municipal politics

VIMC looks to Supreme Court of Canada to hear its appeal against North Cowichan. (File photo)

Island motorsports track expected to appeal rejected expansion plan to Supreme Court

North Cowichan denied VIMC a development permit for expansion in 2019

 

North Cowichan and eight other local governments on south Vancouver Island have sent a latter to B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth (pictured) raising concerns about plans to download the costs of police dispatching in the region. (File photo)

North Cowichan, 7 south Island local governments take exception to downloaded police costs

Colwood, Ladysmith, Langford, North Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, and View Royal

 

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Sooke councillors missing up to 30% of council meetings

Couns. Jeff Bateman and Dana Lajeunesse have perfect attendance records

 

John Jack, chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, addresses the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention by video link, Sept. 14, 2021. (UBCM video)

Local B.C. governments seek ways to go beyond talking about reconciliation

Indigenous people need power, municipal convention told

John Jack, chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, addresses the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention by video link, Sept. 14, 2021. (UBCM video)
The City of Duncan has retired the position of town crier. Pictured is Ben Buss, who has served as the city’s town crier since 2011. (Citizen file)

City of Duncan eliminates town crier position

Cites “increased awareness of historical injustices” as reason

The City of Duncan has retired the position of town crier. Pictured is Ben Buss, who has served as the city’s town crier since 2011. (Citizen file)
Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director Mike Hicks at Kemp Lake. ‘My run is over. It’s time for someone else to carry on,’ he says of his retirement. (Black Press Media file photo)

Mike Hicks retiring from politics, will not run in next election

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director first elected in 2008

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director Mike Hicks at Kemp Lake. ‘My run is over. It’s time for someone else to carry on,’ he says of his retirement. (Black Press Media file photo)
Langford Mayor Stew Young, pictured here at a city announcement this spring, has cut way back on his business responsibilities to be able to focus on the mayor’s job and his family. He won’t say yet whether he’ll run for re-election in 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)

Stew Young keeps Langford guessing about his political future

After 30 years in politics, 62-year-old mayor has begun scaling back his responsibilities

Langford Mayor Stew Young, pictured here at a city announcement this spring, has cut way back on his business responsibilities to be able to focus on the mayor’s job and his family. He won’t say yet whether he’ll run for re-election in 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)
Flowers and other adornments left at Hope Cemetery have been moved off to a back storage and maintenance area. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard)

Removal of graveside items by B.C. cemetery staff deemed ‘disrespectful’

Municipal cemetery removes all adornments from gravesites with little notice

Flowers and other adornments left at Hope Cemetery have been moved off to a back storage and maintenance area. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard)
A proposal coming to Saanich council tonight (May 31) seeks support for a provincial plan that has potential to raise single-family home tax rates in the district based on climate and financial impacts compared to multi-family residences. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich councillor wants to tie climate impact of single-family homes to municipal tax rates

Early stages move has potential to raise tax rates for homeowners, discussion tonight (May 31)

A proposal coming to Saanich council tonight (May 31) seeks support for a provincial plan that has potential to raise single-family home tax rates in the district based on climate and financial impacts compared to multi-family residences. (Black Press Media file photo)
Tofino plans to launch a pay-parking system around its public beaches, including this lot at Chesterman Beach. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Tofino set to charge for parking at public beaches

Fees will be charged at roughly 10 locations including Chesterman Beach

Tofino plans to launch a pay-parking system around its public beaches, including this lot at Chesterman Beach. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Portable appliances, like this one perched between Tofino mayor Dan Law and David Schmidt, are now mandatory for anyone wanting to have a beach fire in Tofino. (Photo courtesy of Dan Law)

Bonfires out, but machine-powered beach fires still OK in Tofino

Vancouver Island’s best-known beach community limits on public beaches to appliance fires only

Portable appliances, like this one perched between Tofino mayor Dan Law and David Schmidt, are now mandatory for anyone wanting to have a beach fire in Tofino. (Photo courtesy of Dan Law)
Don Denton/West Shore NEW CUTLINE Langford Coun. Matt Sahlstrom raised objections to a ban on open burning at the Feb. 16 regular meeting of council. (Black Press files) - Matt Sahlstrom on his Colwood property with his two classic cars, a 1984 Fila Thunderbird (left) and a 1965 Ford Mustang convertible. The Fila Thunderbird is one of only 500 made and one of only two sold in BC.

Langford councillor flew to Arizona last month

Coun. Matt Sahlstrom told the mayor his house needed maintenance

Don Denton/West Shore NEW CUTLINE Langford Coun. Matt Sahlstrom raised objections to a ban on open burning at the Feb. 16 regular meeting of council. (Black Press files) - Matt Sahlstrom on his Colwood property with his two classic cars, a 1984 Fila Thunderbird (left) and a 1965 Ford Mustang convertible. The Fila Thunderbird is one of only 500 made and one of only two sold in BC.
North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas did not violate the municipality’s code of conduct by posting a sexist meme on Facebook, council concludes. (File photo)

B.C. municipality to take no action against councillor who posted sexist meme

Tek Manhas’s meme doesn’t violate North Cowichan council’s code of conduct, municipality concludes

North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas did not violate the municipality’s code of conduct by posting a sexist meme on Facebook, council concludes. (File photo)
North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas is under review by the municipality for a Facebook post containing a sexist meme. (File photo)

B.C. councillor facing review over sexist meme posted to Facebook

‘Less bitchen’ more kitchen’: North Cowichan’s Tek Manhas apologizes for post

North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas is under review by the municipality for a Facebook post containing a sexist meme. (File photo)
Police presence in Chemainus in an actual building is limited to South Island Highway Patrol on Chemainus Road. (Photo by Pete Cavanaugh)

Petition demands broken policing promises to Chemainus be honoured

Former detachment member leads the charge in asking municipality and RCMP to be accountable

Police presence in Chemainus in an actual building is limited to South Island Highway Patrol on Chemainus Road. (Photo by Pete Cavanaugh)
Mayor Lorraine Michetti refusing to step down amid calls for her resignation. (Submitted)

Rural B.C. mayor urged to resign after Facebook post against Indigenous people, pipelines

The mayor is refusing to quit, saying the post was taken out of context

Mayor Lorraine Michetti refusing to step down amid calls for her resignation. (Submitted)
Seven streets in downtown Duncan, including Station Street, will soon have new native names added to their signage. (Submitted graphic)

New Duncan street signs will be in English and Hul’q’umi’num

Seven streets to get additional names in First Nations language

Seven streets in downtown Duncan, including Station Street, will soon have new native names added to their signage. (Submitted graphic)
A large film studio project is being proposed for the Malahat. Pictured is a graphic of the project. (Submitted graphic)

Huge film studio development proposed for Malahat Nation lands

Project estimated to provide about 1,500 jobs

A large film studio project is being proposed for the Malahat. Pictured is a graphic of the project. (Submitted graphic)
Qualicum Beach Coun. Robert Filmer. (PQB News file photo)

Qualicum Beach councillor takes medical leave, citing ‘toxic’ town hall environment

Filmer to step away for two months to reflect and get ‘re-energized’

Qualicum Beach Coun. Robert Filmer. (PQB News file photo)
The District of Sooke is another step closer to approving its 2021 financial plan. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Pandemic uncertainty looms over Sooke municipal budget

Council trims property tax increase to 3.3 per cent

The District of Sooke is another step closer to approving its 2021 financial plan. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)