This is Vancouver Island

From Victoria to the Peace, the entire province is mourning the events and loss in Tumbler Ridge. The Province revamped its Throne Speech and start of the session, to support the community.Former Green Party MLA and Tsartlip First Nation member Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull weigh in on the week's top political stories with CBC host Gregor Craigie.

An independent forestry panel released its report to the B.C. government this week, saying massive change is required to fix the industry in this province. We ask our political panel what they make of the recommendations, plus the latest political moves to deal with the ongoing extortion crisis in Surrey and beyond and just how austere they think the B.C. budget will be when it's released on February 17. Former Green Party MLA and Tsartlip First Nation member Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull weigh in on the week's top political stories with CBC host Gregor Craigie.

Sport fishers in B.C. are raising concerns about proposed changes to the salmon allocation policy for B.C. - which Fisheries and Oceans Canada (aka DFO) uses to determine which who gets priority access to different types of Pacific salmon. A court ruling in 2018 said the federal government had to add First Nations' commercial rights to the list, and the ministry has been working with First Nations, sport, and commercial fishers to review the overall policy - which is nearly 30 years old. Sport fishers say a new discussion paper shows their rights are at risk - but First Nations say that's not the case. We walk you through it. 

B.C. Premier David Eby, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, met with the prime minister this week in Ottawa. Eby called the conversations "borderline friendly" - but he also used the word "treason" in response to Alberta separatists earlier this week. Our political panelists have thoughts about the word treason, and the current state of B.C./Alberta/Canada relations. Plus, they weigh in on the growing list of candidates in the race for B.C. Conservative leader. Hear political insiders Andrew Reeve (former press secretary and deputy director of communications with the BC Liberal and BC United parties), Elizabeth Cull (a former NDP cabinet minister), and Adam Olsen (former Green Party MLA, and a member of the Tsartlip Nation) speak with CBC host Gregor Craigie. 

This week a group of Parksville-Qualicum residents presented a petition to their MLA, calling for more respite for caregivers who look after their aging loved ones. It came as B.C.’s seniors advocate pointed out there are nowhere near enough publicly-funded long term care beds to match the growing number of seniors in the province. Some island communities have the highest populations of seniors in Canada, so on today’s episode we hear from folks in Parksville-Qualicum and the Comox Valley about how some people are struggling to look after their aging spouses, with few opportunities for a break. We’ll also speak with the head of an island hospice society about how non-profits like hers are trying to support people, and their loved ones, and the end of their lives.

The whole world is talking about that speech the Prime Minister made at Davos this week - including our B.C. politics panel. They also weigh in on Premier Eby's confirmation that his government will amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) this spring. Hear from our political insiders Elizabeth Cull (a former NDP cabinet minister), Adam Olsen (former Green Party MLA, and a member of the Tsartlip Nation), and Andrew Reeve (former press secretary and deputy director of communications with the BC Liberal and BC United parties).

This week Lighthouse Brewing in Esquimalt announced it’s shutting down operations and selling its brand - saying it costs more to brew beer than they can bring in by selling it. On this week’s episode we hear from co-owner Ben Thomas about the difficult decision, and how the BCGEU strike was the breaking point. Plus, we talk to Chris Bjerrisgaard of Sidney’s Small Gods Brewing about how they’re managing to stay afloat as beer sales decline across the country. While you’re here, check out this previous episode of This is Vancouver Island, about how two local breweries are expanding into non-alcoholic drinks to adapt. 

Welcome to a new edition of This is Vancouver Island! Starting today, we'll bring you a weekly dose of B.C. politics with our political insiders. Hear former Green Party MLA Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull weigh in on the week's top stories with CBC host Gregor Craigie. This week: the end of decriminalization, Prime Minister Carney's meeting in Prince Rupert with Coastal First Nations, and post-secondary institutions (like North Island College) worry about further cuts. 

A plan to redevelop the Capital Irons lands, at the north end of downtown Victoria, got an important vote of confidence from city council this month. It means that hundreds of units of housing will likely be built, as well as a new home for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and a place where a local fish company can dock its boats, and process and sell its stock. We get the details on this week's episode.

Whether you commute by bike, bus, or car, you’ve likely encountered detours and delays in Greater Victoria lately…and that’s not going to change in the short term. A number of construction projects have lanes closed and/or detours in place. On this week’s episode: are construction closures becoming more common? And what could ease traffic? We ask Susan Brice, a current Saanich councillor and Capital Regional district director, and longtime local politician who’s also worn many other hats.BTW, if you want info on the BC Hydro-related road closures we mention in the episode, check them out here. Get updates on the Galloping Goose closure here. The city of Victoria also has some upcoming work on both Blanshard and Bay, details should be posted here.

Every once in a while, frustrated ferry users bring up the idea of a “fixed link” - a bridge or tunnel that would permanently connect Vancouver Island to the rest of B.C. It happened this week when stormy weather led to nearly a hundred sailing cancellations just before Christmas. It also came up this summer, as discussions dragged on about the new ships that B.C. Ferries ordered from a shipyard in China. So this week, a repeat of our July 17 episode: do we need a bridge or tunnel? What it take to build one?

The provincial government is trying to get more housing built, and more quickly. But some local developers who are trying to build missing middle housing in Greater Victoria (ie duplex, triplexes, and townhouses), say they’re still facing roadblocks. Meanwhile, some local governments are ramping up their fights against the bill. CBC Victoria’s Rohit Joseph has been looking into it all, and joins us to share what he heard.

Leonard Sylvester, a 38-year-old Penelakut man, died in hospital last month -- less than three weeks after a routine medical procedure. Throughout his hospitalization, his wife Boedaya Sylvester says she was not properly communicated with, and she says they were treated differently because they’re Indigenous. In this episode we hear from Boedaya and from Island Health, which has promised to review what happened.

The community of Crofton got devastating news this week, with Domtar announcing it’s closing its mill there, putting 350 people out of work. In this episode we hear about why, and what’s next. We’ll also check in on a retraining program in Port Alberni, for laidoff mill workers there.

Downtown Victoria business owners say they’re seeing a positive impact, four months after the city launched the first phase of its community safety and wellbeing plan. City staff say they’ve completed 2 of their 11 priorities, with the other 9 underway. Folks on Pandora have mixed reviews. We take a look at it all in this week’s episode.Want to learn more about the plan? Check out our episode from when it was first launched.You can also read the whole thing on the city's website.

We know communities across the island region are struggling with housing. That challenge can be especially acute on smaller islands, with even more limited space: what are you supposed to do if you have a job, but nowhere to live? Or if you can’t hire people, because they can’t find housing? On Salt Spring Island, the Country Grocer has solved that problem by creating housing for its staff. CBC reporter Emily Fagan went to the island to learn more, and tells us about it on this week’s episode.

Wild deer are a common sight in greater Victoria, as we humans keep building our homes in their habitat - but the immuno-contraceptive experiment in Oak Bay seems to have worked at managing the population. On this episode we check in with one of the founders of the Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society (UWSS), which came up with the plan to give birth control to urban deer. Kristy Kilpatrick also talks about how she’s seen attitudes towards deer change in the decade since UWSS started its work.

Even though it’s been three months since a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled that Quw’utsun Nation (Cowichan Tribes, Stz’uminus First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, Halalt First Nation and Lyackson First Nation) hold Aboriginal title over some land in Richmond - the news is still making headlines, especially on the mainland. That’s because the land includes some private property. But does the decision threaten private property rights in B.C.? An island leader explains why he doesn’t think so. 

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) has been trying to find a way to install shore power at Ogden Point, so that some of the cruise ships that stop there can plug in and use electricity - instead of relying on fossil fuels to keep the lights and other ship services going while the vessels are in port. But now, the GVHA has abandoned the plan. It says even with $31.5 million dollars promised by provincial and federal governments, it would need at least another $61 million dollars to do all the work needed - and it just doesn’t have the money. So what happens now?

There are unhoused people living in communities across Vancouver Island, but not every community has a place for them to go on nights when winter weather is so bad that it’s dangerous. The province provides funding for winter shelter, so why doesn’t everyone apply for it? Host Kathryn Marlow and CBC reporter Maryse Zeidler look at three areas with three different levels of support: Campbell River, Sidney, and the Cowichan Valley.

Every time the earth shakes on the island, we flock to social media to see who else felt the tremor. But did you know you can also report your experience to Earthquakes Canada, to help with future research? Seismologist John Cassidy explains how researchers like him rely on such information. Plus: the latest on the earthquake warning system. This episode originally aired October 1, 2024. 

Thousands of union members rallied at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria this week, as the BCGEU and PEA strike entered its sixth week. So what’s keeping the two unions and their employer - the provincial government - apart? And is there any sign of them reaching an agreement? In this episode, we hear from union members, the premier, and more. 

The Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM), which is located on the 900-block of Pandora, is getting ready to fully reopen the Alix Goolden Performance Hall. It’s been partially closed since the pandemic, meaning the Conservatory can’t host big concerts. But CEO Nathan Medd says once the city has done its work improving safety on the block, the VCM will be ready to open its Pandora doors, and help build a future for the neighbourhood with a focus on music and art. We hear from him, and artist Francis Dick. She recently contributed a mural to the VCM, and is excited to collaborate more to add vibrancy to downtown.

Tiny homes on wheels are technically not allowed as permanent housing - but that hasn’t stopped some people in rural B.C. communities from living in them, because they’re affordable and don’t leave a big footprint. Now, local government officials in several island communities say they’ve found a way to make them legal. On this week’s episode, we hear about the solution that representatives from Islands Trust and the Regional District of Nanaimo recently shared with local governments from across B.C. 

Some islanders are upset that a U.S. non-profit that does adventure tourism wants to renew and expand its access to crown land along the B.C. coast. National Outdoor Leadership School says its sea kayakers will use the land to camp while travelling from Washington to Alaska. But social media posts opposing the application have gone viral in island communities. On this episode we hear from the applicants themselves, and a First Nations leader who has concerns.

Public sector workers in the BCGEU (BC General Employees' Union) and PEA (Professional Employees Association) escalated job action this week. About 14,500 of those workers are islanders. On this episode we hear why the strike is happening - and when it might be resolved.

This is the second school year since the provincial restrictions on cell phone use in schools came into effect. But what exactly are the rules? And how are they put into practice? As you’ll hear in this episode, that’s not exactly clear. Island teachers and administrators talk about how they’re interpreting and creating the rules.

The road to Bamfield, and the Huu-ay-aht and Ditidaht First Nations, is closed for the foreseeable future due to damage by the Mount Underwood fire. A similar thing happened to highway 4 east of Port Alberni in the summer of 2023. The issue is slope instability - but what exactly is that? And how do you repair it?

The Wesley Ridge and Mount Underwood fires had the province’s attention this summer - an unusual situation for the island. But the people who study fire and climate aren’t surprised, and say it will only become more common. On this week’s episode we hear about the changing history of wildfire on Vancouver Island, and about one of the mitigation projects underway to try and prepare. Hear about how what’s growing in our forests may change, and ways you can help with mitigation. 

This week, we bring you one of our most popular episodes from last year: a discussion with three islanders about what they love about summer at home. Get staycation tips from residents of Victoria, Parksville, and Campbell River. This episode was originally published July 2, 2024.

For 12 hours this week, islanders and coastal B.C. residents were watching for news of a tsunami. It didn’t arrive, but it did give us a chance to figure out the difference between a “watch,” an “advisory,” and a “warning,” and whether we even get notifications. This week’s episode catches up on what we learned - including that drones can help spread the news to remote areas.

Killer whales and humans have more than a few things in common, even if our habitat is different - and recent research has added even more similarities to the list. In this episode we hear about orcas giving gifts to humans, and using tools to exfoliate.

Every once in a while, frustrated ferry users bring up the idea of a “fixed link” - a bridge or tunnel that would permanently connect Vancouver Island to the rest of B.C. It came up this week as discussions drag on about the new ships that BC Ferries has ordered from a shipyard in China. So on this week’s episode: what would it take to build a bridge or tunnel?

Are you an ocean, lake, or river swimmer? On this week’s episode we take a break from the news to celebrate some of the many outdoor swimming spots on the Island - in all types of water. Alex McKeen, co-author of “Swimming Holes and Beaches of Southwestern British Columbia,” shares her love of swimming as a way to explore a new place and talks about some of the 50+ island spots listed in her book. They include the Koksilah River Holes, Cameron Lake, Inland Lake, and Banfield Park.P.S. Are you looking for more ideas of stuff to do on the island in the summer? Go back in time to the July 2, 2024 episode titled "The best (and worst) of summer on the Island."

The city of Victoria released a plan to take $10 million from its budget, and reallocate it to public safety initiatives. The money will be used for bylaw and police officers, street repair and more, and will be focused on Pandora Avenue, Princess Avenue, and downtown overall. On this week's episode we hear from mayor Marianne Alto, Victoria police chief Del Manak, and the province's Minister of State for Community Safety and Integrated Services, Terry Yung. 

Bus service has long been a problem on the island, and it’s even more challenging now. We catch you up on the strike at Cowichan Valley Transit, and the cancellation of a bus route from Ucluelet and Tofino to Port Alberni. Plus, we try to find out if - or when - things might improve.

There is a new-to-B.C. ferry that two companies are testing here: it’s an all-electric passenger ship that could sail on commuter routes, or even between the island and the mainland. CBC Victoria’s Gregor Craigie got to ride on one, and he joins us to tell us how it works, how likely it is that it will enter regular service here - and why they call it a flying ferry.

We need more nurses and doctors, and they could be on their way. In this episode we hear from a doctor who is quitting his practice in Colorado to start at a new clinic in Colwood, and a nurse in Texas who is considering a move to Nanaimo. We’ll ask what’s enticing them to come north, and hear about some of the ways the provincial government is trying to encourage health care workers to move here to B.C.

Langford is upset it’s on the province's latest housing targets list, calling it “unfair.” But on the other side, the housing minister says it’s just about making sure everyone is on the same page - even the places that are already building a lot of new homes. On this episode, we hear from mayor Scott Goodmanson and minister Ravi Kahlon about what being on the list does, and doesn’t get you - and how the province picks the communities and sets the targets. Plus, their takes on where the infrastructure to support the housing should come from.

What do baseball games, river floats, parades, and Schitt’s Creek trivia have in common? They’re all things you can do to celebrate pride on the island this summer! On this episode we talk about what pride is like in island communities, and about celebrating queer joy, honouring history, and fighting for future freedoms. The first of nearly 20 pride festivals on the island start this weekend -- with events in Cowichan, Port Alberni, and Victoria. The final events will be in the Comox Valley in August. This episode's guests are organizers Cristin Elle (Cowichan Pride), Crysta Stubbs (Alberni Valley Pride), Nick Luney (Victoria Pride) and meika johnson (Queer Centre Comox Valley).There are also pride events this summer in Ladysmith, Parksville, Nanaimo, Langford, Saanich, Gabriola, Sidney, Tofino, Campbell River, the North Island, Qathet, Denman, Pender, and the Discovery Islands.Check out this handy list to learn about events in your community.

We love Tofino, but it’s not the only part of the island that’s worth a vacation! If you’re planning to stay local this summer, why not check out a less famous place - like the north island? In this episode, Indigenous tourism operator Mike Willie makes the case for his home territory. He talks about what you can see when you head out from Port McNeill or Port Hardy.

People who use handyDART in Greater Victoria say it’s getting harder and harder to book the rides they need, and they were hearing from staff it was because of service reductions. BC Transit says there have been no cuts - but users are still hitting roadblocks. We try to figure out why. HandyDART is public transit for people who can’t use the conventional bus due to disability.

For the past decade islanders have only elected NDP and Green members of parliament. But in the next federal government, the island will be represented by 3 Conservative MPs, 2 Liberals, 1 NDP and 1 Green. On this episode we look at what’s behind the shift, and hear from some of the election winners: Tamara Kronis, Aaron Gunn, Will Greaves, Stephanie McLean, Gord Johns and Elizabeth May. They talk about tariffs, affordability, housing, public safety, the opioid crisis, support for the resource sector and military members, and cross-party cooperation.

You’re likely getting used to seeing alternatives to plastic: cloth bags, paper straws, wooden utensils. But in this week’s episode we’ll hear about a B.C. group looking to make plastic out of seaweed, for use in the agriculture industry.Want to hear more about the emerging seaweed industry on the island? Check out another column from Imaginative Scientist Moronke Harris.

The federal election is less than two weeks away, but many voters on the island are struggling to decide how to vote. For some it’s down to Liberal versus Conservative, for others NDP versus Liberal, for some it’s still a total toss up. We’ll hear from folks in Esquimalt, Campbell River, Ucluelet, and more about what issues have them stuck. 

The school board and the B.C. ministry of education were at odds for six months, until the province fired the elected trustees in January. Now the newly-appointed trustee is getting down to business, and the old trustees are going to court in hopes of getting their jobs back. We recap the SD61 drama, hear the latest on the safety plan and police in schools, and learn what official trustee Sherri Bell is thinking about for the future of the Greater Victoria school district.Note: This is Vancouver Island has a new release day! We'll come to you on Thursdays now, instead of Tuesdays.

It’s not just big cities where public safety is a concern. In the Cowichan Valley, for example, there’s an area surrounding the Trans-Canada Highway where some residents and business owners say crime, drug use, and street disorder mean they don’t feel safe in their own community. It’s in the region’s urban core, where North Cowichan, Duncan, and Cowichan Tribes land meet. On this episode we talk to some of those people, as well as to those working to try and change things.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Want to hear some good news out of the Cowichan Valley?Check out these stories:Fresh Vancouver Island food delivered straight to your doorstepThis native plant nursery will bring traditional foods and medicines to the Cowichan Valley

A Victoria small business owner just got her first tariff bill. But even with the $1200 hit, she’s reluctant to stop importing products from her customers in the U.S. She says she’s worked hard to fill her shop with quality goods made by small businesses she believes in - and while many of those are Canadian, some happen to be in the United States. On this episode, we hear from the owner of Luna Collective about the tough decisions people like her have to face amidst the trade war, and what she hopes islanders will consider when they’re deciding where to shop.

This month marks the 34 years since 4-year-old Michael Dunahee disappeared from a Victoria playground. It’s arguably the most well-known missing person case from the island, but it’s far from the only one. Laura Palmer produces “Island Crime,” a podcast that investigates true crime from our region, and she’s our guest this week. We talk about some of the cases she digs into, but also about how families and police feel about her work, and why she thinks some cases get more attention than others. 

Sure, you know about the seafood. But did you know islanders make things like crackers? And mattresses? With everyone’s attention on “buy BC” and “buy Canadian,” we thought we’d zoom in even more and talk about how to “buy island.” We check in with two people who focus on island-made goods.