Author

Omar Washington

Omar Washington is a Victoria-based writer focused on politics and culture. Prior to his recent work as a journalist Omar worked in television as a producer for HBO. When he isn't chasing down stories he works to keep up with his son and daughter.

Arts

The Funk Hunters chase down an online audience

By Omar Washington
Mar 23, 2021

The local DJs have bucked the pandemic trend and hosted online shows for tens of thousands of fans

Housing

In ageing Oak Bay, renters still live in a grey area

By Omar Washington
Jan 27, 2021

But behind the "tweed curtain", attitudes are starting to change toward renters, who just a decade ago were perceived as a threat to the staid municipality

Arts

Victoria band Carmanah is driving out the pandemic lull with an innovative project

Converting a 1972 bus to a veggie oil and solar powered touring machine has kept two members busy during a slow time for most musicians

City Hall

Victoria by-election voting starts next week. Here's what you need to know.

By Omar Washington
Nov 26, 2020

Ten candidates are vying for Laurel Collins's seat, offering competing policies on housing, transportation, climate change and more.

Furniture Lore

Victoria’s lost IKEA

By Omar Washington
Nov 13, 2020

For a brief, shining moment in the 1980s, Vancouver Islanders didn’t need to organize elaborate excursions to the mainland to get Swedish flat-packed furniture

BC Election 2020

Where the parties stand on key Vancouver Island issues

By Omar Washington
Oct 18, 2020

We asked you to name the election issues that mattered most. Here’s what we found.

Wildlife

How a roadside zoo unleashed a lizard invasion on Victoria 

By Omar Washington
Sep 20, 2020

Known as Rudy’s Pet Park, the 60s-era attraction was singularly responsible for the now-ubiquitous common wall lizards swarming the Capital Region