Spare a thought for Metchosin
Most residents are proud to be paying taxes in the capital region to support their high quality of life. The only thing is – to borrow a phrase – most…
Watchdog releases city trading cards
Meet the City of Victoria’s limited-edition for 2023 In recognition of hardworking city taxpayers, the municipal watchdog Grumpy Taxpayer$ is releasing a six-pack of virtual and limited-edition trading cards featuring…
Thoughts on creaky governance
Hope springs eternal for those who keep an eye on local government. Dust-ups in Harrison Hot Springs and Lions Bay prompted the province to just hire two outside municipal advisers…
Better $crutiny needed on grant$
When local politicians gather for coffee and a nickel falls on the floor – or so the story goes – heads bump together in the dizzying rush to pick it…
Will windfall also help roads?
It remains to be seen how much provincial funding from the Growing Communities Fund will go toward rehabilitating the City of Victoria’s aging road infrastructure. Local governments are receiving a…
Transportation tale of two cities
A quarter century ago, the province and 21 Metro Vancouver mayors created ‘Translink’ under the authority of the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act. The mayors recognized the obvious…
Delay, defer, delay
MNP Governance Review recommendations continue to languish on a dusty shelf After months of delays there’s still no indication exactly when city council will take action on a governance report…
Is council pay hike defensible?
‘Unhelpful message’: Taxpayers’ group upset Central Saanich mayor’s pay could jump 59%, Peninsula News review, Feb. 23, 2023. Central Saanich council set to approve a 70% wage increase Did you…
Crunch time coming for corridor dreams
Dated cost estimates vary wildly The only time our second longest serving prime minister came to BC was Aug. 13, 1886, when he drove the last spike near Shawnigan Lake…