City Council

People rally against Bill 21 in Montreal in 2019. On Thursday (Jan. 6) Victoria council voted to contribute $9,500 to a growing legal challenge against the bill. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)

Victoria joins Canadian cities financing legal challenge of Quebec’s religious symbols ban

Council commits $9,500 to legal fees, encouraging other B.C. cities to do the same

People rally against Bill 21 in Montreal in 2019. On Thursday (Jan. 6) Victoria council voted to contribute $9,500 to a growing legal challenge against the bill. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
The City of Victoria’s sewer lines carry wastewater to the Capital Regional District treatment facility at McLoughlin Point in Esquimalt. (Photo courtesy of CRD)

Victoria floats mandate for residential, commercial sewer pipe connection repairs

City looking to solve sewage, stormwater mixing problems exacerbated by heavy rains

The City of Victoria’s sewer lines carry wastewater to the Capital Regional District treatment facility at McLoughlin Point in Esquimalt. (Photo courtesy of CRD)
The Parksville Civic and Technology Centre at 100 Jensen Ave. (PQB News file photo)
The Parksville Civic and Technology Centre at 100 Jensen Ave. (PQB News file photo)
A Parksville resident was alarmed to find needles left in a forested area near Springwood Elementary School in 2019. (Submitted photo)

Parksville mayor jabs Island Health for needle issue inaction

Mayne tells Island Health officials problem is getting worse

A Parksville resident was alarmed to find needles left in a forested area near Springwood Elementary School in 2019. (Submitted photo)
Victoria council seeks to reopen a section of Bridge Way in Beacon Hill Park to vehicle traffic. The roadway has been closed since last year due to distancing restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Courtesy City of Victoria)

Victoria looking into reopening Beacon Hill Park road to traffic

Staff will report to council on July 22 with road reopening plan

Victoria council seeks to reopen a section of Bridge Way in Beacon Hill Park to vehicle traffic. The roadway has been closed since last year due to distancing restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Courtesy City of Victoria)
Town of Port McNeill Community Planning Facebook photo

Port McNeill council apologizes, cancels Canada Day celebrations

Town reverses initial decision to proceed with celebration after community backlash

Town of Port McNeill Community Planning Facebook photo
A slide showing the proposed improvements to the Parksville Community Park volleyball courts. The manager of communications, Deb Tardiff, went before city council on Monday, June 21, 2021, to present what the application to the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative would look like. (Submitted photo)

Parksville could become ‘the beach volleyball hub of Vancouver Island’

City staff members submit grant application to improve community park courts

A slide showing the proposed improvements to the Parksville Community Park volleyball courts. The manager of communications, Deb Tardiff, went before city council on Monday, June 21, 2021, to present what the application to the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative would look like. (Submitted photo)
Teale Phelps Bondaroff extensively researched and then began a petition aiming to permanently ban gas-powered leaf blowers in Saanich. Having gathered 544 signatures, he was part of a productive discussion at the May 31 council meeting. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Leaf blower ban petition attracts 544 signatures, sparks discussion by Saanich council

Mayor wants staff to look into noise, enviromental impacts of all of the district’s equipment

Teale Phelps Bondaroff extensively researched and then began a petition aiming to permanently ban gas-powered leaf blowers in Saanich. Having gathered 544 signatures, he was part of a productive discussion at the May 31 council meeting. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
A screenshot from the May 17, 2021, Parksville city council meeting that shows the proposed location for an overdose memorial kiosk along the Jensen Avenue greenway. At right, a wayfinding sign which was also requested for installation in the greenway, is shown. (Submitted photo)

Parksville turns down proposed overdose memorial kiosk

‘I don’t think it’s going to be something well received by the entire community’

A screenshot from the May 17, 2021, Parksville city council meeting that shows the proposed location for an overdose memorial kiosk along the Jensen Avenue greenway. At right, a wayfinding sign which was also requested for installation in the greenway, is shown. (Submitted photo)
(PQB News file photo)

Dump trucks speeding down city streets raising concerns in Parksville

Residents concerned about heavy-duty vehicles cutting through side roads

(PQB News file photo)
The Fort Rupert Curling Club. (North Island Gazette file photo)

COVID-19: Curling club’s bills to be paid by District of Port Hardy

The COVID-19 Restart Fund is intended to ensure that there is a smooth recovery

The Fort Rupert Curling Club. (North Island Gazette file photo)
Rising demand for police to perform well-being checks and field calls for people struggling with mental heath crises is driving the city to formulate a situation table to connect vulnerable people with the services they need. (News Bulletin file photo)

City, Nanaimo RCMP optimistic about how ‘situation tables’ can help people, one at a time

City highlights rising demand for wellness checks and mental health-related calls

Rising demand for police to perform well-being checks and field calls for people struggling with mental heath crises is driving the city to formulate a situation table to connect vulnerable people with the services they need. (News Bulletin file photo)
The Port McNeill & District Hospital. (North Island Gazette file photo)

Island Health considering publicly owned clinic for health-challenged Port McNeill

Proposal for clinic space launched as community struggles to maintain services as staff shrinks

The Port McNeill & District Hospital. (North Island Gazette file photo)
Port Hardy mayor Dennis Dugas. (Dennis Dugas photo)

Port Hardy mayor advocates for fish farm industry, talks impact on North Island

The Discovery Islands closures will certainly have an effect on Port Hardy, says Dugas.

Port Hardy mayor Dennis Dugas. (Dennis Dugas photo)
From left to right, Kwakiutl Hereditary Chief David Knox, Port Hardy Mayor Dennis Dugas, and Kwakiutl Chief Councillor Ross Hunt Jr. stop for a photo in front of the District of Port Hardy’s new marquee on Feb. 8 before signing the Relationship Agreement. (District of Port Hardy photo)

Port Hardy signs groundbreaking relationship agreement with Kwakiutl First Nation

Councillors and staff from each community watched and celebrated via Zoom.

From left to right, Kwakiutl Hereditary Chief David Knox, Port Hardy Mayor Dennis Dugas, and Kwakiutl Chief Councillor Ross Hunt Jr. stop for a photo in front of the District of Port Hardy’s new marquee on Feb. 8 before signing the Relationship Agreement. (District of Port Hardy photo)
A resident stumbled upon needles left in a secluded area near Parksville’s recycling depot. (PQB News file photo)

Parksville council to meet with Island Health official to talk hypodermic needle regulation

Mayne: Needles being distributed ‘with no accountability’ and discarded without consequence

A resident stumbled upon needles left in a secluded area near Parksville’s recycling depot. (PQB News file photo)
(PQB News file photo)

Parksville announces aquatic and recreation centre proposal

Despard Avenue shown as test site for facility

(PQB News file photo)
(File photo)

Old Qualicum College building to be demolished, replicated by property developer

Heritage status designation for structure repealed during special council meeting

(File photo)
The Town of Qualicum said it has not concluded its lease negotiations with Eaglecrest Golf Club for use of the 17th fairway and the 18th tee box. (Eaglecrest Facebook photo)

Qualicum Beach officials say lease negotiations with Eaglecrest Golf Club not concluded

Club ownership group has indicated plans to reduce course layout from 18 to nine holes

The Town of Qualicum said it has not concluded its lease negotiations with Eaglecrest Golf Club for use of the 17th fairway and the 18th tee box. (Eaglecrest Facebook photo)
The barge sank again on Jan. 8 and is still resting under water. (Bill McQuarrie photo)

Refloating of sunken Port McNeill barge to resume in early February

This will be the second attempt at recovery after poor weather conditions caused barge to re-sink

  • Jan 27, 2021
The barge sank again on Jan. 8 and is still resting under water. (Bill McQuarrie photo)