🌅 Government workers' union wants to work from home
And some bad jazz news
Good morning !
Today marks National Indigenous Languages Day and Trans Day of Visibility.
A gentle reminder that helping to make everyone feel safe, seen, and respected is more than a one-day thing.
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
BCGEU asks province to allow members to work from home to avoid elevated gas prices
The union representing 35K workers is lobbying for provincially regulated employees to be allowed to work from home full-time, where possible, to offset “an undue burden” caused by soaring gas prices.
Following the launch of a US and Israeli bombing campaign against Iran on Feb. 28, those prices surpassed the $2 barrier.
It's more than a month after the strikes, which UN experts termed flagrant violations of international law, and the Strait of Hormuz is essentially closed to commercial traffic. Five or six tankers are getting through each day instead of the typical 140—from the transit route of one-fifth of the world’s oil.
The TC’s price survey on GasBuddy.com pegged regular gas at around $2.06 per litre at most Victoria stations yesterday and a penny or two cheaper elsewhere in the area.
“If this conflict continues on and if oil prices continue to rise or stay at an elevated state, we want the government to be proactive and have some solutions in place,” Finch told Capital Daily.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Victoria street closure: Vista Heights from Rise to Cook, through Friday
Lane closure: Cook at Kings, through Friday
Saanich road closures:
Maddock between Davin and Harriet, today, 8:30am to 3pm
Obed between Earl Grey and Qu’Appelle, through Thursday, 8:30am to 3:30pm
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
Final push: Keating Cross overpass construction resumes tomorrow
Following a brief winter break, construction is set to resume tomorrow on the Keating Cross overpass.
Drivers are reminded that the area is still an active construction zone—even though the flyover has been open for nine months
Commuters are asked to be mindful of workers and equipment and to be prepared for changing signage, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said.
While the Exit 18 on- and off-ramps are expected to remain open during the day, there will be periodic closures and lane reductions at night while the remaining work is completed:
- Highway 17 (Tanner to Island View): lanes closed in both directions at night
- Northbound: reduced to a single lane from 7pm to 6am
- Southbound: reduced to a single lane from 9pm to 6am
The ministry said it will post traffic closures and changes to traffic patterns on its DriveBC.ca website and the project webpage.
The flyover replaces a northbound left-turn lane onto Keating Cross with an overpass, eliminating a dangerous turn across heavy traffic and reducing idling and congestion.
Construction on the $76.8 million project began in July 2023, and the overpass structure opened to traffic on July 27.
The project is nearing the finish line with completion expected in the coming weeks.
⭐️ Capital Picks
⚽ BC Lions in Langford tickets on sale at 10am today. [Leos vs. Elks on May 23]
⚽ FIFA World Cup Test Event today at the legislature. [Info]
🔑 UVic Real Estate Spring Social is on Thursday. [Info]
👠 Save your soles. Join us at Fluevog Shoes on April 9 for an evening of community, creativity, and fantastic footwear! RSVP here.*
🎻 Daniel Lapp's Joy of Life Concerts are on April 24 & 25. [Alix Goolden]
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
Inner Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival announces it will take the year off
The end-of-summer tradition, formerly called the Vancouver Island Blues Bash, is going on a one-year hiatus. The Victoria Jazz Society (VJS) said the loss of sponsorships and increased supplier, logistics, and labour costs made it impractical to host the event this year. The VJS said it will pause to look for new sponsors and funding sources, and it plans to be “back, better than ever” next year. [Victoria Jazz Society]
CRD looks at long-term waste-disposal options for Hartland landfill
The new space at the north end of the property, which opened in January, is expected to be useful only until 2050, so CRD staff is exploring where to dump our waste afterward. Russ Smith, the CRD’s point person, spoke with the TC about alternatives. He said they likely include making more room at Hartland to extend capacity to 2100, building a new landfill site on the south Island, exploring thermal processing or new technologies, and possibly exporting the refuse. [Times Colonist]
Five Guys burgers on the menu for Colwood’s Royal Bay
There’s no set date yet, but the popular patty place will make its Island debut at the new community’s Arbutus Landing commercial hub, according to Colwood Coun. Ian Ward. Known for its customizable hand-formed burgers, Five Guys is big in Vancouver and has 1,800 locations worldwide. Other incoming tenants include Rexall, Firehouse Subs, Bosley’s, Teriyaki Express, a Pilates studio, and a nail salon. [CHEK]
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🗓️ Things To Do
🧑💻 Nonprofit Technology at theDock: An informative evening focused on how technology can empower local non-profits to do more good with fewer resources. TheDock. Today. 4:30pm-7pm. [Info]
🎵🔢 13UAA Victoria SeaWolves Music Bingo Fundraiser: Team Black is raising funds to offset travel, including to the mainland for tournaments, and cover uniform and equipment costs. Fernwood Inn. Tonight. 6-9pm. [Info]
❓🤔 Dawson’s Creek Trivia Night: Three rounds of trivia from the much-loved TV series. James Van Der Beek 💗 contributed video questions before his death in February. Partial proceeds to BC Cancer Foundation. The Mint. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]
🕉️ Hanuman Jayanti: Story & Sacred Song. A community gathering honouring the birth of Hanuman—the beloved deity known for his strength, wisdom, humility, and devotion. Ashtanga Yoga Victoria. Tonight. 7-9pm. [Info]
🎹 Eleanor Gray Memorial Piano and Voice Duo Competition: UVic School of Music piano and voice students perform in honour of Eleanor Gray, whose passion for music left an enduring mark. Phillip T. Young Recital Hall. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]
⚜️Réseau franco: Official Launch. A francophone cultural and academic initiative within UVic’s School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures. University Club, UVic. April 17. 5-7pm. [Info] RSVP by April 9.
👀 In Case You Missed It
Sunday’s headlines: BC seniors advocate says surgery wait times are too long; Weekly roundup; and Camosun is getting $32M in building upgrades. [March 29]
Outdoor survival school idea for East Sooke Park under fire. [CHEK]
Victoria’s Nellie Furtado flies into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. [Times Colonist]
Harbour Air adds new routes, including a Victoria-Seattle option that will launch on June 11. [Details]
Magical fundraiser for ocean education. [Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea]
Oak Bay Half-Marathon, Relay, 10K May 24. [Register Here]