ARCHIVE – October to December 2017
News of South Vancouver Island / Island-wide impact
Thursday, December 29 ~ VICTORIA. Spirit of 150 Victoria – First Night will be held at the Inner Harbour in Victoria on Saturday from 5 pm to 9:30 pm, with the main stage at Government and Belleville Streets.
The event marks the beginning of celebrations for Canada’s 150th birthday and the Victoria party will be one of 19 across the country. Sponsors and federal grants help cover the costs. About 20,000 to 30,000 people are expected to attend in Victoria.
The outdoor evening event will include signing, dancing, a harbour ferry ballet, artwork projected onto building surfaces, a concert by Vancouver band Dear Rouge, and the fireworks show that is scheduled to start at 9pm.
The Weather Network’s Victoria forecast for that evening is presently a temperature of minus-1°C with a 20% chance of rain, and winds around 45 km/h.
The other 18 fireworks and festival events on New Year’s Eve December 31, 2016 will be held in Vancouver (two fireworks displays over the Burrard Inlet – the first at 9 pm, the second at midnight), Whitehorse, Calgary, Edmonton, Yellowknife, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Iqaluit, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Frederiction, Moncton, Charllottetown, Halifax and St John’s.
Wednesday, December 28 ~ BC. It’s coming up to one year that the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands experienced an earthquake — it came at 11:39 pm on December 29, 2016.
The 4.7 Magnitude quake occurred 8 km ESE of Sidney (17 km NNE of Victoria). As quakes go, it was deep — between 53 and 59 km below the surface. No tsunami warning was issued.
The quake was felt as far east as the Fraser Valley in the BC interior and as far south as Washington State. Shaking in the Sooke area lasted for about 10 seconds. No damage was reported and “none would be expected” said seismic officials.
To mark the one-year anniversary of that event which was a preparedness wakeup call for many, some earthquake preparedness information and tips have been released by Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness:
Emergency Management BC (EMBC) works year-round with local governments to prepare for emergencies. For more information on how individuals and families can get prepared — including emergency kits, evacuation plans and reunification plans, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC as see these guides:
How to build an emergency kit | Household preparedness guide | Household emergency plan
The so-called ‘big one’ is expected to happen at some point, based on the. That would be a 9.0 Magnitude quake or higher. The predicted Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake will occur off the west coast of Vancouver Island. CSZ earthquakes have occurred, on average, every 500 years and the most recent 1-in-500 earthquake for this zone is thought to have occurred in the year 1700.
When an earthquake happens, the main thing to remember to do first is “drop, cover and hold on”. This drill is practiced annually in earthquake zones around the world.
In BC an earthquake drill is held on the third Thursday of October. See the Shakeout BC website for how to participate. in October 2016 over 800,000 people in BC participated in Shakeout BC.
- When the shaking stops, you are hopefully ready to get your emergency kit(s) and be ready to do your evacuation plan.
- If the quake was strong enough to knock you off your feet, you can expect a tsunami to follow. If you’re at or near the water, you would need to promptly make your way to higher ground.
Based on seismic modelling released by the Capital Regional District (CRD) in June 2013, In the Port Renfrew area a tsunami would reach shore within about 35 minutes (possibly sooner for Tofino), taking about 60 minutes to reach the Sooke Harbour and 77 minutes to reach Esquimalt Harbour [click on Table to see more details].
On Twitter you can follow Emergency Management BC at @EmergencyInfoBC and Prepared BC at @PreparedBC . On Vancouver Island, check out the Juan de Fuca Emergency Program Twitter stream at @jdfemerg for information that focuses on the west side of Vancouver Island in the CRD.
The Capital Regional District (CRD) preparedness website www.prepareyourself.ca is quite comprehensive for the south Vancouver Island area and emergency preparedness overall.
“We all have an individual responsibility to be prepared for emergencies. Do you know how much food, water, and other supplies are necessary to sustain you and your family for at least seven days?,” says the www.prepareyourself.ca website. In fact, it would be wise to prepare for an even longer period than 7 days on Vancouver Island, as transit systems and utilities may be disrupted for longer than a week after a major earthquake or natural disaster.
For other emergency preparedness and safety information: Floods | Power Outages | Landslides | Severe Weather
Wednesday, December 28 ~ SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND. Mainroad South Island Contracting advises motorists to drive with caution today as many locations are encountering black ice. They suggest allowing extra time for travel and to use caution.
Mainroad says that crews have been actively treating these areas around the clock to minimize any problems.
Friday, December 23 ~ BC. BC Ferries sent cheques of $1,000 each to three worthy recipients this holiday season.
The funds were raised at their annual BC Ferries employee golf tournament, held this year in September. The tournament raised $3,000 this year, with those funds divided equally between the Denman Island Community School, Hornby Island Food Bank, and the Prince Rupert Salvation Army Food Bank.
In previous years, the tournament raised funds for food banks on the Sunshine Coast, Haida Gwaii, Salt Spring, Gabriola and Quadra Islands, as well as in Powell River, Chemanius and the Cowican Valley – all of which assist communities of BC Ferries customers, said BC Ferries in a news release this week.
Wednesday, December 21 ~ SOOKE. In the wake of the federal Liberal approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, the not unexpected protests to protect the waters of the west coast have begun.
Tonight using the occasion of the winter solstice (from out of the dark comes the light), the Dogwood Initiative organization pulled together a strong crowd for an outdoor protest in the cold this evening.
Gathering at the roadside were over 70 people of all ages, steadfast in their commitment to making sure there is no increase in tanker traffic off the shores of Vancouver Island.
Several commuters in their vehicles on their way home from work honked in support of the roadside protesters who positioned themselves along Highway 14 (Sooke Road) in front of Edward Milne Community School (EMCS) at dusk.
Before the roadside sign-waving, the group heard speeches of varying lengths and intensity from local activists including Diane Bernard, Mark Ziegler and Ralph Hull.
- Diane Bernard, who operates a company dependent on seaweed from the ocean, said to the crowd: “I expect to have him (Prime Minister Trudeau) change his mind. The battle is not over.” She feels that Justin Trudeau “as a young west coaster” has let down the people of BC. She lauded Sooke Mayor Maja Tait for taking the protest against increased tanker traffic to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to bring province-wide attention to the issue.
Mark Ziegler, who used to work in Ottawa as an economist, said in a short speech: “I don’t think it’s fair that our coast is a bargaining chip,” saying that Trudeau has chosen Alberta over BC — oil economy over environment.- Ralph Hull, a fisherman and boat captain — who long ago was instrumental in helping generate a 30-year-moratorium on tanker traffic off the BC west coast (working with then Fisheries & Oceans Minister David Anderson) — inspired the crowd to keep on fighting.
- Another speaker, one of the Dogwood organizers, said: “It’s the beginning. It’s going to be a long process. Watch this space there will be more.”
People held candles in the dark and a song sheet was distributed for people to sing along to inspirational songs before ‘hitting the road’ to stand in the cold along the highway.
Singing along to live guitar, some in the group sang along to “Take Back This Land” lyrics by Bill Henderson. On the flip side of the sheet, the lyrics to the perennial Beatles tune Here Comes the Sun (lyrics by George Harrison).
Other community leaders among the crowd: Jeff Bateman, Jo Phillips, John Boquist, Frederique Philip, Sinclair Philip, Heather Phillips, Rosemary Jorna, Dana LeComte, Gord Fulcher, Lis Johansen, Deb Wood, and Nicky Logins. Several youth from the local high school had made signs and took part in the event.
Signage included messages like: Climate Change, No Pipeline, No More Tankers; Think outside the oil barrel; Who will speak for us; Because our coastline supports many lives; Taking Back our Ocean; Justin: Water and life, please protect it; Keep it in the ground; we vote no.
Wednesday, December 21 ~ GREATER VICTORIA AREA. In a season when there’s plenty of rainfall (or snow), water supply is not necessarily top of mind for residents of the Greater Victoria area. But keeping an eye on the pattern of reservoir level refill is important.
The Sooke Lake Reservoir is used by the Capital Regional District (CRD) to supply water to most of the Greater Victoria area, serving over 350,000 residents. The reservoir normally refills nicely each year, though dry summers in 2015 & 2016 have presented more dramatic drops. More water is used by residents and farmers to keep landscaping and crops sufficiently hydrated in hot weather. As well, dry soils and forested areas in the CRD watershed area that feeds the reservoir soak up needed moisture, reducing runoff into the reservoir.
The reservoir does refill each fall and winter and remains full through to spring. The full pool level of Sooke Lake Reservoir is 186.75m.
In 2015, refill to 100% was achieved by December 20. In 2016, the reservoir was last full to 100% capacity at April 3, dropping to its lowest point this year on October 9 — showing 64.6% of capacity in the CRD’s water watch reports. At last check (December 18) the reservoir was back up to 96.5% of capacity.
Last weekend’s water main burst that saw a significant amount of water gushing onto Highway 1 for several hours (see page 1 in December 16, 2016 West Shore Voice News) would have taken a bite out of the expected refill pattern for year-end 2016. Full restoration of the Sooke Lake Reservoir level to 100% is likely by year-end 2016.
The average 5-year (2011-2015) daily demand for December is 96.8 million litres per day (MLD). For December 2016 so far, the demand shows as 98.7 MLD, with a one-day maximum this month showing as 107.9 MLD.
The reservoir was last expanded in 2004. CRD maintains an ongoing target of deferring expansion of the water supply system for 50 years or to around 2067 before expansion of the reservoir is required.
In 2012, CRD articulated a number of challenges are facing the Water Supply System then and for coming decades:
• Climate change
• Reliance on an unfiltered water supply
• Reliance on Sooke Reservoir
• Lack of redundancies in the transmission system
• Monitoring trends in water use
• Managing outdoor water use
• Level of service policy for wholesale water customers
• Factors affecting the price of water
• Workforce demographics
• Increasing residential development adjacent to the Water Supply Area
• Legacy of past human activities in the Water Supply Area
• Potential establishment of undesirable species in the Water Supply Area
Tuesday, December 20 ~ VICTORIA. Thanks to the ‘magic’ of helicopter travel by Helijet, Santa was able to make some quick trips to visit children at Victoria General Hospital and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital this morning, with air support from BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS).
Each stop of the pre-Christmas Toy Run was for 45 minutes so Santa had time to meet with children at the hospitals. the event is coordinated and supported by Island Health.
The trip then carried on to Vancouver, New Westminster, and Surrey. Santa and one of his elves, Giselle Manese, flew between each stop in an air ambulance helicopter, with the help of BCEHS Infant Transport Team parademic George Madden and his partner.
“We’re thrilled to once again assist Santa on his air ambulance toy run to visit children in hospitals this holiday season,” said Helijet President and CEO Danny Sitnam. “Throughout the year our dedicated Helijet staff works closely with BCEHS paramedics to provide 24/7 helicopter service for hundreds of critically-ill patients across BC. Many of our patients are children, so all of us at Helijet are happy to help make this Christmas season special for these courageous kids and their families.”
For paramedics and flight crews, who often meet patients and their families during medical emergencies, the annual toy run is a special opportunity to interact with children and their families in a much happier environment.
Tuesday, December 20 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND SOUTH. In conditions of high winds, trees are down across BC Hydro wires. That and other wind-related issues currently see power out in the Langford and Sooke areas as well as Ganges Island.
In the Sooke area, about 1,217 customers are affected across various areas including west of Otter Point Rd (out since 4:29 am, crews expected to arrive around 7:30 am), and southwest of Sooke Road east of Sea Lion Way (out since 5:06 am, crews have been assigned).
Power is also out in Langford (since 5:26 am) with crews expected to arrive around 7:30 am in an area affected north of Monnington Place, south of Jenkins Ave, west of Jacklin Road, and East of Colbourne, affecting 230 customers.
UPDATE at 12 noon: Presently 10,402 BC Hydro customers (approx 30,000 people) in the south Vancouver Island area are without power as of noon today. That includes 2,321 in the Walfred/Metchosin Rd area (Colwood/Langford); 2,056 north of Hwy 1 (Saanich/Langford); 1,812 east of West Coast Road and west of Otter Point Rd; 417 in the West Coast Road area (i.e. west of Sooke); 2,826 in Esquimalt/View Royal; and locations in Duncan. Most of those outages started mid-morning. A few outages from very early this morning (around 4:30 am in the Sooke and Langford areas) have been restored.
Tuesday, December 20 ~ BC. BC Ferries plans to ban smoking on all of its vessels and to not allow passengers to remain in vehicles on lower fully enclosed decks while vessel sailings are underway.
BC spokesperson Deborah Marshall says: “With regards to car decks, we are working to fully implement Transport Canada regulations limiting passenger access to closed car decks while ships are underway.” Closed decks are the lower vehicle decks on the larger ferries. Transport trucks and buses are parked on the lower deck; cars are also parked there when the upper deck becomes full. Customers will continue to be permitted to stay in vehicles on the upper (open) car decks.
“We will be fully implementing Transport Canada regulations to limit passenger access to closed vehicle decks while ships are underway. “Closed” decks are the main car decks. Customers will continue to be permitted to stay in vehicles on the upper (opened) car decks.”
With regards to smoking: “We are currently reviewing our policy with an aim to offer a smoke free environment in the future. The Province recently changed regulations regarding smoke free zones to from 3 to 6 metres away from a door or opening window. This proves challenging on a ship.”
A formal announcement on these two new BC Ferries developments is expected in early January.
Sunday, December 18 ~ SOOKE. Not unexpectedly, it hasn’t taken long for an environmentalist activist movement to rise up following the announcement of pipeline approvals by the federal Liberals.
A local organizing group called Dogwood Initiative is inviting Sooke residents to gather on Wednesday, December 21 “to support and protect the west coast’s still unspoilt ocean, intertidal zones and beach fronts”.
The Sooke team of Dogwood has organized the “Protect Our Coast: Gathering of the Light Celebration”. It will be held outside the local high school: Edward Milne Community School, 6218 Sooke Rd, starting 4 pm. “Bring a light (candle or flashlight), a sign (optional) and your resilient spirit.”
“Having voted strongly against increased tanker traffic in the District of Sooke’s 2014 plebiscite, local citizens can serve notice to both Kinder Morgan and the federal and provincial governments that Sooke remains steadfast in its opposition to the expansion of Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Pipeline (TMX),” says a Dogwood Initiative release.
The evening vigil on Wednesday will include guest speakers and an open mic for public comment. Then they will set up alongside Sooke Road (Hwy 14) to demonstrate their concerns to homebound commuter traffic as the winter solstice (shortest day of the year) marks the return of the light.
Dogwood says the TMX would channel raw diluted bitumen (aka dilbit) from the Alberta tar sands to supertankers in the Port of Vancouver. From there, large vessels will sail under the Second Narrows Bridge and out into the Salish Sea, travelling past Victoria and then into the Strait of Juan de Fuca en route to the far east. A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that, unlike conventional crude (light) oil, bitumen will sink in a marine spill. There are no current techniques or processes to recover bitumen after a marine spill.
“No matter the skills of emergency workers, a single human or mechanical error in the Strait of Juan de Fuca could prove to be a calamity for our precious ocean and inter-tidal zones — devastating the richly diverse marine ecosystem and causing untold harm to businesses that rely on the ocean, our region’s tourism appeal, local real estate values and the overall quality of life in this magnificent part of the world.”
Friday, December 16 ~ 8 pm Update VICTORIA. CRD Water Supply Main Break along Trans Canada Highway (Southbound) between Burnside Road West and Helmcken Road
As a result of a large diameter CRD water supply main break located along the Trans Canada Highway (TCH) between Burnside Road West and Helmcken Road, southbound traffic flow is expected to be impacted through late Friday evening.
The CRD with the assistance of the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and its contractors have repaired the water supply main and are returning the system to service this evening. Highway repair work is also proceeding with paving work planned for late Friday evening. Single lane southbound traffic continues to be maintained at this time. All three southbound lanes are expected to be open to traffic Saturday morning.
The break occurred at approximately 11:50 pm on Thursday, December 15. The CRD Water Supply Main #3 is a 990 mm diameter steel pipe that serves the municipalities of Saanich, Victoria and Oak Bay.
There are no major water service interruptions expected as municipalities are being served via CRD Water Supply Mains #1 and #2 during the repair.
However, customers in the Victoria West, Tillicum, Esquimalt and View Royal areas may experience lower water pressure and notice a slightly increased level of turbidity in the tap water as a result of fine sediments in the pipe being disturbed through the sudden change in flow and pressure. If turbidity is noticed, it is recommended to run taps until the water is clear. In consultation with Island Health, the CRD confirms the water remains safe to drink.
The CRD Integrated Water Services apologizes for any inconvenience this event may have caused. [Photo by CRD]
![Hwy 1 in the Burnside Area. [Google maps]](https://islandsocialtrends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/MAP-Hwy1Burnside-Dec1616-web.jpg)
As a result of the large diameter CRD water supply main break, southbound traffic flow is expected to be impacted through to the evening tonight, December 16. Repair of the steel pipe is estimated to take until late Friday evening, December 16 to complete.
The CRD has coordinated with the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) to maintain single lane southbound traffic through the site while crews complete repairs. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes into the Victoria area and to expect traffic delays in the area while CRD crews work as quickly as possible to conduct the repairs currently underway.
The break occurred around 11:50 pm last night, Thursday, December 15. The CRD Water Supply Main #3 is a 990mm diameter steel pipe that serves the municipalities of Saanich, Victoria and Oak Bay.
There are no major water service interruptions expected as municipalities are being served via CRD Water Supply Mains #1 and #2. However, customers in the Victoria West, Tillicum, Esquimalt and View Royal areas may experience lower water pressure and notice a slightly increased level of turbidity in the tap water as a result of fine sediments in the pipe being disturbed through the sudden change in flow and pressure. In consultation with Island Health, the CRD confirms the water remains safe to drink.
Relocating a main CRD water line has been the first task of many as part of constructing the McKenzie/Admirals Interchange on Hwy 1.
Around 3 pm, repair work on the large pipe was still underway (see CRD photo above). At 5:30 pm, CRD says work is still underway, and that another update will be issued around 8 pm this evening.
![Lt Gov Judith Guichon during the official welcome of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, Sept 24 2016 [Photo Copyright 2016 West Shore Voice News]](https://islandsocialtrends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/174704-LtGovGuichon-Sep2416-byWestShoreVoice.jpg)
Friday, Dec. 16 ~ Open House and Carol Sing: 5 pm to 7 pm. Christmas carolling will begin at 5 p.m. in the Ballroom, led by Louise Rose. Following the carolling, members of the public are welcome to stroll through the main floor and view the Christmas decorations. Food contributions or donations to support local food banks are encouraged and will be accepted at the door.
Sunday, Jan. 1 ~ New Year’s Day Levée: 10 am to 12 pm. Canada 150 celebrations will begin by greeting members of the public at the annual New Year’s Day Levée. Guests will have an opportunity to enjoy refreshments and the music of the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Scottish Regiment Pipes and Drums. Her Honour will deliver her remarks at 11:30 am. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to avoid a long lineup. Food contributions or donations to support local food banks are encouraged and will be accepted at the door upon entrance to the levée.
Earlier this week, Grade 3 students from various schools around the Greater Victoria area participated in the decorating of Christmas trees at Government House, including in Lt Gov Guichon’s office. As well, seniors from various seniors’ residences were invited to official Christmas teas being held on Dec 14 & 15.
Wednesday, December 14 ~ SURREY, BC. Members of the Coast Capital Savings credit union have voted for that financial institution to become a federal credit union and operate outside the province of British Columbia.
The voting results were announced at a Special General Meeting on December 14, 2016 following a six-week membership voting period that ran October 17 through November 28. The outcome means that Coast Capital Savings may seek regulatory approval to offer its products and services across the country.
Of the 79,726 members who voted (representing about 20% of the membership), 79.2% of members cast their ballot in favour of the Special Resolution to become a federal credit union. A two-thirds vote in favour was required for the Special Resolution to pass.
Normally only about 5% of members vote on issues pitched to them by the Board. The fact that a contest with cash prize was available to everyone who voted may well have increased the voter turnout. There are two winners, who will each receive $5,000: Mark H. of Richmond and Bruno B. of Langley.
“I’d like to thank all members who took the time to participate in this important vote, which has not only determined the future direction of Coast Capital Savings but also will provide Canadians with additional banking choices,” said Board Chair Bill Cooke. “With such a high turnout of voting members, it’s clear the vote represents the broad will of the membership.”
“Becoming a federal credit union will allow Coast Capital Savings to serve members better, enter new markets, attract new members, better manage risk through diversification, and compete more effectively in a rapidly changing marketplace,” said a Coast Capital Savings release today. “Growing outside the province will give the credit union more resources to invest in products and services, and to develop technology to serve members’ growing online and mobile banking needs. It will help the organization to support more communities and give more Canadians a co-operative option to national banks.”
President & CEO Don Coulter says this decision is the right one for Coast Capital Savings. “Our members are owners of this credit union and when our business grows, they benefit,” Coulter said in a release. “Existing members will continue to receive the friendly, helpful service we’re known for in BC and in future, they’ll also have the convenience of banking with us elsewhere in Canada. As a federal credit union, we’ll continue to improve the financial well-being of our members and retain our award-winning culture. And we’ll share the great things our members love about Coast Capital Savings with more Canadians.”
Coast Capital Savings is not a federal credit union yet. It must first seek regulatory approval from the Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation, Financial Institutions Commission, Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, and Federal Minister of Finance. This process is anticipated to take a year, with continuance, if granted, coming in 2018.
In 2012, the federal government proclaimed legislation that enabled credit unions to operate outside their provincial boundaries by continuing to a federal credit union. In July 2016, UNI in New Brunswick became Canada’s first federal credit union, and other credit unions have indicated their plans to follow suit. Coast Capital Savings was the first credit union in BC to put this opportunity to a member vote.
Wednesday, December 14 ~ Greater Victoria area. The Capital Regional District (CRD) Board has today approved their Regional Food and Agriculture Strategy (RFAS) which they say identifies the top issues facing the region‘s food and agriculture sector and provides recommendations for addressing challenges.
“The Strategy aims to enhance awareness of local agricultural issues and opportunities and increase local food production. The Strategy has been developed with the intent of complementing existing local agricultural area plans and provincial legislation/policy,” says a release from CRD today.
“Local food production is very important to our food security, local economy and environment. The Regional Food and Agriculture Strategy recognizes the benefits of developing local food systems and sets out concrete steps to support individuals, businesses and First Nations in accessing and adopting local options,” says CRD Board Chair, Barbara Desjardins.
Regional districts, municipalities and electoral areas do not have a specific mandate over food and agriculture. However, the food and agriculture sector is impacted by CRD services such as water delivery, environmental protection and conservation, watershed education and drinking watershed protection and management, liquid and solid waste management (including rural septic programs), invasive species eradication / native plant restoration, and more recently, wildlife (deer, geese, beaver, bullfrog) management. The RFAS identifies how these services relate to food and agriculture and provides recommendations.
The RFAS document identifies approaches to key issues such as:
- increasing access to farm land through a potential land bank or farmland trust,
- increasing farmers’ awareness of tools to address wildlife damage,
- working with partners to increase economic development opportunities, and
- addressing storm water and drainage issues.
Implementation will start with the formation of a regional food and agriculture task force. The task force will provide input to the Planning Transportation and Protective Services Committee to help set priorities and advance the Strategy recommendations. Task force members will represent non-profits, municipalities with significant agricultural land holdings or interests in food and agriculture, First Nations and the Ministry of Agriculture. “Task force appointments are intended to reflect the geographic and sectoral diversity of the Capital Region food and agriculture economy,” says CRD.
CRD says they had strong support and input from the agricultural sector, with the intent of complementing existing local agricultural area plans and provincial legislation and policy. They add that First Nations interests were strongly represented throughout the development of the Strategy.
Wednesday, December 14 ~ BC. The BC government has distributed compensation for municipal property taxes to 56 communities around the province, totaling almost $16 million.
Grants-in-lieu of property taxes are distributed every November and reimburse municipalities for services that benefited government properties, such as municipally run sewers, roads and fire protection.
On south Vancouver Island, there were three communities in receipt of grants: Victoria $3,261,970.92; View Royal $184,724.03; Saanich $413,560.99. In the mid-island area Port Alberni received $49,292.33. In the north island area Campbell River received $75,497.34 and Courtenay received $36,051.13. The remaining funds were received by mainland municipalities.
Grants are issued in accordance with the Municipal Aid Act and are payable on land owned by the provincial government such as courthouses, provincial government office buildings and warehouses.
Schools and hospitals are exempt from paying municipal property taxes and are not part of the grants-in-lieu calculation. Other provincial assets such as highways, forests, parks or land under the control, management or administration of a Crown corporation are also excluded from compensation under the act.
Since 2002, the Government of British Columbia has distributed more than $254 million in grants-in-lieu to BC communities. A portion of the funds is paid by each community to its regional district, and both levels of local government use grants to help pay for local services.
The funds are distributed electronically on behalf of government by the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services.
Monday, December 12 ~ BC.
BC Ferries is adding over 135 extra sailings on major routes to ensure smooth sailing over the holiday season. Of those, 98 sailings have been added to the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route (the busiest route in the fleet), and 38 have been added to Horsehoe Bay and Departure Bay routes.
Based on previous years, the busiest pre-Christmas day is expected to be December 23. After Christmas, there is heavy traffic on December 26 to 28, with December 27th usually the busiest.
Starting December 22, schedules will be expanded on routes using the Horseshoe Bay terminal (Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay, Horseshoe Bay-Langdale, Horseshoe Bay-Bowen.
BC Ferries reminds reservation-holders to identify that they have a reservation, to speed up flow-through at the arrival areas.
There will be sailings on Christmas Day. See schedules and other info at www.bcferries.com
Friday, December 9 ~ BC. Police will be monitoring limousines and buses during the holiday season, says the BC Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure today in a news release.
Operators that allow the consumption of alcohol in their vehicles will be penalized and passengers in these vehicles also have a responsibility to adhere to the liquor laws. Operators who do not comply with liquor laws run the risk of losing their licence, and minors in possession of alcohol are subject to a $230 fine.
With the holiday season in full swing, the BC government is reminding British Columbians to celebrate safely and make good decisions when riding in limousines, including limo buses, during celebrations.
“Christmas is a time to celebrate the holidays and enjoy time with family and friends,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone. “Travel is often part of these celebrations, and we encourage everyone to think ahead about getting home safely by choosing a transportation option that will ensure a safe conclusion to any holiday gathering.”
Operators of limousines and buses with perimeter seating must have a Passenger Transportation licence plate and decal, or temporary operating permit, for every vehicle in their fleet. This allows government and law enforcement to better enforce the industry and motivate operators to provide a service that is safe and compliant with provincial laws.
Both operators and passengers should remember that consuming alcohol in any vehicle is illegal and unsafe. Advertising for limousine and bus services cannot allude to the consumption of alcohol in a company-operated vehicle.
Consumers, especially those booking trips for minors, are encouraged to look for companies that advertise strict policies related to drinking in vehicles.
“We all have a role to play to ensure that holiday festivities, formal or informal, are safe, including the transportation to and from these events,” said chief constable Neil Dubord, chair of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee. “Consuming alcohol in any private or commercial vehicle is illegal in BC, whether the vehicle is moving or not.
Police across the province will be out enforcing Motor Vehicle Act and Liquor Control and Licensing Act infractions – we can all help prevent a tragedy by always planning ahead for a safe ride home.”
Friday, December 9 ~ BC. Four BC municipalities have been approved for grants to support local governments that are experiencing challenges with urban deer.
Under the Provincial Urban Deer Cost-Share Program, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is providing up to $100,000 in cost-share funding, to a maximum of $20,000 per eligible community, for projects that focus on deer culls and research into population control methods such as relocation and immuno-
contraception.
Successful grant applicants for this round of funding are Invermere,
Grand Forks, Elkford and Cranbrook. A fifth application from Oak Bay is still under consideration and ministry staff are working with that municipality to refine the proposal.
Grand Forks will receive $16,000 to cull 80 deer in the community, Invermere has been approved for $10,200 to cull 51 deer and Elkford’s application for $10,000 to cull 50 deer has also been approved. Cranbrook will receive a $19,900 grant that will be used to study the feasibility of relocating problem deer that have taken up residence in urban environments. Cranbrook’s study will build upon research that Elkford started last year, which involved urban deer in Cranbrook, Elkford, Invermere and Kimberley.
Oak Bay’s proposal involves the use of immuno-contraceptive drugs designed to prevent deer from reproducing, however this is a complex undertaking that requires further research into the availability of drugs and careful planning to ensure the drugs are delivered in a humane and effective way.
The Provincial Urban Deer Cost-Share Program follows through on a commitment made by government at the 2015 Union of BC Municipalities annual meeting. The program offers matching funds, and support varies for each region. Interior culls are eligible for $200 deer, while on the Coast, the rate is $300 per deer. Interior deer are less expensive to cull because winters are cold in the Interior, there is less food available and deer are more willing to come to baits.
The ministry’s call for proposals was issued October 26. Grant agreements with the successful applicants are scheduled to be finalized later this month and project completion reports from the recipients are due on or before March 17, 2017.
Urban deer management in BC factsheet
Friday, December 9 ~ SOOKE. For Vancouver Island where we can go several winters in a row without snow, there was a relatively big snowfall last night, but not enough to grind things to a halt.
Schools are still open in the SD62 School District (Sooke, Colwood, Langford, Metchosin), except in the Port Renfrew area. School buses are still running but might be behind schedule.
SD62 says it’s always up to parents whether it’s safe enough to send their children to school. www.sd62.bc.ca
Nighttime temperatures started falling below zero a few nights ago, so the snow does not really come as a surprise.
Wednesday, December 7 ~ WEST SHORE of VANCOUVER ISLAND. In mid-September 2016, the West Shore RCMP Detachment’s Street Crime Unit and the Crime Reduction Unit joined forces to become one. This amalgamation aims to efficiently deploy resources to conduct targeted investigations against prolific offenders, those that are contributing the most to crime in the community.
The Crime Reduction Unit was created to proactively target property crime offenders, prolific offenders, and execute apprehensions on people with outstanding arrest warrants. The unit also proactively investigates and targets street level drug offenders.
“The unit’s message is clear: Crime is not welcome in the West Shore. We want West Shore to be safe and the unit is relentlessly going after those involved in crime, says Cpl Bryson Hill of the West Shore RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit.
In the 10 weeks since the amalgamation, the Crime Reduction Unit has arrested 18 individuals and a total 34 charges have been recommended against them. Those charges range, but are not limited to: Breach of Recognizance, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Possession of Drugs for Purpose of Trafficking, Prohibited Driving, Theft, Breach of Conditional Sentencing Order, and Unlawful Possession of Firearms.
During this time, the Crime Reduction Unit has also seized substantial quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, OxyContin, fentanyl, steroids, cash, handguns and vehicles from the streets.
With an approximate population of 72,000 and growing, the residents in the communities that are served by the RCMP West Shore detachment (Langford, Colwood) play a major part in the fight against these criminals, says RCMP Media Relations Officer Cst Alex Bérubé. “It starts by providing an extra set of eyes and ears. Together, we are working together to make our family-oriented communities, a safe place to be.”
Anyone with information about drug trafficking or any other criminal activity in the West Shore is encouraged to contact West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Tuesday, December 6 ~ GREATER VICTORIA AREA. Need some Holiday Recycling Tips, Green Gift Ideas, or Green New Year’s Resolutions? The Capital Regional District (CRD) wants to contribute to this being a “green” holiday season.
At the www.crd.bc.ca/memories website you’ll find information on holiday waste reduction, gift ideas that will help create memories – not garbage, tips on properly preparing recyclables at the curb, Christmas light recycling locations and much more!
While the winter holiday season brings good cheer and great times with friends and family for many people, it also brings a lot more consumer purchases and waste.
CRD says that the quantity of recycling generated during this time period increases dramatically as people shop more. Discarded items include holiday wrap, cards and ribbon, in addition to the enormous quantity of cans, bottles and plastic containers tossed after holiday celebrations.
Thursday, December 1 ~ LANGFORD. Running as the BC Liberal Candidate in Langford-Juan de Fuca for the May 9, 2017 provincial election is Cathy Noel. She is a local entrepreneur and charity event organizer.
She will be running head to head with long-time Juan de Fuca MLA John Horgan, NDP who has served the region since first being elected in 2005. Horgan became the province-wide party leader of the BC NDP in 2014. Horgan lives in Langford. Horgan has years of background in handling key province-wide issues including energy, education, the environment and the economy.
“I’m ready to take my experiences as an Island business owner, entrepreneur, and mother and use them to make a real difference in our community,” said Ms Noel. She says that a growing riding needs “a strong champion for this growth in the Legislature who understands that the best way to look after the people we love is with a strong economy that creates good jobs on the Island and across BC”,” as stated in a BC Liberal news release.
Noel owns and operates a small business that has organized local charity events for dozens of not-for-profits across the Island. She is also the Race Director of two of the largest races on the Island: the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon and the Victoria Goddess Run, and is past race director of the Times Colonist 10k, and past president of the Vancouver Island Runners Association.
Noel says her top priorities for the region are to grow the local economy to create jobs and opportunities in the South Island, and to get to the government table to deliver on regional needs such as health care, education, and transportation infrastructure.
Noel joins a team of 66 BC Liberal candidates already nominated province-wide.
Thursday, December 1 ~ SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND. Snow is forecasted to sea level on all of Vancouver Island with snow as early as Sunday December 4, but with forecasts for significant snowfall Wednesday, December 7.
Winter tires are mandatory on the Trans Canada Highway (Hwy 1) Malahat section, and on Highway 18 in the Cowichan Valley area, as well as on West Coast Road (Hwy 14) west of Sooke.
- The Malahat on Highway 1 is well known for challenging driving conditions even in good weather. It is an unavoidable section of highway if travelling to/from the Greater Victoria area to/from upisland.
- Highway 18 is a short, 42 km long main vehicle route in the Cowichan Valley Regional District on Vancouver Island, connecting the city of Duncan on the Trans-Canada Highway with the community of Youbou, on the north shore of Lake Cowichan.
- Highway 14 (Sooke Road / called West Coast Road in the section that is west of Otter Point Road in Sooke town centre), requires winter tires anywhere west of the Grant Road West intersection (heading west to Kemp Lake and beyond).
In anticipation of this weather event, Mainroad winter operations will be in effect on all Highways. Their regular winter crews are on shift 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. “Extra manpower and equipment are brought in as conditions warrant and will continue until the conditions change and highways are back to normal,” says Leon Bohmer, Operations Manager, Mainroad South Island Contracting LP.
“During winter driving conditions we’re reminding everyone to please drive safe especially when approaching a highway maintenance vehicle,” says Bohmer. “Our 24 hour communications centre will pass on all your observations and concerns to our crews when contacted.”
The Mainroad 24hr Hotline is 1.877.391.7310.
Wednesday, November 30 ~ OTTAWA. The MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford on Vancouver Island, Alistair MacGregor, says he is dismayed at Trudeau’s broken promise on Kinder Morgan.
“Yesterday, Justin Trudeau and the Liberals betrayed a clear commitment that they made to British Columbians during the campaign that the Kinder Morgan pipeline would not be approved under the Conservative’s broken review process,” said MacGregor in a news release today .
“I think it’s clear that Justin Trudeau has betrayed the trust of British Columbians after totally backtracking on his promises,” he said. “Many in my province of British Columbia actually voted Liberal because they were led to believe that this pipeline would not go forward under a Liberal government. That turned out to be untrue.”
MacGregor says that several Liberal MPs were elected stating that Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion could not be approved because it had not undergone a credible public review process. “The government’s hand-picked cabinet panel admitted that this project faces strong opposition from First Nations and local communities. The recent Bella Bella oil spill demonstrates that the BC coast is not prepared for a 7-fold increase in tanker traffic,” says MacGregor.
“The Prime Minister admitted that the environmental process was not credible under the Conservatives and then approved the project anyway,” said MacGregor. “They should have brought in a new review process to address environmental concerns rather than just following Stephen Harper’s lead on climate change,’’ added MacGregor.
Tuesday, November 29 ~ ‘Light Up the Highway’ will be held by RCMP on Friday, December 2 in most areas of Vancouver Island.
Each year on Vancouver Island Police from Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island work tirelessly conducting road checks and impaired driving enforcement in their communities.
On December 2 police from across Vancouver Island will be “Lighting Up the Highway” as they conduct coordinated Counter Attack road checks from Victoria all the way up Vancouver Island highways to Port Hardy.
Impaired driving is the leading criminal cause of death in Canada. In BC, 86 people on average die every year in crashes involving impaired driving. On Vancouver Island 13 people on average are killed each year in crashes involving impaired driving. Most impaired-related crashes occur on Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights between 9pm and 3am.
“Island District Traffic Services Officers from across the Island are committed to making our roads and communities safer through road checks across Vancouver Island,” says Traffic Services Commander Inspector Ward Johnson.
This event is part of a larger Provincial campaign where police and ICBC are urging drivers to plan ahead and make smart decisions to get home safely this holiday season. “If your holiday festivities involve alcohol, plan ahead for a safe ride home,” says Colleen Woodger, local ICBC road safety coordinator.
“Arrange a designated driver, call a taxi or take transit – there are so many options to get home safe.” If you see an impaired driver you are encouraged to call 911.
Monday, November 28 ~ BC. The public and communities are invited to submit suggestions for new Stop of Interest signs in BC. The Stop of Interest signs were first established in 1958 to commemorate the Colony of BC’s centenary and recognize significant historical places, people and events.
In September 2016, the BC government announced its intention to create 75 new Stop of Interest signs around the province. Building on Heritage BC’s 2015 assessment project, the government is also repairing existing signs. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is refurbishing existing signs in need of repair and updating language where necessary.
In addition to the 164 Stop of Interest signs located around B.C., the Province is adding up to 75 new Stops of Interest. British Columbians are invited to submit ideas for new Stop of Interest signs and share the interesting stories that could be told to people travelling BC’s highways. Submissions will be accepted through January 31, 2017.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will install the majority of the new Stop of Interest signs in summer 2017.
A refurbished Stop of Interest sign was unveiled in Kamloops today by Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone, “This Stop of Interest sign highlights Kamloops’ vibrant role as a hub for the mining, trapping and ranching industries long before BC even formally existed,” Stone said. “Over 200 years later, our resource industries are still extremely important to the Kamloops and provincial economies.”
To provide a suggestion for a new Stop of Interest sign see: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/stopsofinterest. Locational map of current locations of existing Stops of Interest: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/stopsofinterest/map/
Saturday, November 26 ~ GABRIOLA – Two new Job Creation Partnerships with the Gabriola Arts Council will provide skills training and paid work experience to four Gabriola Island residents, resulting in a year’s worth of arts and culture programming and a renovated community cultural centre. The BC government is providing $169,403 to the Gabriola Arts Council.
The first partnership will provide up to 43 weeks of work experience and skills training for three people in renovation and construction, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, landscaping and project management. The participants will work alongside local professionals to update and renovate the 88-year-old Gabriola Arts & Heritage Centre, preserving a significant piece of Gabriola history and providing a high-quality, functional and accessible cultural space for the community. The second part of this project is the installation and completion – including foundation, electrical work, and roof installation – of a hand-built log structure, donated by Gabriola’s Island School for Building Arts, and destined to be the new administrative office for the Gabriola Arts Council.
The second partnership with the Gabriola Arts Council will provide up to 50 weeks of training and work experience to one individual in event planning, marketing and media, budgeting, communications and co-ordination of volunteers. The participant will assist in developing a year-long program of arts and culture events in celebration of Gabriola Arts Council’s 20th anniversary in 2017.
Programming will target all ages and support the local economy by drawing locals and tourists to participate in workshops, performances and other special events reflecting the diverse cultural history and active arts community of the island.
Friday, November 25 ~ VICTORIA. Island Health has issued an urgent message to drug consumers: Avoid using alone.
In response to seven overdose deaths on Vancouver Island in the past week (five of those have occurred on the South Island and four of these in the last 72 hours), Island Health is issuing an urgent warning to individuals who are going to use illicit drugs.
Avoid using alone, and make sure someone is around who is willing and able to seek help if an overdose happens.
This warning applies to all methods of drug consumption – injection, inhalation, snorting, smoking or consuming with alcohol.
“While vulnerable, street-entrenched individuals are still very high risk for overdoses, we are finding that recent overdose deaths involve individuals who are in housing, whether that be a private residence or publicly-funded housing facilities, including shelters,” said Dr. Richard Stanwick, Island Health’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. “These individuals need to know they are at significant risk of overdose, especially if they use alone.”
Island Health is particularly concerned given the approaching weekend and this week’s issuing of social service cheques. In addition to warning regular and weekend recreational users, Island Health has issued an alert for its front-line staff as a well as community service providers. Island Health continues to work with community service providers to further increase outreach and overdose response capacity.
“The drugs on the street are more potent and dangerous than they have ever been before,” Dr. Stanwick said. “Do not use alone. Please, have someone around who is willing and able to seek help if an overdose happens.”
The following strategies can reduce the risk:
– Avoid using alone; fix with a friend
– Try a small amount of new drugs first
– Stagger use with friends so someone can respond if needed
– Avoid using more than one drug at a time (stacking drugs increases risk of overdoses and contributes to more severe overdoses)
– Carry and use naloxone and have an overdose response plan
– Be close to help
If someone overdoses:
– Call 9-1-1 immediately
– Provide rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth)
– Administer naloxone
Thursday, November 24 ~ VICTORIA. They tried, but amalgamation of the Greater Victoria chamber of Commerce and Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce is not going to proceed, it was announced November 23.
“Both Boards have determined the best option at this time is for the two chambers to remain separate organizations,” it was stated in a news release from both chambers.
“The door to integration remains open as both Boards continue to believe that services to members can be strengthened and enhanced by integration. The parties have benefited from the opportunity to get to know each other better and plan to continue to work together on areas of mutual interest.”
Friday, November 18 ~ VICTORIA. Commuters, cyclists and pedestrians will have their travel schedules interrupted by rock blasting for the McKenzie Interchange highway improvement project on Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Hwy). The blasting begins today, Friday November 18.
Traffic interruptions will be intermittent. During the day the traffic waits will be about 15 minutes long, affecting drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. In the evenings traffic will be stopped completely when rock excavation takes place 8 to 10 pm Monday to Saturday. The rock excavation activity in the evening will continue to April 2017. There will be no construction activity on Sundays or statutory holidays.
Travelers using Highway 1 to reach Victoria from upisland, and those generally commuting between the west shore and Saanich and downtown, should check www.Drivebc.ca for the most up to date traffic advisories. Users of the Galloping Goose trail are encouraged to use alternate routes or be prepared to stop during the work periods. Motorists will need to incorporate additional time into their travel schedules.
Completion of the long-awaited McKenzie Interchange is expected later in 2018. Many in the Greater Victoria area have pushed for commuter traffic flow improvements at the intersection of McKenzie and Admirals Road, particularly to serve morning and evening commuter traffic between the western communities of Langford, Colwood and Sooke (which have become ‘bedroom communities’ to the Victoria/Saanich employment hub) and the core area of Greater Victoria.
Thursday, November 10 ~ BC. Premier Christy Clark will be at the West Kelowna Memorial Service in honour of Remembrance Day. NDP Leader John Horgan will be in Vancouver at a ceremony for Remembrance Day, though today he attended a ceremony at Spencer Middle School in Langford.
On the west shore of Vancouver Island, Randall Garrison, MP (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke) will be in Esquimalt for Remembrance Day ceremonies, and Alistair MacGregor (Cowichan-Malahat-Langford) will be in Langford at Veterans Memorial Park.
In Sooke, a wreath will be laid at the Sooke Cenotaph on November 11 by retired Sooke Fire Chief Steve Sorensen on behalf of Juan de Fuca MLA John Horgan.
Thursday, November 10 ~ SOOKE. Last night an energetic and attentive crowd articulated their concerns about Site C and other election issues, in a one-hour Q&A with BC NDP Leader John Horgan (MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca).
“Articulate your policies and we’ll get behind you,” said one enthusiastic NDP supporter, with reference to the upcoming May 2017 BC provincial election.
Horgan was clear that the economy is important to everyone, including of course providing jobs. He says an NDP government would be responsible with taxpayer finances and inclusive to everyone when it comes to education, health and economic growth in BC.
The event held at Edward Milne Community School in Sooke was organized by Awareness Film Night. They screened ‘Peace Out’, a somewhat dated by impactful film about the environmental and community consequences in northern BC if BC Hydro’s Site C hydroelectric project is to proceed.
Horgan explained that electricity usage in BC is not increasing, due to many people doing their best at energy conservation. It might now be over 20 years until the output at Site C (or equivalent) would be required in this province. Wind and solar are two other ‘green’ electricity-producing options that BC Hydro could be investing its money in.
Horgan says that if elected as government in 2017, the BC NDP would focus on green technology as a way to help protect the environment, and which would also create a lot of jobs.
Sunday, November 6 ~ HIGHLANDS. The loop trail at the east end of Durrance Lake, in Mount Work Regional Park, will be closed to the public on November 7, 8, 9 and 28.
Closure is required while the Capital Regional District (CRD) conducts an assessment of the dam, which includes drilling and other activities.
The CRD asks that park visitors use caution around equipment and crews, and follow the signs around the closed site within the temporarily fenced-off area. The parking lot, the loop trail outside the fenced area and other park facilities remain open.
The CRD is undertaking a geotechnical investigation and composition assessment of the earth dam at the east end of the lake to better understand what it is composed of and how it was constructed when it was originally built in the early 1900s. This project is part of the CRD Regional Parks commitment to ensuring its facilities are maintained to a high standard for public safety.
Friday, November 4 ~ VICTORIA. WorkBC’s ‘Find Your Fit’ will showcase BC’s in-demand jobs at Teen Fest Victoria tomorrow Saturday, November 5 at Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Rd (open to the public 11 am to 4:30 pm). Young people of Victoria will have an opportunity to learn the skills they will need for tomorrow’s in-demand occupations.
Find Your Fit is an interactive event where individuals of all ages can learn about BC’s in-demand careers and test out some of the skills they would need for those occupations. Participants will also get to know career planning tools – such as Blueprint Builder and Career Trek videos – and the job resources and labour market information WorkBC.ca offers. Parents, teachers and career counsellors may benefit, too – by discovering ways to educate and support youth in their career exploration.
Find Your Fit is part of BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint commitment to re-engineer education and deliver the skilled workforce needed in BC’s growing economy. The tour has had over 180,000 participants so far. The tour was most recently in Burns Lake. It’s next stop on Vancouver Island will be in Duncan on December 1. Other communities can also request a tour stop.
“Through BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, we are committed to preparing the skilled workforce that our growing economy needs. The Find Your Fit tour ensures that our youth have the tools and resources necessary to consider the full range of in-demand occupations available to them,” says Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour.
Thursday, November 3 ~ WEST SIDE of VANCOUVER ISLAND. Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke MP Randall Garrison is on his way back from Ottawa to his constituency today, to spend a week on this west side of the island and attend the Remembrance Day ceremony in Esquimalt on November 11.
He is in full support of NDP Leader Tom Mulcair’s statement in the House of Commons today that the Liberal government should hold an inquiry into RCMP/CSIS surveillance of journalists. He adds that while instances of media surveillance have surfaced in Quebec, it’s a bigger problem than that.
“If journalists are under surveillance, then people won’t talk to them. Free press is a fundamental part of our democracy for people’s right to know what’s going on,” said Randall Garrison, MP, today in a phone interview.
Wednesday, November 2 ~ PORT RENFREW. There will be bridge maintenance on Deering Bridge and Deering Road in the Port Renfrew area, starting Monday November 7 through Thursday November 10, from 8 am to 5pm, says Mainroad South Island.
The 3 to 5 km targeted stretch of roadway runs from Parkinson Road to Pacific Marine Road.
Thursday, October 27 ~ VICTORIA. The BC Liberals are shoring up a political presence on Vancouver Island, where the BC NDP has built and maintained a political stronghold for decades.
Today Premier Christy Clark announced there will be a Vancouver Island-specific platform for the 2017 provincial election, with development to be led by MLA Don McRae who is retiring at the end of his current term.
The BC Liberal Party says it’s the first time they have developed a region-specific election platform for Vancouver Island.
Clark made the announcement in advance of her keynote speech to community and business leaders at the 10th annual State of the Island Economic Summit in Nanaimo.
“Vancouver Island is growing, vibrant, and unique – with its own opportunities and challenges that deserve government’s full attention,” said Clark. “That’s why I’ve asked MLA Don McRae to lead the effort to produce a specific set of commitments from our party to the people of Vancouver Island for the next election.”
“I’m excited to work with our Vancouver Island party members to identify what their families, communities, and businesses need in order to succeed,” said Comox Valley MLA Don McRae.
“We’ve had passionate discussions as part of the Party’s biggest-ever policy consultation, and we’re ready for a platform built for Islanders, by Islanders.” McRae’s sole Vancouver Island caucus colleague, Minister of Social Development and Innovation Michelle Stilwell agrees. “As a two-person caucus, Don and I have worked hard to deliver results for our communities and Vancouver Island as a whole. We want to achieve even more, which will be possible with additional regional representation in government.
“Today’s announcement of a standalone Vancouver Island platform is a welcome step in that direction,” she added.
Stilwell is the only government caucus member seeking re-election on Vancouver Island with her nomination in Parksville-Qualicum set for October 30. “Stilwell is joined by a strong, growing team of new BC Liberal candidates locally including Jim Benninger (Courtenay-Comox), Alana deLong (Nanaimo-North Cowichan), Paris Gaudet (Nanaimo), Steve Housser (Cowichan Valley), and Stephen P Roberts (Saanich North and the Islands). Dallas Smith (North Island) and Mathew Wilson (Powell River-Sunshine Coast) will be officially nominated on October 29 and November 12 respectively,” it was stated in a BC Liberal news release today.
“Candidates for Esquimalt-Metchosin, Langford-Juan de Fuca, Mid Island-Pacific Rim, Oak Bay-Gordon Head, Saanich South, Victoria-Beacon Hill, and Victoria-Swan Lake are expected to selected well in advance of the May 9th election,” it was stated in today’s release.
The news release says that the decision to craft a platform specific to Vancouver Island – a region broadly recognized as underrepresented in government – came out of a year-long consultation exercise with BC Liberal members throughout BC led by Minister of Education Mike Bernier and Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness Naomi Yamamoto. The process involved 20 local roundtables with 800 participants, generating over 1,000 policy ideas.
Last year, 12,000 jobs were created on Vancouver Island with an unemployment rate lower than the national average. Continued support for the forestry industry is needed while encouraging diversity and new economic development in areas with higher unemployment. New sectors like technology, artisan agriculture, tourism, and craft beer, liquor, and wine sectors have experienced tremendous growth.
BC NDP Leader John Horgan presently holds the riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca (won in 2013 as the Juan de Fuca riding). He has worked the Vancouver Island political scene for decades. Vancouver Island is considered to be an NDP stronghold in the BC political landscape.
Tuesday, October 25 ~ VICTORIA. The Victoria Regional Transit Commission has been expanded by creating an additional seat, it was announced this morning by BC Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. The Victoria Regional Transit Commission was formed in 1982, and its mandate is to provide oversight and represent the transit needs of Greater Victoria. The board of directors, through the chair, reports to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, who is the Minister responsible for BC Transit.
“Over the years, the population and demographic makeup of the region has changed with the western communities growing at a much faster rate than the rest of Greater Victoria, largely due to the relatively affordable housing, especially for young families. “It’s important that the western communities’ voice and needs are fairly represented on the Commission,” it was stated in the release.
“In response to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission’s request to expand the number of its members from seven to eight to reflect the growing population in the region, the Province is pleased to announce the appointment of District of Sooke Mayor Maja Tait to the Commission,” said Minister Stone in a news release.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait has had some interaction with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure over the past few years, largely to pitch for attention to Highway 14 (Sooke Road) as it impacts the 12,000-resident population of Sooke which lies about 35 km west of Victoria. Since the demise of its resource-based economy last decade, Sooke holds onto its rural appeal for many long-time residents. But in the past 10 years Sooke has rapidly become a bedroom community for commuters to Victoria and other parts of south Vancouver Island in recent years. Tait had served as a District of Sooke councillor for two terms, before winning as Mayor in November 2014 with 68% of the vote.
City of Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton also represents the interests of the residents of the western communities on the commission. Hamilton is serving in her second term as Mayor of Colwood, that she won with a strong return mandate of 84% from the Colwood electorate in 2014. She seems to be crafting Colwood as a bedroom community of choice, with a strong office/retail component to the municipality but less of the big-box stores and industrial enterprises than are seen in neighbouring Langford.
Transit service in Greater Victoria is governed by the Victoria Regional Transit Commission. It will now consist of eight members (six locally elected mayors and two councillors) who are appointed according to the BC Transit Act.
Under the act, the following representatives must be appointed to the commission: Victoria’s mayor, a Victoria councillor, the mayor of Esquimalt or Oak Bay, the mayor of Saanich, a Saanich councillor and one of the mayors of Sidney, North Saanich or Central Saanich, as well as two representatives of the western communities – the Mayors of Colwood, Metchosin, View Royal, Langford, Highlands, Sooke or the director of the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area. With Hamilton and Tait being the western communities representation (the only two women who are mayors in the western communities), that leaves the other mayors to focus on other specific needs of their areas.
“Today’s decision will help us continue to build on the transit investments and improvements we’re making in Sooke and the western communities,” said Minister Stone. “Over the last few years, BC Transit and the commission have added double-decker buses to increase capacity, installed additional bus shelters along Highway 14, has adjusted bus routes to improve service to and from SEAPARC Leisure Complex, introduced a Saturday night trip to and from Victoria, and built a new Park and Ride on Highway 14.”
Mayor Tait finally brought a traffic roundabout to Sooke town centre on Highway 14 last summer — which was not mentioned in the ministry release. Since final completion in fall 2015, the roundabout has improved traffic flow in and through Sooke. In Sooke, Tait has overseen some town centre parking improvements, but cramped the style of parking at the Sooke public boat launch and never worked to resolve the issues of seriously impeding access to some businesses and residents with the restriction of turns at the Townsend/Sooke Road intersection, despite a public call to address it.
BC and the federal government have recently announced nearly $160 million in funding to further improve transit services throughout the province. This includes a $10-million extension to the Douglas Street northbound bus lane, from Tolmie Avenue to the McKenzie interchange that will reduce congestion on one of Victoria’s major transit routes servicing West Shore communities.”
“We will continue to work together toward improving and evolving public transit to meet the needs for everyone in Greater Victoria,” said Stone. Victoria is of course the capital city of BC, with the legislature and government providing a lot of activity and employment for the south island region.
Transit service in Greater Victoria is governed by the Victoria Regional Transit Commission. It will now consist of eight members (six locally elected mayors and two councillors) who are appointed according to the BC Transit Act. Under the act, the following representatives must be appointed to the commission: Victoria’s mayor, a Victoria councillor, the mayor of Esquimalt or Oak Bay, the mayor of Saanich, a Saanich councillor and one of the mayors of Sidney, North Saanich or Central Saanich and two representatives of the western communities – the Mayors of Colwood, Metchosin, View Royal, Langford, Highlands, Sooke or the director of the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area.
The commission sets routes, service levels, fares and local taxes for transit purposes. It reviews and is responsible for raising the local share of the annual cost of transit in the region. The commission’s members are now:
- Chair – Councillor Susan Brice – District of Saanich
- Mayor Richard Atwell – District of Saanich
- Mayor Lisa Helps – City of Victoria
- Mayor Alice Finall – District of North Saanich
- Mayor Barb Desjardins- Township of Esquimalt
- Mayor Carol Hamilton – City of Colwood
- Mayor Maja Tait – District of Sooke
- Councillor Marianne Alto – City of Victoria
Friday, October 21 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND. Influenza (flu) causes more deaths than any other vaccine-preventable illness in Canada, says Island Health. “Arm yourself against influenza – plan ahead and get your flu shot early,” said Island Health in a news release today.
Frequent hand-washing, and perhaps avoiding handshakes is one way to avoid contracting or transmitting the flu. If you need to sneeze, use tissues or sneeze into your elbow, not into your hand or into the atmosphere. If you do get the flu, stay away from other people until you’re asymptomatic and feeling better.
Doctors, pharmacies and Island Health Public Health Units will be providing free flu shots to people at high risk of complications from influenza, their close contacts, and many other eligible groups. Free immunization clinics offered by Island Health’s Public Health Units run between October 24 and December 16, 2016.
For up-to-date information about Island Health’s Public Health flu clinic dates and times, Island residents can visit www.islandfluclinics.ca . Clinics are searchable by date and/or location. “Information on free public health vaccination clinic dates and times is also available on the Island Health website www.viha.ca/flu , and by phone,” said Dr. Dee Hoyano, Medical Health Officer, Island Health. “Planning ahead and getting your flu shot early is an important way to protect yourself and the people in your life who are vulnerable to complications of influenza,” she said in a news release today.
Most clinics are offered on a drop-in basis with no appointment necessary. Residents are encouraged to check ahead at www.islandfluclinics.ca for further details. BC CareCard or other government ID (valid driver’s license) is required. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt is recommended.
Eligible individuals may also get their free vaccine from their doctor or pharmacy. Here is a list of eligibility in BC:
- People 65 and older and their caregivers
- Children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts
- Health care workers
- Emergency responders
- Healthy children from 6 months of age to less than 5 years old
- Household contacts and caregivers of children from birth to less than 5 years of age
- Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
- Owners and operators of poultry farms
- Aboriginal peoples
- People who are very obese (those with a body mass index of 40 or greater)
- Corrections officers and inmates in provincial correctional institutions.
- Those who provide care or service in potential outbreak settings housing high risk persons (e.g. crew on ships)
- Visitors to healthcare facilities
Friday, October 21 ~ Vancouver Island. Island Health says it is on track to deliver 93 substance use beds as part of the provincial plan to open 500 substance use spaces throughout British Columbia.
Island Health’s 93 beds are based on population proportion and will support and enhance existing substance use services, it was stated in a news release from Island Health today. Since the initiative began in 2014, Island Health has already opened 55 beds across its service area. Plans are underway to open the remaining 38 beds by early 2017.
“We understand the harms and incredible risks of substance use, and that’s why more beds are needed to help people get back on track,” says BC Health Minister Terry Lake. “Everyone deserves a chance. Adding beds on Vancouver Island shows that we value our strong communities, and can help individuals struggling with substance use with support recovery beds and services.”
The 55 beds which have already opened are located throughout the area served by Island Health:
• Victoria: 14 tertiary supportive recovery beds, 10 supportive recovery beds and five stabilization beds for adults and six supportive recovery beds for youth
• Nanaimo: Four crisis stabilization beds for Aboriginal youth with concurrent mental health and substance use challenges
• Courtenay: Six supportive recovery beds for women
• Port Alberni: Five stabilization and supportive recovery beds
• North Island: Five withdrawal management/community detox beds on the North Island located in Port Hardy
“I’m looking forward to the positive impact these beds will have on the community, and proud to support the number of beds that have already opened, helping countless adults and youth,” said Don McRae, MLA for Comox Valley.
The remaining 38 beds will be located in communities throughout the Island Health region. In addition, when Island Health residents need to attend residential treatment facilities on the Lower Mainland, Island Health teams coordinate referrals and provide funding assistance. These services are part of a continuum of mental health and substance use programming.
“Ensuring that both adults and youth have better access and improved outcomes for mental health and substance use is a top priority for Island Health,” said Don Hubbard, Island Health Board Chair. “This additional treatment capacity will be a significant improvement and will help ensure appropriate levels of supports and services are available to people who need them.”
Cheryl Damstetter, Island Health’s Chief of Population and Community Health said: “For people who are living with substance use issues, these beds – and the supportive recovery services that surround them – will help support individuals through their personal journey toward recovery and will benefit not only them but also their children, families and communities.”
On July 27, 2016, BC Premier Christy Clark announced a new Joint Task Force on Overdose Prevention and Response. The actions being taken under the task force support the ongoing work to support and treat British Columbians with substance use issues, a key priority of government.
The province has committed to meet the goal of opening 500 new substance use treatment beds in 2017, and today’s announcement of more beds and the treatment and intervention services that surround them will work to meet that goal. In the past two years, the Province has opened more than 220 new beds as part of this commitment to ensure better access to appropriate substance use treatment and supports.
Island Health provides health care and support services to more than 765,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands in the Salish Sea and the Johnstone Strait, and the mainland communities north of Powell River. www.viha.ca
Friday, October 21 ~ ELECTION BC 2017 campaign trail. Why vote NDP? That question was posed by West Shore Voice News to John Horgan in an interview today, as the BC NDP Leader was enroute from Richmond to Bella Bella. Here’s what he says when BC voters ask him that question:
“The BC Liberals have been in power for 16 years, but is your life better today than 16 years ago?. Do the BC Liberals have your interest at heart or are they just holding onto government? When clinging to power, a government is not focussed on the best interest of the public. It’s time for a change,” Horgan stated with conviction.
Earlier this week Horgan announced the BC NDP’s commitment to $10/day child care if the BC NDP form government after the May 2017 election. [Livestream Photo: in Vancouver with NDP MLAs Jodie Wickens and Melanie Mark]. While the BC Liberals issued in a statement that the cost of delivering $10/day child care is not possible, Horgan explains that an NDP government would achieve such a program with the likelihood of negotiating some federal partnership funding, something that Horgan feels wasn’t possible under the Harper government. Ultimately, the difference in approach between the two parties is about the political will to enable affordable child care as one component of an improved economy and society. When parents are confident about child care services, they are more productive employees, employers and contributors to the economy.
In his home riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca, where Horgan has been the MLA since first being elected in 2005, the boundaries have changed (as well as the name of the riding over the years). But that’s because more people are moving to the area for relative housing affordability, so the boundaries over time have become smaller. Electoral area boundaries are reviewed and often revised every couple of years to ensure that the population count is similar among ridings.
“Langford-Juan de Fuca represents the cross-section of challenges that have developed under the BC Liberals,” says Horgan. “The challenges in Langford are the same as everywhere in BC: affordability, how to make family life easier, how well are schools funded, and good transportation options,” says the NDP Leader who saw two new NDP candidates nominated last weekend, with two more nominations coming up this weekend.
John Horgan is heading to the small coastal community of Bella Bella today to see for himself the damage to the pristine waters in the Great Bear Rainforest area due to an oil spill last Friday. Seafood harvesting areas that are critical to the Heiltsuk economy are being contaminated as a result of the spill from a tugboat.
Last month, the Duke of Cambridge delivered a speech in Bella Bella during the Royal Tour, stating his pleasure at protecting the Great Bear Rainforest as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy which was created by Queen Elizabeth to help preserve natural wilderness ecosystems around the world.
Thursday, October 20 ~ COASTAL BC. BC Ferries announced today that a major fleet-wide pricing promotion of 50% savings on vehicle fares will be in effect starting mid-November.
Similar to a promotion last year in the autumn season, customers travelling on select sailings will receive the discount off the standard vehicle fare.
This year there will be over 3,100 promotional sailings, including select Sunday morning sailings.
- For North Coast routes servicing Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, Alliford Bay and Skidegate, as well as the Discovery Coast Connector, the half-price discount will apply on all sailings from November 14 – December 18.
- On all of the other routes, the promotion will be in effect on select sailings Monday through Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from November 14 – December 18.
The half-price fare discount will apply to cars, motorcycles, trucks, SUVs, vans or recreational vehicles (discount applies to the first 20 feet of vehicle length only).
“BC Ferries is pleased to once again offer this vehicle promotion for customers to enjoy some savings this fall,” said Mike Corrigan, BC Ferries’ President and CEO. “We understand fare affordability remains a key concern for customers and hope they take advantage of this promotion when planning their fall travel. It was very popular last year and encouraged many passengers to travel on off-peak sailings, which helps shift traffic across our system.”
The promotions help reduce congestion at terminals by encouraging both foot and vehicle passengers to travel on off-peak sailings. BC Ferries is planning another pricing promotion for next spring.
Space on the selected sailings is on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are recommended to ensure a spot on the sailing of choice. www.bcferries.com
Thursday, October 20 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND. Vancouver Island RCMP have made a significant fentanyl seizure. The investigation is continuing after a significant amount of fentanyl was seized on Vancouver Island last week.
The seizure took place on Monday October 10 at about 5pm when members from the Nanaimo RCMP checked a suspicious vehicle just south of Nanaimo near Cassidy Airport. The vehicle was travelling southbound on the Island Highway when members pulled it over without incident.
The male driver, a resident of Vancouver Island, was arrested and the subsequent search of the vehicle located a sum of money and one kilogram of a powdered substance that has now been analyzed to be fentanyl. This makes the seizure one of the largest for the RCMP in British Columbia over the past few years.
“Locating and reducing the importation and distribution of fentanyl continues to be a priority for the RCMP, especially given the number of opioid deaths in British Columbia”, says Cpl. Tammy Douglas, spokesperson for Vancouver Island District.
In BC this year, the number of deaths as a result of fentanyl mixed into other illicit drugs has reached epidemic proportions, according to the BC Coroners Service.
“Our investigation is continuing to look for all those connected and responsible in the alleged trafficking of a harmful illicit substance in addition to determining the ultimate destination for the drug”.
Given the dangers fentanyl poses, precautions were taken in dealing with the seizure and now the storage of it. This active investigation is being handled by the Federal Serious and Organized Crime Group on Vancouver Island. The individual arrested was released pending charges.
Anyone with any information is encourage to call police or if you wish to remain anonymous you can contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Wednesday, October 19 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND. A rare avian patient has landed at the BC Wild ARC facility. “She’s a female adult Short-eared owl – a rare patient at Wild ARC – it’s been many years since we last admitted one,” says Heather Schmitt, assistant manager at Wild ARC. “Her injuries needed immediate surgical repair, as the bones needed to be pinned and stabilized in order for her to be able to fly again.”
Staff at the BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (ARC) on Vancouver Island are hoping the public can help a short-eared owl fly again, after she was found by the side of the road with two severely broken bones in her left wing. “She’s a beautiful bird! We just want her to be able to fly again, and hunt for her meals the way owls are supposed to,” Schmitt says.
The feathered patient is expected to be in Wild ARC’s care for about eight weeks as she recovers, needing medication for pain, to prevent infection and to promote healing, specialized staff care including hand-feeding and therapies to help rehabilitate the wing, and flight testing before release. If all goes well, the owl will be returned to the wild when she is fully recovered.
The estimated medical costs associated with the owl’s treatment and recovery is expected to be over$4,000. As a non-profit organization, the BC SPCA relies primarily on public donations to carry out their work helping vulnerable companion, farm and wild animals. Donations are accepted by Wild ARC at their facility at 1020 Malloch Rd (off Rocky Point Road in the Metchosin area), or online at www.spca.bc.ca/medicalemergency . Info: 250-478-9453.
Tuesday, October 18 ~ VICTORIA. An investment of$5.2 million in Camosun College for skills training in high-priority trades seats was announced today by the BC Government.
Greg Kyllo, parliamentary secretary for the BC Jobs Plan, announced the funding today on behalf of Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, during a tour of Camosun College’s Centre for Trades Education and Innovation. The investment, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), will fund 2,047 seats through to March 31, 2017, in various trades, including: Electrician, Welder, Carpenter, Cook, and Automotive service technician.
The funding is part of the ITA’s allocation to BC post-secondary institutions and training providers to run various training programs through out the province. In response to the objectives outlined in BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and the McDonald Report, the BC government has worked in partnership with the ITA to begin building a demand-driven trades-training system with funding aligned to specific in-demand trades.
The provincial government invests more than $94 million annually in industry training through the ITA. The ITA leads and co-ordinates British Columbia’s skilled trades system by working with employers, employees, industry, labour, training providers and government to issue credentials, manage apprenticeships, set program standards and increase opportunities in the trades.
ITA provides more than 100 apprenticeship training programs in BC., including almost 50 Red Seal trades. There are currently more than 39,000 registered apprentices in the industry training system (including youth) – more than double the 14,676 apprentices registered when ITA was created in 2004. BC is expecting up to one million job openings by 2025 due to retirements and economic growth. Eight of every 10 of these job openings will require post-secondary education or trades training.
Sunday, October 16 ~ West Shore. The student population in School District 62 (SD62) is increasing as more families move to the west side of Vancouver Island in search of relatively affordable housing.
SD62 administration predicts that about 3,068 more students will need spaces in SD62 schools between 2017 and 2026. By volume, most of those student increases will be seen in Langford (1,630), followed by Colwood (681), Sooke (447), Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (170), Highlands (123) and Metchosin (17).
SD62 Superintendent Jim Cambridge projects that at least one new school will be needed in the coming years. This year, student population has already risen to nearly 10,000, that being about 500 more than last year.
This fall, four portables were added to the new Royal Bay Secondary school that opened in September 2015. Belmont Secondary will need a portable, adding to the new school that opened in September 2015. A new classroom is being built at Happy Valley Elementary.
Full article on page 3 in the October 14 issue of West Shore Voice News
Saturday, October 15 ~ Vancouver Island.[posted at 8:15 pm]. Remnants of a typhoon are forecasted to affect Vancouver Island and the BC lower mainland this evening.
All regions BC Hydro crews are pre-positioned in key locations on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland to move quickly into affected areas as strong winds are moving through parts of the province as expected. “Crews will be working through the evening to restore power as quickly and safely as possible for our customers. The safety of our crews and the public remains our top priority,” says a bulletin on the BC Hydro website this evening.
Vancouver Island South is presently experiencing 18 outages, affecting 4,779 BC hydro customers. Vancouver Island North has 15 outages as of 8:15 pm, with 9.703 customers affected. On the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast area, 12,152 customers are without power within 34 areas of power outage.
On the west side of Vancouver Island, about 1,295 customers are affected in the extended Sooke area including West Coast Road west of Grant Road (ETO 11 pm), north of Phillips Rd (no ETO), and various other areas around West Coast Road. Only 16 customers are presently without power in Victoria (Topaz Avenue area). There is one outage affecting five customers in the Highlands area. There are no outages presently reported for Colwood or Langford.
WEATHER. Saturday, October 15 ~ Vancouver Island.Due to the expectation of high winds and dangerous conditions to occur this afternoon and evening, October 15, BC Ferries has today announced a rare cancellation of all sailings between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland beginning at 3 pm today. All regular sailings will resume on Sunday, October 16.
The affected routes are between Swartz Bay<>Tsawwasen, Nanaimo’s Duke Point, and Tsawwassen and Nanaimo’s Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay sailings. BC Ferries is also cancelling sailings from 3 pm Saturday onwards between Tsawwasen and the Gulf Islands.
The third in a series of strong storms is forecast to arrive at about 3 pm this afternoon with winds and wind gusts forecast to be as strong as 100 km/hour this evening on the east side of Vancouver Island. The storm is packing powerful rain and energy from the remnants of Typhoon Songda. There have been several days of warning for this storm, as released by Environment Canada on October 11.
As for road travel on the west side of Vancouver Island, Hwy 14 in both directions is expecting to have water pooling from Port Renfrew to Colwood (95.6 km). This morning on Hwy 14 (Sooke Road) there was a car in the ditch near Gillespie Road, causing a slow-down in traffic to and from Sooke.
Friday, October 14 ~ WEST SHORE. The Sooke School District 62 (SD62) advises parents and families that school bus registration will close for the rest of the 2016-2017 school year, as of 9pm on Monday, October 17. More info:www.sd62.bc.ca/2016/10/13/sd62-bus-registration-closure-refunds-and-passes/
Due to a high volume of riders, the SD62 buses are at or are nearing capacity. All registration must be completed online. All registrations will be placed on a wait list. Link to online registration:www.sd62.bc.ca/about/transportation – For questions about the registration process you can email to emailbussing@sd62.bc.ca . Those who registered outside of the registration window last spring are wait listed and may be asked to move to a different bus if the bus they currently ride is full. Riders not registered will not be allowed on the bus.
SD62 administration is aiming to have all refunds completed by October 31. Their Finance Department has processed over 1,000 refunds, but they still have nearly 1,000 more to complete. “The system was not designed to handle so many refunds at once, so there are daily limits to what we can put through for refunds,” says the school board in an online release. “As a result, you may receive more than one refund. Please continue to check your credit card and bank statements for refund notification. Our goal is to have all refunds completed by October 31. You will receive your refund via the same method you paid, so by credit card or e-cheque.”
Bus Passes are required by Middle School and Secondary School students only. Students must present their passes each time they get onto a bus. Permanent bus passes will be issued to registered riders over the next few weeks. Until then, students are to use the temporary bus passes that have been issued. Apparently the bus drivers will be diligent in checking for these.
The school bus rider registration fee refunds have resulted for anyone who already paid the fees or set up an auto-payment arrangement ahead of September. In the summer, the BC Ministry of Education announced that funds would be available to all school boards to cover the cost of bussing for students attending schools in catchment areas. In this regard, SD62 had a few wrinkles to sort out, as many students travel to schools outside their catchment area based on overcrowded schools and course selection.
While the SD62 board determined that their 2016-2017 budget would have a $115,000 shortfall despite $358,000 coming from the BC Government, the board decided to proceed with full bus fee coverage for all students.
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