As the Senior Shamrocks are headed to the WLA final Saturday, the Junior Shamrocks are also having a moment in the sun, after a win over the weekend has progressed them to compete in the 2026 Minto Cup in Calgary. Junior A Shamrocks General Manager Rod Wade has the details.

Plus, Fiona Hammersly Chambers from Metchosin Farm gets us prepared to prepare our gardens for the winter. 

Though we’ve been fortunate so far here on Vancouver Island, the province’s wildfire situation seems to have escalated even further over the weekend, with areas in the Okanagan valley hit particularly hard. We have a lot of questions about home insurance. What happens if your home is damaged in a wildfire or you have to evacuate? The Insurance Bureau of Canada’s vice-president for Pacific and Western Canada Aaron Sutherland joins. 

Meanwhile, the BC Conservatives are noting a year has passed since the Cowichan Tribes decision brought political fallout over the questions it raised about fee simple property rights and Aboriginal title. Attorney General critic Steve Kooner says the provincial government has given a clear message property rights are not secure anywhere in B.C. He’s joining us to explain why he says that and what he’d like to see happen.  

Plus, the local wrestling community has been in the spotlight after Victoria-grown Chelsea Green claimed the Interim WWE Women’s Championship earlier this month. Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling is one of the companies Green herself has wrestled for in her career, and remains one of the most active hubs for the wrestling community around here. Co-founder BJ Laredo joins to help us make sense of the news. 

On the heels of breaking news Liberal MP Shaun Chen plans to resign, we discuss byelections in federal politics. The North Vancouver-Capilano federal byelection is coming up fast at the end of August, with candidates from all parties declaring their picks to replace Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson. The Liberals are putting up Braeden Caley, the Greens are offering Shelley Luce, the conservative pick is Stephen Curran and the NDP has offered up Stephen Tweedale. As byelections seem to be playing a bigger role in federal politics, Royal Roads professor David Black joins to break down this race and its significance in the big picture.

 

Ryan & Sports Guy Steve talk gas prices and field questions from listeners about sports news. Plus, local hoaxes and legends on International Serpent Day. 

Meanwhile, Air quality is remaining top-of-mind as hazy skies have made it to much of Vancouver Island. Overnight here in Victoria we saw the air quality health index peak at four, or a moderate health risk. What’s the latest and what should we expect over the weekend? Donna Haga is a meteorologist with the provincial government with the latest. 

The Mosh the Rock Island MetalFest is returning to Fred Milne Park in Sooke this weekend, and organizer Royal Savoie from Royalty Entertainment joins to run through what we need to know before we go.

Plus, the latest Stats Canada jobs numbers are in with unemployment in B.C. falling to 6.2 per cent, and we’ve gotten word Minister Ravi Kahlon isn’t able to talk job numbers this week, so B.C.’s forestry minister and local MLA Ravi Parmar is taking it on. It’s a good time to talk to him, as wildfires blaze in much of the province and we’ve just welcomed the wildfire crews from Mexico to help.

Yesterday brought relieving news for the friends and family of a 25-year-old hiker from Courtenay, when an RCMP helicopter found him on a cliffside in the Paradise Meadows-Mount Albert Edward area. He had been missing since Monday when he had reportedly decided to stay behind as his hiking partner made an ascent. It was a huge search and rescue effort, and Comox Valley Search & Rescue manager Paul Berry walks us through what happened. 

The David Foster foundation’s celebration of 40 years of fundraising to support children and families of organ transplant recipients is set to be it’s last gala, followed by a huge concert open to the public at the inner harbour on Saturday.  The weekend is kicking off with a red-carpet event at the Victoria Conference Centre today. Foundation CEO Mike Ravenhill checks in ahead of the big weekend. 

Plus, Dallas joins for CFAX 1070's Friday morning local food feature, with what you need to know about the Cadboro Food Festival, fusion food truck eats, soup dumplings, Pickle Fest. Is Victoria becoming one of the chicken hubs of the world? 

The Canadian Red Cross has launched a campaign aiming to support people in the province affected by wildfires, in the form of direct assistance and relief along with future community preparedness efforts. Their BC and Yukon vice president Pat Quealey joins to break down the appeal. 

Plus, the Nanaimo Night Owls’ win last night brought them to the playoffs, while the Victoria HarbourCat’s final match of the season against the Wenatchee AppleSox was cancelled due to wildfire smoke in Wenatchee. We’re catching up with managing partner for both of these Island baseball teams, Jim Swanson.

Meanwhile, Oak Bay is asking for permission to enter local properties for the purposes of ramping up its deer contraception program, after an initial pilot program showed promise. Mayor Kevin Murdoch joins to chat about the latest.

The WLA playoffs are on, and the Victoria Shamrocks are fresh off a win in the best-of-five semifinal series, and we’re heading more big Island match-ups against Nanaimo. The team’s general manager Chris Welch joins for a check in.

We’ve learned BC Hydro is buying the Island Generation natural-gas power plant in Campbell River, with the province’s energy minister saying this will support province’s plans to expand clean energy while keeping back-up power is available. Minister Adrian Dix (who we learn is also a wrestling fan) joins. 

You might remember that discussion paper that caused a bit of a stir in conservationist groups after it suggested a federal policy where projects of national importance could seek exceptions to species at risk protections. It’s something Nature Canada is weighing in on now, with a submission that argues bypassing environmental review won’t actually speed up economic projects. Director of policy Akaash Maharaj joins. 

This year’s Island Star Party is set to take place on the ground of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Saanichton on Friday and Saturday night. The Victoria Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada says it’s the spot to be for anyone who wants to gaze upon celestial objects, with free drop-ins for the astronomy-curious and by-donation camp-out for the hard-core stargazers. For more on this and other space events, we catch up with past president Randy Enkin.

The province had confirmed the Point Ellis House will cease operations as a public heritage designation, though the province will assume control over the site in early September to preserve its artifacts. This comes after the site has changed operators several times since 2002, most recently the Metis Nation of BC and some time before that the Vancouver Island History Society. That society’s president Kelly Black joins to share his reaction. 

Pacific FC took yet another narrow loss at its most recent home game, and now the team sets its eyes on facing off against Inter Toronto on Saturday. We’ve got Sports Guy Steve here on CFAX Mornings this week, so it’s the perfect time to catch up with Pacific FC coach Terry Dunfeild.

The City of Victoria and Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce are launching a new pilot program aiming to help local entrepreneurs launch and grow their business. The inaugural class will be a five-person cohort, as the city and business community works to help incoming business leaders develop. Chamber CEO John Wilson joins. 

Sports Guy Steve (aka CFAX 1070's afternoon news anchor) is in for Lisa today, so we explore athletic stories off the top with his expertise on hand.

AI is becoming an increasingly handy tool, with B.C.’s premier even saying he once used it to help him fix a toilet. However, preventing injuries at work requires a bit more context, according to WorkSafe BC. You may have heard a catchy slogan in an ad lately: “before you ask a bot, ask your boss.” It’s something we caught up with WorkSafe BC field prevention manager Sandeep Mangat about. 

We’re getting hyped up for the Snowbirds display happening later today (catch all the action live on CFAX Afternoons with Josh & Jade), so we explore some of the passion for aviation in the local community on the heels of the BC Aviation open house with BC Aviation museum president Steve Hale. 

Plus, it seems Westjet has come to a tentative deal with the union representing nearly 4,400 flight attendants after a brief work stoppage over the long weekend. We don’t know the details of how that is shaking out, and nothing is ratified yet, but it raises a larger question for passengers. What do you do if you need to travel when there is a labour interruption affecting the airline you are using? Norm Schafer is the founder of Far and Away Adventures and host of the Far and Away Adventures Podcast, and he's got advice. 

Meanwhile, Metchosin was one of the recipients of a $7M infrastructure grant, and this could be a big deal for the district as it navigates increasingly tricky financial demands. Mayor Marie-Térèse Little joins for the update. 

We cap off today's show with a very special contest and Josh Hylden from Afternoons with Josh & Jade sharing a preview of everything you can expect today during the Snowbirds display right here in Victoria. Listen live to hear what's happening in the air while you watch the snow! 

Food waste is at issue today after a local buffet issued a message asking people to be mindful of how much they load up their plates. Plus, Dork Uncorked co-host Rod Philips to the Canada wide direct-to-consumers alcohol sales agreement. What does this really change for the B.C. industry?

Also, there’s something on Hornby Island called the Seaweed School—a place where researchers from UBC are working to educate the next generation of coastal scientists. The school’s co-creator is associate professor in UBC’s botany department Bridgette Clarkston joins. 

In B.C. politics news, the BC Conservative shake-up continues with the executive director of the party moving on. Angelo Isidorou is largely credited for taking what was a fringe party to the brink of a majority in the 2024 elections, and this week he says he’s leaving on amicable and mutual terms. Meanwhile, a director of research for the caucus who was let go estimated a 50 per cent staff turnover since Kerry-Lynne Findlay took power. Also this week, MLA Ian Paton stepped down from the caucus leadership position of Lower Mainland Lieutenant, citing his need for time to dedicate to family and career responsibilities. CTV Vancouver legislative reporter Rob Buffam hops on to help us keep track.

There’s been a big infrastructure funding announcement, with two local governments getting 7 million dollars in the capital region. While, Metchosin was awarded for its fire hall project, the CRD is getting funds to build a facility to convert biosolids into biochar, a high-carbon material with uses in industries like agriculture and construction. CRD Board chair Cliff McNeil-Smith breaks it down. 

Plus, Dallas joins in studio for this week's edition of Friday Food Vibes. 

A new Angus Reid Poll suggests the federal NDP may be getting a boost in popularity as concern over climate change rebounds. Their data found climate as a top issue has crawled up from 14 per cent in March to 21 per cent now. Meanwhile, one-in-six people who voted Liberal in the past federal election told pollsters they would now support the NDP. What’s the deal with the NDP’s proposal for a Green New Deal? NDP leader Avi Lewis joins. 

Plus, the David Foster Foundation says this upcoming gala will be the last for the foundation, and it’s a much awaited event with new details about special guests. Foundation CEO Mike Ravenhill has the latest. 

BC Ferries is getting set for a busy long weekend and we catch up on what you need to know if you are planning to get off the island for BC Day, with spokesperson Lilian Kim. 

Meanwhile, we've been tuned into safety issues that come with the rise of e-mobility lately, as police increasingly remind us of the road rules and age restrictions. Now, the hazards of these devices are something local Saanich Councillor Colin Plant is feeling first-hand, after receiving a significant injury in an E-Scooter ride gone wrong – ending with a crash in a parking lot. He shares his experience.

Plus, housing policy continues to dominate the controversies in B.C. politics, with a Research Co. poll suggesting British Columbians are largely mixed on the rent-to-own proposal some critics have described as a “condo bail-out.” Research Co. president Mario Canseco breaks it down.