Sun. July 2 - New $304M ferry terminal

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

Today we’ve got an update on one of the South Island’s major infrastructure plans—and on the money needed to make it a reality.

— Cam

⛅️ Today’s weather: Mainly sunny. Wind light. High 23C (20 near the water) / low 11. UV index 8 or very high.

 🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10), no smoke expected.

NEWS

Province approves $303.9M budget for new Inner Harbour ferry terminal

Victoria moved a step closer to a snazzier, state-of-the-art ferry terminal with the province’s funding confirmation on Friday.

The Belleville Terminal has fallen into disrepair to a degree that falls short of the standards of the Canada-US Land, Rail, Marine, and Air Transport Preclearance Agreement (LRMA). Unless it is upgraded, the US could remove its customs and border protection services, which would significantly reduce or even shut down ferry operations, wounding BC’s economy.

Price tag higher than expected

The province also confirmed that the federal government will give $41.6M. Federal help was expected as of Feb., but the amount was uncertain and BC wanted to lock federal money down before moving ahead with the projects. The province had hoped last fall that it would be half the total cost; this $41.6M is much lower. Meanwhile the total project cost is above even the high end of the $220-290M range projected last fall, and the opening target is later (tourist season 2028).

But the hope is that the terminal will be an economic driver.

“The new facility we’re building is going to generate hundreds of new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in additional visitor spending over the coming decades,” said Victoria – Swan Lake Rob Fleming, BC’s transportation and infrastructure minister.

Construction will be in two phases

• The first phase, set for 2024, will include a temporary terminal in the neighbouring Steamship Building and a wharf to service the Clipper and US Customs and Border Protection. Canada’s customs operations will expand into the lower levels of the current BlackBall Coho building, with Clipper passengers also using that location for pre-clearing.

• The second phase will demolish the existing Clipper terminal and replace it with a larger, all-electric building made of mass timber and renewable materials to reduce emissions.

Statistics provided by the BC government suggest that in 2019, 680,000 people used the existing provincially owned, privately run marine terminal en route to helping generate $164M in revenue.

By Mark Brennae and Cam Welch, with files from Jolene Rudisuela

Capital Bulletin

👩‍🚒 Esquimalt adding 4 more firefighters: 3 who had been filling in as temporary staff, and another from CFB Esquimalt Fire who becomes the township’s first woman firefighter.

📖 Royal Roads accessibility committee seeks members.

NEWS

Some options for cheap eats in Victoria

There’s nothing better than finding heavenly, heart-warming food at a low price. But in Greater Victoria, it can be hard to find meals for cheap.

Whether it is for a late-night snack or an affordable lunch-time meal, here are a few of the most prominent places that are the exception.

Read the story at Tasting Victoria.

NEWS

City “looking for a resolution” to controversial parking fees at Colwood Corners

Westshore locals have been frustrated with the inability to easily access Colwood Corners after Onni Group, the complex’s owners, launched paid parking in April. Parking costs $1.25/hour after an initial 90 minutes free, and monthly passes are minimum $110.25.

“I was very disturbed by it,” said Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi. “I guess it was something that certainly got approved before my time.”

Indigo parking, which enforces the rates, states it leaves tickets when customers do not pay. But it has no relation to city parking enforcement, and many customers don’t know how it will follow up with the tickets.

“I ask that same question—what if someone didn’t pay?” Kobayashi says. “They’re getting threats, that's my understanding, someone I talked to said they were threatened with a debt collector, but there is no real enforcement.”

Locals who normally visit the corner’s stores have been taking their business elsewhere, and the mayor says the city and Onni are working toward a resolution

“It’s certainly a lesson, because going forward if we continue to have issues, and they want to expand, the city controls zoning and so there might be tension.”  

Subscribe to the Westshore for more news like this.

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Capital Picks

 🥁 Jamison Ross at Bullen Park: The Grammy nominated singer and drummer will will perform during TD Victoria International JazzFest, 6:30pm.

🎻 Fest West Concert: String students from across Western Canada will perform today at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 1:30-2pm.

🍓 BC berry season is here! The Root Cellar is kicking off the sweetest season with strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries… Oh my! Learn more at TheRootCellar.ca.*

🧶 Artisan and secondhand market: Shop vintage, upcycled, and repurposed goods at Bastion Square Market, 11-4pm. [Details]

🎤 Karaoke at Friends of Dorothy: Sing along to some classic tunes tonight, 8-11pm.

🐟 Music at Fisherman’s Wharf Park: 2-3pm today features the Windy Island String Band (Folk/Old Time).

🤝 Now hiring: Vice President, Deals at Tenzing.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

⛴️ Long delays for weekend’s Island ferry sailings 
This weekend, delays at the main Island route terminals stretched to hours, and trips were often booked up by mid-afternoon. Local MLA Rob Fleming, who is BC’s transportation minister, said the delays were “unacceptable” and made a key service unreliable. 
The schedule was expanded for this long weekend, then contracted by eight fewer sailings daily between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen in response to an apparent unexpected maintenance issue.

⚽ Pacific FC extends undefeated streak
The locals didn’t get their fifth straight win on Friday but held down a draw with rival Atletico Ottawa that strengthens their growing lead on the rest of the Canadian Pacific League teams.

🪵 Log trucker confronts alleged Island poachers
The death of a cow elk is now under investigation after a truck driver says he prevented two people from leaving the scene. [CHEK]

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Tax Coordinator at Together Against Poverty Society

• Digital Marketing Specialist at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa

• Life Enrichment Coordinator at Amica Senior Lifestyles

• Client Support Technician at ISM

• Cooks at The Butchart Gardens

• Player Success Representative at Kano

Looking for more openings? See 50+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

In Case You Missed It

📰 Friday’s headlines: Nanaimo’s Lisa Marie Young still missing, Saanich approves on-leash pet strategy, Google to remove Canadian news links, and more. [June 30]

⚾ HarbourCats 11 Bells 1: Victoria moved to 13-1 at home and 18-8 on the season.

🚦 Construction halted at Malahat Tunnel Hill for long weekend to accommodate increased traffic Fri.-Mon. Reduced speed limits remain.

🏕️ New notifications when BC campsites open: People can now sign up for email notifications to reserve previously booked available campsites.

🗞️ The Westshore headlines: Calls for Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA to resign as minister, Canada Day events, tenants still displaced from RidgeView Place, SD62 needs space, and more. [June 29]