Columnists

Volunteers are need for opportunities across Greater Victoria. (Stock photo)

COLUMN: Spend some time helping others in your community

Volunteer opportunities in Greater Victoria, the week of Nov. 1

  • Nov 27, 2020
Volunteers are need for opportunities across Greater Victoria. (Stock photo)
I shake my head at those who won’t listen to medical advice and are openly willing to take the risk of contracting COVID-19, writes Kevin Laird. File - Pixabay)

COLUMN: Thoughts of coronavirus flood my mind

Seven months have gone by since I contracted COVID-19. I still have symptoms.

I shake my head at those who won’t listen to medical advice and are openly willing to take the risk of contracting COVID-19, writes Kevin Laird. File - Pixabay)
Jeff Bray is the executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association. (rickcollinsphotography.com)

COLUMN: Holiday shopping in 2020 crucial to Greater Victoria businesses

Jeff Bray is the executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association

  • Nov 19, 2020
Jeff Bray is the executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association. (rickcollinsphotography.com)
(Black Press Media file photo)

OPINION: Island Health doctors call on residents to ‘double down’ to slow spread of COVID-19

Positive cases increasing at a rate that causes concern for health officers

  • Nov 18, 2020
(Black Press Media file photo)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry views the Murals of Gratitude exhibition in Vancouver’s Gastown, July 5, 2020. (The Canadian Press)

GUEST COLUMN: COVID-19 masks mandatory in B.C., but not everywhere

Orders require them where necessary, Provincial Health Officer says

  • Nov 17, 2020
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry views the Murals of Gratitude exhibition in Vancouver’s Gastown, July 5, 2020. (The Canadian Press)
Adam Olsen is the MLA-Elect for Saanich North and the Islands. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)

COLUMN: Returning Green MLA gives thanks, looks forward to the future

Adam Olsen is the MLA-Elect for Saanich North and the Islands

  • Nov 14, 2020
Adam Olsen is the MLA-Elect for Saanich North and the Islands. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)
Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

COLUMN: Saanich mayor explains speed reduction pilot research

By Fred Haynes Saanich Mayor Residents have been reaching out for more…

  • Nov 8, 2020
Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Volunteers are need for opportunities across Greater Victoria. (Stock photo)

COLUMN: Spend some time helping others in your community

Volunteer opportunities in Greater Victoria, the week of Nov. 1

  • Nov 1, 2020
Volunteers are need for opportunities across Greater Victoria. (Stock photo)
Three Bills and a Brooke perform for residents at the Swallows Landing. (Images by Peter Reid).

COLUMN: Carefully conducted COVID concerts feature local talent

Allan Reid - Contributor We’ve all felt the urge to break free…

  • Oct 3, 2020
Three Bills and a Brooke perform for residents at the Swallows Landing. (Images by Peter Reid).
Volunteers are need for opportunities across Greater Victoria. (Stock photo)

COLUMN: Spend some time helping others in your community

Volunteer opportunities in Greater Victoria, the week of Sept. 27

  • Sep 25, 2020
Volunteers are need for opportunities across Greater Victoria. (Stock photo)
Jeff Bray is the executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association. (rickcollinsphotography.com)

COLUMN: Downtown Victoria needs everyone’s support

Jeff Bray is the executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association

  • Sep 19, 2020
Jeff Bray is the executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association. (rickcollinsphotography.com)
GARRISON: MP pushing hard for COVID-19 relief

GARRISON: MP pushing hard for COVID-19 relief

Government must step in and make sure everyone makes it out of this crisis, says Randall Garrison

  • Sep 9, 2020
GARRISON: MP pushing hard for COVID-19 relief
Saanich North and the Islands MLA Adam Olsen, wearing traditional Tsartlip clothing, speaks to the introduction of Indigenous rights law in the B.C. legislature, Oct. 24, 2019. (Hansard TV)

MLA REPORT: Ferries are our marine highway, a provincial concern

Adam Olsen is MLA for Saanich North and the Islands

  • Aug 23, 2020
Saanich North and the Islands MLA Adam Olsen, wearing traditional Tsartlip clothing, speaks to the introduction of Indigenous rights law in the B.C. legislature, Oct. 24, 2019. (Hansard TV)
Jeff Bray is the executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association. (rickcollinsphotography.com)

COLUMN: Patio culture a silver lining to COVID

By Jeff Bray Downtown Victoria Business Association I have said it before…

  • Aug 22, 2020
Jeff Bray is the executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association. (rickcollinsphotography.com)
Lora Morandin, left, Josh Mcstravick, Thompson Hyggen and Alma Perreault of the Pollinator Leadership Team monitor a patch of Wooly Sunflower to see the diversity and number of pollinators attracted to this native plant. The team hopes to eventually use the information to see how native and non-native plants differ in terms of resource provisioning for managed and wild pollinators. (Alex Kuhn photo)

Local Flavour: Youth take the lead in Victoria’s Pollinator Leadership Team

Guest writer Thompson Hygge, summer intern with Pollinator Partnership Canada

  • Aug 9, 2020
Lora Morandin, left, Josh Mcstravick, Thompson Hyggen and Alma Perreault of the Pollinator Leadership Team monitor a patch of Wooly Sunflower to see the diversity and number of pollinators attracted to this native plant. The team hopes to eventually use the information to see how native and non-native plants differ in terms of resource provisioning for managed and wild pollinators. (Alex Kuhn photo)
Reforming the PST can be a powerful tool to get people, businesses back to work long-term

Reforming the PST can be a powerful tool to get people, businesses back to work long-term

Stronger tomorrow plan offers blueprint for job-rich recovery, says Jeff Zweig and Greg D’Avignon

  • Aug 5, 2020
Reforming the PST can be a powerful tool to get people, businesses back to work long-term
MP REPORT: Pitching the case for a national maritime museum in Langford

MP REPORT: Pitching the case for a national maritime museum in Langford

Alistair MacGregor is MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford

  • Aug 2, 2020
MP REPORT: Pitching the case for a national maritime museum in Langford
Jeff Bray is the executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association. (rickcollinsphotography.com)

COLUMN: Office workers integral to Victoria economy

Jeff Bray Downtown Victoria Business Association Last month I wrote about the…

  • Jul 19, 2020
Jeff Bray is the executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association. (rickcollinsphotography.com)
MLA Adam Olsen. (BC Green Party)

MLA COLUMN: $9B tourism sector not getting the support it needs

Adam Olsen is interim leader for the BC Green Party and MLA for Saanich North and the Islands

  • Jul 18, 2020
MLA Adam Olsen. (BC Green Party)
FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, FedEx Field is less than full during the second half of an NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants in Landover, Md. The title sponsor of the Redskins’ stadium wants them to change their name. FedEx said in a statement Thursday, July 2, 2020, “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name.“ (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)

COLUMN: Some more appropriate names for Washington NFL team

Finally, Washington’s NFL team would have a name everyone could cheer with pride

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, FedEx Field is less than full during the second half of an NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants in Landover, Md. The title sponsor of the Redskins’ stadium wants them to change their name. FedEx said in a statement Thursday, July 2, 2020, “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name.“ (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)