Vancouver Island adds 57 cases of COVID-19 as Omicron variant detected in B.C.
Another 57 new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the Vancouver Island region Tuesday.
Victoria News | Local Breaking | CTV News Vancouver Island
Hundreds of B.C. public workers on unpaid leave after failing to meet vaccine requirement
While the vast majority of B.C. public servants have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, hundreds of workers are now on unpaid leave for failing to provide proof of vaccination.
Little progress made to combat anti-Indigenous racism in B.C. health care: report
A progress report on a plan to address anti-Indigenous racism in British Columbia's health-care system says Aboriginal patients continue to disproportionately die as a result of the impacts of racism and the two ongoing public-health emergencies.
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Capital City Comic Con returns to Victoria in 2022
After a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, Victoria's annual sci-fi and comic convention is returning to Victoria this spring.
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Avalanche danger 'high' on Vancouver Island as rain warnings and flood watches remain active
Heavy rainfall will continue to batter regions of Vancouver Island on Tuesday, increasing the risk of small avalanches in some areas, according to Avalanche Canada.
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Saanich dismisses chief administrative officer, search for replacement underway
The District of Saanich has fired its chief administrative officer and is now looking for an interim CAO to fill the role until a new council is elected next year.
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Pandemic has 'exacerbated needs' as Victoria charities look for support this holiday season
Charities on Vancouver Island are thanking people who are taking part in a global movement to counter the shopping frenzy of holiday sales, like Black Friday.
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B.C. confirms 1st case of Omicron COVID-19 variant
One case of the concerning Omicron COVID-19 variant has been confirmed in British Columbia, health officials announced Tuesday.
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Hand-painted Charlie Brown gang stolen from festive display in Oak Bay Park
With less than a month to go until Christmas, the Grinch (or a number of Grinches) have stolen Charlie Brown and some of his friends from Oak Bay Park.
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'The kindest option': Raccoon euthanized after being caught in illegal leg trap in Oak Bay
A raccoon that was discovered caught in a prohibited leg trap in Oak Bay, B.C., has been euthanized, according to the BC SPCA.
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'A tiny little pinch': Young children start receiving COVID vaccines on Vancouver Island
The first of B.C.'s kids aged five through 11 got their COVID-19 vaccine shot on Monday, including children at the University Heights Shopping Centre in Saanich, B.C.
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Victoria councillor announces bid for mayor in 2022
Coun. Stephen Andrew announced his bid for the top job on council Tuesday, calling it "the most important election in Victoria in years."
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B.C.'s COVID-19 rules are changing again. Here's what churchgoers need to know.
An exemption in place worshippers in British Columbia was changed Tuesday as the province confirmed its first case of the concerning Omicron variant of COVID-19.
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350 cruise trips expected to return to Victoria in 2022
Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to return to Victoria next year during the 2022 cruise ship season, according to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
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Love Christmas lights? This map features the best light displays around Greater Victoria
Lights, inflatables, projectors galore! From Mill Bay to Oak Bay and beyond, 107.3 Virgin Radio has put together an interactive map of the best light displays across southern Vancouver Island.
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BC Ferries unveils Coast Salish art for newest vessel
BC Ferries and the First Peoples' Cultural Council revealed the artwork that will decorate the side of the newest Salish Class ferry.
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Vancouver Island added 238 COVID-19 cases over the weekend
British Columbia health officials identified 238 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region over the weekend.
Top Videos
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More COVID hospitalizations coming from island
![Doctors say there's been a shift, with more people from the island winding up in hospital rather than being flown in from other regions.]()
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Island regions bracing for third storm
![While much of the island has been spared recent heavy rainfall, storms are expected to sweep over West and North Vancouver Island.]()
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Flood mitigation efforts underway in Cowichan Valley
![A 'tiger dam' and other flood mitigation equipment are being constructed at three First Nations on Vancouver Island ahead of more rain.]()
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750K cruise passengers expected in Victoria
![Hundreds of cruises, and hundreds of thousands of passengers, are expected to return to Victoria this upcoming cruise ship season.]()
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Watch: Thieves ram Alta. bank using stolen front loader
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Ont. doctor calls it quits over COVID-19 harassment online
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Travellers on flight chaos after new COVID-19 travel bans
![Canadians are scrambling to get flights back home after Ottawa announced enhanced travel restrictions because of a new COVID-19 variant.]()
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B.C. communities awaiting third atmospheric river
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Extended: Aerial view of Sumas flooding
![Aerial video shows flooding in Sumas following the second of three consecutive storms on B.C.'s South Coast and Washington state.]()
Inside CTV News Vancouver Island
Victoria councillor announces bid for mayor in 2022
Coun. Stephen Andrew announced his bid for the top job on council Tuesday, calling it "the most important election in Victoria in years."
BC Ferries unveils Coast Salish art for newest vessel
BC Ferries and the First Peoples' Cultural Council revealed the artwork that will decorate the side of the newest Salish Class ferry.
New Emma Fillipoff photos released on 9-year anniversary of her disappearance
Police in Victoria are hoping some newly released photos can help solve one of the region’s most confounding missing person cases. Emma Fillipoff was 26 years old when she disappeared nine years ago, on Nov. 28. 2012.
'There was debris that was on her bed': Car crashes through Nanaimo house, narrowly misses child
Police are investigating after a vehicle plowed into a house in Nanaimo, B.C., narrowly missing a nine-year-old girl.
Sooke Lake Reservoir reaches max capacity at fastest rate in decades
The Sooke Lake Reservoir reached 100 per cent capacity on Monday, according to the Capital Regional District (CRD).
'Everyone is safe': B.C. junior athletes stranded in South Africa due to COVID-19 variant
Young athletes that are representing Canada for the field hockey Junior World Cup in South Africa are stranded after the federal government suddenly stopped all travel to several southern African countries last week.
'Where do I go, downtown?': Salt Spring Island residents fear being homeless after hospital purchases hotel property
The owner of an aging hotel on Salt Spring Island, B.C. has decided to sell the property and move on. The issue with the sale is that the property is currently home to 20 vulnerable people that would otherwise be homeless, and that has those residents fearing that they will end up on the streets.
Vancouver Island search and rescue team reaches first-of-its-kind agreement with forestry company
A Vancouver Island search and rescue team and a major forestry company announced a deal on Sunday that could be the first of many to benefit rescue groups on the island.
More than $1 million in losses from cryptocurrency fraud in the Comox Valley, RCMP say
Mounties in the Comox Valley say recent instances of cryptocurrency fraud in the region have led to losses of more than $1 million.
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Feds reinstating foreign air travel testing, reviewing booster strategy in light of Omicron
Canada is reviewing its vaccine booster strategy, adding new countries to the list of nations subjected to federal travel restrictions, and is imposing new testing requirements on all air travellers coming from outside of Canada with the exception of the U.S., due to concerns over the Omicron variant. Federal ministers and public health officials announced these three new steps with the aim of preventing further importation and spread of the variant of concern.
These provinces have confirmed cases of the Omicron variant
Canada has reported seven confirmed cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, with cases now in several provinces.
Here's what vaccine manufacturers have said about the Omicron variant
As researchers continue to study the new COVID-19 variant Omicron stoking fears around the globe, vaccine manufacturers are issuing guidance on their shots' effectiveness.
What you need to know about Canada's updated vaccine rules for domestic travel
As of Nov. 30, the transition period allowing for a negative COVID-19 test from those looking to travel by plane, train or ship in Canada will end, meaning all travellers must be fully vaccinated before boarding and provide proof that they have received the complete doses of a vaccine series.
Multiple pedestrians struck in west London, Ont.
Multiple pedestrians have been struck by a vehicle and taken to hospital in west London, Ont, according to police.
WHO advises against international travel for those over the age of 60 due to Omicron
In light of the new variant Omicron emerging, the World Heath Organization has put out new advice regarding international travel, including that those over the age of 60 years old should refrain from travelling.
CBSA has intercepted hundreds of fake COVID-19 tests, vaccine documents
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says it has intercepted hundreds of suspected falsified or fraudulent COVID-19 test results and proof of vaccination credentials since they were required for travel.
Unvaccinated travellers barred from planes and trains as of today
Unvaccinated travellers over the age of 12 won't be able to board a plane or passenger train in Canada beginning today, and a negative COVID-19 test will no longer serve as a substitute for most people. The stringent new requirement comes into effect as Canada reacts to the emergence of the Omicron variant.
'Get prepared:' B.C. communities brace for heavy rain, flooding as third atmospheric river set to hit
A provincial state of emergency has been extended in B.C. as communities brace for another atmospheric river forecast to hit the province's southwest region.
Sawatsky Sign-off
University's act of kindness allows student to realize late mom's graduation dream
Theresa had been imagining graduating since she was a girl, after watching convocation ceremonies in the movies. It was an accomplishment her mom Daphne hadn't experienced, but hoped Theresa would.
'It's a pretty amazing turn of events': Nanaimo toy artist debuts collaboration with Netflix
When the amateur artist’s online gallery caught the attention of Netflix, the streaming giant offered Todd his first professional art job.
88-year-old Saanich woman knits more than 200 toques for charity
After surviving a war, caring for chickens, and living almost 88 years, Daphne says the best way to knit a happy life for yourself is to simply spread kindness to others.
'World's most boring video game' telethon raises record $1.5M for charity
On his own dime, Joe hopped on a plane to Victoria and spent a week helping a group of strangers with an online broadcast that featured people playing what’s been dubbed "the most boring video game ever created:" Desert Bus.
B.C. musician turns song about late friend into opportunity to help others
Riley Ingham is keeping the memory of his friend Steven alive through song, and using music to raise awareness and funds for mental health support.
Langford man, 94, overcomes adversity to become tireless volunteer
Adam finds out how a Langford senior overcame adversity – including a near-fatal train derailment – to become a tireless volunteer at 94.
Colwood woman creates 100 crochet poppies for 100th anniversary of remembrance symbol
When Deidre first taught herself to knit she didn’t consider its potential for positivity. It was simply a satisfying pastime.
Victoria woman transforms from international model to inspiring advocate after developing rare syndrome
For the past six years, Tara's been suffering from the rare, debilitating, and often excruciating condition known as CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome).
Daughter honours late mom by painting pictures of hundreds of restaurants they visited together
Sharon started painting bright pictures of all the places where she and her mom connected over the years. The detailed and whimsical images range from the restaurant she grew up in to the cafes she skipped school for to the drive-in their whole family visited as a "field trip" away from hospice.
Highlights from Across Canada
3,000 wreaths, destined for veterans' headstones in Ottawa, stolen
Thousands of handmade wreaths, meant for a ceremony to honour fallen servicemen and servicewomen at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, have been stolen.
Sask. producers owing thousands of dollars in unfulfilled contracts is 'unprecedented territory'
Despite having a much smaller yield after harvest than usual, Saskatoon area farmer Blair Cummins was still able to fulfill his canola contract—with a little help.
'This is long overdue': Land acknowledgement recited in Manitoba legislature
A formal land acknowledgement was recited for the first time in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, which one of Manitoba's Grand Chiefs says is a momentous move to reset a badly tarnished relationship with the province.
Meth hidden in painting replaced with placebo in B.C. police plot to bust alleged smuggler
A Western Australian man has been charged after an international police investigation, which started in Canada, resulted in the seizure of several kilograms of methamphetamine hidden inside a painting.
Police investigating after protesters harass families as children get their vaccines in North Bay
Abby Blaszczyk took her seven-year-old son to be vaccinated Sunday in North Bay, and the experience has left her and her young child upset, after they were harassed by anti-vaccination protestors.
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This dog travels 30km every day via subway, tram and ferry
Meet Boji, a dog that travels daily using Istanbul's public transport system.
WATCH: Lifeboat at sea in harsh weather conditions in U.K.
Video from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution shows the rough weather a lifeboat had to go through amid Storm Arwen in the U.K.
Watch: Unique cloud formation seen above Winnipeg
Manitoba residents stopped on Sunday to look at a cloud with a giant, perfectly formed hole in it. CTV’s Jill Macyshon reports
CTV Atlantic's Steve Murphy looks back on his storied career
After 45 years in broadcasting, the legendary journalist's last appearance as Anchor of CTV NEWS AT SIX will be on Tuesday, Nov. 30.
Russia test-fires second missile amid tensions with the West
A hypersonic cruise missile was fired on Nov. 18 amidst recent tensions between Russia and the West. *
Falling concrete barely misses pedestrian in Turkey
Security camera footage shows a man narrowly dodging concrete blocks as strong winds battered the Turkish city of Izmir.
Canadiens look for 'fresh start' start with Bergevin ousted
Matthew McConaughey says he won't run for Texas governor
In a video shared on Nov. 29, actor Matthew McConaughey put the rumours to rest by announcing that he will not run for Texas governor.
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Travellers on flight chaos after new COVID-19 travel bans
Canadians are scrambling to get flights back home after Ottawa announced enhanced travel restrictions because of a new COVID-19 variant.
London police: Crash involved multiple vehicles, pedestrians
Video shows extent of flooding in Sumas Prairie on Nov. 29
Aerial video shows the extent of flooding in the Sumas Prairie following the second of three consecutive storms on B.C.'s South Coast.
