City Council

113 and 161 Island Highway in Parksville. City council granted a development permit for Timberlake-Jones Engineering to build a restaurant, outdoor pool and 84-site RV campground during the latest council meeting on Monday, Jan. 18. (Mandy Moraes photo)
113 and 161 Island Highway in Parksville. City council granted a development permit for Timberlake-Jones Engineering to build a restaurant, outdoor pool and 84-site RV campground during the latest council meeting on Monday, Jan. 18. (Mandy Moraes photo)
A report by Victoria staff recommended the city depart from the 40 km/h collaborative pilot project expected to go ahead for several other municipalities and initiate a project for a 30 km/h speed limit on side streets instead. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria council gives green light to 30 km/h speed limit pilot project

Project is a departure from other Greater Victoria municipalities who are lowering speeds to 40 km/h

A report by Victoria staff recommended the city depart from the 40 km/h collaborative pilot project expected to go ahead for several other municipalities and initiate a project for a 30 km/h speed limit on side streets instead. (Black Press Media file photo)
Coun. Sharmarke Dubow apologized to his constituents Tuesday evening for travelling abroad over the holidays. (File contributed/ City of Victoria)

‘I should not have gone:’ Victoria councillor takes holiday trip to Africa

Coun. Sharmarke Dubow is the second Greater Victoria municipal politician to admit to traveling in December

Coun. Sharmarke Dubow apologized to his constituents Tuesday evening for travelling abroad over the holidays. (File contributed/ City of Victoria)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria council’s catered lunches back on the chopping block

Coun. Ben Isitt’s motion says remote meetings, hardship caused by COVID-19 call for reallocation

(Black Press Media file photo)
One of the approximately 1,200 street lights within the city of Parksville that will be changed to 3000 Kelvin LED under BC Hydro’s Streetlight Replacement Project. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Parksville to go ahead with 3000K streetlights for BC Hydro project

Concerns about excessive brightness and resident privacy raised

One of the approximately 1,200 street lights within the city of Parksville that will be changed to 3000 Kelvin LED under BC Hydro’s Streetlight Replacement Project. (Mandy Moraes photo)
Municipal councillors Dan Law and Andrea McQuade both plan to resign their current seats to make a run for Tofino’s mayor position. (Westerly file photos)

Two Tofino councillors plan to resign seats and run for mayor

Tofino to hold byelection in March to replace NDP MLA Josie Osborne.

Municipal councillors Dan Law and Andrea McQuade both plan to resign their current seats to make a run for Tofino’s mayor position. (Westerly file photos)
The property at 113 and 161 Island Highway is currently being dismantled as the developer attempts to salvage ‘usable’ lumber for their development application to the City of Parksville. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Development application delayed for high-profile Parksville property

Council refers application to staff for further improvements

The property at 113 and 161 Island Highway is currently being dismantled as the developer attempts to salvage ‘usable’ lumber for their development application to the City of Parksville. (Mandy Moraes photo)
Port McNeill councillor Derek Koel busts a rap to help promote the town’s active transportation plan. (Facebook video screenshot)

VIDEO: Vancouver Island councillor makes rap video to promote active transportation plan

Active transportation is a personal matter for councillor Derek Koel.

Port McNeill councillor Derek Koel busts a rap to help promote the town’s active transportation plan. (Facebook video screenshot)
Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes delivers the inaugural address at council’s swearing-in ceremony in November 2018. The ceremony included blessings from representatives of two Christian churches. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes delivers the inaugural address at council’s swearing-in ceremony in November, 2018. The ceremony included blessings from representatives of two Christian churches – a fact highlighted in a report released by the BC Humanist Associaton on Tuesday. (Black Press Media file photo)

Atheist group claims Christian-based prayer at inaugural Vancouver Island council meetings violates court ruling

Blessings violate Supreme Court decision that prayer in council is discriminatory

Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes delivers the inaugural address at council’s swearing-in ceremony in November 2018. The ceremony included blessings from representatives of two Christian churches. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes delivers the inaugural address at council’s swearing-in ceremony in November, 2018. The ceremony included blessings from representatives of two Christian churches – a fact highlighted in a report released by the BC Humanist Associaton on Tuesday. (Black Press Media file photo)
Parksville city hall sign. (PQB News file photo)

Panhandling in Parksville could come at a cost

Council votes on amendment to add $50 fine for solicitation in certain areas

Parksville city hall sign. (PQB News file photo)
Port Hardy council is looking at implementing a minimum rental property standards bylaw. (North Island Gazette file photo)

Port Hardy sick and tired of derelict apartment buildings

Council considering minimum rental property standards bylaw to protect renters, community image

Port Hardy council is looking at implementing a minimum rental property standards bylaw. (North Island Gazette file photo)
Jay Chalke is the Ombudsperson for B.C. (BC Government photo)

Barring public from open council meetings exceeds authority: B.C. Ombudsperson

Orders affected the public attending council meetings

Jay Chalke is the Ombudsperson for B.C. (BC Government photo)
Ed Mayne with photos of needles taken in Parksville by bylaw officers. (Cloe Logan photo)
Ed Mayne with photos of needles taken in Parksville by bylaw officers. (Cloe Logan photo)
Government Street will become a pedestrian-priority route starting June 8. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria’s Government Street becomes pedestrian-priority corridor

One block of downtown street closed to cars entirely

Government Street will become a pedestrian-priority route starting June 8. (Black Press Media file photo)
A Sidney staff report identifies the south side of Beacon Avenue east of Second Street as a pinch point that may begin repurposing of two or more on-street parking spaces for pedestrian and outdoor commercial uses. Council Monday will consider a staff report on balancing growing demand for outdoor seating with public health needs. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

COVID-19: Island towns opening sidewalks and parking lots for business use

As B.C. enters Phase 2, businesses start to reopen using social distancing protocols

A Sidney staff report identifies the south side of Beacon Avenue east of Second Street as a pinch point that may begin repurposing of two or more on-street parking spaces for pedestrian and outdoor commercial uses. Council Monday will consider a staff report on balancing growing demand for outdoor seating with public health needs. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Parksville council will resume in person meetings as of June 1. (File photo)
Parksville council will resume in person meetings as of June 1. (File photo)
Campbell River mayor Andy Adams dressed up like a lumberjack for a video released by city council encouraging the community to stay strong and keep up the fight against COVID-19 just like iconic downtown carving Logger Mike. City of Campbell River video screen grab/YouTube
Campbell River mayor Andy Adams dressed up like a lumberjack for a video released by city council encouraging the community to stay strong and keep up the fight against COVID-19 just like iconic downtown carving Logger Mike. City of Campbell River video screen grab/YouTube
A group of Victoria police officers stand by as supporters block entrances to the B.C. Legislature. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Victoria councillor calls VicPD allegations of assault at downtown protest ‘fake news’

Coun. Ben Isitt says VicPD is trying to ‘discredit Indigenous youth’

A group of Victoria police officers stand by as supporters block entrances to the B.C. Legislature. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
Councillors from the City of Victoria are advocating for free youth transit passes regionally. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria again pushing for free youth transit passes regionally

The idea was originally rejected by the Victoria Regional Transit Commission in August 2019

Councillors from the City of Victoria are advocating for free youth transit passes regionally. (Black Press Media file photo)
Cody Younker, who first proposed the raises for mayor and council has retracted his support for them. (Jocelyn Doll/Revelstoke Review)

Councillor in Revelstoke withdraws proposed 67% pay hike amid backlash

There was significant backlash to the proposed $25,000 and $70,000 wages

Cody Younker, who first proposed the raises for mayor and council has retracted his support for them. (Jocelyn Doll/Revelstoke Review)