Hello there!

Today we look at how this week's big political news could shake out on the Westshore—plus a few ways for you to shake up brunch, lunch, or dinner with some of the best restaurants in the region.

— Cam

NEWS

With Trudeau exit, Westshore likely headed back to polls this spring

Trudeau will resign as PM, he announced Monday just a few weeks after visiting the Westshore. He was speaking about legacy at the memorial for John Horgan—a man he appointed as ambassador to Germany and described as “unflinching in his values and beliefs.” Not even 24 hours after that event, Trudeau faced the caucus revolt that has now led to him stepping down as Liberal leader.

Back to polls: It feels like the fall BC election just finished, particularly after the final result took weeks to confirm and the actual governance arrangement took months. But with Trudeau's proroguing of Parliament for a Liberal leadership race, and opposition parties' public plans to vote no-confidence after that period ends, a spring election now looks very likely.

The Westshore has two ridings, though only one active MP as of the resignation of longtime MP Randall Garrison, 74. He represented the riding now known as Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke for 14 years. The other Westshore riding is Cowichan–Malahat–Langford. It has been held since 2015 by fellow MP Alistair MacGregor, 45, who has been confirmed as the party's nominee for this year. He spoke late last month to CFAX about Trudeau's situation and the possibility of an election.

Sooke mayor Maja Tait will run for the seat vacated by Garrison and has also been confirmed as the NDP's nominee. If she wins in a spring federal election, it would mean two Sooke byelections in short succession this year. The district is already slated to hold a council byelection after the resignation of newly elected BC MLA Dana Lajeunesse, but it would not happen far enough into the year to merge with a post-federal-election byelection.

Read more at Capital Daily about further details of Trudeau's resignation, how it can affect the South Island, and more.

FOOD

7 Westshore restaurants voted best-in-Victoria

The 2024 Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards came out last month, with 18 categories each featuring a trio of the best of the best mostly from across Greater Victoria. With strong showings across 5 categories, these restaurants helped the Westshore—particularly Langford—show that great local food isn't limited to downtown Vic.

Read the full story with more photos and details at Tasting Victoria, or continue here for the condensed version. These are the restaurants listed by their category and placement:

#1 Burgers in Greater Victoria: Bin 4 Burger Lounge 

Locally owned and operated, Bin 4 is known for gourmet burgers along with salads, local bevvies, and of course its famous deal: half-price burgers after 9pm. It opened its first location on Yates Street in 2011, and now has multiple locations across BC—including in Langford. 102-716 Goldstream Ave.

#2 Burgers: Big Wheel Burger

The Langford restaurant is among its four local locations, which feature creative dishes—especially the daily specials—and vegetarian-friendly options. Big Wheel selects and sources locally, sustainably, and using environmentally friendly resources. 610-2945 Jacklin Rd.

#2 Mexican Food: Tacofino

Inspired by the bold flavours of surf destinations across the world, Tacofino still supports local farmers and provides ethical meat and fish alongside. The West Coast staple began in its namesake Tofino but has made Langford one of its latest expansions. 112-800 Kelly Rd.

#2 Best Pizza: 900 Degrees Wood-Fired Pizzeria 

At 900 Degrees, you’ll find pizza that is not only cooked to perfection but is also piping hot with the cheesiest of cheeses and razor-thin artisan meats. The Neapolitan-style pizzeria cooks in a traditional wood-fired oven with sustainably sourced wood. 2401 Millstream Rd.

#3 Best Pizza: Romeo’s 

Est. 1974, its signature pizzas and pastas follow family recipes (including a secret sauce recipe). The Westshore Town Centre is as old as the mall itself, and was part of the 40-year celebrations last fall. Some of its staff have been there for much of that run, beginning as teens and now having grown kids of their own. 2945 Jacklin Rd.

#3 Best Brunch: Floyd’s Diner

Floyd’s is home to “The Mahoney”: a game where customers can gamble on paying the original price by flipping a coin for double or nothing on a mystery serving. 721 Station Ave.

#1 Best Indian food: Sizzling Tandoor 

Sizzling Tandoor wins for the second year in a row with the family recipes that its staff have served since 2010 when head chef Narpinder Bawa and her husband Gurinder decided to open their first restaurant. That downtown original now has a Westshore Town Centre sibling and an Uptown cousin called “Kinu.” 129-2955 Phipps Rd.

Around the 'Shore

🦦🏄‍♂️ Try not to let otters use your surfboard: Oceans officials said a trio of humans were right to try to avoid contact when a Sooke sea otter kept following them and getting on the board. Its antics were originally photographed by Doug Clement.

🚨 Hit & hit & run on Xmas Eve morning: RCMP say a Jetta driver sideswiped a Mercedes near View Royal's Helmcken highway off-ramp, then assaulted its driver when both vehicles stopped. They seek witnesses.

🏥 3-year-old waits 14 hours at Vic General ER: Her mother brought the toddler there with a fever and they waited overnight until, she says, nurses were able to take an X-ray but told they had to wait for a doctor to do a rapid swab. She says it was another half-day before the baby was given a prescription for Scarlet fever. [CHEK]

🚨 Collision on Hwy 14 in Sooke leaves driver, age 63, dead at scene
Her westbound Acura collided with an eastbound truck late yesterday afternoon at a sharp corner on Sooke Road (Hwy. 14) near Connie Road. The truck driver was uninjured. A stretch of Hwy. 14 was closed and then reopened around 9pm. [RCMP]

SPONSORED BY FINANCE BUZZ

Tackle your credit card debt by paying 0% interest until 2026

Reduce interest: 0% intro APR helps lower debt costs.
Stay debt-free: Designed for managing debt, not adding.
Top picks: Expert-selected cards for debt reduction.

Learn How To Apply Now

Community Events

🏒 Victoria Grizzlies host Powell River on Sat. at the Q Centre. [Tickets]

📚 Sooke Library events include storytime, babytime, English conversations, crafts, and more. [Schedule]

🗓 January events at Sooke Legion include Texas Hold ‘Em today. [Schedule / Info]

📅 This week's events at Langford Legion include a meat draw on Sat. [Schedule / info]

🥫Monday Trivia Nights at Sawmill Taphouse. [Info]

🗣 Group singing workshops in View Royal begin Friday. [Info]

What’s Offshore?

🚢🚢 Near Colwood shore: UTE (container ship, built 2007, Liberia flag, heading from Prince Rupert to Vancouver) & GSL Effie (container ship, built 2003, Liberia flag, heading from Prince Rupert to Vancouver).

Westshore Snaps

Sitting Lady Falls in Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park. – Alan Beairsto, Colwood

Record waves on the Island's west coast. [TJ Watt photos]

Thetis Lake in bloom: Flowers are starting to bud in the CRD park. [Facebook photos]

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to another Westshore local.

And before you go, let us know: