Columnists

(From left) A woman chats with BC NDP candidates Rob Fleming, centre, and Grace Lore during a campaign stop in Quadra Village ahead of the October election. (Black Press Media file photo)

MLA REPORT: Light on horizon to get through pandemic

COVID Recovery Benefit brings financial boost to those who need it

  • Jan 10, 2021
(From left) A woman chats with BC NDP candidates Rob Fleming, centre, and Grace Lore during a campaign stop in Quadra Village ahead of the October election. (Black Press Media file photo)
MP Randall Garrison (Courtesy Randall Garrison)

MP REPORT: We can’t let down our guard in fight against pandemic

MP Randall Garrison says more must be done to protect Canadians from economic fallout from COVID-19

  • Jan 9, 2021
MP Randall Garrison (Courtesy Randall Garrison)
Murray Rankin

MLA Report: Rankin adapts to new provincial role

Murray Rankin MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head Hello everyone. After serving previously…

  • Jan 9, 2021
Murray Rankin
OPINION SIG

COLUMN: Rediscovering our place in nature

Consumerism has taken the place of citizenship, writes David Suzuki

  • Jan 8, 2021
OPINION SIG
Cowichan-Malahat-Langford MP Alistair MacGregor. (Photo by Bernard Thibodeau)

MP REPORT: Despite turmoil of 2020 work continued in House of Commons

Alistair MacGregor is MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford

  • Jan 8, 2021
Cowichan-Malahat-Langford MP Alistair MacGregor. (Photo by Bernard Thibodeau)
Adam Olsen is all smiles after hearing he has retained his seat during the 2020 election. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)

MLA REPORT: Reflecting on the ‘inexplicable year that was 2020’

Reflecting on the inexplicable year that was 2020, it is impossible to…

  • Jan 7, 2021
Adam Olsen is all smiles after hearing he has retained his seat during the 2020 election. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)
Mitzi Dean at CoderGirl, a summer camp that encourages more young women to pursue STEM fields. (Courtesy of Province of British Columbia)

MLA REPORT: Working together to make better days a reality

Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA Mitzi Dean extends holiday greetings to constituents

  • Jan 6, 2021
Mitzi Dean at CoderGirl, a summer camp that encourages more young women to pursue STEM fields. (Courtesy of Province of British Columbia)
Rob Fleming, who served as minister of education in the most recent BC NDP government, is seeking his fifth term in office in the Victoria-Swan Lake riding. (Rob Fleming/Twitter)

MLA REPORT: Fleming looks ahead to economic recovery

Rob Fleming, MLA, Victoria-Swan Lake

  • Jan 5, 2021
Rob Fleming, who served as minister of education in the most recent BC NDP government, is seeking his fifth term in office in the Victoria-Swan Lake riding. (Rob Fleming/Twitter)
Colwood Mayor Rob Martin expects 2021 to be an eventful year for the community. (Black Press Media file photo)

MAYOR’S REPORT: Major developments on horizon for Colwood

Rob Martin says 2020 has brought out the best in the community

  • Jan 4, 2021
Colwood Mayor Rob Martin expects 2021 to be an eventful year for the community. (Black Press Media file photo)
North Saanich Mayor Geoff Orr says 2020 will see North Saanich will review several plans including the Official Community Plan (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

MAYOR’S REPORT: 2020 highlights value of ‘connection, compassion and community’

Geoff Orr is mayor of North Saanich

  • Jan 3, 2021
North Saanich Mayor Geoff Orr says 2020 will see North Saanich will review several plans including the Official Community Plan (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins

MAYOR’S COLUMN: Esquimalt learns to do things differently in 2020

Mayor Barb Desjardins offers best wishes heading into 2021

  • Jan 3, 2021
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins
Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes, 2020 (Photo courtesy Fred Haynes)

Saanich mayor advises celebrating at home this year

Look ahead to positive opportunities of 2021

Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes, 2020 (Photo courtesy Fred Haynes)
Island Health board chair Leah Hollins. (Lexi Bainas/News Staff)

ISLAND HEALTH COLUMN: New year focus on vaccinations, opioid crisis, racism in healthcare

Island Health says while there is much work ahead, there is hope

  • Jan 2, 2021
Island Health board chair Leah Hollins. (Lexi Bainas/News Staff)
Langford Mayor Stew Young is a collector and restorer of classic cars including his 1956 Buick Riviera Super. (Don Denton photography)

MAYOR’S REPORT: Langford shows its strength and dedication

Stew Young expresses his appreciation to residents, businesses and frontline workers

  • Jan 2, 2021
Langford Mayor Stew Young is a collector and restorer of classic cars including his 1956 Buick Riviera Super. (Don Denton photography)
MP Elizabeth May does not think a federal election is imminent after the prorogation of Parliament, a move that will ultimately lead to a confidence vote in the Liberal minority government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Black Press Media File).

MP REPORT: Reflecting on 2020 – new words, old words and next words

Elizabeth May is MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands

  • Jan 2, 2021
MP Elizabeth May does not think a federal election is imminent after the prorogation of Parliament, a move that will ultimately lead to a confidence vote in the Liberal minority government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Black Press Media File).
Highlands Mayor Ken Williams (Black Press Media file photo)

COLUMN: Highlands mayor inspired by ‘strength and courage’ of West Shore

Mayor Ken Williams sends seasons’ greetings to residents

  • Jan 1, 2021
Highlands Mayor Ken Williams (Black Press Media file photo)
View Royal Mayor David Screech is looking forward to being able to welcome the public back to council meetings. (Black Press Media file photo)

MAYOR’S REPORT: View Royal shines in times of hardship

David Screech looking forward to better days ahead in 2021

  • Jan 1, 2021
View Royal Mayor David Screech is looking forward to being able to welcome the public back to council meetings. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. Premier John Horgan wears a protective face mask to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 prior to being sworn in by Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin during a virtual swearing in ceremony. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

PREMIER’S MESSAGE: A year that reminded us we need to take care of each other

Premier John Horgan says hope on the horizon, but we’re not out of the wood yet

  • Jan 1, 2021
B.C. Premier John Horgan wears a protective face mask to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 prior to being sworn in by Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin during a virtual swearing in ceremony. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Mayor Lisa Helps, city staff and community members unveil the first street front electric vehicle charging stations. (Courtesy City of Victoria)

MAYOR’S COLUMN: Victoria has what it takes to pull through as a community

Lisa Helps says hope is not enough to dig us out of the challenges we face

  • Jan 1, 2021
Mayor Lisa Helps, city staff and community members unveil the first street front electric vehicle charging stations. (Courtesy City of Victoria)
Motor coach companies in B.C., and across Canada, have been left struggling as they near 10 months of operating at a 95 per cent reduction in revenues. (Courtesy Wilson’s Group)

COLUMN: Bus companies at risk as revenue drops 95 per cent, no help in sight

John Wilson is president and CEO, The Wilson’s Group of Companies

  • Dec 30, 2020
Motor coach companies in B.C., and across Canada, have been left struggling as they near 10 months of operating at a 95 per cent reduction in revenues. (Courtesy Wilson’s Group)