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Wednesday, March 18, 2026
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West Shore & Sooke

bc transit, bus

BC Transit introduces new double-decker buses to west shore Route 95

Island Social Trends - 0
Monday March 16, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends The first two of 39 new double-decker buses are being rolled out by The Victoria Regional Transit System. The goal is to...
stephanie dunlop

Former Metchosin Fire Chief Dunlop celebrated by local community

metchosin, fire chief, stephanie dunlop

Event March 15 to celebrate former Metchosin Fire Chief Dunlop

snow, flowers

Light spring-season snowfall in Greater Victoria

Business & Economy

Tiff Macklem, bank of canada

Bank of Canada holds interest rate at 2.25% amidst Iran conflict...

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Wednesday March 18, 2026 | NATIONAL Analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends The Bank of Canada's March 18 interest rate announcement was widely expected to see the central bank holding their...
seafood, orca seafoods, salmon

BC Agriculture Minister leads BC seafood promotion at Seafood Expo North...

bank of canada, interest rates

Bank of Canada expected to hold steady at 2.25% on March...

carney, simpson

Arctic region: Carney in NWT before heading to Norway

Health & Safety

premier eby, health minister osborne

BC celebrates recruitment of US health-care workers

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Tuesday March 17, 2026 | VANCOUVER, BC by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends Premier David Eby and Josie Osborne, Minister of Health today delivered an update about the recruitment of more health-care workers from...
vaping, youth, smoke

Fentanyl through smoking contributes to 75% of drug-related deaths in BC

couple, aging at home, living room

Most Canadians hope to age in place

international women's day, logo

International Women’s Day 2026: progress made but more to do

Environment & Sustainability

Carney, norway

Canada & Norway: strategic Arctic defence, economies, technology

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Saturday March 14, 2026 | OSLO, NORWAY by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends Strategic cooperation between Canada and Norway is part of this country's economic trade diversification strategy as well as bolstering national...
cowichan, koksilah, watershed plan

Open house this week on Koksilah Watershed and Water Sustainability Plan

Vancouver Island BeggarTick flowers.

Saanich gets $10,000 to protect bog biodiversity

chippable plant material, langford

FireSmart yard waste depots in Langford March 7, 14, & 21

Greater Victoria / CRD

bc transit, bus

BC Transit introduces new double-decker buses to west shore Route 95

Island Social Trends - 0
Monday March 16, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends The first two of 39 new double-decker buses are being rolled out by The Victoria Regional Transit System. The goal is to...
road paving, victoria

VICTORIA TRAFFIC: delays on Blanshard during 11 days of paving

Spirit of Vancouver Island, vessel

Weather impact: BC Ferries cancels some March 11 Vancouver-Victoria sailings

snow, flowers

Light spring-season snowfall in Greater Victoria

Lottery News

lotto max, March 17, winning numbers

No jackpot winner for St Patrick’s Day March 17 Lotto Max...

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Tuesday March 17, 2026 | NATIONAL by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends Well, the luck o' the Irish didn't land a jackpot win for Lotto Max ticket holders on this St Patrick's Day, March...
next draw, $40 million

No March 13 Lotto Max jackpot winner, next draw $40 million

winning numbers, lotto max, march 3 2026

March 3 Lotto Max $75 million jackpot winner in Ontario

Lotto Max, Feb 27, winning numbers

No big winners in Feb 27 Lotto Max draw, next jackpot...

Politics

premier eby, health minister osborne

BC celebrates recruitment of US health-care workers

Island Social Trends - 0
Tuesday March 17, 2026 | VANCOUVER, BC by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends Premier David Eby and Josie Osborne, Minister of Health today delivered an update about the recruitment of more health-care workers from...
angus reid, poll, middle east

Poll: Most Canadians feel Canada should not be involved in Iran...

king charles, mark carney

Prime Minister Carney meets privately with King Charles III

carney, starmer

Canada & UK: Middle East & Ukraine defence, energy infrastructure, supply...

Education

classroom, instructor, Vancouver Community College

Post-secondary institutions should adjust to current conditions, says Ministry

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Thursday March 12, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends The Vancouver Community College Faculty Association (VCCFA) held a rally yesterday to protest cuts to Vancouver Community College (VCC)...
vccfa, logo

Vancouver Community College faculty protesting cuts

municipal elections, bc, wordmark

Gearing up for Oct 2026 BC local general elections

Lisa beare, education minister

Education Minister Beare highlights Safe School Coordinators as key to school...

Artificial Intelligence

Carney, norway

Canada & Norway: strategic Arctic defence, economies, technology

Island Social Trends - 0
Saturday March 14, 2026 | OSLO, NORWAY by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends Strategic cooperation between Canada and Norway is part of this country's economic trade diversification strategy as well as bolstering national...
mark carney, australia

Carney’s trade mission in Australia: speeches & gains

Dr Baidwan, BC chief coroner

BC Coroner’s inquest to review circumstances of nine Tumbler Ridge deaths

Food Supply & Healthy Eating

seafood, orca seafoods, salmon

BC Agriculture Minister leads BC seafood promotion at Seafood Expo North...

Island Social Trends - 0
Wednesday March 18, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends Agriculture and Food Minister Lana Popham joined BC seafood businesses last week in Boston at Seafood Expo North America to...
Carney, Modi

Canada-India economic and political partnerships strengthened during Carney’s visit

stephanie mclean, seniors, house of commons

Secretary of State (Seniors) Stephanie McLean takes Vancouver Island interests to...

mark carney, prime minister

Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit replaces GST rebate to help Canadians...

Housing

couple, aging at home, living room

Most Canadians hope to age in place

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Thursday March 12, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC News analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends Most Canadians over the age of 50 want to remain in their own homes and communities for as long...
boyle, robertson, greaves, houinsg

Housing Minister Robertson joins BC Housing Minister for DASH housing innovation...

house, million, victoria

Higher school property tax rates in BC starting 2027

Arts & Entertainment

pink blossom, Victoria Flower Count

Annual Greater Victoria flower count March 4 to 11

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Sunday March 8, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends There is still time to count flowers! The 51st Greater Victoria Flower Count started at 7 am on Wednesday March 4...
community grants, bc, categories

Community grants support PACs, youth, arts, sport, environment, public safety

Canada Soccer, EB Games, logos

Canadian soccer business ecosystem welcomes EB Games

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