ARCHIVE – Sooke Breaking News [September & October 2017]
Wednesday, October 25, 2017 ~ BC. Local governments throughout BC have until November 1, 2017 to provide feedback on the provincial discussion paper, Cannabis Legalization and Regulation in British Columbia.
The Province will draw upon feedback obtained through the engagement process as it considers key policy decisions that will form the foundation of its legalized cannabis framework, it was stated today by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).
UBCM encourages all local governments to provide submissions to ensure that feedback provided to Province represents the diversity of our membership. Local government responses to the discussion paper will be considered as a separate cohort among the feedback provided.
Many people across Canada already use cannabis products for medicinal reasons. Recreational users often incur criminal records for simple possession, something that will likely fade away after the federal government brings in their new laws and regulations in July 2018.
Considered by pretty much all stakeholders to be a positive aspect of the upcoming legislation is to keep marijuana products out of the hands of youth (for health and safety reasons), and to control or eliminate the current black-market and criminal element of marijuana sales. The federal government will gain tax revenues under the new legislation. Provincial and municipal governments also stand to gain financially under the new laws and regulations.
For many, a major concern remains about road safety related to cannabis use. While for alcohol consumption the roadside blood-alcohol level testing has become mainstream, the ways and means for testing one’s state of clarity while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana remains to be fully determined.
Presently on the west shore of Vancouver Island:
>> In Sooke, a few marijuana-product outlets have already been operating in the town centre area for almost two years. About that… Sooke Council has had discussions but is essentially waiting for federal legislation to come into effect. Today Sooke Mayor Maja Tait (who sits on the UBCM executive) told West Shore Voice: “We received a staff report on Monday and will send a response summarizing the highlighted concerns within. These regulations and the Provincial request pertain to the Federal Government’s legalization of non-medical cannabis, that was the focus of our Agenda.”
>> In Colwood, the City of Colwood Council has had discussions about cannabis legalization and regulation, as well as participating in discussions at the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities and Union of BC Municipalities conferences. “The City will adhere to the current Colwood Land Use Bylaw and Business Bylaw until such time as the Federal and Provincial governments provide direction regarding legalization,” said Colwood’s communications manager Sandra Russell today. The Colwood Land Use and Business Bylaws currently prohibits marijuana dispensaries other than a licensed pharmacy or premises licensed under the “Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations”.
>> In Langford, a few marijuana product outlets that have opened have been quickly shut down through bylaw-related mechanisms. No statement on this topic was provided from the City of Langford today.
> Link to the Cannabis Legalization and Regulation in BC discussion paper: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/217/2017/09/Cannabis-Legalization-and-Regulation-in-BC_Discussion-Paper.pdf
Wednesday, October 25 ~ BC. Funding from the BC Government is available to manage urban deer, it was announced today by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
Up to $100,000 will be provided to local governments and First Nations communities (that are involved in urban deer activities or research into population control methods) to help fund urban deer management projects under the 2017-18 Provincial Urban Deer Cost-share Program. Applications due on or before November 17, 2017, info: 2017-18 Urban Deer Cost-share Program Application Guide
Eligible proposals will be evaluated by members of the Provincial Urban Deer Advisory Committee which includes reps from the Province, local governments, the Union of BC Municipalities and the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Successful proponents will be advised in December.
Projects that address human-deer conflict in areas where traditional deer management techniques are not appropriate will be given priority. Matching funds are required from any local government or First Nation that applies.
There are about 135,000 mule deer, 128,000 black-tail deer and more than 100,000 white-tail deer in BC. Deer are managed in BC by the BC Government which authorizes municipalities to undertake urban deer management actions. Provincial support includes technical advice, regulatory authority, necessary permits, specialized equipment and other management tools.
Bonfires will be bright against the night sky on Tuesday October 31 at Colwood fire hall (6:30 to 8:30 pm) and at Camp Barnard in the Sooke area (starting 6:30 pm, with fireworks at 7:30 pm by Otter Point Fire).
In Langford check out Halloween festivities happening October 31 at all three fire stations: 2625 Peatt Rd, 3205 Happy Valley Rd, 2872 Sooke Lake Rd from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.
Earlier in the day in the Sooke retail areas swarms of kids and teens will visit stores for candy handouts.
The Sooke Fire Dept reminds anyone who plans to set off fireworks to purchase a fireworks permit for $10 at Fire Hall #1 at 2225 Otter Point Rd. “We encourage everyone to have a safe and happy Halloween!”, says Mount.
For many years, families in Sooke have enjoyed the ‘Safe Halloween’ event and haunted house presented by the Sooke Fire Department and volunteers. But this year, Sooke FD priorities have shifted to a municipal-issues open house coming up this Wednesday, as well as the Santa Run and Santa Claus parade, says Sooke Fire Chief Kenn Mount.
Fire departments remind trick-or-treaters to choose flame-resistant, high-visibility costumes. When decorating, be FireSmart and that means avoid open flames. Trick-or-treating with family or a buddy in well-lit areas with flashlights or glow sticks is a smart Halloween choice. Parents should approve treats before kids get into them.
Friday, October 20 ~ SOOKE. Come spend a night ‘with Emily Carr’ at Sooke Harbour House.
Molly Raher Newman, local Vancouver Island artist and actor who has played the roll of Emily Carr for the past 19 years, has been recreating Emily’s 1927 train ride from Vancouver through Northern Ontario to Ottawa in October. This commemorative train trip, part of the Canada 150 celebrations is to showcase 90 years of Emily Carr as an important and historic icon.
Upon her return, the enactment artist will exhibit her water colour paintings done during the trip and talking about her adventures.
Sooke Harbour House and the Sooke Community Arts Council are sponsoring this free evening Tuesday November 7 at 7:30 pm in the Potlatch Room at Sooke Harbour House on Whiffin Spit Road.
Monday, October 16 ~ SOOKE. Log giveaway in Sooke. About 60 to 80 cords of alderwood have recently been logged from Lot A on Wadams Way in Sooke. The logs lie exhausted in a big pile by the fence along Sooke Road at Kaltasin Road in the District of Sooke’s workyard.
It’s quite a sight for those who live in other areas of Greater Victoria where felling even one tree in protected areas generates quite an uproar.
It’s just one more indication that while Sooke tries to include itself in the urban swath for services like getting a hospital or clinic, the region is still firmly connected to its rural roots.
The land clearing at Lot A is to make way for construction of the new, long-promised Sooke library (opening now pushed well into 2019, it was stated in a Vancouver Island Regional Library release in recent weeks).
Sooke Council took several awkward minutes off-line (microphones deliberately turned off) at their October 10 meeting to review “new information” as Mayor Maja Tait put it, after senior staff declined the mayor’s request to verbally brief council on the logging report. That’s a council-staff dynamic you don’t see in many municipal councils — mayor and council unprepared and senior administrative staff refusing to support a smooth presentation, and/or an attempt to reveal disclosure of some discussion.
The audience chatted and fidgeted during what was clearly a break in the meeting as Mayor and council read the report and had some discussions. Online viewers got a good chunk of silence to watch. With the webcast back on, Sooke Fire Chief Kenn Mount was then asked to provide some technical information.
Political options for what to do with the logs included offering them to non-profits for resale as fundraising opportunities, or selling the logs as firewood and keeping the proceeds of direct sale for the district’s own budget. As an active micro-management exercise, the Mayor lured real-time advertising-booking commitments out of council.
Councillor Kerrie Reay said the district is “always looking for money” and therefore supported direct sale of the logs and keeping the proceeds for the municipal budget, as did Councillor Brenda Parkinson who said the funds could be directed to the Community Grants budget.
Councillors Rick Kasper and Kevin Pearson spoke in favour of donating the logs to non-profits, if such groups would have the skill and means to produce firewood from the large logs (and are covered by suitable liability insurance). That last option is what council approved. Certain groups in town will be more easily connected with logging skills than others, so it is a political tip of the hat to the loggers and firewood buffs in the community.
Friday, October 13 ~ BC. “ShakeOutBC is a great opportunity to break from our routines, practice our earthquake response and take a moment to reflect on our level of preparedness,” says Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness.
“We each have a duty to prepare our family and our community for emergencies.” We encourages people to participate in the Drop, Cover and Hold On drill on Oct 19.
BC sits in one of the world’s most seismically active regions, with more than 3,000 earthquakes recorded every year. Most are too small to be felt, but the risk of one being big enough to cause damage is real.
The best immediate response in an earthquake is to Drop, Cover and Hold On. Thousands of people practice this life-saving technique every year as part of the Great BC ShakeOut which is Canada’s largest earthquake drill.
Families, schools, businesses or organizations can register for ShakeOutBC at www.shakeoutbc.ca/register
Sooke School District 62 (SD62) Superintendent Jim Cambridge is retiring from his 36-year career. While that eventuality been known in education circles for a while, the formal announcement from the school board came October 4. Cambridge will begin his next adventures in August 2018.
With SD62 since 1981, Cambridge has been a classroom teacher and school administrator, as well as holding various administrative positions at the board office (in the top position as Superintendent and CEO since May 2009). As Superintendent, Cambridge has in recent years led schools, teachers, students and parents during an unprecedented growth period.
In August this year, his senior executive support expanded from two Assistant Superintendents to three, to keep up with student population growth which has now reached 10,400 as more families move to the west shore.
Back in January, Cambridge co-hosted the Canada 150 BC schools launch by BC Lt Governor Judith Guichon at Edward Milne Community School in Sooke.
Behind the scenes over the past few years, Cambridge was instrumental in various areas of discussion with the BC Government to help morph the understanding of school budgets and funding requirements.
Jim Cambridge is well liked and highly regarded both within SD62 and in the broader community. He’s in his element at the board table and always enjoys getting back into schools for visits. Cambridge has always seemed to enjoy the job despite its many challenges.
In his role at chief administrator, Cambridge has weathered various storms including teacher strikes, the construction of two new high schools in two years, and several years of budget cuts. Even the decision required to call a ‘snow day’ is also significant, as many sectors are impacted.
Keven Elder Consulting Services will recruit and select the next SD62 Superintendent and CEO. That process will begin with stakeholders this fall; the new posting for the position is expected in December.
=== Article first published on page 3 in the print/PDF edition of the October 6, 2017 issue of West Shore Voice News
Saturday, October 7 ~ WEST SHORE. Duality in Greater Victoria real estate this fall season. Real Estate Analysis by Mary P Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
There’s been a stone-cold drop in activity and a significant cooling in prices in many average-price areas of the Greater Victoria real estate market in recent weeks.
But in three areas actual sales price averages jumped dramatically between August and September: Langford was up by $55,150, East Saanich was up by $42,565 and North Saanich prices skyrocketed by $152,407. Prices in high-end Oak Bay notably dropped by almost $94,000 (only post-peak stock may have been available).
In September there were 18.1% fewer properties sold than a year ago. East Saanich is normally the bell-weather of pricing trends, and Langford seems to be following suit.
The Victoria Real Estate Board says the market is “trending slowly towards more balanced conditions and overall price increases are levelling”. But their own stats tell a different story. The trend is not slow. prices are ‘acting out’, and the most stable areas (East Saanich and Langford) show distinct upward pressure.
Two Bank of Canada interest rate hikes this summer cut the legs out from under the lower end of the market, hurting entry-level buyers and sellers of modest homes.
Housing inventory rose in September 2017 (up 3.1% from August) as properties have become more difficult to sell. In the fast-growing City of Langford the actual sale price of single family homes surpassed $700,000 last month while Colwood and Sooke prices plummeted.
This article was first published in the October 6, 2017 issue of West Shore Voice News.
Friday, October 6 ~ SOOKE. Somehow it just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving long weekend in Sooke without the special turkey dinner with all the trimmings at Mom’s Cafe. This year being served on Sunday Oct 8 & Monday Oct 9.
$20.95 for the full turkey portion (8 oz) or $18.95 for ‘turkey lite’ (4 oz). Trimmings include mashed yams and potatoes, succotash vegetables, gravy, sausage stuffing, cranberry sauce and dinner roll. Add a slice of their delicious pumpkin pie for $3.95.
Mom’s special Thanksgiving turkey dinner will be served 4pm to close.
Mom’s Cafe is at 2036 Shields Rd in Sooke. Tel: 250-642-3314.
Check out the old juke box in the lobby!
Wednesday, October 4 ~ SOOKE. Recreation Job in Sooke. The CRD’s SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke has many active arena programs.
Recently they’ve been seeking a new Arena Team Leader to assist with on-ice leadership, teach classes as required, and assist with organizing special events. Also part of the job is to communicate with instructors, participants, parents and supervisors.
If you’re energetic, outgoing and responsible and can implement programs that are instructional, fun, exciting and maintained in a safe environment, then this job might be for you!
It’s part time, til approximately the end of the indoor ice season.
Here’s a direct link to the job posting on the CRD website:
https://www.crd.bc.ca/about/careers/current-opportunities/job-description?id=972
Saturday, September 30 ~ SOOKE. Housing Affordability affects pets. As housing affordability and job stability continues to be a challenge for many families in BC, in turn there can be impacts on family pets. It’s a sad realization that some families will abandon their pets or surrender them to the BC SPCA if they can no longer afford to care for them. Sometimes the situation is that whatever rental accommodation is available restricts tenants from having pets.
Therein comes the need for rescue shelters, where dogs, cats and other domestic animals can be taken for continued care and re-homing, without the possible risk of euthanization. However, CRD and municipal bylaws in many cases frustrate and extinguish the efforts of enthusiastic animal rescue volunteers, mostly through the requirement of a significant amount of land for an animal shelter.
This battle is well known to followers of the news in Sooke, where for years the Victoria Pet Food Bank & Feral Cat Rehabilitation Society (aka SAFARS) has been trying to put their good will to work in rescuing cats in particular but also dogs. They supply donated pet food and supplies to low-income people for their pets, which in many cases means those people do not have to give up their animal companions.
A demonstration will be held on the BC Legislative grounds on Sunday October 15: the March for the Right to Have Animal Shelters will start at 1pm. The group is asking people to bring a sign affixed to your dog, saying “we need more animal shelters” and to join the march with them. There is a petition that can be signed ahead of and at the March. See petition (click image to see larger version):
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SAFARS says that puppy-mills/backyard breeders are flourishing in Sooke and that the BC-SPCA claims not to have legislation to stop the breeders. www.safars.org/events
Friday, September 29 ~ SOOKE. District of Sooke Mayor Maja Tait is moving up the ranks among BC municipalities. At the 114th UBCM convention in Vancouver this week she was acclaimed 2nd Vice President on the UBCM executive. She’s the only Vancouver Island rep on the executive this year.
Tait and most of Sooke Council were at the convention this year. On the first morning, Tait attended the Funding for Local Governments presentation at UBCM, to hear a panel discussion on new and emerging program priorities in BC funding to municipalities in such areas as climate change and asset management.
Meeting with BC Health Minister Adrian Dix, Tait discussed Primary Health Care infrastructure in the Sooke Region. As
the Chairperson of the Sooke Region Primary Health Care Working Group, Tait has been working with stake-holders from across the region to advocate for a local Primary Care Home facility. That would create space for additional family physicians, allow for urgent care treatment with extended operating hours, and improved access to medical services without having to drive the not- always accessible Hwy 14.
The Sooke Region Primary Care Home initiative has garnered the support of the Capital Regional District (CRD) Hospitals and Housing Committee, and the CRD Board of Directors. Island Health reps have joined the Sooke Region Primary Health Care Working Group meetings. Tait feels that BC Health Ministry support would bring the Primary Care Home one step closer.
Mayor Tait took along her young son to the convention for the week in Vancouver, remarking after a few days at the positive support that having an on-site child care service is for women to stay plugged into their career activities.
Delays by the District of Sooke in acquiring and preparing the land on Wadams Way for development have pushed the timeline.
“Shovels in the ground” are expected by March 2018 with opening of a new 10,000 sqft ‘state of the art’ facility expected by spring 2019, it was stated in a VIRL news release on September 21.
Another public consultation session will be held once VIRL’s architect has prepared proposed designs. VIRL says Sooke’s new library remains a top priority.
Other obstacles have included “matters of health and safety” at the Sayward, Tahsis and Port McNeill branches. And Sooke’s library manager Adrienne Wass resigned earlier this year; another manager visits at the branch one day a week.
Sunday, September 17 ~ SOOKE. Today lots of people will gather to celebrate the fall harvest season with a celebration about apples!
The 4th Annual Sooke Apple Festival, hosted by the Sunriver Community Gardens and Orchard, will be held 10 am to 2 pm, at the Sunriver Community Gardens, 2380 Phillips Road. The family-friendly community gathering helps raise funds for the Sooke Region Food Community Health Initiative (Sooke Food CHI). Admission by donation. Parking available along Phillips Road.
All things apples includes apple sales, identification, bobbing, hand-pressed apple juice, tasting and orchard tours. All of that backed by music (The Chick Wagon Band).
As an ongoing project, Sooke Food CHI has acquired an apple press with funds raised from last year’s event. Today press your own juice to take home. Bring at least 15 pounds of apples and your containers. Apples should be mature, washed, and must be free from decay. Containers should be wide mouthed with tight lids. Bring a cooler to store your juice.
The press will be further available for use at the Community Gardens during the fall. Check the website for dates: sookefoodchi.ca
The Apple Shack: The Apple Shack is the Apple Learning Centre. It was built in the summer of 2013. During Apple Fest, it will have displays and lots of information about apples and the Sunriver Community Orchard. Ann Aylard from BC’s Fruit Tree Testing organization will be on hand to help the public identify apple varietals from their property.
Fundraiser: The Apple Festival is a Sooke Food CHI fundraiser for the community orchard and other Food CHI activities.
Food vendors include Coastal Crunch, Three Sisters, Livin’ the Dream, Jenny’s Kitchen, Dakini Tidal Wilds, Buddha Box and the Coffee Cantina. Games for families and kids are organized by Emily Moreland and friends, 11 am and 2 pm.
Monday, September 15 ~ SOOKE. At their September 11 council meeting, Sooke council approved a motion put forward by Councillor Rick Kasper to express concurrence with Freedom Mobile for putting up a telecommunications tower at 2614 Otter Point Rd. “We can’t ignore these applications,” said Kasper. Councillor Kerrie Reay looked at the community’s technological needs as a whole and supported the motion. Chair Mayor Maja Tait cast the deciding vote in favour (her argument was about facilitating services in a digital age).
Councillors Ebony Logins, Brenda Parkinson and Kevin Pearson voted against the cell tower motion as their way of supporting extensive community protest about presumed health concerns and aesthetics in a rural area. Logins spoke to the power of communicating across governments and Pearson said some fundamental questions hadn’t been answered for him. “How far do we trust (Health Canada standards, for example) and when do we not trust and question (with reference to a salmon farm which did cause a problem after Sooke Council gave it a light touch in review)? Parkinson felt a municipal council doesn’t have to give concurrence for something they have no say in anyhow.
Sooke council renewed their contract with the Capital Regional District (CRD) for animal control services, at a cost of $6,786.50/mo, for an extended period to June 2019. Sooke is charged more per capita than other municipalities likely due to travel time. Most Sooke residents may not realize the cost to taxpayers for this service.
Councillor Pearson brought forward his concerns about prohibiting ocean-based salmon farming after about 175,000 Atlantic Salmon got loose into Pacific waters near Sooke. Council approved his motion to protect west coast salmon from invasive species. He also pushed for salmon farm concerns to be put forward to MP and MLA. He may bring Sooke Council’s concerns forward at the upcoming UBCM conference in Vancouver later this month as an emergency resolution.
Friday, September 15. Apples galore! This Sunday September 17 is the annual Apple Fest harvest celebration at Sunriver Gardens in Sooke.
The new element this year is an apple press! Event organizers Sooke Food CHI have acquired an apple pres. “We are very excited to share this with the community,” says organizer Anita Wasiuta.
After the launch on Sunday, September 17, the apple press will be available every Saturday from 10 to 2pm through to October 28 at the Sunriver Community Gardens. People can bring their own apples and containers. Tips are at www.sookefoodchi.ca for juicing your own apples.
Apple Fest has proven each year to be a popular family event. It’s an opportunity to celebrate fruit and growing one’s own food.
Activities include apple sales, apple identification, apple bobbing, hand-pressed apple juice, apple tasting, food vendors, and orchard tours as well as music and games.
Sunriver Community Gardens is a 2380 Phillips Road. Apple Fest will run from 10 am to 2 pm.
UPDATE Wednesday, September 13 – At their September 13 meeting, the CRD Board unanimously defeated the motion to approve the proposed trip to Europe.
Saturday, September 9 ~ SOOKE. District of Sooke Mayor Maja Tait — as chair of the Integrated Resource Management (IRM) Advisory Committee of the CRD is one of three politicians who would travel to Europe to take a firsthand look at wastewater and integrated waste management systems.
There’s a public backlash about the cost compared to other ways to glean whatever information would be helpful and transferable to the Capital Regional District of Greater Victoria. The vote at her committee passed 6 to 5. Juan de Fuca Area Director Mike Hicks is on the IRM committee and he voted against the trip.
The motion goes next to the CRD Environment Committee on Wednesday September 13, and then further to the CRD Board. So it’s not a done deal yet.
Sooke has had a wastewater management system for over 10 years now. The peninsula also already treats its sewage. The core areas (Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Saanich) will come on stream with sewage treatment by the end of 2020.
CRD Chair Barb Desjardins points out that waste management is about more than sewage. Integration of managing waste requires looking at organics, biosolids, recycling, landfill issues, and more.
Friday, September 8 ~ SOOKE. The Sooke Fall Fair is coming up this weekend, September 9 and 10, at Sooke Community Hall. Details at www.sookefallfair.ca
Saturday, September 2 ~ SOOKE. Eager to avoid commuter stress, ride the #61 bus into town in comfort, and get some before- and after-work exercise?
Space is currently available for four bikes in Transition Sooke’s bike lockers in the BC Transit park-and-ride on Sooke Rd at Sooke River Rd. Rental is $10/month/bike or, for those who’d prefer an annual lease, $100 per year. Renters get a key for 24/7 access.
The well-lit Sooke Park & Ride services bus routes 61, 63 and 64, with 99 vehicle parking stalls and the two bike lockers, plus bike racks.
The lockers were installed in 2011 through the efforts of the Juan de Fuca Cycling Coalition’s Stephen Hindrichs and colorfully decorated by EMCS art students, says Jeff Bateman of Transition Sooke.
Bike locker inquiries by email: sooketransition@gmail.com
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