ARCHIVE – Langford | Colwood | Metchosin – March & April 2017
Sunday, April 30 ~ WEST SIDE of VANCOUVER ISLAND. People have been dropping by steadily to vote at District Electoral Offices (DEOs) for Langford-Juan de Fuca and Esquimalt-Metchosin in the past week, say staff at both locations.
Personnel hired specifically to execute all the many responsibilities of operating a Voting Station have taken training at each DEO. Being responsible for a ballot box during the Advance Voting days includes overseeing the whereabouts of that box when it’s not in active ballot-receiving mode, says David Garvey, Deputy District Electoral Officer for Langford-Juan de Fuca.
There is a step-by-step process to ensure secrecy of the ballots and their retention between the six advance voting days, explains Garvey.
Ballots that are cast at any DEO in BC are sent after 8pm on the General Election Day (May 9) to the riding where the vote belongs. Due to the time this takes, there is a final vote count on May 23, once all ballots have been received in their home ridings. Potentially this could swing a vote result in any given riding.
With the increased number of advance voting days (six days this election — April 29 & 30, May 3-6) and voting throughout the 28-day campaign period by any voter at any DEO in the province, that theoretically increases the number of ridings where final counts on May 23 could make a difference in the overall result.
The DEO for Langford-Juan de Fuca is at 111-2787 Jacklin Road in Langford. The DEO for Esquimalt-Metchosin is in Colwood at 3-1905 Sooke Road.
Visit the April 28, 2017 issue of West Shore Voice News to see photos of both DEO office locations plus hours and list of candidates, (page 6). List of all voting stations in both ridings, and open hours (page 8).
Saturday, April 29 ~ SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND. The BC NDP say they will announce strong measures to clean up and protect waterways, at an event tomorrow Sunday April 30 in Cadboro Bay at Gyro Park.
On hand will be BC NDP Candidates Gary Holman (Saanich North and the Islands) and Bryce Casavant (Oak Bay-Gordon Head) with special guest Sheila Malcolmson, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Ladysmith.
They will talk about how John Horgan and the BC NDP say they would be the only government committed to keeping waterways pristine in BC.
The event on Sunday will start at 3 pm. Gyro Park is at 2625 Sinclair Rd in the Cadboro Bay area of the Oak Bay-Gordon Head riding, which is home to BC Green Leader Andrew Weaver.
Friday, April 28 ~ Tonight incumbent NDP candidate John Horgan (leader of the BC NDP party) will be holding a rally in downtown Victoria at Alix Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora Ave, starting 6:30 pm. A full house is expected. Also participating is Nathan Cullen, MP, who is the electoral reform critic for the federal NDP.
Bright and early on Saturday morning, April 29, Horgan will be casting his advance vote at the Advance Voting Station at Belmont Secondary School in Langford. Then he will be heading to his local campaign office for a bit of a pep rally.
Advance voting is available in all ridings in BC on saturday April 29 and Sunday April 30, as well as on May 3, 4, 5, and 6. See the West Shore Voice EVENTS page for local details about advance voting locations, dates and times.
Friday, April 28 ~ The City of Langford is letting property owners know that this year they are offering electronic delivery of property tax notices beginning with this 2017 tax year. The deadline to register online is April 30, 2017.
If you are a property owner in Langford and you want this service, just email to register@langford.ca and include the following information:
Your name
Property address
Folio Number
The amount of your current year’s tax notice that is in box C No Grant
Email Address
The deadline for registration for 2017 tax notices is April 30th. More info at www.langford.ca/propertytax
Tuesday, April 25 ~ BC. The BC NDP commitment to create urgent care centres across the province will benefit small communities, it was announced by the BC NDP today.
Representing BC NDP Leader John Horgan at an All Candidates debate in Sooke this evening, retired MLA Maurine Karagianis said Sooke would be one of the communities that could dearly use an urgent care clinic. There is a private medical clinic in Sooke town centre, and an old (analog) xray clinic open about 2 days a week; the nearest hospital is Victoria General Hospital about 30 minutes drive away along the winding Hwy 14.
“I am committed to taking real action to help families access the health care they need by opening Urgent Family Care centers in communities across the province,” said Horgan in a release.
Urgent care centres bring together doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, dieticians, pharmacists, mental health workers, midwives, occupational therapists and other health care providers to offer the right health services from the right provider at the right time. “We know that prevention and early interventions are the best way to protect people’s health and bring down health care costs,” it says in the NDP release tonight.
On Horgan’s behalf, Karagianis went to bat tonight for the hardest-hit sectors of BC society who have seen consistent erosion of services under the BC Liberals, including education, children and families, health care and seniors.
John Horgan is the incumbent NDP candidate in Langford-Juan de Fuca. He has held the riding since 2005.
Tuesday, April 25 ~ WEST SHORE.
Last night there was a sparse turnout for a mixer co-hosted by the West Shore Chamber of Commerce and Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce.
The idea was to provide a casual opportunity for the community to meet provincial election candidates of two west-side ridings.
Candidates, campaign personnel and displays of election materials were on hand: BC Liberals, BC NDP, BC Greens. and the Libertarian Party for Esquimalt-Metchosin, as well as NDP, Green and BC Liberal for Langford-Juan de Fuca.
Each candidate gave a short 3-minute speech:
Esquimalt-Metchosin:
- Andy MacKinnon (BC Green) said it’s important to recognize that environmental issues go hand in hand with economic and employment issues in BC. “We’re setting ourselves up badly for the future is we focus the economy on undiluted bitumen, LNG, and unprocessed raw log exports,” MacKinnon said. He promotes the need for fundamental change of how resources are managed. “For 40 years I’ve seen voting that is about voting against people or keeping people out of office. I joined the Greens as an opportunity for people to have something to vote for,” he told the small but engaged crowd.
- Mitzi Dean (BC NDP) spoke also on behalf of BC NDP Party Leader John Horgan who was busy on the provincial campaign trail. More than a stand-in for Horgan, she competently addressed various business issues including small business and job growth and pronounced that an NDP government would make a $13.5 billion investment in the BC private sector to “innovate and grow the economy” and match federal infrastructure funding “dollar for dollar”. Affordable housing, transportation and health care planks of the NDP platform were addressed.
- Barb Desjardins (BC Liberal) illustrated her sense of commitment and skills in advocacy and getting things done with a backdrop of her accomplishments as Mayor of Esquimalt and Chair of the CRD. “We need a government that has a plan, knows where it’s going, and takes measured steps,” said Desjardins. “Measured steps,” she emphasized, for lowering taxes, growing the economy, and taking BC to “a better environmental place”. “When you take jumps you can upset the boat. So maybe things wouldn’t be as fast as you want us to get there, but we’d get there,” she told the crowd.
- Josh Steffler (Libertarian) came out of the gate calling the Libertarians the fourth-largest party in BC. “We are socially liberal but fiscally conservative,” Steffler explained, adding that Libertarians believe in private property and individual liberty. He said the carbon tax should be eliminated and that monopolies such as BC Hydro should be opened to more competition.
Josh Steffler, Libertarian (Esquimalt-Metchosin)
Langford-Juan de Fuca:
- Cathy Noel (BC Liberal) brought the crowd up to speed on her background in sport and fitness organization, and highlighted the entrepreneurialism of her GoBid auction company, saying she helped raise millions for charities and helped community groups “be the best that they could be”. She believes in creating a vision and then a plan of how to get there. She lauded the track record of the BC Liberal government for five balanced budgets and a triple-A credit rating. “For jobs and education, we need a plan, and we need to work together to make that plan a reality” said Noel.
- Brendan Ralfs (BC Green) as a former forest firefighter and now an emergency programs manager says he started from a place of interest in environmental issues after seeing the impact of climate change up close in BC forests and now a wider array of climate driven problems. But he told the small gathering that he easily embraced the full spectrum of the BC Green party platform. He sees a need to change from” the divided status quo: of current politics in BC, with challenges to sustainability — both economic and making a region that is more livable. Getting involved as a Green candidate “felt like the right thing to do”.
Mingling and networking took place before and after the speeches which focussed on business interests and the economy in addition to overall party platforms.
Among those attending the mixer were Randall Garrison, MP (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke), and City of Langford Councillors Lillian Szpak and Denise Blackwell. The event was held at the Royal Colwood Golf Club, from 5 to 6:30 pm.
Tuesday, April 25 ~ LANGFORD. General Voting Day is Tues May 9. Advance Voting is available on April 29 & 30, and also May 3, 4, 5 and 6. You can also vote by postal mail.
And this is handy! You can also vote in person at any District Electoral Office, open daily:
Langford-Juan de Fuca: 111-2787 Jacklin Rd in Langford (just past Goldstream Ave). 250-952-5014. HOURS: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Advance Voting Days (April 29-30, May 3-6) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | General Voting Day (May 9) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Candidates in Langford-Juan de Fuca: John Horgan, BC NDP Party Leader (NDP, incumbent); Cathy Noel (BC Liberal); Brendan Ralfs (BC Green), Willie Nelson, (Vancouver Island Party); Scott Burton (Libertarian).
Esquimalt-Metchosin: 3-1905 Sooke Rd in Colwood (in the London Drugs mall). 250-952-4408. HOURS: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Advance Voting Days (April 29-30, May 3-6) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | General Voting Day (May 9) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Candidates in Esquimalt-Metchosin: Mitzi Dean (NDP); Barb Desjardins (BC Liberal); Andy MacKinnon (BC Green); Josh Steffler (Libertarian); Tyson Strandlund (Communist Party).
More info on where, when and how to vote
Monday April 24 ~ LANGFORD. Well, this will be a treat for students at Belmont Secondary School in Langford!
On Wednesday May 10 their guest visitor will be Dr Jay Cullen, professor of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of Victoria.
Cullen was recently shortlisted as one of NASA’s next astronaut candidates. He will be giving a presentation called “The Fukushima Disaster and Radiation in the Pacific Ocean: What Does it Mean for BC.”
Belmont Secondary is Langford’s largest high school, with over 1,200 students. Langford is served by Sooke School District 62 (SD62).
Monday, April 24 ~ VICTORIA. The BC NDP are holding a “Rally the Vote Victoria” event in downtown Victoria this coming Friday, April 28 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. The event is expected to pack to overflowing the Alix Goolden Performance Hall at 907 Pandora Ave.
“Before British Columbians go to the early polls, we’re rallying the vote in Victoria. Come join John Horgan and special guest Nathan Cullen at Victoria’s iconic Alix Goolden Performance Hall.” It’s likely to be a high-powered, memorable event, now mid-way into the 28-day 2017 BC election campaign.
The BC NDP have been proposing various measures to boost affordability for families, seniors, and those on social assistance and other fixed incomes including a freeze on ferry fares, elimination of MSP premiums (blending it into the tax system), $10/day child care, and an increase in the minimum wage to $15.
Those wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP, to assure a spot: https://www.bcndp.ca/rally-the-vote
Sunday, April 23 ~ BC. As the BC election campaign progresses, BC NDP Leader John Horgan has been issuing various policy announcements aimed at making BC more affordable for BC families, seniors and people on social assistance.
On April 20 surrounded by supporters, Horgan announced a plan to make seniors weekday passenger fares free on major BC Ferries sailing routes. “Life on Vancouver Island has been getting more expensive under Christy Clark. The increase in fees and hidden costs are hurting seniors on fixed incomes. We’re going to make life more affordable by bringing back free weekday ferry fares for seniors on major routes,” said Horgan on the shores of the Swartz Bay ferry terminal near Sidney, BC.
Under the BC Liberals, BC Ferries fares have increased by about 80% on the major ferry routes, and have more than doubled for the Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast and North Coast routes. An NDP government would also freeze ferry fares on major routes for all passengers and cut fares on the smaller routes by 15%.
“After 16 years of Christy Clark and the BC Liberals the cost of ferries has gone through the roof while sailings were cut for many communities. John Horgan will make life more affordable for island families, boost tourism, and grow the economy,” it was stated in a BC NDP news release.
Specifically for seniors, Horgan said the BC NDP will make life more affordable for seniors by:
• Bringing back free weekday ferry rides on major routes for seniors
• Cutting ferry fares on minor routes by 15 per cent
• Freezing ferry fares on major routes
• Providing a $400 renter’s rebate, while maintaining the existing Shelter Aid for Elder Renters (SAFER) supplement
• Eliminating unfair MSP premiums within our first term in office
The $7.9 million two-storey facility will include a 7,000 sqft gym, dressing rooms, recovery and stretching rooms, kitchen and lounge area, meeting and office rooms, six 1-bedroom studio units, a therapy clinic and the Canada Rugby Hall of Fame.
The facility will serve to support professional athletes from across Canada who will come to Langford to use the new 19,000 sqft facility on Glen Lake Road behind Westhills Stadium. National team athletes in other sports and the public will be able to use it too.
The facility is the single-largest investment Rugby Canada has made and is being funded by $3 million from the federal government’s Building Canada Fund, $1 million in land costs and a repayable $1.5 million loan from Langford, and the rest from private donations and fundraising.
“We worked with them to help make this happen,” says Langford Mayor Stew Young about his Council who he frequently praises at public events for being behind him all the way on various projects and strategies.
Wednesday, April 19 ~ BC. ‘Where to Vote’ cards are being delivered across British Columbia starting today. Elections BC is reminding voters to bring their card with them when they vote, to make the process faster and easier.
Chief Electoral Officer, Keith Archer says registered voters will receive a card that includes the dates, times and locations for advance voting in their electoral district. Each voter’s card also shows their assigned voting place for General Voting Day, May 9.
Elections BC will also be distributing the cards to addresses with no registered voters. These cards will inform eligible voters of the voting opportunities available to them and that they can register when they vote.
New for this election, is that the cards will be colour-coded to help election officials determine the electoral district in which a voter resides.
Over three million cards will be delivered up until advance voting starts on April 29. Advance voting takes place on April 29 and 30 and from May 3 to May 6. A complete listing of advance voting places is available at www.elections.bc.ca/2017-provincial-general-election/where-to-vote
Voters can also use Elections BC’s Where to Vote app to find voting places close to them and in their electoral district; it can be found at www.elections.bc.ca/wtv . Eligible voters can vote at any voting place in BC.
Wednesday, April 19 ~ BC. A BC NDP government under John Horgan would eliminate interest on BC student loans and offer a $1,000 completion grant to people who complete their studies.
“At a time when more and more people are struggling to get by, Christy Clark and the BC Liberals have made it harder than ever for people to upgrade their skills and get ahead in life,” said Horgan at a news event in Vancouver today.
“We’re going to fix that. We will ensure every British Columbian has the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education and skills training programs by eliminating interest on BC student loans and offering $1,000 in student loan relief for people who complete their studies.
“We have a growing tech sector that is already employing more than 100,000 British Columbians, and they need more skilled employees. We’ll help them grow and help British Columbians succeed by making post-secondary more accessible and affordable,” said Horgan.
John Horgan and the BC NDP will train skilled workers and create opportunities for people by:
- Making all current and future BC student loans interest free.
- Providing a $1,000 completion grant for graduates of college, university and skilled trades programs to help pay down debt when they finish their programs.
- Investing $100 million to expand technology-related post-secondary programs and investing in talent in information and communications, digital media and entertainment, life sciences and health, clean-tech, IT and engineering and more.
- Eliminating fees for Adult Basic Education and ESL and keeping a cap on tuition fees at colleges and universities.
- Introducing a new graduate student scholarship fund to encourage excellence in BC’s graduate programs.
Tuesday, April 18 ~ LANGFORD. West Shore RCMP credits an alert citizen who reported a suspicious vehicle which led to the arrest of two alleged thieves. Around 5 am on Easter Sunday April 16, a concerned citizen called police to report a white pickup truck parked against the back of the building at Kal Tire in 2600-block Sooke Rd in Langford.
Police attended to investigate and found a woman inside the pickup truck and a ma crawling on the ground next to the truck. Police also observed a quantity of tires in the back of the truck, believed to be recently stolen from the shop.
Both individuals were arrested at the scene and a representative of the shop was able to confirm that the tires belonged to their shop. It appeared the suspects were able to make their way into the fenced compound in order to steal the tires.
Both suspects, Andrew Trueman, 37, and Carol Poole, 45, of Sidney, have been released on bail following a Judicial Justice of the Peace hearing and are set to appear in court again on May 4.
Police would like to remind the public if suspicious activity is seen, to not hesitate to contact police. “Report suspicious activity while it is happening,” says West Shore RCMP Media Relations Officer Cst. Alex Bérubé. “Try to get a description of the suspects and their vehicle (including licence plate). Do not confront the suspects. Let the police determine if it’s a crime in progress,” he says.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or www.victoriacrimestoppers.ca
Tuesday, April 18 ~ VICTORIA. Andrew Weaver, leader of the BC Green Party, released the party’s health platform today in Victoria. He unveiled the platform at the campaign office of Dr. Chris Maxwell, BC Greens candidate for Victoria-Swan Lake, where tonight Maxwell’s campaign office launch event will take place at 7 pm.
“BC’s demographics are shifting. Already, many British Columbians are not getting the health care services they need in a timely fashion,” said Weaver. “British Columbians need an integrated, fiscally sound plan that invests in their health at every stage of life.
Weaver says the Green Party healthcare strategy “supports British Columbians to live healthier lives, and transitions BC towards preventive care”. He also outlined the idea to make strategic investments to increase access to primary care and focus on addressing mental health and addictions.
In the face of stiff competition from BC Liberals and deep-rooted momentum from the BC NDP, It’s a long shot that the Greens will have any substantial wins for MLA seats in the upcoming May 9 BC provincial election. So platform ideas are just that (and not all of them are new, for example ‘create a Ministry responsible for health promotion’ already exists). But discussion about them can tip the discourse of election debate and provides an important service to pushing forward social progress.
Key components of the BC Greens health care platform include:
Promoting wellness
- Create a Ministry responsible for health promotion, disease prevention and active lifestyles.
- Invest $35 million in nutrition and physical activity programs to promote learning readiness and improve student health in the K-12 public education system.
Prioritizing prevention and primary care
- Establish a task force to develop a plan to transition the balance of resources between acute/chronic care and primary/preventative care.
- Allocate $100 million for the expansion of support for inter-professional, integrated primary care by healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists, nurse practitioners and midwives.
- Develop a proposal to implement an essential drugs program.
Providing effective and efficient acute care
- Invest $40 million in new long term care facilities to increase the availability of beds in acute care facilities.
- Establish an innovation task force to reduce surgery wait times across the province.
Addressing mental health and addictions
- Establish a Ministry responsible for mental health and addictions, which will be responsible for developing and implementing a Mental Health and Addiction strategy and a Youth Mental Health for early detection of mental health illness.
- Allocate $80 million to fund early intervention, youth mental health initiatives, supervised injection sites and community based centres for mental health and rehabilitation.
- Implement an Integrated Primary Care model specific to Youth and Mental Health.
- Develop an immediate response to the fentanyl crisis based on successful programs in Europe that invest in treatment on demand, drug substitution, early-winning monitoring systems and coordinated response.
Supporting seniors and providing end-of-life
- Invest $35 million over four years in home care to enable seniors and other people who need assistance to stay in their own homes.
- Ensure the staffing at public and private care homes meets government guidelines and provide $200 million over four years to address staffing levels at public facilities.
Protecting children
- Invest an additional $100 million over for years to enhance child protection services.
- Identify strategies to address child poverty in the province, including specific actions to address poverty affecting Aboriginal children and families.
- Work with stakeholders, including front line service delivery agencies, Indigenous people, local governments, educators, and community not-for-profit agencies to address recommendations made by the Representative for Children and Youth and the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth.
Sunday, April 16. Walk-in blood donors are welcome on Easter Monday April 17 in Colwood, at the Church of the Advent, 510 Mount View Ave.
Bookings for the Easter Monday clinic were about 86% full as of last week. However, because many people book eight weeks in advance, appointments sometimes are forgotten, and some people won’t have known what their Easter plans are.
To book your spot at a clinic, use the form at www.blood.ca or call 1-888-2DONATE . However, walk-ins are welcome, to help make up for any no-shows that might happen on a Statutory holiday.
To check on your eligibility to donate there is a 1-minute quiz at https://blood.ca/en/blood/eligibility-quiz
Sunday, April 16 ~ EASTER SUNDAY. Many Canadians are making a 4-day long weekend out of the Easter weekend. Good Friday was on April 14.
There were many community activities including Easter egg hunts for kids, and stores were open and bustling on Saturday, April 15. Easter Monday is a Statutory holiday across Canada.
Ferry travel on the BC Coast is busy on Easter weekends. BC Ferries added 50 extra sailings on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route carrying travelers between the Vancouver and Victoria areas.
For Easter Sunday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement to Canada on Easter. For the full text, see the main page of this website (April 16).
Saturday, April 15 ~ ESQUIMALT-METCHOSIN. The BC Sustainable Energy Association is holding an all-candidates debate for the riding of Esquimalt-Metchosin. “Energy is a pivotal issue in the upcoming provincial election and deserves a strong public airing and meaningful debate,” the organization says. “Voters need to know which candidates and parties are presenting the most sustainable path for British Columbia’s future.”
The Esquimalt-Metchosin riding includes Esquimalt, View Royal, Colwood and Metchosin. BC NDP candidate is Mitzi Dean. BC Liberal candidate is Barb Desjardins. BC Green candidate is Andy MacKinnon.
The Esquimalt-Metchosin riding also includes Colwood and View Royal. Esquimalt is home to a large Department of National Defense base on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Also along this coast travel tankers carrying oil products. Marine wildlife in coastal waters is integral to the ecosystems of the west coast, as well as economy and lifestyle.
The All Candidates debate on BC’s energy future will be held on Tuesday April 18 from at 6:30pm to 9 pm at Esquimalt High School Theatre, 847 Colville Rd. www.bcsea.org/events/esquimalt-metchosin-all-candidates-debate
Thursday, April 13 ~ The City of Langford is letting property owners know that this year they are offering electronic delivery of property tax notices beginning with this 2017 tax year.
If you are a property owner in Langford and you want this service, just email to register@langford.ca and include the following information:
Your name
Property address
Folio Number
The amount of your current year’s tax notice that is in box C No Grant
Email Address
The deadline for registration for 2017 tax notices is April 30th. More info at www.langford.ca/propertytax
Tuesday, April 11 ~ West side of Vancouver Island. The 2017 BC provincial election campaign is on, officially as of today April 11. Party leaders were already slinging barbs and policy missives for the TV media to report out to the public.
As a policy of West Shore Voice News, we will *not* be reporting on election season polls. No matter how unbiased the pollsters try to be, there is no way of knowing the true attitudes of those being polled, and whether the methods of reaching poll participants are reliable (e.g. very few people have home phone lines anymore). The disastrous misjudgement of polls in the 2013 BC provincial election (predicting an easy win for the NDP, who ended up losing badly) should be lesson enough.
News coverage by West Shore Voice News will be focussing on the actual activities of the campaigns in two electoral areas on this west side of the island:
- Langford-Juan de Fuca (includes voters in Langford, Sooke, and Juan de Fuca area): John Horgan, NDP (incumbent); Cathy Noel, BC Liberal; Brendan Ralfs, BC Green; Willie Nelson, Vancouver Island Party.
- Esquimalt-Metchosin (includes voters in Esquimalt, View Royal, Colwood and Metchosin): Mitzi Dean, NDP; Barb Desjardins, BC Liberal; Andy MacKinnon, BC Green; Josh Steffler, Libertarian.
There will be two major All Candidates Forums for these two ridings. One is on Monday, April 24 at the Royal Colwood Golf Course, 5 pm (for candidates of both Langford-Juan de Fuca and Esquimalt-Metchosin). The other forum for Langford-Juan de Fuca is on Tuesday, April 25 at the Prestige Oceanfront Resort in Sooke at 7pm.
The election date is Tuesday, May 9. There will be a few Advance Voting dates ahead of May 9.
Tuesday, April 11 ~ COLWOOD. There’s a long weekend blood donor clinic coming up on Easter Monday April 17, at Church of the Advent, 510 Mount View Ave in Colwood. The clinic will be open from 12 noon to 7pm.
You can make an appointment at 1-888-236-6283 or www.blood.ca but walk-ins are also welcome.
As of a few days ago, bookings for the Easter Monday clinic were sitting at around 86% booked, with only 14 open spots. However, because many people book eight weeks in advance, appointments can get forgotten, and some people won’t have known what their Easter plans are.
Female donors must now book their next appointment 84 days out (instead of 56) to protect their iron levels. As of March 5, 2017, male donors are required to measure 130 g/L on the hemoglobin test (up from the previous 125 g/L). There is no upper age limit to be a blood donor in Canada.
Monday, April 10 ~ LANGFORD. Langford is on some Wounded Warrior jerseys, and this also puts Langford on the world map!
Today the City of Langford, and partners, including the West Shore Developers Association, Turner Lane Development Corporation, Seacliff Holdings Ltd, Westhills Land Corp, Alpine Group, Keycorp Consulting Ltd, and Southpoint Partners Ltd, announced their $10,000 donation to Wounded Warriors Canada to support their upcoming ride at Vimy in France. The event was held outside Langford City Hall at noon.
This donation will sponsor the cycling jerseys to be worn by the 140 Canadian cyclists who are taking part in the Wounded Warriors Canada Vimy 100 Battlefield Bike Ride (BBR17). Together, the group will cycle about 600 km over six days in lands where Canadian soldiers fought in World War I.
They will ride to honour and remember the countless thousands who were wounded and the nearly 61,000 Canadians who gave their lives; 3,598 Canadians were killed in one day alone in taking Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917.
The cycling event this month in June will conclude with a 100th anniversary commemorative service at the historic Vimy Ridge Memorial in France, on June 16.
Langford Mayor Stew Young proudly announced the swift and generous contribution of funds from the Langford business community, and was pleased that all of Langford Council was on side for the initiative to supply the Vancouver Island team with jerseys. The jerseys include the names of sponsors, including the City of Langford.
Scott Maxwell, executive director of Wounded Warriors Canada, reminded the crowd present for today’s announcement that the men who fought at Vimy and in World War I “returned home as different people” and also had to deal with “what wasn’t there when they got home”.
One of those large supersize promotional cheques was displayed by Mayor Young and Scott Maxwell. After the meeting, Mayor Young told Maxwell that the $10,000 would be repeated again in future years.
One of the groups involved in supporting Wounded Warriors is COPE (Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday) … a service sprearheaded by
LCol (retired) Chris Linford. Linford and his wife Kathryn were at the news announcement in Langford today. “We’re very pleased about Langford’s support,” said Linford. He says there are now 13 programs offered by COPE in four provinces: BC, Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick. The program has recently also been translated into French.
Local community leader Shari Lukens was at today’s event. She has done several 50 km rides getting ready for the big ride in France. This week she will also do a 100 km ride (from downtown over to the ferry, out to Metchosin and back), to further build her stamina!
Monday, April 10 ~ LANGFORD. Today the City of Langford and community partners are announcing a $10,000 donation to Wounded Warriors Canada in support of their Vimy 100 Battlefield Bike Ride.
The donation will sponsor the cycling jerseys to be worn by the 140 Canadian participants, which include a team of riders from Vancouver Island.
City of Langford Mayor Stew Young will present the donation to Wounded Warrior Canada Executive Director Scott Maxwell.
Mayor of Esquimalt since 2008 (on council since 2005 before that) and chair of the Capital Regional District (CRD) board now for two years, Desjardins looks to bring big-scope decision-making experience to the BC ballot box on May 9.
Her professional career as a physiotherapist brought her face-to-face with the impact of provincial health legislation in the 1990s. She feels the NDP government of that day made it tough for health practitioners to make a living, with fees capped per-visit regardless of time spent.
In Esquimalt she worked through the details of “some significant policing concerns” that eventually resulted in a policing amalgamation with Victoria. She is a big fan of shared services for this region: “Amalgamation would not serve the public well,” she insists.
And as Chair of the CRD she led representatives of 13 municipalities to a final solution for wastewater treatment in a somewhat unexpected way. Respecting the role of each municipality to defend their own interests at the CRD board table, Desjardins eventually found herself being directed by the BC government to accept a provincial Project Board proposal, along with the suggestion that the CRD pretty much had to accept it. It might have looked like weak politics, but it resulted in a long-awaited solution for a tertiary-treatment level wastewater system for most of Greater Victoria (Sooke and the Saanich peninsula communities have their own treatment facilities).
“The project ended up in a better place than when it started,” she told West Shore Voice News this week. Not only is the treatment level higher, but the Township of Esquimalt got $20 million in amenity funding (with five years to sort out the best use of it — public safety, waterfront parks and/or recreational facilities).
At the threshold of what could be a big turning point in her political life, in January Barb’s daughter Genevieve died of leukemia at age 33. It was a dramatic setback. A creative painter, Genevieve was an inspiration to Barb, and the love continues. About nine of Genevieve’s paintings were being hung in Barb’s campaign office this week. The first acrylic on canvas to go up on the wall has an ocean theme with playful imagery on a rich dark background.
Environmental issues are important to Desjardins. She is proud of the eventual outcome of the long drawn-out process of achieving wastewater treatment for Victoria’s core areas and west side. Which was in part why a lot of folks were surprised when she came out running as a BC Liberal candidate. Many thought she would have gone Green. On that: “I considered where I was the best fit,” Barb Desjardins said in an interview at her campaign office this week.
Desjardins argues that a $15 minimum wage — as proposed by the BC NDP — would be too difficult for small businesses, where a lot of job opportunities usually happen. She predicts a suddenly-higher minimum wage would create a sudden loss of jobs in BC. She supports the incremental approach to minimum wage increases that the BC Liberals have rolled out over the past few years.
She feels that the BC government’s approach to helping single parents with a combination of support for education, social assistance and child care is a winning package for helping one-parent families become more stable. “Social services should be about how we give a hand up, not a handout,” said Desjardins.
“Balanced, progressive improvement is the way to go,” says Desjardins about how politics should evolve a society and its economy.
Desjardins has also served on the BC Transit Commission. Getting good public transit out to the west shore she says is key to economic sustainability.
It seems not so much about ambition as natural evolution for this complex politician who mixes business acumen with political smarts and an eye to sustainability. To move forward with her goals of contributing to community, running provincially with a party that she admires for their financial acumen was a door that seemed naturally to open for her.
Desjardins’ spacious office at 1740 Island Highway in Colwood is open daily now through to the May 9 election date. Lots of parking, and on a direct bus route.
This article was first published in the April 7, 2017 print/PDF edition of West Shore Voice News.
Thursday, April 6. The highway route between Langford and Sooke will soon get some improvements. As “the one road in and out of Sooke” it’s an important stretch of roadway for the town of Sooke that in the recent census surpassed a population count of 13,000.
As stated in Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure news release, the Province has committed to “improving safety at the Parkland, Gillespie and Connie road intersections on Highway 14”.
“Highway 14 is a critical link on southern Vancouver Island serving a wide variety of people, and these safety improvements will benefit commuters, commercial drivers, tourists, pedestrians and cyclists,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone.
Over a period of five years (2012-2016), the Province says it has invested $7.28 million into improving Highway 14 “between Langford and Sooke”, though good chunks of it affects just Sooke (such as the Sooke town centre roundabout), not Langford. This is the list:
o a new digital overhead sign on Highway 14 located near Awsworth Road (Sooke-side of the West Shore Parkway, just west of the industrial park that is under construction), expected to be operational later this spring ($250,000);
o Highway 14 resurfacing, shoulder widening and roundabout ($6 million contributed by the Province);
o drainage improvements near Impala Road ($475,000);
o shoulder widening in the Metchosin/Sooke area ($355,000); and
o Highway 14 enhanced delineation ($200,000).
• The corridor is approximately 22 km in length between Langford and Sooke.
• It has a daily use of approximately 14,000 vehicles and average daily traffic volumes show an increase of about 900 vehicles per day over the last five years.
However, there is one section of Highway 14 work done in 2011 and again altered in 2015 that did not help the Sooke town centre, and that is at the corner of Highway 14 (Sooke Road) and Townsend Road. Installation of meridians and no-left-turns have been an impediment to businesses, residents and other services to the community was never resolved, though discussions may be ongoing. A crosswalk was moved into that intersection, which (since 2015) now passes through a cut-out in the meridian.
Says MOTI: “The newest set of safety improvements will include new intersection lighting and enhanced signing and new delineation at Parkland Road and Gillespie Road. Near Parkland Road, there will also be additional clearing and brushing to control vegetation, which will improve visibility and enhance safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.”
The estimated cost of these newest improvements is $800,000 and work is expected to be completed by fall 2017.
The ministry is also advancing engineering and design for intersection improvements and enhancements for transit users at Connie Road. This plan, along with an estimated cost for the work, is scheduled for completion in early 2018.
In addition to these intersection improvements, this spring, the ministry will be applying new higher-quality reflective glass bead to the paint lines to improve visibility at night. A new highway webcam has been installed at Kangaroo Road, which will go live before the end of April and can be viewed under the Vancouver Island tab here: http://www.drivebc.ca/#webcams
The ministry is implementing these interim improvements while the overall Highway 14 corridor study to identify both short- and long-term improvements for Highway 14 is being completed. The final report expected in late summer 2017.
BC on the Move is the BC government’s 10-year plan for the improvement of the province’s transportation network. Over the next three years, the ministry and its partners are investing over $4.6 billion in priority transportation investments as part of this plan.
Tuesday, April 4 ~ WEST SIDE OF VANCOUVER ISLAND. On Monday, April 24 there will be an All Candidates Meeting for an opportunity to hear the candidates from two BC provincial ridings on this west side of the island. That date is pending the availability and confirmation from one of the candidates, here is the list:
- Candidates for Langford-Juan de Fuca: John Horgan (BC NDP, incumbent), Cathy Noel (BC Liberal), Brendan Ralfs (BC Green), Scott Burton (BC Libertarian). This electoral area includes Langford, Sooke, Highlands and Juan de Fuca.
- Candidates for Esquimalt-Metchosin: Mitzi Dean (BC NDP), Barb Desjardins (BC Liberal), Andy MacKinnon (BC Green). This electoral area includes Esquimalt, View Royal, Colwood and Metchosin.
This will possibly the only full All Candidates Meeting for this side of the island during this 2017 BC election campaign, given that BC NDP Leader John Horgan is busy travelling the province.
The event on Monday April 24 will be held at the Royal Colwood Golf Club, in Colwood. Starting at 5pm (to 6:30 pm), as hosted by the West Shore Chamber of Commerce.
For regional campaign news during the campaign toward the May 9 BC provincial election, visit www.westshorevoicenews.com
Tuesday, April 4 ~ BC. BC NDP Leader John Horgan revealed his campaign bus that will carry his leader’s tour from now until the May 9 election day.
The campaign “for a better BC” kicked off in Vancouver this morning as Horgan was greeted by supporters and a team of Lower Mainland candidates at the BC NDP’s Vancouver regional campaign office. “This campaign is about building a province that works for real people, not just the wealthy and well-connected,” said Horgan.
“While Christy Clark spends her time with big donors and the people at the top, we’ll be travelling to communities across BC, meeting with real people and talking about our plan to make life better for families,” the leader said in a news release.
“After 16 years of BC Liberal neglect, families are paying more fees than ever for fewer services. Good jobs are harder to find. And they’re waiting longer for the services we all depend on, like health care and education. Throughout this campaign, you can count on us to be tough on Christy Clark’s record. We will remind voters of the choices she made that have hurt people, and we’ll contrast that with our vision for a better BC that works for you.”
“As we kick this election campaign into high gear, I’m looking forward to meeting people from all walks of life and sharing our vision for building a better BC,” said Horgan. Horgan is the incumbent running for the BC NDP in Langford-Juan de Fuca.
Friday, March 31. Anti-gang police on Vancouver Island say that up to 200 motorcycle riders will be taking part in a ride from Nanaimo to Langford on Saturday, April 1. The event is in honour of a Hell’s Angel prospect murdered earlier this month.
Michael Gregory Widner, 39, of Sooke went missing earlier this month, and his remains were discovered days later along the Pacific Marine route near Port Renfrew. RCMP later confirmed that Widner had known connections to the motorcycle gang. The death continues to be investigated by Vancouver Island’s Integrated Major Crime Unit as a homicide and anyone with information is asked to call 250-380-6211 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
BC’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit says the memorial ride is expected to take place Saturday afternoon.
Rides like this serve as a reminder about the presence of the gang while at the same time they are paying respects to the deceased, according to the BC Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit. RCMP and gang unit members will monitor the ride from start to finish, ensuring public safety. The ride is expected to wind up at a club house on Spencer Road in Langford.
Motorists travelling on the Island Highway on Saturday afternoon might find themselves delayed due to the ride, police said.
![After 5 summer concerts, Rock the Shores is taking a year off in 2017 [Photo: by Taylor Caspersen for West Shore Voice News]](https://islandsocialtrends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/RTS-July2016-Bluebackground-web-300x211.jpg)
The Atomique organizers for Rock the Shores (RTS) say they have enjoyed building the event to what it has become. “We are proud of every artist we have booked, and we are so grateful to everyone who has helped us along the way, first and foremost our ticket buyers!”
Atomique says their goal from the beginning was to “build *the* annual rock festival for Islanders”. This year apparently there are multiple challenges towards pulling off the weekend-long outdoor concert that has been held the past five years outside the Juan de Fuca Rec Centre in Colwood. The challenges apparently include limited availability of suitable headline talent coupled with increasing market saturation and competition in a year of national celebration.
Rock The Shores 2017 ticket holders may visit www.rocktheshores.com to view their options. Full refunds are available for all pass types already purchased, and for those that want to hold onto passes for 2018, Atomique is providing free, generous upgrades in all ticket classes.
Friday, March 24 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND SOUTH COAST & MAINLAND. BC Ferries has advised has the Spirit of Vancouver Island vessel has been temporarily removed from service with modified schedules on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay <Vancouver-Victoria> route for Saturday March 25 and Sunday March 26.
The interruption is due to a hydraulic issue with the port side controllable pitch propeller. Engineers continue to troubleshoot the issue and will determine early next week the further status of the vessel. This removal from service means only three vessels are available
to operate on the route on Sunday as opposed to four. There is no change in number of vessels operating the route on Saturday.
Heavy traffic is expected on some sailings between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island this weekend. BC Ferries advises customers travelling on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route this weekend with a set travel time in mind to make a reservation by calling 1-888-BCFERRY. Customers travelling on this route without reservations are advised to consider travelling via the Tsawwassen – Duke Point or Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay routes.
As a result of the mechanical issue, the following sailings have been cancelled on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route:
- Saturday, March 25 – From Tsawwassen 2 pm | From Swartz Bay 12 noon
- Sunday, March 26 – From Tsawwassen 12 noon & 4 pm | From Swartz Bay 2 pm & 6pm
- Customers with reservations on the sailings above are being notified by BC Ferries’ Customer Care team and accommodated on the next scheduled sailing.
To assist customers travelling between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island and due to the reduced capacity, the Queen of New Westminster will perform additional sailings on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route as follows:
- Saturday, March 25 – From Tsawwassen 12 noon & 4 pm | From Swartz Bay 2 pm & 6 pm
- Sunday, March 26 – From Tsawwassen 10 am | From Swartz Bay 8 pm & 11 pm* (* by Coastal Rennaissance)
There are additional sailings on the Tsawwassen-Duke Point route:
- Sunday, March 26 – From Tsawwassen 5:15 am & 7:45 am | From Duke Point 5:15 am & 7:45 am
BC Ferries says they appreciate customers’ patience and will provide an update when more information about the status of the Spirit of Vancouver Island is available.
SPRING 2017 WEST SHORE VOICE NEWS READERSHIP SURVEY ~ March 22, 2017.
We invite all West Shore Voice News readers to take part in a 3-minute survey about reading our publication (print / online).
Your input will be anonymous, but only one set of responses per IP address will be accepted.
We appreciate your input. We are always striving to reach and serve our many readers in the best ways possible — technology, content, and marketing support.
Here’s the survey link. Responses will be accepted up to April 5, 2017. Thank you!
![Westbound traffic on Highway 1, heading out of Victoria [Photo: West Shore Voice News]](https://islandsocialtrends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2997-Hwy1westbound-Mar1417-WESTSHOREVOICENEWS-web.jpg)
This closure will allow crews to work safely alongside a section of the highway west of McKenzie Avenue as they prepare for and perform drilling operations.
Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are reminded to obey traffic-control personnel and construction signs, and to watch out for workers.
Updates are available at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/mckenzieinterchange/ | Travel alerts: www.drivebc.ca
Friday, March 17, 2017 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND. BC Ferries rates for commercial vehicles that are 13 feet wide (or wider) will more than double on April 1, 2017 from $6.50/ft to $13.24/ft, to reflect that they take up two lanes, said BC Ferries in a news release March 16.
Probably in short order, this increase in shipping overhead will spill over into higher costs of consumer goods that are being transported by truck to Vancouver Island. It will also impact the cost of shipping raw products from the island.
It’s yet another way that the cost of living on Vancouver Island is expensive in unique ways compared to other parts of BC and Canada.
Monday, March 13 ~ SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND. Another week on the BC provincial election campaign trail on this west side of the island.
BC Green Party leader Andrew Weaver will be meeting with homeschool students at the BC Legislature (Wednesday). Then on Thursday evening March 16 Weaver will be at Andy MacKinnon’s campaign launch (Green Party candidate for Esquimalt-Metchosin) at the Royal Colwood Golf Club in Colwood.
Towards the May 9 provincial election, the Esquimalt-Metchosin electoral area sees a race between Mitzi Dean (NDP candidate), Barb Desjardins (BC Liberal candidate), and Andy MacKinnon (BC Green candidate). Dean is a social services administrator, Desjardins is currently the mayor of Esquimalt and CRD Chair, and MacKinnon is a nature-study author.
The current BC NDP MLA for the Esquimalt-Metchosin riding that covers a voter base in Esquimalt, Colwood and Metchosin is Maurine Karagianis — she is retiring from politics. Karagianis was given upbeat accolades this past weekend at John Horgan’s campaign launch in Langford. Karagianis will be campaigning alongside NDP candidate Mitzi Dean to toward maintaining that side of the south island as part of the NDP stronghold.
![BC NDP Leader John Horgan at his local campaign launch in Langford, as the candidate for Langford-Juan de Fuca [Photo Copyright 2017 West Shore Voice News]](https://islandsocialtrends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2636-JohnHorgan-CampaignLaunchLangfordJdF-Mar1117-WestShoreVOICENews-web-300x208.jpg)
Over 400 people were there for the event including long-time supporters from throughout the riding, several MLAs (including Melanie Mark and Jodie Wickens who came over from the mainland), two local NDP MPs (Randall Garrison and Alistair MacGregor), some local municipal leaders, many campaign workers and some media.
Horgan cut into Christy Clark’s BC Liberals and chastised the current government for the hardship imposed on regular working British Columbians. Horgan urged teachers, health-care workers and seniors not to forget how the last 15 years in BC have been hard on them and most British Columbians who are not “wealthy or well-connected”.
Horgan promised to work on bringing in a $15 minimum wage if the NDP is elected to government, as one way to offer a bit of a break to struggling workers. He resurrected remembrance of the ground-breaking work of 1970s NDP premier Dave Barrett for having started ICBC as an affordable auto insurance entity, not as it is used today as a ‘cash cow’, said Horgan.
First Nations elder Shirley Alphonse gave her absolute support to “her friend Horgan”, as part of her opening blessing.
The upbeat event included Horgan’s 30-minute speech as well as remarks from NDP finance spokesperson Carole James and education spokesperson MLA Rob Fleming, along with NDP candidate for Esquimalt-Metchosin Mitzi Dean.
Horgan was invited to the podium by his nominator, SD62 School Board Trustee Ravi Parmar.
Friday, March 10 ~ LANGFORD. Four West Shore RCMP have fully recovered after being suffering from smoke inhalation.
At around 11 pm on Wednesday March 8 a member of the West Shore RCMP was on patrol when he was flagged down by a citizen and advised of a fire at an apartment building at 2792 Peatt Rd in Langford.
Langford Fire Department was requested and additional RCMP officers attended to help with the evacuation.
The fire was contained to one unit on the third floor, however heavy smoke spread out throughout the building. As a result, four RCMP members undertook steps to evacuate the building as soon as possible. All four officers had to be transported to hospital where they were administered oxygen for about two hours before being discharged.
The investigation revealed the fire was accidental, states Cst. Alex Bérubé, spokersperson for West Shore RCMP. The cause of the fire was determined to be as a result of cooking french fries. [Photo is representative of cooking fries, not from the fire scene.]
Friday, March 10 ~ VICTORIA – The regular passenger fare will be half price fleet-wide on over 2,000 BC Ferries sailings during March 11 to 30. Youth age 11 and younger will travel free during that promotion period.
The 50%-off promotional discount is applicable on regular passenger fares for adult, BC senior, student and persons with disabilities. The complimentary travel for children 11 and under is applicable on a child’s fare.
On the Tsawwassen-SwartzBay route that means an adult will travel on available sailings for $8.60 and seniors for $4.30.
- South Coast Routes: the promotion will be in effect Monday through Thursday, Saturdays and Sundays on select sailings March 11 – 30.
- North Coast Routes including Port Hardy – Prince Rupert, Prince Rupert – Haida Gwaii and Alliford Bay – Skidegate routes as well as the Discovery Coast Connector: the 50% discount and kids-travel-free applies on every sailing March 11 – 30.
Experience™ Card users who receive a year-round discount that is less than 50% will have their discount increased to match the promotional fare. “This promotion allows those customers who do not participate in the Experience™ Card program an opportunity to travel at a discounted rate,” says BC Ferries.
Space on the select promotional sailings is on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are recommended. The discount is also available on select BC Ferries Vacations packages for customers looking for a Spring Break getaway. www.bcferries.com
![Historical photo when trains were running on the E&N [Photo: John Luton]](https://islandsocialtrends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/EN-Traintraffic-JLutonPhoto.jpg)
Historical photo when trains were running on the E&N [Photo: John Luton]
Thursday, March 9 ~ GREATER VICTORIA AREA. The government of BC is going to review options for commuter train services in the Capital Regional District (CRD). As announced this morning, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will look at options around using the E&N rail line for transit services between Langford and Victoria West. This move is based on support from communities across the CRD, including Langford, Victoria, Esquimalt and View Royal.
“There has been strong community support for establishing a commuter service from the West Shore,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone. “Previous referendums held in Langford and Colwood showed more than 90% of residents were in favour of the idea. We’re listening to what residents are telling us, and we are excited about the possibilities and want to engage further with the local governments as we work to turn this concept into reality.
![BC Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure Todd Stone {Government photo]](https://islandsocialtrends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Stone-Todd.jpg)
BC Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure Todd Stone {Government photo]
“As with any major initiative, the first step is to ensure that this idea meets the criteria for safety, sustainability and affordability, and that it makes good business sense before moving forward,” said Minister Stone.
The proposal to use a portion of the E&N line for transit service on the 15-km stretch between Westhills in Langford and Vic West has been endorsed by the four communities. The proposal centres on how quickly the population is growing in the region and how the population growth is continuing to cause congestion along Highway 1 into Victoria.
“If feasible, transit service along the E&N corridor from the West Shore would complement the investments we’re making in transit infrastructure in Greater Victoria, including a $10 million extension to the Douglas Street northbound bus lane, from Tolmie Avenue to the McKenzie interchange project, and the investment in the McKenzie interchange project itself, to address traffic congestion in the region,” added Stone.
“The province is aware that Langford, Sooke and the western communities have been growing quickly and are projected to continue to grow significantly,” Stone said.
The E&N rail line is owned by the Island Corridor Foundation, which has been working for several years to resume passenger rail service.
Victoria council endorsed a motion in the fall of 2016 to look at the viability of a commuter train on the line. Langford has been notably vocal about the need for commuter rail, as that city has continued to grow rapidly.
A working group, including representatives from the ministry, local government, BC Transit, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission (VRTC) and BC Safety Authority, will be established to provide input on a corridor analysis the ministry will be undertaking, which will look at the options and potential opportunities for this part of the E&N rail corridor. The analysis is anticipated to be completed by the summer of 2017. As with all transit services in the region, any new service would be seamlessly integrated within the BC Transit system in Greater Victoria and overseen by VRTC.
“We look forward to participating in the study to examine transit opportunities on the corridor,” said BC Transit president and CEO Manuel Achadinha.
“New transportation options are critically important for the economy and social well-being of our growing region,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps. “It makes good sense to explore the potential of using the E&N rail line for moving people between the Westshore and downtown.”
“I thank the Province for taking on this initiative,” said View Royal Mayor David Screech. “I believe the use of the E&N corridor is essential in the transportation planning for this region.”
![Langford Mayor Stew Young [Photo: West Shore Voice News]](https://islandsocialtrends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/LANGFORDMAYOR-YOUNG-WestShoreVOICE-2016-web.jpg)
Langford Mayor Stew Young [Photo: West Shore Voice News]
“I would like to acknowledge all the assistance the Province has provided to Langford in constructing the numerous infrastructure projects undertaken in our growing community,” said Langford Mayor Stew Young. “We welcome the Province’s active involvement in the E&N Commuter Rail project to ensure a currently inactive corridor can be used to provide a vital link between Victoria and the vibrant community of Langford.”
Langford as a growing community is the most significantly impacted by congested commuter traffic. Mayor Young has pushed for opening up the E&N as an active train line for several years now.
“There has been concerted effort over a number of years to get this corridor seriously looked at; we are closer than ever now with the support of the Province,” said Township of Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins. “The need for another corridor is illustrated every day when unfortunate incidents restrict traffic flow. Thanks to the Province for moving forward on this significant opportunity for improved transit in the region.”
The E&N rail line is owned by the Island Corridor Foundation, which has been working for several years to resume passenger rail service on the line. The foundation has expressed its support for the commuter train service proposal between Vic West and Langford.
Thursday, March 9. And so the race card is firming up! West Shore Voice News is covering two electoral areas (ridings) on the west side of Vancouver Island during the election campaign toward the May 9 BC provincial election.
The main slate for the key riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca (which now includes Langford, Sooke and Juan de Fuca up to Port Renfrew — but no longer Metchosin) includes three candidates. BC NDP Leader John Horgan has built and held a stronghold in the riding since 2005.
- Long-time MLA John Horgan is the BC NDP incumbent candidate for Langford-Juan de Fuca. Horgan is holding his local campaign launch this weekend on Saturday, March 11 in Langford (Langford Legion, 761 Station Ave, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm). As party leader, he will be travelling all over BC during the campaign toward the May 9 election.
- The BC Liberals are running Cathy Noel as their candidate in Langford-Juan de Fuca. Noel has a broad reach in the sport-fitness community.
- The BC Green candidate for Langford-Juan de Fuca is Brendan Ralfs, a provincial emergency manager on southern Vancouver Island.
Another electoral area on the west side of South Vancouver Island long held by the NDP is Esquimalt-Metchosin (which includes Colwood). The current NDP MLA Maurine Karagianis is retiring from politics.
- The BC NDP candidate is Mitzi Dean, a long-time advocate for well-funded social services through the Pacific Centre Family Services based in Colwood.
- The BC Liberal candidate is Barb Desjardins, who is presently serving as both Mayor of Esquimalt and Chair of the Capital Regional District (CRD) board.
- The BC Greens today announced Dr Andy MacKinnon as their candidate for Esquimalt-Metchosin. He is a Professional Forester and Professional Biologist in BC, and author of books about plants of western North America.
Wednesday, March 8 ~ LANGFORD. Several vacant positions have recently been filled by the City of Langford following job vacancies that came up after recent retirements and some departmental reorganization.
- Braden Hutchins is the new director of corporate services, the first to fill that newly created position. He was previously the manager of corporate office and lands with the City of Port Coquitlam. He has also worked for the federal government and the Village of Valemount and has done environmental consulting in the UK.
- Darren Kiedyk will be the City’s new deputy chief administrative officer, working under CAO Jim Bowden. Kiedyk has worked for the City of Nanaimo, the City of Campbell River and the Village of Sayward. He’s also worked in the private sector and for the provincial government.
- Alan Savjord is new to lead Langford’s information and technology department. He was previously the information systems technology manager for Cold Lake in Alberta.
- Alison Boyd is the new executive assistant, working with mayor and council as well as supporting daily operations and administrative functions at city hall. She has worked at the CRD and the Municipal Finance Authority of BC.
Upcoming vacancies yet to be filled include director of finance (Steve Ternent soon to retire) and fire chief (retirement of Bob Beckett to come).
Meanwhile, the City of Langford website — while available — appears to be under reconstruction.
Wednesday, March 8 ~ LANGFORD. Yesterday morning Tuesday March 7, around 3 am, at least nine vehicles were broken into in the 2900-block of Humpback Road in Langford.
West Shore RCMP attended the scene after reports of various items having been taken from vehicles parked in private driveways. The stolen items ranged from electronics to coffee cards. In several instances the vehicles had been left unlocked.
A homeowner reported seeing two people walking by at the time of the thefts, with one of the individuals reportedly carrying a duffel bag, says Cst John Varley of West Shore RCMP.
Anyone with information regarding these thefts is asked to contact West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 < www.victoriacrimestoppers.ca >
West Shore RCMP encourages residents to take the following steps to prevent auto crime:
> Ensure that your vehicle is securely locked at all times, and that all valuables are removed or out of sight.
> Do not leave any personal identification in an unattended vehicle.
> Invest in a good anti-theft device, such as a steering wheel lock.
> Take the garage door opener out of your vehicle, along with any identifying information that could lead suspects to your home.
> Do not keep spare keys in your vehicle.
> Record all serial numbers on any valuables that are regularly transported in your vehicle.
> If you see any suspicious persons or activities, call the police immediately.
Wednesday, March 8 ~ COLWOOD. This week the Colwood Creek Park playground has been getting a surface upgrade. The Colwood Parks team started working in the playground at Colwood Creek Park on Monday, for about three or four days depending on the weather.
The pea gravel in the playground will be removed and replaced with a new engineered wood fibre play surface. The new surface provides better fall protection, is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, and is easier to keep clean and clear of hazardous litter.
All other areas of the park will remain open to the public while this safety upgrade takes place, says the City of Colwood.
Tuesday, March 7 ~ NATIONAL. Write it, snap it, draw it!
Are you age 8 to 18 and feeling creative? Try the Canada Day Challenge by submitting a story, essay, poem, photo or drawing in celebration of Canada 150. Deadline Friday March 31, 2017.
Winners will have their work displayed as part of a special summer exhibit at the Canadian Museum of History.
Check it out! http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1449088858795
Tuesday, March 7 ~ LANGFORD. Today West Shore RCMP responded at around 10:37 a.m. this morning March 7 to 4100-block Sooke Rd in Metchosin in response to a report of a black Dodge Ram which had flipped into the ditch.
Police responded with BC Ambulance and Metchosin Fire first responders located a single occupant, a 24-year-old man from Sooke, with significant injuries. The man was transported to hospital to be treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries.
The roads are wet from heavy rain, and with temperatures hovering just above zero the road the highway driving conditions can be slippery.
It is unknown at this time how long the vehicle has been off the road, says West Shore RCMP media relations officer Cst. Alex Bérubé. The cause of the collision remains under investigation and police are asking anyone with information regarding to this incident to contact the West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264.
Monday, March 6 ~ COLWOOD. Back to the west shore by popular demand, the TELUS Future Home is set up for free daily tours at the far end of the West Shore Recreation parking lot.
The first day for the Future Home in this location was Saturday, March 4. It’s open 11 am to 7 pm daily through Sunday, March 12.
You can digitally enter your name and address into a prize draw before entering the display home. Lots of TELUS staff are on hand to explain all the nifty gadgets.
TELUS has been expanding their highspeed Internet service in the west shore and Sooke areas for the last couple of years, with a big push in 2016 and more this year. More info: www.telus.com/westshore
The Future Home demonstrates how highspeed Internet supports the use of leading-edge digital home technology. The kitchen area includes a herb-growing unit, calorie-counting countop, and a fridge that will tell you what foods you’re low on before you go shopping. The entry way has facial recognition software. There’s an exercise bike that monitors heart rate. The living room offers virtual-reality visual headsets. A TV screen shows how cyber-appointments can be done with your family doctor or hospital.
Last fall the Future Home was on display at the Westshore Town Centre mall in Langford (with an opening attended by Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton and Sooke Mayor Maja Tait), and after that in North Saanich.
Monday, March 6 ~ South Vancouver Island. Well, Saturday March 11 is ramping up to be a politics-of-the-left sorta day on the south island.
- BC NDP Leader John Horgan will be holding his local campaign kickoff, in his home riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca. That’s at the Langford Legion from 10:30am to 12:30pm.
- BC Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver will be holding a BC Green Party rally at the Grand Pacific Hotel in downtown Victoria, from 2 to 4pm.
The official BC provincial election campaign period (i.e. when the Writ drops and the current session of the legislature is dissolved) is expected to start April 11. The election is on Tuesday, May 9 (with plenty of Advance Voting opportunities ahead of that).
Voter registration notices went into the postal mail on February 14, says Elections BC. Registering to vote can be done online at www.elections.bc.ca/ovr or by calling 1-800-661-8683.
Friday, March 3 ~ WEST SHORE. Housing prices continue to surge upward in Greater Victoria, showing a raw average sale price of $852,111 in February.
The low number of properties listed for sale in February at 1,537 (very low compared to 2,562 a year ago) is only one pressure on prices. Buyers also hope to ‘beat the clock’ before super-low interest rates someday go up.
The raw average sale price of homes in getaway-lifestyle-Sooke has almost reached the half-million dollar mark ($495,789 in February). That’s up over $100,000 in one year.
In an economy where it’s mostly part-time and non-benefits jobs on the rise, the financial stability required for ownership of a single family home is increasingly beyond the reach of many.
This month’s MLS stats at www.vreb.org
Thursday, March 2 ~ WEST SHORE. BC Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon apparently had so much fun when visiting three schools in Sooke in January, that she will be back to Sooke School District 62 (SD62) next month!
It was announced at the February 28 SD62 board meeting that Lt Gov Guichon will visit at Sangster Elementary, Spencer Middle School, and Royal Bay Secondary on Wednesday, April 26. Those schools are in the Langford and Colwood areas of SD62.
Representing the Queen, the appearances in assemblies at all three schools will serve to celebrate Canada’s 150th Birthday. The Lieutenant Governor has been visiting schools around BC since the launch visit at schools in Sooke on January 18.
See the January 20, 2017 issue of West Shore Voice News for a page-1 article on Lt Gov Judith Guichon’s visit to Edward Milne Community School in January.
![Prime Minister Justin Trudeau jogging in Victoria, March 2, 2017 [Canadian Press photo]](https://islandsocialtrends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/TRUDEAU-JOGGING-IN-VIC-CP-CREDIT-300x169.jpg)
Trudeau and Sajjan started off the day with a jog from the Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt near Victoria, along with about 300 military personnel on their monthly timed 5K run. Trudeau reportedly achieved the five-kilometer jog in under 25 minutes.
He toured the HMCS Ottawa and HMCS Chicoutimi including a battle control room, calling those activities “a real treat”. There was a photo op meet-and-greet with military families. The HMCS Ottawa will soon be setting off for a 6-month tour in the Asia Pacific.
After 1 pm, Trudeau met with Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps at Victoria City Hall. Their discussion reportedly included aspects of affordable housing, innovative technology including green tech, and local opposition to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, as well the opiate crisis and local infrastructure projects such as Crystal Pool and the Victoria fire hall. There was a large crowd – numbering in the hundreds – comprised of both anti-pipeline protesters as well as well-wishers. There was heavy police security.
Some of the protest signage included messages like “We Vote No” and “You Promised Us Change”. Trudeau said briefing to media that “the environment and economy need to work together”, emphasizing the need for economic growth “while protecting the extraordinary natural inheritance” in BC.
In the Greater Victoria area there are several shops selling marijuana products, ahead of changes to federal legislature that would make pot sales legal. Trudeau answered a media question about marijuana, saying the current law remains in place “until we have a framework to control and regulate marijuana”.
Mayor Lisa Helps said the meeting with Trudeau today was the beginning of a relationship. The last sitting Prime Minister to visit Victoria City Hall was Lester B Pearson in 1965. Trudeau was gifted with a pair of Converse runners, with orca images on one side, as a way to ‘take a walk in our shoes’.
After the brief meeting at Victoria City Hall, Trudeau headed by air to Vancouver to meet with BC Premier Christy Clark at the downtown Fairmont Hotel at 5:30 pm. They are expected to discuss the upcoming BC Election, the fentanyl crisis and softwood lumber issues.
On Friday (March 3), Trudeau will visit Vancouver’s Downtown East Side to get a firsthand look at the drug overdose situation.
Thursday, March 2 ~ WEST SHORE. Back by popular demand, the TELUS Future Home will be set up and open for tours at the West Shore Rec Centre (Juan de Fuca Rec, 1767 Island Highway, Colwood) for another round of daily interaction with West Shore residents. The display will be open on a drop-in basis from Saturday March 4 through to Sunday March 12.
The portable experience of how high-speed Internet by TELUS PureFibre combined with Samsung technology will service future homes (kitchen, living room, entry way, and more) will be open to the public daily from 11 am to 7 pm.
Features of high-speed Internet services to various appliances and gadgetry includes facial recognition at the door for security, a fridge that figures out what foods require resupply, a countertop that calculates the caloric values of the meal you’re about to prepare, and a virtual-reality setup in the living room area.
The TELUS Future Home was setup at the Westshore Town Centre in Langford last fall. It was a popular activity for individuals and families to explore where modern home technology is heading. And much of it is already here!
For more information about TELUS highspeed in the West Shore area, visit www.telus.com/westshore
![Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan [Photo taken in Poland, July 2016]](https://islandsocialtrends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/cda-nato-poland-20160708.jpg)
Trudeau and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan will be at Canadian Forces Base in Esquimalt, BC. They will tour the base later in the morning and meet with sailors, and be available to media at 12:30 pm.
Around 1:20 pm Trudeau will meet with Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps at Victoria City Hall.
The Dogwood Initiative group has called an ‘Emergency Town Hall’ to “make sure he hears the voices of real British Columbians”. They will be assembling at Centennial Square outside Victoria City Hall for 12:30 pm. Dogwood members have for several years been protesting any increase in oil tanker traffic off the coast of BC.
Trudeau is scheduled to meet with BC Premier Christy Clark at 5:30pm on Thursday, at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in downtown Vancouver, to discuss the opioid crisis and softwood lumber. On Friday, Trudeau will take a first-hand look at the drug crisis in Vancouver.
Wednesday, March 1 ~ West side of Vancouver Island. The BC Green Party has announced their candidate for Langford-Juan de Fuca. Brendan Ralfs — a provincial emergency manager on southern Vancouver Island — will be running on the same ballot as BC NDP Leader John Horgan and BC Liberal candidate Cathy Noel.
“After spending 20 years as a forest firefighter in BC I am passionate about seeing our province protected for future generations,” Ralfs said today in BC Greens news release. Ralfs has helped communities respond to a broad array of weather-influenced emergencies, including floods, storms and drought.
“I am honoured to welcome Brendan to our team. His experience managing emergencies across the province means he has a firsthand understanding of the impacts of climate change,” says BC Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver.
Ralfs calls Weaver “a clear choice to lead us in working together to ensure our home is a place where social justice prevails, the natural environment is protected and everyone has the opportunity to pursue their dreams while leading safe, productive lives”.
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