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VICTORIANEWS Friday October 4, 2013
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Smokers kicked to the curb
Want bike lanes? Wait two centuries
The CRD’s latest clean air bylaw would push smokers to the fringes of downtown Victoria to light up Daniel Palmer
Daniel Palmer
Reporting
News staff
It’s the summer of 2014 in downtown Victoria. An unassuming tourist wanders down Trounce Alley off Government Street, admiring the quaint storefronts before stopping to light a cigarette. “I’m sorry, but you’re not allowed to smoke here,” says a disapproving passerby. The tourist returns to the swarm of pedestrians along Government and takes a drag. Dirty looks continue until a nearby food cart operator informs the tourist Give us your comments of a new region-wide bylaw by email: editor@vicnews. com. All letters must include that restricts smoking within seven metres of any doora name and a telephone way, window or air intake. number for verification. “I think you should be OK along the Inner Harbour,” the local says. “But don’t stop in Bastion Square – public spaces are banned too.” As restrictive tobacco bylaws continue to expand across North American cities, smokers are left with shrinking public space in which to enjoy a legal activity. The Capital Regional District’s latest clean air bylaw, if approved by the board next week, would ban smoking in parks, public squares and playgrounds. Large swathes of downtown Victoria would also be smoke-free if the minimum smoking distance from buildings is increased from three to seven metres.
What do you think?
PlEASE SEE: Civil liberties, Page A30
Sharon Tiffin/News staff
Changes to the Capital Regional District’s clean air bylaw would restrict smoking within seven metres of any doorway, window or air intake. Critics say the bylaw doesn’t strike a balance between personal freedom and public health concerns.
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Unless Victoria city council can find a mountain of money, its 30-year vision for the city could take nearly two-and-a-half centuries to bring to reality. An asset management report made public this week reveals the city’s pedestrian, bicycle, harbour pathway and greenways master plans will cost at least $177 million and take between 75 years and 243 years to complete at current funding levels. The report also lists the price tags of projects needing immediate decisions from council, including up to $58 million to rebuild Crystal Pool, $16.5 million for seismic upgrades at Fire Hall No. 1 and a $3-million to $7-million shortfall to refurbish the Bay Street Bridge. “We need a fire hall and we need a Bay Street Bridge,” said Coun. Lisa Helps. PlEASE SEE: Infastructure needs, Page A7