June 13 - Mayor apologizes to North Park residents about Dowler Place

Good morning !

We get a mea culpa from the mayor about how the Dowler Place recovery hub plan was rolled out, and BC Ferries is taking some heat for its selection of a Chinese-based shipbuilder to provide its next four vessels.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

Victoria mayor apologizes for Dowler Place process

Mayor Marianne Alto issued an apology yesterday for the bumpy rollout of the access hub on Dowler. 

Last June’s announcement initially was shrouded in mystery for many North Park residents, some of whom were concerned the hub would lead to Pandora’s homeless encampments migrating to their neighbourhood. 

“I recognize that there has been confusion and frustration regarding the process that established the service hub at Dowler Place, and I acknowledge that residents haven’t had a full or accurate picture of the project,” Alto said in a statement.

“I apologize for that confusion and acknowledge the frustration that many residents have expressed.”

Planning happened in closed council meetings

One point of ire for North Park residents was the lack of consultation before the deal was made with the city and SOLID Outreach, the non-profit that owns and operates the centre at 2155 Dowler Place. 

Alto said there were reasons why discussions were closed to the public. She said early community engagement did not take place because the council “knew what the comments would be from the public.” 

“In retrospect, could we have been a little bit more effusive in our engagement? Absolutely,” she said. 

But she stood by the decision, arguing that the success of Dowler Place—it says it has helped 75 people receive necessary supports that Alto called life-saving—has proven it was the correct call.

“We've seen that the evidence has shown it is the right model,” Alto said. “So, could we do it better? Sure. Of course, we could. Do I still support what's there and what they have now proven works? Yes.”

An initial draft plan for the hub, obtained this week by CHEK, showed that Dowler Place was once thought to be a solution to the Pandora encampments.

Alto says those plans were “extremely early” drafts. The hub has since evolved into its current function, connecting those in need with housing, healthcare, and detox treatments. 

Read more here about the leaked draft plans and why planning for Dowler Place happened behind closed doors.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Esquimalt Road was closed between Head and Dunsmuir due to a gas leak yesterday afternoon. [Esquimalt]

Cougar sighting yesterday afternoon near Doncaster Elementary in Saanich.

Bear sighting yesterday near Santa Clara and Piedmont in Saanich. 

Hamsterly Beach parking lot closed today at Elk/Beaver Lake for line painting. [CRD]

HIGH fire danger rating declared in North Saanich.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

BC Ferries faces backlash for choosing China to build new ships

The former Crown corporation’s decision to hire a Chinese company to build four new vessels isn’t floating with union reps and politicians—including the provincial government’s transportation minister.

Just four years ago, the NDP government flexed its muscles about a “made-in-BC” strategy that would put BC’s shipbuilding industry to work.

BC Ferries’s decision to make a deal in the Far East sails counter to that edict, says BC United Leader John Rustad.

“British Columbia’s economy is weak,” Rustad told Overstory Media, Capital Daily’s parent company. “We need to be able to strengthen it. We need to strengthen our shipbuilding industry and our capacities.”

Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth questioned the decision to have the vessels built in China, given ongoing trade tensions between the two countries.

“I do have concerns around procuring services from any country that is actively harming Canada’s economy through unfair tariffs or other protectionist trade practices,” he told Postmedia.

Now a private company, BC Ferries doesn’t have to answer to the government as strictly as it did as a Crown corporation, and there’s something to be said about the fact that no Canadian companies put a bid in to build the boats. Still, critics call the move a missed opportunity to create jobs.

Read the full story here.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🏊 Summer McIntosh sets third world record in Saanich Commonwealth Place. [Video]

🥁 Change-Makers Gathering Festival moves to The Langford Station tomorrow.

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🦉 Barred owl in Sooke catches lunch, shows off camouflage skills. [Facebook photos]

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🗞️ In Other News

Missing six-foot snake found asleep in a Tofino kayak
Bailey the Boa has turned up safe and sound, three days after tourists and residents alike had been checking Chesterman Beach, where the 13-year-old serpent slithered away from its owners on Mon. Island-based Coastal Animal Rescue & Education Network (CARE) confirmed the recovery, saying it was the first time the organization had received a “boa-related inquiry.” [CHEK]

VicPD officer suspended 7 days for woman’s death on Christmas Day 2019
In announcing the punishment yesterday, adjudicator Wally Oppal called Sgt. Ron Kirkwood a good police officer who had a bad moment that led to “catastrophic circumstances.” Lisa Rauch, 43, died after she was hit in the head with two plastic projectiles.  Kirkwood fired an anti-riot weapon into a room clouded with smoke from an apartment fire. Oppal called the officer’s decision “reckless and unnecessary.” Kirkwood won’t be paid while suspended. [CTV / CP]

Sculpture of man sitting on toilet has Oak Bay residents talking 
It’s called “Modern Man Does Research” and features a steely man sitting on the john with cellphone in hand and a cigarette in his mouth. The artwork, made of recycled stainless steel cookware, is a collaborative piece from two Mainland artists, and one of nine sculptures dotting Oak Bay as part of the district’s Arts Alive program. The artworks are loaned to Oak Bay, and between now and November, the public can vote for their faves. Oak Bay will consider buying and retaining some that prove popular. “Modern Man Does Research” has a sale price of $9,500. [Times Colonist]

A fairly large crowd of demonstrators showed up at City Hall yesterday in support of keeping a large sequoia that is slated to be cut down. The protest was also in support of the square itself, which is scheduled to undergo an $11.4M transformation. The protesters say the money could be better used elsewhere, and all the trees—including the giant sequoia that sits near Douglas—should be preserved. They also expressed fear that the historic fountain gifted to the city by neighbouring municipalities to mark its 100th birthday could be damaged if moved as planned.

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🗓️ Things to do

🍺🎵 Beer and Hymns: Raise a glass and raise your voice in an evening of hymn-singing accompanied by the cathedral’s mighty organ, Victoria’s largest musical instrument, which turns 20 this year. Christ Church Cathedral. Today. 7:30-9pm. [Info]

⛸️ Disney’s Frozen JR: The Sooke-based non-profit Amber Academy Youth Fine Arts Society presents this performance, as for the first time in forever, Frozen JR comes to Sooke. Edward Milne Community School Theatre. Today & tomorrow. 2pm & 7pm. [Info]

🍻 Fridays at the Station: A summer pop-up with live music, BC craft beer, local food trucks, and a market with local businesses and artisan studios. Langford Station. 4-8pm. Today. [Info]

🪵 Ship Point Market: Enjoy beautiful scenery, unique artwork, and Victoria’s vibrant downtown harbour and check out Artists on the Causeway, buskers, food vendors, and more. Ship Point. Today-Sun. [Info]

🎶 Fernfest: A free outdoor community gathering with live music and local food, and drink. Fernwood Square. Today. 5-10pm Tomorrow. 11:30am-10pm. [Info]

🛍️ Outdoor Pop-up Vintage Fair: Shop retro clothing, toys, and home goods in front of Lazy Susans in Oak Bay. Tomorrow. 9:30am-4pm. [Info] 

😜 Esquimalt Neighbourhood Party: Esquimalt’s biggest block party is back, with live performances, a bouncy castle, volleyball courts & a kids’ market. Parking is limited. Bullen Park. Tomorrow. 11am-2pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: New Goose bridge to link Westshore with Saanich; BC musicians headline Canada Day plans; Sooke skate park to get a retrofit. [June 10]

Summer’s early arrival: Summer solstice—the longest day of the year—will happen June 20, instead of the usual June 21, for the second year in a row. [Black Press]

UBCM planning: Saanich to push for smaller elevators, housing as a human right, this fall. [Times Colonist]

Gas leak closes section of Esquimalt Road. [Victoria News]

Big Sugar and Trooper at Great Canadian Bash. [June 28 in Langford]

Unique caterpillar found on a flower in Saanich. [Facebook photos]

That’s it!

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