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- June 24 - Panama Flats plan on the horizon
June 24 - Panama Flats plan on the horizon
Victoria looks at more recycling; Langford fires up the scooters
Capital Daily Team
June 24, 2025
Good morning !
We lead with two stories from Saanich today and then some news from Sooke.
If you have a friend from Quebec, maybe reach out with a text messaged “Bonjour.” Today is la Fête nationale du Quebec, still in some quartiers known as Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day.
— Mark
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Decisions, decisions: Saanichites have choices to make about Panama Flats and a new operations centre
Saanich Municipal Hall. Photo: District of Saanich
A pair of projects important to Saanich and its taxpayers will pass milestones tomorrow.
Residents will get the chance to offer opinions and feedback when the district holds an open house to discuss the future of Panama Flats, that 25-hectare tract of land between Interurban and Carey, and home to wetland and wildlife.
The same day is the last of 30 to vote if you don’t think the district should borrow $150 million to build a new operations centre.
The current building at 1040 McKenzie has been the Saanich nerve centre—where staff oversee everything from water and sewage to transportation and parks—for 60+ years.
Mayor Dean Murdock says it’s time for a modern, greener building. If you agree, you don’t need to do anything—only the naysayers need to register their nays.
Under the controversial Alternative Approval Process (AAP), which for this project closes at 4:30pm tomorrow, 10% of the community must submit an elector response form (ERF) to halt the plan and possibly send it to a referendum.
With approximately 87K eligible electors in Saanich, some 8,700+ people will have to turn in ERFs. The non-profit Save Our Saanich said it has collected approximately 5K completed forms and plans to submit them at Saanich Municipal Hall today at noon.
Tomorrow at Northridge Elementary, people will get a look at an updated management plan for Panama Flats, which Saanich bought for $2.5 million in 2011. The plan back in 2014 was to go all in on agriculture, but it turned out the soggy land needed expensive draining upgrades, and an application to add land to the Agricultural Land Reserve was denied, so the farm thing isn’t happening.
The new plan is more reflective of the space as a wetland, a recreational destination, and a place to protect a brilliant biodiversity.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Cyclist-vehicle collision: Witnesses and dashcam video sought. [Saanich Police]
Missing person, Oscar, 65. [VicPD renews call]
Future of Panama Flats: Open house tomorrow at Northridge School. [Info]
Saanich Operation Centre AAP elector response deadline is tomorrow at 4:30pm.
No swimming advised: Willows Beach, Sayward Beach, and Prior Lake. [Island Health]
Sooke 2026 budget input now open until Aug. 24.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
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NEWS
Sooke bylaw sets new parameters for subdivisions and developments
Photo: District of Sooke
How exactly should neighbourhoods be constructed? And what should new developments contribute to make their surroundings functional?
Last month, Sooke’s council gave a third reading to a bylaw that lays these things out. It sets the technical design and infrastructure requirements around roads, sidewalks, lighting, crossings, stormwater management, and more.
Mayor Maja Tait said the bylaw took 18 months to put together and is intended to provide both clarity to builders and long-term livability for residents.
The district began work on a revamped and modernized Subdivision and Development Bylaw (SDSB) because of “observed gaps” in the one from 2014. Those issues included “outdated specifications, inconsistent application, and insufficient provisions for active transportation, climate adaptation, and neighbourhood livability.”
The district says its new SDSB features:
Clear & consistent standards expected of developers
Clear categories for roads (local, collector, or arterial), which then determine the appropriate requirements (e.g. the number and placement of fire hydrants)
Simpler requirements for small subdivisions (creating three lots or fewer), which are intended to make the process cheaper
A balance between creating “complete streets” (i.e. walkable, well-lit, trees, etc.) and recognizing the “financial realities of small-scale development”
The district wrapped up the overall final input process last week but has an online session today (10am-noon) and one at Sooke City Hall tomorrow (1-3pm) to explain the changes to builders and developers. More on the bylaw here.
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⭐️ Capital Picks
⚜️️ Fête Nationale du Quebec (Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day) is today.
⚾ Summer baseball camps. [HarbourCats]
🏠 Ross Bay Villa Historic House and Garden tours. [Info]
🫂 Community Action Funds are convenient and flexible ways to make confident decisions in your giving. Learn about how your generosity can make the greatest impact in our community today.*
🦅 A young eagle soars past Alder Bay.
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🗞️ In Other News
Victoria looks into expanding recycling programs
The city has been studying what to do with waste since 2023, and the council has now asked staff to examine recycling programs for schools, libraries, and community centres. The Greater Victoria School District (SD61), along with strata companies and building owners, contract out their waste collection. Though there are recycling programs in some schools, they are not standardized across the district, SD61 said. [Times Colonist]
Lagoon Food Market in Colwood is up for sale for $47,500
If you’ve soaked up some rays at Esquimalt Lagoon, you’ve driven past this store on Metchosin Ave. next to the Royal Bay Bakery. The business has been there since 1974, and according to a posting on Realtor.ca, there’s the potential to grow it into a small pizza spot or another quick-food place. It has a 10-foot walk-in freezer and a 17-foot walk-in fridge. [CHEK]
Langford launches rental e-scooter and e-bike fleet
The city announced its new scooter-share program last week, promoting a new era of active transportation. BC company Evolve rolled out 150 two-wheelers up for rent through July at $1 per ride, with proceeds going to the Goldstream Food Bank. [Langford]
20 guns and 20K rounds of ammo seized in Langford: 4 charged
West Shore RCMP and VicPD say a joint operation conducted last June yielded the weapons as well as armour, $27K in cash, and 4.5kg of cocaine. One man was arrested at a Pintail Place home, and a year later, he and three others—a male and two females—were charged with a range of firearm and trafficking offences. [VicPD]
🗓️ Things to do
🎶 2025 Sooke Music & Arts Festival: Featuring Econoline Crush. In its 10th year, the festival brings together live music, interactive art, storytelling, workshops, food, and family programming. Fred Milne Park. Aug. 8 & 9. [Info]
🎵 Honouring Siobhan: A concert celebrating the vision and achievement of Siobhan Robinsong, whose belief that everybody can sing has transformed the lives of thousands through her passion and advocacy. The Farquhar at UVic. Sun. 2pm. [Info]
🎼Greater Victoria Concert Band at Beacon Hill Park: Ahead of Canada Day, the concert will feature some unique Canadian music and composers. See and hear the junior, intermediate, and senior bands. Cameron Bandshell. Sun. 12:30-3:30pm. [Info]
🥳 Millie’s Lane Block Party: A one-night community showcase featuring live music, food, and performances. The food is free for the first 80 attendees. 760 Yates. Fri. 5:30-7:30pm. [Info]
🌍 AfriCa Fest 2025: The 12th edition. "Flavors of Africa & the Caribbean" is billed as a celebration of dance, culture, cuisine, and community. Thu. & Fri. 5-9pm. Sat. & Sun. 11am-8/9pm. [Info]
🤣 Hecklers presents: Abbas Wahab: The Joyride Tour. Thu. 8pm. Lachlan Patterson. Sat. 8pm. [Info]
🏫 Ecole Beausolei’s 10th anniversary: Celebrate a decade of learning at this BBQ and concert, and do it on Fête Nationale du Quebec (Saint-Jean Baptiste Day). École Beausoleil. 1415 Andrews. Today. 4-7pm. [Info]
🎭 The Last Yiddish Speaker: Deborah Zoe Laufer’s fast-paced drama with a streak of magical realism involves a Jewish father and his daughter. Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue, Black Box Theatre. Through June 29. [Info]
🎤 Open Mic & Music: Musicians play two songs, and when everybody has had a turn, it starts again. Goldfinch Arts Centre. Tomorrow. 6:30-8:30pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Monday’s headlines: Farmers’ market coupon plan full; Vic biotech company wins $10K web pitch; Dungeness crab numbers down in Salish Sea. [June 23]
Victoria’s farmers’ markets: 2025 guide. [Capital Daily]
6 new places to eat in Victoria. [Tasting Victoria]
Volunteers remove invasive Scotch broom from Langford Park. [CHEK]
Social media plea saves stranded Oak Bay visitor to London. [Times Colonist]
West's weird weather: Tied to heat dome over Ontario and Quebec. [CP / Global]
Sooke Music Fest celebrates 10th anniversary. Aug. 8-9. [Info]
Parks Canada Deal: Free admission and 25% off camping / overnight fees until Sept. 2.
That’s it!
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