ARCHIVE - Breaking News - West Shore of Vancouver Island [June-Oct 2016]

ARCHIVE – Breaking News West Shore Vancouver Island [June to October 2016]

Langford ~ Colwood ~ Metchosin ~ Juan de Fuca area

Sunday, October 30 ~ METCHOSIN.

Tomorrow, for Halloween on Monday October 31, there will be some fun activities at the District of Metchosin and fire hall. Hot dogs, hot chocolate and coffee at 6:30, followed by a costume contest at 7:30 pm. Fireworks at 8pm, weather pending.

When trick or treating, never go alone — take a friend or be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Makeup is preferred over wearing a mask, for being able to see your best around the neighbourhood in the dark. Wear some type of reflective clothing and carry a flashlight.

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.

1305-mayotait-closeup-oct1716 “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.

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.

Clinics in the West Shore area as offered by Island Health are on these dates:

Wed Nov 2 – 1:30 to 6 pm, Colwood Pentecostal Church, 2250 Sooke Rd, Colwood. Drop in, all ages.
Thurs Nov 10 – 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Sooke Health Unit, CASA building, 6672 Wadams Way, Sooke. Drop in, all ages.
Wed Nov 16 – 1:30 to 6 pm, Colwood Pentecostal Church, 2250 Sooke Rd, Colwood. Drop in, all ages.
Thurs Nov 17 – 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Sooke Health Unit, CASA building, 6672 Wadams Way, Sooke. Drop in, all ages.
Fri Nov 18 – 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Colwood Pentecostal Church, 2250 Sooke Rd, Colwood. Drop in, all ages.
Tues Dec 13 – 1 to 3:30 pm, Sooke Health Unit, CASA building, 6672 Wadams Way, Sooke. Drop in, all ages.
Fri Dec 16 – 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Colwood Pentecostal Church, 2250 Sooke Rd, Colwood. Drop in, all ages.

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 ~ 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.

bellabella-oilspill-oct1416 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.

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.

Wednesday, October 12 ~ WEST SHORE. The West Shore Chamber of Commerce and Sooke School District 62 (SD62) are hosting a business mixer this evening October 12, 5 to 7pm at Royal Bay Secondary School.

Networking, food and tours of the school are part of the event. The tours will start at 4 pm.

The school is at 3500 Ryder Hesjedal Way in the Royal Bay residential area.

Tuesday, October 11 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND. Weather forecasters are predicting a series of three storms that will impact Vancouver Island starting tomorrow night, October 12, lasting for several days into Sunday. They are saying there could be potential for tree damage, power outages, flooding and landslides.

A series of intense storms will deliver prolonged heavy rain and strong winds to the South Coast beginning Wednesday evening:

• The first storm will reach the South Coast late Wednesday evening spreading the first round of heavy rain and strong south-east winds. Winds will likely exceed warning criteria (>80km/h) for the west side of Vancouver Island and perhaps Greater Victoria.
• A second round of strong winds and heavy rain is expected to begin late Thursday/early Friday with the arrival of storm #2.
• The third and potentially most vigorous storm is expected on Saturday when the remnants Typhoon Songda approach the South Coast. This third storm will be slow moving and produce heavy rain into Sunday.
• Currently, forecast models are suggesting the possibility for Saturday’s storm to intensify into a major storm. If the forecast holds, widespread damage from extreme winds is likely.
• Daily rainfall amounts will be in the 50-80 mm range. Total rainfall amounts from the three storms could be in excess of 200 mm along coastal sections and even higher over the North Shore mountains.

Environment Canada says that the forecast models are in good agreement regarding overall intensity of the storm cycle. Given that Saturday’s storm is still 4 days out, there is still plenty of time for the forecast to change. As always, forecast certainty will increase with time as the storms approach.

Environment Canada recommends that people prepare for potential power outages. They also suggest that people ensure that culverts and storm drains are free of debris.

Sunday, October 9. BC Premier Christy Clark has issued the following statement on Thanksgiving:

“Thanksgiving is a time to gather with friends and family to celebrate and appreciate life’s many blessings.

In British Columbia and Canada, we have a lot to be thankful for. We live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, in a tolerant, diverse, and prosperous society.

Our growing economy means more people can take care of loved ones – but we should never forget those who are less fortunate. To all those who donate their time, food and service at community shelters and food banks this long weekend – thank you.

I wish all British Columbians a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving.”

Saturday, October 8. Happy Thanksgiving Weekend! Many people already started their extended weekend over the last few days.

This is one of the busiest travel weekends for BC Ferries (70 additional sailings, most of those on the Vancouver-Victoria route).

Monday October 10 is a statutory holiday.

Tuesday, October 4 ~ VICTORIA. The first conference in BC dedicated to the health, well-being and soft skill development for Health Care Assistants (HCAs) kicks off in Esquimalt on Thursday, October 6. Health Care Assistants are the front line caregivers in homes, residential care facilities and hospitals who provide personal care to clients and patients with increasingly complex care needs.

According to WorkSafeBC statistics, Health Care Assistants experience the highest number of injuries of any occupation in BC. WorkSafeBC accepted more than 15,000 time-loss claims in the last five years in this occupation mainly caused by overexertion; violence; slips, trips and falls; infectious disease and motor vehicle incidents.

The sold out one-day conference will focus on workplace safety education from a psychological/social perspective; topics will range from proactive dementia care strategies to how to avoid compassion fatigue, survivors’ guilt and burn out . More than 160 Health Care Assistants and employers have registered.

Conference speakers:
Kath Murray RN, educator and author, Strength Training for HCAs
Elizabeth Causton MSW, Baggage and Boundaries: Foundations for Compassionate Care
MC Brenda Robinson, trainer and speaker, Energy for the Day
Representatives from Beacon Community Services, Camosun College and Home Instead Senior Care will present on The Dementia Experience.

Friday, September 30 ~ LANGFORD. Langford Lake Blue Green Algae Bloom Advisory. The public is being advised to take caution as a blue green algae bloom is currently present on Langford Lake. The bloom has been observed in the Leigh Road Beach and boardwalk area.

Island Health says that until further notice the public is advised to:

• keep all pets and livestock away from the lake
• avoid drinking the lake water
• avoid swimming or water skiing in areas of scum
• clean fish well and discard guts

Signage is being posted in public access points by the City of Langford. Call your health care provider or veterinarian if you or your animals have been exposed and develop sudden or unexplained sickness or signs of poisoning.

Blue green algae blooms are of public health concern because they may produce dangerous toxins.

Thursday, September 29 ~ LANGFORD. Being a firefighter is much more than just putting out fires.

That’s what will be celebrated at their annual Langford Fire Rescue Open House on Sunday, October 2. There will be lots of activities including fire truck rides, equipment displays, a climbing wall, emergency support services info, car seat technicians on hand, fire-hose spraying, fire extinguisher demos, and the Tom Thumb Safety Village. The event runs 10 am to 2 pm at Langford Fire Station 1, 2625 Peatt Road.

The Fire Department provides pre-hospital care often before an ambulance arrives. They also do auto extrication at vehicle crashes, public education, rope rescue, water rescue, hazmat event handling and many more activities for the community.

The Langford Volunteer Fire Fighters Association has been aided greatly by their Women’s Auxiliary who have been raising funds for and assisting Langford’s firefighters since the 1950s.

Recruitment for more firefighters will start at year end, for the 2017 firefighter training season.

Chris Aubrey, Assistant Chief Fire Prevention says there were fewer fires in summer 2016 in Langford than in past years. There was more rain this summer than in the very dry summer of 2015. But public attention to campfire bans and drought conditions overall seem to be getting public attention.

Friday, September 23 ~ WEST SHORE. This year’s team of 17 Tour de Rock riders will be on the west shore on Wednesday October 5.

The 2016 Cops for Cancer fundraising cycling team will on October 5 cover 78 km from Duncan to Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay, Sooke and the West Shore (78 km).

West shore details: Belmont Secondary – 3041 Langford Lake Rd, 11:39 am to 12:09 pm; Happy Valley Elementary – 3921 Happy Valley Rd, 12:15 to 12:30 pm; ride by EMCS high school – 6218 Sooke Rd, 13:12 to 13:13 pm; Sooke Elementary, 13:17 to 13:47; ride back into Langford.

The 1,000 km route will see the 17 riders visit in 27 communities on Vancouver Island, September 24 to October 7.

One of the riders this year is Elyse Patten of West Shore RCMP. www.tourderock.ca

0034-wspkwy-cones-sep20-2016-westshorevoice-web400 Tuesday, September 20 ~ WEST SHORE. You’ll want to pay a lot more attention to your driving skills through these rows of traffic cones on Hwy 14 (Sooke Road) on either side of West Shore Parkway. Especially at night.

The delineated lanes with traffic cones have been in place for a few weeks now, for daily driving challenges! No line-painting yet.

Yesterday and today work has been done on installing medians and preparing some directional signage at the future operational intersection of West Shore Parkway and Hwy 14.

Saturday, September 17 ~ VICTORIA. A wastewater discharge notice has been issued for Clover Point at Ross Bay. At approximately 11:30 am today, unscreened sewage was discharged through the Clover Point short outfall as a result of a mechanical equipment failure.

The equipment failed due to heavy rains flushing large debris through the sewer system into the pump station. The failure has since been resolved, and the pump station is now operating normally.

As a result of this discharge, residents are advised to avoid swimming or wading in waters along the Ross Bay and Clover Point area shorelines, as the wastewater may pose a health risk.

The Capital Regional District (CRD) is in the process of collecting samples along the affected shorelines. As a precaution and in consultation with Island Health and the local municipalities, beaches within the affected areas will be posted with public health advisory signs until sample results indicate enterococci levels are below the 70CFU/100mL recreational limit. www.crd.bc.ca

Thursday, September 15 ~ COLWOOD. An art exhibit the explores the power of the ocean opened yesterday at The Coast Collective Art Gallery and runs to October 2. The official opening reception of the Overtide exhibit will be held tomorrow night Friday, September 16, from 7 to 9 pm.

The exhibit of recent oil paintings by John Janzen explores waves as an emotional response to man’s treatment of the ocean, and boats as fragile primitive liaisons between the two.

Janzen got serious about art studies in 2001, first at University of Alberta, and later in Italy where he studied and painted daily. In Victoria, Janzen has been inspired by the power and movement of the ocean, how boats are weathered by it and how everything is eventually destroyed by its incredible power.

Music at the reception will be provided by Caelen La Rocque. Coast Collective is at 103-318 Wale Road in Colwood. There is parking at the back of the building.

Thursday, September 15 ~ METCHOSIN. The Metchosin Fire Department is now accepting applications for their 2017 Recruit Firefighter Training Program.

“We are looking for men and women over age 19+ who are interested in giving back to our wonderful community,” says Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop.

The Metchosin website has more information and an application download: http://www.metchosinfire.ca/recruitment/

Firefighters learn to use a range of equipment and to handle a variety of incidents. In addition to putting out fires, firefighters also attend HazMat calls, steep-slope rescues, medical emergency calls and motor vehicle accidents.

Thursday, September 15 ~ WEST SHORE. TELUS is sponsoring free bicycle tune-ups at Goldstream Bicycles at 694 Goldstream Avenue in Langford. That’ll be on Saturday, September 24 from 10 am to 4 pm.

Residents of the west shore are invited to the free bike tune-ups courtesy of TELUS. It’s part of their promotion of their new PureFibre network. And there will be free ice cream too! Info: www.telus.com/westshore

TELUS says that the new PureFibre name better reflects what they provide: 100% pure fibre, 100% of the time, direct to homes and businesses. “This means you can connect to our fastest and most reliable Internet (up to 150Mbps today), and our best Optik TV® experience.”

A fibre optic cable is made from flexible, transparent fibres of glass that are slightly thicker than a strand of hair. These fibres transmit data as pulses of light, which allows large amounts of information to be sent to your home or business at close to the speed of light.

Thursday, September 15 ~ WEST SHORE. The new Wellness Centre at Belmont is now open in the Neighbourhood Learning Centre area of Belmont Secondary in Langford. Doors opened September 9, and there was usage by students right away.

The facility is open to all of students at the school and to any other youth in the community. It is located on the main floor of Belmont Secondary at 3041 Langford Lake Road. The facility is situated at one far end of the school as an extension of the classroom areas but can also be accessed from an entrance other than the main school entrance.

There is an open waiting area, private consultation rooms, and three examination rooms. “It’s an amazing level of service for any community to have,” says Belmont Principal Ray Miller.

Belmont Secondary is the largest high school in the Sooke School District (SD62) fleet of schools that serve Langford, Colwood, Sooke (out to Port Renfrew) and portions of Highlands and Metchosin. This year there are 1,340 students at Belmont for 2016-2017 (with final registrations to be tallied at September 30).

On-site personnel includes a doctor (one day per week), public health nurses, nurse practitioners, a mental health and substance use counsellor, and medical receptionist. The facility is a partnership of Island Health, SD62 and the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) toward improving student access to primary care services.

Primary care services will also be offered at Edward Milne Community School and Royal Bay Secondary, where a doctor will be on site one half-day per week, starting in mid-September.

All Western Communities youth, regardless of what school they attend and whether or not they have a family doctor, will find health services for mental, sexual and physical health, as well as health promotion strategies. “The health centre will be a safe place where students are assessed, treated and if necessary referred to other programs or services as needed,” said Island Health in a news release this week.

The partnership began several years ago when SD62 started construction of its new Belmont high school, including the Neighbourhood Learning Centre concept where the Wellness Centre at Belmont is located. “Together we have realigned the health care system to better meet the needs of youth by moving key people and programs to where students can access them all more easily,” says Kathy Easton, Island Health’s Public Health Manager.

Wednesday, September 14 ~ VICTORIA. As announced on May 4, the BC government is increasing the minimum wage in the province as of September 15, 2016.

The action will be taken in two stages beginning tomorrow, Thursday, September 15. The higher minimum wage is “to better reflect the province’s overall economic growth and ensure all workers benefit from BC’s thriving job market,” says a release today from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour.

The first increase – effective September 15 of this year – will be 40 cents and will bring the general minimum wage up to $10.85 per hour (and the liquor server minimum wage to $9.60). These new rates include the 10 cents scheduled for the 2015 Consumer Price Index (CPI), plus an additional 30 cents.

The second increase – effective September 15, 2017 – will be 30 cents plus an amount based on the 2016 CPI (currently estimated to be 10 cents) and will bring the general minimum wage rate to at least $11.25 (and the liquor server minimum wage to $10). The 2016 CPI will be available from Statistics Canada by March 2017.

The daily rate for live-in home support workers and live-in camp leaders, as well as the monthly rates for resident caretakers and farm worker piece rates (for harvesters of certain fruits and vegetables) will also increase proportionate to the general minimum hourly wage increases on the same dates.

A number of fact sheets for workers and employers have been updated to reflect the minimum wage increases, and are available on the Employment Standards Branch website, including:

* A Minimum Wage Factsheet available in six languages * Minimum Wage – Liquor Server * Commission Sales * Farm Labour Contractors (in 10 languages) * Farm Workers (in 10 languages) * Live-in Support Workers (in English and Filipino) * Guidelines for Motel and Campground Managers and Caretakers * Quick Reference Guide for Employers * Resident Caretakers * Restaurant Employees * Talent Agencies * Domestics Brochure * Guide to Employment Standards * Working in B.C. poster. The “Top 10 Things Employers Should Know” video, and the Interpretation
Guidelines Manual will also be updated Sept. 15, 2016.

For more information/resources for workers and employers in BC, visit the Employment Standards Branch website:
www.gov.bc.ca/EmploymentStandards/. Also see the May 4, 2016 minimum wage news release. | BC Jobs Plan | BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint | WorkBC

Monday, September 12 ~ VICTORIA. There are five public post-secondary institutions on Vancouver Island, namely Camosun College, North Island College, Royal Roads University, University of Victoria, and Vancouver Island University.

“Public post-secondary education institutions on Vancouver Island are preparing students for in-demand careers in a wide variety of sectors that support a growing and prosperous British Columbia economy,” says a statement from the BC Ministry of Advanced Education.

In 2014-2015 there were 70,885 students enrolled in public post-secondary institutions on Vancouver Island compared to 68,990 in 2002-2003. This includes 8,195 international students enrolled in 2014-2015, compared to 3,580 in 2002-2003.

Credentials (including degrees, diplomas and certificates) there were awarded in 2014-2015 tallied to: 12,784 compared to 9,756 in 2003-2004.

The BC Ministry of Advanced Education says the BC Government has invested $313.7 million invested for operating costs at Vancouver Island public post-secondary institutions in 2016-2017, calling that an increase of 42.3% since 2001-2002 when government invested $220.5 million.

In the Premier’s most recent mandate letter to Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson (July 2015), it is expected that the Advanced Education ministry “continue to minimize overheads within our publicly funded universities and colleges, and where possible to consolidate functions or programs across different post-secondary institutions in geographically similar regions”.

Investment in campus facilities on Vancouver Island includes:

$437 million invested to support 320 capital projects at Vancouver Island post-secondary institutions since 2001-2002. Examples include:
$103 million toward $324.6 million for 186 research projects under the British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund.
$35.6 million toward the $66.5 million expansion of the Bob Wright Science Centre at the University of Victoria.
$30.7 million toward the $67.6 million expansion of the Superconducting Electron Accelerator at TRIUMF at the University of Victoria.
$29.2 million toward the $32 million trades building renewal/replacement project at Camosun College. Officially opened February 2016.
$24.8 million towards the $37.7-million expansion of the Social Sciences and Mathematics Building at the University of British Columbia.
$7 million toward the $9-million expansion of the school of management at Vancouver Island University.
$11.7 million toward the expansion of the Island Medical Project at the University of Victoria.
$6 million toward the $28.1 million expansion of the Pacific Sport Institute at Camosun College.
$4.1 million toward $8.2 million for construction of a new skills development and trades training facility at North Island College. Officially opened in February 2011.
$15 million toward $20.1 million for construction of the Learning and Innovation Centre at Royal Roads University. Officially opened November 2011.
$13.5 million toward $26.7 million to build the new Cowichan Place campus at Vancouver Island University. Officially opened September 2011.

William&Kate&kids-2016 Monday, September 12 ~ VICTORIA. Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will launch and complete their September 24 to October 1 BC and Yukon visit from downtown Victoria, BC.

BC Premier Christy Clark today issued a statement on the upcoming Royal Tour itinerary of William and Kate: “I’m pleased to announce the official itinerary for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their visits to British Columbia communities as part of their Royal Tour. This tour presents a unique opportunity the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to learn more about our province’s diverse urban, rural and remote wilderness regions.”

These portions of the itinerary are open to the public:

Saturday, Sept. 24 Official Welcome to Canada – Parliament Buildings, Victoria.
Sunday, Sept. 25 Their Royal Highnesses arrive in Vancouver, Jack Poole Plaza.
Tuesday, Sept. 27 Their Royal Highnesses arrive at UBC Okanagan, Kelowna.
Saturday, Oct. 1 Official departure from Canada, Inner Harbour, Victoria.

The Duke and Duchess will also be meeting British Columbians making positive changes such as conserving the Great Bear Rainforest, innovating approaches to addressing mental illness, and welcoming new Canadians, it was stated in the release.

“I know all British Columbians will extend a warm welcome to their Royal Highnesses as we share the very best of our province.”

Friday, September 9 ~ SOOKE. There has been a collision on Highway 14 (Sooke Road) this afternoon, at Gillespie Road, east of Sooke. Damaged vehicles were removed and the road cleared by about 4:30 pm. Traffic backlog is slowly clearing.

Traffic had been reduced to single lane alternating, with up to 30 minutes delay (last update on that was at 3:55 pm PDT) Apparently traffic had been backed up as far toward Sooke as Saseenos Elementary School, and on the other side well into Langford.

More details to come.

Friday, September 9 ~ SHERINGHAM POINT [8:45 am]. The gate at the Sheringham Point Heritage Lighthouse site is currently closed today, as there are active bears at the site enjoying their breakfast at the apple tree.

Volunteers are monitoring the situation and will open the gate as soon as the bears vacate the site.

As always, when enjoying the passive park, please be aware that bears, cougars and other wild things are frequently present at the site. So please be careful and follow the simple rules at www.wildsafebc.com .

The non-profit organization Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society earlier this year achieved heritage status for the lighthouse. They are holding their AGM this weekend on Sunday, September 11 at SEAPARC, starting 2 pm. New members always welcome. www.sheringhamlighthouse.org

Tuesday, September 6. An incident that saw a busy commercial area of Langford closed off last Saturday afternoon on Saturday September 3 around 5 pm, was peacefully resolved within three hours.

West Shore RCMP had received a report of a male who appeared to be agitated and appeared to be in crisis in the 800 block of Langford Pkwy in Langford. Upon locating the man at the corner of Veterans Memorial Pkwy and Langford Pkwy, officers noticed he had a pistol in his hand, waving it around. Officers at the scene heard a least two shots.

West Shore RCMP says that the nature of the incident was such that specialized police units such as the Vancouver Island Emergency Response Team, Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Service, Crisis Negotiator Team and BC Ambulance were called upon to assist with the situation.

“The public was asked to avoid the area around Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Jenkins Rd, Jacklin Rd and Station Ave to allow police to deal with this situation as safely as possible. As a precautionary measure, the Rona located on Langford Pkwy was evacuated,” says West Shore RCMP media relations officer Alex Bérubé. “After about 3 hours of standoff, the negotiation with the man proved successful as he was arrested without further incident. Drugs appeared to be a factor in the incident. Nobody was injured.”

Police took 36-year-old Michael Godolphin in custody shortly after 8:00 pm. A detailed Report to Crown Counsel has been prepared and forwarded for consideration of charges. GODOLPHIN has been remanded into custody.

Tuesday, September 6 ~ South Vancouver Island. Electoral reform is something not everyone thinks about, but it affects everyone. Here are some in-person opportunities to hear the details (see four meeting dates below). After all, Canada may shift from first-past-the-post to some version of proportional representation before the next federal election. This is big.

SEPT 7 – Alistair MacGregor, MP (Cowichan-Malahat-Langford) will host a town hall meeting on electoral reform on Wednesday Sept 7 at Vancouver Island University, Cowichan Campus, 2011 University Way, in Duncan. Guest panelists will be Professor Mark Williams, VIU Political Studies Department and Terry Dance-Bennick, Fair Vote Canada. Starts 6 pm (to 7:30 pm).
SEPT 15 – Fair Vote Canada Acting President David Merner will host a town hall on electoral reform in Sooke. That public meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept 15 at EMCS, 6218 Sooke Rd, 7 to 9 pm. The meeting is sponsored in part by Transition Sooke and will be moderated by Sooke Mayor Maja Tait.
SEPT 24 – In the west shore on Saturday, Sept 24 MP’s Randall Garrison (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke) and Alistair MacGregor (Cowichan-Malahat-Langford) will host a West Shore Town Hall about electoral reform. Guest speaker Terry Dance-Bennick of Fair Vote Canada. This meeting will be held at Belmont Secondary in Langford from 2 to 3:30 pm.
SEPT 27 – A Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reform will be held on Tuesday, Sept 27 in Victoria. Apparently there will be a rally shortly ahead of the meeting. Time and place tba.

Tuesday, September 6 ~ WEST SHORE. First day back to school in Sooke School District 62 (SD62) for public schools in Langford, Colwood and Sooke. Check www.sd62.bc.ca for details about schedules for each school.

About 300 more students are enrolled in SD62 schools this fall compared to last year’s start of the school year.

Issues about school bus fee refunds are being sorted out by SD62 senior staff and at the SD62 board level. Public input is invited at the Education Committee of the Whole (ECOW) meeting on Tuesday September 13 at the board office.

Because the BC Ministry of Education’s directive is that bus fees be covered for students that are attending in-catchment schools, some sorting needs to be done by SD62 — some students attend schools outside their catchment area in order to have access to certain classes or because the school(s) in their catchment area are full. A final decision on bus fee refunds is scheduled for the September 27 SD62 board meeting.

If all bus fees are refunded, the board projects at $115,000 shortfall in their budget. Because public school boards in BC must maintain balanced budget, the SD62 board would then need to take funds out of something else in the budget, said Bob Phillips, SD62 Chair, at the August 30 SD62 board meeting. He itemized the possibilities as an instructor salary, support staff hours, or an educational assistant.

WorkBC-signin Monday, September 5 ~ SAANICH. Young people have an opportunity to learn the skills they will need for tomorrow’s in-demand occupations at the WorkBC’s ‘Find Your Fit’ booth at the Saanich Fair, September 3-5, 2016.

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 check out career planning tools – such as Blueprint Builder and Career Trek videos – and the job resources and labour market information www.WorkBC.ca offers.

Parents, teachers and career counselors may benefit, too – by discovering ways to educate and support youth in their career exploration.

The Find Your Fit event was open September 3 & 4 at the Saanich Fair at 1528 Stellys Cross Rd, Central Saanich, and continues today Monday September 5 from 9am to 6pm.

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 more than 150,000 participants so far, and was most recently in Vancouver.

“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.

Friday, September 2 ~ LANGFORD. WestShore RCMP Detachment Commander S/Sgt Steve Wright has retired after 35 years service.

His last day was September 1 at the Westshore Detachment, after serving there 2.5 years. That was his sixth assignment in a 35-year career.

Steve and his wife Ailsa presently live in Sooke and plan to continue into retirement there.

See our feature about S/Sgt Wright’s years of service in Sooke (2009-2014) and his overall approach to policing: page 3 in the September 2, 2016 issue of West Shore Voice News.

Friday, September 2 ~ METCHOSIN. As of noon today (September 2, 2016) the campfire ban has been lifted within the District of Metchosin.

“Please note open burning / incinerators are still prohibited until October 1st, and that beach fires are prohibited permanently,” says Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop.

Friday, September 2 ~ LANGFORD. “We have just now lifted the restriction on campfires in Langford,” says Langford Assistant Chief of Fire Protection, Chris Aubrey.

“We have to anticipate that as soon as the ban is lifted that people will be having campfires so we wanted to make sure we were out of Extreme before removing the ban even with a soggy forecast. As of yesterday when the Province lifted their ban, we had locally only 1.54 mm of rain here. It’s now rained sufficiently that the risk is now at High.”

Thursday, September 1 ~ LANGFORD. Throughout the Coastal Fire Centre today, September 1, at noon, campfires and Category 3 open fires are once again be permitted.

In BC, each municipality with a fire department can designate their own prohibitions and timelines.

The campfire ban may be lifted in Langford today, pending the local wildfire report, says Langford Assistant Chief of Fire Protection, Chris Aubrey. “Should we be out of extreme and a forecast that would keep us no higher than a danger rating of High, we will likely remove the ban.”

Tuesday, August 30 ~ WEST SHORE. Four more portable classrooms are being set up at Royal Bay Secondary School in Colwood, to accommodate a student increase. The new school opened in September 2015, and only one year later has surpassed its 800-student capacity.

Sooke School District (SD62) Superintendent Jim Cambridge explains that funding for schools is provided as increased enrolment is proven. In anticipation of student population growth, Royal Bay was constructed with an expansion in mind.

SD62 which delivers public education to families in the Langford, Colwood and Sooke areas will see about 300 to 500 more students per year over the next few years. This is largely due to a greater influx of residents to the west shore area where housing prices are lower compared to the core areas of Greater Victoria. In Colwood, the Royal Bay development will see 17,000 more people moving into the area by 2025.

At a board meeting tonight, SD62 Trustees and senior staff will grapple with the specifics and practical ramifications of changing from a fee-based school bus service, to one that is supported by BC Government funding. Of the $14.7 million that was announced by BC Education Minister Mike Bernier earlier this month, $358,365 is earmarked for SD62. The caveat is that there should be no bus fees for students attending schools in their catchment areas. But in SD62 due to high school cross-school course offerings and general overcrowding (about 22 to 23 of 26 schools are full), students are frequently not attending in their catchment area.

Most parents are expecting a bus fee refund in September, but SD62 said last week that any previously authorized automatic payments will be processed September 1, and that refunds will begin once funds are actually received from the BC Ministry of Education (likely toward the end of September or even into October).

Monday, August 29 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND – Effective at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, campfires will once again be allowed throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, except on the southern third of Vancouver Island within the South Island Natural Resource District.

So that still doesn’t let the Greater Victoria area, Sooke to Port Renfrew and the southeast side of the island off the hook.

Earlier this month a ban on campfires and open burning was put into effect for all of Vancouver Island (except the fog zone), in effect to October 21.

To help protect public safety, campfires remain prohibited in areas south of Hindoo Creek (just north of Buckley Bay), and south of Strathcona Park and Nootka Sound. However, campfires are still permitted within the “Fog Zone” – a band of land two km wide that runs from Owen Point near Port Renfrew to the district boundary of Port Hardy.

The Lower Mainland and the northern two-thirds of Vancouver Island received rain over the weekend, and much of it fell in areas where the campfire ban is being lifted. More rain is in the forecast, so members of the public are encouraged to visit: www.bcwildfire.ca to get the latest information about open fire prohibitions in their area.

The existing Category 2 and Category 3 open burning prohibitions within the Coastal Fire Centre remain in place. Category 2 open fires are not permitted within the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdictional area. Category 3 open fires are only permitted within Haida Gwaii.

A map showing all current prohibitions in the affected areas is online at: http://ow.ly/ns2Y303Hppw
A poster explaining the different categories of open fires is online at: http://ow.ly/jdO5301kS32

The use of fireworks, firecrackers, sky lanterns, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description, or the use of binary exploding targets, is also prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdictional area.

Monday, August 29 ~ NATIONAL. Good news for Shoppers Drug Mart customers across Canada! The Shoppers Optimum Points system is working again!

About 60 TB of information representing about 30,000 points-transactions between Aug 5 and 15 needed to be manually re-input into the system over the past few weeks. That process continues for a few more days (about 2 MB of data is entered daily). Otherwise, all new transactions at the checkout are being properly recorded now.

But if your balance still seems out of whack still, you can phone the Shoppers Optimum information line at 1-800-746-7737 for specific details; have your Optimum Card number handy.

Thursday, August 25 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND. High temperatures have prompted WorkSafeBC to issue a heat stress alert for Vancouver Island. WorkSafeBC said in a release today that with high temperatures forecast for much of Vancouver Island, employers and workers will have an increased risk of developing symptoms of heat stress and heat stroke.

Last year, 24 workers in BC lost days at work because of heat stress related injuries, four of which were on Vancouver Island. This is an increase from the historical average of 19 heat stress injuries in BC annually.

“In 2015, the majority of workers who suffered heat stress related injuries were in the construction sector, followed closely by primary resources and manufacturing,” says Mike Ross, WorkSafeBC’s Prevention Field Services Manager, Victoria. “We need to remember – everyone working in hot conditions is potentially at risk.”

Heat stress occurs when your internal temperature increases faster than the body can cool itself. Symptoms include excess sweating, dizziness and nausea. If not addressed quickly, additional symptoms such as heat cramps, or potentially lethal heat stroke can rapidly develop.

Prevention of Heat Stress:
• Drink plenty of water (one glass every 20 minutes)
• Wear light-coloured, loose fitting clothing made of breathable fabric
• Take rest breaks in a cool well ventilated area
• Do the hardest physical work during the coolest parts of the day
• Know your personal risk factors: medications, skin disorders, sleep deprivation, poor physical fitness, pre-existing medical conditions
• Know the signs and symptoms

WorkSafeBC requires employers to conduct heat stress assessments. As appropriate, employers must have a heat stress mitigation plan which provides education and training in recognizing the symptoms of heat stress and heat stroke. Workers are required to participate in monitoring conditions, and checking co-workers for symptoms.
Employers and workers can go to: Preventing Heat Stress at Work or contact the WorkSafeBC Prevention Line with questions or concerns: 1 888 621-7233.

Workers and employers can learn more about heat stress and sun safety at work on WorkSafeBC’s YouTube channel.

Tuesday, August 23 ~ NATIONAL. Retail giant Shoppers Drug Mart (owned by Loblaw) continues to experience issues with its Optimum Points loyalty points system. Billions of individual customer transactions that have accumulated point-of-sale Optimum points are now being entered manually into a new computer system.

This message to customers is posted on the Shoppers Drug Mart website: “We are currently experiencing a service interruption that is impacting Optimum point balances. We apologize for the inconvenience. We are working to have this resolved as soon as possible and appreciate your patience during this time.”

From August 5 to 15, points from store transactions were not being updated properly. Starting August 16 points were not being seen by the main system. By August 19 the reason for the IT system failure was determined and now “progress is being made”, according to one company official. “We can see the balances, and totals will be rectified very soon, as points are entered into the system.”

In recent years, the Shoppers Optimum Points system has become an economy unto itself, upon which people may well depend upon to help stretch the grocery budget. When certain points levels are achieved, the points may be redeemed as a credit toward a next purchase. For example, redemption of 22,000 points produces a $30 discount on your next purchase; redemption of 38,000 points produces a $60 discount; 50,000 points produces $85 and 95,000 points produce a $170 discount on a purchase of that amount or more. Even just 8,000 points can be redeemed for $10, which for some families in hard times is a welcome bit of extra shopping-day support.

The problem seems to be a highly outdated computer system that became overwhelmed by the increasingly complex digital-coupon offering that was rolled out last year. Leaving customers without rectification of their points for now 18 days and counting, is likely not good news for individual stores. Customers may be postponing purchases until the computerized points tallying is functioning properly again.

One store manager advises that customers hold onto their receipts, and check with the Shoppers Optimum support centre in Toronto to determine how things are lining up. The contact number of Shoppers Optimum is 1-800-746-7737.

Monday, August 22 ~ NATIONAL. Home base for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Catherine) on their tour of BC and Yukon will likely be Government House in Victoria.

Their itinerary for September 24 through October 1 is based out of Victoria and includes stops and activities in Vancouver, Kelowna, Bella Bella, and Haida Gwaii in BC as well Carcross and Whitehorse in Yukon. More specifically, by date: Vancouver (Sept 25); Bella Bella (Sept 26); Victoria and Kelowna, then Whitehorse, Yukon (Sept 27); Whitehorse and Carcross, including a public celebration in Whitehorse (Sept 28); Victoria (Sept 29); Haida Gwaii (Sept 30); and Victoria (Oct 1).

With their two young children in tow, the official government residence in Victoria would be suitable for location and security. Prince George is 3 years old and Princess Charlotte will be 16 months old in September.

BC Premier Christy Clark issued a statement today: “I’m looking forward to welcoming the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their visits to five British Columbia communities as part of their Royal Tour. The tour is an opportunity for their Royal Highnesses to witness the very best of our province – from the Great Bear Rainforest, to the emerging generation of young, tech-minded entrepreneurs, to millennia-old Indigenous cultures. On behalf of all British Columbians, I’m pleased and proud to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to our province, and the lifestyle, culture and scenery British Columbians treasure.”

The Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage says in a statement that the Duke and Duchess will “participate in events and activities that highlight the work Canadians are doing to preserve the environment, empower young people, improve mental health, encourage active living and highlight Indigenous culture and heritage.” This will be the first time the Duke of Cambridge has toured Yukon and BC in an official capacity. However, the Duke visited BC once before on a private working visit in 1998, where he joined his father the Prince of Wales and his brother Prince Harry on a skiing vacation at Whistler.

“As celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Confederation draw ever closer, we are delighted to welcome Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their second Royal Tour to Canada,” said Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly in a release.

Saturday, August 20 ~ “Please keep your eyes and ears open as the WestShore plays host to the Ryder Hesjedal Tour de Victoria on Sunday, August 21,” says Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop.

As many as 2,000 cyclists will be making their way through Metchosin between 7:00 am and 9:00am on Sunday morning, August 21. Traffic control personnel and route managers will be on site for traffic control.

“Thank you in advance for your continued cooperation and courtesy to these riders!,” says Dunlop.

Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria is a supported mass-participation cycling event along the world-class cycling routes and breathtaking scenery in the Greater Victoria area. Riders of all fitness levels can take part in the ride by choosing one of three distances: Harbour Air Epic – 140km for the experienced cyclist | Pro City Legend – 90km for the cycling enthusiast | Challenge – 45km for the entry-level cyclist.

Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria is produced by the Ryder’s Cycling Society of Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting cycling across Canada.

Thursday, August 18 ~ VICTORIA. Thetis Lake Regional Park visitors are advised to use caution when swimming due to lower water levels this summer. As a result, underwater objects are present and are now closer to the lake surface at both Lower and Upper Thetis Lakes.

CRD Regional Parks is increasing water flow releases from Thetis Lake into Craigflower Creek to improve fish habitat, as part of the Craigflower Flow Enhancement Project aimed at restoring summer coho and cutthroat salmon habitat.

For updates, please visit www.crd.bc.ca/parks or by call 250.478.3344

Wednesday, August 17 ~ VICTORIA. BC’s Liquor Distribution Branch reminds British Columbians and visitors that they should avoid any risky or dangerous physical activity when drinking alcohol and remember that spending time in the sun and on the water can accelerate intoxication.

In BC, 48 people die and 160 are hospitalized with injuries on average each year due to water activities and of those, 42% are alcohol-related. Half of these deaths and hospitalizations take place between June and August. As well, they note that alcohol is a contributing factor in 25% of all deaths involving injury in BC, with the highest number occurring in the months of July and August.

Driving any type of motor vehicle while intoxicated – whether on the road, on the water or on a trail – is illegal and can have deadly consequences. According to ICBC, nearly half of all of BC’s impaired driving fatalities happen during the summer months (June to September).

This month, BC Liquor Stores are reminding British Columbians that if your plans include drinking, they must not include driving. The campaign includes in-store decals and posters urging people to think before you drink and stay safe on the road.

August 16, 2016 ~ LANGFORD. A family fun day will be held in Langford and winning a TV is part of the draw!

The TELUS Fun Day at Tom Harris Cellular event will run from 11 am to 3 pm at the Tom Harris Cellular Dealership at 147-2401C Millstream Rd, Langford.

“Come celebrate great community connections,” says Dianara Mukhametianova, marketing rep with TELUS. “The TELUS PureFibre network is getting the community better connected than ever!”

It’ll be a free afternoon of food, fun and prizes! Including a BBQ, bouncy castle, and giveaways! There will be an opportunity to enter for a chance to win 4K TV.

August 15, 2016 ~ METCHOSIN. Some nifty preparedness gadgets will be discussed in a hands-on interactive emergency preparedness session at Metchosin Fire Hall, tomorrow night Tuesday August 16.

Learn more about various things you can use to be better prepared for emergencies including solar lights that flash SOS in Morse code, inflatable beds, solar charging units and flameless stoves.

“We invite you to bring any interesting or unique disaster survival items you would like share with the group as well!” says Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop. She says that monthly emergency preparedness sessions at Metchosin Fire Hall draw about 20 to 50 people each time.

The session is free and starts at 7pm. The fire hall is at 4440 Happy Valley Road. www.metchosinfire.ca

August 15, 2016 ~ VICTORIA. Rabbit alert! Video surveillance will soon be installed to observe any future dropping off of rabbits at the Helmcken interchange (Hwy 1).

The BC Government has been attempting to deal with a robust population of rabbits resulting from people abandoning pet rabbits there on the grassy areas along the multi-lane highway. “These rabbits have multiplied, creating a hazard for all road users and undermining the road and sidewalks,” says a BC Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure (MOTI) news release today.

In the coming weeks, new signs and a security camera will be installed on Hwy 1 at the interchange to discourage the abandonment of rabbits there. The highway is a major commuter thoroughfare in and out of Victoria, and that section is near the Victoria General Hospital.

“Thanks to the dedication and best efforts of ministry staff and a group of local volunteers, only a few rabbits are left to be captured at the interchange,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. “Despite this hard work, additional rabbits are still being dropped off. This is very disappointing, and means we have to put new measures in place to protect the travelling public as well as our transportation infrastructure.”

Signs will be posted to advise that rabbit drop-offs are prohibited. Thereafter a new security camera will monitor the area for unauthorized activities. Crews will also begin repairing the areas damaged by the rabbit burrows, including the sidewalks, embankment and landscaping.

Considerable progress had been made in capturing, spaying and neutering, and transferring the rabbits that were inhabiting the Helmcken interchange area, says MOTI. The project as announced earlier this year was almost complete when approximately 20 more adult rabbits were released at the location.

Financial resources for this project are “limited”, says MOTI. The ministry will be forced to consider other solutions, which may include euthanization for any new rabbits found at the Helmcken interchange.

“The rescue group is very happy that approximately 100 rabbit lives will be saved as a result of this project. However, we are shocked and saddened that individuals continue to abandon rabbits at the Helmcken overpass site,” said Dr. Laurie Gaines. “Abandoning pets outdoors is an unacceptable practice. Trespassing on the median and feeding the rabbits is also unacceptable. Anyone who is feeding the rabbits needs to stop immediately so that we have the best chance of rescuing the remaining animals.”

Anyone who drops off a rabbit at this area not only endangers the rabbits themselves but also risks injuring drivers.

“If you are no longer able to keep your pet, please contact an animal shelter and always have your pets spayed or neutered. Under the Wildlife Act, releasing or abandoning animals carries possible fines of $345 per offence,” says MOTI.

The volunteer group, through public fundraising, is covering costs to examine, spay or neuter, deworm, feed and transport the rabbits to the sanctuary. The cost to the Province will be approximately $33,800, which covers the trapping and transport of the original colony of rabbits to interim local facilities, additional signs and a camera for security purposes.

August 14, 2016 ~ SOOKE. Right down to the orange stripes on his brand new runners, John Horgan, MLA (Langford-Juan de Fuca) has begun the countdown to the NDP success that he’s counting on in the May 2017 provincial election.

The BC NDP Leader and Leader of the Official Opposition addressed a crowd of over 100 people at his annual summer BBQ in Sooke this afternoon. The weather was warm and bright with a light breeze, and the political enthusiasm was already starting to mount.

For Horgan, overall the reason people will want to vote NDP is because the BC NDP believes in “reducing barriers for people in this province, not creating more,” he told West Shore Voice News. Horgan says the BC Liberals in the last 15 years have been making it harder for working people to achieve educational and financial goals.

Horgan was first elected to the BC Legislature in 2005 when the riding was called Malahat-Juan de Fuca, and then in 2009 and again in 2013 when the riding was called simply Juan de Fuca. With the riding becoming Langford-Juan de Fuca for the 2017 election, Horgan loses a chunk of voters from the primarily rural Metchosin area.

Education was top of mind for Horgan today, given his long-standing belief that education is the great equalizer but also in the wake of the BC Liberals providing provincial funding to school boards across BC this past week, to help fund school bus fees for parents and families. Among those attending the BBQ today were SD62 School Board Chair Bob Philips and SD62 Trustee Neil Poirier.

rcmp_crest=sm Wednesday, August 10 ~ LANGFORD. Around 10:30 am this morning, West Shore RCMP tweeted out that there was a serious motor vehicle crash at McCallum Road and Millstream (Veterans Memorial Pkwy) in Langford. The high-traffic commercial-retail intersection was shut down. “Avoid the area,” said RCMP. Big outlets in that area include Home Depot, Staples, CostCo and the Millstream Shopping Centre.

In followup, West Shore RCMP report that they responded just before 10:30 am to a collision involving a cyclist and a truck at the intersection of McCallum Rd and Millstream Rd. A woman in her 50’s was travelling southbound on Millstream Rd, crossing McCallum Rd when she was hit by a truck, also travelling southbound on Millstream Rd when the driver performed a right turn onto McCallum Rd.

“The female cyclist was treated at the scene by BC Ambulance and Langford Fire. She was transported to hospital with an unknown extent of injuries. However, these injuries are believed to be non-life threatening,” said RCMP in a news release.

“The bicycle was completely stuck underneath the truck frame,” states Cst Alex Bérubé, spokesperson of the West Shore RCMP. Investigators are gathering all the evidence pertaining to this collision and will determine if charges are warranted once the investigation is completed.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) also attended the collision scene which shut down the intersection until approximately 1:20 pm.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Wednesday, August 10 ~ LANGFORD. The WestShore Centre for Learning & Training (a division of Sooke School District 62) has two new principals this year. Outgoing from the position of Principal is Paul Block, who is now an Assistant Superintendent at the main SD62 board office.

At the WestShore Centre, Heather Lait is the new Principal of Distributed Learning and Adult Education, operating out of their Langford Campus on Goldstream Ave. Keith Boggs is the new Principal of Alternative Programs operating out of the Colwood Campus on Sooke Road.

WestShore Centre offers Grade 12 graduation completion for adults 18+, as well as online learning with a range of continuing education options for both career boosts and personal interest.

Tuesday, August 9 ~ RIO. The Canadian Women’s Rugby Sevens team captured Olympic bronze on Monday night, August 8, at the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio, Brazil.

After a series of uneven performances in the first-ever Olympic rugby sevens tournament — including a 17-5 loss to Australia in the semifinal game earlier on Monday — Team Canada raged against Great Britain (the fourth-ranked team in the world), achieving 33-10 to take the bronze. They scored early and often.

To those who follow the sport, there was an inclination to ask where this level of performance had been earlier in the tournament. But they won, which is what counts in sport.

The Women’s Rugby Sevens have trained in Langford, BC over the past couple of years.

This brings Canada’s medal count to four, all medals won by women athletes so far.

Tuesday, August 9 ~ VICTORIA. Victoria General Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) will host their 32nd annual reunion party for ‘graduates’ of the unit. The NICU provides highly specialized medical and nursing care to approximately 600 babies each year.

The reunion party gives families and the staff who cared for these infants the opportunity to re-connect and celebrate the precious lives of these children.

This year’s reunion will be held on Thursday, August 11 in the back garden of Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island’s, on the grounds of Victoria General Hospital.

Thursday, August 4 ~ VICTORIA. Grants supporting safety and services benefit local governments have been announced today by the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Local governments throughout BC are sharing almost $108 million in provincial funding to support policing and safety measures, as well as community services and projects, said Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Minister Peter Fassbender in a BC news release today.

PeterFassbender-headshot Provided from Small Community Grant, Regional District Grant and Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grant programs, the funding allows local governments in BC to meet local needs in various ways, including more policing, restorative justice, increased community safety initiatives, infrastructure, administrative support and service delivery priorities. See: complete list of 2016 approved unconditional grants

Since 2009, funding from these three grant programs has provided over $922 million to help support services that benefit BC residents, businesses and communities.

“Local governments can direct the funding from the Small Community and Regional District Grants according to their community needs and priorities. These grants help provide local services, programs and infrastructure in smaller and rural communities in every region of British Columbia,” says Fassbender.

On the west side of Vancouver Island, over $3 million was received into seven municipal budgets, comprising about 2.8% of the total $108 million distributed throughout BC [table by West Shore Voice News]:

Municipality (West Side of Vancouver Island)	Small Community and Regional District Grants ($)	Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grants ($)	Total Combined ($)
Colwood	$232,881	$155,795	$388,676
Esquimalt	$241,873	$353,437	$595,310
Highlands	$364,649	–	$364,649
Langford	–	$297,395	$297,395
Metchosin	$515,347	–	$515,347
Sooke	$341,965	$85,240	$427,205
View Royal	$371,110	$62,925	$434,035
TOTAL			$3,022,617

For 2016, the Small Community Grant, Regional District Grant and Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grant funding is allocated as follows:

Communities will receive almost $53 million in Small Community Grant and Regional District Grant funding. These grants are specifically meant to help address infrastructure, administration and service delivery priorities. Since 2009, the Small Community Grant and Regional District Grant programs have provided over $437 million to small- and medium-sized communities, British Columbia’s regional districts and the Islands Trust.
Communities will receive about $55 million in Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grant funding. Traffic fine revenue comes from ticket fines and court-imposed fines on violation tickets. The B.C. government delivers 100% of collected net traffic fine revenues and responsibility for paying for policing to communities with populations over 5,000 people. Since 2009, more than $485 million has been provided to fund policing and community safety.
Small Community Grants aid communities with populations of less than approximately 20,000.
Communities with populations of 5,000 or greater pay for policing services and are therefore qualified to receive a Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grant.
Communities with populations between 5,000 and 20,000 qualify for both the Small Community Grant and the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grant programs.

Previous years’ unconditional grant funding has been applied in these sorts of ways: Supporting the addition of two RCMP officers in Chilliwack. Providing talks on various topics including Internet and cellphone safety in West Kelowna. Contributing towards sewage treatment and disposal capacity by the Sechelt Indian Government District. Purchasing of four police cars in Lake Cowichan. Planning and flood control in Houston.

Wednesday, August 3 ~ DUNCAN. Tomorrow night – Thursday August 4 – Alistair MacGregor, MP (Cowichan – Malahat – Langford) will jointly host a town hall meeting on Climate Change with One Cowichan, the People’s Climate Plan, and Cowichan Climate Change Collaborative. The meeting will be from 6 to 8 pm at Heritage Hall, Island Savings Centre, 2687 James St in Duncan.

This town hall is part of a national climate plan consultation. Thousands of people have registered to take part in similar town halls across Canada this summer to provide feedback for the federal government’s national climate strategy, scheduled to be released in the fall.

Participants will have the opportunity to listen to expert panelist and then share their ideas and solutions for tackling climate change. MacGregor looks forward to hearing ideas so he can share them with the federal government.

Sheringham-chequefromTelus-web400 Tuesday, August 2 ~ SHIRLEY. A cheque for $3,000 was received by the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society last week. Making the sizeable donation was TELUS, to recognize the outstanding volunteerism and contribution of long-time supporter, Society board member and TELUS retiree Bill Parkes. Parkes is a resident of Otter Point, a director of the Society, and has made several contributions through TELUS Community Programs in the past.

TELUS Community Affairs representative Ryan Hindley presented the cheque to Society Secretary-Treasurer Terri Alcock in Shirley, BC on July 28 (see photo), just down the street from the Sheringham Lighthouse site. The contribution was made possible through TELUS’ Charitable Giving Program, which supports TELUS volunteers and contributors, and the organizations they promote through time and donations.

“This is an important program that benefits communities, the region and the Province. The Society is grateful to TELUS management and employees for their dedication to BC Heritage and community-based organizations,” said Alcock. “We are very pleased that Bill Parkes, a TELUS retiree and valued Board member, has seen fit to contribute financially as well as all his volunteer work he does for the Society. His dedication resulted in TELUS matching Bill’s contribution.”

The Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society has been working since 2003 to save the land, lighthouse and public access to the light station at the end of Sheringham Point Road in Shirley. The site, now owned by the Society, has recently been designated a Canadian Heritage Site and is officially open to the public for the first time in the Lighthouse’s 105-year history.

The Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society has 310 volunteer members. Petitions and letters to save the Lighthouse have been signed by over 4,000 Canadians. The Society recognizes the historic and cultural value of lighthouses, lighthouse property, and other special foreshore locations. Their board and members work to ensure — through education, research, community action and consensus building, that the Sheringham Point Lighthouse, surrounding property and historic access routes remain accessible to the community and visitors now and in the future.

Wednesday, July 27 ~ VICTORIA. The Malahat stretch of highway on Vancouver Island is getting another upgrade.

The governments of Canada and British Columbia today announced approximately $34 million in funding to upgrade 5km of the Trans-Canada highway (Hwy 1) in the section known as ‘the Malahat’. “The project will contribute to a safer and more reliable connection between Victoria and Duncan,” says the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in a news release today. “It will also benefit the surrounding communities by stimulating economic development opportunities.”

The safety improvements include expanding 5 km of highway to four lanes with wider shoulders, installing 3km of median barrier, and providing improved and safer highway access through a frontage road system. Work is anticipated to begin in early 2017 for completion in 2018. When the Malahat Village upgrade is finished, there will be an 11km-long section of highway with median barrier.

The federal government is contributing up to $14 million to this project through the New Building Canada Fund Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects. BC is providing approximately $20 million and is responsible for any additional costs. The total estimated cost of the project is $34 million.

“The Government of Canada has made an unprecedented commitment of more than $120 billion for public infrastructure projects across Canada through the Investing in Canada plan,” says Amarjeet Sohi, BC Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “By working in partnership with every order of government, we will make smart investments that promote sustainable development and long-term prosperity that will help foster a thriving middle class by creating jobs and opening the country to new economic, social and environmental possibilities. It’s thanks to initiatives like the Malahat safety improvement project that we will build 21st-century communities and ensure a high quality of life for generations to come.”

Malahat-MVI-web “We recognize how important the Malahat is to the economy and communities on Vancouver Island, and we’ve been very clear about our commitment to improve safety for the families, communities and visitors who rely on it,” says BC Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone. “Through our valuable partnership with the Government of Canada, it’s great to move forward with the Malahat Village project, identified as the next priority in BC on the Move, which adds to the $33 million previously invested by the Province since 2001 on the Malahat.”

The Malahat is well known for the number of vehicle crashes that occur there. The grade of the road is an issue in some places, as well as visibility in foggy and/or dark and wet conditions. Several crashes have resulted from one or more vehicles crossing over the centre line.

Saturday, July 23 ~ COLWOOD. Rock the Shores is on, July 22 to 24! Our followup coverage will be published in the July 29 issue of West Shore Voice News (print and online).

Thursday, July 21 ~ VICTORIA. The Capital Regional District (CRD) Arts Development Service has launched its public consultation and engagement process, Building our #ArtsFuture Together, to encourage and facilitate regional community participation in identifying priorities and actions for the CRD Arts Strategy.

An online survey is now available at www.placespeak.com/CRDArtsFuture . “We want to hear from arts groups that are receiving CRD grant funding and those that are not, as well as regional community members irrespective of whether their municipality currently contributes to the Arts Development Service”, said Colin Plant, Chair of the CRD Arts Committee. “Building our #ArtsFuture Together will provide many opportunities to participate in shaping the CRD Arts Strategy.”

The pre-consultation sessions held in June with over 100 arts groups and individuals helped to inform the design of the public consultation and engagement process and outreach to diverse stakeholders. In addition to the survey, participation opportunities include Arts Community Workshops to be held in various locations across the Region from September 19-24 and an Arts Champions Summit, taking place from November 3-5. Registration will open soon.

To participate, community members in the thirteen municipalities and electoral areas are encouraged to visit the www.placespeak.com/CRDArtsFuture online platform for discussions, resource materials and updates on the consultation and engagement process.

The CRD Arts Service is developing an action plan that will guide the implementation of the CRD Arts Strategic Plan for the next few years. They are supported by eight municipalities: Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Metchosin, Highlands, View Royal and Sidney. In 2016, the CRD Arts Committee awarded $2,121,240 in Operating grants to 31 organizations, and a total of $175,985 in Project and IDEA grants to 49 organizations in the Capital Region.

Friday, July 15. A good-weather weekend coming up in the west shore area. On Saturday, July 16 there will be a “Show and Shine, Shop & Swap” vintage car show at Sooke Flats, 10 am to 2 pm. Drop-in, it’s free to attend! It’s being organized by www.sookefallfair.com

If you’re heading out to Sooke, come help the pets. There will be a pet food drive out front of Village Foods, 12 noon to 5pm. All pet food, pet litter, and cash donations are welcome. It’s being organized by www.safars.org

In the evening, a concert featuring the reknowned singer-songwriter Valdy will be held at Sooke Harbour House at 8pm. Tickets are $40, available at The Stick, Shoppers Drug Mart (Sooke), and www.EventBrite.ca .

In Langford on Sunday afternoon July 17, there will be a free Music in the Park concert featuring Groove Diggers, at Veterans Memorial Park in Langford. 2 to 4 pm. Details at www.cityoflangford.ca

Sunday, July 10 ~ National. Today Canada Post dropped their threat of a worker lock-out that was to start on Monday July 11.

Canada Post issued a brief statement today, saying it had withdrawn its lockout notice “which will allow both parties to focus their efforts on serious negotiations.”

Talks resumed. But a strike could still happen, if the union tips in that direction.

“We are also expecting the union to honour their repeated public statements that they have no plans to issue a strike notice,” the Canada Post statement said. “Assurance from both parties that the postal system will remain open for business while we negotiate will provide the certainty that Canadians and our employees are looking for.”

The Canadian Postal Workers Union (CUPW) say on their website that they “continue to be opposed to interest arbitration”, i.e. binding arbitration that would force them to accept the position of a 3rd-party decision maker.

The dispute between employer (Canada Post) and employees (CUPW) primarily involves these issues, heaped upon a difficult history of dispute resolution between the two parties:

The two sides have been negotiating over the last seven months, including 60 days of conciliation talks and more than 30 days with federal mediators.
The union wants changes in how rural and suburban mail carriers are paid. They want to be paid by the hour, like urban letter carriers, not by how many packages they deliver.
Canada Post says it wants to change its pension plan, bringing it in-line with the private sector. It wants new employees to be covered under a defined contribution plan instead of a defined benefit plan. (Defined contribution plans reduce costs for companies and shift the risk for future payouts to employees, who are no longer guaranteed a set payment in retirement. This is seen by the union to be bad for incoming younger workers.)

Due to the uncertainty produced by the pending strike, mail and package volume was down by 80% last week, says Canada Post.

Friday, July 8 – VICTORIA. Island Health has uncovered another privacy breach, similar in nature but separate from the two reported on June 14 which involved two employees. This latest breach involves an employee who viewed the records of 34 individuals who received services from Island Health.

Island Health President & CEO Dr. Brendan Carr expressed his frustration with what he calls a gross breach of patient, client and public trust, and again sincerely apologized on behalf of the organization.

“Our employees know it’s wrong to look at the private health information of patients when they have no legitimate reason to do so,” he said. “It saddens and disappoints me that the actions of a very, very small minority of our 19,000 staff violate the values and high ethical standards we all work towards at Island Health. Our patients deserve better.”

Island Health launched an investigation after an audit confirmed this individual used access privileges to view the records of patients with whom there was no care or service relationship. Steps were taken immediately to ensure the access to personal or confidential information of the employee was revoked, and the BC Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) was notified.

Island Health is in the process of notifying all individuals impacted, all of whom are from Vancouver Island. The employee was based in Victoria and no longer works for Island Health.

This leaves the public wondering as to what might be driving these health record privacy breaches. Factors might include Insufficient or outdated training, combined with a corporate culture that has somehow eroded from previous standards. If there is some financial or personal benefit from inappropriately acquiring the info, this is a strong force to be reckoned with. Some stringent new restrictions will likely be required… whether that is through computer software and/or how authorized access is issued.

Friday, July 8. A postal strike has been averted for now.

Both sides have decided to continue negotiating, for a 30-day cooling off period.

Postal mail services will continue as usual.

Tuesday, July 5 (updated July 6) ~ Canada Post has issued a lockout notice against its unionized employees, with the required 72-hours notice. The soonest a work interruption can occur — stopping mail delivery — is now Monday, July 11 (was previously Friday, July 8). See more on the main page of this website.

Tuesday, July 5 ~ WEST SIDE of SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND. Nothing else in the Canadian economy has skyrocketed upward in price like the price of housing in BC, particularly in the Lower Mainland and the south Vancouver Island area.

Clearly the action of market speculation by those of resource has occurred in the hottest market areas, as there is no sensible economic factor for housing price increases that are far outstripping the currently very low rate of inflation.

In the overall Greater Victoria area, the benchmark (data adjusted) price for single-family homes in all map areas was 14.4% higher in June 2016 compared to one year ago. When the actual sales are tallied and averaged out over the number of sales, the actual average sale price of a house in Greater Victoria was $758,146 in June 2016 — which is 21.7% higher than the $593,700 benchmark that the Victoria Real Estate Board (VREB) likes to promote.

For the western communities focus of this publication (Langford, Colwood, Sooke), the average actual sale price was $540,075 in June 2016, which is 12.4% higher than the benchmark of $473,333 for that area. The benchmark (House Price Index or HPI) is a data-adjusted figure to incorporate factors that the VREB considers influential on a buying decision and/or livability in that area, including proximity to services, recreation offerings, and proximity and range of schools.

The three western communities of Langford, Colwood and Sooke saw a total of 181 sales in June 2016. That represents 30.9% of all 585 sales in Greater Victoria last month. Due to the relative affordability of this region — being somewhat away from the core (Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay), sales are strong.

In Langford the actual sale average of $491,579 (91 sales) is 21.3% higher than the benchmark promoted by VREB. For some reason, the HPI factors are making Langford housing prices appear (on first blush) to be lower than they really are.
In Colwood the actual average of $588,868 (34 sales) was 12.1% higher than the benchmark. This HPI percentage is on par with that of overall Greater Victoria.
In Sooke the actual average of $439,777 (56 sales) is 13.0% higher than the benchmark. The HPI level of $382,700 makes Sooke sound more affordable than it really is. Factors to push down the HPI figure would include travel-distance to major services.

For the sake of people who already own homes, it would be favourable for the market not to ‘correct’ (drop significantly or crash). For the sake of people who can only dream of being able to afford a home, the BC Government says it aims to improve affordability in the months ahead.

Tuesday, July 4 ~ VICTORIA. The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died after a motor vehicle incident In Victoria on Monday, June 27. Jamie Scott McMillan, age 36, of Victoria was a pedestrian crossing Hillside Ave at Higgins St in a marked crosswalk about 5:50 pm that day when he was struck by a passenger van. He was transported to Victoria General Hospital, but died there the next morning.

The BC Coroners Service and Victoria City Police continue to investigate this death. Mr. McMillan’s family has been notified of his death.

West Shore Voice - Canada Day 2016- AlistairMacGregor

Thursday, June 30 ~ WEST SHORE. The House of Commons is now on summer recess.

Alistair MacGregor, MP MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford will be heading home to Duncan. His constituency office in Langford will be open during the summer. Check Alistair MacGregor’s website for details.

Yesterday it was exciting for MP’s and guests to hear US President Obama speak in Canada’s House of Commons. MacGregor sent out photos from his vantage point, and posted them on Twitter yesterday.

Thursday, June 30 ~ VICTORIA. Beginning July 4, 2016, travellers are advised of upcoming construction on the Pat Bay Highway (Highway 17) between Sayward Road and Haliburton Road and to expect delays during this time.

The Pat Bay Highway is a major transit route for travellers between ferries/airport and the south island area of Greater Victoria. The portion of highway targeted for this construction is in the Elk Lake area, just ahead of the main city area for people approaching Victoria from the ferries and airport.

The BC MInistry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) says the work is expected to be complete in the early fall and will include the repaving of approximately three kilometres of roadway, as well as safety improvements at Cordova Bay Road that, once complete, will allow only right-in, right-out from this road. The timing of the traffic signals at both the Sayward and Haliburton intersections will be adjusted as needed to accommodate the expected traffic pattern changes.

The majority of work will occur at night when traffic volumes are low. Work will not occur over holiday weekends and staff will be monitoring traffic throughout the duration of the project to ensure any delays related to construction are minimal. The work schedule may also change due to weather and other conditions.

Motorists are advised to allow for extra time and are reminded to obey traffic control personnel and construction speed limits, and watch for workers and highway message boards. For up-to-date traffic advisories: www.drivebc.ca

This $3.8-million project is part of this year’s road and bridge rehabilitation program for Vancouver Island.

Thursday, June 30 ~ West Shore. School’s out and summer has begun! Congratulations to all the grads who start their new journey, and best wishes to the families who support them.

In SD62 there will be two new Assistant Superintendents starting for the 2016-2017 academic year — one has already been appointed, and that’s Paul Block who is shifting from his role as principal at Westshore Centre for Learning & Training.

Departing after several years in the job of SD62 Assistant Superintendent are both Dave Betts (who focussed on middle/secondary and aboriginal) and Roberta Kubik (who focussed on elementary, and also health initiatives).

Dave Betts is fully retiring (see article on pg3 in the May 27, 2016 issue of West Shore Voice News, though after a summer vacation may take on new employment ventures. Roberta Kubik is taking on a new job as Superintendent of School in a region of Nova Scotia that for her is home (see article on pg3 in the June 17, 2016 issue of West Shore Voice News).

SD62 Superintendent Jim Cambridge says the vacancy left by Roberta Kubik’s departure will be filled soon; the position starts August 1.

Tuesday, June 28 ~ VICTORIA. Today the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has announced that In response to low rainfall and record high temperatures across southern and eastern Vancouver Island, the Province is putting residents on the highest drought alert and closing most streams and rivers to angling.

Government staff have upgraded the drought in the region to Level 4 – extremely dry – and are urging all water users – including residents, industry, farmers and municipalities – to reduce water consumption as much as possible. The area covered by Level 4 extends from north of Campbell River and the Discovery Islands down the east coast of Vancouver Island, and include Victoria, Sooke and Port Renfrew.

Areas north of Campbell River and along the west coast of Vancouver Island remain at a Level 3 drought rating, which means the conditions are very dry and water users should continue to limit their water use.

Meanwhile, the drought has lowered water levels and reduced flow in rivers and streams which is prompting the Province to close down the freshwater sports fishery across much of the southern island starting July 1, 2016.

Big Qualicum, Puntledge and Quinsam Rivers will remain open, along with Campbell River and all streams north of the City of Campbell River and Bamfield.

The fishing closures will remain in place until drought conditions improve significantly.

BC has four levels of drought, with level 4 being the driest. Water restrictions such as sprinkling bylaws are usually put in place by the local municipal government, based on local water supply and provincial drought guidelines.

See a map of the drought-affected areas at: http://ow.ly/Dr9I301zeTd
Find a map of angling closure at: https://www.flickr.com/gp/bcgovphotos/277rWy
To find out about water restrictions in your area, visit your local municipal government website.
Find learn about drought and water conservation in BC go to: http://arcg.is/1W9SMZv

Friday, June 24 ~ SHAWNIGAN LAKE. BC RCMP are seeking witnesses regarding the serious 2-vehicle collision on the Malahat stretch of Hwy 1 on Thursday, June 23 around 8am.

Shawnigan Lake RCMP received a report of a two-vehicle collision on the Malahat just north of the Split Rock view point. Shawnigan Lake RCMP, South Island Traffic Services RCMP, BC Ambulance Services and Malahat Fire services attended the scene. The Malahat was closed on Thursday morning for several hours while the scene examination was completed.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a Mazda pickup truck travelling southbound on Hwy 1 towards Victoria crossed the center line of the Highway, colliding with a northbound Chevrolet pickup truck.

“It appears that the Mazda pickup truck was travelling southbound when it lost control and crossed into the opposite lane of traffic. The Mazda pickup was struck on the passenger side by a northbound Chevrolet pickup. The occupant to the Chevrolet pickup truck sustained minor injuries and was transported to Victoria General Hospital. The driver of the Chevrolet pickup is cooperating with police and is recovering. The occupant of the Mazda pickup sustained life threatening injuries and remains in critical condition at the Victoria General Hospital,” says Cst Bryan Bare, South Island Traffic Services

The driver of the Mazda pick is a 41-year-old woman from the Shawnigan Lake area; her name is not being release at this time.

Anyone with information in relation to this collision is asked to contact South Island Traffic Services in Chemanius at 250-416-0352.

Tuesday, June 21 ~ SOOKE. Josh Nickolas LaFleur (age 25) and Damien James Medwedrich (age 21) have been charged with two counts of attempted murder, said Sooke RCMP Detachment Commander Jeff McArthur this afternoon.

These charges are regarding a drive-by shooting which occurred on Ella Road in Sooke on Tuesday evening, June 14, 2016 (see various news entries on the Sooke news page, June 14 to 21). The two accused are scheduled to appear again in Provincial Court in Colwood on June 23, 2016

Dustin David BROWN, who was arrested earlier last week, is also charged with two counts of attempted murder in relation to this matter, says McArthur. Brown is scheduled to next appear in Colwood Provincial Court on July 5, 2016.

Tuesday, June 21 ~ GREATER VICTORIA. The Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce and Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce have agreed to work towards integrating their chambers, combining their resources to better serve their members, it was announced today.

Last year the two chambers created a joint task force to examine the benefits and feasibility of a common governance model. The joint task force determined that integration would provide increased benefits to the members of both organizations while reducing administrative overhead.

The next steps of the integration will be for the two chambers to consult their respective memberships, a process that is envisioned to be concluded by December 2016.

“This integration is about enhanced services for Esquimalt Chamber members. I am confident that through this merger, we can significantly increase the benefits to our members and become a more effective and efficient business organization,” says RJ Senko, Vice-President of the Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce.

“In today’s increasingly integrated world, the segregated governance models of the past just don’t make sense anymore and are not in the best interest of our members. Combining resources will allow both chambers to take a more integrated approach to advocacy and serving our members,” says Al Hasham, Chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

“This integration proposal is consistent with the decision made last year by all regional Councils to combine our efforts on economic development,” says Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps.

“Local businesses are not bound by municipal boundaries so this process toward integration of our local Chambers will help provide a more cohesive approach to economic development and voice for business,” says Barbara Desjardins, Esquimalt Mayor.

Tuesday, June 21 ~ VICTORIA. British Columbians have a tight window of about one week (deadline June 30, 2016) to share their thoughts with the BC Government on proposed requirements for spill planning and preparedness. Comments may be submitted at http://engage.gov.bc.ca/spillresponse . This public input opportunity was announced alongside a spill response exercise today in East Sooke.

Environmental emergency response officers (EEROs) from the Ministry of Environment took part in a spill response exercise today at the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Training Centre in East Sooke as part of a week-long annual training session.

The exercise included two scenarios simulating fuel spills and provided an opportunity for EEROs to practice water boom deployment techniques both on the water and on the shoreline.

In today’s exercise, training was led by Western Canada Marine Response Corporation – the Transport Canada certified response organization for Canada’s West Coast. If a real spill were to occur in this area, EEROs would work collaboratively with local government, First Nations and other provincial and federal agencies.

The recent amendments to the Environmental Management Act will allow the ministry to put regulations in place with requirements for responder training and participation in drills and exercises. First Nations and local governments will also have opportunities to play a larger role in spill response preparedness through this legislation.

Regulations to support this legislation are currently being developed as engagement continues with the general public, stakeholders and First Nations.

Monday, June 20. A new in-town golf course is opening in Sooke. Official community opening event on Tuesday, July 5. Details on the Sooke news page.

Saturday, June 18 ~ SOOKE. On June 17, Westshore RCMP were conducting inquiries at a local residence in an attempt to locate the two outstanding suspects involved in the shooting on Ella Road — a remote roadway in Sooke — on Tuesday evening, June 14.

While at a residence, two individuals believed to be the suspects ran from the property and a large scale search was conducted, says West Shore RCMP. Due to the large wooded rural area near Thetis Lake, the search was unsuccessful.

Josh LaFleur is still wanted in connection with the Sooke-area shooting. Police urge the public to call 911 if seen. “Do not approach him,” says Sooke RCMP Detachment Commander Jeff McArthur. The second suspect’s name is still being withheld pending charges.

Anyone having information about the shooting or the suspect’s whereabouts are urged to contact the Sooke RCMP Detachment at 250-642-5241 or if you wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

CRD announced on Friday afternoon, June 17, that their Thetis Lake Regional Park will be closed to the public until further notice at the request of Westshore RCMP. The CRD will provide an update when the park is reopened. [Park access was open again later today, June 17.]

See earlier news stories on the SOOKE page of this website (June 14, 15, 16).

Wednesday, June 15 ~ Victoria. Wastewater Discharge Notice. This morning morning between 7am and 8:30am, localized heavy rainfall resulted in combined stormwater and wastewater overflows along the shorelines of Oak Bay and Saanich East. Advisory signage will be posted at beach access points as a precautionary measure. The areas affected extend from Cadboro Bay to Cattle Point Lookout.

Residents are advised to avoid swimming or wading in waters along these shorelines, as the wastewater may pose a health risk.

Capital Regional District (CRD) is in the process of collecting samples along the affected shorelines. As a precaution and in consultation with Island Health and the local municipalities, beaches within the affected areas will be posted with public health advisory signs until sample results indicate that enterococci levels are below the 70CFU/100mL recreational limit.

Photo is of Cadboro Bay Beach (web source).

Wednesday, June 15 – Capital Regional District (CRD) Bylaw Enforcement Officers are conducting patrols again this summer to ensure that regional parks and trails remain safe and enjoyable for everyone. Patrols will be deployed on hot, sunny days at popular beaches and swimming areas in regional parks including Elk/Beaver Lake, Island View Beach, Matheson Lake, Mount Work (Durrance Lake), Sooke Potholes, Thetis Lake and Witty’s Lagoon. Also watch for bike patrols on the Galloping Goose, Lochside and E&N Rail Trail.

“Regional parks and trails receive more than 6.5 million visits each year and the majority of people are respectful of others and the natural areas. We appreciate the public’s assistance in keeping our parks safe and clean” said Mike Walton, Senior Manager of CRD Regional Parks.

“The CRD also works closely with RCMP detachments and other agencies to increase the enforcement presence in regional parks and this strategy has helped to reduce bylaw violations and alcohol use in regional parks,” says Walton.

The CRD reminds the public that smoking, alcohol and fires are prohibited in regional parks. From June 1 to September 15, dogs must be on a leash when passing through designated beach and picnic areas and are not allowed to stay. If you see a park violation, please report it to CRD Regional Parks at 250.478.3344, or email crdparks@crd.bc.ca . For serious incidents, call 911.

Tuesday, June 14 ~ VICTORIA (followup to story below). Two employees at Island Health no longer work for that regional health district, after they breached patient confidentiality by exploring patient files, it was told to media in a news conference this afternoon out of Victoria.

One of the employees had been with Island Health since 2012 and the other since 2013. Both had been in non-clinical support staff roles with the health district that employs over 18,000 people.

Island Health’s Executive VP of Quality, Safety & Experience — Kathy MacNeil, said the Island Health investigation went back 16 months, and that 198 patient files were breached. Of those 198, there were family and friends of the former employees, as well as co-workers and some “public celebrities”, said MacNeil. MacNeil would not identify any of the affected persons.

The 198 people were either residents of Vancouver Island or in some cases were persons receiving care while visiting here. All are Canadians.

Not all of the 198 impacted persons (whose files were breached) have been contacted yet, said MacNeil. Phone calls were attempted first, and then letters sent. But some persons still are yet to hear about their breached files.

No legal action has been taken yet against Island Health, said MacNeil.

The breaches were discovered through a pro-active audit, part of a quality assurance system that Island Health undertakes.

Tuesday, June 14 ~ VICTORIA. Island Health has investigated incidents involving two employees who breached the privacy of 198 individuals receiving services through Island Health. Island Health is in the process of notifying the individuals who are impacted by this breach. “We apologize to those individuals affected.” it was stated in a news release from Island Health today.

Island Health says its investigation confirmed that the employees used their access privileges to view the records of patients with whom they had no care or service relationship.

The investigation reportedly began after a routine audit was run of employee access to the Electronic Health Record. Steps were taken immediately to ensure the employees’ access to personal or confidential information was revoked and the BC Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) was notified.

While the individuals affected are from a number of communities across Vancouver Island and beyond, the employees were based in Victoria. Privacy legislation prevents Island Health from discussing the specifics of personnel matters, but we can confirm that the employees no longer work for Island Health.

“It is unacceptable that any employee uses his or her access privileges to view patients’ records. Such actions are contradictory to our organizational values and policies, and represent an exception to the high standard and ethical practice of staff and physicians working at Island Health. All Island Health employees and physicians are well-oriented to the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information and the consequences of violating policy in this area,” it was stated in the release.

Access to patient records for reasons other than authorized work-related purposes directly contravenes Island Health’s Terms of Employment.

Island Health says that its confidentiality policy further sets out specific examples of behaviours that are a breach. This includes “unauthorized reading of a patient’s chart” and “accessing information on yourself, children, family, friends or co-workers” when the employee does not need to see or know that information to do their job.

Island Health says it provides extensive, ongoing education and awareness for staff and physicians related to privacy. “Unauthorized access to patient files is a breach of our code of conduct, is a violation of privacy and will not be tolerated. We are assessing our practices now to mitigate any future violations.”

Friday, June 10 ~ VICTORIA. On Saturday, June 18 the Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, will host a public garden party to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday. Her Majesty’s actual birthday is April 21, but it is traditional to host the public celebrations in the month of June.

The Lieutenant Governor will welcome members of the public on the east lawn to enjoy music and tea service. There will be musical entertainment by the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Cary Castle Pipers. A craft area will be set-up for children to make their own crowns.

This free event is open to everyone, on the east lawn of Government House, 1401 Rockland Ave, Victoria, from 2 to 4 pm. In the spirit of the occasion, guests are encouraged to wear their hats and gloves.

Friday, June 10 ~ VICTORIA. British Columbia’s first full-scale earthquake exercise was completed today. The Exercise Coastal Response, a $1.2-million full-scale earthquake and tsunami response exercise over four days (June 7 to 10, 2016) was conducted to test the BC Earthquake Immediate Response Plan.

This exercise evaluated the in-scenario actions of public safety agencies and all levels of government, coordination among responders, health and medical agencies, and promoted interagency cooperation of both internal and external agencies that support emergency response.

CoastalResponse The overarching goal of Exercise Coastal Response was to enhance provincial emergency response capabilities to a catastrophic earthquake. Six functional areas were exercised: Operations, Mass Care, Medical, Strategic Communications and Public Information, Telecommunications, and Logistics. This was accomplished through the coordinated actions of several emergency organizations to resolve problems related to a catastrophic earthquake.

Much of the activity of this exercise was conducted out of Port Alberni. A significant quake (9.0 Magnitude) is expected by seismologists at a one-third chance in the next 50 years, affecting the west coast of Vancouver Island in particular.

For the full story, see our BC News page (June 10 entry).

Thursday, June 9 ~ LANGFORD. The Sooke School District (SD62) In their capital plan, has asked the BC Government for an additional four elementary schools on the Westshore and one in Sooke.

“We have land for two of the schools already (one on the Westshore and one in Sooke), so we would need land as well as the schools for the remaining three,” says SD62 communication rep Lindsay Vogan.

An additional 400 student spaces have been requested for Royal Bay Secondary (in photo), which just opened last year and is already full to capacity with 800 students. Royal Bay was apparently designed for an “easy addition” as a requirement for expansion was anticipated, says SD62.

Four portables will be set up and ready for use at Royal Bay Secondary come September. The site is currently being prepared for them now.

The land for the additional elementary school in the immediate Sooke area is within Sunriver Estates, and has been on the books since about 2007.

SD62 serves students and families through much of the west side of southern Vancouver Island, including in Langford, Colwood, Metchosin, Sooke and up to Port Renfrew. Bussing of students to and within Langford, Colwood and Sooke has become more costly over the years. For 2016-2017 families are being asked to pay $50 more per rider.

A local housing boom is bringing more families to the west side of the island, where housing prices are relatively more affordable than in the Greater Victoria core area. About 500 more students are expected in the SD62 school district this fall compared to last year, said SD62 Superintendent Jim Cambridge at the May 24 SD62 public board meeting.

Tuesday, June 7 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND. From June 7 to 10, Emergency Management BC will conduct British Columbia’s first-ever, full-scale test of the province’s Earthquake Immediate Response Plan.

The exercise will be based on a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami due to a rupture of the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The Exercise Coastal Response activity is based on a magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurring off the shore of southwestern BC as a result of a rupture of the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The earthquake scenario will generate a tsunami impacting the west coast of Vancouver Island minutes after the initial shock.

The exercise brings together some key stakeholder groups such as different levels of government, various jurisdictions in Canada and the U.S., and a number of provincial ministries, First Nations, Crown corporations, non-
government organizations and first responders. The exercise is a mix of real-time activities and simulated situations involving functions such as emergency operations, logistics, medical care, mass care, public information and operational communications.

The four-day exercise will be based in Port Alberni (on Vancouver Island) and bring together key stakeholders from across all levels of government, as well as first responders, Crown corporations and First Nations. Real-time activities will include the deployment of medical care, group lodging, operational communications and search and rescue.

More than 60 different organizations and 600 people are participating in the earthquake drill.

The BC government is spending $1.2 million on this drill, to prepare for the real thing. Seismologists predict 1 in 3 odds of a major quake occurring on the West Coast in the next 50 years.

BC Minister responsible for emergency preparedness, Naomi Yamamoto, says it’s not a matter of if an earthquake hits, but when — and that being prepared pays off in a disaster.

Monday, June 6. TRAFFIC ADVISORY – Lindholm Road at the Kangaroo Road Intersection will be closed today from 7am, reopening Wednesday, June 8 at 6pm. A large culvert replacement is being done. No access to Lindholm Road from Kangaroo Road, says MainRoad. All traffic will have to access from Happy Valley Road side of Lindholm Road.

Wednesday, June 1 ~ OTTAWA. Alistair MacGregor, MP (Cowichan—Malahat—Langford), introduced a bill on May 31 in the House of Commons, aimed at ensuring that governments cannot set an election period longer than 46 days in order to spend more money.

This bill would reverse the 2014 changes to the Canada Elections Act done unilaterally by the Conservatives that made it possible to extend the length of an election and allow spending limits to rise in accordance with the writ period.

“This bill will curtail the power of rich parties effectively having the ability to buy elections. If we are to create a fair electoral system, then we must also ensure that political parties are on a level-playing field,” stated MacGregor.

“We need to prevent US-style big money politics in Canada. Marathon election campaigns where wealthy parties can essentially flood the airwaves with attack ads have no place in a fair democratic system’’, stated NDP Democratic Reform Critic Nathan Cullen.

“This past election subjected Canadians to 78 days filled with a constant barrage of TV and radio ads all as a cynical attempt to increase the amount of election spending by political parties,’’ MacGregor said in a news release.

Wednesday, June 1 ~ VICTORIA –With municipal and rural property tax deadlines just around the corner, home owners can look into several provincial programs that may help with some of the financial pressures of home ownership.

Municipalities set the deadline for payment of municipal property taxes.
Rural property taxes are due July 4, 2016. After July 4, a 5% penalty is applied to unpaid rural property taxes, including any unclaimed home owner grant. www.gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant

Home owner grant: Home owners can apply for the home owner grant when paying property tax. “This grant helps keep residential property taxes affordable for British Columbians by returning almost $800 million to families every year,” says the BC Government. British Columbians who own homes valued up to $1.2 million may be eligible to receive a full home owner grant this year. For properties assessed above this threshold, the grant is reduced by $5 for every $1,000 of assessed value in excess of the threshold. There are two types of home owner grants:

The basic grant can reduce residential property taxes on an owner’s principal residence by up to $570, or if the home is located in a northern and rural area, up to $770.
The additional grant can reduce residential property taxes on an owner’s principal residence by up to up to $845 or, if the home is located in a northern and rural area, up to $1,045. The additional grant is available to home owners who are 65 years or older, who qualify under the persons with disabilities category, or who are the surviving spouse of a veteran who received certain war-veteran allowances.

Low-income grant supplement: Low-income home owners who would have received the additional home owner
grant can apply for a low-income supplement, which replaces any reduction in the grant caused by having a property valued over the threshold. The low-income supplement is available to seniors, certain veterans or their surviving spouse and persons with disabilities.

Property tax deferment program: The property tax deferment program provides low-interest loans that allow qualifying home owners to defer their property taxes until they sell or transfer ownership of their home, or it becomes part of an estate. Taxes can be deferred for any year the home owner lives in the home and continues to qualify for the program. Accumulated deferred taxes and interest must be paid when the home is sold or transferred. There are two categories under the property tax deferment program as explained atwww.gov.bc.ca/propertytaxdeferment :

The regular program is for owners age 55+, surviving spouses of any age and people with disabilities. The interest rate under the regular program is currently 0.7%. The rate is set equal to prime lending rate, minus 2%.
The families with children program is for parents, step-parents or those who are financially supporting children, and was created to help families during the years when household costs are often highest. The interest rate under the families with children program is currently 2.7%. The rate is set equal to the prime lending rate.

In 2016, 91% of BC homes are below the home owner grant threshold and, if eligible, their owners would receive the full grant amount. The home owner grant is available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada who live in B.C. The Province reimburses municipalities for the full cost of the home owner grant to ensure municipal revenues are not affected. The northern and rural benefit was introduced as part of carbon-tax recycling to recognize the challenges residence in some parts of BC face in minimizing their carbon footprint. As of April 2016, almost 40,000 BC households have benefitted from property tax deferment programs.

For information about other programs that support housing affordability, visit:https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/factsheet-supporting-housing-affordability-in-bc

Wednesday, June 1 ~ VICTORIA. The BC Ferries “Size up the Savings” ‘extra foot’ promotion starts today. Between June 1 and September 30, customers with private passenger vehicles longer than 20 feet will pay only $3.25 per additional foot (regularly $6.50) on select sailings on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay and the Tsawwassen – Duke Point routes.

The Size up the Savings promotion provides customers with RVs, campers, and other extra length vehicles an opportunity to save on nearly 1,000 sailings over a four-month period. The 50%-off promotion is applicable in both directions on specified days of travel for Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (Metro Vancouver – Victoria); Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen (Victoria – Metro Vancouver); Tsawwassen to Duke Point (Metro Vancouver – Nanaimo); and Duke Point to Tsawwassen (Nanaimo – Metro Vancouver). For details and reservations, see www.bcferries.com .

“Promotions like Size up the Savings are designed to help BC Ferries test alternative pricing in preparation for the new Fare Flexibility and Digital Experience Initiative,” says BC Ferries in a news release today.

ARCHIVE – Breaking News – West Shore of Vancouver Island [June-Oct 2016]

ARCHIVE – Breaking News West Shore Vancouver Island [June to October 2016]

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