VIU to give free tuition to youth raised under provincial care
In a landmark decision, Vancouver Island University recently announced they will be giving free tuition to people who have been raised under the BC government’s care. They are the first postsecondary institution in the province to take up the challenge that Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond laid down at a recent talk at the University of Victoria, where she said that schools should give free tuition to people who grew up in conditions of neglect and abuse in foster care or group homes.
Ride on
Pedalbox is a new mobile art gallery that is powered by bikes. You like bikes, right? And you like art, right? Well, holy cow, check this out: they’re currently accepting applications from artists 25 years and under. (You’re over 25, right? Uh, well, tough luck.) So email pedalbox@cvyc.net (say that three times out loud), or keep your eyes peeled for the mobile gallery when it pops up at its next location.
CRD going ahead with wastewater treatment program
The Capital Regional District recently confirmed they will be moving ahead with their plan and timeline for the Core Area Wastewater Treatment Program. They’ve been planning for new waste treatment facilities since 2006; federal and provincial funding partners have committed $501 million, and the facilities are expected to be in operation by spring 2018.
New public market opening at Hudson
As of press time, a new public market was slated to open at the Hudson development on Douglas Street on Saturday, September 14. Called The Victoria Downtown Public Market, the project has been delayed several times, but those involved are confident it’ll finally be opening. The market will feature booths from several local food vendors. There will spaces for people to eat their freshly purchased goods. The market will be open six days a week; head down at 10 am on September 14 to hear Victoria’s poet laureate Janet Rogers and check out lots of fun activities.
Weird Sooke discovery is awesome
A 100-year old stone bake oven was recently uncovered in Sooke. The oven, which is said to be from somewhere around 1911 to 1915, made food to feed workers making the Sooke flowline. This is an interesting sociological and historical find, plus, finding a 100-year-old stone bake oven is just plain awesome.