Capital Daily for Sunday, June 28

Cecilia Benoit, a former UVic sociologist, is now an officer of the Order of Canada for research that reshaped how Canada talks about sex work, midwifery, and health equity. Her Understanding Sex Work projects involved interviews with more than 700 people working in or around the sex industry, and she worked closely with the Victoria grassroots group Peers Victoria.

Ry Moran, UVic's inaugural associate university librarian for reconciliation, was named a member of the Order. As former director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, he helped gather nearly 7,000 recorded statements from former residential school students. He also served as acting CEO of the Royal BC Museum until Allison Bond's appointment this spring.

The Order of Canada has three levels, from member to companion, and has recognized more than 8,300 people since 1967. This year's class also includes Michael J. Fox and Christine Sinclair.

Benoit is continuing her research at UVic's Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, where she co-developed the cannabis use guidelines for youth after legalization in 2018.

If you're heading to the Inner Harbour on Wednesday for Canada Day, there will be two drones watching from above. VicPD is deploying remotely piloted aircraft systems alongside temporary CCTV cameras, Special Duty Officers, and Reserve Constables to manage what they expect to be the largest crowds after the legislature stage programming starts at 4:30 p.m.

Police say the drones don't record by default. Any footage that is collected gets kept only if it's needed for a criminal investigation or a public disorder incident, held for 30 days or longer under privacy law. Temporary signs will mark where the CCTV cameras are running.

The practical stuff: the 500-block of Belleville closes to vehicles around 6 a.m. for food truck setup, with more closures through the day depending on crowds. Festivities at Ship Point start at 11 a.m., and the fireworks go up over the harbour around 10:20 p.m. Alcohol stays banned in all public spaces, so leave the cooler at home.

Police are asking people to walk, cycle, or take transit, and to be patient with traffic. It's the kind of day where a 10-minute drive becomes 40.