explains that the focus is on the internal benefits is that it's working the body on the inside." He emphasizes the importance of continuity in the movements to improve circulation and promote a sense of letting go contrasting the practice with the more forceful movements of Western exercise Mother's Day weekend is a time to celebrate womanhood take in the blooming gardens (and hopefully fantastic weather) Here are 10 fun ways to spend it across Greater Victoria from Langford to the seaside of Sidney.  Victoria Conservatory of Music Mother's Day Musical Garden Tour returns for 43rd year and families are invited to explore nine exquisite private gardens across Greater Victoria Live classical and contemporary music from students and faculty makes the tour a truly memorable outdoor experience All ticket proceeds support the conservatory Two-day passes are $45. The event runs Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Learn more at vcm.bc.ca/support/garden-tour Buccaneer Days brings carnival thrills to Esquimalt Phillips Brewing launches new pop-up food program Phillips Brewing & Malting Co. is partnering with local food brand Roast (previously at Victoria Public Market, which is closing) to open a new pop-up food program at Phillips Tasting Room. Together, they will pair fresh local food with locally made craft beer. The partnership kicks off Monday, May 12, and runs through September. Learn more at www.phillipsbeer.com/tasting-room.  Legally Blonde: The Musical delivers humour and heart at McPherson Playhouse takes charge as Legally Blonde: The Musical hits Victoria's McPherson Playhouse this musical follows Elle’s journey from the sunny California coast to the prestigious halls of Harvard delivering an unforgettable coming-of-age story Sarah Beckett Memorial Run – an opportunity to make a difference The Sarah Beckett Memorial Run is a 3km and 5km family run and walk raising money for local non-profit organizations in the Western Communities in southern Vancouver Island It's held annually in Langford in memory of Constable Sarah Beckett a West Shore RCMP officer who died in the line of duty in 2016.  Mother's Day Market at Langford Station has 20+ vendors sweet treats and a complimentary tea garden Free admission at Panorama Recreation and Green Glade Community Centre an international event created by the WHO to promote physical activity there will be free admission to drop-in programs at the Panorama Recreation Centre (1885 Forest Park Drive) and Green Glade Community Centre (2151 Lannon Way Enchantment brews at Metchosin Magickal Mother's Day Fair  Are you ready for an enchanting experience along with talented local artisans and bewitching metaphysical vendors Glow Gala at Delta Hotels supports resilient women and children The Choir YYJr performs inaugural concert with guests The Mini-Choir The Choir YYJr was born of the idea that young people who love to sing fun pop songs with friends might not find these opportunities at school or in more traditional choirs. Together with The Mini-Choir, an auditioned group directed by The Choirs YYJ director Marc Jenkins and accompanied by Layten Kramer on guitar they will present their first-ever concert on Saturday at the United Commons (932 Balmoral Rd.) in Victoria Three Vancouver Giants won gold with Team Canada on Saturday at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship Cameron Schmidt, Ryan Lin and Burke Hood all had ice time in the series with Schmidt finishing the tournament with four points (2G-2A) and 22 shots on goal in seven games while Lin – who was one of five underagers on Canada and is eligible for next year’s tournament – recorded two points (1G-1A) and was +8 in seven games Hood played in pre-tournament action during his first time representing Canada internationally It marks the first time Canada has won U18 gold in consecutive years and it is also the seventh year in a row for a medal for Sweden Canada was in control for the entirety of Saturday’s gold medal game three in the second and two more in the third "We had a plan to get pucks in and to the net," said coach Cory Stillman of getting pucks back to the defencemen who got shots on net We had some big bodies that went to the net We built some momentum and eventually created some scoring chances and capitalized." This is the third time Schmidt has won a gold medal representing Canada after also winning at the 2023 U17 World Hockey Challenge with Canada White (where he scored the golden goal) and at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup This is the second time Lin has won a gold medal representing Canada after finishing first at the 2024 U17 World Hockey Challenge with Canada White Lin also played for Canada at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games About the Author: Langley Advance Times Staff and identified as belonging to missing Maple Ridge woman Rebecca Harbowy The Ridge Meadows RCMP reported Friday morning The 36-year-old left Ridge Meadows Hospital on Nov early into detoxing from drug use. Her family has been critical of the hospital letting her leave the facility on her own She was last seen walking east on the Haney Bypass at Burnett Street in Maple Ridge at approximately 2:05 a.m Police released few details about the discovery of the remains The family told The News it was in a forested area Distraught mother Debbie Harbowy is hopeful that an intense search of the area will lead to Rebecca Police have searched the area since the remains were discovered in early April The family is unsure where a search would be but plan to appeal to police for more information "I always felt in my heart she had passed away because she hadn't contacted me," said Debbie Rebecca's sister Rachel Bertoia posted videos on social media informing those who have tried to assist in finding Rebecca and those who have been following the missing woman's case She said there is a memorial at the 7-Eleven at the corner of Lougheed Highway and Haney Bypass where there is a missing person sign the family posted I think it would be really lovely for my mom to have people drop off flowers to her sign there," said Bertoia.  "I would love for my mom to be able to see the love and support that I know that we have felt." "I can't imagine being a mom losing a kid." Rebecca was about eight hours into what doctors advised would be a three-day stay but early the next morning she walked away Her family believes she was confused and disoriented She lived with her parents in the Yennadon area Debbie had been sitting with her daughter until midnight she got a call from the hospital that her daughter had left driving the streets of Maple Ridge for hours the family canvassed people in the hospital neighbourhood and searched the area They obtained video showing Rebecca walking down River Road eastbound near the Port Haney West Coast Express station at 1:46 a.m A tipster saw a woman matching Rebecca’s description walking on the Haney Bypass at approximately 2 a.m Another video showed her on the Haney Bypass at Burnett Street at 2:05 a.m. A man said he almost hit a woman walking on Lougheed Highway near 240 Street but the description of the woman having her hair up in a bun matched they have learned nothing more about Rebecca's movements Police and searchers combed roadsides and the edge of the Fraser River Police say this continues to be an active investigation and anyone with information which could help the Ridge Meadows RCMP you are encouraged to call the Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251 and refer to File # 2023-23402 The RCMP extended condolences to the family and friends of Rebecca Harbowy community partners and volunteers for their assistance with this investigation thus far Sign up below for unlimited digital access for 30 days receive our daily news alerts & breaking news An Instagram influencer known for producing outdoor-related content was sentenced on May 1 at the Yukon Territorial Court for illegally hunting three bears and obtaining Yukon hunting licences using misleading information between October 2022 and May 2023 relate to offences committed under the Yukon Wildlife Act Justice Katherine McLeod ordered Hamm to pay a $10,500 fine and an equal amount in contributions to the Yukon conservation fund for illegally hunting three bears within a five-day period in May 2023 McLeod fined Hamm $2,750 and $1,750 for obtaining hunting licences using misleading information on two separate occasions between 2022 and 2023 She also ordered him to contribute a total of $3,500 to the conservation fund for both counts of obtaining Yukon hunting licenses as a non-resident McLeod prohibited Hamm from hunting in Yukon for two years McLeod ruled that Hamm must complete an online hunter education and ethics development course before he can obtain a Yukon hunting licence again She also ordered him to forfeit pelts from the bears he hunted Defence lawyer Kevin Drolet told the court that Hamm could make the payment immediately and that the necessary funds were held in a trust account Hamm attended the proceedings virtually from outside the territory Crown prosecutor Kelly McGill presented submissions on sentencing noting that the Yukon Wildlife Act authorizes the courts to impose a fine of up to $50,000 or up to one year in custody for the offences on the indictment McGill and Drolet agreed upon sentencing recommendations for the offences on the indictment that Hamm pleaded guilty to including an equal amount in contributions to the conservation fund as well as a two-year hunting ban and a three-year prohibition on joining groups out on hunts McGill and Drolet noted in their submissions that Yukon hunting licenses are reserved for Yukon residents and that Hamm had obtained one despite being a non-resident McGill argued that Yukon wildlife is a public resource and that non-residents can only hunt through a third party adding that Hamm’s non-compliance with Yukon’s licensing laws was an aggravating factor in sentencing McGill said Hamm hunted a grizzly bear near Kluane Lake in May 2023 and that he also hunted two black bears approximately a three-hour drive north of Haines Junction and another at Bove Island on Tagish Lake’s Windy Arm McGill also noted that conservation officers recovered two black bear hides a grizzly bear hide and a bear skull from a taxidermist in the Yukon Drolet argued in mitigation that sustainable harvest numbers for grizzly bears in 2022 were less than one-quarter of the annual sustainable harvest He also argued that Hamm submitted all the required harvest and biological reports to Yukon Conservation Officer Services after hunting the bears Drolet added that Hamm has family connections to Yukon despite the defence’s characterization of his residence as unusual due to the nature of his employment said in sentencing that the nature of Hamm’s employment should help serve as a deterrent against future offences untamed landscapes make enforcing wildlife and conservation laws difficult leaving the territory vulnerable to violations She emphasized that denunciation and deterrence should play a role in sentencing for the offences to which Hamm pleaded guilty Enter your email to connect to 30 more days worth of stories by journalists living & working in Oak Bay Thank you for supporting local journalism A business has reported losing $162,000 in a digital SIM card swap fraud as scams continue to impact the Parksville Qualicum Beach area was reported on March 31 and appears to be a sophisticated account hacking where the victim did not engage or initiate in any activity with any fraudsters "The good news is the victim’s bank is involved and there may be some possibility of funds being recovered," Worth said in a statement to the PQB News a resident reported losing $130,000 in a cryptocurrency scam after investing online with a firm with an alleged celebrity endorsement RCMP said this case involved a person initially investing a small amount of money in cryptocurrency based on an advertisement the returns were good and they invested more money "When the person attempted to withdraw funds there were demands for fees commissions and taxes and it was then that they realized they were being scammed and their account was no longer visible," Worth said a resident reported losing $40,000 over three years after responding to a phone call to participate in a cryptocurrency investment This person told police they were contacted by telephone by an unknown male who told them they had a large amount of unclaimed cryptocurrency and offered to help the resident followed all of the instructions provided by the man who guided them in sending various amounts of money through different online banking institutions The resident’s banks recognized they were being scammed and locked their accounts and this is when the resident reported the fraud to police.  "If anyone ever receives an unsolicited phone call or email offering an investment opportunity immediately hang up or delete the email. It is a scam," Worth said.  RCMP warn residents to not engage with the caller or the person sending the email and do not click on any link received in an email that originates from an unknown sender "These links are often sent under a ruse that there is an issue with your computer and clicking on the link can provide the scammer remote access "These scams and frauds are very complex to investigate and it is next to impossible to recover any of the victims’ lost money ask friends and family for advice or recommendations and always use a reputable financial advisor No One Else Covers Oak Bay Like The Oak Bay News Don’t miss out on reading the latest local provincial and national news. Join our community and receive daily news alerts & breaking news About the Author: Parksville Qualicum Beach News Staff The City of Port Alberni will have to replace the ice chiller at the Alberni Valley Multiplex just six years after they spent thousands of dollars to install it And a replacement could cost as much as $600,000 The chiller suffered its second "catastrophic failure" in six years on April 13 and after an ammonia leak was detected the chiller was shut down and the Multiplex was closed Join thousands of other like-minded readers and sign up below to gain immediate & unlimited access to our news for the next 30 days – plus start receiving our newsletters Cole Reschny and Keaton Verhoeff didn’t just show up – they showed out The pair of Victoria Royals standouts made a clear impact on the world stage this weekend helping Canada claim gold at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship in stunning fashion The golden moment for 🇨🇦’s 26 CHLers at the #U18MensWorlds! 🥇 pic.twitter.com/uDegbvKAWW With a 7–0 rout of Sweden in Saturday’s final Canada capped off an undefeated run and secured back-to-back U18 titles for the first time in program history The Canadians were relentless from puck drop to final buzzer controlling play from start to finish and outshooting the Swedes 42–28 Oak Bay is a step closer to revamping one of its most popular parks the district awarded $1,041,057 to an architecture firm hired to prepare public engagement materials and detailed designs and specifications for the revamp of Carnarvon Park.  Saanich resident Marylin Wolovick uses handyDART daily whether it's for social outings with friends for classes at the local pool or for important medical appointments Although the woman in her 70s still lives an active lifestyle she described this accessible door-to-door transit service for people with disabilities as an essential service.  “I get tired even just walking to the public transit bus stop so I rely on handyDART for everything,” she said Canada's turbulent political climate caused the growth of Greater Victoria's real estate market to slow in April in comparison to last year The latest report from the Victoria Real Estate Board (VREB) found that a total of 642 properties were sold in the region 5.3 per cent fewer than the 678 properties sold in April 2024 but 4.7 per cent more than in March this year Wildlife passing near the Sooke River would have spotted something a little unusual Saturday (May 3).  In a short stretch of the waterway that runs alongside the Sooke River Campground 2,900 bright-yellow rubber ducks floated leisurely toward a swarm of families standing nearby.  This was the main event at Sooke Duck Day: an annual get-together organized by the Sooke Harbourside Lions to raise money for local charities and initiatives the Sooke Loan Cupboard and Sooke Meals on Wheels A panel discussion offered insight into how to shield Oak Bay from the wide-reaching effects of U.S “I encouraged them to shop in our local shops because it is important that we do so and the unintended consequences of not doing so means that we won't have the shops that people love,” said Martin Cownden Oak Bay Business Improvement Association president and the owner of local meal-prep business Chef of the Run The mayors of North Cowichan and Nanaimo are urging the province to increase the amount of timber that can be harvested annually in the province In a letter to Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas and Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said that despite its recent struggles the forest industry continues to be a major part of the local economies of both municipalities providing high-paying jobs while contributing millions of dollars in taxes every year that help pay for municipal services and build critical infrastructure The Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) in downtown Victoria will be closed to in-person visits all day on Sunday May 4, due to a planned BC Hydro power outage According to Island Health, BC Hydro has advised that the power is being temporarily shut off at the UPCC to allow for a system upgrade on Sunday and clinical staff will be re-deployed to other urgent and primary care centres to continue to support patient care Virtual care appointments will not be affected which is located at 1107 Pandora Avenue Patients are asked to call 1-833-688-8722 to inquire about booking an appointment at another south Island urgent and primary care centre North Quadra and West Shore sites remain open The fire grew to 80 hectares but BCWS is classifying the fire as being held meaning it is not expected to spread further.  Fraser-Fort George has rescinded the evacuation order and alert put in place due to the fire The regional district of Fraser Fort George issued an evacuation alert for properties north of Hixon.  The fire's behaviour has subsided since sunset last night and with windy conditions there is still risk Wildfire crews are continuing to battle the fire and protect infrastructure While BCWS says there is no risk to the highway at this time they are asking that those travelling on the highway do not stop to look at the fire The wildfire near Hixon is now estimated to be 70 hectares Friday evening Prince George Fire Centre lists the fire as out of control and says it measures 45 hectares and was human-caused.  government is making new commitments to the removal of invasive plant species said the funding will allow the Coastal Invasive Species Committee (CISC) which serves Vancouver Island, to continue fighting the spread of invasive plant species “The Coastal Invasive Species Committee does great work to address the impact of invasive species in their communities I am a senior living in Saanich who relies on handyDART to maintain my independence and well-being I live with chronic health conditions, and accessible transit is not just a convenience for me – it is a lifeline I am deeply grateful for the handyDART service and the dedicated staff who have always treated riders with kindness and respect I was shocked and disappointed to learn that handyDART has recently reduced the number of rides available and changed its scheduling all without any notice or consultation with riders When I tried to book my usual trips within the two-week advance window I was told my requests no longer fit the new schedule A Port Alberni artist will have her work exhibited at an upcoming show in the United States Painter Rose Kamma Morrison is an artist with vision loss. Four of her recent paintings have been selected for the Passionate Focus art exhibit in Chicago An art auction will take place on the same day Spencer Carbery’s name has become one to watch in the NHL the Victoria-born head coach of the Washington Capitals was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award it’s another milestone in what’s been an incredible journey Carbery played major junior hockey with the Victoria Salsa and Peninsula Panthers in 1999-2000 and later with the Cowichan Valley Capitals from 2000 to 2002 Greater Victoria residents can soon experience a unique Japanese tradition right here in Colwood.  Royal Roads University has announced that visitors to Hatley Park’s hand-crafted Teahouse will be able to enjoy matcha tea specially prepared by the Urasenke Tankokai Victoria Association over four seatings this summer "Guests will experience Chado — the way of Tea The term refers to the traditional Japanese tea ceremony which focuses on the preparation and serving of tea to guests in a mindful and aesthetic manner," Royal Roads communications officer Krista Boehnert explained Canada will play for gold at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship following a 4-0 win over Slovakia on Friday in the semifinal The Canadians struck three times on the power play in the third period to turn a 1-0 score into a 4-0 final Defenceman Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada) scored in the first Jack Nesbitt (Windsor Spitfires) and Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs) each found the back of the net in the third period After decades of rumours around what could be buried under the the PNE grounds the truth is finally surfacing – literally during construction of the new Freedom Mobile Arch amphitheatre at Hastings Park at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds in Vancouver crews found a captured German gun from the First World War a number of other military artifacts were found Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Museum curator James Calhoun said there have been rumours for years that there were German guns buried at the PNE grounds "This subsequent find just shows that there was more stuff stored at the park and we’re likely to find it," Calhoun said Friday (May 2) from the Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver where the historic artillery and military artifacts have been moved.  crews have found a captured German howitzer from the First World War four captured German machine guns from the First World War two British/Canadian nine-pounder cannons from the 1870s and the "trail" of the howitzer Calhoun explained the captured guns were brought back to Canada as "trophies" and scattered throughout the country was one of the first organizations to ask for more trophies.  He said there were plans for a permanent exhibit but it never quite happened as the Depression happened Fifteen or 16 artillery pieces were stored at Hastings Park in 1933/34 and another five were cut up for scraps.  "Our attitudes changed throughout the late ‘20s and ‘30s and we got rid of stuff." Calhoun added a newspaper article in the 1940s said the remaining pieces were discarded in an "out of the way corner" in Hastings Park That area used to have a ravine that was eventually filled in when the military took over the park in 1942 "We think that they pushed them all into a ravine and just buried them.” Calhoun said it's an incredibly exciting find He said an officer was "gobsmacked" that construction could unearth these items buried in metres of dirt while also wondering why the items weren't taken to the Seaforth Armoury building Put yourself in the position of somebody in World War Two Now we're at the point that it's magical." Calhoun said there could be as many as nine more artillery pieces buried and at least 10 machine guns but the piece he's hoping for is a 210-millimetre Morser that used to sit at the entrance of Stanley Park where it was the most-photographed captured gun in Vancouver.  “We think that might be buried in the ravine at the PNE so we’re very excited about going in to look for it.” Geordie Howe is an archeologist with the Vancouver Park Board In his close to 50 years as an archeologist he said getting the phone call about this was not one of his normal days.  played at the PNE for all the years I’ve been around here as a young boy Think about the “magic of Disney” and what's sure to come to mind is the music and there’s been no shortage of memorable characters brought to life in the more than 130 Disney movies we’ve grown to love but whether your particular most beloved character is Snow White’s Dopey or Stich from Lilo and Stich the throughline for all the greatest films has been the music Today is a day to remember lives lost and those impacted by the Lapu Lapu Day Festival.  recently declared May 2 a provincial day of remembrance and mourning for victims of tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival one non-binary person and a five-year-old girl – and at least two dozen more were injured ranging in age from 22 months old to 60 years old when a person drove an SUV through the crowd at the Vancouver festival on Saturday Oak Bay Police report a black Gyrocopters J30 electric scooter was reported stolen from the bicycle rack in front of Oak Bay High, at 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd. on April 23 The owner left the scooter for approximately 20 minutes and returned to find the lock had been cut.  Police also stopped a motorist with a licence plate registered to a prohibited driver on April 26 The driver provided two breath samples into separate approved screening devices both of which resulted in a "warn" reading The April 28 federal election came with at least one shock to even veteran political observers: Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost his seat in the Ontario riding of Carleton a riding he has held for more than two decades As the results came down in the late hours of election night who has led the Conservative Party since 2022 would lose to Liberal newcomer Bruce Fanjoy who secured the seat with just over 50 per cent of the vote share Poilievre – buoyed by former prime minister Justin Trudeau's unpopularity – was riding a wave of approval According to polls from the Angus Reid Institute 45 per cent of Canadians were intending to vote Conservative by the end of 2024 the Conservatives garnered 41.3 per cent of the vote  – a total that would often be accompanied by a majority government but this time fell short of the 43.7 per cent captured by a resurgent Liberal Party under Mark Carney "If you had asked me before the election, 'Will Poilievre keep the seat?' I would have told you except for the sort of anecdotal stuff that you saw online, that his seat would be in danger," said Justin Leifso an assistant professor of political sciences at the University of Victoria. Leifso said he thought it was "remarkable" to see him lose what was thought of as a safe seat for the party One question now on the minds of many Canadians who assumed the Conservative chain of command would stay relatively similar regardless of the election results: What's next for Pierre "They're kind of in a purgatory here," said Leifso "He lost the election after being up by over 20 points The inter-party dynamics of the House of Commons With the NDP's Jagmeet Singh losing his Burnaby riding as well, Canada's two main opposition parties will be working on Parliament Hill without a leader there could be a silver lining for both the Tories and Poilievre The Conservatives received a higher popular vote total than Stephen Harper's majority government in 2011, and unofficial results show they gained 16 seats Leifso said the Conservatives will be asking themselves the same sort of question the New Democrats will: what vision for Canada are we offering the country one predicated on grievances, or a more broad coalition?  and not everybody is going to be satisfied with the answer," he said Poilievre has yet to tip his hand on his next move the newly minted Liberal government is gearing up for the 45th Parliament and figuring out how to work with the other parties over the next four years they're going to be addressing and confronting the United States but I'm going to be keeping a really close eye on economic priorities," said Leifso "And this government has already gotten rid of the retail carbon tax, they've already lowered the capital gains tax." free-enterprise approach to economics going to be dominating in this government? That's what I'm going to be watching for." forced some evacuations Thursday evening (May 1) which is 56 hectares and burning out of control was discovered on Thursday and is believed to be human caused Wildfire Service says 12 firefighters are responding alongside the Fort St along with two helicopters and an air tanker A rare surprise has stolen the spotlight ahead of Prohibition Vineyard's grand opening this weekend in Saanich: a ewe named Abigail has given birth to quintuplets – five healthy lambs – on the winery’s peaceful pasture just off West Saanich Road who owns the vineyard with her husband Mark still sounds stunned as she recounts the unexpected birth “We were completely shocked when she had five yesterday,” Rice said A seven-year-old missing Chilliwack girl has been found alive after she went missing from Winona Road in the Chilliwack River Valley the previous day around 4 p.m she's in good health as far as we can tell."  Chilliwack RCMP had just wrapped up a press conference when media were called back to the detachment for the good news Bowerman said that Lily had wandered "quite a distance" from her home but was in good enough shape to walk out on foot with the search-and-rescue team in place.  "I really want to the opportunity to thank the citizens of Chilliwack that assisted in this search," he said Bowerman had explained the lengths that rescuers had already gone to in order to find the young girl She had chased some neighbour's dogs into the woods beside her home on Thursday (May 1) at about 4 p.m A massive search was launched immediately by neighbours in the closely knit rural area People in Chilliwack gathered Thursday evening to help in the search for a missing seven-year-old girl and she still hadn't been found by Friday at noon.  Chilliwack RCMP put a call out at 10 p.m Thursday night, asking for the public's help to find Lily Coursol Chilliwack Search and Rescue is on scene with a command unit and crews from around the Fraser Valley were out until about 5 a.m. They are conducting a full search on the ground According to a Chilliwack RCMP news release crews are using “all technological resources available” to find Coursol.  They are urging those who want to help to stay away from the area and let the search and rescue teams do their work Initially there were about 20 neighbours searching for the girl into the night and a call was put out for more searchers to arrive Friday morning.  officials decided to stick with trained search crews and those who arrived were turned away. A police checkpoint is in place along Sleese Road.  "We understand the public’s concern and wanting to help; however the search consists of difficult terrain and is a heavily wooded area Untrained personnel in the area will make search efforts more difficult and put others at unnecessary risk," Chilliwack RCMP said.  Police say the child apparently followed her neighbour's dogs into a wooded area but did not return with them An air and ground search are currently underway She was last seen wearing all pink clothing.  Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lily Coursol is urged to contact their local police, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) Andrew’s Cathedral in Victoria to honour the victims of the recent tragedy at the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver The service follows a violent attack that claimed multiple lives and sent shockwaves through communities across British Columbia the provincial government has declared May 2 a day of remembrance and mourning for the victims they are also learning that the victims’ loss is felt deeply across the province,” reads an information bulletin from the province Andy Robinson spends roughly 3.5 hours a week zooming a bike around hillsides around the world He takes the virtual rides alongside friends around the globe who have a couple of things in common: each lives with Parkinson’s and is looking to stave off progression of the complex brain condition with exercise The Zwifters Against Parkinson’s virtual cycling group is just one source of motivation and camaraderie for Robinson who is among about 3,000 Islanders – and 110,000 Canadians – who live with the progressive neurodegenerative disorder.  Robinson was slowly sliding into retirement mode a decade ago taking contract work and slowing down on the work side of things when something physically changed He had a tight shoulder and a tremor appeared Robinson already had an inkling in the back of his mind that Parkinson’s “was definitely an option” even as he made a doctor’s appointment The GP sent him to a neurologist who confirmed that fledgling thought was fact “It wasn’t actually as big a shock as I thought it would be,” Robinson recalled and deny some more when faced with the diagnosis Parkinson's affects the central nervous system causing symptoms such as tremors and stiffness as well as non-motor symptoms including sleep problems and depression The disease is caused by the loss of brain cells that produce dopamine a neurotransmitter crucial for coordinating movement.  treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.  it doesn’t progress all that quickly for the first few years but it wasn’t affecting my life as much,” Robinson said and he had to give up sailing in recent years but things such as cycling – in the real world as well as virtually – remain activity options And activity is critical for managing symptoms serving as chairman of what was then called HeadWay before its merger with the Parkinson’s Wellness Project While every individual’s journey is different, PWP in Victoria affords a place to hang out with people who face similar challenges The organization focuses on activities proven to slow the progression of symptoms for some people with flexibility for the diversity of impacted clientele One classroom is covered with a foam floor in order to specifically practice falling Robinson’s a fan of the Rock Steady Boxing He figures keeping active has helped his symptoms and there’s no evidence for the alternative there are active folks who haven’t gotten worse year-over-year in what is generally a progressive disease so you don’t know what would happen if you didn’t do it,” he said but I think I would have gone more quickly if I hadn’t remained as active as I have.” Parkinson’s can evoke emotional and mental health considerations that are equally important to address “Depression and apathy are quite common symptoms of Parkinson’s,” Robinson said The Wellness Project offers counselling services but also the very casual comfort of a central lounge you don’t make any connections with people This way you make connections,” Robinson noted “Loneliness is a big issue for seniors in normal times it’s even more important with Parkinson’s because it’s hard to do things on your own.” with folks from all walks of life utilizing the services While donations are welcome – those and grants are how the organization is entirely funded – PWP doesn’t charge for services With Parkinson's Awareness Month (April) now in the rearview mirror, Robinson worries about those who may not know there are resources available (parkinsonwellness.ca) because there are people who are quite isolated Victoria Hospice’s annual Hike for Hospice returns to Willows Park in Oak Bay on Sunday May 4 in support of end-of-life care and grief services The 3.5-kilometre walk offers participants a chance to honour loved ones and contribute to hospice programs Notes can be added to the Tree of Remembrance and awards will be given for top individual and team fundraisers as well as for participants in the Workplace and Service Club Challenge The Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations issued a statement Thursday evening accusing Premier Danielle Smith of comments and actions that promote the idea of a referendum on Alberta's separation from Canada calling it reckless and a violation of a treaty agreement The statement affirmed that a referendum on separation would be a violation of the treaty relationship between First Nations and the Crown As the dust settles on the dramatic goings-on during Canada's federal election people might be in need of some light relief – and where better to look than Greater Victoria's four-legged A goose and six goslings turned heads on Saturday when West Shore RCMP offered them a police escort after they opted for a stroll on the shoulder of the Trans-Canada Highway This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma says new legislation will speed up approvals for infrastructure projects the Infrastructure Projects Act is meant to enable the provincial government to expand work already underway "to reduce redundancy but redundancy," Ma said in Victoria.  "We'll be able to prioritize and accelerate approval for projects that will need to support for people in their communities The environmental assessment office will be developing an expedited environmental assessment process so that designated provincially significant projects we go through a faster review while continuing to uphold high environmental standards." Ma said B.C.'s population has "exploded" by 188,000 people between June 2023 and June 2024 "For everyone 10,000 people that are added to the population we need an additional 18 hospital beds and 4,000 additional homes and we saw 188,000 people join us in a single 12-month period." the legislation will speed up approvals for priority provincial infrastructure projects It would also allow for an expedited environmental assessment process so designated projects can be reviewed "more quickly without compromising B.C.'s high environmental standards." The legislation would also allow the Infrastructure Ministry to work with school districts health authorities and post-secondary institutions to deliver some projects on their behalf.  Ma said the projects could be delivered by Crown corporations First Nations and the private sector.  "They would need to create significant economic social or environmental benefits for people in B.C. and are projects that contribute to the priorities of British Columbians British Columbia will be testing it's Emergency Alert System on Wednesday an alert tone and message will be broadcast to radio and television stations as well as compatible cell phones The test takes place to make sure the province is ready when or if a large-scale disaster or emergency does strike This is an example of the message that will appear on Wednesday: "This is a TEST of the Emergency Alert system this message would tell you what to do to stay safe This information could save your life. This is ONLY a TEST The public is asked to not call 911 in response to the alert or for information about the test as it could delay help for people in crisis This is the first of two tests the province conducts every year The second will is scheduled for Wednesday the event has to follow the following criteria: Alerts can be send out by different agencies depending on the emergency.  More information about Wednesday's test or about the Emergency Alert System in general can be found on the Government of B.C.'s website.  There have been no emergency alerts in B.C As the April 28 federal election approaches our community newspapers have been closely covering the candidates. With many upcoming voters reviewing their options, we've compiled this riding's coverage into one convenient resource below About the riding: The Victoria riding is comprised of the District of Oak Bay and part of the District of Saanich. The riding has a population of 123,482 with 100,230 eligible to vote on or before April 28 Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines.