An insider's guide to Victoria since 1997.

Celebrated Canadian stage designer Mary Kerr is being awarded Canada's highest academic honour, fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), the country's senior national body of distinguished Canadian scholars. In the history of the RSC, Kerr is the only set and costume designer to be inducted into the society.

Provincial Conservative president Wayne McGrath has confirmed there are plans to make weekly announcements highlighting high-profile individuals who are joining his party. "But that's about as far as I'll go," he said in an interview with Public Eye. As for rumours the Conservatives have been contacting Liberal constituency association executives about switching parties, Mr. McGrath said "there's never been an attempt or any discussion amongst our board members" about such activity. But he said it's "quite possible" some Conservatives may be making those calls on their own hook.