municipal politics

(Black Press Media file photo)

West Coast officials scramble for solutions after losing bus service

Wilson’s Transportation has cancelled its Tofino Bus service in and out of the West Coast until May

 

Ucluelet senior Katharine Fleming’s SUV was one of 35 vehicles that West Coast black bears broke into this year. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Bears broke into 35 vehicles in Tofino-Ucluelet this year

Eight bears were killed after becoming food-conditioned past the point of no return

 

Montreal mayor Valerie Plante delivers remarks during the opening ceremony of the COP15 UN conference on biodiversity in Montreal on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Big cities have a major role to play in protecting biodiversity, experts say

Increasing native plants and animals and decreasing contaminants, among actions cities can take

 

The Knights of Columbus annual nativity scene atop Terrace City Hall on Dec. 14, 2021. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)

Nativity scene banned from B.C. town’s city hall after decades-long run

Volunteer group hoping to get Terrace to change its mind after annual tradition rejected

The Knights of Columbus annual nativity scene atop Terrace City Hall on Dec. 14, 2021. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)
City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

‘I’m so excited to be out of this room’: Departing BC councillor laments experience as elected official

Morgan Pulsifer said he was disappointed by the way city staff, elected officials and service workers were treated in Fernie

City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Artist’s renderings of a commercial plaza proposed for Rocky Creek Road in the north end of Ladysmith. (Urban Design Group Architects Ltd. image)

Commercial plaza with coffee shop, dollar store in north end of Ladysmith receives permit

Development permit issued for shopping plaza at 1130 Rocky Creek Rd.

Artist’s renderings of a commercial plaza proposed for Rocky Creek Road in the north end of Ladysmith. (Urban Design Group Architects Ltd. image)
The Tiny Home Village in Victoria’s North Park neighbourhood welcomed 30 residents in May 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tiny home villages as solution to homelessness? 3 B.C. mayors say yes

Sites up and running in Victoria and Duncan, Port Alberni on its way to do the same

The Tiny Home Village in Victoria’s North Park neighbourhood welcomed 30 residents in May 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
Tofino expects to break ground on a $78 million sewage treatment facility this month. (Westerly file photo)

B.C. tourism mecca finally poised to stop pumping raw sewage into the ocean

Shovels expected to hit the ground this month on Tofino’s much-delayed $78M sewage treatment facility

Tofino expects to break ground on a $78 million sewage treatment facility this month. (Westerly file photo)
Daybreak Farms general manager Kieran Christison thanked the community for their “eggstraordinary” support as the farm can now get started on upgrades. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard).

City of Terrace backs northwest B.C.’s biggest egg producer to double output

Daybreak Farms wins big with approval to expand and modernize egg production

Daybreak Farms general manager Kieran Christison thanked the community for their “eggstraordinary” support as the farm can now get started on upgrades. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard).
CVRD vice chair Sierra Acton said she should not have to sign off on the business expenses of the chair of the board, as recommended by district auditors. (File photo) CVRD board vice chair Sierra Acton told the board she does not want to be responsible for signing off on the expenses of the chair. (File photo)

CVRD directors’ business expenses policy hot topic at meeting

Who signs off on expenses raises questions around best practices

CVRD vice chair Sierra Acton said she should not have to sign off on the business expenses of the chair of the board, as recommended by district auditors. (File photo) CVRD board vice chair Sierra Acton told the board she does not want to be responsible for signing off on the expenses of the chair. (File photo)
Ladysmith city hall. (File photo)

Ladysmith council approves contract for Fourth Avenue project

Councillors discuss policy for awarding tenders

Ladysmith city hall. (File photo)
A map of an official community plan amendment application for Holland Creek’s Arbour Heights area. The drawing indicates the uses and areas being proposed by the developer in the Holland Creek area plan. (Town of Ladysmith image)

Ladysmith council refers Holland Creek amendment back to staff

No public opposition expressed at hearing, but councillors have questions

A map of an official community plan amendment application for Holland Creek’s Arbour Heights area. The drawing indicates the uses and areas being proposed by the developer in the Holland Creek area plan. (Town of Ladysmith image)
Ladysmith city hall. (File photo)

Town of Ladysmith providing direction to prospective council candidates

Workshop will be June 16 at Ladysmith city hall

Ladysmith city hall. (File photo)
Alison Nicholson, the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s director for Cowichan Station/Sahtlam/Glenora, wants to remove barriers that keep young people from running for office in CVRD elections. (File photo)

Vancouver Island official pushing parental leave, child care for local politicians

Cowichan Station’s Alison Nicholson wants district to remove barriers for young politicians

Alison Nicholson, the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s director for Cowichan Station/Sahtlam/Glenora, wants to remove barriers that keep young people from running for office in CVRD elections. (File photo)
Hockey fans load up on beer at a bar in Edmonton on Dec. 31, 2011. The southern Alberta town of Raymond — dry since it was founded more than 100 years ago — is asking residents if they are for or against restaurants serving alcohol. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

‘We’ll see where it goes’: dry Alberta town surveys citizens on its alcohol ban

Raymond, about 240 kilometres south of Calgary, does not allow alcohol service in any establishment

Hockey fans load up on beer at a bar in Edmonton on Dec. 31, 2011. The southern Alberta town of Raymond — dry since it was founded more than 100 years ago — is asking residents if they are for or against restaurants serving alcohol. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
VIMC looks to Supreme Court of Canada to hear its appeal against North Cowichan. (File photo)

Island motorsports track expected to appeal rejected expansion plan to Supreme Court

North Cowichan denied VIMC a development permit for expansion in 2019

VIMC looks to Supreme Court of Canada to hear its appeal against North Cowichan. (File photo)
Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone, top right, North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring, bottom left, Saltair director Lynne Smith and Diamond-North Oyster director Ben Maartman answer the Chronicle’s questions about the year that’s passed and the year ahead. (Photos submitted and by Duck Paterson)

Ladysmith leaders look back, look forward

Chronicle contributor Duck Paterson catches up with local government officials

  • Jan 1, 2022
Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone, top right, North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring, bottom left, Saltair director Lynne Smith and Diamond-North Oyster director Ben Maartman answer the Chronicle’s questions about the year that’s passed and the year ahead. (Photos submitted and by Duck Paterson)
North Cowichan and eight other local governments on south Vancouver Island have sent a latter to B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth (pictured) raising concerns about plans to download the costs of police dispatching in the region. (File photo)

North Cowichan, 7 south Island local governments take exception to downloaded police costs

Colwood, Ladysmith, Langford, North Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, and View Royal

North Cowichan and eight other local governments on south Vancouver Island have sent a latter to B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth (pictured) raising concerns about plans to download the costs of police dispatching in the region. (File photo)
Ladysmith town council meets in person for its regular meeting on Oct. 19. Members of the public may attend meetings at City Hall. (Photo by Tyler Hay)

Ladysmith council continues to meet in person, makes public attendance easier

Special meetings can still be virtual

Ladysmith town council meets in person for its regular meeting on Oct. 19. Members of the public may attend meetings at City Hall. (Photo by Tyler Hay)
John Jack, chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, addresses the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention by video link, Sept. 14, 2021. (UBCM video)

Local B.C. governments seek ways to go beyond talking about reconciliation

Indigenous people need power, municipal convention told

John Jack, chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, addresses the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention by video link, Sept. 14, 2021. (UBCM video)