Island Social Trends
@islandsocialtrends.bsky.social
Island Social Trends is a longstanding independent news publication on south #VancouverIsland, BC (publication series since 2008); editor & publisher Mary P Brooke. #News & analysis to support readers who decide for themselves. IslandSocialTrends.ca
Remembrance Day - leaders, ceremonies, statements. islandsocialtrends.ca/party-leader... | #RemembranceDay2025 @wgreaves.bsky.social #VancouverIsland
November 11, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Remembrance Day - leaders, ceremonies, statements. islandsocialtrends.ca/party-leader... | #RemembranceDay2025 @wgreaves.bsky.social #VancouverIsland
The #GreenParty of Canada is connecting the dots... funds for Greens will protect democracy; still pushing for electoral reform. #Fundraising goal $185,392 by Nov 30. There's a slim chance of a year-end federal #election if the Liberal #Budget2025 bill fails. islandsocialtrends.ca/green-party-...
November 9, 2025 at 10:29 PM
The #GreenParty of Canada is connecting the dots... funds for Greens will protect democracy; still pushing for electoral reform. #Fundraising goal $185,392 by Nov 30. There's a slim chance of a year-end federal #election if the Liberal #Budget2025 bill fails. islandsocialtrends.ca/green-party-...
The Urban Food Resilience Initiatives Society first annual pumpkin #composting drive was a big success! Over 150 #pumpkins are now in the compost bin at Porcher Park #CommunityGarden in #Langford. Thank you for composting instead of smashing! urbanfoodresilience.ca/pumpkin-comp... | #soil #nature
November 9, 2025 at 4:04 AM
The Urban Food Resilience Initiatives Society first annual pumpkin #composting drive was a big success! Over 150 #pumpkins are now in the compost bin at Porcher Park #CommunityGarden in #Langford. Thank you for composting instead of smashing! urbanfoodresilience.ca/pumpkin-comp... | #soil #nature
Add your holiday season event to the Island Social Trends. islandsocialtrends.ca/calendar-eve... | #holidayseason #events #Christmas2025
November 7, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Add your holiday season event to the Island Social Trends. islandsocialtrends.ca/calendar-eve... | #holidayseason #events #Christmas2025
BCGEU @bcgeu.bsky.social public sectors workers have reached a tentative agreement with the BC provincial government including 3% per year over 4 years; improved telework; bringing some jobs back within the union. islandsocialtrends.ca/bcgeu-reache... | #bcpoli #jobs
October 26, 2025 at 6:10 PM
BCGEU @bcgeu.bsky.social public sectors workers have reached a tentative agreement with the BC provincial government including 3% per year over 4 years; improved telework; bringing some jobs back within the union. islandsocialtrends.ca/bcgeu-reache... | #bcpoli #jobs
Event: #Newcomer Information Evening in Langford on Wednesday October 29. 5 to 7 pm at Langford Masonic Lodge, 2832 Bryn Maur Rd. In collaboration with BC Newcomer Services (Victoria #Immigrant and Refugee Centre Centre Society). All community members welcome. islandsocialtrends.ca/calendar-eve...
October 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Event: #Newcomer Information Evening in Langford on Wednesday October 29. 5 to 7 pm at Langford Masonic Lodge, 2832 Bryn Maur Rd. In collaboration with BC Newcomer Services (Victoria #Immigrant and Refugee Centre Centre Society). All community members welcome. islandsocialtrends.ca/calendar-eve...
BC Government & #BCGEU are returning to negotiations, as announced October 17. This comes after a high-profile press conference in Victoria yesterday led by BCGEU, PEA & BC Federation of Labour -- on the heels of 7 weeks of escalating #strike action. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-governmen... | #bcpoli
October 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
BC Government & #BCGEU are returning to negotiations, as announced October 17. This comes after a high-profile press conference in Victoria yesterday led by BCGEU, PEA & BC Federation of Labour -- on the heels of 7 weeks of escalating #strike action. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-governmen... | #bcpoli
A tale of two libraries: for books, for community. During #UBCM2025 this week in Victoria, BC public #libraries seek more provincial funding as community-support role evolves. islandsocialtrends.ca/a-tale-of-tw... | #overdose #staffing #publicspaces
September 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM
A tale of two libraries: for books, for community. During #UBCM2025 this week in Victoria, BC public #libraries seek more provincial funding as community-support role evolves. islandsocialtrends.ca/a-tale-of-tw... | #overdose #staffing #publicspaces
Premier Eby acknowledges this year's Order of BC recipients and those who have supported them. islandsocialtrends.ca/eby-acknowle... | #leadership #families
September 16, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Premier Eby acknowledges this year's Order of BC recipients and those who have supported them. islandsocialtrends.ca/eby-acknowle... | #leadership #families
Do you think the Bank of Canada will drop their key #interestrate Sept 17? Our #editorial analysis says 'no', for one main reason: signalling stability right now is probably more helpful than assisting a few distinct sectors that are likely not budging anyhow. islandsocialtrends.ca/bank-of-cana...
September 14, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Do you think the Bank of Canada will drop their key #interestrate Sept 17? Our #editorial analysis says 'no', for one main reason: signalling stability right now is probably more helpful than assisting a few distinct sectors that are likely not budging anyhow. islandsocialtrends.ca/bank-of-cana...
If you live in Canada you won't be seeing printed flyers in your residential #mailbox for a while. Canada Post workers are shifting their job action from an overtime ban to instead not delivering flyers as the labour dispute with their employer continues. islandsocialtrends.ca/no-flyer-del...
September 12, 2025 at 9:36 PM
If you live in Canada you won't be seeing printed flyers in your residential #mailbox for a while. Canada Post workers are shifting their job action from an overtime ban to instead not delivering flyers as the labour dispute with their employer continues. islandsocialtrends.ca/no-flyer-del...
![BCGEU frontline workers on the picket line in downtown Victoria on Sept 9, 2025. [Island Social Trends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6xgol7gf7rox6zkzhogu6cgi/bafkreiezk3oj7fe6olluy4dap2mzsl4wb7uhewaxgke73bakfo7jf532v4@jpeg)
![BCGEU frontline workers on the picket line in downtown Victoria on Sept 9, 2025. [Island Social Trends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6xgol7gf7rox6zkzhogu6cgi/bafkreidxvlsijbirbsbf2icvfgxough5r3ddg54qnjy4myiiyhjihyff3m@jpeg)
![BCGEU frontline workers on the picket line in downtown Victoria on Sept 9, 2025. [Island Social Trends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6xgol7gf7rox6zkzhogu6cgi/bafkreiefdfk4uxxhctiwomkxwpfwdwchv55qxywy2erk642w5j5qpcx2sm@jpeg)
BC premier, federal NDP & prime minister articulate important needs on #LabourDay. Progress made, and more to do. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-premier-n... | #bcpoli #cdnpoli
September 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM
BC premier, federal NDP & prime minister articulate important needs on #LabourDay. Progress made, and more to do. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-premier-n... | #bcpoli #cdnpoli
Good point about a signaled crossing for the #crosswalk that leads to a pathway with access to Belmont #highschool (article updated with a photo to show the crosswalk location). Perhaps that should have been the safety-calming priority. islandsocialtrends.ca/langford-tra...
August 28, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Good point about a signaled crossing for the #crosswalk that leads to a pathway with access to Belmont #highschool (article updated with a photo to show the crosswalk location). Perhaps that should have been the safety-calming priority. islandsocialtrends.ca/langford-tra...
BREAKING: In the next two weeks, Canada will announce new or enhanced #ports as part of nation-building projects, including in Montreal, Churchill, and east coast, said Prime Minister Carney in Germany today. islandsocialtrends.ca/ports-as-key... | #cdnpoli #trade #shipping #Europe #Arctic
August 26, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Not unexpected, but still notable: Clean sweep by Poilievre in last night's federal #by-election, taking 80.4% of the vote in the Conservative-safe riding of Battle River-Crowfoot in Alberta. islandsocialtrends.ca/poilievre-wi... | #cdnpoli
August 19, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Not unexpected, but still notable: Clean sweep by Poilievre in last night's federal #by-election, taking 80.4% of the vote in the Conservative-safe riding of Battle River-Crowfoot in Alberta. islandsocialtrends.ca/poilievre-wi... | #cdnpoli
BC Greens explore their 3-way leadership choice in virtual town hall: Adam Bremner-Akin | Emily Lowan | Jonathan Kerr. Voting by the party membership takes place September 13 to 23, 2025. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-greens-ex... | @bcgreens.bsky.social
August 12, 2025 at 5:40 AM
BC Greens explore their 3-way leadership choice in virtual town hall: Adam Bremner-Akin | Emily Lowan | Jonathan Kerr. Voting by the party membership takes place September 13 to 23, 2025. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-greens-ex... | @bcgreens.bsky.social
Wesley Ridge #wildfire on #VancouverIsland is now held at 588 hectares. Aircraft are still scooping water from three lakes in the area, to dump onto the fire. Many evacuees are now returning home but should not venture into wooded areas (hot spots still active). islandsocialtrends.ca/wesley-ridge...
August 11, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Wesley Ridge #wildfire on #VancouverIsland is now held at 588 hectares. Aircraft are still scooping water from three lakes in the area, to dump onto the fire. Many evacuees are now returning home but should not venture into wooded areas (hot spots still active). islandsocialtrends.ca/wesley-ridge...
Arts & Culture shift coming to the fast-growing City of #Langford. Includes a public opportunity to contribute ideas to an online bulletin board- open to end of day Aug 17, 2025. (Note: It's not a survey, so come prepared with your own ideas.) islandsocialtrends.ca/arts-culture... | #VancouverIsland
August 11, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Arts & Culture shift coming to the fast-growing City of #Langford. Includes a public opportunity to contribute ideas to an online bulletin board- open to end of day Aug 17, 2025. (Note: It's not a survey, so come prepared with your own ideas.) islandsocialtrends.ca/arts-culture... | #VancouverIsland
Trump is irked by Canada’s intention to recognize Palestine... this could give Canada more trade-deal time & time for the economy to adapt. We still have CUSMA on the books and a productive alignment with Mexico. islandsocialtrends.ca/trump-irked-... | #cdnpoli #tariffs
July 31, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Trump is irked by Canada’s intention to recognize Palestine... this could give Canada more trade-deal time & time for the economy to adapt. We still have CUSMA on the books and a productive alignment with Mexico. islandsocialtrends.ca/trump-irked-... | #cdnpoli #tariffs
Art and community support in a great mix at the #Sooke Fine Arts Show, open daily July 26 to August 4. Featuring the works of coastal artists. islandsocialtrends.ca/sooke-fine-a... | #artshow #creativity #local #VancouverIsland
July 27, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Art and community support in a great mix at the #Sooke Fine Arts Show, open daily July 26 to August 4. Featuring the works of coastal artists. islandsocialtrends.ca/sooke-fine-a... | #artshow #creativity #local #VancouverIsland
PEI Premier Rob Lantz now leads Canada’s #Premiers for 2025-2026 as the new chair of the Council of the Federation. #cdnpoli | islandsocialtrends.ca/pei-premier-...
July 23, 2025 at 6:11 PM
PEI Premier Rob Lantz now leads Canada’s #Premiers for 2025-2026 as the new chair of the Council of the Federation. #cdnpoli | islandsocialtrends.ca/pei-premier-...
Drought conditions continue. BC Govt wants people to #conserve #water this summer but doesn't want to push too hard on that, thinking that approach would backfire. Your thoughts on 'gentle reminders' vs a more urgent push? islandsocialtrends.ca/gentle-water... | #bcpol #conservation #watershed
July 15, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Drought conditions continue. BC Govt wants people to #conserve #water this summer but doesn't want to push too hard on that, thinking that approach would backfire. Your thoughts on 'gentle reminders' vs a more urgent push? islandsocialtrends.ca/gentle-water... | #bcpol #conservation #watershed
Got something happening on #BCDay #Longweekend (Sat Aug 2 through Mon Aug 4)? Send your news for our BC Day Long Weekend section or event info for a text listing in our community calendar. Email to events@islandsocialtrends.com . islandsocialtrends.ca/category/sec... | #VancouverIsland #localnews
July 14, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Got something happening on #BCDay #Longweekend (Sat Aug 2 through Mon Aug 4)? Send your news for our BC Day Long Weekend section or event info for a text listing in our community calendar. Email to events@islandsocialtrends.com . islandsocialtrends.ca/category/sec... | #VancouverIsland #localnews
Herb Haldane last served on Sooke #municipal council in 2014 and now he's back! There's something about the 'old guard' in #Sooke that sticks like glue. [Editor's note: I've been watching & writing about that since 2008.] islandsocialtrends.ca/herb-haldane... | #vancouverisland @ubcm.bsky.social
July 13, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Herb Haldane last served on Sooke #municipal council in 2014 and now he's back! There's something about the 'old guard' in #Sooke that sticks like glue. [Editor's note: I've been watching & writing about that since 2008.] islandsocialtrends.ca/herb-haldane... | #vancouverisland @ubcm.bsky.social