Samwise Vancouver Island Newsletter
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Saanich Council Passes 5.35% Property Tax Hike, Adding $215 to Average Homeowner’s Bill
Saanich council passed its 2026 budget Tuesday night with a 5.35% property tax hike, meaning the average homeowner will pay $215 more this year; strata owners face an increase of $113. The $235-million operations budget is $10 million more than 2025 — director of finance Paul Arslan calls it a “status quo budget” that delivers the same services at higher cost as wages, utilities, and supplies keep rising. Council trimmed the starting point from a 9% hike by delaying infrastructure work and some hiring. Mayor Dean Murdock said it is a budget he can defend. First readings are set for May 4, with formal adoption on May 11.
Sources: Times Colonist
B.C. Tables K’ómoks First Nation Treaty After 30-Year Negotiation Despite Neighbouring Nation’s Opposition
The BC government introduced the K’ómoks Treaty Act in the legislature Tuesday, moving to ratify a treaty 30 years in the making with the K’ómoks First Nation on central Vancouver Island. The agreement transfers more than 34 square kilometres of land to K’ómoks, alongside $56 million and self-government powers, making it B.C.’s fifth modern treaty. Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert tabled the legislation despite formal opposition from the Wei Wai Kum First Nation near Campbell River, who say the treaty overlaps their own territorial claims. If ratified, it would be among the first comprehensive modern treaties in B.C. since the Tla’amin Treaty in 2016.
Sources: CBC News, Global News
Victoria Grizzlies Eliminated in Game 7 Overtime Thriller as Cowichan Capitals Advance to Face Nanaimo
The Victoria Grizzlies were eliminated from the 2026 BCHL playoffs Monday when the Cowichan Valley Capitals won Game 7 in overtime, 4–3, at the Cowichan Arena. The series was exceptionally tight, with four of the seven games decided in extra time. Cowichan now faces the Nanaimo Clippers in the Coastal West division final. Nanaimo advanced after eliminating Alberni Valley in five games. Games 1 and 2 are set for April 17 and 18 in Duncan, with play moving to Nanaimo for Games 3 and 4 on April 21 and 22. A potential Game 7 would return to Duncan on April 27.
Sources: Cowichan Valley Citizen, Victoria News
Nanaimo’s Plan to Include Snuneymuxw Reserve Lands in City Boundary Clears Public Vote Threshold
Nanaimo’s alternative approval process for a proposed municipal boundary extension — which would bring four Snuneymuxw First Nation reserve lands within city limits — closed Monday without the 7,957 opposing elector forms needed to trigger a full referendum. The proposal, first announced in February, would allow Snuneymuxw members living on those reserves to vote in Nanaimo municipal elections. SFN Chief Michael Wyse has described the move as a “practical and meaningful” way to advance the city’s relationship with the Nation. Council considers next steps at its April 20 meeting; provincial government approval is still required before any boundary change takes effect.
Sources: Nanaimo News NOW, Nanaimo News Bulletin
BC Court of Appeal Rules Evicted Songhees Mobile Home Residents Are Not Required to Remove Their Homes
The B.C. Court of Appeal has ruled that former residents of a mobile home park on Songhees First Nation land near Victoria are no longer required to remove their homes from the property, reversing a key element of an earlier B.C. Supreme Court order. Residents of E. George Estates Manufactured Home Park were evicted after Songhees gave three years’ notice that their tenancies were ending. The appeal court found the homes constituted “fixtures” and that ordering their removal was in error. Lawyer Michael Drouillard, who represented the largely low-income and elderly tenants pro bono, said one of his clients is currently living in a tent.
Sources: CHEK News, Goldstream News Gazette
Victoria Festival Organizers Warn Vendors After Scammers Create Fake i-Land Fest Application on Social Media
The Vancouver Island Caribbean Hub is warning vendors after scammers created a fraudulent i-Land Fest Facebook page and directed small businesses to a fake vendor application form. At least one business lost $400 after submitting payment through the form; a second business cancelled payment in time. Organizers say impersonators created the page in recent weeks, targeting vendors preparing for the annual festival celebrating Caribbean culture in Victoria. The Hub is offering the affected business a complimentary vendor space at this year’s event. Vendors are advised to verify all contact and payment details exclusively through the official Vancouver Island Caribbean Hub website and social media accounts.
Sources: Cowichan Valley Citizen, Peninsula News Review
Nanaimo Airport Runs Full-Scale Emergency Drill Simulating a Passenger Aircraft Crash Landing
Nanaimo Airport conducted a federally mandated full-scale emergency exercise Wednesday morning, simulating a De Havilland Dash 8 crash landing. About 50 volunteers acted as passengers and crew, with a regional transit bus standing in for the aircraft cabin and genuine aircraft wreckage — including a fuselage salvaged from a plane that previously crashed in Duncan — arranged to create a realistic scene. Over one hour, crews from the RCMP, local fire services, the Regional District of Nanaimo, the Canadian military, NAV Canada, and the Cowichan Valley Regional District practiced fire suppression and patient triage. Canadian airports are required by Transport Canada to run full-scale emergency exercises on a regular cycle.
Sources: Nanaimo News NOW, Peninsula News Review
Nanaimo Still Leads Vancouver Island in Natural Gas Line Strikes Despite a Province-Wide Drop
Nanaimo recorded 14 natural gas line strikes in 2025 — still the highest on Vancouver Island — despite a 26.5 per cent decline in BC-wide incidents since 2021, according to FortisBC. The figures represent improvement from 20 strikes in 2023 and 17 in 2024; Parksville and Qualicum Beach combined for five last year. FortisBC spokesperson Jonathan Nadison said 90 per cent of gas infrastructure damage is preventable using the free BC 1 Call service, which flags underground lines before excavation begins. Contractors are legally required to call before digging; homeowners who damage infrastructure face cost recovery for lost gas, repairs, and the labour required to relight appliances across affected properties.
Sources: Nanaimo News NOW
Island Pulse
Victoria Royals: The Royals’ 2025–26 season has concluded. Season starts again September 2026.
Victoria HarbourCats: HarbourCats’ season starts again May 29. Home opener: June 2 vs. Edmonton Riverhawks at Wilson’s Group Stadium.
Curated by JD · samwise.agency