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- March 6 - A closer look at BC's budget
March 6 - A closer look at BC's budget
Pickleball courts coming to Topaz Park, Esquimalt wants new system for future school board, Victoria property owners face a nearly 9% tax hike.
Capital Daily Team
March 06, 2025
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Good morning !
We’ve got another sunny day in store today. The cherry blossoms are out, and very soon, we’ll have sunsets after 7pm. The first day of spring isn’t until later this month, but the early signs of the season are definitely here.
— Robyn
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Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
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NEWS
A closer look at BC’s ‘measured’ budget in the face of trade war with the US
BC Parliament Buildings. Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Daily
The province unveiled its "Standing Strong for BC 2025" budget on Tuesday, the same day US President Donald Trump made good on his threat to implement a 25% trade tariff on Canadian exports and just days after he cut American military aid to Ukraine.
BC Finance Minister Brenda Bailey described the budget as conservative, prioritizing stability over new spending to navigate these challenging times.
The budget forecasts some economic setbacks directly related to the news, including a projected $43B decrease in GDP by 2029, an expected loss of 45K jobs, and a looming spike in unemployment.
The budget, a fiscal status quo, also supports several ongoing key infrastructure projects, including the Belleville Terminal redevelopment in Victoria and the HandyDART Centre in View Royal. It continues funding for homelessness initiatives and public safety, with $90M allocated to programs addressing encampments and mental-health services, though Mayor Marianne Alto has expressed concern that these are not enough to address the ongoing crisis in her city.
Though the budget reflects this time of crisis, leaders at all levels urged unity and resilience in the face of the trade war with our once-greatest ally and friend.
We gave a quick rundown in this space yesterday, but for a more comprehensive look at how the BC government plans to spend your money, read Sidney Coles’ full story here.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Another earthquake was felt here yesterday at 4:18pm.
Cougar spotted in Central Saanich near The Butchart Gardens. [Peninsula News Review]
Greater Victoria Point in Time Count & Survey taking place March 26. [Details]
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NEWS
11 outdoor pickleball courts coming to Topaz Park
Pickleball courts are going here, with the skate park in the distance. Photo: Mark Brennae / Capital Daily
While pickleball usually nets a winner at 11 points, area pickleballers scored a collective 11 with the news construction has begun on that very number of dedicated, outdoor pickleball courts at Topaz Park.
The city is adding an 11-court pickleball hub, a new outdoor fitness area, a central gathering space, a misting station, and connecting pathways to the popular Blanshard recreation ground.
“We are tremendously excited at the news of the groundbreaking,” said Roger Graves, who last week succeeded Connie McCann as president of the Victoria Regional Pickleball Association. “This will be a fantastic facility, and we can’t wait to get on the courts.”
A city crew and private fencing company were seen preparing the area yesterday in advance of the beginning of the second round of upgrades to Topaz Park.
"I’m pleased to see the next phase of Topaz Park improvements take shape,” Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto said in a release. The city said the courts would open in the fall.
As part of its 10-year Topaz Park Improvement Plan released in 2018, the city opened a bike and skate area in 2022 and set down new turf fields the following year. The courts will be built north of that skate area, an all-wheels track, which sits in the southeast end of the park.
“I think it’s great we are getting more courts,” Brittany Buna, co-owner of the Victoria Pickleball Centre (VPC), Greater Victoria’s first dedicated indoor pickleball courts, tells Capital Daily in a text. “It’s servicing a need in that area.”
Buna said on a typical day, 200+ players hit the courts at the VPC in Langford, which has been the indoor hub for the burgeoning sport since it opened last spring.
According to the website VancouverIslandPickleball.ca, there are 16 public outdoor courts in the CRD. There are three temporary courts in Beacon Hill Park, two tennis-shared courts in Central Park next to Crystal Pool, five dedicated courts at Carnarvon Park in Oak Bay, two tennis-shared courts in Centennial Park in Saanichton, and two dedicated pickleball courts and two tennis-shared courts in Saanich’s McMinn Park.
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⭐️ Capital Picks
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🗞️ In Other News
Victoria property owners to see 8.86% tax hike, more for businesses
The city council approved the 2025 budget 6-3 on Mon. A typical resident owner can expect a $277 increase this year, and typical businesses will see their property taxes rise by $555. An earlier version of the budget would have led to a 12% increase, but a suite of spending cuts was approved to cap the budget. To keep this cap, recreation prices may increase, new hiring will be paused, and grants will be reduced. Mayor Marianne Alto called it a balancing act to find ways to offer more programming and supports without significantly hiking the tax rate. [Times Colonist]
Esquimalt queries province on possible school board ‘ward system’
Last month, the BC government fired the Greater Victoria School Board en masse and appointed a trustee to oversee it after the province found the board’s draft safety plans—removing police liaison officers—to be “inadequate.” The board consists of nine members elected from anywhere in the school district, including Esquimalt. The township has written to the education minister asking her to consider replacing the current system with a ward system requiring representation from each SD61 region.
[CHEK]
Feds commit $124K to Holocaust education in Victoria
The Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island will use the funds to provide interactive training on antisemitism, the Holocaust, and the experiences of Jewish Canadians today. It’s one of the first projects in Canada to receive funding from the new National Holocaust Remembrance Program. [Yahoo]
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SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA
Dance Victoria presents: Ballet BC
On March 14 and 15, Canada's leading contemporary dance company Ballet BC returns to the Royal Theatre with ZENITH, a monumental triple bill featuring PASSING by choreographer Johan Inger, a new creation by Ballet BC Emily Molnar Emerging Choreographer Award-winner Andrea Peña, and an exciting commission by Fernando Hernando Magadan. Tickets here.
🗓️ Things to do
🎤 Storytelling Open Mic: Whether you’re an experienced storyteller or trying it for the first time, everyone can find their voice at Story Circle at Caffe Fantastico tonight. 7pm. [Info]
🎸 Rock of Ages: Youth Edition: Students from SMUS Middle School perform in this rocking musical, set in 1987 LA, at McPherson Playhouse. Tonight & tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]
🎭 Sister Act Jr.: Catch students performing this vibrant musical adaptation of the beloved film at St. Joseph's Elementary School Gymnasium. Tonight-Sat. 6:30pm. [Info]
🎶 Jelly Roll: With Josh Ross and Savannah Dexter & Brabo Gator at Save-on-Foods-Memorial Centre tonight. 7pm. [Info]
🎺 Mardi Gras Bash with Bijoux du Bayou: Celebrate Mardi Gras with live Cajun music at the Oak Bay Rec Centre tomorrow. [Info]
🌼 Flower Crown Workshop: Create flower crowns by hand at Mayfair Shopping Centre all weekend. [Info]
♀️ Oaklands International Women's Day Weekend: Celebrate International Women's Day with engaging events at the Oaklands Community Centre all weekend. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Wednesday’s headlines: Provincial budget brought in amid tariff war, $10.9B deficit; Six Mile Pub ordered on sale; Vikes vying for national men’s b-ball title. [Mar. 5]
1-month tariff pause for US automakers importing Canadian and Mexican parts. [CBC]
How tariffs can tear things apart. [CHEK]
Day parole extended for man who murdered UVic student Marguerite Telesford in 1987. [Times Colonist]
The Greater Victoria Flower Count began yesterday.
Vic West restaurant Ay Mi Mexico is temporarily shuttered for kitchen repairs.
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