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- June 25 - Belleville ferry terminal construction moves forward
June 25 - Belleville ferry terminal construction moves forward
BC gives municipalities a wider berth for taking out loans
Capital Daily Team
June 25, 2025
Good morning, !
If you’re in and around the Inner Harbour this summer, take note of the work being done at the Belleville ferry terminal. It’s a $400M+ work in progress expected to be a construction zone for three more years. That’s our first story.
Our second involves the municipalities getting more room to manoeuvre when it comes to taking out loans for public projects.
— Mark
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Major construction begins on new Belleville ferry terminal
Belleville terminal redevelopment project as seen from the sky. Photo: BC Gov
The next stage of the project is expected to begin at the end of the month, launching Phase 2 of the new high-end terminal, slated for completion in 2028.
The project’s price tag has swelled since it was proposed in 2022 (when it was projected to cost between $220M and $290M) because of complex seismic and geological conditions and soil contamination that needs treatment. The project is now expected to cost $416M—nearly double the original estimate. The federal government has increased its funding to $45M from $41M; still, this is far less than the amount the province hoped for in 2022, when it asked the feds to cover half of the project’s entire cost.
The existing Clipper terminal will be demolished as part of this phase—it had fallen into disrepair and no longer met the standards of the Canada-US pre-clearance agreement. US border customs threatened to leave the Island if standards weren’t met, which would have effectively shut down the ferry services.
This would have cost the city a significant portion of tourism revenue. The province estimates that passengers travelling to Victoria on the Clipper and Coho ferries spend approximately $174M annually, generating $268M in economic output and $155M in provincial GDP.
Phase 1 prepped the Clipper to dock at the Steamship wharf, and modifications were made for US Customs to operate in the Black Ball and Steamship buildings during construction. This phase was completed in February.
Phase 2 will include:
Construction of a new pre-clearance terminal building with modern border security standards
Construction of a new commercial goods processing facility and retail spaces
The new terminal will meet the accessibility standards of the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Gold Certification™ and the environmental standards of LEED® Gold certification.
Improvements to Belleville Street, including sidewalks and walkways
Expect continued closures for pedestrians along the causeway between the Inner Harbour and the Steamship building, and the removal of trees between Oswego and Pendray streets.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
No swimming advised: Willows Beach, Sayward Beach, and Prior Lake. [Island Health]
Future of Panama Flats: Open house tonight at Northridge School. [Info]
Missing teen Jaxsen Swain, 15, found safe, sound.
Victoria property taxes are due one week from today. [City of Victoria]
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
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NEWS
The provincial government allows municipalities to borrow more money without asking the public to vote on it
BC Legislature. Photo: Capital Daily
Under the new regulations, municipalities will be able to borrow up to 10% of their annual revenue without asking the public to vote on it.
Until now, if a municipality wanted to borrow an amount that represented 5% of its revenue on a loan that would take five years+ to repay, it had to ask the public via either an alternative approval process (AAP)—like what’s going on in Saanich right now for a proposed operations centre—or by a referendum.
Municipalities told the province that it slowed down their ability to build infrastructure, Ravi Kahlon, BC’s housing and municipal affairs minister, said.
“We have responded by expanding the borrowing powers for municipalities so they can act faster, reduce costs, and deliver the services that support growing communities,” he said.
The Union of BC Municipalities called yesterday’s announcement a win.
“The amendments will help some local governments manage essential infrastructure more efficiently, ensuring public assets continue to meet the needs of communities facing climate change and population growth,” said Trish Mandewo, the UBCM president.
Another reason for the change, the province said, was to take into account years of inflation, which should give the municipalities more buying power.
As part of the change, they can now borrow up to $150 per capita (per person), three times more than the $50 per person previously allowed when borrowing for less than a five-year term.
Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson welcomed the move to modernize borrowing regulations and said increasing borrowing thresholds and reducing red tape will allow municipalities to respond more effectively to community needs, especially at a time when they are trying to quickly build more housing.
“Working together will allow the city to deliver infrastructure efficiently, reduce costs for local governments, and ease the burden on taxpayers,” he said.
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⭐️ Capital Picks
🏉 Canadian Touch Rugby Nationals this weekend in Colwood.
💰 New lottery hits BC. [Split the Pot]
🎵 From protest anthems to iconic artifacts, Beyond the Beat explores how music shaped movements. An exhibition from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, May 30–Jan. 5.*
🪨 Natural tar is seen oozing from a rock in Buckley Bay. [Facebook photos]
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🗞️ In Other News
It’s dive-bombing season for crows as babies leave the nest
Fledglings are starting to take flight, so their intelligent and often noisy parents are in protection mode for another couple of weeks. The babies look about the same size as adult crows, but their blue eyes identify them as fledglings—that and their at-times awkward attempts at getting airborne, which can leave them hopping along the ground. If you see one on the ground, leave it alone unless it is injured, in which case, contact a wildlife rehabilitator. If you get dive-bombed, leave the area quickly and keep pets away. [CHEK]
UVic shuts down free education class, citing safety concerns
Over the 20 years it has been offered, the ‘University 101’ program has offered 400+ students—many older, disabled, or living in poverty—free meals, transportation, and child care. UVic said it cancelled the program, which was taught by volunteers, due to “recurrent psychological and physical safety concerns” for students, instructors, and staff. The school said the program had been suspended twice in the last two years but would not elaborate on why it is being shuttered. [Times Colonist]
Mayfair owner Liu gets go-ahead to take over 3 Bay leases
An Ontario Superior Court judge has allowed Ruby Liu to pay $6M in exchange for the leases, including one at Mayfair. Liu says she wants to open a new chain of eponymous department stores. She has told The Canadian Press the stores will sell jewelry, makeup, and apparel, and will have dining and entertainment spaces along with play areas for children. Court documents show landlords representing 23 leases don’t want Liu to take them over. [CTV / CP]
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🗓️ Things to do
🎶 JÉHANNE by Colin Doroschuk: A new Canadian operatic exploration of the extraordinary vision quest of the French heroine, Joan of Arc. The world premiere performance is on Fri. Alix Goolden Performance Hall. 7:30pm. [Info]
👐 TD Victoria International JazzFest: Funk, soul, fusion, and more will be performed at this festival as it celebrates its 41st anniversary. Through Sun. Various venues. [Info]
🌍 AfriCa Fest 2025: The 12th edition. "Flavours of Africa & the Caribbean" is billed as a celebration of dance, culture, cuisine, and community. Tomorrow & Fri. 5-9pm. Sat. & Sun. 11am-8/9pm. [Info]
🕺 Dance City Night: All ages are welcome for this evening of cha-cha and ballroom dancing. Bring a partner or come solo. Edelweiss Club. Fri. 7:30-10:30pm. [Info]
🐱 Strawberry Tea & Bazaar: In support of Victoria Cat Rescue Corps Society. All donations go toward spay, neuter, and medical costs for assisted animals. Knox Presbyterian Church. Sat. 1-4pm. [Info]
😆 Phillips Comedy Night at The Mint: A fresh standup comedy show every Wed., hosted by Morgan and Drew. The Mint. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]
🥍 Western Lacrosse Association: Victoria Shamrocks host New Westminster Salmonbellies. Q Centre. Fri. 6:45pm. [Info]
⚽ Canadian Premier League soccer: Pacific FC hosts Vancouver FC. Starlight Stadium. Sat. 7pm. [Tickets]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Tuesday’s headlines: Panama Flats plan to be seen today; Sooke sets new subdivision parameters; Langford launches e-scooter program. [June 24]
Court tells Saanich landowner to shutter non-farming businesses on property. [Vancouver Sun]
Man who killed his mother in Sooke 11 years ago is to be released. [CHEK]
Victoria man gets a 60-day sentence for harassing his ex-girlfriend. [Times Colonist]
Black bears brawl for an hour on Burnaby street. [CTV]
Summer baseball camps. [HarbourCats]
Ross Bay Villa Historic House and Garden tours. [Info]
A young eagle soars past Alder Bay.
That’s it!
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