Don Descoteau

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Letter: Taxpayers watchdog group doesn’t tell whole story on MLA pensions

Send your letters to the editor to vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca

Drug and weapons seized from Saanich home, six people arrested and released

Saanich police had been keeping an eye on Whittier Avenue home for weeks

The Capital Regional District is considering adding another dollar a year to the parkland acquisition fund fee for homeowners. (Black Press Media file photo)

One dollar or two? Greater Victoria parks acquisition fee hike spurs debate

$2 a year too steep, CRD committee recommends $1 a year increase per household

The Capital Regional District is considering adding another dollar a year to the parkland acquisition fund fee for homeowners. (Black Press Media file photo)
Retiring local politicians Carole James and Andrew Weaver will receive annual payouts estimated at $87,000 and $34,000, respectively, under the pension plan for outgoing MLAs in B.C., according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. (Black Press Media file photos)

Taxpayer watchdog howling over outgoing MLAs’ pension payouts

Carole James, Andrew Weaver among Island MLAs whose pensions are calculated by taxpayers federation

Retiring local politicians Carole James and Andrew Weaver will receive annual payouts estimated at $87,000 and $34,000, respectively, under the pension plan for outgoing MLAs in B.C., according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. (Black Press Media file photos)
View Royal Coun. John Rogers stands next to an unearthed home heating oil tank. As a way to prevent environmental disasters, he is lobbying for a provincial registration system and mandatory inspection for all above-ground tanks, as well as a requirement to remove any underground tanks not used for a prescribed period of time. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Efforts to regulate Greater Victoria home heating oil tanks continues

View Royal councillor part of movement to identify old tanks, prevent catastrophic leaks

View Royal Coun. John Rogers stands next to an unearthed home heating oil tank. As a way to prevent environmental disasters, he is lobbying for a provincial registration system and mandatory inspection for all above-ground tanks, as well as a requirement to remove any underground tanks not used for a prescribed period of time. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
The M’akola Housing Society is looking to build two new residences in Sooke to help provide affordable accommodation for local Indigenous people. The projects were granted nearly $1.1 million toward their construction through the Regional Housing Trust Fund. (Photo courtesy M’Akola Housing Society)

Regional Housing First Program strikes another chord in Greater Victoria

Affordable housing partnership grants will help house over 100 people on income assistance

The M’akola Housing Society is looking to build two new residences in Sooke to help provide affordable accommodation for local Indigenous people. The projects were granted nearly $1.1 million toward their construction through the Regional Housing Trust Fund. (Photo courtesy M’Akola Housing Society)
The mottled sky, the lights coming on at water’s edge and in Victoria West, and the reflections on the building windows make for a scenic sunset photo in Victoria’s Selkirk neighbourhood. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Sunset on the Selkirk in Victoria

Send your photos to editor@vicnews.com for a chance to see them in the paper

The mottled sky, the lights coming on at water’s edge and in Victoria West, and the reflections on the building windows make for a scenic sunset photo in Victoria’s Selkirk neighbourhood. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Victoria police Chief Const. Del Manak appreciates the efforts of residents and business owners who took part in the VicPD community survey. The questionnaire saw a combined nearly 1,000 respondents from Victoria and Esquimalt. (Black Press Media file photo)

VicPD survey says: overall satisfaction positive, accountability needs work

Respondents feel safe during day, not so much at night; more police presence would help

Victoria police Chief Const. Del Manak appreciates the efforts of residents and business owners who took part in the VicPD community survey. The questionnaire saw a combined nearly 1,000 respondents from Victoria and Esquimalt. (Black Press Media file photo)
The majority of train tracks on the mid- and south Island have been unused since passenger rail service stopped along the Island corridor. (Photo by Michael Briones)

Rail survey finds strong support for revitalized service on Vancouver Island

81 per cent of respondents from Victoria to north Island support enhanced rail service

The majority of train tracks on the mid- and south Island have been unused since passenger rail service stopped along the Island corridor. (Photo by Michael Briones)
The City of Victoria’s Broughton Street parkade downtown under the public library central branch has been rather full lately with its cheap rates, but those fees are going up as of Oct. 15. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Downtown Victoria drivers: city parkade rate hikes take effect Oct. 15

City uses latest round of price increases to even out demand around its five parkades

The City of Victoria’s Broughton Street parkade downtown under the public library central branch has been rather full lately with its cheap rates, but those fees are going up as of Oct. 15. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Offices, schools, homes and more offer protection in the event of an earthquake. The Great BC ShakeOut is slated for Oct. 15, but individuals and socially distanced groups can practice earthquake drills anytime. (Black Press media file photo)

Earthquake early warning research backs Great BC ShakeOut activities

Public encouraged to host socially distanced earthquake drills Oct. 15 or anytime

Offices, schools, homes and more offer protection in the event of an earthquake. The Great BC ShakeOut is slated for Oct. 15, but individuals and socially distanced groups can practice earthquake drills anytime. (Black Press media file photo)
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO Bruce Williams moderates a lunchtime candidate forum for the Victoria-Beacon Hill riding, attended by the BC Liberals’ Karen Bill (clockwise from top right), the BC Green Party’s Jenn Neilson and the NDP’s Grace Lore. Williams and the Chamber are hosting online forums for five ridings ahead of the Oct. 24 election. (YouTube)

Greater Victoria chamber shifts candidate forums online for 2020

NDP, Liberal and Green candidates answer CEO's questions during lunchtime election panels

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO Bruce Williams moderates a lunchtime candidate forum for the Victoria-Beacon Hill riding, attended by the BC Liberals’ Karen Bill (clockwise from top right), the BC Green Party’s Jenn Neilson and the NDP’s Grace Lore. Williams and the Chamber are hosting online forums for five ridings ahead of the Oct. 24 election. (YouTube)
The District of Metchosin’s city hall (Black Press Media file photo)

Metchosin opens council meetings to the public

Admittance limited to 12 spectators, including presenters, in council chambers only

The District of Metchosin’s city hall (Black Press Media file photo)
Crew members from AstroTurf work on a section of new turf being installed on the Gorge Soccer Club field this week at Hampton Park in Saanich. The project took place over a number of days and sees the old turf recycled and used as infill for the new one. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Saanich soccer turf replacement project close to wrapping up

Hampton Park a beehive of activity of late

Crew members from AstroTurf work on a section of new turf being installed on the Gorge Soccer Club field this week at Hampton Park in Saanich. The project took place over a number of days and sees the old turf recycled and used as infill for the new one. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
The topic of election signs rules came back to Saanich council after two years, with the result being a decision to reduce the maximum size and the amount of time they can be up on municipal property. (Black Press Media file photo)

Municipal election signs to shrink to address public complaints

Saanich limits sign size, time frame to 28 days before election day

The topic of election signs rules came back to Saanich council after two years, with the result being a decision to reduce the maximum size and the amount of time they can be up on municipal property. (Black Press Media file photo)
The construction of garden suites in Saanich backyards is now officially legal in the District of Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)

Garden suites get final approval from Saanich council

Backyard detached housing units expected to increase affordability options in the district

The construction of garden suites in Saanich backyards is now officially legal in the District of Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)
Offices, schools, homes and more offer protection in the event of an earthquake. The Great BC ShakeOut is slated for Oct. 15, but individuals and socially distanced groups can practice earthquake drills anytime. (Black Press media file photo)

Great BC ShakeOut takes a COVID-safe approach for 2020

Public encouraged to host socially distanced earthquake drills Oct. 15 or anytime

Offices, schools, homes and more offer protection in the event of an earthquake. The Great BC ShakeOut is slated for Oct. 15, but individuals and socially distanced groups can practice earthquake drills anytime. (Black Press media file photo)
This abandoned boat is one of several boats currently washed up on the shore in Cadboro Bay. The local residents’ association is part of a move to enlist the Capital Regional District’s help in remedying the problem. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Greater Victoria’s coastal communities take derelict boat issue to the CRD

Group looking for regional body to partner on regulation recommendations

This abandoned boat is one of several boats currently washed up on the shore in Cadboro Bay. The local residents’ association is part of a move to enlist the Capital Regional District’s help in remedying the problem. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Morning commuters inch along the Trans Canada Highway near the Helmcken Road overpass in View Royal. South Island transportation issues are among the focuses of a questionnaire sent by 11 local mayors to the three main party leaders and all regional candidates in the Oct. 24 provincial election. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria mayors want concrete answers from party leaders, local candidates

Questions focus on child care; mental health, addictions and treatment, and transportation

Morning commuters inch along the Trans Canada Highway near the Helmcken Road overpass in View Royal. South Island transportation issues are among the focuses of a questionnaire sent by 11 local mayors to the three main party leaders and all regional candidates in the Oct. 24 provincial election. (Black Press Media file photo)
Island Outfitters staffer Megan White stocks the fishing lures section of the new store in View Royal. The outdoors retailer opens its new store this week, nine months after its previous store in Saanich was destroyed by fire. (Michelle Cabana/Black Press Media)

Outdoors store operators happy in new West Shore home

Island Outfitters opens the doors this week on Island Highway in View Royal

Island Outfitters staffer Megan White stocks the fishing lures section of the new store in View Royal. The outdoors retailer opens its new store this week, nine months after its previous store in Saanich was destroyed by fire. (Michelle Cabana/Black Press Media)