Oak Bay News, June 22, 2023

An Saanich resident is looking for local governments and agencies to take more action to deal with aggressive deer in an area that also borders Victoria and is near Oak Bay.

Rayna Corner said one doe in particular harasses people like dog walkers, “stalking”them on a daily

basis and even kicking at the dogs.

Corner walks her dog Rooster every day and has regular confrontations at all hours of the day.

“At least five women dog walkers other than me and two men have been stalked and chased relentlessly by the psycho doe,” Corner said. “This doe is the child of the previous psycho doe who was killed by a car last fall, finally, after years of terrorizing us. This one exhib-

its the same learned behaviour of stalking. There are other does with fawns around who don’t act like this.”

“It’s a neighbourhood problem that’s been going on for years. I live right on the Saanich/Victoria border nearish Oak Bay, so even though Oak Bay has done a good job with their birth control program, it’s also pointless without other municipalities joining on.”

Corner has contacted the Conservation Officer service in the past, but said its staff haven’t taken action, other than suggesting carrying a “baseball bat or a ski pole.”

Dogs and deer are natural enemies, conservation officer Peter Pauwels told Black Press Media back in 2019. Most deer encounters the conservation office hears of involve dogs.

Interfaith society spreads anti-racism program

Christine van Reeuwyk News Staff

Surprise spurred a local faith organization to create a new anti-racism program rolling out across Greater Victoria.

The Victoria Interfaith Society simply hadn’t identified it as an immediate need, according to Sheila Flood, one of three current facilitators of the Learning Anti-Racism Toolkit.

After it was suggested by Montreal-based Centre for Civic Religious Literacy, she looked up some numbers.

“It’s bad and it’s getting worse,” Flood said. According to Statistics Canada, hate crimes motivated by race or ethnicity rose six per cent in 2021, on top of rising 83 per cent in 2020.

The concept also meshes with their goals of learning from each other, celebrating diversity and working together for the well-being of the community and world.

The organization applied for funding and spent roughly a year – starting in spring 2021 – assembling two advisory groups and creating a program.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action provided a starting point, and people will want to learn more about those, she said.

One thing they quickly learned, fellow committee chair David Batterham said, was that ample resources are readily available. In some cases, it’s a matter of distilling and curating.

“We put these through the wringer,” Flood said.

The eight workshops are based on a group learning model and open to groups of any

size – from book clubs to workplaces.

It includes facilitation guides and glossaries. Each workshop includes a small spiritual element – diverse, universal and pertinent quotes that convey the multi-faith aspect.

It helps provide an intentionally non-judgmental entrance point to the topic.

“Some people have strong awareness of their racial biases, others don’t,” Batterham said.

There are compulsory exercises presented in bite-size pieces that the group is expected

Provincial plan for anti-racism rules

Along with funding several programs throughout the province, engagement is underway to expand the anti-racism legislation introduced last year at the provincial level.

Co-developed and informed by Indigenous Peoples and other racialized communities, anyone is welcome to participate in the online public questionnaire that runs now through Sept. 30, with new legislation expected next spring. Visit engage.gov. bc.ca/antiracism to participate.

ich Police Community Engagement Division. That group is reviewing the program to both build on knowledge around anti-racism topics, but to see if it’s a tool Saanich police can use the help facilitate discussions in the future, said Insp. Steve Morgan, the officer in charge of that division.

to complete, with ample suggested reading or viewing.

“However long people want to invest in it, all the information is there,” Flood said.

When development finished in 2022, they started hosting it online – still a primary method learners take that leaves it open to anyone, anywhere. Provincial funding through the B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants program means a bigger rollout this year.

Among the first presentations was the Saan-

“There have been a lot of takeaways so far and it appears the VMS has prepared a very comprehensive and easy-to-use resource to facilitate discussion and peer-learning in many anti-racism areas,” he said after completing two of the eight sessions. “As an organization, we are always open to learning and looking at new programs that may assist our officers in the important role they play in the community.”

Anyone interested in facilitation of the workshops can email victoriamultifaith@gmail. com. Find the program online at victoriamultifaith.com.

UplandsSewerSeparation Phase1:HumberCatchment OpenHouses

ComelearnmoreaboutthefirstphaseoftheUplandsSewer Separationthatisexpectedtobeginfall/winter2023.

TohelpOakBayCouncilunderstandcommunitypriorities,youareinvited toprovidefeedbackonthetypesandlevelsofserviceandspecialprojects thatyouprefer.

Thequestionnaireisavailableonlineatwww.connect.oakbay.ca andpapercopiesareavailableat:

HendersonRecreationCentre-2291CedarHillCrossRd,Victoria,BC MontereyRecreationCentre-1442MontereyAve,Victoria,BC OakBayRecreationCentre-1975BeeSt,Victoria,BC MunicipalHall-2167OakBayAve,Victoria,BC

ResultswillbereportedtoCouncilinlate2023priortobudgetdiscussions andwillbesharedwiththepublic.

TheannualquestionnairewillbeopenuntilJuly4,2023.

TherewillbetwoOpenHouseswhereresidentsareinvitedto comelearnmoreabouttheproject,seetheplansfortheirlots andprovidetheirfeedback.

TheOpenHouseswillbeheldon:

Tuesday,June27,2023from6:00p.m.–8:00p.m. at WindsorPavilionMainSportsRoom-2451WindsorRd, Victoria,BCV8S5H3

Thursday,June29,2023from1:00p.m.–3:00p.m. at WindsorPavilionMainSportsRoom-2451WindsorRd, Victoria,BCV8S5H3

Unabletomaketheopenhouses? Theprojectteamishappyto connectwithyouatanothertimeoryouarewelcometoshare yourfeedbackorquestionswiththeteamat humberproject@oakbay.ca.

Learnmorebyvisitingtheprojectpageat www.connect.oakbay.ca/humber-project

Saanich police Const. Alex Omoding, centre, snags a group selfie with David Batterham, left, Sheila Flood and May Shihadeh after an Islamophobia workshop. (Photo by Alex Omoding)

AsrequiredbytheCommunityCharter,noticeisherebygiventhattheCorporationof theDistrictofOakBay2022AnnualReportwillbeconsideredattheCouncilmeetingto beheldonMonday,June27,2022,at6:00PM.intheCouncilChambers,2167OakBay Avenue,Victoria,BC.

Thismeetingwillbewebcastliveandcanbeviewedat oakbay.civicweb.net

SubmissionsandquestionsfromthepublicinrelationtotheAnnualReportwillbe consideredatthismeeting.

ThedraftAnnualReportisavailableforinspectiononthemunicipalwebsiteat www.oakbay.ca/municipal-hall/plans-and-reports/annual-reports orattheMunicipal Hallattheaddressnotedabove,betweenthehoursof8:30AMand4:30PM,Monday throughFriday,excludingholidays.

Shareyourfeedback: Membersofthepublicareencouragedtosubmitcommentsby 3:00PMonthedayofthemeeting(Monday,June26,2023)by:

• Email: administration@oakbay.ca

• Mail: OakBayCouncil,2167OakBayAve,Victoria,BC,V8R1G2

• DropBox: Maindoor,OakBayMunicipalHall,2167OakBayAve

Allcorrespondencesubmittedwillformpartofthepublicrecordandmaybepublishedin ameetingagendaaccompanyingthebylawforconsideration.

Attendthemeeting: Toattendinpersontoviewthemeeting,wearelocatedat2167 OakBayAvenue.

Watchthemeeting: Membersofthepublicmayviewthemeetingfromhomeviathe livewebcastfromtheDistrict’swebsiteat https://oakbay.civicweb.net/portal/ orbyparticipatinginthemeetingonZoomoronyourphone.Pleaseemail administration@oakbay.ca forinstructionstojoinviaZoomorphone.

Art walk pieces answer the

in Estevan Village (don’t forget to look up); Shelter by Peter Vogelaar at Oak Bay Avenue and Hampshire Road; Dreamy Blue Bear by Geemon Xin Meng at McNeill Bay; Horaltic Pose - Cormorant by Erick James at Oak Bay Avenue and Mitchell Street; and Family by Paul Reimer in Lokier Park.

Sculptures were selected by a volunteer peer jury to be displayed for up to a year at outdoor sites in the municipality. The works, on loan by the artists, are often also available for purchase.

Ten artists are answering the question “What is home?” with their works dotted across Oak Bay this summer.

The pieces are part of Arts Alive 2023/2024, the annual showcase where selected artists loan works to the district for the public to enjoy. Last year’s sculpture walk boasted six pieces, but sculptures are on display at 10 sites for 2022/23.

Home Is Not A House by Orlosky Studio is at Cadboro Bay Road and Estevan Avenue; In-Den-Tation by Scott Gilles at Oak Bay and Monterey avenues; Lullaby Antenna for a Blue Planet by Jason Gress in Haynes Park; Sleeping Beauty by Ken Meyer at Oak Bay Avenue and Hampshire Road; Birth of the World by Denis Kleine in front of Oak Bay Pharmasave; Home Is Where Family Is by Tanya Bub

During the year, the community is invited to vote for their favourite sculpture with the resulting “people’s choice” award considered for possible purchase by the municipality.

There will be a downloadable walking and cycling map featuring the locations of the art works, plus sponsor and voting information available online as of July 6. That day, the Oak Bay sculpture walk opens with a tour and reception in the garden behind the Oak Bay branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library (off Hampshire Street). Downloadable the maps online at oakbay.ca/parks-recreation/arts-culture/arts-alive and in the Oak Bay News – both print and e-edition online at oakbaynews.com

Public voting also opens July 6.

Municipal staff secure artist Tanya Bub’s wood cougars in their Estevan Village home for the next year as part of the Oak Bay Arts Alive sculpture walk. (Courtesy District of Oak Bay)

Community-wide garage sale returns

Garagellenium registration opens July 3

Christine van Reeuwyk

Time to clear out the attic, Oak Bay’s community-wide garage sale is back.

Last held in 2019 and pushed from its usual June dates, Garagellenium returns July 22.

“There’s obviously a really big appetite,” said organizer Cassie Kangas, noting people start seeking information as early as January.

The garage sale sees households across the community set out wares for a few hours as others tour Oak Bay in search of second-hand treasures.

“We’re obviously encouraging anyone to have a sale in their home or space … if people want to get together and do one for charity, we’re always happy to have those,” Kangas said.

Those supporting a charity of their choice get a special mark on the map of registered sales that appears online and in the Oak Bay News on July 20 to make things

easier on shoppers.

Those looking to get on the map must register for Garagellenium by July 12. Those who register afterward won’t appear in the Oak Bay News listing.

“Once people are registered for the sale, we can’t remove them from the list,” Kangas noted.

Similarly, folks are open to hosting a sale for as long they like, but the Garagellenium official time is advertised from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Please don’t be an early bird and show up at someone’s house at 7 a.m.,” Kangas said.

Sponsor Engel and Volkers adds a little break to the day for buyers this year, or sellers if they make the trip in to the village. During the sale they offer free coffee, lemonade and cookies outside the office at 2249 Oak Bay Ave.

“It’s hot, hard work and you need some sugar doing garage sale shopping,” Kangas said. The agency also offers registered participants garage sale kits with signs and other sale swag from July 17 and 21, available at the office while supplies last.

Find tips for buyers and sellers online at oakbaygaragesale.com where registration opens July 3.

GVPL officials cycle to all 12 branches

Starting in Central Saanich, the two at the helm of the Greater Victoria Public Library board took a cycling tour of the system’s 12 branches in 10 communities last Saturday (June 10). Dubbed the Bookin’ It! GVPL Branch Bike Tour 2023, board chair Andrew Appleton and vice-chair Shahira Khair cycled nearly 70 kilometres on the rainiest day of the month so far. Appleton, who is also an Oak Bay councillor, said he couldn’t think of a more fitting way to mark the first six months of his tenure, combining his passion for cycling with a love of

public libraries.

“Our libraries play such an important role in fostering knowledge, community and personal growth. This trip was the perfect way to combine my love of cycling and community libraries, all while connecting with some of the amazing frontline staff who work at our branches,” said Appleton.

The pair rolled up to the Oak Bay branch shortly after 5:30 p.m. to finish the journey.

“For me, this experience underscored the benefits of our shared service model and the broad range of resourc-

es available to our 10 member municipalities. There truly is something for everyone. Visiting each branch and meeting with library staff has been an incredibly rewarding experience. We were overwhelmed by their passion for literacy and commitment to providing exceptional service to our community,” Khair said.

The GVPL also opened registration for the BC Summer Reading Club at all locations earlier this week. The annual summer program offers young readers with adventures, activities and prizes. Visit ow.ly/Ki0f50OMrr2 for details.

News Staff

Oak Bay marks the last stop of the day as Andrew Appleton, GVPL board chair, and vice-chair Shahira Khair cycle nearly 70 kilometres to visit all 12 library branches June10. (Courtesy GVPL)

OAK BAYNEWS

For breaking news 24/7 visit oakbaynews.com

Island’s transportation network far too fragile

We’ve had yet another reminder that our transportation infrastructure on Vancouver Island is far more fragile than we’d like to believe.

We usually take it for granted that we will be able to get from here to there. We don’t think of communities like Duncan, Courtenay or Port Alberni as isolated, but they can quickly become so with just a little bad luck.

The Malahat, the primary connection between Victoria and the rest of the Island, is still being repaired after flooding washed out a key section in November 2021, causing a complete closure for a time.

A couple of years before that the Trans-Canada Highway between Nanaimo and Cowichan was closed when flood waters rose near Chemainus, with the usual detour along Chemainus Road also taken out by the flooding, leaving a complete severance until waters receded.

And this month Highway 4 between Parksville and Port Alberni was closed, due to a wildfire near Cameron Lake. Highway 4 is the only normal connection between the east and west portions of Vancouver Island. A detour was set up on logging roads from Lake Cowichan to Port Alberni, but it is far from ideal.

As Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet head into the busy summer tourist season the news could not be worse. Convoys have been set up for transport trucks so that the communities will have necessities, but tourists will be far less likely to venture to these communities without the main highway.

These kinds of incidents are exactly why some have been clamouring for years for alternative routes. Many would like to see a resumption of the train on the E&N rail line, which would provide an alternative to the Malahat. Other suggestions include ferries travelling between communities up and down our coast.

We should also seriously consider a real road between Port Alberni and Lake Cowichan. We need to think of our future needs – including during emergencies – and plan accordingly.

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We welcome your opinions and comments. To put readers on equal footing, and to be sure that all opinions are heard, please keep letters to less than 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for style, legality, length and taste. We will not publish anonymous letters. Send your letters to: newsroom@oakbaynews.com.

Council must look to the future, not safeguard the past

Affordable or not affordable? Accessible or not accessible? Densification or no further densification?

The housing discussion is needlessly obfuscated by these and other questions.

What we know is that we need to build new missing middle housing such as laneway homes and townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, single-level patio homes and convert some existing housing in order to create more housing units such as safe secondary suites and more strata units in large older homes. Period, full stop.

Use military helicopters on forest fires

Due to climate change, forest fires are becoming more of a problem every year. We need to have more resources available to react quickly and effectively. And Canada’s military has helicopters that are being used mostly to prepare for war. Although this is a necessary and difficult task, during heavy forest fire season these resources could be better used for fighting the more dangerous and potentially immense forest fires. Helicopters may be used with buckets or belly tanks and other uses. And the skill to do these tasks is similar to military tasks.

A very experienced pilot who also flew water

Having served as a citizen advisor to our current official community plan (OCP), I naively expected after its passage in 2013, that there would be robust community education about its various policies while we updated our outdated zoning bylaws to ease the gentle densification measures it contemplated.

Instead, successive mayors and councils have served our community as guardians of the status quo with an eye to the past instead of looking to the future and managing change with grace. They say that land use decisions

bombers in B.C. for 10 years, Peter Lauren, has tried to convince the federal and provincial governments to implement this idea for many years. The governments have given him little or no response. Understandably it will not be easy to accomplish this. The military will be reluctant because they are heavily tasked, understaffed and underfunded. The federal government will be reluctant because forests are a provincial responsibility. And the provinces are often reluctant to ask for support from the federal government. But perhaps this could be accomplished to work smoothly through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. In order to convince the governments to do this, the public has to contact many different

should belong to local governments and its citizens and other levels of government should not interfere.

Had they done the job they were elected to do with an eye to the future instead of safeguarding the past, other levels of government would not have had to step up. I for one applaud our provincial government for taking action to increase the diversity of our housing supply and number of housing units.

Jan Mears Oak Bay

politicians and officials to show support for an idea that is overdue for implementation. As many people as possible have to contact public servants such as the following and tell them to get this done: your MP; your MLA; the minister of forests; Public Safety (communications@ ps-sp.gc.ca); Natural Resources (form at https:// contact-contactez.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca); the minister of national defence (DND_MND@forces. gc.ca); the prime minister (form at https://pm.gc. ca/en/connect/contact).

If we all get together, we can convince our governments to work together a little more to be more efficient and effective.

Fred Trudell Victoria

Katherine Engqvist Managing Editor 778-746-4014 katherine.engqvist@blackpress.ca

chris.campbell@blackpress.ca

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Deer see dogs as imminent threat

“Deer believe the dogs are out to kill the fawns, and they don’t understand that that may not be the case,” he said.

“That’s an instinct response.”

A major issue, especially in Oak Bay, is the deer do not fear people, he said.

“If a doe has no fear of people and sees somebody with a dog, then it’s not surprising it’s going to try to go after the dog or the person.”

Dog walkers who encounter an aggressive deer should try to create space; consider picking up the dog, if possible; and place a physical object, such as a vehicle, power pole or mailbox, between themselves and the deer. If these options aren’t available, the person should avoid turning their back on the deer, slowly back away, try to keep the dog close to them, and, if a stick or cane or other weapon is

available, wave the object to try to fend off the deer, according to Pauwels. His office receives about two or three calls a week, from mid-May to early July, about aggressive deer but is not generally able to respond — especially to calls in the Oak Bay area. The office is located in Langford, which can mean a lengthy drive and, thus, difficulties identifying the deer in question, he said.

The Oak Bay Police Department responded to 71 calls for service from June 12 to 18, but one case was especially egregious after a local resident fell for something known as the BC Hydro Scam.

The resident reported receiving a phone call from a male named “John,” saying that he was an employee from BC Hydro. The “employee” told them that the power to their business would be shut off for overdue payments if payments were made within the hour, according to a police news release. The resident believed the “employee” and sent four e-transfers totaling $8,000. “The resident later reported that they had recently sold the business and needed to be out of building by June 16th and had forgotten that their BC Hydro bills were paid by pre-authorized equalization payments,” said police. This investigation is ongoing.

That wasn’t the only case dealt with by Oak Bay police. Here are some others:

Driving double the speed limit

On June 14, at approximately 10 p.m., while conducting traffic enforcement in the 600 block of Beach Dr., a 22-year-old male was stopped for going 85 km/h in a 40km/h zone. The driver was issued a violation ticket for excessive speeding with a fine of $368.00. The vehicle was towed and impounded for seven days.

Not qualified to drive

On June 13, at 9:25 p.m., Oak Bay police officers were conducting traffic enforcement at the three-way intersection of King George Terrace and Beach Drive. Officers observed a

grey Hyundai Santa Fe fail to stop at the stop sign. The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the 29-year-old female driver. A subsequent check on her driver’s licence status revealed that she was prohibited from driving under section 95 of the motor vehicle act. The female was arrested, issued a violation ticket for failing to obey a stop sign (fine $145) and released at scene. The vehicle was impounded for seven days.

Attempted break and enter to a business

On June 14, at 4:45 a.m., the Oak Bay Police Department responded to a report of an attempted break and enter to a business located in the 2000 block of Cadboro Bay Road. Upon arrival, officers found evidence that a suspect had attempted to pry open the rear door of the business. Police determined that entry had not been made to this business or any other businesses at the plaza. Police obtained CCTV from the business to identify a suspect. This investigation is ongoing.

Theft from motor vehicle

On June 14, at 4:45 p.m., the Oak Bay police responded to a report of theft from a vehicle in the 2000 block of Dalhousie Street. The owner reported that they had left their unlocked vehicle parked overnight. Reported stolen was the resident’s wallet containing identification, bank cards, credit cards and other identification cards. The resident reported that their Makita rechargeable batteries, radio player, and grinder were also stolen. There are currently no suspects.

An Saanich resident is looking for local governments and agencies to take more action to deal with aggressive deer in an area that also borders Oak Bay and Victoria. (Rayna Corner photo)

Researchers using automation to boost drug-checking access

University of Victoria researchers are looking to enhance the role of technology in drug checking so more people in communities big and small can access the service as the illicit market’s toxicity continues to claim lives.

There’s plenty of interest in drug checking, but the practise requires a technician with a chemistry background and training in drug checking to properly analyze what’s in a provided sample.

That’s why Bruce Wallace, co-lead of the Substance Drug Checking project, along with chemists and other substance-use researchers from UVic have published a new paper exploring the shift to automated drug checking.

“We’re trying to figure out ways to scale up drug checking by basically removing that need for a skilled technician,” Wallace said. “Being able to develop these (automated) technologies is one way to get drug checking in the hands of both harm reductionists and people who use drugs.”

Substance’s Cook Street location in Victoria is extremely busy six days a week, but Wallace noted that offers little immediate help to people in places like Campbell River or Port Alberni. Smaller communities like those may not have the resources for brick-and-mortar

drug-checking locations with full-time staff.

Automation would also help urban areas as Wallace said it could bring greater access to drug checking in strategic locations where harm reduction is needed, such as supportive housing or overdose prevention sites.

The paper pointed to previous studies which found speed and accuracy are among the factors affecting the willingness of the people who use drugs to engage in checking services. The recently published research said automation has the potential to speed up spectral analysis,

alleviate the requirement of an experienced technician and can offer a greater degree of consistency, accuracy and precision in results.

The two-year study ended last November and looked at the use of infrared spectrometers – a portable and lower-cost option than the mass spectrometers that detect trace levels of substances – at the Victoria site.

Wallace said the thousands of samples Substance has checked to date will inform the shift to automated analysis. The researchers continue to develop the needed software and

— Bruce Wallace

are looking into the opportunities artificial intelligence presents.

While he notes they’re at the forefront by pushing automated checking, Wallace said they’re moving forward incrementally to ensure there’s trust in the technology and for drug users accessing the service. Focusing the service at sites where users already have a relationship with harm reduction workers will also help the level of trust, he said.

Drug checking helps get vital information to a person using substances, but also allows groups like Substance to provide reports on community-wide drug trends so people can know what’s in the local market, Wallace said. He added that people are likely well aware fentanyl is strongly linked to the extreme rates of overdose since a public health emergency was declared in B.C. over the issue.

“But what we’re seeing is those illicit opioids are extremely complex and they often that multiple highly potent substances within a sample.” There were 814 deaths due to unregulated drugs in B.C. through the first four months of 2023 and more than 12,000 lives have been lost in the last seven years.

A technician with the Substance Drug Checking project uses an infrared spectrometer to test drug samples. Researchers hope the technology could help the shift to automated services. (Courtesy of Jay Wallace)

Being able to develop these (automated) technologies is one way to get drug checking in the hands of both harm reductionists and people who use drugs.

Fixer upper? Victoria house gutted by fire now selling for $535K

Are you looking for a fixer-upper challenge?

Then have we got the house for you. A Victoria house that was nearly destroyed in a fire is now on sale with a reasonable price tag – at least for a single-family house in the city.

HouseCleaning

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The house is located at 500 Sumas St. and is listed as being 900 square feet in size on a lot that is a little over 5,000 square feet.

“House severely damaged by fire,” reads the Zillow listing by Frank Rudge with RE/MAX Camosun. “Land value only. Court-ordered sale.”

According to the listing, the house was sold in 2002 for $165,000 and was assessed in 2019 at $584,000. The listing also includes multiple photos of the inside of the house, with fire damage seen everywhere.

A total of 775 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this past May, 1.8 per cent more than the 761 properties sold in May 2022 but a whopping 21.7 per cent increase from April 2023.

This high mark for sales comes with an increase in the inventory, according to the Victoria Real Estate Board.

Sales of condominiums were down 0.8 per cent from May 2022 with 248 units sold. Sales of single-family homes increased 8.7 per cent

from May 2022 with 399 sold.

“The month of May marks the highest number of sales we’ve seen since April of last year,” said Victoria Real Estate Board chair Graden Sol, in a statement. “While we haven’t seen the number of total sales we would expect in a spring market, the month of May marks the fourth consecutive month with sales higher than the month previous. With momentum building, there’s an indication of consumer optimism in the market heading into June. However, if the ongoing lack of homes for sale persists and inventory is not added, we risk a return to an overheated market with pressure on pricing.”

There were 2,189 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service at the end of May 2023, an increase of 7.1 per cent compared to the previous month of April and a 23.3 per cent increase from the 1,776 active listings for sale at the end of May 2022. vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca

Bachelor suite seeking $2,800 a month in rent

Chris Campbell News Staff

A Victoria renter who is struggling to find an affordable place to live says more action is needed by all levels of government to bring down prices through more supply.

Blake Wilson moved to the area three months ago and has been staying with friends – he calls himself a “couch surfer” – ever since.

“I’ve been doing this longer than I wanted to,” said Wilson. “That’s because I can’t find anything I can afford. So I end up going from place to place and living with friends.”

The last straw for Wilson was a recent listing on Craigslist for a downtown Victoria condo at Blanshard and Caledonia that is demanding $2,800 for a unit with no bedrooms and is 531 square feet.

The condo is relative new and has luxury finishings, but Wilson says studio apartments should not be renting for that much.

“This is insanity,” Wilson said. “Our politicians need to start taking this seriously.”

Another listing on Craigslist has a studio suite near UVIC with no bedrooms renting for $1,700 – more than many one-bedroom units of the same size and locations.

According to a new report by Rentals.ca, Victoria came in 11th on its list of 35 cities for average monthly rent in May for a one-bedroom at $2,045 and ninth for average monthly rent for a two-bedroom at $2,616. Year over year, average monthly rent in May for a one-bedroom in Victoria was up 3.4 per cent.

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Vancouver once again tops the list of 35 cities for average monthly rent. In May, average monthly rent in the city for a one-bedroom home was $2,831, and average monthly rent for a two-bedroom was $3,666.

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“Higher rents are on the horizon with interest rates at a 22-year high, rising home prices and record immigration. Gen Z could become the ‘Boomerang Generation’ moving back in with the parents or the ‘Roommate Generation’ splitting rent as it’s unaffordable for many Canadians to pay rent on their own. Governments at all levels need to come up with creative solutions to increase housing supply,”said Matt Danison, CEO of Rentals.ca Network, in a news release.

Canada Day 2023: What’s happening in Greater Victoria

Natasha Baldin News Staff

To mark the 156th year since Canada’s confederation, a variety of family-friendly and multicultural events and performances will be happening all around Greater Victoria.

Canada Day Victoria 2023

A variety of local, multicultural performances will take place on the lawn of the B.C. legislature. Festivities start at noon and will open with a performance of the national anthem by EF International students, who will be in Victoria for three to six months learning English.

Performances by local and area artists including The Blue Hearts, Spendo, Alpha Centauri, Elise Boulanger, Cheko & The Lion Rockers, Brass Camel and Cristian de la Luna will continue throughout the day. Headliner Jill Barber will take the stage at 9 p.m. leading up to the fireworks finale over the Inner Harbour at 10:20 p.m.

A kids zone will also be set up on the Legislature lawn from 12 to 6 p.m., featuring a bouncy castle, face painting and games. An Indigenous artist collective pop-up market will take place on Belleville Street featuring a diverse array of Indigenous art and craft.

Pancakes at Huntingdon Manor

Huntingdon Manor Hotel in the Inner Harbour will be hosting a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m., along with music and activities in the garden. The breakfast is by donation, with all proceeds going to the Victoria Women’s Transition House.

HarbourCats Baseball

The Victoria HarbourCats will be playing a Canada Day matinee at Royal Athletic Park against the Bellingham Bells. Doors open at 12

p.m. and the first pitch is at 1:05 p.m.

JazzFest

TD Victoria International JazzFest is set to continue with Victoria-based singer-songwriter Kristina Helene taking the stage at Hotel Grand Pacific at 9 p.m.

The festival will also be hosting a day of free performances at Bullen Park in Esquimalt from 12 to 5 p.m., with performances from artists including New Groovement, Pacific Blue Band and The Midnights.

Fort Rodd Hill

Catch the giant Canadian flag flying from the Fisgard Lighthouse at Fort Rodd Hill in Colwood. Free celebrations will take place around the site from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including live music and heritage-themed ice cream and soda.

Canada Day in Langford

Returning for the second year, the City of Langford will be hosting a variety of Canada Day activities at the Starlight Stadium from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A by-donation pancake breakfast will be offered from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by a performance by Langford magician Jason Verners from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a blue ribbon pie contest at 12 p.m. and a hot wing eating contest at 1:30 p.m.

Celebrations will also include stilt walkers, a bocce ball tournament, a firefighter obstacle course, live music, an Indigenous drum group, a community art project, and more.

Gorge Picnic

The Gorge Canada Day Picnic will be returning along the Gorge Waterway from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include a family parade, pancake breakfast, strawberry tea, Gorge on Art, live performances and a 65-vendor street market. The 1.7 kilometre stretch along Gorge

PUBLICNOTICE:ZoningAmendmentBylaw No.4839,2023andAnimalControl AmendmentBylawNo.4840,2023

NoticeisherebygiventhattheDistrictofOakBay,pursuanttoSections464.2 and467oftheLocalGovernmentAct,willconsidergivingFirstReadingto

ZoningAmendmentBylawNo.4839,2023andAnimalControlAmendment BylawNo.4840,2023attheirRegularMeetingtobeheldonMondayJune26, 2023at6:00pm.

ZoningAmendmentBylawNo.4839,2023andAnimalControlAmendment BylawNo.4840,2023proposestoallowbeekeepingincommercialzoned areasandallowbeehivestobelocatedonrooftops.

ApublichearingforthisZoningBylawamendmentisnotrequiredastheBylaw isconsistentwiththeDistrict’sOfficialCommunityPlanBylawNo.4620.

AcopyofZoningAmendmentBylawNo.4839,2023andAnimalControl mendmentBylawNo.4840,2023canbeviewedatOakBayMunicipalHall, 2167OakBayAve,Victoria,BCV8R1G2.Officehoursare8:30to4:30pm, MondaythroughFriday,excludingholidays.Youmayalsorequestacopyofthe Bylawbyemailing planning@oakbay.ca.

Shareyourfeedback: Membersofthepublicareencouragedtosubmit commentsby12:00PMonthedayofthemeeting(Monday,June26,2023)by:

• Email: administration@oakbay.ca

• Mail: OakBayCouncil,2167OakBayAve,Victoria,BC,V8R1G2

• DropBox: Maindoor,OakBayMunicipalHall,2167OakBayAve Allcorrespondencesubmittedwillformpartofthepublicrecordandmaybe publishedinameetingagendaaccompanyingthebylawforconsideration.

Attendthemeeting: Toattendinpersontoviewthemeeting,wearelocated at2167OakBayAvenue.

West Road from Tillicum Road to Admirals Road will be closed to traffic.

Despite ongoing construction on Gorge West Road, festival organizers stated they anticipate re-paving will be finished before July 1. Landscaping and sidewalk construction will not be complete, but all construction equipment will be cleared for the event.

Craigflower Manor

Celebrations will also take place at the historic Craigflower Manor at 1801 Admirals Rd. Activities include Highland games events, tours of the manor and live music and dance performances in the brand new Craigflower Community and Performing Arts Centre.

Tides Are Changing

Vision Matters

HealthyEyes. DoctorDelivered.

The Victoria International Marina will be presenting a sustainable art exhibition and ballet, Future Oceans: Tides Are Changing, on Canada Day.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for a wearable art exhibit exploring ocean preservation, a sustainable tasting menu and performances by the Nanaimo Contemporary Ballet, Felicia Harding, Allan Donnelly and Pippa Williams.

Dr.NeilPaterson

Legalblindness

Apersonislegallyblindwhentheirvisual functionsfallbelowcertainlevels.

Ifvisualacuitycannotbeimprovedto20/200 (thebigE)WITHglassesorcontactlensesa personisconsideredlegallyblind.I’veoftenhad patientsstatethattheyare“legallyblindwithout theirglasses.”Blindnessisdefinedintermsof thebestcorrectedvisionwithglassesorcontact lensesinplace.Thatmakesabigdifference.

Visualacuitybelow20/200ismostoften causedbyagerelatedmaculardegeneration. Othercausesincludecongenitaldefects, cataracts,injuries,infectionsandinflammations.In manycasestheprogressofthediseasecanbe slowed,stoppedorevenreversedifearlydetection andtreatmentoccur.

Asecondformoflegalblindnessoccurswhen apersonhasafieldofvisionthatisconstricted tolessthan20degrees.Itissometimesknown as“tunnelvision.”Glaucomaisthecauseofthe majorityofthesecases.Again,earlydetectionand treatmentstopthepotentiallyblindingeffectsof thissilentdisease.

Unfortunatelyblindnessisnotalways preventablehowevermanyofthecausesof blindness,ifdetectedearlyenougharetreatable. Makeeyeexaminationsaregularpartofyour healthcare.

Dr.NeilPaterson

Dr.SuzanneSutter

Dr.GabrielaCamorlinga

Dr.RajdeepGill

https://oakbay.civicweb.net/portal/ https://oakbay.civicweb.net/portal/

Watchthemeeting: Membersofthepublicmayviewthemeetingfromhome viathelivewebcastfromtheDistrict’swebsiteathttps://oakbay.civicweb.net/ portal/orbyparticipatinginthemeetingonZoomoronyourphone.Please email administration@oakbay.ca forinstructionstojoinviaZoomorphone.

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Canada Day in the inner Harbour. (Black Press file photo)

Builders say more housing needed to keep tradespeople

Bailey Moreton

Staff

Slow-changing institutions and unaffordable housing are worsening B.C.’s shortage of qualified construction workers, according to the Victoria Residential Builders Association (VRBA).

The trades industry has long grappled with worker shortages, according to Casey Edge, executive director at the VRBA, but a number of problems, a big one being high housing prices, are pushing tradespeople to move where prices are cheaper.

The number of B.C. residents moving to Alberta was the highest it has been since 2001, spiking to 28,238 in 2021/22, according to Statistics Canada data from September 2022. Atlantic Canada was another popular destination – out-of-province migration to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick is at its highest point since records began in 1971/72. Migration from B.C. to Quebec was also at its highest since 1973/74 and Saskatchewan was at its highest in a decade.

It’s a circular problem.

Since B.C. has labour shortages, the province won’t be able to build enough housing to meet its housing needs and that gap fuels labour shortages. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation estimates that by 2030, 993,450 new housing starts are needed to reach housing

affordability, which is defined as 44 per cent of monthly income in B.C. – in most provinces it’s 30 per cent. But current projections show the best-case scenario is 598,459, with CMHC predicting closer to 423,450 starts in that period, less than half of what’s needed.

CMHC also calculated the number of workers per unit under construction in B.C. was at an all-time low of 3.3 workers per unit in 2021, compared with an average of 6.1 from 1996 to 2021. Ontario and Quebec also saw all-time lows in 2021 compared with the same period, but

Alberta was only slightly below its average of 8.6 workers per unit at 8.4. Progress on solutions is hard to come by.

Edge said the province’s Housing Supply Act is “absolutely necessary,” – a new law allowing the province to set housing targets for municipalities including Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay – and should go some way to addressing municipal cultures that slow down development.

“When you build a home a certain way in, let’s say, Colwood or wherever, and then you try to build that same home in Saanich, you

get different interpretations of the building code, you have two different things. Why is that? Because you have a different municipal culture, and they interpret the building code differently. That all adds to costs, delays, costs, expense.”

“The B.C. government could be dealing with one council and one official community plan with regional planning for housing, transportation infrastructure,” Edge said. “Instead, they’ve got to deal with 13 different official community plans.”

Culture change is also needed in education, according to Edge, where longstanding biases against trades linger.

“The biggest hurdle with respect to it’s not so much the funding and all the rest of it, it’s actually being able to ensure that in the education system, young people have the opportunity to understand what it’s like to be in the trades and the opportunities there.”

Edge says often youth aren’t given information about the opportunity for advancement in the trades. He said VRBA has advocated for universities and colleges to allow students to take trades courses as electives when they are studying other subjects, in theory allowing a humanities student to also work towards becoming a trained carpenter. But there’s been little movement towards that, he said.

“The post-secondary school system operates in silos,” he said. “Everybody I’ve talked to actually thinks it’s a good idea. But when you’re dealing with institutions, they’re operated by administrative cultures and not inclined to change.”

In an email, the B.C. Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills said school institutions come up with their own curriculum, but the province does provide various funding programs to encourage people into the trades, including a new grant (announced in May) of up to $3,500 per person for eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions.

“Cohort-based programs, particularly those leading to occupations that are certified/regulated, don’t usually lend themselves to people taking a single course, as curriculum is designed across courses to build students’ knowledge towards a credential.”

Some students can enrol in micro-credentials and other professional training programs at the University of Victoria. None are specific to the trades, but a school spokerson said “we continue to explore new partnership opportunities with businesses and organizations to offer career-specific micro-credentials and professional programs that may be of interest to a variety of industries.

The Telus Ocean building is under construction on Douglas Street in Victoria. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

With 28 yearsof experiencein real estatesales andmanagementandan in-depthknowledgeof greater Victoria, muchofMikeBoorman’s expertise and interest in the localareacanbe accountedto his growingup,studyingandpursuingacareerin the region.

AgraduateofOakBayHighwithaBachelor ofCommerce fromtheUniversityofVictoriaand a Diploma in UrbanLandEconomics forReal EstateManagementfromtheUniversityofBritish Columbia, Mikehasearned himself a VREBMLS awardfor 28consecutiveyears, marking hissuccess inachievingsalesin thetop 10 percentof his field again andagain.

Butit wasn’ttheawardsor financialsuccessthat droveMiketoreal estate in the firstplace.Instead, it was his interest in people and familytradition.

A seventhgeneration OakBayresidentanda

fourthgeneration OakBayRealtor inhis family, he accreditshis localknowledge, local connections, experience andservice towhatsetshim apart in his industry.

“I lovethejobsellingreal estate in OakBay becauseIcan explain tonewcomersthe experiences Ihad growingup in the community,fromtheparks andrecreationopportunities tothelaneway walks, beaches and wateraccesspoints,”hesays.

“Ialso enjoythecamaraderie andworking relationships Ihave establishedover theyears withother OakBayprofessionals,includingfellow Realtors, lawyersandbusinessowners.”

“Ihavesold homes thatmy father and grandfather havesold andhavealsohad clients whomIprovide servicesdirectlyonmultigenerational levels,”Mikesays.On andoffthejob, Mikeis family-and community-focused.

Mikehasan active familyhome life.Marriedto hiswifeMariaBoormanandwith2children Spencer andEvelynattendingCamosun and UVic. Family time includeshikingwiththeir beloved dogs Piper andHopper.

•1909legalnon-conformingcharacterduplexlocatedon aprominentcornerinOakBaywithlanewayaccess. •Tremendouspotentialasaholdingforre-development.

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Indigenous art piece uses virtual reality technology

The Witness Blanket project at Camosun College goes digital and looks to the Indigenous community for a soundtrack

Imagine experiencing a piece of Indigenous history through virtual reality with songs, sounds and detailed graphics, but it was all within a blanket.

Multi-disciplinary Indigenous artist Carey Newman (Hayalthkain’gene) and his team at Camosun College are developing just that.

In 2014, Newman designed an art piece called the Witness Blanket, which was made of objects gathered from residential schools, churches, government buildings and cultural structures. His role in this most recent project is “to maintain the tangibility and the context of the physical blanket in this VR version of it.” Now, the original Witness Blanket has got a digital update as a new VR version is in the works.

“One thing I thought that would be really interesting and that you can’t do on the other installations of the blanket is to bring in sound,” said Newman. “Eventually we landed on a process where we’re inviting people to contribute what sounds of a culture mean to them, in the same way we ask for an object to be contributed to the original blanket.”

His idea to bring the sense of sound into the project has opened many possibilities, including adding the sounds of languages being spoken that were lost or almost lost in residential schools.

“I kind of wanted to bring into the conversation another element of cultures that were targeted by residential schools. Those languages that were lost or at risk, the different ceremonies that might of been harmed through residential schools.” Newman and his team at Camosun College are asking Indigenous communities nationally to bring sounds that represent their own unique culture.

Camosun College lead on the project Matt Zeleny has helped graphically designed the project. With more then 700 unique elements to the original Witness Blanket there were so many details he says they needed to, “remodel the exhibit from starch.”

The extra challenge with remodelling from going off nothing was not only to get the exact colours of the elements right, but correctly show how the pieces of the blanket look in different types of light.

Kirk McNally, another contributor to the project, mentioned already receiving a song that can be used in the interactive blanket.

“We had a submission from a woman in the Ottawa area. It was a song that was being sung, bringing in the first grandchild. All of the matriarchies in the family were present for that.”

This project is still far out from being completed, and as right now they’re waiting for more songs and sounds to be submitted for use.

Witness Blanket artist Carey Newman experiences the art piece through virtual reality. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Victoria Artistic Swimming Club makes a splash

Club stages year-end show at Saanich Commonwealth Place

Club dazzled during its year-end water show.

The event took place at Saanich Commonwealth Place Sunday (June 18) and featured the club’s talented athletes showcasing their skills.

“The show was super good,” junior national stream athlete Avery Dix said. “We had some fun routines. We performed for our friends, family and some old team-

mates. They supported us. Working with the team is the best. Training with them is so fun. This is like one big family.”

The show also celebrated the athletes’ hard work this year.

“We’re very proud of our athletes,” club head coach Brenda Scott said. “It’s very good to see them all come together and do their best. It’s been a great year.”

The club is putting on camps this summer, and those interested in registering can do so at victoriasynchro.com.

“We’re now in the building stage,” Scott said. “A lot of our provincial girls are moving up to nationals. We’re going to have a lot of national girls next year, which we’re very excited about. We are building towards that.”

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Members of the Victoria Artistic Swimming Club Junior tech team performs at their water show Sunday (June 18) at Saanich Commonwealth Place. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

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Group calls for protection of workers in extreme heat

Justin Samanski-Langille News Staff

Members of the Worker Solidarity Network staged a demonstration on the grounds of the B.C. legislature Saturday (June 17) calling on the government to recognize and address concerns regarding work in extreme heat.

Hoping to drive the point home, the group displayed a large thermometer and encouraged workers to write down their specific concerns on red paper, then place them in the thermometer to mimic the rising mercury inside.

In a release, the group said the demonstration follows the release of its Climate and Labour Report in May, which found 87 per cent of workers surveyed reported heatwaves as the most impactful extreme weather event, and there are no laws in place to protect workers’ employment if they refuse to report to work during an extreme weather event.

The report provides recommendations for immediate

policy change in provincial legislation, including paid climate leave, a maximum temperature policy, and additional breaks during heatwaves.

“Employment law was not written to anticipate a rise in extreme environmental disasters,” says Jen Kostuchuk, coordinator of the WSN’s climate and labour project in the release. “Workers’ income

security is at risk during extreme weather events. How B.C. decides to safeguard those most vulnerable during extreme weather events will demonstrate the fundamental priorities of this government. Immediate policy changes need to take place to put an end to the experiences workers have endured as a result of changing climate.”

Demonstrators with the Worker Solidarity Network stand with a giant satirical thermometer during a demonstration in front of the B.C. legislature Saturday, June 17, calling on the government to make labour law changes to better protect workers in extreme heat. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Greater Victoria students share creative ideas to help the planet

Winners of the One Planet Living student challenge received a total of $1,000

Middle and secondary school students in Greater Victoria have used their creativity to share ideas about how to improve communities and the planet with mayors and councillors.

Winners of the One Planet Living student challenge received a total of $1,000 during a ceremony on June 8 at Cedar Hill Golf Course.

“Thank you to the incredible students who participated in the One Planet student challenge and shared their vision for a sustainable future in our region,” Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto said in a news release. “You hold the power to shape our tomorrow, and your innovative solutions and unwavering commitment inspire us all. You have reminded us that a sustainable future is not an abstract concept, but rather a tangible reality that we must construct together. I urge you to continue to champion your ideas, raise your voices and ensure that your sustainable future becomes a living reality.”

One of the winning submissions was a video by Sapphira Skuter, where she shows some of her most loved green spaces in Saanich and how they connect us.

Emily Kingsford also won for her poetic painting portraying how climate change impacts animals.

Jayla Boudewyn was another winner, and her illustration visualized a world where bees thrive, waste is minimized and communities support each other.

said in the statement. “Climate change is an urgent challenge, and we know it will take us all working together if we’re going to make a difference. That’s part of what makes the One Planet Initiative so great. It brings members of the community together to work on sustainable solutions that will have significant impacts on our lives.”

The winning submissions can be viewed at oneplanetbc.com.

“We thank the students for the ideas they have shared, including protecting and expanding our natural areas, creatively reusing waste materials, encouraging more walking and transit use, expanding urban farming, community-building and more – these are all key building blocks of a healthy and sustainable community,” Saanich Coun. and Capital Regional District chair Colin Plant said in the release.

The challenge is led by OneEarth Living, a B.C. non-profit organization,

Mayor Dean Murdock

“Your submissions are inspiring, and they help us see your vision for the future of our community,” Saanich

and is also supported by the Capital Regional District, the District of Saanich and the City of Victoria.

Emily Kingsford was one of the winners of the One Planet Living student challenge for her painting portraying how climate change affects animals.

(Courtesy of Emily Kingsford/One Planet Living student challenge)

Dads celebrated at 37th annual British car show

out several different types of vehicles as all British cars and motorcycles were welcome.

enjoy the show because it is accessible.

The 37th annual Father’s Day British car show was a great way for many families in Victoria to spend the day with their dads.

The event at Beacon Hill Park Sunday (June 18) also featured a picnic, and spectators checked

“You don’t have to bring a fancy car,” organizer Jim Walters said. “It doesn’t matter what condition it’s in. It’s a good day. We’ve seen a nice turnout. It’s great seeing all these people come out.”

Walters said many people

“You don’t have to pay any money. It’s nice and relaxed. You can come and leave whenever you want. You’re stuck there all day at a lot of car shows.”

The car show had been cancelled for the past two years because of COVID-19 concerns.

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Brendan Mayer

News Staff

Trevor Heryet brought his 1974 TVR 2500M to Beacon Hill Park for the 37th annual Father’s Day British car show Sunday (June 18). (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

Parkinson’s non-profit focuses on physical exercise

Jacob Webb Contributor

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most dangerous maladies for not only the victim, but their care partners as well.

Starting in fall 2020, the Parkinson’s Wellness Project in Victoria is a non-profit and aims to alleviate some

of the pain for survivors and their families.

Bailey Martin, executive director of the project, said one of the best forms of treatment for Parkinson’s is physical exercise.

“Exercise has been shown to slow the progression of the disease and help improve symptoms and quality of life,” Martin said.

“So we really focus on exercise. We have 21 classes a week both in person and online.”

The exercise classes are called PWP Fit; they cover the cardiovascular range of motion and functional mobility. The project also provides other physical activities, like rock steady boxing, dance, tai chi, yoga and even music therapy.

Aside from these classes, Parkinson’s Wellness Project also has counselling services, support groups and education seminars.

The exercise programs are geared towards people with Parkinson’s, and Martin said that care partners are welcome to those sessions, but mainly care partners use the project’s counselling services.

Martin understands that exercise isn’t for everyone, but strongly encourages it when signing up for the project’s services.

“Exercise and medication are really the two treatments for Parkinson’s disease,” Martin said. “So we really encourage participation in our exercise classes, but … there are some people that just come in for counselling.”

The poject has 600 registered participants but only about 200 people are regularly active in the program. Martin said that while they had to close their physical doors because of COVID-19, their virtual doors were opened even wider.

“Because of COVID, we started

to offer programs and services online,” said Martin.

“So now we have participants from all over Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, different parts of B.C. and Alberta. Even some participants from the (United) States join our program.”

Martin’s favourite aspect of the project is “giving people hope,” but the most challenging is outreach and fundraising.

“We don’t charge for any of our services, so funding is a challenge for us,” Martin said.

“It’s just a constant (question), sort of every day, ‘how are we going to get money?’”

The project currently relies on donations and community grants. Martin’s wish is for everybody on Vancouver Island who’s diagnosed with Parkinson’s to know about the Parkinson’s Wellness Project.

“(I’m) just really seeing the positive changes that the exercise classes and education and counseling, that effect that it can have on our participants in their family,” Martin said.

Splash park just part of new vision for Centennial Square

would form the basis of the redesign in order to make the square into a flexible space that could host a variety of activities.

With the template showing two small commercial spaces, multiple councillors hoped final plans would include a larger footprint for businesses as they said that would help draw people to the site.

The City of Victoria will move forward on redesigning Centennial Square and bringing a new swim platform to the Gorge Waterway.

Council on Thursday (June 15) supported the recommendation to take $750,000 from its building and infrastructure reserve to craft detailed redesign plans for the downtown square, plus $300,000 from the same fund to design, build and install the new recreational swim platform next year. Both actions require a procedural vote in the coming weeks.

The two initiatives are seen as immediate priorities in the plan to update parks citywide. The Centennial Square work would be phased and begin with renovating the central plaza and staircase, along with replacing the fountain and monoliths with a new splash park and in-ground water-spraying features.

The plans also include a commercial kiosk, new accessibility features, more seating and added trees in the initial phase.

“These investments will help to enhance the Square’s overall appeal as a welcoming destination,” a staff report said.

Staff on Thursday stressed that a rendering presented to council is a template, but said removing the square’s fountain and monoliths

In later phases, the city plans to convert the structure at the west end of City Hall into an indoor, multi-use space and add transit improvements to the east end of the square. Staff said the multi-use space could incorporate the bike valet that’s currently operating out of that location.

Later phases could also see more commercial opportunities in the southwest corner of the square as staff said the focus will be improving that area’s connectivity to the coming revitalization of Government Street.

The city will aim to install a new swim platform in the Gorge Inlet for summer 2024. The swim structure will be located off of Bamfield Park, in the southwest area of the Gorge Marine Park. The city said that area of the Gorge allows for separation between swimmers, paddlers and boats, plus buoys would be added to outline the protected swim zone.

In 2021, the city installed a floating swim platform out in the water east of the Bamfield Park dock. The latter was also expanded last year and is located in the active recreation zone, which was formed after Victoria granted a Transport Canada permit that prohibits motorized vessels from entering the area.

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Jake Romphf News Staff

A concept template for proposed changes to Centennial Square in Victoria. The plans include a splash park with in-ground spray features (7), adding trees, an accessibility ramp (1), commercial space and more. (Courtesy of the City of Victoria)

Angel Flight offers patients free rides to hospitals out of Victoria airport

Non-profit reduces transportation costs

Angel Flight of British Columbia provides a free and memorable transportation experience for cancer patients travelling to and from medical appointments – including out of the Victoria Flying Club.

The not-for-profit, volunteer-led organization offers free and private flights to and from hospitals for ambulatory cancer patients and children with non-communicable illnesses, alleviating the burden of transportation costs.

Since its first takeoff in 2002, the organization has carried 2,031 people to and from 19 airports around Vancouver Island, Sunshine Coast and Metro Vancouver.

Jeff Morris, CEO of Angel

Flight, is a former Royal Air Force and commercial pilot. Now retired, he dedicates his time to managing flights, pilots and other operations.

Since becoming involved with the organization in 1999 and taking over as CEO in 2006, Morris has dedicated thousands of volunteer hours while working out of his home in Sidney to ensure every flight takes off smoothly.

“My reward is the satisfaction I get from helping people,” he said.

Flights are operated by 29 volunteer pilots scattered across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland in single-engine, four-seat airplanes. Morris added the organization also works with volunteer drivers who transport patients to and from Angel Flight planes at the Victoria Flying Club in North Saanich and the Vancouver International Airport.

In addition to the impor-

tance of relieving the financial burden, Morris said it is important to him to provide patients with a memorable experience while flying over British Columbia’s scenic landscapes.

“They’re not a cancer patient (for the duration of the flight) — they’re a passenger in a small airplane,” he said. “It’s very important that we don’t put pressure on them to pay.”

The experience also offers the added reassurance for immunosuppressed patients who no longer have to rely on planes, buses and ferries where they run an increased risk of catching a virus.

“The last thing they want to travel on is an airplane with a lot of people,” Morris said. “(Angel Flights) isn’t just saving them anguish and costs, it’s providing them with a safe environment to travel.”

For more on this group, visit angelflight.ca.

Natasha Baldin News Staff

Angel Flight pilot Ted and a patient named Charlie. (Photo courtesy of Angel Flight)

Soaring demand has bike shop adding second location

Natasha Baldin News Staff

After operating out of its Bay Street location for 33 years, Victoria bike shop Bicycleitis recently announced it has opened a new store on Oak Bay Avenue.

The family-owned bike shop celebrated the soft launch of its new location at 1814 Oak Bay Ave., citing it had “outgrown”its previous space and wanted more room to display inventory.

“There’s a lot more floor space (at the new location) so we don’t have to move the bikes. It’s a little less musical bikes, which we’re used to at our old location,” said Bicycleitis owner Jeremy Kumbruch.

Whether Bicycleitis will continue to operate out of both locations or fully transition to the new location is “still up in the air,” Kumbruch said, while the shop tests if the new two-location business model is sustainable.

Bicycleitis has also signed on to take part in the new B.C. e-bike rebate program, which has already seen a high number of applications across the

province since its launch on June 1.

While Kumbruch said his shop only carries a “modest selection of e-bikes,”he added the new location will allow for more space to sell, display and expand its e-bike inventory.

Currently, Bicycleitis is only offering sales and minor repairs at the Oak Bay Avenue shop. Kumbruch said the moving process over from the old location has been gradual, and he will continue moving equipment in the next two weeks to make the new service depart-

ment fully operational for all repairs and refurbishments.

After marking its soft launch last week, Kumbruch said he is planning a grand opening later this summer to celebrate with the community and to officially introduce the loyal Bay Street clientele to the new location.

“Our older Bay Street location is known to be a little bit rougher around the edges,”he said. “It’s shinier and cleaner here at the new location … which is a big change for our loyal customers.”

Cyclists will race at Windsor Park July 9 to benefit spinal cord research

Cyclists will race around Windsor Park to raise money for the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute.

The Victoria Wheelers host Shim’s Crit on July 9 in honour of Mathew Szymanowski, aka Shim.

In August 2019, Szymanowski was struck by a driver while on his bike and suffered a spinal cord injury which left him paralyzed from the neck down.

The event includes a barbecue at Oak Bay Bicycles, which will be free for racers.

The race kicks off at 8:30 a.m. and the barbecue begins at 6 p.m.

Anyone interested in donating to the cause can visit bit.ly/3Ne0cdU.

The 2022 Shim’s Crit event raised approximately $25,000 for Praxis. Praxis is a non-profit organization that advances spinal cord injury research, innovation and care.

Providingfreearialtransportforpeoplerequiringtraveltotreatmentcentres.

AngelFlightofBritishColumbiahasbeenflyingcancerpatientstoandfrom theirtreatmentappointmentsfromaroundVancouverIslandandthe SunshineCoast.

Wealsoflychildrenwithothernon-communicablemedicalissuesup totheageof15.

Sinceourlaunchin2002ourfreeservicehascarriedover2,000clientsutilizing ourvolunteerpilot’spersonalaircraft,safelyandincomfort.Ourpilotsare basedaroundVancouverIslandandtheVancouverarea.

Allclientsmustbefullyambulatoryandbepreparedtotravelinsmall,fourseat, aircraft.Formoreinformationvisitourwebsite,www.angelflight.ca,orcall250.818.0288

Bicycleitis owner Jeremy Kumbruch. (Photo courtesy of Bicycleitis)

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Professional individual seeks full-time (or near full-time) housekeeper (think Mom) to cook and clean for home in the Hillside area.

Job includes regular light cleaning, occasional deeper cleaning, laundry for one person and cooking for two – plus any guests, The ideal candidate will be a good home cook able to work with minimal supervision. They will be energetic and generally handy with a positive outlook, and enjoy quiet orderliness. They will be comfortable with cats and persons experiencing memory loss; and they will possess a class 5 drivers license.

Full job description and benefits available from ccbs@shaw.ca

extracter&more.$350.00 250-478-3216 Watkins buy or sell Icanbereachedat 778-430-0465

Misc. Wanted

Galleon Books & Antiques. Antiques,Books, Costume&FineJewelry, China.Estates&Private LibrariesPurchased. 250-655-0700

Employment Real Estate

For Sale By Owner

New Mobile Home for Sale

2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, loaded with extra features!

Set up in beautiful & quiet Blue Spruce Mobile Home Park, North Campbell River area. Black metal & wood fences. Asking $328,000 Open House Sunday, June 25th 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

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Employment Transportation

Recreational/Sale

TRUCK & CAMPER2001 Dodge 3500 Dually w/Cummins diesel, 8 Michelin + 8 Hercules (all on rims) w/1995 12’ Custom Camper - sleeps 4, w/Stable-Lift easiest on/off truck camper loading. Both loaded, many extras & very clean $18,500 obo - 250-4280600 Please leave message m_lipton_mhs_rsw@ hotmail.com