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Good morning!

With June here, the summer months are starting meaning the outdoors are ready to be explored. It is already looking to be a dry month, so be sure to stay informed on wildfires, as fire warnings are sweeping the country. In today’s edition, the province announces funding for some Westshore projects, and the City of Langford responds to vandalism as Pride month begins.

NEWS

Parks and road improvements coming to the Westshore

The BC government made two announcements in the past week, looking to improve BC parks and roads within the coming years in communities such as Langford and Metchosin.

On June 1, Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman was joined by guests in Goldstream Park to announce a $10 million donation from the government to the BC Parks Foundation.

“This $10-million contribution further ensures the foundation’s long-term sustainability, so that together we can preserve many more of the most beautiful places and unique ecosystems in BC,” Heyman said.

The foundation ensures the protection and revitalization of BC’s parks, along with the funding of programs. The Westshore will see the re-opening of Goldstream Provincial Park Nature House for the first time in three years, as it hopes to become a pillar of education for the community once again.

The donation came within days of another announcement from the province to continue with Vision Zero grants for a second year. The program was created to improve and ensure the safety of local road systems through safety planning, speed-reader signs, better light systems, and more.

This year, the District of Metchosin will receive over $14,000 to install a crosswalk. Read more about the funding and projects at the Westshore.

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NEWS

Pride month begins with rainbows going up—and some torn down

Rainbow colours marking LGBTQ2S+ pride have been unveiled around the region for the start of June, including a fully rainbow-wrapped BC Transit bus.

But in Langford, Coun. Kimberley Guiry reported that five of the city’s vertical rainbow banners, which it put up along Goldstream Avenue and at landmarks, were torn down within the first day. It comes two years after homophobic slurs were painted onto a rainbow crosswalk in neighbouring Colwood—one of several rainbow crosswalk defacements in Island communities, with others including the Cowichan Valley and Qualicum Beach.

While June is increasingly celebrated as Pride Month Canada-wide, Greater Victoria’s actual Pride Week begins at the very end of the month and runs into early July. Its events include the main parade, the Big Gay Dog Walk, and the popular Drag Baseball event, which Capital Daily profiled last year.

Greater Victoria has one of the country’s largest LGBTQ2S+ communities per capita, including the largest percentage of trans and non-binary residents of any metro area.

Around the 'Shore

🐶 Langford teens create a book to encourage adoption from animal shelters: The Adventure of 2 Stray Dogs shares a heartwarming story of adoption, and was donated to shelters to encourage adoption and allow the shelters to use the funds to support their needs. Teaghan Dillon wrote the story with illustrations done by Michael Lee Maizik. [Vancouver Island Free Daily]

Langford-Juan de Fuca byelection coming up as five candidates confirm: As the June 24 election comes up, the five confirmed candidates include BC Green party candidate Camille Currie, BC NDP candidate Ravi Parmar, BC United candidate Elena Lawson, Conservative Party candidate Mike Harris, and Tyson Riel Strandlund for the Communist Party of BC. [Goldstream News Gazette]

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🔥 Wildfires on north Vancouver Island cause concern for fires across BC: Fire responders across the province are warning residents of the high risk of fires in the month of June. With hot and dry weather, fires like the Sayward wildfire are a reminder to locals to watch for fire bans and warnings. [CTV]

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Community Events

🏡 Attainable Home Ownership Program: RSVP to attend an information session about home ownership hosted by the City of Langford at the Langford Business Centre. The event will take place on June 7 from 7 to 8pm.

📝 In-person research sharing circle: On June 7 from 1:30 to 3:30pm, make a reservation to join researchers from the University of Victoria in discussing the effects of heat on vulnerable populations in Colwood.

🏆 The 2023 Polygon award nominations have opened: First Nations artists across the province can be nominated for the Polygon Award up to June 30. This award recognizes the culture, importance, and history of Indigenous artwork. Head to the website to see if you are eligible to nominate an artist or yourself.

What’s Offshore?

No ships today!

Westshore Eats

The White Spot is celebrating 95 years since its first opening this June 16. To commemorate restaurateur Nat Bailey and the teams that have followed, a limited-edition menu will feature a variety of items, including an item that gave the restaurant its fame: BBQ chicken. Check it out at the Langford location at 941 Langford Parkway.

The limited edition menu will include:

• Crispy fried chicken

• Half rack ribs and crispy chicken

• BBQ chicken sandwich

• Crispy fried dills

• BC chicken burger with secret triple “O” sauce

• Birthday cake shake

• Pirate Paks with birthday cake shake or birthday cake sundae option