Wednesday June 10, 2020 ~ LANGFORD, BC [See Mayoral comments on systemic racism in followup article June 17, 2020 | Other notes about the evening to come in a separate link]
by Mary Brooke, editor ~ West Shore Voice News
Every other year the West Shore Chamber of Commerce gathers together for what they deem to be the leading edge leadership of the municipalities in the region broadly encompassing Langford, Colwood, View Royal, Metchosin and Highlands.
The last time this event happened (in 2018) it was pre-COVID, so it occurred in real time, in a room packed with people at the Olympic View Golf Course in Colwood with a buffet dinner and lots of crowd mingling. There was also a similar pre-pandemic networking-style event back in 2016.
Online event this year using Zoom:
Now barely past the most isolating phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (Phase 2 of Restart BC sees more people out and about, but still adhering to physical distancing, and wearing masks.
The PHO’s order doesn’t mean you can pack 50 people into a room. The 2-metre (6-foot) distancing requirement must still be achieved. Big spaces, fewer faces. [The full order – PDF download]. Hence the 2020 Vision WestShore event is being held online this year.
Tickets were $20 for members and $25 for non-members. The link for access is to be sent out to paid registrants today June 10.
Speaker lineup:
This year’s Vision WestShore panel lineup is: City of Colwood Mayor Rob Martin, City of Langford Acting Mayor Lillian Szpak (formerly posted as Councillor Norma Stewart), District of Metchosin Mayor John Ranns, View Royal Mayor David Screech, District of Highlands Mayor Ken Williams, and Sooke School District SD62 Chair Ravi Parmar .
Moderating the panel this year will be Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin who is also BC’s Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity.
Municipalities pressed with new concerns:
Municipalities have a lot on the go right now … Langford has recently changed its city centre zoning and by necessity (during COVID) is pausing on promoting itself as a national sports capital (other than hoping for Langford and Pacific FC to host a 2020 Canadian Premier League summer season at Westhills Stadium), Colwood is struggling with a zero tax increase due to COVID while trying to promote its friend-of-the-environment ethos, Metchosin is holding on tight to its under-5,000 population advantages, and View Royal continues strong with its range of housing options and attention to recycling issues.
The Sooke School District (SD62) is actively talking about building more schools particularly in Langford and Colwood, to keep up with population growth that is driven by continued housing development in the west shore (as detailed at their Resource Committee meeting June 9).
Event time & Questions:
The live online event is scheduled to run 6:30 to 8:30 pm on Thursday June 11. Questions will be accepted in advance and on the night of the event online.
