Victoria News | Local Breaking | CTV News Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island councillor resigns after referring to mayor as 'Mr. Hitler'

A municipal councillor on Vancouver Island has resigned effective immediately after referring to the mayor as "Mr. Hitler" during a public council meeting.

North Saanich Coun. Brett Smyth submitted his resignation letter to the district's director of corporate services on March 24. (District of North Saanich)

'It was very devastating': Anniversary of tsunami in Port Alberni serves as warning

Monday marks the 59th anniversary of a devastating tsunami that crashed through a Vancouver Island community.

Police use beanbag shotgun during arrest in Victoria Inner Harbour

Victoria police say a person was arrested on Monday afternoon after police received a report of someone brandishing a knife near the Inner Harbour.

The arrest occurred on the afternoon of March 27, 2023. (CTV News)

Stay Connected

Editor's Picks

Vancouver Island farmers struggle to deal with threatened elk species

Farmers in the Cowichan Valley are losing crops and dealing with property and field damage caused by Roosevelt Elk, which have become a regular fixture on some farms in the area.

Prolific offender arrested, charged after cache of stolen IDs found in search of Saanich home

A prolific offender has been arrested and charged after police searched a home in Saanich and found more than 100 pieces of personal identification, including passports, bank cards and drivers licences, believed to have been stolen from vehicles throughout Greater Victoria.

On Wednesday, the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team assisted detectives in raiding the property, where they uncovered a cache of ID cards, passports, laptops and other personal items, Saanich police said. (Saanich police)

Victoria man's 85 convictions highlight links between brain injury, homelessness, crime

A Victoria man’s life of crime has turned into one of survival, hope and advocacy amid ongoing conversations in the community about how best to tackle public safety matters.

Derrick Forsyth has 85 criminal convictions. The ex-offender in his 50s says he was caught up in a vicious cycle of doing time in prison, getting out, and repeating the cycle. (CTV News)

'It's just a matter of time': Mother of Victoria boy who disappeared 32 years ago believes he's still alive

The mother of a Victoria child who disappeared without a trace 32 years ago Friday says she believes her son is still alive. Michael Dunahee disappeared around 12:30 p.m. on March 24, 1991. The four-year-old boy was last seen on the playground at Blanshard School, his family a short distance away.

Saanich police bust ring allegedly selling vape products at Greater Victoria schools

More than $100,000 worth of vaping products have been seized by Saanich police detectives who say the items were being marketed and sold at schools throughout B.C.'s capital region.

Caught on cam: Dramatic orca encounter at Victoria breakwater

A pair of orcas delighted onlookers at Victoria's Ogden Point breakwater on Wednesday.

'Broken promises': Residents fear imminent closure of shelter in Parksville

Diverging stories are coming from a temporary housing shelter in Parksville, B.C., that's closing at the end of the month.

Historic Point Ellice House closing in Victoria

A well-known historic site and museum in Victoria is closing its doors due to what it calls a lack of funding. On Wednesday morning, Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens announced it was closing down effective immediately.

Nanaimo high school teacher placed on leave following creep-catcher sting

A Nanaimo high school teacher has been placed on leave as the school district investigates allegations that he tried to meet up with someone he thought was a 14-year-old boy on the dating site Grindr.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Quebec police officer stabbed and killed during arrest, second wounded

A Quebec provincial police officer was fatally stabbed Monday night while performing an arrest in Louiseville, west of Trois-Rivieres, Que. The Surete du Quebec (SQ) has confirmed the identity of the officer, Sgt. Maureen Breau, who had been on the force for over 20 years. She was assigned to the post of the MRC de Maskinonge. Another officer was injured during the incident, but their life is not in danger.

Quebec's independent investigative bureau (BEI) is looking into the circumstances of the death of a police officer Monday night. (Cosmo Santamaria, CTV News)

Liberals to go after predatory lending in today's budget, invest in dental care plan

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is set to table a federal budget in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon, which a federal source says will include plans to go after predatory lending and more details on dental care as part of a pitch to make life more affordable.

Canada heading into 'mild recession' as tight monetary policy squeezes growth: report

New research says Canada is heading into a mild recession as elevated borrowing costs, a downturn in the U.S. and persistent inflation dial up the country's economic uncertainty.

Security, support services needed to tackle violence on Canadian transit: analyst

Cities across Canada need greater security on transit and improved access to mental health and addiction services in order to help Canadians feel safe, one public safety analyst says.

Here's why advocates want 'femicide' in Canada's Criminal Code

Advocates against women's violence are urging the government to add femicide to the Criminal Code, saying it would bring further awareness to the term and the tragedies it describes.

Nashville shooter was ex-student with detailed plan to kill

The former student who shot through the doors of a Christian elementary school in Nashville and killed three children and three adults had drawn a detailed map of the school, including potential entry points, and conducted surveillance of the building before carrying out the massacre.

How many COVID-19 vaccine doses should you have by now?

Here is a summary of the current COVID-19 vaccination guidelines from NACI, for both children and adults who are at increased risk of serious illness and those who are not.

Walmart Canada CEO says retailer not trying to profit from inflation

Walmart Canada is not trying to profit from food inflation, president and CEO Gonzalo Gebara told a parliamentary committee studying the issue Monday evening.

Indigenous concert in Vancouver cancelled over questions about performer's identity claims

The Vancouver Park Board and Britannia Community Services Centre cancelled an event Sunday that had been advertised as part of an Indigenous concert series in Grandview Park.

Sawatsky Sign-off

Victoria 80-year-old wears different colour of rainbow every day to spread joy

It all began after Robin Jones bought a pair of yellow, zebra-striped shoes. He now has outfits in eight different colours, so he can wear a different one every day.

'I was shocked that they were willing to go this far': B.C. palliative patient gifted beloved pizza for meaningful meal

After spending more than four months in hospital, Sanjeeve Seeburn and his wife Sandy were thinking back on that “magical” summer day they spent at a rural lavender farm – and the pizza they were served there.

'Silent superheroes': B.C. barber inspired by single mom and superhero gives back to kids in need

"What he does is amazing!" The story behind a Nanaimo barber who was inspired to help thousands of children-in-need get new back-to-school clothes and supplies.

Hugging cat befriends dog missing both front legs in Victoria

Katie Thorne's cat Otis loves to hug, so naturally that's how he greeted her new, two-legged dog named Mama Roo.

B.C. widow finds unexpected love while performing in blind choir

Before she experienced the worst year of her life, Debbie Barnswell simply sang for fun. It wasn't until she lost her husband of 32 years and diabetes stole her sight that Debbie found singing could also provide comfort.

Video of B.C. woman's unique birthday surprise receives millions of views

"I was crying laughing!" Adam finds out how a Victoria woman's childhood haircut inspired a surprise birthday video that's been viewed by millions.

B.C. senior embarks on daily walks to pick up litter and spread kindness

When Tom Kile retired, he made a commitment to maintain his physical and mental health. Now, his daily walks help keep his neighbourhood clean.

'You don’t expect an owl to come down your chimney': Victoria woman inspired to paint by unlikely visitor

When Beth Doman arrived home that night, she was greeted by a peculiar sound coming from her fireplace.

'He was shocked': Vancouver Island couple overcome odds to build growing family

Kathy and Mike are constructing a big Lego set together, which is similar to assembling a great love story. Although they were doing everything right, it felt like things were going heartbreakingly wrong.