budget

Esquimalt Municipal Hall. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

‘This marriage is not working’: Esquimalt wants to cut number of Victoria police in township

Council voted to reduce janitorial and building funds, defer body cam pilot and axe new positions

 

A rental sign is seen outside a building in Ottawa, Thursday, April 30, 2020. B.C.’s NDP government followed through on a long-promised renters’ rebate on Feb. 28, 2023, in its provincial budget. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Long-awaited renters’ rebate among credits promised in B.C.’s 2023 budget

Other increases coming for families, lower-income earners

 

B.C. is making prescription contraception free for everyone under MSP beginning April 1. (AccessBC)

B.C. to become 1st in Canada to give free prescription contraception by spring

Change to coincide with pharmacists gaining power to prescribe

 

B.C. Finance Minister Katrine Conroy speaks during a news conference as students enjoy a hot lunch at Ruth King Elementary in Langford, B.C., Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)

Health care, housing and grants top B.C.’s 2023-24 Budget Day promises

Snow blanketed the provincial capital in the morning hours of B.C.’s budget…

B.C. Finance Minister Katrine Conroy speaks during a news conference as students enjoy a hot lunch at Ruth King Elementary in Langford, B.C., Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)
Colwood council is encouraging residents to participate in its annual service review process, which is set to continue for the next two weeks. (Black Press Media file photo)

Colwood residents encouraged to participate in council service review

Meetings are set for Jan. 17, 19, 24 and 26 starting at 6:30 p.m.

Colwood council is encouraging residents to participate in its annual service review process, which is set to continue for the next two weeks. (Black Press Media file photo)
Falling Canadian dollars coins or loonies are pictured in North Vancouver, B.C. Wednesday, May 29, 2019. As inflation continues to take its toll, some Canadians may also start taking a closer look at their spending habits.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Budgeting for the first time amid soaring inflation? Here are some tips

As inflation continues its gallop, some Canadians taking a closer look at their spending habits

Falling Canadian dollars coins or loonies are pictured in North Vancouver, B.C. Wednesday, May 29, 2019. As inflation continues to take its toll, some Canadians may also start taking a closer look at their spending habits.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
B.C. residents are expected to spend a total of $224 million on Halloween this year, with around a quarter of that going toward candy alone. (Black Press Media file photo)

British Columbians to spend $224M on Halloween this year

Hello Safe says across Canada Halloween budget is up 28 per cent from last year

B.C. residents are expected to spend a total of $224 million on Halloween this year, with around a quarter of that going toward candy alone. (Black Press Media file photo)
The District of Highlands has passed what Mayor Ken Williams calls a status quo budget with a three-per-cent tax increase, which he said maintains current service levels while growing the district’s financial reserves for future infrastructure needs. (Black Press Media file photo)

Highlands passes status quo budget with 3-per-cent tax increase

One third of hike to boost district’s reserves for future infrastructure renewal

The District of Highlands has passed what Mayor Ken Williams calls a status quo budget with a three-per-cent tax increase, which he said maintains current service levels while growing the district’s financial reserves for future infrastructure needs. (Black Press Media file photo)
Cedar Hill Middle School in Saanich will no longer enrol new late French immersion students. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich mom says sudden cut to French immersion program disrupts planning for family’s education

New enrolment being cut off for Cedar Hill Middle School’s late French immersion program

Cedar Hill Middle School in Saanich will no longer enrol new late French immersion students. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich council narrowly passed third reading for a 6.67-per-cent property tax increase for 2022 at its May 2 meeting, as well as the district’s five-year financial plan, both by a 5-4 vote. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich taxpayers face 6.67-per-cent hike, will pay about $199/year more on average

Addition of critically needed staff, along with council wish list, bump 2022 tax hike

Saanich council narrowly passed third reading for a 6.67-per-cent property tax increase for 2022 at its May 2 meeting, as well as the district’s five-year financial plan, both by a 5-4 vote. (Black Press Media file photo)
View Royal council has approved the town’s 2022 budget, with fire and policing cost increases driving a 5.5-per-cent tax increase. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Policing, fire coverage cost increases drive 5.5-per-cent tax hike in View Royal

2022 budget adds in cost increases put off during the height of the pandemic

View Royal council has approved the town’s 2022 budget, with fire and policing cost increases driving a 5.5-per-cent tax increase. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
An appeal over police funding in Greater Victoria has gone to the province. The Township of Esquimalt rejected funding requests from the Victoria Police Department as council felt it was paying too much for services that were being directed downtown for incidents such as this Johnson Street bridge demonstration, and not in the township itself. (Black Press Media file photo)

Police board files provincial appeal after Esquimalt funding rejection

Victoria council puts money in reserves after Vancouver loses similar appeal

An appeal over police funding in Greater Victoria has gone to the province. The Township of Esquimalt rejected funding requests from the Victoria Police Department as council felt it was paying too much for services that were being directed downtown for incidents such as this Johnson Street bridge demonstration, and not in the township itself. (Black Press Media file photo)
The number 2 fire hall for Langford Fire Rescue will be opened on a full-time basis this year, among proposals listed in the city’s five-year financial plan. (Google Street View)

Langford proposes modest 2.95-per-cent tax increase; larger increases down the road

City staff, council manage to lower 2022 figure from its initial 5 per cent hike

The number 2 fire hall for Langford Fire Rescue will be opened on a full-time basis this year, among proposals listed in the city’s five-year financial plan. (Google Street View)
The Greater Victoria School District board of trustees approved cuts to various labour positions, as well as elementary strings music programs and two outreach positions in its budget. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria trustees finalize music, janitorial cuts and more; budget approved

Day custodial services at elementary, middle schools cut by half, admin positions slashed

The Greater Victoria School District board of trustees approved cuts to various labour positions, as well as elementary strings music programs and two outreach positions in its budget. (Black Press Media file photo)
Policing costs are the largest line item in the City of Colwood’s 2022 budget, which council adopted Monday night. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Policing, infrastructure upgrades drive 4.3-per-cent Colwood property tax hike

Continued growth of city requires future investments, says Mayor Rob Martin

Policing costs are the largest line item in the City of Colwood’s 2022 budget, which council adopted Monday night. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
During last week’s financial plan discussions, Saanich council heard options designed to reduce the proposed property tax increase for 2022. ( Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich council given budget options for reducing property tax hike

Range for increase remains between 5.68 and 6.39 per cent, more discussions ahead

During last week’s financial plan discussions, Saanich council heard options designed to reduce the proposed property tax increase for 2022. ( Black Press Media file photo)
The Town of View Royal is seeking community engagement on its upcoming budget as it approaches finalization and adoption. (Courtesy of Town of View Royal)

View Royal launches online 2022 budget engagement tool

Community feedback sought before March 31 on upcoming budget

The Town of View Royal is seeking community engagement on its upcoming budget as it approaches finalization and adoption. (Courtesy of Town of View Royal)
Career coordinators at Greater Victoria School District high schools are at risk of having their positions eliminated as the SD61 board of trustees considers ways to trim a $7.2 million deficit. (Educomics.org)

Career coordinator jobs at risk in Greater Victoria School District budget

Coordinators work with students to plan post-grad life; often provide emotional support

Career coordinators at Greater Victoria School District high schools are at risk of having their positions eliminated as the SD61 board of trustees considers ways to trim a $7.2 million deficit. (Educomics.org)
Saanich’s draft budget calls for a 6.69-per-cent property tax increase, a number that would rise to almost nine per cent if $3.3 million in active transportation projects is added in. Council asked staff to bring back alternatives to reduce the final figure. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich council looks to reduce 6.69 per cent tax increase seen in draft budget

Tax hike even higher if $3.3 million for active transportation projects added in

Saanich’s draft budget calls for a 6.69-per-cent property tax increase, a number that would rise to almost nine per cent if $3.3 million in active transportation projects is added in. Council asked staff to bring back alternatives to reduce the final figure. (Black Press Media file photo)
The proposed Greater Victoria School District budget for 2022-23 calls for signficant cuts, and as such has drawn criticism from local teachers association and parent advisory council reps. (Black Press Media file photo)

Here we go again: cuts to counselling, music possible for Greater Victoria schools

Teachers, parents group concerned with how SD61 may address $7.2-million deficit

The proposed Greater Victoria School District budget for 2022-23 calls for signficant cuts, and as such has drawn criticism from local teachers association and parent advisory council reps. (Black Press Media file photo)
Pop-up banner image