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- Aug 16 - Union confirms Vic firefighter suspended for writing to premier
Aug 16 - Union confirms Vic firefighter suspended for writing to premier
Plus, Victoria's housing targets may be off the mark
Capital Daily Team
August 16, 2024
Good morning !
A Victoria firefighter has the day off today. Not that he wanted or asked for it.
Seems writing a letter to the premier to express your concern can be a hot issue. Sure was for Josh Montgomery. Read our first story. We’re pretty sure you’re going to be shaking your head, too.
— Mark
Do you think Josh Montgomery deserves to have been suspended? |
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Union confirms Vic firefighter suspended for 1 day after writing letter to premier
Firetruck in front of VicFD headquarters. Photo: City of Victoria
The union representing Victoria firefighters confirmed yesterday that one of its members was suspended—without pay—”for his opinions” shared in a letter to BC’s premier.
“Local 730 can confirm that a member, Josh Montgomery, was disciplined for his opinions shared in a letter to Premier Eby,” Jeremy Wilson, International Association of Firefighters Union Local 730 president said in a brief statement.
The suspension takes place today, Wilson said.
Montgomery wrote the letter last month, days after a paramedic was assaulted on Pandora, leading first-line responders to seek police assistance anytime they attend to a call in that area. The letter asked the premier to overturn a city decision to open a homeless services facility in North Park, where the firefighter lives.
“The escalating violence and alarming decisions being made by City of Victoria officials have put my life, the lives of my colleagues, and the safety of our community at severe risk,” Montgomery wrote.
“Premier Eby, I implore you to take immediate action and stop the relocation of this unregulated consumption site to 2155 Dowler Place. The safety of first responders and families must be the province’s utmost priority. The current approach taken by the City of Victoria is not only reckless but endangers lives and erodes the public’s trust in our local and provincial leadership.”
The premier’s office distanced itself from the controversy and Eby said he supports the firefighter. “As premier, I need to hear from people in order to do my job, and I thank the firefighter for writing to me about his front-line perspective,” Eby said in a statement.
“No one should face consequences for writing to me and if that’s the reason he was sanctioned, then he deserves an apology and back pay from the person responsible.”
Capital Daily contacted the Victoria Fire Department in an attempt to speak with fire Chief Dan Atkinson but was told to contact city spokesperson Colleen Mycroft. In an emailed response to Capital Daily, Mycroft said the mayor and council “have no role in the operational decisions of the Victoria Fire Department,” and called the situation “a personnel matter and the city won’t be commenting further.”
CHEK News published Montgomery’s letter last month.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Missing woman Lauren Wildeman, 35, was last seen Aug. 7 [North Saanich / Sidney RCMP]
Victoria’s Official Community Plan: Give input on Places & Spaces around the city.
Traffic advisory: Lane closures and road restrictions at Burnside and Harriet today for BC Hydro work. 9am-3pm.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Current smoke forecast.
NEWS
BC’s housing crunch means redefining affordable and middle income
Victoria, a growing city with a housing disconnect. Photo: Overstory Media Group
Affordable housing is one of the hottest topics in politics and policy in BC today. An assortment of recent legislation backs that up.
The Ministry of Housing has passed three bills in the past two years (Bills 43, 46, and 47) focusing on the housing supply. Another act, Bill 16—the Housing Statutes Amendment Act—boasts of bolstering the ability of municipalities “to build more affordable, livable communities for people and help tenants facing eviction from redevelopment.”
In Nov., the province set Victoria’s target of 4,902 housing units built by 2028. Six months into the five-year pact, the city surpassed its annual quota of 659 units with 753 new builds.
These units are being built for the people in the so-called “middle-income” bracket. But does that bracket still exist?
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⭐️ Capital Picks
😠 We’re No. 26 in the worldwide cities’ cost of living index. [Yikes]
🍔 Big Wheel Burger receives Biosphere Certification, becoming the first restaurant in North America to receive the certification that recognizes sustainability.
🏒 Saanich recreation: Fall general program registration is open.
🤝 Now hiring: Seed & Gift Store Retail Supervisor at The Butchart Gardens.
🗞️ In Other News
Specialized gym will remain open
Move Adapted Fitness & Rehabilitation Society of BC has been taken over by Neuromotion, allowing it to continue operations. The gym was set to permanently close at the end of last month due to financial difficulty and the loss of its charitable status. The gym connects those living with physical, cognitive, and neurological challenges with exercise support and specialized equipment. [Victoria News]
9-year-old raises money for hospitals in memory of his dad
Following two earlier fundraising efforts, Anders Yee set up his Saanich lemonade stand once again to raise funds for Victoria Hospitals Foundation, amassing over $3K in donations so far. Yee decided to begin raising money for local hospitals following his dad’s passing in 2022. [CHEK]
Saanich swimmer raises $140K for Canucks Place children’s hospice
Jill Yoneda had to abandon her attempt last Friday to swim across the Georgia Strait from Brentwood Bay when she began experiencing pulmonary edema at the 15-hour mark, near Crofton. She rested for the night but was still experiencing lung issues, leading her team to drive the boat near Vancouver so she could swim the last stretch into Jericho Beach. She was welcomed by Canucks Place staff, families, and volunteers. [Saanich News]
🗓️ Things to do
🍽️ North Saanich Flavour Trails. District of North Saanich and Destination Greater Victoria team to celebrate local farmers, fishers, food producers, chefs, vintners, brewers, cider makers, distillers & more. McTavish Academy of Art. Tomorrow. 8:30am-3pm. [Info]
🖼️ Cindy Revell at The Avenue Gallery: The artist and illustrator will exhibit her collection of oil paintings. Until next Mon. [Info]
🎺 Next Generation Jazz Collective: The Victoria-based group will perform the music of Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 5:30pm. Show 7pm. [Info]
💃 Latin Night: DJ Alex King hosts a night of music and dancing at Victoria Event Centre. Today. 10pm. [Info]
🎭 Wind in the Willows: Watch this performance of the classic animal tale by Blue Bridge Rep on the patio of the University Club at UVic. Today. 6pm. Tomorrow. 2pm & 6pm. [Info]
🎸 Northcote: See the post-hardcore act at Little Fernwood Gallery. Today. 7pm. [Info]
🎵 The History of Gunpowder with Sail Cassady: Known for their chaotic wild shows, this group will bring its ever-changing cast of musicians to Yates. Lucky Bar. Today. 7pm. [Info]
🎥 Free-B Movie Fest: Bring a picnic blanket to the Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park to watch Stand By Me today and the Last Unicorn. Tomorrow. 9pm. [Info]
😂 Entertainment Village: Head to The Mint for this improv comedy show hosted by OK Dope. Today. 8pm. [Info]
🎵 Colwood’s Music in the Park: Soul Shakers will perform at Meadow Park Green. Today. 5:30-7:30pm. Tomorrow at Lagoon Beach. Majesties Request. 5:30-7:30pm. [Info]
🎥 Hit Man at Cinecenta: The comedy action film starring Glen Powell will be shown at the UVic theatre. Today & tomorrow. 5pm and 7:10pm. [Info]
🎶 Music in the Park: The New Groovement will perform funk, soul, and hip-hop tunes at the Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park. Today. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info]
🎸 Surf rock, indie, jazz, garage, psychedelic, and more as Neighbourly, Mother Sun, and Post-Modern Connection play Upstairs tomorrow (7-10pm). [Tickets]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Thursday’s headlines: Coastal cleanup projects get funding boost; Bigg’s killer whale sighting numbers up this year; Mass fish die-off in North Cowichan lake; And more. [Aug. 15]
Salt Spring H2O restriction: Cedar of Tuam water system is in a Stage 3 restriction due to low well water.
Citizen scientists worried about the birds and the bees, and the trees. [Capital Daily]
Cedar waxwing spotted in a tree at Royal Roads. [Photo]
Special Woodstock 2024: Year 25 in Duncan. [Info]
Vic firefighters rescue cat from tree. Yes, really. 😼 [CHEK video]
That’s it!
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