In this digest: a record season for Vancouver Indigenous tours, the “Light Up in Blue” campaign supporting men’s health, and a rent increase cap of 2.2% in B.C. for 2027.
Tourism Reimagined: Why Vancouver’s Indigenous Operators Are Booming Despite Canadian Skepticism
Against the backdrop of a recent survey showing that fewer than half of British Columbians feel confident about finding and choosing an Indigenous-led tour, operators on Vancouver Island are shrugging with a smile. While the statistics point to a lack of information, real-world business is thriving like never before. The paradox vividly illustrates how marketing and personal stories can sometimes prove more powerful than numbers.
For 26 years, Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours in Campbell River has taken travelers to see grizzly bears, but this season has been a record-breaker. General manager Shyanne Trenholm makes no secret of her enthusiasm: bear-watching tours began in August, and ever since, the animals have appeared in front of guests every day. But the biggest change has been the scale of the operation. The company once focused solely on bears; now it offers ten additional experiences, ranging from whale watching to cultural excursions. “We are caretakers of our land,” Trenholm said in an interview with CBC. “We share our stories in our own way, going out on the waters where we have lived since time immemorial.” For her, business growth does not change the essence of the work: this is not simply commerce, but a way to preserve a connection with ancestors and pass it on to others.
Songhees Tours in Victoria is seeing a similar pattern. Senior guide Melissa McClurg leads walking and canoe tours through seven historic sites of the lək̓ʷəŋən people. She emphasizes that the work is not merely about recounting facts, but also about being welcoming hosts. “It’s important to understand whose traditional lands you are on,” she explains. “Guests come to us to ask questions in a safe space, and we share our language, history and culture.” For her, the greatest joy is seeing the pride grow among young people who take part in these tours.
Perhaps the most inspiring example is the story of Mike Willie, owner of Sea Wolf Adventures. His business grew out of a spiritual fast in Kingcome Inlet, when he was looking for a way to remain connected to his territories. The vision he received then became a company in 2013. He later joined forces with Andrew Jones to launch Coastal Rainforest Safaris. Willie acknowledges that in winter, the team actively prepares for the next season, traveling to the United Kingdom and Germany on “sales missions” to teach local travel agents how to sell their experiences. “If you work with tour operators, they don’t always know how to sell you,” he says with a laugh. “The key is teaching them.” But what he is really selling is not a script or a show, but authenticity. “Tourism has existed on our lands for more than a hundred years, but it was not done by us before. Now we are not watching from the sidelines. We are part of the process. Our uniqueness is that we genuinely come from these waters and territories, and we have stories that connect us to them.”
A survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute for Intrepid Travel, meanwhile, found that 63% of Canadians complain about a lack of information on where to find such tours. The gap between the statistics and reality is easy to explain: many operators rely not on advertising brochures, but on word of mouth and personal connections. As tourists who have already taken these excursions tell their friends about them, the statistics simply cannot keep up with the real demand. The survey itself was conducted in July 2026 among 1,507 online respondents.
What does “Indigenous tourism” actually mean? It is not simply an excursion with ethnic flavor, but a business fully owned by a community, individual or nation. These ventures serve a dual purpose: on the one hand, they offer guests a unique experience; on the other, they create jobs and training opportunities within the community itself. Willie emphasizes that it is a way to “build capacity, train and employ people on their own land.” This is not charity, but an economic model that strengthens identity. And although Canadians sometimes lack the information needed to find these tours, those who have discovered them are unlikely to forget the experience—for no guidebook can replace a living account of the land passed down from generation to generation.
A Blue Glow of Hope: Why B.C. Will Turn Blue for Men’s Health in September
Every autumn in Canada brings a remarkable transformation: familiar cityscapes begin to take on new colors. In September 2026, dozens of British Columbia landmarks—from bridges to skyscrapers—will be illuminated in deep blue. This is not merely an aesthetic choice or a passing trend, but a powerful symbol of solidarity as part of the “Light Up in Blue” campaign for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada is launching the initiative nationwide, and the scale of participation is impressive: last year, more than 150 landmarks and over 300 private homes across Canada were illuminated. Organizers emphasize that “landmarks and homes light up blue in solidarity, raising awareness and showing support for those affected by prostate cancer,” while also thanking all participants for supporting the campaign.
The list of participating locations in British Columbia is truly impressive, spanning major metropolitan areas and small communities alike. The B.C. Parliament Buildings in Victoria will light up on September 4, while the iconic sails of Canada Place in Vancouver will turn blue on the 6th. The Burrard Bridge will glow beginning September 1, and BC Place will join the campaign on the 7th. Even Vancouver International Airport—or, more precisely, its control tower—will be illuminated on September 7. This is especially symbolic: from the air, the glow will be visible to thousands of arriving passengers. Smaller cities are also taking part. Kelowna, Nanaimo and Williams Lake will illuminate their landmarks in the first days of September, while municipalities such as Peachland, Sicamous and Tumbler Ridge have decided to maintain the blue lighting throughout the entire month. Some locations, including North Vancouver City Hall, the Strathcona Hotel in Victoria and the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, have chosen to keep their lights on throughout September, while others—including Surrey City Hall and White Rock Pier—will limit the illumination to one or two days.
Why blue? The answer lies in symbolism. As campaign organizers explain, blue has traditionally been associated with boys and men, directly reflecting the fact that prostate cancer affects only the male population. But its meaning goes deeper: blue represents “hope, compassion and unity in the face of the most common cancer among men.” It is a color that unites patients, partners and loved ones, demonstrating “empowerment and solidarity,” as well as the community’s commitment to providing support, resources and advocacy. Statistics released by the foundation are alarming: one in eight Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. That is why the campaign’s central message is that “early detection changes everything.” Regular screenings and awareness of symptoms can save lives, since the chances of successful treatment increase significantly when the disease is diagnosed early. The “Light Up in Blue” campaign is intended not only to draw attention to the issue, but also to remind men of the importance of preventive checkups and break down the silence surrounding this sensitive topic. When bridges, city halls and skyscrapers turn blue, they provide a visual reminder to everyone passing by: taking care of your health is a sign of strength, not weakness.
British Columbia Caps Rent Increases: What Tenants Can Expect in 2027
British Columbia authorities have announced the rent increase limit for 2027, and the news will come as a welcome surprise to thousands of tenants across the province. The maximum increase will be just 2.2%, slightly below the current 2026 rate of 2.3%. At first glance, the difference may seem minor, but the decision reflects a long-term strategy aimed at easing the financial burden on residents, particularly as the cost of living continues to rise.
The provincial Ministry of Housing emphasizes that this is the seventh consecutive year in which the maximum permitted rent increase has been kept at or below inflation. Introduced in 2019, the policy effectively ended the previous practice of allowing landlords to add an additional two percentage points on top of inflation. Without these changes, the ministry calculated, tenants would have faced increases of up to 5.6% by 2024—a sum that would have cost the average family hundreds of extra dollars per year.
In a statement, Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Christine Boyle noted that tying rent increases to inflation helps not only families and seniors, but also landlords, who can count on stable income and maintain their properties in good condition. She also linked the current 4.5% decline in average rents to government efforts to increase the housing supply, crack down on illegal short-term rentals and limit foreign investment in real estate. In recent months, Boyle has repeatedly cited monthly reports showing positive momentum in the rental market.
It is important to understand how the mechanism works. In British Columbia, a landlord cannot raise rent more than once a year and must give the tenant at least three months’ notice. The new limit takes effect on January 1, 2027, and authorities are announcing it well in advance so both sides have enough time to plan. For those who want to calculate a possible increase ahead of time, the provincial government offers an online calculator that takes the current rent and applies the permitted percentage. The tool is especially useful for tenants who want to understand their rights and financial outlook.
Nevertheless, despite the positive signals, it is worth noting that even 2% of the current rent in cities such as Vancouver—where the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment exceeds $3,000—can amount to a significant sum. Experts point out that while rent controls help curb sharp increases, they do not solve the fundamental problem of housing affordability. This is more of a temporary measure that gives tenants some breathing room; the long-term solution lies in increasing construction and creating a more balanced market. Still, for many residents of the province, especially those who have rented for decades, the announcement represents another step toward the stability so highly valued in the modern world. The official report was published by Daily Hive, providing a detailed analysis of all aspects of the decision, including its impact on household budgets and the real estate market as a whole.
