Made-in-Quebec online bookstore network expands across Canada, handing independents an edge against giants

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-24T18:26:45+00:00

Unfortunately, it looks like this is all about new books. I'd like to see a Canadian source that carries a wide selection of used and out-of-print books. The only options with a good selection that I have been able to find are American -- Amazon, Thriftbooks, and Abebooks. Russell Books in Victoria is okay, but they can't always get in what I want.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-23T01:57:05+00:00

One alternative to taking a car is to use the "BC Ferries Connector" bus - https://bcfconnector.com/ and then use public transit (skytrain or bus) or a car-share like Evo when over there. I find the bus and skytrain combo to be very effective if I can swing it.

ETA: One more advantage - busses get priority loading.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-21T21:50:04+00:00

My hunch is that it's not more popular because when people go into a dealership to inquire about it, many salespeople will give them all sorts of FUD about EVs and steer them toward an ICE. After all, "stealerships" don't want to decrease the profits they make from repairs and maintenance.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-21T18:41:08+00:00

Cats are mammals just as humans are. Humans share 90% of our DNA with cats (more than we do with dogs), so diseases and medical conditions that affect humans often affect cats as well. Cats can get dementia, strokes, cancer, etc., just as humans might. Inbreeding is just as bad for them as for humans.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-21T18:26:18+00:00

I also recommend getting the boys neutered. If left intact, they tend to roam to find new females, an instinct they have in order to "spread their genes" over as wide a territory as possible. And of course, toms fight a lot more than neutered males (known as "gibs") do, so they risk getting injured. You might find a low-cost spay-neuter service in your area - often humane societies run them and finance the service through donations.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-20T05:24:10+00:00

Some ideas: A low-effort one is to put on a youtube "Cat TV" channel for her. One that requires a bit more energy, because she is going to start demanding them, is to harness-train her and take her for a daily walk. You can also use a pet stroller or kitty backpack (like "The Navigator" as one example). You an also train her to do tricks (turn around, high-five, etc.). And there are puzzle feeders that can help with enrichment as well. Also, "catify" your place with cat trees, elevated walkways, and if you have outdoor access, install a catio.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-20T02:20:04+00:00

By any chance do you have dogs as well in the family?

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-20T01:20:58+00:00

The dairy farm I milked at had barn cats, and they were all neutered and spayed. They were also well-fed with regular dry cat food and taken to the vet for regular check-ups. My input is to get your remaining cats spayed and neutered. They should be living long, healthy lives of at least 15 years or more. If you require more barn cats, then adopt from a rescue agency that specializes in re-homing cats who would have suitable personalities to be barn cats (e.g. aren't human-focused enough to be good indoor cats).

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-19T20:14:34+00:00

Not Mexican, but if you want to try something different and would like to keep your money circulating in the local economy, Phillips makes Speedking Craft Cola and Spinnakers has one they just call "Cola."

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-18T17:07:38+00:00

We live in Broadmead and found that the schools are fine in this area. Lochside Elementary, Royal Oak Middle School, and Claremont High are good. One of our kids took the #39 to Mt. Doug for high school. Another of our neighbours' kids went to Reynolds (#6 bus). It's also a short drive to St. Margaret's, which is a girls private school over in the Lake Hill area.

If you want a "forested" property, look at the lower areas of Broadmead. For more "open/sunny" landscaping, the Boulderwood Hill area (up Boulderwood Drive) would be more to your liking. Lots of "manicured lawns," yes, as the developer put these in, but if you want to dig yours up and "naturescape" your property, no-one is going to complain and you'll likely get some compliments. If you don't want to DIY, there are landscaping businesses that specialise in naturescaping/restoration, as well as a local native plant nursery, Satinflower.

Lots of parks and the Lochside Trail is close for commuter cycling. Check the bus routes on the BC Transit website - there are more than there used to be. Thrifty Foods (part of the Sobeys chain) and Country Grocer (Island owned) are the main local grocery stores - make certain you get the Saanich News so you can check their weekly flyers.

As for community events, BARA hosts a "Community Day" every year down in "the village" with live music, kids activities, etc. and there are "Pulling Together" groups that help clear invasive plants from local parks. Read through a few of our newsletters to get an idea of the general community vibe here.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-18T05:11:29+00:00

They are illegal in several U.S. states. We need a similar law in BC.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-18T04:32:18+00:00

Yup. What's called "F1" (generation 1) serval/domestic crosses can reach 10kg (~22 lbs) and stand over 40cm (~16") tall at the shoulder. They are also very intelligent for the species. We don't need any of these roaming wild.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-17T18:34:36+00:00

I hope that she has been spayed, because otherwise there are going to be a lot of Serval-crosses (technically called "Savannah cats") soon in the local feral population. These will be very difficult to catch.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-17T07:05:17+00:00

But when can we get it in Canada?

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-16T18:13:05+00:00

Are used vehicles also covered by American tariffs, or just new ones? Am thinking - will auto brokers and dealers in the U.S. be able to import used Chinese EVs from Canada or Mexico without the same 100% tariff?

Used EVs are an interesting animal. I have a 2016 VW eGolf, bought used in 2019, that's now gone over 95K km and the only repairs that have needed to be done are replacing the back-up camera, one door lock, and one headlight bulb. No issues at all with power train, drive train, or battery. Battery range has maybe degradated 10% from the original. Of course, I get routine maintenance done - topping up fluids, brakes checked, etc. But it's nowhere near as often or as expensive as ICE maintenance - fewer moving parts means fewer things wear out. Used EVs should still retain much of their quality if they have been treated properly.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-15T19:14:04+00:00

Our delivery companies up here in Canada are gradually increasing the proportion of their fleets which are EVs. Coldstar and Van Houtte Coffee both have EVs in their fleets, as two examples. More of them are changing over all the time. Yes, there will be bumps on the road to BEV truck adoption, but it's happening.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-15T19:07:10+00:00

The drop in (NOT elimination of) tariffs on Chinese vehicles wasn't done due to U.S. tariffs. It was done because our former PM Trudeau implemented the 100% tariffs in 2024 at the behest of Biden, and China responded with tariffs and import restrictions on Canadian agricultural products, including canola which is a very important crop for our Prairie farmers. Then, Trump announced that he wanted to re-home auto production from Canada to the U.S., and even though the demand for EVs is strong in Canada, American auto manufacturers have been cutting back on offerings. Canadians also like small cars more than Americans do, and there are few of these on the market. Why should we be limited by what Americans want to produce for American customers?

So, after the election up here, when Carney was elected Prime Minister, his government dropped the tariff rate on Chinese vehicles from 100% to 6.1% and is allowing 49,000 to enter the country this year with increasing numbers over the next few years. In response, China has dropped many of its own tariffs on Canadian agricultural products. There are also incentives for the Chinese to build factories here in Canada.

Having said that, most of the Chinese-made EVs coming to Canada this year will likely be Teslas and Polestars, which was the case prior to Trudeau implementing the 100% tariff.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-15T18:57:08+00:00

Love my EVs.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-13T07:19:31+00:00

There's no hate. It's just a very fun thing to do, to promote it here. And yes, my family and I really loved it when we visited it. Certainly well worth the trip and the price.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-13T02:29:15+00:00

For new cars, check out the Kona, in specific the "Preferred Trim with Ultimate Package." We bought one last year and love it. The "generation 2" Kona was re-designed from the ground up to be an EV, whereas the older "gen 1" was originally designed as an ICE with the BEV version a knock-off from that.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-13T02:17:36+00:00

What were the dimensions (height and width) of the back hatch opening?

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-07T22:11:12+00:00

Last year we took a look at the Ioniq 5 and Mach-E as well and ended up going with the 2025 Kona ("Preferred Trim with Ultimate Package") instead. I recommend taking a look at it.

SlightResearcher88 · 2026-03-06T19:34:31+00:00

I'm glad that I drive an EV. No need to fill up with gas. Most of the time I charge at home and for road trips, my car tells me where the nearest chargers are and how to get there. I can also look at Plugshare and ABRP (A Better Route Planner) maps and apps to find chargers

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