Jan 24 - Councillors say Victoria could be the new Copenhagen

Good morning !

We all have our thoughts on what Victoria is, what it used to be, and where it’s going. Two sophomore city councillors say they have “bold plans” for the city, and our Sidney Coles sat down with them to find out what those are.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

New councillors see change as opportunity for Victoria to soar

Victoria often has been painted as a picturesque but sleepy outpost whose temperament can be taciturn, especially when it comes to big change. Despite or in part because of that same reputation, Victoria was ranked No. 1 by the Globe and Mail as Canada’s most liveable city and rated the best small city in the world by the prestigious tourism magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

Couns. Matt Dell and Jeremy Caradonna are hoping that investments in housing, parks, the arts, and green rapid transportation will propel Victoria into being a world-class destination such as Amsterdam or Copenhagen.  

They list a series of accomplishments and new projects as proof of the bold new vision that a change in city council representation brought in the last municipal election. The new council consists of “people who are optimistic, enthusiastic and have a new vision, and it's been actually very effective over the last year like it's given us a whole new blank-slate mandate,” Caradonna tells Capital Daily.

The pair broke down the council's recent achievements and vision into four themes: housing, parks and recreation, arts and culture, and the environment.

Read Sidney Coles’ story to see what the mandate looks like.   

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

How should Saanich spend? [Survey]

Have your say on CRD parks. If you’re selected. [Survey]

Missing man last seen downtown. [VicPD]

NEWS

Victoria woman awarded $1M in damages in 2016 rear-end collision

Eight years after the crash that led to a four-car pile-up and $16K in damages to her station wagon—but most importantly, did not injure the child she was carrying—Alyssa Reaume was awarded the damages in BC Supreme Court this week.

Reaume was 23 years old and four-and-a-half months pregnant when her car was rear-ended on her way home from work as a Starbucks supervisor on Aug. 11, 2016. Reaume was among a line of stopped cars when her vehicle was slammed from behind by a Ford F-550 pickup driven by a Sooke woman. The impact sent the station wagon into other vehicles and Reaume into an understandable panic about the condition of her unborn child, which would be her first.

Fortunately, an ultrasound showed the fetus to be undamaged, and Reaume eventually turned her attention to the injuries she had suffered, including to her right shoulder, and head. An onslaught of migraines, anxiety, and depression led her to seek damages for past and future loss of income-earning capacity, future care, and non-pecuniary damages for intangible losses.

Andrea Ressetto, who was driving the pickup, took responsibility but didn’t agree with how severe the injuries were. Ressetto agreed to pay $40K in damages, but Justice Andrew Mayer saw things differently.

Justice Mayer awarded Reaume $120,000 for non-pecuniary damages, $850,000 for loss of future earning capacity and $12,500 for future care in addition to agreed amounts—she won a total of $1,021,953.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

💩 CRD long-term biosolids management plan survey. [Here]

🍽️ Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria kicks off its 20th anniversary with its annual Gala Launch. Enjoy bites and bevvies from more than 50 Victoria eateries, as well as live music, circus performances, and more! You don’t want to miss this one – get your tickets!*

🌌 The Secrets of the Galaxy: This year marks the centennial of Edwin Hubble’s discovery that other galaxies exist. In the latest Cafe Scientifique, UVic’s Sara Ellison walks you through that history and her research on galaxies: how they form stars, feed black holes… and die. [Watch] [Begins at 3:37]

⭐ Nominate your favourite local restaurants in the Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards. Enter your nominations in any of the 18 categories here!*

🐦🪵 See a line of Dunlins logrolling in Colwood.

🤝 Now hiring: Facility Management Assistant at Jawl Properties.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Hockey Day in Vic scores ‘better than busiest summer day’
Preliminary reports suggest the city scored a hat trick over the all-shinny weekend: filling events, hotels, and restaurants/bars as an estimated 15K spilled into the downtown core. Organizers say the national exposure from the all-day TV event will only help to attract future tourists. [Times Colonist]

Man arrested after stabbing in front of VicPD HQ
The victim was cycling by the police precinct yesterday morning when the man approached and began slashing with a knife, police said. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police think the suspect entered a childcare facility an hour earlier, stealing a tablet and pulling the fire alarm. No children were in the vicinity. [VicPD]

Youbou creek name deemed offensive, could be changed
Natural Resources Canada has flagged Coonskin Creek for being derogatory. A request to Cowichan Valley Regional District was made to remove the name and will be on the agenda of today’s board meeting. The name was given in 1952 and was believed to be related to the raccoons in the area, however, it’s also a racial slur. [CTV]

Oak Bay man invents quiet pickleball paddle to hush the racket
Necessity being the mother of invention, Howard Haugom says he’s developed the quietest pickleball paddle. Ever. He’s calling it the Peace Paddle because it may go a long way in silencing the bickering that’s taken place between those who partake in the burgeoning sport and those who say they can’t tolerate the distinctive sound the ball makes when swatted. [CHEK]

SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA

Circa contemporary circus comes to Victoria

Internationally acclaimed troupe Circa takes the Royal Theatre stage for one night only on Feb. 10 for a jaw-dropping and mesmerizing evening of contemporary circus. Presented by Dance Victoria, the Australian company will perform its new, celebrated work titled Humans 2.0 as part of its ongoing world tour. Visit the website for more info.

🗓️ Things to do

🎵 German Lieder Competition: Hear vocal performances of classic German repertoire at Alix Goolden Hall. Today. 5:30pm.

🎤 Acoustic Open Mic: Check out this drop-in open mic at Hermann’s Upstairs. Tonight. 7pm.

📕 Smut Slam: Settle in for an evening of lust-filled storytelling at the Victoria Event Centre. Tonight. 7pm.

🎷 Louise Rose: Louise Rose will perform solo jazz vocals and piano at Hermann’s. Tonight. 7pm.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Victoria researchers launch ocean monitoring in Antarctica. [Capital Daily]

Monday headlines: Indoor pickleball hub coming; Is that it for winter?; Major construction planned for Interurban. [Jan. 22]

Tuesday headlines: Vic singer Diamond Cafe signs with Warner; Bear and cub spotted at Elk Lake home; PFC staying in Langford? [Jan. 23]

Man accused of working as an unqualified dental hygienist in Saanich now wanted BC-wide. 

Winter Wonderland at Royal Roads, shot by Doug Clement. 

See octopuses hiding out in rocks at Madrona Point. [Video]

That’s it!

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