Thoughts on BC Politics and More

... finally, there was a devastating critique by the chiefs of the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations. They revealed the board has been treating them with the same indifferent disdain that it has for everyone else who is concerned about the decision. “The board has failed repeatedly to listen from a place of humility, openness and mutual respect,” wrote the chiefs, citing the fact an experienced, trusted Indigenous liaison RCMP officer has been pulled from schools. Those are some of the elements that led Education Minister Lisa Beare to put the Greater Victoria School District’s board of education on notice Friday ... CLICK HERE for the full story

The Centennial Square fountain was vital to a wide-ranging revitalization plan that, among other things, saved Victoria City Hall from demolition It’s hard to imagine Victoria’s Centennial Square without its centrepiece, the Centennial Fountain — the water feature that city council plans to remove. The fountain has been part of the square since the area was created almost six decades ago. It was vital to a wide-ranging revitalization plan that, among other things, saved City Hall from demolition and gave downtown Victoria a new lease on life ... CLICK HERE for the full story

The Tiny Town village adjacent to Royal ­Athletic Park has been sold, but is expected to stay in Victoria. The 30-unit community of shipping ­containers that has provided temporary ­housing for those at risk of homelessness for the past two years ... ... Ceacero confirmed that the ­village has been sold, but would not say who bought it or where it is going. “I do believe that announcements will be made shortly, as we are coming to the end of the project, but it is staying in the region and is staying, ­actually, in Victoria,” she said. Ceacero said the dismantling of Tiny Town will start immediately and then it will be moved to its new site ... CLICK HERE for the full story

The City of Victoria wants to change the way municipal elections are run and will be asking the province to work on improving voter turnout and expanding where election canvassers can go. It wants the province to consider offering tax credits to those who donate to municipal campaigns, the same way donors get credits in the federal and provincial arena ... CLICK HERE for the full story