Thoughts on BC Politics and More

A commentary by a City of Colwood councillor. Re: “ New medical clinics are welcome, but province has to step up ,” Comment, June 20. Rob Martin’s recent commentary raises a valid concern about the downloading of health-care responsibilities onto municipalities. However, his suggestion that Colwood and Langford’s actions represent a “dangerous inflection point” mischaracterizes the situation — and undermines the leadership shown by communities stepping up to meet urgent needs. Let’s be clear: no one is arguing that municipalities should bear the burden of health-care delivery. But in reality, when thousands of residents are left without a family doctor and higher levels of government are slow to act, communities are left with a choice: step in, or let ­people fall through the cracks ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Colwood council is looking at taking its first steps into the medical clinic business with the help of private-sector partners. Mayor Doug Kobayashi wants to explore the legal possibilities for a medical clinic in Colwood’s growing Royal Bay neighbourhood that would be fully or partially owned by the city, administered through a non-profit. The idea formed after many conversations with doctors and the Saunders Family Foundation on how to best attract family physicians to the West Shore, Kobayashi said ... CLICK HERE for the full story

  Construction of the Royal B.C. ­Museum’s new collections and research building is officially underway in Colwood’s Royal Bay ­neighbourhood.   The 15,200-square-metre building, built of mass timber, will house the province’s collections and archives, with dedicated research labs and learning spaces. It’s designed to improve access for the public, as only one per cent of the museum’s vast collection is on display.   The province said it expects the building to be substantially completed in the fall of 2025 and open to the public in 2026 ... CLICK HERE for the full story