Jan 14 - Police presence at Langford council meeting

Good morning !

Today we have a rundown on the Langford council meeting drama that led to RCMP acting as security.

We also give you the details on how to reserve a camping spot this summer—you may want to snag one now before they’re all gone.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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Day after: ⛅ 8 / 4

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NEWS

RCMP called in as security for Langford council meeting

Yesterday Langford announced that two West Shore RCMP officers would be present for last night’s council meeting. The city's release said safety concerns prompted the “regrettable but necessary” use of “proactive measures [to] protect staff and members of the public from physical threats and verbal assaults,” which it says can hinder democratic expression. 

The council website stated that “as a result of the recent inappropriate behaviour, yelling, and outbursts from some members of the public during Council proceedings, members of the community have expressed that they do not feel safe attending in person or speaking to items during City Council meetings.” 

Move comes after Dec. meeting outbursts & councillor controversy 

A month ago, hecklers opposed to the city's purchase of the embattled Westhills Y continued to call out as council took the final steps of voting and explaining the decision. 

A reason for the specific concern at last night's meeting wasn't shared. Some locals speculated that part of the impetus was a planned rally to demand the resignation of Coun. Lillian Szpak, after a recent investigation found that the city violated privacy law in her 2021 dispute with her son's neighbour.

Not the first boiling-over of tensions around Langford council

Supporters of the previous council and three-decade mayor Stew Young have been critical of their replacements, to the point that current mayor Scott Goodmanson asked Young to denounce bad actors 11 months ago. That came at a conference at which councillors alleged that a “disgruntled” person, who had been “angry and unaccepting” of the election, was at Coun. Keith Yacucha's home looking in windows and taking photos.

There has also been frustration at council meetings over recent property tax increases—which current councillors argue have been necessary to break from their predecessors’ reliance on dipping into the city's dwindling community amenity fund to deflate taxes. 

In 2022, RCMP called during a Metchosin meeting

That closed-door council dispute involved former mayor John Ranns allegedly flinging his papers and pen either toward now-mayor Marie-Térèse Little (she said) or onto the table (he said).

More on these issues, and the results of last night's meeting, later this week. 

Subscribe to The Westshore for twice-weekly council news from Langford and its neighbours. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Price of domestic postage stamp has gone up by 25 cents

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NEWS

BC Parks taking camping reservations starting Thursday

If you’ve tried to reserve a summer campsite at one of the province’s beautiful campgrounds, you’ll know how tough it is if you wait too long. 

So, early birds take note: beginning the day after tomorrow, you can start making plans if you want a spot for the Victoria Day long weekend.

Thu. at 7am is when reservations for most parks open—and it marks four months until the Victoria Day long weekend. Four months ahead of your desired arrival time is the earliest you can reserve a campsite. 

BC Parks has added 60 campsites in three of its parks—including a baker’s dozen at China Beach Campground in Juan de Fuca Park—to its reservation service. The 13 new sites include eight park-beside spots for tent camping and five walk-in spots. That’s in addition to the 33 new spots (22 drive-in and 11 walk-in) added last year as part of a $2.7M upgrade.

Two new accessible showers and flush toilets are also being built at China Beach and are expected to open in May, although it wasn’t clear if that would be in time for the Victoria Day weekend, which begins Friday, May 16.

The Victoria Day weekend is its busiest weekend of the year, and because it contains a statutory holiday, if you’re looking for that weekend, you must book a minimum of three nights at any front-country spot.

Reservations are non-transferable, meaning the named occupant must be present upon arrival—and has to be at least 16 years of age. 

See BC Parks’ reservation policy here. 

BC Parks manages 10,700 campsites, with approximately half available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Since 2017, more than 2K new campsites have been added to BC Parks and recreation sites in regions with the highest demand.

Camping fees vary depending on the park and season, but for front-country camping, they generally range from $13 to $45 per person per night, and there is a $6 transaction fee per campsite or tent per night, up to a maximum of $18. Backcountry camping fees are about half that.

Camping fees pay for the maintenance of the campsite, while transaction fees support the reservation service.

If you’re looking to make a reservation, start here.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🌕 Touching the moon: See the full moon appear atop one of the world’s tallest totem poles in Beacon Hill Park. [Doug Clement]

🥒🎾 Winter Pickleball: Four pop-up courts at Victoria Conference Centre. [Until Sat].

🌱 When opportunity appears, be ready! Grow your career through practical programs, expert-led courses and essential skills with Continuing Studies at UVic.*

🎥🍿 $5 Tuesdays at Cineplex theatres. [Until Feb. 11]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

BC expected to plant 47 million fewer trees this year
That’s a decrease of 17% from last year and comes after two straight exceedingly destructive fire seasons. The forests ministry says part of the drop in expected planting is due to decreased tree harvesting in some areas, such as Skeena, and logging companies are also planting fewer trees. Some ecologists question the tree-planting strategy as a “red herring” allowing the forestry industry to continue logging as usual. [Times Colonist]

First 2 physician assistants under new program join Saanich Peninsula Hospital
Fu Wu (Fred) Bai and Eric Demers will work in the hospital’s emergency department as part of a pilot project. Physician assistants have not been given a health profession designation in BC and work under the supervision of a doctor. They can perform patient assessments, order and interpret tests, and provide diagnosis and pre- and post-op care. The idea is to take some weight off doctors’ duties, and in turn reduce patients’ wait time. [CHEK]

BC Supreme Court rules on office fight over $2M lottery win
Four men in a lottery pool became suspicious when a photo of the guy in charge of buying the tickets appeared online 11 days later, showing him holding a big $2M lottery cheque from an August 2022 BC/49 draw. The workmates took Mandeep Singh Maan to court saying the winning ticket was purchased for the pool and should be shared. The court determined Maan bought the winning ticket for himself, separately from the group and that since there was no written agreement among the workmates, there was no legal requirement for Maan to share the winnings. [CTV]

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🗓️ Things to do

🎭 Musical Theatre Bingo: Support Vic High’s musical theatre program while playing showtunes bingo at Fernwood Inn tonight. 6pm. [Info]

🎤 Open Mic Night: Show off your music chops at View Street Social tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🥃 Victoria Whisky Festival: Enjoy a variety of scotch, bourbon, rye, and more at the Hotel Grand Pacific. Thur.-Sun. [Info]

🤣 Amos Gill: The Australian comedian will perform his standup at Capital Ballroom. Sun. 9:30pm. Early show is sold out. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Monday headlines: Cougar hangs near Tofino hot tub; Wildlife rescue helps 1K+ animals; MEC for sale again. [Jan. 13]

Downtown open for business despite construction. [CHEK]

Whale tail: Sticks and stones can look like whale bones: [Facebook photo]

The 8 biggest new restaurant openings of the past year. [Tasting Victoria]

Salmon Carcass Transplant: Help throw dead salmon into the creek. [Info]

That’s it!

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