Samwise Vancouver Island Newsletter
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
BC Tables K’ómoks Treaty Act After 30-Year Negotiation, Giving Mid-Island Nation Control Over Land and Governance
British Columbia tabled the K’ómoks Treaty Act in the legislature on April 14, marking the province’s first step in ratifying a modern treaty reached with the K’ómoks First Nation after more than 30 years of negotiations. The treaty would confirm K’ómoks ownership of approximately 3,442 hectares of land scattered across Vancouver Island, with an additional 1,592 hectares available for purchase over time. The agreement replaces Indian Act governance with a self-governing authority for the nation’s roughly 350 members, granting powers over taxation, child protective services, and the administration of justice. The Wei Wai Kum First Nation near Campbell River has formally opposed the legislation.
Sources: CHEK News, Times Colonist
BC Ferries Electrical Failure Cancels Multiple Saltery Bay–Earls Cove Sailings, Disruptions May Extend Into Wednesday
BC Ferries cancelled multiple sailings on the Saltery Bay–Earls Cove route on April 14 after an electrical issue sidelined the vessel serving the Powell River–to–Sunshine Coast crossing. As of an afternoon update, additional sailings had been called off while crews worked on repairs, with BC Ferries warning the disruption could extend into Wednesday morning, placing the 5:35 a.m. departure from Saltery Bay and the 6:30 a.m. departure from Earls Cove at risk. Water taxi alternatives were unavailable at Earls Cove due to a lack of safe boarding access. Affected passengers were offered a reroute via Westview to Little River near Comox.
Sources: CHEK News
Crystal Pool Reopens After Chlorine Gas Incident That Hospitalized Eight and Forced Evacuation of 90 Swimmers
Victoria’s Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre reopened Tuesday after a four-day closure following a chlorine gas incident that sent eight people to hospital. The hazardous gas formed on April 10 when approximately 20 litres of 12 per cent chlorine solution was mixed with 20 litres of hydrochloric acid. Nearly 90 patrons and 13 staff evacuated the facility, and a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area. A Hazmat crew vented the building and safely disposed of the chemicals. All eight patients hospitalized in the incident have since been discharged. WorkSafeBC is investigating the circumstances of the chemical handling error.
Sources: Times Colonist, CHEK News
Two Arrested After Man Found Dead at Sooke Mobile Home Park; RCMP Seek Witnesses to Red MINI Cooper
The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit is investigating after a man was found dead under suspicious circumstances in a Sooke mobile home park on April 11, and two people were subsequently arrested. Officers responded to the 7000 block of West Coast Road around 3:20 a.m. and, after obtaining evidence pointing to a suspect vehicle, West Shore RCMP located a red MINI Cooper about an hour later and arrested its two occupants. Investigators are asking anyone who saw the vehicle on West Coast Road between midnight and 4 a.m. that morning, or travelling between Sooke and West Shore Parkway in Langford, to call the VIIMCU line at 250-380-6211.
Sources: CHEK News, Nanaimo News NOW
Victoria Council to Vote on $677,500 Grant to Turn 179-Unit Speed Avenue Building Into Housing Co-op
Victoria city council is set to vote on a $677,500 grant from its Housing Reserve Fund that would help the Midtown Affordable Housing Society purchase a 179-unit building at 611 Speed Avenue, near Mayfair Mall. Originally built as a strata development, the property later shifted to market rentals and is now nearing completion, with occupancy expected in the second quarter of 2026. The society hopes to convert the building into a housing co-operative — a model that removes units from the speculative market permanently. The grant request comes before council’s April 16 committee meeting as the city works to expand non-market housing.
Sources: CHEK News
Arbutus Ridge Golf Course in Cobble Hill Changes Hands From Billionaire Ruby Liu to Theatre Owner Andrew Golin
The Arbutus Ridge Golf Course in Cobble Hill has changed ownership, passing from real-estate billionaire Ruby Liu to Andrew Golin, a born-and-raised Vancouver Islander. Golin is the co-founder and majority owner of Golin Cinemas, which operates four theatres on Vancouver Island — including the Capital 6 and Roxy theatres in Victoria, and the only movie theatres in both Duncan and Campbell River, with the Duncan venue reopened in 2024 and Campbell River’s in 2025. Arbutus Ridge, located at 3515 Telegraph Road, is an 18-hole course that operates year-round and has been rated among Canada’s top 10 courses for value by WestJet Magazine.
Sources: CHEK News
Avalanche Canada Issues High Danger Rating for Mid and North Vancouver Island as Storm System Moves In
Avalanche Canada issued a “high” danger rating for alpine terrain across parts of Vancouver Island on April 14, warning backcountry users to exercise extreme caution as an incoming storm pushed conditions to their most hazardous level of the season. The advisory covers mid and north Island alpine areas, from north of Lake Cowichan and Tofino up to just south of Port McNeill. A “high” rating — the fourth of five levels — means natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely. Backcountry travellers in the affected zone were urged to avoid steep slopes, study terrain from a distance, and stick to lower-angle routes.
Sources: CHEK News
North Saanich Distillery Releases WildFire Whisky to Fund Preservation of Hawaii Mars Water Bomber at BC Aviation Museum
Best Coast Distillers of North Saanich has released a limited-edition WildFire Whisky dedicated to the Hawaii Mars, the legendary water bomber that fought wildfires across British Columbia for more than five decades. The aircraft, now retired and on display at the BC Aviation Museum in North Saanich — five minutes from the distillery — once dropped up to 27,000 litres of water in a single pass and was based at Sproat Lake near Port Alberni for much of its operational life. A portion of proceeds from the release will fund the bomber’s ongoing restoration and preservation at the museum for future generations.
Sources: Peninsula News Review, CHEK News
Island Pulse
Victoria Royals: Next: vs. Spokane Chiefs — Wed Apr 16 at 7:05 PM PT, Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, Victoria (WHL Playoffs Round 2, Game 3)
Victoria HarbourCats: HarbourCats’ season starts again June 2.
Curated by JD · samwise.agency