AI weighs in on local government !
Who are you going to ask for another thoughtful opinion on the state of municipal government on the South Island? So we queried Perplexity, an Artificial Intelligence system, and they…
Saanich residents, head’s up on AAPs
It’s the first time in 25 years that Saanich will use the alternate approval process (AAP) to borrow $9.6 million for five infrastructure projects. Taxpayers would be wise to familiarize…
Taxpayers wary of pool costs
Consider the long-term property tax implications before casting your vote in the Feb. 8 city referendum to spend as much as $215.9 million on a new Crystal Pool. The special…
The City tidying, tinkering, trimming
Structural reforms needed to meet growing needs City council will spend the next few months trying to tame a proposed $460 million consolidated budget to deliver quality services. Facing a…
Taxpayers facing costly infrastructure renewal
People don’t whistle as much as they used to. That may change during the next few weeks now that municipal taxpayers – about half of those on the South Island…
Oh, so sweet Candy Cane Awards 2024 !
Colwood, Langford, Sooke recognized, and an Ol’ Lump of Coal Award for Victoria council To recognize extraordinary performance, three municipalities on the South Island are savouring their very first sweet…
Revolving door at Municipal Affairs
New minister, renamed ministry, added portfolios Every time there’s a new minister in charge of municipal affairs appointed in BC, it raises high hopes in residents for significant reform in…
How civic affairs are misunderstood and limited, and why that matters
BY DR. DAVID BLACK, SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS AND CULTURE, ROYAL ROADS UNIVERSITY, KEYNOTE ADDRESS DELIVERED AT 10TH ANNIVERSARY GRUMPY TAXPAYERS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, ON NOV. 16, 2024 PROF. BLACK TEACHES…
While you were away on holidays
To look for the most important controversial civic issues look at city agendas a day or two before the holiday summer weekends when residents head out on holidays. For the…