“Victoria City Council has repeatedly called for action on the toxic drug poisoning crisis that is happening in our city and province. We’ve urged both the federal and provincial governments to create more treatment beds, implement safe supply and decriminalize small amounts of drugs for personal use. These actions reduce stigma and they save lives.

“Since the declaration of a public health emergency on April 14, 2016, more than 9,400 people in the province have died, with the majority of deaths taking place in three B.C. cities, including Victoria. Each of these deaths is one more person who will never have a chance for recovery. It’s one more family member lost, with mourning relatives left behind.

“These are preventable deaths. Our health care system fully vaccinated over 90 per cent of British Columbians against COVID-19 in just over a year. We know there is capacity for action. This same level of commitment and action is required to get safe prescription supply into the hands of those who need it, so that a substance use disorder is treated like a medical issue, rather than a criminal issue.

“The supply of illicit drugs in Canada has become so toxic – so poisoned and tainted with fentanyl – that we cannot hope to address the escalating death toll without providing access to a safe, medically-regulated drug supply. This will save lives.

“Today we are six years into an ‘emergency’. In year seven, all levels of government and our health care system must act to address this emergency. We call on the federal government to support our provincial government’s request for an exemption from Health Canada under Section 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, to help us meet substance use with the public health approach it deserves. We also call on the federal government to adopt federal Bill C-216. We must get to a point as a society where no one loses their life to a toxic drug supply, and we must get there soon.”

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 The City of Victoria Butler Book Prize is awarded to a local author for the best book of fiction, literary non-fiction or poetry published in the preceding year. Established in 2004, this prize is a partnership between the City of Victoria and Brian Butler of Butler Brothers Supplies.

 The City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize is awarded to an author or illustrator of literature for children or youth. It was established in 2008 by the late Mel Bolen and has been sponsored by the City of Victoria since 2020.

For the 2022 prizes, books submitted must have been published between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, and must not have been submitted previously and must be a new work, not a reissue or a revision of a previous work. Deadline for submissions is Friday, May 20, 2022.

Recent Victoria Butler Book Prize winners include: Briony Penn with the late Cecil Paul, Lorna Crozier, Kathy Page, Bill Gaston, Yasuko Thanh, and Pauline Holdstock. Recent Victoria Children’s Book Prize winners include: Leslie Gentile, Mark Leiren-Yount, Aidan Cassie, Monique Gray-Smith, Margriet Ruurs and Dawn Green.

The Victoria Book Prize Society is a volunteer-run organization that establishes the policy and criteria for the prizes, appoints the juries and administers the competitions. Two independent juries composed of representatives from the literary arts community review and assess the submissions.

The Victoria Book Prize Society would like to thank and acknowledge the following organizations for their support: the City of Victoria, Brian Butler of Butler Brothers Supplies, the Union Club of British Columbia, the Magnolia Hotel and Spa, Chateau Victoria, the Inn at Laurel Point, Friesens Corporation, CBC Radio, Island Blue Print Co. and the Greater Victoria Public Library.

For more information, including submission forms and guidelines, visit www.victoriabookprizes.cahttp://www.victoriabookprizes.ca/”>.

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Closed for Easter – Friday, April 15 and Monday, April 18

City Hall
Beacon Hill Park Maintenance Yard
Public Works Yard
Victoria Conference Centre and Administration Office

Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre

Friday, April 15 – closed
Saturday, April 16  – open regular hours 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, April 17 – closed
Monday, April 18 – closed

Kitchen Scraps and Garbage Collection

Kitchen Scraps and Garbage collection will not occur on Friday, April 15 and Monday, April 18. You can view your Kitchen Scraps and Garbage collection schedule here.

Garden Waste Drop-Off

City of Victoria residents can drop off their garden waste, year-round at the Public Works Yard at 417 Garbally Road, Saturdays from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. The garden waste drop-off will be open on Saturday, April 16. Please bring a City of Victoria utility bill or a driver’s licence which shows residence at a property that has Kitchen Scraps and Garbage service. This service is not for commercial use. For more information, call 250.361.0400 or click here.

Emergency Streets and Utilities Services

Emergency streets and utility services are not affected by the holiday and can be contacted day or night at 250.361.0400.

Parking

Parking downtown at City parkades and at on-street meters will be free Friday, April 15 and Monday, April 18 for Easter. Pay parking at on-street meters is in effect daily from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. except for statutory holidays. Pay parking is in effect 24/7 at the City’s surface parking lots. Learn more.

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Hosted by Mayor Lisa Helps, this week’s episode is available here and on the City of Victoria’s social media channels. 

Here’s What’s Up At Council on Thursday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. View the meeting agenda and tune in to the live webcast.     

 What Was Decided?

Council Highlights provide a snapshot of the progress made on City programs, initiatives and on Council decision-making. Sign up to receive our Council Highlights by emailing engage@victoria.ca.

Public Hearings

In-person attendance at Public Hearings has been restored. You can also participate online. Learn more. 

Who Voted for What?

You can see and track Council voting records at the click of a mouse with the Council Meeting Dashboard. The dashboard makes it easy to see how members of Council voted on a particular motion and gives you more tools to access and analyze information about decisions that impact you. The dashboard begins at the start of Council’s four-year term in November 2018.

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Residents are encouraged to take part in the virtual High Ground Hike contest, coordinated by PreparedBC and co-hosted by the City of Victoria. It is easy to participate – simply take a picture of yourself in the tsunami safe zone during Tsunami Preparedness Week, post it to Twitter or Facebook, tag @PreparedBC, and add the hashtag #HighGroundSelfie22 to enter the contest – you will be entered to win one of 47 prizes from PreparedBC. You can win even more prizes from the City of Victoria when you include the hashtag #VictoriaHGH in your post.

“We’re very pleased to be part of this event,” said Mayor Lisa Helps. “We live in a seismically active area and need to be prepared by knowing where our tsunami safe zones are. Luckily, Victoria is quite protected from even the worst tsunamis, so for many residents, you can stay where you are and not be at risk.”

There are many different scenarios that could cause a tsunami in our region. That is why it is important to know locations of tsunami hazard areas and where the nearest tsunami safe zone is closest to your home, workplace, and school. The good news is that in Victoria, most areas of the city are in the tsunami safe zone or it is a short distance away and easy to get to on foot or by bike.

If you are in a tsunami hazard zone and feel an earthquake that makes it difficult to stand for 60 seconds or more, drop, cover, and hold on, count to 60 once all shaking has stopped, and then move to higher ground or inland immediately. Do not wait for an official tsunami warning.  

The City of Victoria recently updated our Tsunami Hazard Zone Map to reflect regional tsunami modelling updated in 2021 as part of the CRD’s Coastal Flood Inundation Mapping Project. This modelling reflects 11 different earthquake scenarios that may cause a tsunami in our region.

To find out where your tsunami safe zone is and get all the details on the virtual High Ground Hike contest, check out VictoriaReady.ca. While you are there, sign up for Victoria’s emergency notification system Vic-Alert. 

Learn more about tsunami preparedness at PreparedBC: www.gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC.

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Have Your Say: All Our Voices

Share your ideas about how the City of Victoria can be more inclusive and equitable when we engage the community. Your ideas will help us update the City’s Engagement Framework. The Framework guides how the City collects ideas and feedback from the community.

This survey is a chance for the City to hear from voices that we haven’t heard from as much in the past. If you identify as an individual or as part of a community who has been, or continues to be under-represented, we invite you to share your thoughts by April 30.  We’d also love it if you could share this survey with a neighbour or friend who might not regularly participate in City engagement opportunities. Thank you!

Click here to learn more and complete the survey.

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Learn more and register to attend

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“The Emissions Reduction Plan is a positive step forward on an urgent path to meet Canada’s climate change commitments under the Paris Agreement. It provides meaningful opportunities to invest in protecting the planet while building strong, resilient economies. 

“The Federal plan aligns well with the City of Victoria’s Climate Leadership Plan City of Victoria Climate Action Plan adopted in 2018, and highlights the integral role that cities play in creating a cleaner future and healthy economy for the next generations.

“The City of Victoria applauds the Federal Government’s recognition of the influential role that local governments have in controlling or influencing emissions reductions. Cities are on the frontline of the climate crisis. In order to meet the federal government’s ambitious targets, significant Federal-Municipal collaboration and Federal resources for municipalities are needed. The new funding programs announced in this plan will create meaningful partnerships, build awareness and shift behaviours in our communities.

“To optimize investment results, we would like to see more of theLow Carbon Economy Fund earmarked for a specific municipal allocation that would allow local decarbonization projects to move forward more quickly.

“For example, the City of Victoria has long been a champion and early adopter of climate action initiatives that prioritize emissions reductions in transportation. Victoria has a comprehensive EV and E-Mobility Strategy (Victoria EV and E-Mobility Strategy) that aims to install 100 charging stations in 2022 and has set a target for approximately 650 charging stations by 2027.

“The Capital Region has one of the highest percentage of EV sales in Canada. Access to these new Federal funds now will feed the momentum we are experiencing and move us forward more quickly in our collective efforts to meet Canada’s climate goals. Key for local governments to meet our climate ambitions is multi-year funding. This allows planning certainty so we don’t have to roll the dice every year with funding asks. 

“The City of Victoria looks forward to continuing to work with the Federal government as other local governments across the country to scale up the climate solutions that already exist in cities. We will continue as partners to deliver Canada’s ambitious climate goals for the good of our communities, our economies and our collective future.”

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Neighbour Hubs are vibrant public spaces that foster community connection while providing emergency resources for neighbourhoods.

“Connected communities are resilient communities,” said Mayor Lisa Helps. “When neighbours know each other, they are better prepared to take collective action and respond to emergency situations. Neighbour Hubs will act as outdoor community meet-up spots to swap ideas and share local news and information at any time, and especially during an emergency.”

There are currently three Neighbour Hubs in the City, with one more to be constructed in 2022. The plan is to eventually have one Hub in every neighbourhood.

Ideas from the community gathered through an online design session and survey will inform three template designs for future Neighbour Hubs to be built and maintained by the City. In addition to basic emergency supplies, Hubs could include useful community features like sharing libraries, mobile charging stations, seating, community bulletin boards, public art and bike parking. Hubs will be designed to be accessible for people with disabilities and welcoming to all ages.

Communities will get involved to activate and care for the Hubs on an ongoing basis.

There are now two outdoor Neighbour Hubs in the City – one in Fairfield on Leonard Street near Cook Street Village and another on Harbour Road in VicWest near the Galloping Goose Trail. A third Hub is indoors, located at Crystal Garden, which can be booked by community organizations as a meeting space.

To share your ideas, take the survey at engage.victoria.ca/neighbourhubs by April 20 and sign up for the online design session taking place on April 6.

Learn more about Neighbour Hubs and community preparedness

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The City is supporting 41 festivals with $321,200 in Festival Investment Grant funding and up to $129,500 of in-kind contributions to usher in the return to festival season in Victoria. 

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“We are committed to exploring our citizens views on amalgamating the City of Victoria and the District of Saanich and now that we can hold large gatherings in person again, we are planning to move forward.

“We have all agreed to each contribute $250,000, for a total of $750,000, toward the cost of a citizens assembly and to explore the possible outcomes, costs, benefits and disadvantages of amalgamation so that residents have a more complete understanding of what amalgamation may involve.

“We recognize there are strong opinions regarding amalgamation, and we want to ensure people have an opportunity to provide input in an open forum and a subsequent decision is well-informed and evidence-based.

“Given the upcoming general local elections in October and our shared commitment to a thorough and well-run process for considering this issue, we anticipate the launch of the citizens assembly will occur after the general local elections.”

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“We’re releasing this compilation of economic recovery data to show Victorians the story the numbers tell in terms of our City’s ongoing recovery from the pandemic,” said Mayor Lisa Helps. “The new year-end data we are releasing today confirms that we are building back in the face of the pandemic. All signs point to continued recovery in 2022, with the anticipated return of more workers and visitors to downtown, ongoing growth in construction and office occupancy. All this is huge boost for our small businesses.”

The data indicates that actions laid out in Victoria 3.0 Recovery, Reinvention and Resilience are working to support small businesses, including a 23.1 per cent increase in on street parking transaction and a 14.5 per cent jump in newly issued business licenses over 2020 levels. The ongoing work of the City’s Business Hub continues to make it easier to do business in Victoria.

“We’re seeing numerous companies make new long-term commitments in the downtown office sector with significant associated investment,” said Robert Jawl of Jawl Properties on the leasing market downtown.

New construction in the City reached an all-time high of $705.3 million in value in 2021, comprising just over a third of the $2 billion in construction value in the region, and nearly twice the $358.9 million city total in 2020.

“Greater Victorians have embraced choosing local as permanent motivation for their shopping habits. As a result, despite the Omicron variant, we saw a tremendous holiday shopping season, in fact record setting for some retailers. With office workers returning and a strong tourism season upcoming, downtown will be more alive and vibrant than ever,” said Jeff Bray, Executive Director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association.

Pedestrian traffic in the downtown core last year eclipsed 2020 totals, even with declines in December due to Omicron. They climbed to 9,631,509 million trips in 2021, still shy of 2019 pre-pandemic levels when there was a total of 17.5 million pedestrian trips.

Hotel occupancy last year outperformed 2020 in 10 out of 12 months, and with pre-arrival testing requirements gone and cruise ships returning April 6 all signs point to a strong spring and summer tourism season.

“The Visitor Economy across Greater Victoria is recovering quickly, in fact quicker than anticipated.  Through spring confirmed hotel bookings on the books are pacing just below 2019 figures,” said Paul Nursey, CEO – Destination Greater Victoria.  “Meetings and conferences are starting up again, and we have a series of major events this year including North West Deuce Days in July.  We eagerly await the return of FRS Clipper, cruise and Kenmore Air in the weeks ahead.  To top it all off, Destination Greater Victoria has a massive marketing push in the market now in our top five key source market cities to drive revenue back into our city.  Brighter days are just around the corner.”

The City will release data on these indicators quarterly over the next few years to track Victoria’s economic recovery.

For more information on the economic recovery dashboard, visit victoria.ca/EconomicDevelopment.

ATTACHMENT: Year end December 2021 Building Back Victoria by the Numbers

MR_Attachment_Downtown data dashboard YEAR END 2021.pdf

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The arts and culture sector that was hard-hit by the pandemic will get a boost with a new grant program of $250,000 in annual funding, plus an additional $150,000 in one-time funding in 2022 for accessibility upgrades. This $400,000 in City funding will support upgrades for performance and rehearsal spaces, including improvements to make venues safer and more accessible for artists and audiences. 

A thriving arts and culture sector is an important contributor to community growth and well-being. Victoria’s arts and culture sector contributes $435.8 million to the local economy and employs 5,588 people in the city. The creative economy also attracts investment, workers and tourists, and creates jobs and business growth across other sectors. Affordable and accessible cultural facilities provide spaces for community members to work, practice, host activities and connect with each other.

The Cultural Infrastructure Grant program provides funding ranging from $15,000 to $100,000 per organization depending on the project. Eligible organizations can apply and receive funding for one project per year. The deadline for applications is April 29, 2022, at 4 p.m.

Eligible applicants include Victoria-based arts and cultural spaces operated by non-profit societies, non-profit cooperatives, registered charities, Songhees and Esquimalt First Nation Councils or Urban Indigenous non-profit organizations.

The City is hosting an online information session April 5, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. for interested organizations to learn more about grant guidelines. To register, please click here. The event will also be recorded and posted on the City’s website for those who are unable to attend.

To learn more, visit Cultural Infrastructure Grant | Victoria.

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Hosted by Mayor Lisa Helps, this week’s episode is available here and on the City of Victoria’s social media channels. 

Here’s What’s Up At Council on Thursday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m. View the meeting agenda and tune in to the live webcast.     

What Was Decided?

Council Highlights provide a snapshot of the progress made on City programs, initiatives and on Council decision-making. Sign up to receive our Council Highlights by emailing engage@victoria.ca.

Who Voted for What?

You can see and track Council voting records at the click of a mouse with the Council Meeting Dashboard. The dashboard makes it easy to see how members of Council voted on a particular motion and gives you more tools to access and analyze information about decisions that impact you. The dashboard begins at the start of Council’s four-year term in November 2018.

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The arts and culture sector that was hard-hit by the pandemic will get a boost with a new grant program of $250,000 in annual funding, plus an additional $150,000 in one-time funding in 2022 for accessibility upgrades. This $400,000 in City funding will support upgrades for performance and rehearsal spaces, including improvements to make venues safer and more accessible for artists and audiences. 

A thriving arts and culture sector is an important contributor to community growth and well-being. Victoria’s arts and culture sector contributes $435.8 million to the local economy and employs 5,588 people in the city. The creative economy also attracts investment, workers and tourists, and creates jobs and business growth across other sectors. Affordable and accessible cultural facilities provide spaces for community members to work, practice, host activities and connect with each other.

The Cultural Infrastructure Grant program provides funding ranging from $15,000 to $100,000 per organization depending on the project. Eligible organizations can apply and receive funding for one project per year. The deadline for applications is April 29, 2022, at 4 p.m.

Eligible applicants include Victoria-based arts and cultural spaces operated by non-profit societies, non-profit cooperatives, registered charities, Songhees and Esquimalt First Nation Councils or Urban Indigenous non-profit organizations.

The City is hosting an online information session April 5, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. for interested organizations to learn more about grant guidelines. To register, please click here. The event will also be recorded and posted on the City’s website for those who are unable to attend.

To learn more, visit Cultural Infrastructure Grant | Victoria.

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“We are grateful to see the Province make these important new investments to help prevent vulnerable people falling into homelessness in the first place, and to support those with complex care needs who have experienced homelessness for too long without the supports they need. 

“Increasing support for youth in government care, expanding rent supplements and building more permanent affordable housing will help to address the root causes of homelessness.

“The $164 million earmarked for complex care housing and supports, with the promise of 20 new sites across British Columbia, is something the City and others have been calling for. Complex care housing can’t come soon enough; the need is great in Victoria and the region.

“Both the City and the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness have been calling for more rent supplements at an increased amount. The 3,000 new rent supplements at $600 each announced in Budget 2022 can be deployed quickly to get people into existing housing and we look forward to using as many as possible, as quickly as possible, in the city and the region.

“I’m really encouraged to see the government take a cross-ministry approach to preventing and addressing homelessness. With all the ministers and their staff working together and focused on this issue in a coordinated systemic way, we’re one step closer to making sure that everyone in our city, region and province has a safe place they can call home. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Province.”

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In a show of support for the Songhees, City of Victoria has provided a formal letter of support for recognition of Songhees’ Treaty Settlement Lands within City boundaries. Although the treaty negotiations with British Columbia and Canada continue, this represents a significant step in the Treaty process and in relations with First Nations governments.

“Today we celebrate and honour Mayor Helps and Council in their efforts to rebuild the relationship with the Songhees Nation,” said Chief Ron Sam. “We appreciate their support in our mission to negotiate return of our traditional lands in Lək̓ʷəŋən territory through Treaty, and for their unwavering commitment to working government-to-government with our leadership over the years. It is a truly historic day, and we look forward to continuing our respectful and valuable relationship to benefit all families who live in Victoria and the surrounding area.”

“The City of Victoria acknowledges that it is built on the homelands of the Lək̓ʷəŋən speaking peoples,” said Mayor Helps. “We welcome the opportunity to work towards decolonization and to address the wrongs of the past by supporting the Songhees Nation in their efforts to get some of their land back. We have a strong and deep relationship with Chief Sam and his Council that we value very much. It is this relationship that can lead to meaningful reconciliation between the City and the Songhees Nation to the benefit of their members and our residents.”

The Songhees Nation and the City of Victoria are committed to working together to reach an agreement that will see important reliable services provided to the Treaty Settlement Lands, and that will establish transparent processes to the benefit of both the residents of Victoria and the members of the Songhees Nation.

Backgrounder

The City of Victoria is located on the traditional territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) speaking people, including the Songhees Nation;
Songhees Nation is currently negotiating a land claim agreement under the British Columbia Treaty Process through the Te’mexw Treaty Association;
Songhees Nation wishes to acquire certain parcels of land located within the City of Victoria as Treaty Settlements Lands as part of its treaty negotiations;
Treaty Settlement Land is essential to the Songhees Nation’s Treaty negotiations;
In 2017, the City of Victoria committed to and began a journey towards reconciliation with First Nations peoples;
The City of Victoria is committed to reconciliation and to working with the Songhees Nation on a government-to-government level;
The City of Victoria wishes to support the Songhees Nation’s acquisition of Treaty Settlement Lands in Victoria via the BCTC treaty process;
Treaty negotiations with Canada and British Columbia are continuing and although the lands in question are in active consideration, they will require an approval process and further consultation before they could be offered as part of the Treaty Settlement with the Songhees;
The parties seek to work together towards their shared goals in the spirit of reconciliation and in the best interests of their communities.

The Songhees Nation is currently negotiating a modern Treaty as part of the Te’mexw Treaty Association, having signed an Agreement in Principle in 2015. The City of Victoria supports the Songhees Nation in their Treaty aspirations and wishes to work with Songhees in the spirit of mutual respect and collaboration.

Letter from Mayor Helps to Chief Sam.pdf [PDF – 92 KB]

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“Victoria has so many amazing neighbourhoods, each with their own unique identity and sense of community pride,” said Mayor Lisa Helps. “I am eager to see how neighbourhoods will use these grants to make their communities more inclusive, social and resilient places.”

My Great Neighbourhood Grants were developed to support strong, connected neighbourhoods through funding for projects and activities that empower residents to shape their local area. The City provides up to $5,000 for placemaking and community resiliency projects and up to $1,000 for community building activities. Residents must match the funding request with volunteer time and in kind donations. This year $131,330 of funding is available. Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Once applications are approved, funding will be distributed on a first-in, first-funded basis. Applications will close for the year on October 31.

Community Virtuals – Lunch and Learn, March 16

With the 2022 grant intake set to open, the City’s Neighbourhood Team is hosting a special Lunch & Learn event focused on the My Great Neighbourhood Grants program. The Community Virtuals session on March 16 will give residents the opportunity to learn more about the program and get their questions answered by staff. Register for the free event.

The City also has a new resource to help neighbours with placemaking projects. The Placemaking Toolkit offers ideas, inspiration and guidance to help make placemaking projects successful. It includes a catalogue of City-approved outdoor furniture, paint and lighting options. Learn more and apply for a My Great Neighbourhood Grant

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Hosted by Mayor Lisa Helps, this week’s episode is available here and on the City of Victoria’s social media channels. 

Here’s What’s Up At Council on Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. View the meeting agenda and tune in to the lhttps://victoria.ca/EN/main/city/mayor-council-committees/council-committee-meetings.html”>ive webcast.     

What Was Decided?

Council Highlights provide a snapshot of the progress made on City programs, initiatives and on Council decision-making. Sign up to receive our Council Highlights by emailing engage@victoria.ca.

Who Voted for What?

You can see and track Council voting records at the click of a mouse with the Council Meeting Dashboard. The dashboard makes it easy to see how members of Council voted on a particular motion and gives you more tools to access and analyze information about decisions that impact you. The dashboard begins at the start of Council’s four-year term in November 2018.

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“We are delighted to join other municipalities across Canada in proclaiming 2022 as the Year of the Garden,” said Mayor Lisa Helps. “Victoria is proud to be a garden friendly city and is known for its amazing plant and flower displays, progressive urban food initiatives and innovative horticultural practices that help our community adapt to a changing climate. Gardens and gardening contribute to quality of life, increase local food security, clean the air and water, and create welcoming places where people can come together.”

The Year of the Garden celebrations begin with Council approval of two new community gardens in the Vic West and South Jubilee neighbourhoods. The gardens will support residents to grow their own vegetables, fruit and flowers, while building social connection and interaction with their neighbours.

In Vic West, the Orca Rescue Society and local residents will build and maintain a community garden in Alston Green. The garden will include allotment beds, food trees and commons areas planted with native and pollinator plants. It aims to promote local food security through access to plots and demonstration gardens while also raising awareness about resident orca whales.

South Jubilee Neighbourhood Association volunteers will create and maintain a community garden in Redfern Park. The design includes curved demonstration beds, food trees and commons gardens planted with edible perennials, native and pollinator plants. Other features include an accessible pathway and seating areas, wayfinding and educational signage, a picnic table, and a pergola with a living roof and an arbour.

Council also approved new grant guidelines to manage funding for community garden start-ups, volunteer coordinators, micro-grants, and a service grant.

The City will host a variety of gardening education events throughout 2022, starting in March with new Growing in the City workshops about growing your own food, starting seeds indoors, and fruit tree pruning.

To learn more about the City’s gardening programs and services, visit victoria.ca/growinginthecity.

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The City asked the Court for its opinion, advice, and direction on whether Beacon Hill Park, held by the City in trust, can be used by people experiencing homelessness for temporary sheltering.

In its ruling issued today, Mr. Justice Punnett said that the terms of the trust prohibit sheltering in Beacon Hill Park. In doing so, the Court made it clear that it is providing advice to the City but made no orders on any action that the City must take. It is for the City, as the trustee, to decide what, if any, action is required in light of the court’s decision.

“We are grateful to the court for its opinion and advice to clarify this question and the nature of the trust for the City and the community,” said Mayor Lisa Helps. “Today’s ruling brings clarity on how this deeply valued park can be used by the public and how it should be managed and operated by the City. It is important for the City to have a definitive answer to this question once and for all.”

“Sheltering in parks is not a solution to homelessness and we are working closely with the Province and our partners to achieve functional zero homelessness in the Capital Region,” said Helps.

The City is reviewing the Court decision and it is not expected to have any immediate effect on Beacon Hill Park because in 2021 Council amended the Parks Regulation Bylaw to prohibit all sheltering in the park.

Beacon Hill Park is held in trust by the City under an 1882 Crown grant by the Province.

The City filed the petition under the Trustee Act in March 2021 asking the court to clarify how it should manage and operate the park. In its decision, the Court noted that it was making no ruling on the validity of any City action or bylaw but merely providing advice to the City as trustee.

People and organizations with an interest in the issue participated in the proceedings.

For more information on sheltering in parks, visit victoria.ca/sheltering.

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Every year on February 22, the Girl Guides of Canada celebrate World Thinking Day, a day of international friendship. It is an opportunity to speak out on issues that affect girls and young women, celebrate the founding of Girl Guides, and be connected to the 10 million members around the world.

Learn more.

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Hosted by Mayor Lisa Helps, this week’s episode is available here and on the City of Victoria’s social media channels. 

Here’s What’s Up At Council on Thursday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m. View the meeting agenda and tune in to the live webcast.    

What Was Decided?

Council Highlights provide a snapshot of the progress made on City programs, initiatives and on Council decision-making. Sign up to receive our Council Highlights by emailing engage@victoria.ca.

Who Voted for What?

You can see and track Council voting records at the click of a mouse with the Council Meeting Dashboard. The dashboard makes it easy to see how members of Council voted on a particular motion and gives you more tools to access and analyze information about decisions that impact you. The dashboard begins at the start of Council’s four-year term in November 2018.

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Activities include music, activity stations, mini-field soccer, bouncy castle, bocce area, and more! 

Activity schedule:

Puppy Pageant – 10 a.m.
Dress up your pup in their favourite costume and bring them to meet their friends! Participating pups get dog treats from Doodlebug Pet Food. All dogs must be on a leash.

Craft Workshop – 11 a.m.
Drop-in with SUPPLY Victoria and get creative with an all ages and abilities upcycled craft.

Base Running with Harvey – 11-1 p.m.
Join Harvey the HarbourCats mascot for a run around the infield. 

Big Tree Band with Matt and Bill – noon
A family friendly musical performance by local talents.

Storytime’s a Drag – 1 p.m.
Sit back and enjoy story hour with Staches and Lashes, a collective of drag performers who host queer arts events with a focus on LGBTQ2* kids and youth programming.

Bring a picnic or enjoy complimentary light refreshments.

The active transportation corridor on Vancouver St. provides a convenient route to and from the event for families traveling by bike. Free on-street parking is located along Pembroke Ave. and Cook St. Parking is also available in the Caledonia Ave. parking lot. Entrance is through the main gate on Caledonia Ave.

COVID safety protocols will be in place including handwashing/sanitizing stations, physical distancing guidelines, and a capacity limit of 300 people. Masks are strongly encouraged.

The Province of British Columbia has provided the City of Victoria a grant in support of our free, community Family Day activity. To learn more visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/celebrating-british-columbia/bc-family-day

Thank you to the North Park Neighbourhood Association and the Victoria HarbourCats for contributing to the day’s activities.

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City Hall
Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre
Beacon Hill Park Maintenance Yard
Public Works Yard
Victoria Conference Centre
Monday, February 21 – closed

Family Day at Royal Athletic Park
Join us for a free B.C. Family Day event at Royal Athletic Park on Monday, February 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities will include family-friendly music, activity stations, mini-field soccer, bouncy castle, bocce area, and base running with Harvey the HarbourCats mascot. Bring a picnic or enjoy complimentary light refreshments. Learn more. 

Kitchen Scraps and Garbage Collection
Kitchen Scraps and Garbage collection will not occur on Monday, February 21. View your Kitchen Scraps and Garbage Collection Schedule.

Saturday Garden Waste Drop-Off
The Saturday Garden Waste Drop-Off at the Public Works Yard will be open on Saturday, February 19 from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Learn more about this residential service.

Emergency Streets and Utilities Services
Emergency streets and utility services are not affected by the holiday and can be contacted day or night at 250.361.0400.

Parking
Parking downtown at on-street meters and at City parkades will be FREE on Monday, February 21. Learn more about parking downtown.

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“I would like to thank the provincial government for working with the City of Victoria and the Chinese Canadian community to support the development of the Chinese Canadian Museum’s temporary exhibition space in Victoria, including the recent announcement of $27.5 million for the Museum’s new permanent home in Vancouver Chinatown.

“Victoria is home of the oldest Chinatown in Canada and has a strong and diverse Chinese community with a rich and deep history. Members of the Chinese community have been leaders in arts, culture, business and politics, sometimes needing to overcome discrimination and racism to do so. The establishment of a temporary exhibition space by the Chinese Canadian Museum in Fan Tan Alley in Chinatown will enable Victorians and visitors alike to learn about the history and lived experiences of Victoria’s Chinese community.

“I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and leadership of former Mayor Alan Lowe and Chair of the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society. The tireless work of Lowe and the volunteer board members working with the Chinese Canadian Museum, with support from the provincial government has helped to achieve this significant and important milestone in our community.”

The Chinese Canadian Museum Society of British Columbia, in cooperation with the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society and supported by the Province of British Columbia, is presenting First Steps: Chinese Canadian Journeys in Victoria and the Gold Mountain Dream! exhibitions at 10 – 14 Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in Canada where Chinese pioneers once gathered. The exhibitions will open on February 18 and run until the end of September.

Learn more. 

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“I’d like to thank Premier Horgan and Minister Kahlon for developing the StrongerBC Economic Plan that lays the ground for a resilient and inclusive economy where wealth and opportunity are broadly shared. I’m also appreciative that the government consulted with local governments in the development of this plan. It’s good to see that the plan recognizes that creating an innovative, sustainable wellbeing economy is only possible with more affordable housing, increased access to childcare, and closing the inequality gap.

“This long-term approach to economic development aligns in significant ways with Victoria 3.0, Recovery Reinvention and Resilience, 2020-2041, including a focus on economic inclusion, nurturing innovation, and creating low-carbon prosperity and high-value jobs for the future.

“The city is a key partner in the development of the Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST) and we’re thrilled to see the provincial government’s focus on Clean Growth and their commitment to support the growth of innovative, high-potential businesses that deliver economic, environmental and social returns. Through COAST, we are strongly aligned and our ocean and marine sector businesses are well positioned to help energize B.C.’s economic future.

“The emphasis in the plan to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and create an Indigenous Economic Development Agency, among other actions, will ensure First Nations are respected and integrated into these plans and projects. This City has been working closely with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations to advance our shared economic prosperity. 

“With high-tech and marine sectors having so large a footprint and impact in Victoria, we need to ensure that these companies can make investments into research and development, commercialization, access to global and domestic customers, and having access to talent and capital. This is a key ambition of Victoria 3.0, and in particular, the City’s Arts and Innovation District in the north end of downtown. 

“As B.C.’s capital city, and the economic heart of the capital region, we look forward to working with the Province over the coming decades to support the transition to a low-carbon economy that will generate well-paying jobs that are vital to the health and wellbeing of residents here at home and in communities across the province.”

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