Municipal Government

Cats in Nanaimo that want to go outdoors will have to be sterilized and bear identification under the animal responsibility bylaw adopted by city council Tuesday, Sept. 21. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo’s ‘cat control’ animal responsibility bylaw now official

Outdoor cats can’t be at large on other people’s properties, but enforcement will be complaint-based

 

Diane Proctor of Port Alberni is so upset about city council’s recent decision to increase wages that she has been picketing with a sign out front of city hall and other locations. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Port Alberni senior rages against city council voting itself a 40% pay hike

Decision made to get pay in line with other municipalities goes into effect after next election

 

Making civic and other institutional purchases with an eye to social impact is among the goals the Coastal Communities Social Procurement Initiative, of which the City of Victoria, Township of Esquimalt and Capital Regional District are members. (Photo courtesy City of Victoria)

Greater Victoria civic agencies help drive B.C. social procurement initiative

$200 million spent by members on socially valuable goods and services in first two years

 

The president of the North Saanich Residents Association said the organization’s leadership welcomes recent changes to the official community plan review unfolding in that community. (Photo by Paige Gibson)

Request for more information on OCP review a good sign, say North Saanich residents

Council last week refused to accept official community plan summary report as drafted

The president of the North Saanich Residents Association said the organization’s leadership welcomes recent changes to the official community plan review unfolding in that community. (Photo by Paige Gibson)
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 Greater Victoria 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)
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 first maternity, parental leave policy for its elected officials

Lack of provisions for councillors to take parental leave created barriers, staff say

(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)
Sooke’s municipal hall is eyed for TLC, with a 10-year refurbishing plan. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke’s municipal hall set for upgrades

The project is part of a 10-year, $1.2-million plan to renovate and refurbish the building

Sooke’s municipal hall is eyed for TLC, with a 10-year refurbishing plan. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
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.
The District of Metchosin’s city hall (Black Press Media file photo)

Metchosin opens council meetings to the public

Admittance limited to 12 spectators, including presenters, in council chambers only

The District of Metchosin’s city hall (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich approves core budget for 2020 to reduce property tax amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich trims proposed property tax increase in light of COVID-19

Some councillors upset the 3.75% increase does not include accelerated climate action

Saanich approves core budget for 2020 to reduce property tax amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)