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Tuesday, March 17, 2026
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West Shore & Sooke

bc transit, bus

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

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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

bank of canada, interest rates

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

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Saturday March 14, 2026 | NATIONAL Analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends In their upcoming March 18 interest rate announcement the Bank of Canada is widely expected to hold their policy...
carney, simpson

Arctic region: Carney in NWT before heading to Norway

Spirit of Vancouver Island, vessel

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

Arctic, coastline

Shifting Canada’s focus to the Arctic

Health & Safety

vaping, youth, smoke

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

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Friday March 13, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC News analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends Toxic drug deaths in BC have been under a state of emergency since 2016. For nearly 10 years now, nearly...
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

Dr Baidwan, BC chief coroner

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

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

next draw, $40 million

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

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Saturday March 14, 2026 | NATIONAL by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends The $30 million jackpot for the March 13, 2026 Lotto Max draw had no winner. No one matched all seven numbers...
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...

lotto max, winning numbers, feb 24

No big winners in Feb 24 Lotto Max draw, next jackpot...

Politics

angus reid, poll, middle east

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

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Tuesday March 17, 2026 | NATIONAL NEWS News analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends When Prime Minister Mark Carney first heard the news about the US and Israel bombing Iran with the...
king charles, mark carney

Prime Minister Carney meets privately with King Charles III

carney, starmer

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

lebanon, war

Canada’s joint statement with four European nations on escalating Middle ...

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

Carney, Modi

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

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Monday March 2, 2026 | NEW DELHI, INDIA by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends Today Prime Minister Mark Carney met with the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in New Delhi. They delivered...
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...

Sooke Seedy Saturday, 2026

Sooke Seedy Saturday 2026 coming up Feb 28

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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