Goldstream News Gazette, May 1, 2024

RRU geothermal program gifted over $3 million

Thomas Eley News Staff

A first-of-its-kind in Canada ultradeep geothermal (UDG) research facility at Royal Roads University (RRU) was given three donations totalling over $3 million on April 23.

The Cascade Institute program at RRU program focuses on geothermal systems hidden in dry, hot rocks five to 10 kilometres beneath the earth’s surface.

“There’s enough energy beneath us to power the entire world thousands of times over indefinitely into the future, enabling any kind of society humanity may want to build. This energy is close by but hard to get to. The Cascade Institute is working to tap that power,” said Thomas Homer-Dixon, Cascade Institute executive director.

The donors were Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, Founders Pledge’s Climate Change Fund and Rethink Charity Foundation’s R.C. Forward Climate Change Fund donors.

“The funding massively upscales Canada’s research and development efforts in geothermal power and supports its national commitment to

achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 to address the climate crisis,” the RRU release said. “The program focuses on deep geothermal systems in hot, dry rock five to 10 kilometers below Earth’s surface.”

Geothermal energy is more efficient and safer than nuclear power and less weather-dependent than wind or solar, according to Rebecca Pearce, a geophysicist and research fellow at

the Cascade Institute’s ultradeep geothermal project.

Pearce said that UDG does not require volcanic activity, could be built right next to someone’s house, and would pose minimal risk if a problem were to occur.

“The geothermal station would just shut down,” Pearce said.

Homer-Dixon said the potential benefits of

geothermal energy outweigh the risks, and it is tough to imagine anything terrible happening because of the technology.

“Whereas something like nuclear has many problems and is much less forgiving.”

The technology is designed to drill into rocks that are 150 degrees Celsius and will cost an additional $45 million for every extra 10 degrees, said Homer-Dixon.

The drilling that UDG carries out does not need tectonic activity and has the potential to be set up anywhere.

One of the challenges that Cascade is trying to solve is how to drill on the Canadian Shield that extends through most of Canada, Homer-Dixon said.

“Figuring out how to drill and get power in the shield means we can get power anywhere on the planet,” he said.

Ideally, Homer-Dixon would like Cascade to be able to drill to 10 kilometres beneath the earth’s surface and hopes to produce 50 to 100 gigawatts of power.

UDG is also a way to future-proof the economy and shift away from oil and gas, and Homer-Dixon said that this could bring the nation together.

Greater Victoria municipalities feel confident in meeting housing targets

walks and adequate roads.

Greater Victoria municipalities are feeling confident that they will be able to meet new provincial housing targets after a number of them were named as priority communities with “high-need” for housing.

On Tuesday, April 23, the provincial government named six Greater Victoria municipalities to receive housing targets in an effort to lower housing and rental prices across B.C.

Among the list of 20 municipalities across the province to receive the targets, Colwood, Central Saanich, North Saanich, Sidney, Esquimalt and View Royal were named.

View Royal Mayor Sid Tobias said there are some in the community who welcome the announcement, while others are concerned about adequate infrastructure and services to support growth such as daycares, healthcare options, public transportation, side-

“View Royal has a number of large scale projects underway and in planning that will provide hundreds of purpose-built market rentals in the municipality. There are areas in the town that have been zoned multi-family for years that have not been developed. However, View Royal is looking forward to any partnership that will provide more affordable housing options for the region,” he said in an email to Black Press.

He added there are others who are skeptical that the targets will lead to more affordable housing and if the targets will be met as they are largely driven my market forces, interest rates and availability of skilled workers.

Mayor Barbara Desjardins of Esquimalt, agreed that the township will need infrastructure to coincide with the increased housing demands, and there is still lots of unknowns with the legislation, like when it will actually start.

She did say, however, she feels confident the township will be able to meet the targets.

“We have been moving forward significant housing in the last number of years, there does not seem to be any sign that is going to decrease in the next little while with larger projects continuing to move forward,” she said.

In an email to Black Press, the district of North Saanich said they are currently “undertaking a review of its official community plan and will be addressing housing needs through this process while considering current infrastructure capacity and the rural character of the community.”

In the Town of Sidney, Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith said they are doing their share in helping address the housing crisis when it comes to providing housing.

He said over the last six years, the town has approved the development of about 240 purpose-built rental

units, 270 condos and 45 townhouses in addition to building permits for duplexes and single-family dwellings.

This year alone, he noted that council already approved developments creating 157 new residential units and on April 22, a third reading was given to allow another project with another 140 more apartment units, including 28 affordable units.

“Geographically, Sidney is the smallest community in the Capital Regional District, encompassing 5.1 square kilometres. Although developing vacant land is no longer an option, the town continues to provide a growing number of diverse housing options for the community,” he said.

“The town remains optimistic that we can work productively with the province to create realistic housing targets for Sidney, and we remain committed to doing our part to address the housing crisis.”

In Central Saanich, the district’s infill and densification guidelines, a

project they began in 2018 and was adopted in 2021, had laid the groundwork for them to incorporate more diverse housing types into their inventory, such as cottages, suites, small lots and duplexes in residential zones.

Mayor Ryan Windsor said in an email statement “we’ve seen a good deal of new housing built over the past few years here in Central Saanich, we’ve been named by B.C. Business as No. 1 on their list of most economically resilient cities. We’ve done all this while working to protect the Agricultural Land Reserve, which is no less than 60 per cent of the total land base of the municipality and something I’d expect this government would want to keep protecting.”

The municipalities will be meeting with the province to consult on what the targets will be and how the program will work in late May and early June, and specific targets are expect to be released in the Summer.

Bailey Seymour News Staff

Thomas Homer-Dixon Cascade Institute, executive director said that unlocking Canada’s geothermal potential could be a moonshot moment for the nation. (Thomas Eley/ News Staff)

Guilty verdict handed out for 2020 shooting of Alex Knatchbell in Langford

Judge: Combined testimony and evidence proves killing was planned and deliberate

Mark Page News Staff

Damien Medwedrich has been found guilty of first degree murder for the 2020 shooting of 26-year-old Alex Knatchbell on Humpback Road in Langford on Friday, April 19.

Knatchbell, who the judge said was a known drug dealer, had been lured to a remote area of Humpback Road late in the evening of Jan. 20. 2020, and shot 12 times while sitting inside his Nissan Pathfinder.

Despite calling the main witness unreliable, Justice Veronica Jackson found that enough of the witness’s testimony was corroborated by physical evidence, audio recordings and cell phone records to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Medwedrich shot Knatchbell with

“murderous intent.”

The name of the witness is protected by a publication ban.

Jackson gave her reasons before the court, establishing first why she deemed the testimony to have come from a “vetrovec,” or unreliable witness.

A witness falls into this category if they are deemed to be unsavoury or disreputable due to involvement in criminal activity, a motivation to lie, inconsistent testimony, or other such factors.

The evidence provided by such a witness can still be admitted, but its unreliability must be taken into account.

During the verdict, Jackson told the courts that she decided to disregard some of the inconsistent testimony, focusing solely on the parts that related to the question of whether Medwedrich was the shooter.

Actual, physical evidence did link Medwedrich to the shooting, as well.

The court heard that when he was arrested in Prince George 10 days after the shooting, he had the gun that matched the one used to kill Knatchbell in his possession.

The arrest happened near a mall, after Medwedrich crashed his car into a snow-

bank. A surveillance camera captured him retrieving the .22 caliber Ruger rifle from the trunk of the car after the crash. He was later arrested on foot, after slipping on a snowbank and dropping the weapon.

Evidence from cell phone towers also put Medwedrich at the scene of the shooting.

And a recording was presented in which Medwedrich is heard talking on the phone to an unnamed person on the night of the killing, seeming to admit to shooting Knatchbell.

“I did it and then he crashed into a tree,” Medwedrich is heard saying.

Medwedrich was also heard using “I,” rather than “we,”suggesting he acted alone in the shooting, Jackson said.

Jackson said the evidence also clearly establishes that the murder was premeditated.

The justice said she considered several factors in determining this, including the number of times Knatchbell was shot and how he was shot. Jackson called it a “deliberate execution.”

Overall, Jackson said the evidence portrayed a murder that was “carefully thought out” by Medwedrich.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a hearing on May 15.

Alex Knatchbell, 26, was killed in Langford in 2020. Damien Medwedrich was found guilty of first degree murder on April 19 for shooting Knatchbell. (Photo Courtesy Knatchbell’s Family)

Growth, rising expenses prompt school district to seek budget increase

Details of $221.1M budget reveal strategies to accommodate surge of students

Rick Stiebel News Staff

To meet the needs of a growing student population and rising expenses, the Sooke School District is seeking a larger budget for the upcoming academic year.

Details of the 2024/25 budget were unveiled to the public last week, marking the first occasion for both education board members and the public to thoroughly review and discuss the budget.

The proposed budget stands at $221.1 million, representing an increase from the previous year’s $206 million.

“The meeting was very constructive,” said Harold Cull, the district’s secretary-treasurer. “We had strong participation both at the board office and online. There was productive dialogue among the board, staff, and community, addressing issues in a respectful and positive manner.”

According to a staff report, the district is witnessing rapid growth, with an anticipated surge of 315 full-time students in September. This surge could potentially

raise the total number of students from 12,750 to 13,065, marking a 2.5 per cent increase.

Cull noted that the transition from a predominantly rural district to a more urban one also impacts the amount of funding the district receives from the provincial government.

The Ministry of Education has indicated throughout the budget development process that it is unable to accommodate inflation in the upcoming fiscal year.

Cull

“This has been a consistent practice for several years, which was manageable when inflation rates were around two per cent,” said Cull. “However, with inflation rates now significantly higher, it has become increasingly challenging to mitigate the inflationary impacts on our budget.”

Two primary drivers of inflation for the district are an estimated $1.8 million increase in employee benefits and a $600,000 rise in utility costs, driven by inflation and increased usage due to growth and demand.

To address these inflationary pressures, staff and trustees convened at a resource committee meeting in September. Proposed solutions included raising tuition fees for international students, implementing a five per cent increase in facility rental fees, and introducing a school bus fee of $300 for all riders, affecting approximately 1,200 students and generat-

ing an additional $240,000 in revenue.

The anticipated 5.2 per cent increase in gross revenue is estimated at $8.5 million, with a net revenue

increase of $5.7 million. This results in a reallocation of $2.8 million to address unfunded budget pressures.

Input on addressing the estimated $2.8 million in pressures, representing 1.75 per cent of the operating cost, was sought from various stakeholders, including the Na’tsa’maht Education Council, the Sooke Parents Educational Advisory Council, employee and parent partner groups, the district leadership team, resource committee, and public partner groups through two surveys.

In the previous year, school trustees approved a $206 million budget for 2023-24, representing a $17.5 million increase over the previous budget.

This increase of 9.3 per cent was primarily driven by the hiring of 57 teachers to accommodate the growth in enrolment within the district.

Board chair Amanda Dowhy was unavailable for comment.

Harold

Michelle Cabana – Group Publisher michelle.cabana@blackpress.ca

VIEW

Making communities more family-friendly

For more than half a century, the received wisdom in B.C.’s suburbs has been that families lived in houses.

Condos, rental apartments, even townhouses were seen as unsuitable for raising kids. They were starter homes for young single people, new couples, and for downsized seniors.

Of course, everyone who lives in Greater Victoria knows that rising housing prices have left people with a stark choice – they can figure out how to raise kids in something other than a single-family detached home, or they can not have kids.

It’s never been possible for everyone who wants children to raise them in a house with a backyard. But now that lifestyle is very much the preserve of a financially fortunate minority. Among people in their 20s and early 30s contemplating starting a family, most will not be able to afford a house. This has bigger implications than a need for larger apartment units.

Across Greater Victoria, our communities need public amenities that reflect the reality that thousands of children will grow up in duplexes and fourplexes, in townhouses and apartment buildings.

That means plenty of park space, both playing fields for sports and community parks where kids can swing on some monkey bars. It means safe bike lanes and mandated bike parking. It means it’s more important than ever to have clean, well-lit bus stops for when adolescents are old enough to venture out on public transit by themselves.

It also means that as a community and a region we have to recognize reality – the suburban ideal of two parents, two or three kids, and a grassy backyard is vanishing.

That doesn’t mean a bad life for kids and families. But making a good life for kids and families in an increasingly urban world means a lot of work. Mayors and councils, libraries, sports organizations, provincial agencies, school boards, and families themselves have to work together to build new family-friendly communities.

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OPINION

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Fix to Canada’s housing crisis won’t be found in Sim City

If it wasn’t a situation that was making millions of people anxious and/or poorer, the housing crisis in Canada would be a great example of a situation that creates new problems every time you try to solve it.

Here’s the simplest, most basic way we solve the housing crisis: we build more homes.

But every time we try to do that, we create or discover new obstacles that make it harder to do just that.

For example, over the last couple of years, we’ve built between 240,000 and 270,000 new homes per year in Canada. That’s actually a significant improvement over the level of around 200,000 a year we were stuck at for ages.

• More construction also means more competition for developable land, which also increases in price faster as development speeds up.

• Guess what happens to the price of labour as more carpenters, roofers, electricians, drywallers, plumbers, etc. are needed to build homes?

Unfortunately, Canada isn’t a big game of Sim City. You can’t just move the sliders around. Everything is connected to everything else.

• Building more homes creates more demand for building materials, so the price of lumber and cement and other physical inputs goes up as more builders are competing for supplies.

Governments have been trying to tackle some of these, for example, by opening up more land for higher-density development. And we can, theoretically, train more skilled trades workers. But none of that happens overnight.

Some of the effects of the housing crisis seem to create self-reinforcing loops.

1) Shortage in housing means rent increases very rapidly.

2) Fewer people are willing to move because relocating means a massive rent hike.

3) People who could help build new rental housing don’t relocate, so it’s harder to build new rental housing.

4) Housing shortage gets worse, go back to step 1.

Then there’s Canada’s demographic issues, which you would think would cause a housing price crash – without immigration, the Canadian population would be absolutely flat right now, and aging fast.

But instead, it’s been increasing at the fastest clip since the 1950s.

You can argue about the pace of it, but the economic rationale makes sense – increasing our working-age population will help shore up the general tax base, and also the Canada Pension Plan system, which millions of retiring Baby Boomers are now settling into.

But has Canada prioritized its immigration system for people who can help build homes? Nope!

There are also plenty of reasons why Canadians are having fewer children, and having them later in life, but one of the big ones cited in recent surveys is that finding a home big enough for a family is really, really expensive. What do you do with a problem that seems designed to actively resist being solved? I don’t know, but I sure hope somebody figures it out pretty soon.

Matthew Claxton is a reporter with the Langley Advance Times.

Marek

Sonica Parmar Social Media Coordinator sonica.parmar@ blackpress.ca

Thomas Eley Multimedia Journalist thomas.eley@ blackpress.ca

Jake Romphf Multimedia Journalist jake.romphf@ blackpress.ca

Mark Page Multimedia Journalist mark.page@ blackpress.ca

Matthew Claxton Painful Truth

The proposed playground at Quarry Park with the recycled rubber ramp. The improvements will cost the City of Colwood $330,000.

(Art Submitted/ Robina by Kompan)

Accessibility enhancements to be made at Quarry Park in Colwood

Thomas Eley News Staff

Colwood is planning to install a custom ramped playground and a recycled rubber player surface to make its facilities more inclusive.

To increase accessibility for the proposed playground at Quarry Park, $330,000 worth of improvements will be made.

The custom ramped play feature will cost $190,000 and the recycled rubber play surface will cost $140,000.

According to the City of Colwood documents, improv-

ing accessibility falls outside the developer’s park plans.

Quarry Park will be the second playground offering an accessible and inclusive play area, following the splash park in Colwood Creek Park.

Colwood is considering repurposing discarded tires to promote eco-friendly practices and divert rubber tires from landfills.

Recycled rubber surfaces offer benefits such as impact absorption, slip resistance and durability. They also provide cushioning to protect children from falls.

The playground will feature many accessible options, including a communication wall, a bird’s nest swing, an accessible digger and more.

A report from Colwood said that city staff have been investigating funding options for the added accessibility options, but due to time constraints associated with construction at Quarry Park, a quick decision was needed.

Funding would come from Colwood’s Growing Communities grant reserve of over $5.1 million, reducing the city’s previously allocated resources.

From A1

On top of the initiative started by the middle school, there is also the South Island Youth Cricket League, which is run by Rich Gardner and has clubs in Metchosin, Oak Bay, Peninsula, Victoria, and Cowichan.

Gardner started the South Island Youth Cricket League in 2013 as nothing was available at the time.

There are now teams all over the place, said Gardner, as the league now has around 200 athletes.

Gardner said no fundraising is required, and

the initial fees are $45 for kanga cricket and $90 for hardball.

“So if you want to join a team and play in a league, we offer that.”

According to Roy, there are rumours that another team will join Spencer Middle School.

“I was talking to the athletic director from Bayside Middle School last night. I told him about our club, and now he wants to start one,” said Roy.

Once students leave Spencer Middle School, they will be able to play for a variety of cricket clubs in Greater Victoria.

Coming Jesse Roper release is a love song for Metchosin

Christine van Reeuwyk News Staff

Knee deep in touring, Jesse Roper celebrates a few days at home in Metchosin.

Between U.S. gigs, the singer-songwriter spends time checking out the garden, wrestling with the neighbour kids, and discovering his parents’ place is his favourite new coffee shop. After a few days on home turf, Roper heads out again to take the stage in Charleston, South Caroline on April 30, followed by shows in

in Atlanta, Nashville, Asheville, Washington DC, Philadelphia and New York through May 12. Find the full tour online at jesseroper.ca.

In the middle of the latest tour leg, the singer – affectionately dubbed The Metchosin One – also plans to release a new song on May 2.

Based on true events, “it’s all about living in Metchosin,” he told the Goldstream Gazette Thursday (April 25), while home for a handful of days.

“I was just sitting in the sun and reflecting on how stoked I was to be born there and continue

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to live there. I was in a great mood and I just started singing this song to myself,” Roper said. He hopes people take away the same vibe he does.

Busy jumping from tour to tour, across Europe, the U.S. and even locally the last couple years, Roper is confirmed for at least one Vancouver Island gig so far this summer – at Laketown Shakedown June 28 to 30 in Youbou.

In the meantime, other new music could come in the form of covers, with Roper throwing out a social media callout for ideas to record and share with fans, even if just as a reprieve from being online all the time.

“When I come home from these trips, I sign off from social media and it doesn’t work to my advantage,” he said.

Roper was surprised at the response, noting a post could get five or 300 responses.

“Sometimes I underestimate how many people are looking,” he said with a laugh. “It was like ‘oh O.K., folks are paying attention and they want covers’.”

A theme appeared, with common responses including “no need to do covers” followed by ideas.

Creedence Clearwater Revival appears in several suggestions so far. Others include Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Van Morrison, Audio Slave and Steely Dan. Ideas with a twist include a popular pop song in Jesse Roper style, or revamp of a Roper original.

“I get all kinds of contradictory advice and

that post was kind of a decent example of it,” he said with a laugh.

Known as a storyteller online and in his music, Roper figures covers are another cool and a fun way to explore music and engage with fans.

Fully intending to take some time away from songwriting, a near-constant pastime, Roper must have been inspired by his return home, happily enjoying rainy days on the West Shore. “In the last three days, I finally started picking up on some stuff I really love,” he said. “I’ve got some cool (stuff) actually that I wrote recently, more storytelling stuff.”

Living on a shoestring, Jesse Roper flogs merchandise in Germany during his recent gig-hopping schedule around the world. (Courtesy Jesse Roper)

The City of Langford launched a fact-checking website to provide ease of access to factual information for residents and business owners on Thursday, April 15. (City of Langford)

City of Langford launches factchecking website for residents

The City of Langford is launching a fact-checking page to provide ease of access to factual information for residents, businesses and those with interest in city business.

On Thursday, April 25, LetsChatLangford.ca was launched, a project that seeks to increase transparency, correct or clarify misinformation or disinformation, provide helpful facts, and ensure accurate background information is available on some of the most widely discussed topics that are important to Langford residents.

“In today’s world, information on almost any subject is easily available from a variety of sources. Whether fact, fiction, opinion-based, or somewhere in-between, information travels quickly and at times can be contradictory,

confusing, and often overwhelming,” noted a news release from the city.

“The city fact check page sets out to provide quick access to factual information in one place. Posts will include links to Council meeting recordings, and staff reports to ensure ease of access to Council discussions, process, and decisions.”

The city says they plan to post about select topics based on widely discussed information that is not accurate and is causing public confusion.

Cities including Prince George and Kelowna have launched similar initiatives to help ensure that the correct information is shared with residents.

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Langford-Juan de Fuca

MLA Ravi Parmar plans to run in the new riding of Langford-Highlands in the next provincial election. (Black Press Media file photo)

MLA Ravi Parmar to run for second term in new riding of Langford-Highlands

Kevin Laird News Staff

Langford-Juan de Fuca NDP MLA Ravi Parmar plans to run in the new Langford-Highlands provincial electoral district in the next B.C. election.

Parmar is completing the required paperwork for the nomination after receiving approval from Premier David Eby.

“It has been an absolute privilege to serve our community as MLA,” said Parmar, who was elected MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca in a byelection in 2023.

“It was a very challenging decision because I love this entire community (from Langford to Port Renfrew).”

Langford-Juan de Fuca will cease to exist in the next election, the result of redistribution by the B.C. Electoral Boundary Commission that created two new ridings in the fast-growing region where there was previously one.

Langford-Highlands includes most of Langford and the Highlands, while the new Juan de Fuca riding spans from Metchosin to Port Renfrew and includes the Malahat and parts of the Cowichan Valley.

“Like any other person, I have to go through the nomination process, so I’m submitting my complete package to the party with the inten-

tion to run for a second term,” Parmar said.

Parmar said the new Langford riding was a natural place for him to run for re-election: his home is in Langford and he’s lived in the community for more than 25 years.

“Living in Langford, my heart is in Langford,” Parmar said, adding he’s always had a special connection with Sooke especially with his ties to the local school district.

Parmar served as a Sooke school board trustee from 2014 and as board chair from 2017. Prior to his election, he also served as a ministerial advisor and chief of staff to various provincial ministers.

In 2023, Parmar won Langford-Juan de Fuca with a margin of 4,577 votes, outpointing Conservative challenger Mike Harris 7,279 to 2,702 in the race to succeed incumbent MLA and former premier John Horgan.

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Green Team busy at work in Colwood over Earth Day weekend

Efforts included invasive species removal at Murray’s Pond Park and planting at Colwood Creek Park

Mark Page News Staff

It was a busy Earth Day weekend in Colwood for the Greater Victoria Green Team.

Following two days of invasive species removal work involving more than two dozen volunteers, the Green Team was presented with an environmental stewardship award by the Citizen’s Environment Network in Colwood.

The work began on Saturday (April 20) at Murray’s Pond Park, where the Green Team worked with 26 community members to remove 11.5 cubic metres of Himalayan blackberry and Scotch broom — enough to fill 72 bathtubs. This revitalized an area of about 280 square metres, according

to a news release from the group.

This was sponsored by local developer Gablecraft Homes, and the City of Colwood provided ecological expertise to guide the work.

The next day, the Green Team hit the Colwood Creek Park, focusing on an area the group has worked on in the past to remove Himalayan blackberry.

There was some more of that work to do, but it was also time to plant native species in the cleared areas.

Red alder, snowberry, salmonberry, Oregon grape, red

osier dogwood and flowering red current are some of the 170 native trees and shrubs planted that day.

The Green Team has been working with Colwood for 11 years, and work has included 20 habitat restoration activities.

This coming weekend the Green Team has a litter cleanup planned in downtown Langford on Saturday (April 27) and invasive species removal at the University of Victoria on Sunday.

Event details for those who want to participate can be found at meetup.com.

The Greater Victoria Green Team at work in Colwood over the Earth Day weekend. (Photo courtesy Greater Victoria Green Team)

Royal Bay students set to take audiences on a fantastic journey

Jordy Cunningham Black Press Media

A special production by the theatre depart-

ment at Royal Bay High school is primed to take audiences on a magical journey to the land of Narnia.

“The Magician’s Nephew is a prequel story to C.S. Lewis’ beloved tale, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, originally published as the sixth story in the Chronicles of Narnia books,” said Mellissa

Young, Theatre Director for Royal Bay Secondary School.

“It’s not an original story, but I’ve adapted

CITYOFCOLWOOD

it for the production, so it’s original in that regard.”

“We’ve written it as a musical, with song

and dance as an important part of the story.”

The show is a special project of the the-

NOTICEOFELECTORALTERNATIVEAPPROVALPROCESS

Councilisconsideringtheadoptionofthe “PublicWorksOperationsFacilityLoanAuthorizationBylawNo.2020,2024”.Ifyouobjecttothisbylaw,please completeandsubmitanElectorResponseForm.

BYLAW 2020

PROJECT: Public Works OperationsFacility

TOTALPROJECTCOST:$9,287,300

Thepurposeofthe“PublicWorksOperationsFacilityLoanAuthorization BylawNo.2020,2024”isto borrowanamountnottoexceed$8,397,400 tofinancethecostofconstructionofaPublicWorksOperations Facility.The firstphasedescribedintheplaninvolvestheconstructionof adedicated publicworksoperationsfacility.Thisfacilitywouldbebuilttopost-disaster standardstosupportanemergencyoperationscentre.

TERM: Theborrowingamountwillberepaidoveraperiodnotexceeding thirty30years.

FINANCIALIMPACT: $533,600annualdebtservicing.

Pursuanttosection86ofthe CommunityCharter, the CityofColwood Council may adopt the LoanAuthorizationBylawif,afterthedeadline,less than10%oftheelectorsintheCityofColwoodhavesignedand submitted ElectorResponseForms.If,afterthedeadlineof MONDAY,JUNE24,2024at 4:30pmatleast1,613electors(10%of16,128) havesignedandsubmitted ElectorResponseForms, theCity of ColwoodCouncilmaynotadoptthe Bylawunlessitreceivesassent of theelectorsbyvoting(referendum).

ThisalternativeapprovalprocessappliestoallresidentsoftheCityof Colwoodwhoqualifytovote,andresponsesmustbe givenviathe Elector ResponseForm whichhasbeenestablishedbyCouncilforthisalternative approvalprocess.

FormsareavailabletothepublicatColwoodCityHall(3300Wishart Road)oronlineat www.colwood.ca/AAP.Qualifiedelectorssigninga responseforminoppositiontotheseBylawsmustmeetalloftheeligible elector requirementsonthedayinwhichthe ElectorResponseForm is signed.

•NOTINFAVOUR? IfyouobjecttothebylawpleasecompleteandsubmitanElectorResponseFormasstatedbelow.

•INFAVOUR? Noactionisrequired.

RECEIPTANDDEADLINEOFELECTORRESPONSEFORMS

Signed ElectorResponseForms andthe Non-ResidentElectorConsentFormsMUST bereceivedbytheCorporateOfficeratColwoodCityHall3300 WishartRoad,ColwoodBCV9C1R1 before4:30pmonMonday,June24,2024, inordertobecounted.Forms MUST besubmittedasfollows:

INPERSONATCITYHALL:

•InpersontoCorporateServicesduringregularbusinesshours betweenthehours of 8:30am–4:30pmMondaythrough Friday,excludingstatutoryholidays.

•Inthedropboxoutsidethemaindoorsafterbusinesshours.

BYMAIL:

TotheattentionoftheCorporateOfficerat: CityofColwood 3300WishartRoad ColwoodBCV9C1R1

ELIGIBLEELECTORS

OnlyelectorsoftheCityofColwoodareeligibletosignthe ElectorResponseForms. Whensigningan ElectorResponseForm duringanAlternative ApprovalProcess,theelectorsmustmeetthefollowingrequirements:

Allelectorsmust:

•be18years of age or older

•beaCanadiancitizen

•bearesidentofBritishColumbiaforatleast6months

•notbedisqualifiedundertheLocalGovernmentAct or anyother enactmentfrom votinginanelectionorassentvotingandnot otherwisedisqualifiedbylaw

Residentelectorsmust:

•bearesidentoftheCityofColwood

•providetheirnameandaddresswhensigningthe ElectorResponse Form

Non-residentpropertyelectorsmust:

•notbeentitledtoregisterasaColwoodresidentelector

•betheregisteredownerofpropertyinColwoodforatleast30 days

•providewrittenconsentofthemajority of theowners,usingthe Non-ResidentElectorConsentForm,foronlyoneregistered owner ofthe propertytosign the ElectorResponseForm

•providetheirnameandtheaddress of thepropertyinrelationto whichtheyareentitledtoregisterasanon-residentpropertyelector

Propertyownedinwholeorinpartbyacorporationdoesnotqualify underthenon-residentpropertyelectorprovisions.

FURTHERINFORMATION

Learnmore about the Alternative ApprovalProcessfor Bylaw 2020 at www.colwood.ca/AAP or inpersonatColwoodCityHallduringregularbusiness hours. Contacts:

•FormoreinformationregardingtheprocesscontactMarcyLalande,CorporateOfficeratemail mlalande@colwood.ca or250-294-8141.

•Toobtainan ElectorResponseForm email corporateservices@colwood.ca orcall250-294-8157.

atre department and boasts a completely original musical score.

“The students have had the opportunity to work with a professional composer, Antony Knight, who has produced all the music for the show,” said Young.

The story, set in London, tells the story of a young boy’s fantastic quest to find a cure that will save his mother’s life.

It traverses a series of “worlds” and the hero of the tale, Digory, is accompanied by his friend Polly. Together, they eventually travel to the land of Narnia by way of a series of magic portals.

Upon arriving in Narnia, the pair is confronted by an ongoing conflict between the evil Queen Jadis and Aslan, the hero of future Narnia tales. Digory is forced to choose sides between the forces of good and evil.

It’s a classic fantasy scenario brought to life with the use of contemporary song and dance – a lively, spirited approach for all ages.

“We have about 60 students involved –about 50 in the cast, and they’ve all been working very hard since September to bring the story to life,” said Young.

The show runs nightly from Wed. May 8 to Fri., May 10 and ends its run on Sat. May 11 with a 2 pm matinee. The performances will take place at the Teechamitsa Theatre at Royal Bay Secondary, located at 3500 Ryder Hesjedal Way. Tickets are still available ($17 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $7 for students) at SchoolCashOnline. com.

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Black Angus AAA Top Sirloin Grilling Steak or Roast, Canadian, 19.84/kg

Obtaining ID in Greater Victoria made easier

Thomas Eley News Staff

The Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria (CSPC) is receiving a $35,000 grant to support the operations of the Greater Victoria Identification Service.

United Way Southern Vancouver Island (UWSVI) is providing the grant.

The funds will help the CSPC run weekly drop-in clinics, where people can be assisted in receiving, accessing, and paying fees to obtain ID. Partnering with United Way allows CSCP to connect with people around Greater Victoria and provide ID services that will benefit residents’ well-being, said Shelly Cook, Executive

Director of CSPC.

CSPC ID services offer client-centred, trauma-informed assistance in obtaining identification. CSPC covers the costs, provides a secure mailing address, and accompanies clients to ICBC appointments.

The lack of ID can be a substantial barrier to accessing social, financial, health, housing, and employment services, according to CSPC, while Obtaining ID can be overwhelming for marginalized populations and can lead to discrimination and increased stigma.

CSPC was founded in 1936 as a non-profit charitable social planning organization that provides evidence-based information to address social issues.

Victoria man’s injuries from arrest doesn’t meet serious harm criteria: IIO

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C (IIO) has concluded their investigation of a 2020 arrest in which a man sustained injuries.

Around 10 p.m. on Sept. 26, 2020, a man was arrested by members of the Victoria Police Department in the hallway of his Blanshard Street apartment building. After the arrest, the man reported that he attended

the hospital after sustained serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

The provincial police watchdog, was notified by the man in November 2023 and opened an investigation, which was concluded on April 24, 2024.

“Initial investigative steps sought to confirm the extent of the man’s injury. It was later determined the injury did not

meet the threshold of serious harm, as defined by the Police Act,”noted a news release from the IIO.

According to the Police Act, serious harm is defined as an injury that may result in death, may cause serious disfigurement, or may cause substantial loss or impairment of mobility of the body as a whole or of the function of any limb or organ. HouseCleaning,DeepCleaning

778-404-7670

MEETING: RegularMeetingofCouncil

DATEandTIME:Monday,May13,2024,6:30pm

PLACE:CouncilChambers,3300WishartRoad,Colwood BC

NOTICE ISGIVENthat CounciloftheCityof Colwood will consider First,SecondandThird Reading on Monday,May 13, 2024,at 6:30pm in relation to theproposed“Colwood LandUse Bylaw No 151,1989, AmendmentNo. 210 (CD41-2346 Sooke),BylawNo. 2018, 2024”

PURPOSE: Thisapplicationproposesarezoning fromR1 toa new Comprehensive Development Zone(CD41) to enable a six-storey apartment building

SUBJECT PROPERTY: This Bylaw appliesto the landslegallydescribedas“LOT 3,SECTION 68, ESQUIMALT LAND DISTRICT, PLAN VIP21735” (2346SOOKE RD)

INSPECTIONOF MATERIALS: Copiesof the proposedbylaw and relatedmaterials canbe viewed atwww.colwood.ca/publicnotices

Wewanttohearfromyou! WRITE TO US

The deadlineforwrittensubmissions is12:00 pm onthe day ofthe meeting and must includeyour nameand civic address

• Email corporateservices@colwood.ca

• Mail/Drop-off:CityofColwood,3300 Wishart Road,Colwood,BCV9C 1R1

NEEDMOREINFORMATION?

SPEAK TOCOUNCIL

In Person: Thepublic iswelcome to provide commentsinpersonduringthepublic participationportion of themeeting

Electronically: To pre-register to speakplease contact corporateservices@colwood.ca up until noon on thedayof themeeting

ContactDevelopment Services at (250)294-8153or planning@colwood.ca.

United Way Southern Vancouver Island is giving a $35K grant to Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

TOWNOFVIEW ROYAL

45ViewRoyalAve,TownHall

Pleasenotethefollowingmeetingdates:

Tuesday,May7,2024

Councilmeeting@7:00p.m.

Tuesday,May14,2024

CommitteeoftheWholemeeting

Afternoonsession@3:30p.m.

Eveningsession@7:00p.m.

Tuesday,May21,2024

Councilmeeting@7:00p.m.

Thesemeetingswillbelivewebcastandduringthelivewebcasttherewill beanopportunitytointeractwithCounciloverthephone.Forfurther informationonhowtoparticipateintheTown’slivewebcast,please visit theTown’swebsiteat https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/town/agendasminutes-videos/live-webcast-meeting.html.

IfyouwouldliketoprovideyourcommentsinwritingtoCouncil,pleaseeither submityourcommentstotheTownviaemailtoinfo@viewroyal.ca;drop themoffattheTownHall;orputthemintheTown’smaildropbox(located totheleftofthemaindoorsatTownHall)by1:00p.m.ontheTuesdayofthe meetingforinclusioninthatagenda.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecontacttheAdministrationDepartmentat 250-479-6800.

Agendasareavailableonourwebsitethe Fridayafternoonpriortothemeeting.

Formoreinformationtelephone:250-479-6800

Website:www.viewroyal.ca

Email:info@viewroyal.ca

Youth Week should be celebrated

all around Greater Victoria

Slap some sequins on that old swimsuit of yours and get your groove on at the After Hours Disco Swim!

Yes, the rumours are true: Youth Week is happening in Colwood. From May 1 to 7, Youth Week events across the province will be held, all organized by youth, for youth. These events include everything from ice cream bars to disco swims to advocacy campaigns, all geared towards young people in our communities. Youth Week has been going on for more than 20 years in B.C. And it’s always had a simple goal: to lift up youth, to recognize our contributions, and to foster a connection between us and our communities. All in all, it’s a truly excellent program, and one which seems perfect for me and my friends to take full advantage of.

There’s only one problem: before being asked to write about it, I had never heard of Youth Week, and neither had many of my friends. Unfortunately, Youth Week is only being really celebrated in a select few municipalities on the Island, such as Courtenay and Comox. There are some great Youth Week celebrations in Colwood, but nothing in Langford, Metchosin, View Royal, or the Highlands.

I am disappointed by how little the city is

problems and violence among youth, and this program could go a long way to remedy these issues. Colwood has, however, been admirable in this respect. The city is working very hard to lift up and engage young people, and it shows. I will be at as many events as I can because they’re a great way to spend some time with other young people in my community. Plus, they’re just a really enjoyable way to hang out with my friends.

As young people, we are highly influential in our communities and beyond. We are future voters and policy-makers and CEOs. Our voices matter, and that is why it is important we have opportunities like Youth Week. Inspiring youth today will build a better tomorrow.

The bottom line is, young people need more opportunities like Youth Week to grow and thrive. I strongly encourage every young person reading this to go to any Youth Week celebrations that they can. You may be inspired, you may be uplifted, but you will certainly have a good time.

To get more information on Colwood’s great Youth Week events, visit https://www.colwood. ca/discover-colwood/faces-places/bc-youthweek-may-1-7

Gabriel Mackintosh Student Voice

(Gabriel Mackintosh/Contributed)

The Princess Royal has full schedule during 3-day trip to Greater Victoria

A 21-gun salute is among the honours expected as Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, make a special visit to B.C. from May 3-5.

Appointed honourary commodore-in-chief of the Canadian Fleet Pacific in 2015, the visit by Her Royal Highness is hosted by the Royal Canadian Navy.

Princess Anne, sister to King Charles, is expected to participate in various community events with local organizations.

She will attend the commissioning ceremony for His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Max Bernays and sail overnight in the ship to Esquimalt. When HMCS Max Bernays enters Esquimalt Harbour, the Princess Royal will receive a 21-gun salute from the Black Rock naval battery.

She’ll also visit the Military Family Resource Centre to meet with staff, board members and service members and their families, as well as pay respects and lay a wreath at the God’s Acre Veteran’s Cemetery in Esquimalt.

The Princess Royal will visit the FED Urban Agriculture project to learn about local sustainable food practices, attend the Battle of the Atlantic Commemorative Service at the B.C. Legislature and lay a wreath, present prizes at the Spring Dinghies Regatta at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club in Oak Bay, and meet with Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin as well as various provincial community leaders.

Known dates include a May 4, visit to the Maritime Mu-

seum of BC Collection and Archives in Victoria where her father, the late Prince Phillip had a hand in securing items from Greenwich Museum for the original local naval museum.

The next day, Princess Anne is expected to visit the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association facility in Central Saanich where the association will share highlights of their programs, and riders will demonstrate how the VTRA has supported them.

Princess Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth, will be visiting the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association on May 5. (Yui Mok/Pool Photo via AP)

We’reproudtopartnerwiththeRoyalBankofCanadainofferingtheRBCGreenHomeMortgage. Extending theamortizationperiodto35-yearsgivesyoulowermonthlypaymentsandmorebuying power ScantheQRcodeformoreinformationonadditionalbenefits G

Victoria transit system completes

technology upgrade

The Victoria Regional Transit System has successfully rolled out a new technology that will improve predictability for passengers on April 25.

The New Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) hardware will allow Victoria transit customers to see the real-time location of their bus along a route and the estimated time of arrival at a bus stop. It replaces the NextRide technology. In a collaborative effort, the project’s costs were shared with the Government of Canada contributing 50 per cent, the Province of B.C. donating 40 per cent, and the local government contributing 10 per cent.

The NextRide technology replacement was funded through the Invest in Canada Infrastructure Program. In total, the cost of the program was 16.8 million

The technology allows BC Transit to inform customers about detours, on-road incidents, or other events that may cause delays in regular bus routes.

Victoria Regional Transit System Passengers also benefit from new digital full-colour passenger information displays on full-size and double-decker buses. The screens will display trip information to passengers, including multiple upcoming stops, current routes, and service alerts.

For more information, visit: https://www. bctransit.com/victoria/home

Thomas Eley News Staff

Don’t just scroll through life

Dive into your community’s untold stories Because every neighbourhood has a story

Pets get access to outdoor decks on more

Jessica R. Durling Black Press Media

Families travelling on B.C.’s coast will now have extra room to travel with their fur-babies, with an addition of upper deck pet-friendly areas on the Queen of Surrey and the Queen of Coquitlam ferries.

BC Ferries requires all non-service dogs and cats to stay in designated pet areas or in vehicles, limiting the number of decks travellers can visit with their pets.

Outer deck areas were first made accessible to travellers’ furry companions in 2022 on the Earls Cove-Saltery Bay route, then some of the vessels on the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay and Powell River-Comox routes in 2023.

“The indoor pet areas vary in size from vessel to vessel since some of our vessels are quite large now and have multiple pet areas and some have smaller pet areas,” said Colin Zak, a spokesperson for BC Ferries. “On the new upper deck areas you’re looking at about 2,000 [square] feet.”

He said public engagement feedback from those trips was “overwhelmingly positive.” On average, 92.5 per cent of respondents were in favour of expanding the pet areas to the outer decks of other ferries. In addition, the number of passengers travelling on BC Ferries with pets nearly doubled, from 5.5 per cent in 2018 to 9.9 per cent.

“We did quite a bit of consultation, not only incorporating the extensive feedback we got from customers, but we also worked with the SPCA as well … and they helped us develop a staff training video for our people,” Zak said.

Despite the new addition, dogs still are required to be kept on a one-metre leash and cats must stay in a travel carrier while on the outer decks.

Leon Davis, senior manager with Vancouver Island and Coastal B.C. SPCA, said he was thrilled to hear of the change, calling it a “big improvement.”

“This is going to increase the welfare and enrichment of not only animals that get to benefit from this, but the people as well. What

Victoria resident wins grand prize in BC Children’s Hospital Choice Lottery

A. Naylor of Victoria is the grand prize winner of the 2024 BC Children’s Hospital Choices Lottery.

Naylor will get to choose from one of nine houses, with the options in Sooke, Big White, Kelowna, Burnaby, Kelowna, Vancouver (Oakridge), Vancouver (Queen Elizabeth Park), South Surrey, Langley, or $2.3 million in cash. They weren’t the only person on the island to win a prize. R. Zala of Victoria won the early bird ticket worth over $290,000 while Cumberland resident F. Yates won the 50/50 jackpot worth $1,226,220. This 1,005-square-foot, two bedroom, two bathroom home in Sooke is one of the grand prizes options in the B.C. Children’s Hospital lottery that the Victoria resident will get to choose from. The prize package includes a boat, car, plus $1-million in cash. (Photos by Lauren Kief Photography)

a better experience to be able to travel with your pet and experience some time outside?” he asked.

Davis said leaving pets that have seperation anxiety locked in a vehicle during a long ride can be difficult on them.

“This way they get to be outside in the fresh air, stretching their legs with their owners. It’s a much more enriching experience and less fearful, I would think, for animals who get

Ferries

anxious while travelling,” he said.

Guests can find the pet-friendly areas by following a designated stairwell, marked with paw prints, or using a designated elevator for those with accessibility needs.

Zak said the outdoor decks will be open to pets year-round.

Water bowls and waste bags will be provided, and BC Ferries said the area is cleaned regularly.

•SidneyNorthSaanichYachtClub’sSummerSailingSchooloffersCanSailcourses foralllevelsofsailors,age7to18yearsinclusive.

•CanSailtrainedinstructorsteachboththeoryandon-the-waterskillsinafun, positiveatmosphere.

•JuniorRaceTeam,AdultDinghyLessons,RacingandPrivateSailingLessons

•Registrationdetails: www.snsyc.ca (schoolprograms/coursesandfees)

Formoreinformationpleasecontact:manager@snsyc.caor250-656-4600

NOTICEOF DISPOSITION

Pursuantto section26ofthe CommunityCharter, the CityofLangford gives notice of itsintentiontoextendtheexistingleaseof BladzSkateShop ofUnit103-1089 LangfordParkwayandaportionofUnit102-1089LangfordParkway,Langford, V9B0A5,measuringapproximately874squarefeetintotal.Theleasewillbe extendedforafurthertwo-yeartermonthesametermsandconditionswiththe Cityreceiving$1,758.93monthly.

ThedispositionswillbeconsideredbytheCounciloftheCity ofLangfordatits regularmeetingatCityHall,3rdFloor,877GoldstreamAvenue, May6th,2024, at7pm.Personswhoconsidertheyareaffectedbythedispositions willbeprovided anopportunitytomakerepresentationstoCouncilatthemeeting, or bydelivering awrittensubmissiontotheCorporateOfficerby3pmonthatdate

MarieWatmough CorporateOfficer

NoticeofPublicHearingBeingWaived

NOTICE isherebygiventhatpursuanttoSection464(2)ofthe LocalGovernmentAct,theCouncil oftheCityofLangfordhaswaivedtheholdingofaPublicHearingforBylawNo.2166beingthe proposedBylawtoamendZoningBylawNo.300fortheCityofLangford.

Proposal:ThepurposeofBylawNo.2166istoamendtheCityofLangfordZoning BylawNo.300byamendingthezoneofthesubjectpropertiesfrom One-andTwo-FamilyResidential(R2)andDistrictCommercial(C3)to CityCentrePedestrian(CCP)toallowahotel.

Location824,832,838GoldstreamAvenueasshownshadedontheplanbelow.

BylawNo.2166

MeetingDateandTime May6,2024,7:00pm

MeetingPlaceCityHallCouncilChambers,ThirdFloor,877GoldstreamAvenue

Consideration: Councilwillconsiderfirst,second,andthirdreadingsatthis CouncilMeeting

PLEASENOTE:Thismeetingwillbeheldelectronicallyandinpersonattheaboveaddress. Informationabouthowtoconnecttothismeetingisindicatedinthetablebelow.

Teleconference#1-855-703-8985(CanadaTollFree)OR1-778-907-2071(longdistancechargesmayapply) MeetingID#89709567061– orZoomapponyourmobiledevice.

www.Zoom.us http://Zoom.us/

Councilwillnotanswerquestionsabouttheproposalorproposedbylawexcepttoprovide clarification.PleasehaveallyourquestionsansweredinadvanceofCouncilMeetingby contactingthePlanningDepartmentasnotedbelow.

TheAgenda,includingmaterialthatCouncilmayconsiderinrelationtothebylaw,willbe postedtotheCity’swebsite:https://www.langford.ca/city-hall/agendas-and-minutes/nolater thantheFridaybeforetheCouncilMeeting.Correspondencemaybesubmittedbyemailing planning@langford.caorbywritingtoLangfordCityHall,2ndFloor,877GoldstreamAvenue, Langford,BC,V9B2X8.YoumayalsocontactthePlanningDepartmentat(250)478.7882.

MarieWatmough CorporateOfficer

Whale watchers document first baby humpback of the year

Hundreds of humpback whales are expected to feed in the area through fall

The first humpback baby of the year is making waves in the Salish Sea.

The first calf of 2024 – likely three- to fourmonths old – and its mother, BCX1460 or Black Pearl, were first spotted in Haro Strait on April 18 by Pacific Whale Watch Association member company Eagle Wing Tours of Victoria.

The pair has been seen several times since in area waters.

“It’s always fun to see which mom and calf will make it back first,” PWWA executive director Erin Gless said in a news release. “Black Pearl tends to spend her summers near north Vancouver Island. This year we were lucky enough to spot her in the Salish Sea.”

Humpback calves are born near Hawaii, Mexico and Central America and then travel thousands of miles with their mothers to cooler feeding grounds, such as the Salish Sea. Black Pearl is known to migrate to the Hawaiian Islands in winter, and has been photographed several times off the coast of Maui. She has given birth to at least three previous calves

including the most recent, a male born in 2022 nicknamed Kraken.

Another celebrity, BCY0324 known as Big Mama, is among a handful of others also documented by local whale watchers recently. True to her nickname, she’s given birth to seven calves including her first, Divot in 2003, and the most recent Moresby in 2022. Big Mama’s offspring are also prolific, providing her with at least six grandcalves and two great-grandcalves so far, according to the PWWA. She also travels to the Hawaiian Islands during the winter. In the coming weeks, many more humpback whales are expected to return and feed on small fish and crustaceans through the fall. Industrialized whaling removed humpback whales from the Salish Sea by the early 1900s. In all, more than 30,000 humpback whales were killed in the North Pacific during the whaling era, and some scientists estimate as few as 1,000 individuals remained by the time B.C.’s last whaling station closed in 1967. Those numbers are rebounding. A jump in documented humpback whales in the waters off B.C. in 2022 marked what’s being called a “humpback comeback” by those in the businesses of preservation.

Nearly 400 humpbacks were documented in the Salish Sea this year. The 396 individuals documented include 34 mothers and their first-year calves.

NOTICEOFPROCEDUREBYLAWAMENDMENTS

TheCity of Langford willconsiderfirst,secondandthirdreadingsof“Council ProcedureBylaw,AmendmentNo.3,BylawNo.2175,2024,”attheCouncilmeeting Monday,May6,2024, at7:00pm.Thepurpose of theseamendmentsistoupdate theparametersfor signs,updatepublicparticipation,clarifypublicparticipation guidelines,andotherminorhousekeepingamendments.Please contactMarie Watmough,Director ofLegislativeandProtectiveServices,at(250)478-7882 with anyquestions on thisBylaw.

MarieWatmough CorporateOfficer

Black Pearl and her 2024 calf. (Clint William/Eagle Wing Tours/PWWA )

Marine plankton could act as alert in mass extinction event: UVic researcher

A University of Victoria micropaleontologist found that marine plankton may act as an early alert system before a mass extinction occurs.

With help from collaborators at the University of Bristol and Harvard, Andy Fraass’ newest paper in the Nature journal shows that after an analysis of fossil records showed that plankton community structures change before a mass extinction event.

“One of the major findings of the paper was

how communities respond to climate events in the past depends on the previous climate,” Fraass said in a news release. “That means that we need to spend a lot more effort understanding recent communities, prior to industrialization. We need to work out what community structure looked like before human-caused climate change, and what has happened since, to do a better job at predicting what will happen in the future.”

“Neurolenseshavechangedmylife! Isufferfrommajorheadachesand wheneverIfeelonecoming,orhaveone. Imakesuretowearthem.Mysymptoms decreasetremendouslyandmyeyesfeel morerelaxedthroughouttheday.”

According to the release, the fossil record is the most complete and extensive archive of biological changes available to science and by applying advanced computational analyses to the archive, researchers were able to detail the global community structure of the oceans dating back millions of years.

A key finding of the study was that during the “early eocene climatic optimum,” a geological era with sustained high global temperatures equivalent to today’s worst case global warming

scenarios, marine plankton communities moved to higher latitudes and only the most specialized plankton remained near the equator, suggesting that the tropical temperatures prevented higher amounts of biodiversity.

“Considering that three billion people live in the tropics, the lack of biodiversity at higher temperatures is not great news,”paper co-leader Adam Woodhouse said in the release.

Next, the team plans to apply similar research methods to other marine plankton groups.

NoticeofIntentiontoConsider IssuanceofaTemporaryUsePermit

CouncilfortheCityofLangfordherebygivesNoticeofIntentiontoconsiderissuanceofaTemporary UsePermitatitsRegularMeetingscheduledfor6May2024,at7pm.Thismeetingisbeingheld electronicallyandwithin-personattendance.

FileTemporaryUsePermitNo.TUP21-0003

PurposeThepurposeoftheproposedTemporaryUsePermitistoextendthecurrent TemporaryUsePermitforafurtherthree-yearperiodtoallowforcommercial andtourism-basedusestocontinueonlandleasedalongStationAvenue betweenJacklinRoadandVeteransMemorialParkway.

ApplicantCityofLangford LocationIslandCorridorFoundationpropertyonStationAvenue,asshownshadedon themapbelow.

ThepurposeofthisNoticeistoacquaintthepropertyownersandresidentsintheareawiththe specificsoftheproposedtemporaryusepermit.ShouldyouwishtomakeasubmissiontotheCouncil inwritingwerequireyournameandcivicaddressandthatthisbereceived,eitherelectronicallyorby mail,bynoonontheTuesdaypriortothemeetingdatetobeincludedintheagenda.Correspondence receivedafterthatdatewillbecirculatedtotheCouncilthedayofthemeetinganduploadedtothe websiteasan“AddendumPackage”thedayafterthemeeting.YoumayalsospeakattheCouncil Meetingduringthe PublicParticipation Sectionofthemeeting.

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A University of Victoria researcher found that plankton behavior changes before a mass extinction event, which could give insights to how climate change effects the ecosystem. (University of Victoria)

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Earth Day awards handed out at Colwood Creek Park

Thomas Eley News Staff

Colwoods Park manager Gord Beauvillier, the Pilgrim Cafe and the Victoria Green Team received Earth Day awards at Colwood Creek Park on April 22.

The Citizens Environment Network in Colwood (CENiC) presented the awards on climate action and environmental sustainability. This is the third time the group has handed out awards.

Beauvillier was handed the individual environmental stewardship award due to his work and management of the parks in Colwood, said Carol Brown, CENiC awards chair.

“He provides leadership and support for local volunteer groups such as the Victoria Green Team,” Brown said.

Beauvillier was also given a dogwood tree to plant in Colwood Creek Park.

John and Jan Krottner of Pilgram Cafe were handed the best business award by CENiC, for using china dishes instead of disposable ones and creating a welcoming environment for patrons.

“We especially like the makeover as it has made the cafe bright and spacious,” Brown said.

The Victoria Green Team was given the organization CENiC award with Severine Tyszewicz accepting the award.

Tyszewicz said the Victoria Green Team had been working at Colwood Creek Park to remove the blackberry bushes that were obscuring the creek’s view.

“You couldn’t even see the creek at all,” Tyszewicz said.

City of Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi attended the event and said that the work that Brown and the group at CENiC serve as a major

motivator for the community.

“Climate change is a problem, and we all need to take action,”Kobayashi said.

Brown said she was very thankful for the support from the Colwood community and that people were willing to work hard to protect the environment.

“We appreciate that people in our community are willing to step forward,” Brown said.

WARE-HOUSELIENACT, WESTSHORETOWINGLTD WILLSELLTHEFOLLOWING:

2011FordFiesta

VIN#3FADP4BJ7BM237651

RegisteredtoPaulinaDavidson

2016BMWI8

VIN#WBY2Z2C53GV676262

RegisteredtoArashZiaee& TheBankofNovaScotia 2008Mazda3

VIN#JM1BK32F581132246

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2010DodgeCaravanSilver VIN#2D4RN4DE0AR291745

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2002DodgeDakotaBlue VIN#1B7GL42X32S519624

UnknownOwner

Thesalewilltakeplaceat1247 ParkdaleDr,Victoria,B.C.on May15,2024@11amForoffers andinfocall 250-474-1369

Severine Tyszewicz of the Victoria Green Team accepts the CENiC environmental stewardship award from Carol Brown at Colwood Creek Park. (New Staff/ Thomas Eley)

John and Jan Krottner of Pilgram Cafe were handed the best business award by CENiC. (New Staff/ Thomas Eley)

Beauvillier was given a dogwood tree to plant in Colwood Creek Park. 2024-04-23 (Thomas Eley/ New Staff)