Municipal Government

Out of Victoria and its three neighbouring municipalities, Oak Bay municipal workers are the best paid on a per capita basis. (Black Press file)

Saanich CAO tops salary list, but council paid lowest per capita among core municipalities

Financial reports show top municipal earners from Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt

Out of Victoria and its three neighbouring municipalities, Oak Bay municipal workers are the best paid on a per capita basis. (Black Press file)
North Saanich’s requirement for an insurance policy worth $5 million has led to charges that the municipality is trying to impose an undue burden on a group critical of the substance and process of the OCP review process, a charge the municipality rejects. (Black Press Media file photo)

North Saanich accused of stifling group critical of OCP review process

CAO Tim Tanton says municipality respects freedom of expression, while protecting public

North Saanich’s requirement for an insurance policy worth $5 million has led to charges that the municipality is trying to impose an undue burden on a group critical of the substance and process of the OCP review process, a charge the municipality rejects. (Black Press Media file photo)
Save North Saanich will rally outside municipal hall Monday to protest the substance and process of the municipality’s review of its Official Community Plan. (Black Press Media file photo)

Community group calls on North Saanich to stop OCP review

Save North Saanich plans to rally outside municipal hall Monday

Save North Saanich will rally outside municipal hall Monday to protest the substance and process of the municipality’s review of its Official Community Plan. (Black Press Media file photo)
Remuneration listings for Saanich Peninsula municipalities are part of the Statement of Financial Information released this time of year in B.C. (Pixabay.com)

Council, staff pay list released by Central Saanich, North Saanich, Sidney

Statement of Financial Information annually gives remuneration for employees, elected officials

Remuneration listings for Saanich Peninsula municipalities are part of the Statement of Financial Information released this time of year in B.C. (Pixabay.com)
Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)

Battle between Penticton and B.C. over homeless shelter officially before the court

The city filed their official petition before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, July 6

Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)
Property taxes are due July 2. (Black Press Media file photo)

Property tax deadline looms for Vancouver Island homeowners

Payments, grant applications due by Friday, July 2

Property taxes are due July 2. (Black Press Media file photo)
Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)

Penticton heads to court over homeless shelter as BC Housing audit begins

The city was not satisfied with the response from Minister David Eby regarding the ongoing situation

Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)
Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)

Minister Eby receives warning over ‘dangerous precedent’ in Penticton shelter dispute

UBCM president says Eby’s decision to use paramountcy powers undermines local government autonomy

Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)
Recommendation made in a draft report on Nanaimo’s building permit approvals process, could shorten permit approval wait times. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo explores ways to fast-track building permit applications

City councillors support recommendations from building permit review

Recommendation made in a draft report on Nanaimo’s building permit approvals process, could shorten permit approval wait times. (News Bulletin file photo)
Approximately 50 protesters gathered at Gyro Park in Penticton Friday, March 5 to protest council’s decision to close Victory Church Shelter. (Jesse Day - Western News)

BC Housing to use provincial powers to keep Penticton shelter open

Penticton council voted Tuesday to reject the shelter’s extension for a second time

Approximately 50 protesters gathered at Gyro Park in Penticton Friday, March 5 to protest council’s decision to close Victory Church Shelter. (Jesse Day - Western News)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich adopts parental leave policy for elected officials in a rare-for-B.C. move

No provisions under B.C. Community Charter to allow new parents time off without disqualification

(Black Press Media file photo)
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce has asked Nanaimo city council to consider a commercial property tax freeze to help offset negative financial impacts of COVID-19. (News Bulletin file photo)

COVID-19: Nanaimo considers one-year commercial property tax freeze

Report based on chamber of commerce proposal to ease pandemic stress on business community

The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce has asked Nanaimo city council to consider a commercial property tax freeze to help offset negative financial impacts of COVID-19. (News Bulletin file photo)
Sockeye salmon school in a small Bristol Bay creek in the summer of 2018. The Union of B.C. Municipalities voted in favour of a resolution asking government for for nature-based solutions in flood management that doesn’t compromise salmon habitat. (Courtesy Photo | Mary Catharine Martin)

B.C. municipalities pass resolution for salmon-safe flood control

The UBCM resolution seeks federal, provincial support to replace antiquated infrastructure

Sockeye salmon school in a small Bristol Bay creek in the summer of 2018. The Union of B.C. Municipalities voted in favour of a resolution asking government for for nature-based solutions in flood management that doesn’t compromise salmon habitat. (Courtesy Photo | Mary Catharine Martin)
Alert Bay Mayor Dennis Buchanan. (Submitted)

Alert Bay mayor reviews an unexpected first two years in office

Successful response all due to great cooperation, he said

Alert Bay Mayor Dennis Buchanan. (Submitted)
Nanaimo city councillors, at a governance and priorities meeting Monday, voted on five resolutions to put forward for debate at this year’s Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities conference. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo councillors want to discuss whether terms should be three or four years

Coun. Ian Thorpe’s proposed resolution will be forwarded to AVICC conference

Nanaimo city councillors, at a governance and priorities meeting Monday, voted on five resolutions to put forward for debate at this year’s Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities conference. (News Bulletin file photo)
Downtown Fernie is pictured after a snowfall.

Fernie area declared community COVID-19 cluster by Interior Health

81 cases have been identified since Jan. 1

Downtown Fernie is pictured after a snowfall.
(NEWS FILE PHOTO)

Vancouver Island bylaw officer apologizes for profanity-laced exchange

Unnamed Port Alberni officer’s conversation caught on video during building eviction

(NEWS FILE PHOTO)
Bad weather 2019 and governance vacuum in 2020 delayed the project and added extra cost to the budget. (Mirror file photo)

New cost of Sayward dam project almost $1.2 million

Costs have increased by another $208,513 after previous cost increases in 2019 and 2020

Bad weather 2019 and governance vacuum in 2020 delayed the project and added extra cost to the budget. (Mirror file photo)
North Cowichan's council is looking to change the name of Indian Road, located near Quamichan Lake. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

North Cowichan looks to rename Indian Road

Name considered inappropriate as Rowing Canada looks to relocate to area

North Cowichan's council is looking to change the name of Indian Road, located near Quamichan Lake. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
There are upcoming information sessions for Union Bay residents about the future of governance in the community. File photo.

Union Bay takes next steps toward governance choice

Virtual and in-person information sessions coming up Oct. 15 and 20

There are upcoming information sessions for Union Bay residents about the future of governance in the community. File photo.