Greater Victoria

The Bowen Queen was taken out of service in 2022 and has been listed by BC Ferries on its requests for proposal. (Black Press Media file photo)

Psst, wanna buy a ferry? 4 aging BC Ferries vessels being retired

Powell River Queen, Bowen Queen, Mayne Queen, Queen of Burnaby listed for decommissioning

 

As a report finds heat pump uptake isn’t uniform across the Capital Region, local installers say demand is strong on the South Island. (Courtesy of Sasquatch Heat Pumps)

Climate change drives growing demand for heat pumps: B.C. installers

Recently expanded rebates to help entice to more households off fossil fuel systems

 

A Victoria child development psychologist who helped work on the Reena Virk murder case in 1997 hopes the new Hulu dramatization of the event remains respectful and raises awareness for bullying. (Black Press file photo)

Greater Victoria psychologist shines light on series about 1997 Virk murder

‘Under The Bridge’ premiered on Hulu Wednesday, April 17, set to debut on Disney+ Canada on May 8

 

Police are searching for Daniel MacAlpine, 36, (left) and Nicolas West, 26, (right), who went missing while kayaking between Island View Beach and D’Arcy Island on April 20th, 2024. (Sidney/North Saanich RCMP)

2 kayakers missing off of Greater Victoria coast

Pair last known to be paddling to D’Arcy Island Saturday afternoon

Police are searching for Daniel MacAlpine, 36, (left) and Nicolas West, 26, (right), who went missing while kayaking between Island View Beach and D’Arcy Island on April 20th, 2024. (Sidney/North Saanich RCMP)
The BC Sports Hall of Fame unveiled a new Indigenous sports gallery on April 15. Alex Nelson was one of the athletes whose accomplishments were on display. (Courtsey of BC Sports Hall of Fame)

‘It was freedom’: Victoria man features in new B.C. Indigenous Sport Gallery

He started playing when he was 5 years old

The BC Sports Hall of Fame unveiled a new Indigenous sports gallery on April 15. Alex Nelson was one of the athletes whose accomplishments were on display. (Courtsey of BC Sports Hall of Fame)
Scott Ian MacKay, who is serving a life sentence for murder a University of Victoria student, is set to be released on day parole in Vancouver, police announced April 17, 2024. (VPD)

Man convicted of killing UVic student to live in Vancouver on day parole

Scott Ian MacKay serving life sentence for murder of Greater Victoria’s Marguerite Telesford

Scott Ian MacKay, who is serving a life sentence for murder a University of Victoria student, is set to be released on day parole in Vancouver, police announced April 17, 2024. (VPD)
Students and economic development officials are highlighting Greater Victoria’s barriers to retaining students after they graduate from local post-secondary programs. Pictured is students walking at the University of Victoria in April. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Greater Victoria struggles to retain students as grads lack local prospects

Diversifying the local economy, boosting housing could help keep grads in the region

Students and economic development officials are highlighting Greater Victoria’s barriers to retaining students after they graduate from local post-secondary programs. Pictured is students walking at the University of Victoria in April. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
The housing and doctor shortage is being blamed on immigration, Shelly D’Mello, CEO of the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, says this is misleading and has negative impacts on recent arrivals. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Immigrants are assets, not liabilities, says B.C. advocacy group

Immigrants bring education, work experience, and additional tax revenues: inter-cultural association

The housing and doctor shortage is being blamed on immigration, Shelly D’Mello, CEO of the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, says this is misleading and has negative impacts on recent arrivals. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Emerson, a two-year-old elephant seal, will undergo a ‘catastrophic moult’ where he will shed most of his skin over a six-week period. (Facebook/ Eli Katz)

Greater Victoria welcomes juvenile elephant seal

People walking their dogs are advised to be cautious around Emerson

Emerson, a two-year-old elephant seal, will undergo a ‘catastrophic moult’ where he will shed most of his skin over a six-week period. (Facebook/ Eli Katz)
Trolls, both foreign and domestic, cause misinformation and panic to flood the internet, according to Brandon Laur, CEO of White Hatter, an internet safety and digital literacy education specialist company. (Black Press Media file photo)

Trolls are trolls, foreign or domestic says B.C. internet safety specialist

Checking account histories, establishing forum guidelines can help

Trolls, both foreign and domestic, cause misinformation and panic to flood the internet, according to Brandon Laur, CEO of White Hatter, an internet safety and digital literacy education specialist company. (Black Press Media file photo)
Two puppies wait outside Our Place on Pandora Avenue to receive their shots from Vets for Pets, a free veterinary clinic held every second Sunday of each month. (Vets for Pets/Facebook)

Free vet clinic saves thousands of pets for the unhoused in B.C.’s capital

Vets for Pets Victoria provides essential health care for furry companions of those in need

Two puppies wait outside Our Place on Pandora Avenue to receive their shots from Vets for Pets, a free veterinary clinic held every second Sunday of each month. (Vets for Pets/Facebook)
Sue Big Oil campaigners in Saanich celebrate after a February meeting where the district’s councillers voted in favour of exploring joining other B.C. communities in a class-action lawsuit to recoup climate impact costs from fossil fuel companies. (Courtesy of Sue Big Oil)

Growing B.C. effort wants fossil fuel companies to pay for climate impacts

More communities joining Sue Big Oil campaign as Saanich and CRD explore the idea

Sue Big Oil campaigners in Saanich celebrate after a February meeting where the district’s councillers voted in favour of exploring joining other B.C. communities in a class-action lawsuit to recoup climate impact costs from fossil fuel companies. (Courtesy of Sue Big Oil)
Bruce Williams, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has concerns about the new international student visa cap. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Student visa cap requires rethink, ignores economic realities: B.C. businesses

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO calls for more campus housing and better oversight

Bruce Williams, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has concerns about the new international student visa cap. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
A gunfight between police and two brothers armed with semi-automatic rifles happened outside a Saanich bank on June 28, 2022. The two brothers, who were believed to be targeting police, died while six Greater Victoria officers who responded suffered injuries as a result of the shootout. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

New gun law spares semi-automatic rifle used in B.C. bank shooting

SKS rifle unaffected by Bill C-21 despite its use in high-profile police and civilian killings

A gunfight between police and two brothers armed with semi-automatic rifles happened outside a Saanich bank on June 28, 2022. The two brothers, who were believed to be targeting police, died while six Greater Victoria officers who responded suffered injuries as a result of the shootout. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The Island Health 2SLGBTQIA+ liaison nurse program is being held at Royal Jubilee Hospital and occasionally at Victoria General Hospital. (Black Press Media file photo)

Health Authority launches B.C.’s first 2SLGBTQIA+ liaison nurse program

Program available at Island Health’s Royal Jubilee Hospital and occasionally at Victoria General

The Island Health 2SLGBTQIA+ liaison nurse program is being held at Royal Jubilee Hospital and occasionally at Victoria General Hospital. (Black Press Media file photo)
Amanda Farrell-Low with the wind phone at Royal Oak Burial Park in Saanich. She led the initiative to have the phone installed, spurred by the loss of her brother in 2012. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Wind phone offers ‘profound’ way for B.C. residents to grieve lost loved ones

Woman plans payphone in Greater Victoria’s Royal Oak Burial Park to honour memory of her brother

Amanda Farrell-Low with the wind phone at Royal Oak Burial Park in Saanich. She led the initiative to have the phone installed, spurred by the loss of her brother in 2012. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Teale Phelps Bondaroff, Greater Victoria Placemaking Network board member and Little Free Library enthusiast, stops for a read at library on Richardson Street near Oak Bay. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. capital’s little free library project passes 800 boxes, 85,000 books

Victoria neighbourhood launches latest placemaking project, upcycled from a pallet

Teale Phelps Bondaroff, Greater Victoria Placemaking Network board member and Little Free Library enthusiast, stops for a read at library on Richardson Street near Oak Bay. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria is the number one generous community in Canada according to GoFundMe. (GoFunndMe)

Victoria is named as the capital of donating: GoFundMe

GoFundMe created a list of the top 20 most generous communities

Victoria is the number one generous community in Canada according to GoFundMe. (GoFunndMe)
Hatley Castle served as the primary residence for James Dunsmuir, the former premier of B.C. and lieutenant governor. It has since become a popular location for major Hollywood blockbusters such as Deadpool. (Photo courtesy of Hatley Castle)

Ghosts, secret passageways and Hollywood: Greater Victoria castle has it all

Hatley Castle now serves as a heritage site

Hatley Castle served as the primary residence for James Dunsmuir, the former premier of B.C. and lieutenant governor. It has since become a popular location for major Hollywood blockbusters such as Deadpool. (Photo courtesy of Hatley Castle)
A simple ‘hello’ goes a long way in kicking off communication with someone whose sight is limited says Gina Martin who educates the region through her Diverse Abilities business. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

‘Say hello’: B.C. advocate teaches etiquette of interacting with the blind

‘Losing my sight hasn’t changed me, but it’s changed the way I interact with the world’

A simple ‘hello’ goes a long way in kicking off communication with someone whose sight is limited says Gina Martin who educates the region through her Diverse Abilities business. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)