Jan 29 - Saanich borrowing $93.4M to build new operations centre

Good morning !

The sun is finally setting after 5pm, which feels like a milestone as we inch toward spring and away from the darker days of winter.

We have about five weeks to go until Daylight Savings begins. Not that I’m counting or anything…

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

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NEWS

Saanich council votes to borrow $93.4M for new operations centre

Saanich council initially sought to borrow $150M to pay for the entire project—now broken into three phases—and put the decision to Saanich voters through an alternative approval process (AAP) last summer. 

This process would have allowed the $150M plan to move forward without a referendum, so long as less than 10% of residents submitted votes against it.

That didn’t happen—12% of voters said no to borrowing that sum. Save Our Saanich, a group against the AAP, led a campaign to have those in opposition cast their vote.

The group argued that the AAP didn’t allow all residents the opportunity to share their opinions. Instead, it called for a referendum or for the question of borrowing to be included on the ballot of this fall’s municipal election.

But Saanich’s council and staff have stressed the urgency of building a new operations centre as soon as possible. 

Approximately 300 municipal staff members are based in the current 65-year-old operations centre, managing water, parks, and infrastructure. Replacing the building was identified nearly a decade ago as a top priority for the city, along with an upgraded fire hall.

Last summer, a spokesperson for the city told Capital Daily that a “delay of even a year could result in the project cost increasing by more than $17M.”

After the failed AAP, staff went back to the drawing board. In November, the council voted to break the project into phases, with the first costing $93.4M. 

On Monday, the council greenlit borrowing the funds for the first phase, which is expected to happen incrementally over five years. The cost and timelines for the following two phases have not been determined yet. 

Read the full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Overdose advisory in place for Greater Victoria. [Island Health]

Blanshard construction: Lane closures and traffic disruptions between Pembroke and Caledonia through Feb. 6

Cook construction: Bay to Maplewood bikelane pre-work runs until Feb. 6. 

Saanich road closure: Earl Grey between Maddock West and Burnside West, 9am-3:30pm today

Saanich single-lane alternating traffic: Wesley between Claremont and Catalina, through tomorrow, 9am-3:30pm.

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NEWS

VicPD's new beat: hunting cyber vulnerabilities before criminals do

VicPD isn’t just trying to prevent downtown crime with its new foot patrol; the police service is also sending officers to local small businesses to combat computer crime. 

Members from VicPD’s cybercrime and IT units are visiting Victoria and Esquimalt companies to assess their online setups.

It’s a proactive way to reduce the risk of being ripped off online. 

“I would say that every single business that we’ve looked at so far, we’ve helped close at least one vulnerability that could have led to financial loss, ransomware, or a data breach,” said Vlad Filatov, the VicPD detective who created the program, in a release. 

As a cybercrime investigator, Filatov spotted a trend in reports about how hackers were taking advantage of outdated systems and compromised accounts to gain access to area business networks. 

“This is exactly the kind of scenario that can lead to funds being intercepted or misdirected during business transactions,” Filatov said. 

“By identifying these vulnerabilities early, we can work with businesses to strengthen their defenses and reduce the risk of falling victim to such cyber-enabled fraud.”

A VicPD spokesperson said three small businesses have gone through the program since it began last August, and applications are now open for new firms to give it a go.

“It helped us identify areas to strengthen and gave us a clear jumping-off point for ongoing conversations about improving our cyber safety,” said one small business participant.

The three-step process involves an early review, a network scan of websites and emails, and a security report complete with recommendations. 

VicPD has set up the dedicated email address [email protected] for business owners to apply to take part in the free, confidential VicPD Local Business Cyber Safety Assessments initiative.  

“Generally speaking, VicPD encourages people to avoid sharing emails and passwords,” a VicPD spokesperson said.

“Use two-factor authentication, and keep devices, applications, and any public-facing systems updated with the latest security updates,” they recommended. 

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🏆 2026 VIATEC Awards are April 1: Tickets and nominations here.

💎 When opportunity appears, be ready! Stay current in the job market and choose from 70+ programs with Continuing Studies at UVic.*

⚒️ Constructing the Parliament Buildings: See the early stages of building in 1893. [Facebook photo]

🐦 "Bluntly, the piece is superb." Maanomaa, My Brother starts February 3 at the Belfry Theatre. Pay-what-you-want tickets are available for all performances.*

🍣 Best sushi in Victoria. [Tasting Victoria]

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🗞️ In Other News

VicPD officer cleared by IIO after shooting man with less-lethal round
The police oversight agency said the officer’s actions were “necessary and reasonable” during an arrest last August that left a man with a fractured skull and brain hemorrhage. Reports of a man sitting downtown with a rifle (later found to be a BB gun) prompted a response from police and the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team. The man began walking toward the entrance of city hall and did not respond to demands to stop, leading the officer to fire a round from a less-lethal ARWEN rifle. [Victoria News]

Jim Pattison Group says it did not know its Virginia warehouse was intended for ICE
The Vancouver-based company said it accepted an offer for the building from a “US government contractor” and only later became aware of the potential new owner—US Homeland Security—and its intended use—as a “holding and processing” facility. Pattison’s real estate arm has been under pressure—the BC Greens called for a Pattison boycott—to back away from the sale. BC’s attorney general said business leaders must decide whether their decisions are contributing to the controversial US immigration crackdown. [CHEK]

Impasse reached: BC paramedics union to begin a strike vote Monday
The union representing 6K+ ambulance paramedics and their dispatchers says that, with “no positive progress” in talks last week, it will begin the two-week electronic process of determining whether it has a strike mandate. Paramedics provide an essential service, so the BC Labour Relations Board would have to define minimum staffing levels to ensure the public is protected. Staffing levels are at the heart of the union’s concern. The union says its workers face burnout, and they need more hires. [CTV]

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🗓️ Things To Do

💎 Sea Glass Jewellery Workshop: Learn about the history and beauty of sea glass while designing your own stunning piece of jewellery at the Maritime Museum of BC today. 5:30-7pm. [Info]

🎸 Steve Grebanier Guild plays Metheny: Victoria-based jazz guitarist will revisit the music of Pat Metheny at Hermann's tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎭 Where Have All the Buffalo Gone? See the original play for young audiences exploring seven periods of Métis history at Mary Winspear Centre today. 10am.  [Info]

🎺 Rachel Therrien's Latin Jazz Project: Trumpeter Rachel Therrien will showcase a festive repertoire of original works and Afro-Latin jazz classics at The Coda tomorrow. 6:30pm. [Info]

🇬🇧 Spice Wannabe: The Spice Girls Tribute: USA's premiere Spice Girls tribute show will bring Girl Power and hit tunes to McPherson Playhouse tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

😆 OK, DOPE Game Show!: Catch this improv game show at The Mint tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

🎻 UVic Symphony Orchestra: Nobles, Smetana, Schumann: Journey through vivid musical landscapes from operatic drama to symphonic grandeur at The Farquhar at UVic tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: Saanich rules dogs are only to be on leash at Panama Flats; Seniors advocate says province not keeping up with need for long-term care beds; View Royal kicks short-term rental rules to sidelines during soccer World Cup. [Jan. 28] 

Oak Bay rejects Uplands development on Lansdowne—again. [Times Colonist]

No charges for VicPD officer in fatal 2021 shooting of man brandishing a knife near Mayfair. [CHEK] 

Salt Spring Islander nominated for Oscar: Russell Bowen is nominated for Best Visual Effects for his work on The Lost Bus, starring Matthew McConaughey.

Sail the Salish Sea: BC Ferries is hiring.

Now hiring: The Roy Group leadership and development firm has an opening for a practice coordinator.

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