The CEO of Our Place Society announced yesterday that he hopes to find homes by the end of the year for people living on the street in the 900-block of Pandora Ave.
“It distresses me to see so many displaced people,” Our Place CEO Julian Daly said in a media release. “No one should be consigned to living on the pavement in our city. It’s a crying shame. All people deserve so much better.” Our Place, located in the middle of the Pandora encampments, recently surveyed people living on the street. Not surprisingly, all of them hoped for a better life. “Each person told us they wanted housing, and what supports they needed to be successful once housed,” Daly said, noting the survey showed people need help with addiction and mental health as much as they do with housing. “There is no one-size-fits-all solution,” Daly says. “Instead, we have to tailor our supports to the individual.” Some of the highlights of the survey were:
On Tuesday, the provincial government released the next round of municipalities facing scrutiny to ensure they are helping increase BC's housing supply.
The next 20 priority municipalities include the following in Greater Victoria:
The first list, released last spring, included the City of Victoria, the District of Saanich and the District of Oak Bay. Each community receives a target number of total units that are expected to be built within a specific time-frame. The targets for the latest communities will be made public this summer. "The Chamber supports efforts to increase housing supply and we continue to advocate for all levels of government to smooth the process for builders so the construction work needed can be done," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "I'm looking forward to speaking with Premier Eby next week at the Chamber breakfast to hear firsthand how the province is advocating for support from the federal government." The Chamber hosts Premier Eby on April 30. Register now to reserve your seat at the table. Talk is turning to action on the latest attempt to pursue municipal amalgamation. Invitations to serve on the Victoria-Saanich Citizens' Assembly have been sent to 10,000 residents in the two communities. They have until May 30 to confirm whether they will participate.
From there, 48 people will be selected through a randomized lottery process that fairly represents the population of both municipalities. Finally, the committee will come together over eight Saturdays starting in September and wrapping up in April. At that point, they will produce a report outlining the pros and cons of merging Greater Victoria's two largest municipalities. A new hub close to the "heart of Saanich" was given a key stamp of approval on Monday.
The District of Saanich has an extensive plan for the Uptown-Douglas area, which is at the crossroads of Greater Victoria's core municipalities. The area will be zoned to shape new development designed to grow the neighbourhood as a major hub north of downtown Victoria and between the West Shore and Saanich Peninsula. The plan includes turning Oak Street into a vibrant commercial district that creates a walkable boulevard between Uptown Mall and Mayfair Shopping Centre. The City of Victoria is updating its Official Community Plan this year. The province requires all BC municipalities to update their OCP every five years with a vision for the next 20 years. Victoria — facing a changing climate, growing population and a profound shortage of housing — is looking for input from the public and business community to help shape the next plan.
"Decisions on where housing, businesses and parks should go, how we move around the city and ways Victoria can respond to the climate crisis are all determined by the OCP," states the city's website. "If the City was a train, the OCP would be its conductor leading the way." Community engagement will continue until September and plans currently include an open house, a survey, pop-up events in the city and an online information session. Learn more at engage.victoria.ca/ocp. As part of the plan for transforming the Uptown corridor, the province is proposing changes to Ravine Way to accommodate new bus stops and expanded trails in the area.
An information session is scheduled for May 1, from 3-7 pm at Cedar Hill Golf Course, to review design concepts, get feedback and discuss how to improve the area for people travelling by bus, foot, bicycle, wheelchair or scooter. A new waterfront neighbourhood has been proposed for the area around the Capital Iron District. In an article in the Times Colonist, Reliance Properties CEO Jon Stovell said its plan for an arts and innovation district will go before City of Victoria council on April 18.
The proposal includes preservation of heritage buildings along Store Street and 12 new buildings over two city blocks adjacent to the Upper Harbour. The area known as the Capital Iron lands is bordered by Chatham, Discovery and Government streets. If the proposal is approved, the area will be home to 500 new housing units and provide working space for 1,800 people. It will also serve as a new home for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. What would you do to make Victoria feel safer? Have your say by participating in the City of Victoria's Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan
“This public engagement will help us understand people’s thoughts, feelings, perceptions and opinions about wellbeing and safety, and encourage them to share their ideas on possible solutions,” Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto said in a news release. “Our Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan will include strategies to enhance the quality of life for our community — residents housed and unhoused, businesses, non-profits, workers of all kinds — to create a community that is safe and inclusive for everyone. The Plan will tackle a range of social issues, embracing an array of solutions.” The survey is available online until May 12. A draft of recommended actions will go to City Council in September. A longstanding concern has been addressed by proposed changes to the Police Act. Under the current rules, the chair of the local police board is automatically the person serving as mayor of the local municipality. That can create an appearance of conflict as councils must approve budgets recommended by the police board.
The new rule will allow local governments to determine who their representative will be on their police board and will allow members of the police board to elect their chair and vice-chair. "This is an important update as it will remove politics from the important decisions around ensuring police are adequately funded," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "Having appropriate resources is fundamental for police so they can continue to keep our communities safe." The District of Saanich's plan for the area around Uptown received a boost on Monday as the province announced it has secured land for a new transit-oriented development.
“Our communities are growing quickly, and people need affordable homes close to public transit, so they can get to where they need to go – and get ahead in life,” said BC Premier David Eby, who will be speaking to Chamber members on April 30. “This new development in Saanich will create a vibrant, connected community where people can find everything they need at their doorstep.” The land was bought by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s $394-million property acquisition fund. Early plans for the area in Saanich include hundreds of new homes, public spaces and active-transportation connections. There will also be new retail and commercial spaces. Other suggested services include child care, community health and educational facilities. The development will integrate the Lochside and Galloping Goose regional trails to make it a hub for active transportation and BC Transit services, with connections to downtown Victoria, the University of Victoria, the Westshore and the Saanich Peninsula. “The Uptown-Douglas area is the perfect location for a high-density, transit-oriented development and regional transit hub that will no doubt be transformative for this community," Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock said in the news release. Luke Mari, principal of Aryze Developments commented on the announcement, saying “The best transportation plan is a land-use plan. When we put the right homes in the right places – near existing services amenities and transit – we can reduce our dependence on private car use.” The Chamber has kept a watchful eye on the promise of better governance from fewer governments in our region. We're pleased to see the City of Victoria and the District of Saanich have taken the next step to explore the pros and cons of merging municipalities. A Toronto-based agency has been hired to create a Citizens' Assembly, and has launched a new website at victoriasaanich.ca. The website highlights the following steps:
Fentanyl abuse is wreaking havoc in many cities, including Greater Victoria. The Chamber advocates for safe communities for all, though there is no simple solution to addiction and the health challenges that are at the root of the issue.
Earlier today, BC's Minister of Mental Health and Addictions issued a statement marking the one-year anniversary of drug decriminalization in BC. “This past year has seen a concerning increase in toxic drug deaths in provinces across the country, and British Columbia was no exception. Ending this measure will not save a single life. As the toxicity of illicit street drugs continues to increase, more people are at serious risk. There is no single solution to this complex and unrelenting public-health emergency, and we will continue to use every tool available to save lives and connect people to care," Minister Jennifer Whiteside said, promising to invest in early intervention and prevention services, expanded access to harm-reduction supports, increased medication-assisted treatments, and expanded treatment and recovery services. The statement comes in the wake of recent comments by former Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe, who criticized the government for not providing better access to help while making the case for an ongoing pragmatic approach to decriminalization. Lapointe spoke with CBC Radio about her experience and what she believes is needed to address this crisis. The Chamber continues to call for better access to treatment and care, and applauds the recent funding for Our Place Society's New Roads Recovery Community Centre. The province is providing $9 million to fund 20 beds for women to try and replicate the success the men's program has had at the View Royal facility. They're a common sight in many cities around the world, but will e-scooters find their niche as part of the transportation puzzle facing many BC communities? The province announced today that it will begin a new safety review in April to continue the work of a pilot program that started back in 2021.
In places where motorized scooters are available, they have been shown to reduce the use of larger vehicles while supporting other modes of public transportation. The pilot project was done in 13 BC communities, with Nanaimo the only Island city. The next phase will run for four-years in any BC community that authorizes their use. Those communities will be able to prescribe where electric scooters can be used, subject to new regulations. "During the next phase of examination, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will lead an ongoing safety evaluation, together with government partners, ICBC and the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit," the ministry stated in a media release. "This work will complement safety evaluations supplied by communities participating in the review." Housing supply is at the core of Chamber advocacy. Greater Victoria, like much of North America, is facing a crunch — not enough homes are being built to meet demand. This affects the cost of living for employees, delays people from starting a family and impacts the availability of shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
A group of Canadian housing sector organizations recently released the National Housing Accord: A Multi-Sector Approach to Ending Canada’s Rental Housing Crisis. The report offers 10 solutions that aim to focus the efforts of all levels of government and industry on policies to support more building. "It's a bit of a Catch 22 in that we need skilled tradespeople to build homes so that the market has enough supply for skilled tradespeople to be able to afford to live here," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "The lack of housing affects people at all income levels but is particularly concerning for people early in their careers and those who have the added costs that come with raising kids." The City of Victoria has added an electric fire truck to its growing fleet of electric vehicles. The Rosenbauer Revolutionary Technology pumper fire engine, currently being assembled, is expected to arrive by the end of the year. Funding from the provincial government allowed the city to purchase the electric fire engine for about the same cost as a typical fire engine.
Vancouver and Brampton are the only other fire departments in Canada that have ordered RT electric fire engines, which are in use in Los Angeles, Berlin, Amsterdam and Dubai. A panel of experts has been tasked with developing a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan for the City of Victoria. The goal is to address multiple complex issues such as "declining civility and social cohesion, increasing social disorder, inadequate housing supply and homelessness, poverty, inequality, addictions, mental and physical health challenges, criminal activity and other factors."
The panel will work over the next 15 months to advise Victoria council on immediate interventions as well as long-term solutions. "I’m in frequent contact with the business community throughout the downtown and beyond and I’m consistently hearing that the impact of the pandemic is far from over," Fort Properties Ltd. CEO/co-owner Suzanne Bradbury said in the city's news release. "I believe that this is the right initiative at the right time and I’m honoured to bring a small business perspective.” Along with Bradbury, the panel includes:
The City of Victoria is considering a program that will help spruce up the look of businesses in the downtown core. The Business Façade Beautification Reimbursement Program is on the agenda for Thursday's council meeting. The city and the Downtown Victoria Business Association would split the cost of the program.
“This is an incentive to the property owners and the businesses on that block to join together and make their block look better," DVBA CEO Jeff Bray told the Times Colonist. "And I think when you do that over a handful of key blocks, it will be very noticeable.” The Township of Esquimalt and the Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce introduced the Business Façade Improvement Project this year. "As the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, we support investment in our very important downtown centres," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "They're not all the same, of course, but they all need to be safe communities. The best way to do that is to support community pride led by local business." One of the ways we can help employers address labour shortages is by improving regional transportation planning. Making commutes more convenient opens up areas outside of the core where housing costs can be less expensive. Efficient transportation is also vital for reducing harmful emissions.
The Chamber applauds the recent move by the Capital Regional District to prioritize transportation governance in Greater Victoria. The CRD Board has asked for feedback from municipalities, local areas, the province and relevant agencies to help with future decisions about how to shift modes of transportation, reduce emissions and better address congestion. The Capital Regional District board wants to help address our region's housing supply shortage by taking on more projects. The regional district can't add more to its plate unless it increases its borrowing authority. Its current cap is fully committed to new homes already under development.
“Our region’s housing crisis continues to need our dedicated perseverance to make progress,” CRD Board Chair Colin Plant said in a news release. “We need to be nimble, we need to be determined, and we need to signal a willingness to invest in solutions so we can quickly take advantage of new housing opportunities and provincial or federal government programs that will allow us to secure more units for those in need in this region.” The CRD intends to increase its borrowing authority through the Land Assembly, Housing and Land Banking service to $85 million to support new projects or the opportunity to invest in potential partnerships. The Regional Housing First Program is an example of the type of partnership that could benefit from an increase to the CRD’s borrowing authority. The program has brought 13 approved capital projects and 1,325 units to the region since 2019. The provincial government released the first cohort of municipalities that have been targeted to increase housing supply. The City of Victoria as well as the District of Saanich and the District of Oak Bay are on the list.
The Housing Supply Act allows the province to set housing targets that encourage municipalities to make construction more efficient so housing can be built faster. Some of the suggested tools include updated zoning bylaws and streamlined approval processes. “The housing crisis is hurting people and holding back our economy, and we’re taking action with our partners to cut red tape and get homes built faster for people. Municipalities are our critical partners in addressing the housing crisis and building healthy, economically viable communities,” BC's Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon said. “We welcome being part of a first wave of communities challenged to accelerate building homes for people," Victoria mayor Marianne Alto said. "These targets reflect the city’s own commitment to housing current and future Victorians.” The other municipalities are Abbotsford, Delta, Kamloops, North Vancouver, Port Moody, Vancouver and West Vancouver. A second cohort of 10 municipalities will be announced later this year. Making downtown Victoria cleaner and safer benefits our entire region. Last week, the City of Victoria announced the Our Dwtn revitalization program to attract people back to downtown. The city has allocated $1 million for the plan, which includes a Feet on the Street program utilizing VicPD foot patrols and city bylaw officers to provide a more visible presence. The intent is to help people feel safer. The program also includes a mix of cultural and retail programs to enhance the experience of being downtown. In June, the city and the Downtown Victoria Business Association are hosting a Scrub-Up event to refresh the area ahead of the busy summer season. Chamber op-ed calls for regional approach to Greater Victoria's collective downtown By the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, Downtown Victoria Business Association, and the Urban Development Institute – Capital Region. There has been a lot of talk lately about downtown Victoria. Some of the talk is positive. Greater Victoria often ranks highly in lists of desirable places to live, work and visit. Our region has a sterling reputation — especially to people who aren’t from here. But it would seem many of us believe our own bad publicity. Have we taken on an inferiority complex? Crime and violence are real but not rampant as some would have us believe. And at the root of these issues are housing and mental illness. Creating more housing supply is key to making Greater Victoria more economically sustainable. Employers need staff, and employees need to be able to afford where they live. With homes in high demand in our region, we need all levels of government to be part of the solution.
The Chamber applauds the recent decision by the District of Saanich to create more homes in the municipality. The New Small Apartment Infill Zone will allow single-family lots to be redeveloped as multi-unit apartments. There are guidelines to ensure the zoning is used on appropriate lots. “We have heard that there’s an interest in building these in Saanich,” Saanich Mayor Dean Murdoch told the Times Colonist. “We’ve got a very large university and college campuses in Saanich and there’s a desire to build housing types like this that would serve that student population.” As Greater Victoria municipalities reveal their 2023 budgets, many businesses are finding out if they'll face higher taxes this year.
Victoria, for example, has seen operating costs surge due to inflation and new spending. City council tried to scale back but businesses and residents are still facing hundreds of dollars in new costs. The typical business property assessed at $714,000 will pay an extra $445 despite getting few of the services or benefits provided to residents. It's much worse for industrial lands, which face a 37% increase that could add hundreds of thousands to major operations. "It's clear that we have work to do to help many of the new councillors in our region understand why reducing business taxes is an investment in community," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said, noting that businesses need cost certainty and many were hit with rising inflation as they were beginning to return to normal after the pandemic. "These businesses provide goods and services as well as jobs for their owners and employees. Jobs that are at risk of going away if the business is unaffordable," Williams said. "And in the case of industry, these new taxes effectively replace good jobs with money for the city to spend. That's wrong. We need to invest in our marine industries, especially, to preserve the value they add to our region." The Chamber applauds the City of Victoria council for its willingness to listen and make decisions that contribute to a great community for all.
Victoria council has voted to approve the Harris Green redevelopment that will add 1,500 much-needed rental units. Council also agreed to restore funding for a late-night policing program that has shown proven results. Chamber members are clear that safe communities and affordable housing, which helps employers find and keep workers, are among their top advocacy priorities. Rethinking governance in Greater Victoria has been a popular topic of coffee shops, talk radio and opinion columns for decades. The Chamber has long advocated for better regional services and we're happy to see the Citizens' Assembly process back on track between the City of Victoria and the District of Saanich.
On Monday, the mayors of Saanich and Victoria as well as two councillors from each municipality met to talk about next steps. The municipalities and the provincial government are splitting the $750,000 cost of holding a Citizens' Assembly. The assembly will have 27 people from Saanich and 21 from Victoria based on population. Ideally, it will also be representative of the municipalities' demographics regarding gender and age as well as the ratio of renters vs. homeowners and Indigenous population. A progress report is due at the end of this year. |
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