Dec 14 - Victoria 2024 budget to get reworked

Good morning !

With the holidays in full swing we’ve had light-up celebrations going on throughout the CRD. But it isn’t just municipalities bringing the sparkle to the festive season—plenty of locals have decked their homes with stunning lights. Some friends of mine will drive around to tour the decorations with their families each year and I’m wondering if any of our readers have similar December traditions.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

Mayor to ask city staff for reworked 2024 budget

When Victoria’s city council meets for the final time this year, Mayor Marianne Alto will ask staff to find ways to save money next year. 

The city’s draft financial plan for 2024-28 released last month, sets a proposed 2024 budgetary increase of more than $28M, which represents a 10% increase from this year’s city budget. 

The city will be looking to find areas of spending to offload to the provincial and federal governments.

Areas that may get less money:

• All city departments may see a 3% cut, to try to keep tax increases to 4-5%

• Property tax increases could be capped and aligned with the rate of inflation, rather than the currently proposed inflation plus 1%

• Alliance to End Homelessness (ATEH) may lose its funding from the city after 2024 (this comes after the CRD voted to boost its yearly funding for the org by $120K next year)

• South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), a public-private sector partnership that promotes business in the region could have its funding reduced

The motion also questions why the city’s IT department is earmarked for a 17% increase in the proposed budget and suggests reducing the 34% increase for its communications department.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Port Alberni RCMP search for wanted man, considered dangerous and should not be approached.

$20K in nicked necklaces: Westshore RCMP looking for jewel thief

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Bathroom biz on Vic city council agenda today

It won’t be No. 1 or No. 2 on today’s agenda as Victoria city council holds its final meeting of 2023, but chambers will be moderately abuzz about a bathroom on Pandora.

Council will debate providing washroom facilities between Vancouver and Quadra.

“I have been pushing for this since the start of the term,” said Coun. Krista Loughton, who along with colleague Dave Thompson and Mayor Marianne Alto, are behind the motion. “Frankly, it is well overdue,” Loughton said.

Currently, the nearest loo is a temporary washroom across the street from Our Place, where a contingent of tents remains, with approximately 100 unhoused people who need a place to go.

Many have been using the porta-potty designated for those using a safe inhalation site. But others have been forced to back alleys and the yards of businesses or homes, Loughton said. 

This morning’s business is not about a permanent structure, such as the one on Langley between View and Yates, or the infamous Broughton Loo, which opened in Sep., at a cost of $400K—half for the prefab latrine, half for infrastructure changes at Broughton and Douglas.

“It could be like the type you see on construction sites (the blue cabins) or on a mobile trailer,” Thompson said.

If passed, the motion would direct the mayor to write the provincial ministers of health, housing, social development, and poverty reduction, to ask the province to pay for it and its operation.

“Everyone seems to be aware of the problem,” Thompson tells Capital Daily. “I can’t see any rational reason to object.”

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🕎 Hanukkah Festival of Lights at Centennial Square. 

🏠 Want to age in place? Next Day Access delivers and installs mobility and accessibility products right to your home. Schedule your free in-home assessment today!*

📹 Video: Fiery Wednesday sunrise seen in Oak Bay.

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🗞️ In Other News

Elders of the Sc’ianew Nation name new Langford school 
It opened in Jan. inside the Eagle Ridge Community Centre by the Langford Parkway, but now Eagle Ridge Secondary School will be called QELEṈSEN Á,LEṈ Secondary School (pronounced K-wuh-Lun-Sun, Eh Lun), which is SENĆOŦEN, and translates to “Eagle House”.

Bus riders face possible strike in Comox, Campbell River
Transit workers in the two up-Island communities would be in a strike position tomorrow morning. Their contract expired in the spring and their union says it hasn’t made any progress on a new one. Wages and a graduated, step rate of pay for new employees are the key issues. [Comox Valley Record]

Carnival Panorama back at Ogden but will soon be leaving
The 4,008-passenger ship arrived last month to have its funnel removed so it could navigate under low bridges on its way to Portland for engine repairs. The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) tells Capital Daily the ship will have the funnel remounted before it departs, as early as today. It’s due back in service Dec. 23 out of Long Beach, Calif.

VicPD Officer suspended while complaint investigated
As the Vancouver Police Dept. Discipline Authority reviews a complaint against the officer from earlier this year, new information submitted this week has led to their suspension. VicPD has not released information on the complaint, how long the suspension will last or whether the officer will continue to be paid during suspension.

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Outway to launch pop-up store at Uptown Shopping Centre

Local business, Outway, known for its incredible performance socks is opening a pop-up store for the holidays.

Find the perfect gift and shop unbeatable deals you won't find online December 15-31 at 123-3671 Uptown Blvd (Uptown Centre, across from Browns Social House)

Click here to learn more!

🗓️ Things to do

Darcy and Jer: Join the popular internet personalities at this show at the McPherson Playhouse, tonight at 8pm. [Info]

The Gift of Christmas Music: Join this free event to hear Christmas tunes from a variety of musicians at St. Andrew’s Church, today at 12pm. [Info]

The Magic of Christmas is on now at The Butchart Gardens. Enjoy our radiant celebration of the holidays this season. Reserve your date and time to visit!*

Festive Brass Reindeer Games: Hear festive tunes at the Charlie White Theatre, tonight at 7:30pm. [Info]

Tiny Rhythm Kings Holiday Classics: Celebrate the holiday season with this show at Hermann’s, tonight at 7pm. [Info]

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👀 In Case You Missed It

A stranger is overdosing: What to do. [Capital Daily]

“Windowless dungeon” listed for $1,800 in Victoria. [Victoria News]

New mental-health program at the Jubilee. [Capital Daily]

New Victoria parking website launches.

That’s it!

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