Good morning! 

A local teacher was the only Canadian to win a climate challenge in Dubai this past week. We’ve got that story and more in today’s newsletter.

— Emma

COMMUNITY

Pearson UWC instructor wins prestigious climate challenge

Lucas Olscamp, an instructor at Pearson College UWC, is one of three winners of the prestigious 2023 Burjeel Holdings Oxford Saïd Climate Change Challenge.

Olscamp, the lone Canadian to win, was in Dubai this past week to celebrate his accomplishment at COP28 along with students, educators, and environmental and business leaders.

New program at Pearson

Olscamp’s submission presentation to the University of Oxford’s Saïd School included four lesson plans derived from his work in Pearson's ground-breaking Climate Action Leadership Diploma (CALD) program. CALD is a new and innovative program that offers diverse perspectives on the intricacies of extreme weather and climate change that takes advantage of Pearson’s location on the Salish Sea on the unceded territories of the Sc’ianew First Nation, also known as Beecher Bay.

The program offers interdisciplinary learning in economics, science, technology, language, ethics, and communications and aligns with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Career-Related Program (CP). It’s this interdisciplinary lens that Olscamp feels gave him an advantage.

Read more about how Olscamp won the prestigious climate challenge. 

NEWS

Planning meetings underway for Island Rail Corridor’s future

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) and other jurisdictions along the Island Rail Corridor are in the planning stages of what to do with the 289-km stretch, according to an update from staff delivered Nov. 14.

In March, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure provided $18 million in grant funding to 14 First Nations and five regional districts located along the Vancouver Island Rail Corridor to develop a shared vision in the short-term as well as benefits for the impacted communities over the long-term. So far there have been multiple planning meetings across jurisdictions to decide what to do with the grant money, for which the RDN is responsible for $600,000. The end date of the grant is Dec. 31, 2024.

Developing the vision should take into consideration collaboration between all partners, interests of impacted First Nations, movement of people and goods via all modes of transportation and the resiliency of Vancouver Island’s transportation network in the face of a growing population and climate change, among other aspects, the grant agreement guidelines say.

According to an RDN staff report, meetings thus far have discussed reversion of lands to First Nations along the corridor, contamination and remediation, legal encumbrances, environmental liabilities and the importance of recognizing and addressing historic wrongs in the creation of the corridor as well as environmental, economic and cultural harms caused by the corridor.

Head to Capital Daily to read more.

Around the 'Shore

🚧 Colwood power pole in the middle of the road: Many residents travelling in Colwood have been confused to find a hydro pole in the middle of a stretch of road by Veterans Memorial Parkway and Latoria Road. While BC Hydro does plan to remove above-ground power lines and run power underground, the timeline was unclear and the city moved ahead with opening the road before removing the pole; the city will work towards fixing the issue, but for now it has set up temporary safety barriers and measures.  [Vancouver Island Free Daily]

🚨 Police still seeking information on missing man: West Shore RCMP are looking for any information regarding the whereabouts of 21-year-old Omar Peters, who was last seen by his family on Nov. 22. Police are beginning to be concerned about his health and well-being after following a number of leads, and are asking the public to keep an eye out for Peters who spends a lot of time in Danbrook Park in Langford. 

✨ Donate to United Way Southern Vancouver Island today and make a difference in the lives of seniors, families, and those facing mental health challenges.*

🌲 View Royal road blocked after fallen tree incident: West Shore RCMP told commuters to avoid Burnside Road West on Dec. 5 after a fallen tree damaged power lines. With traffic affected, BC Hydro sent crews to help repair the power outage, and were able to fix the outage in the afternoon; over 286 people were affected by the outage. [CHEK]

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Community Events

🎅🏻 Santa Parade: Take the family out for the Sooke Lions and the District of Sooke’s annual Santa Parade this Dec.10. Starting at 4pm at the Evergreen Plaza, enjoy free hot dogs, hot chocolate, a craft making station, musical entertainment, and even get the chance to take a photo with Santa. The parade will follow at 5pm along Sooke Road, and is a free and fun event for the family to enjoy. 

🍽️ Christmas Community Dinner: Join the Gordon United Church on Goldstream Avenue for their Christmas community dinner this Dec. 11. Starting at 5pm, enjoy delicious food made by volunteers from donations, and celebrate the community coming together in this free and festive event. Register by email here.

🎤 Christmas Carol Sing-Along: In support of the Sooke Food Bank, the Choral Evolution Sooke Christmas Sing-Along is coming to town Dec. 20 at 7pm. Hosted at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, the concert will feature popular Christmas carols to sing to, and is a great way to give back to the community through admission by cash donation. 

What’s Offshore?

No ships today!

Westshore Snaps

Transfer beach Ladysmith in October. —Paul Young, Langford

That’s it!

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