municipal politics

Tofino’s first crack at charging parking fees in its downtown core lost more money than it generated in 2023. (Andrew Bailey photo)

B.C. tourist town adds pay parking, ends up losing money in the process

Tofino tweaking downtown parking fees after missing revenue targets and losing money

 

The Campell River Art Gallery. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

B.C. city backs off from pulling tax support from non-profit over homeless

Campbell River Art Gallery taxes to be ‘covered’ in return for development of positive relationship

 

The Campell River Art Gallery. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Minister slams B.C. city for ‘attack’ on art gallery, overdose prevention site

Campbell River is poised to pull tax exemptions over each organization’s permissive homeless policies

 

Langley Township Mayor Eric Woodward spoke in favour of a revised neighbourhood plan for the Williams area, which is designed to create a walkable mixed-use neighbourhood. (Langley Advance Times files)

Total population of Langley neighbourhood could double under new plan

Plans for Williams could see major changes if new direction approved

Langley Township Mayor Eric Woodward spoke in favour of a revised neighbourhood plan for the Williams area, which is designed to create a walkable mixed-use neighbourhood. (Langley Advance Times files)
Premier David Eby confirmed that the province is working on province-wide legislation that would support municipalities looking into banning drug use in public parks. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Law helping B.C. municipalities control drug use in parks coming soon: Eby

Legislation expected to be tabled in the fall, says premier

Premier David Eby confirmed that the province is working on province-wide legislation that would support municipalities looking into banning drug use in public parks. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Langley RCMP officers on scene at an emergency event last year. (Langley Advance Times files)

Township votes to split from shared RCMP detachment with City

Township to stick with RCMP, but de-integrate into two detachments

Langley RCMP officers on scene at an emergency event last year. (Langley Advance Times files)
B.C. Premier David Eby signaled that the province won’t directly help out municipalities facing high property tax hikes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Premier David Eby signals no help for municipalities pondering large property tax hikes

UBCM, province are currently reviewing municipal financing system

B.C. Premier David Eby signaled that the province won’t directly help out municipalities facing high property tax hikes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Dr. Charmaine Enns, the North Island medical health officer, recently sent a letter to Campbel River city council urging them to hold off on a illegal drug consumption bylaw. (Black Press file photo)

Health officer pushes back as B.C. town tries to step around drug decriminalization

Campbell River rejects plea to wait six months before forging ahead with drug use ban bylaw

Dr. Charmaine Enns, the North Island medical health officer, recently sent a letter to Campbel River city council urging them to hold off on a illegal drug consumption bylaw. (Black Press file photo)
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

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
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)
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).
Langley City mayor Val van den Broek has made allegations of bullying and harassment against unnamed councillors, saying she has endured “name calling, intimidation, personal attacks and facial mocking and mimicking during council meetings, events and community meetings, by other Langley City council members.”(file)

Langley city mayor claims bullying and harassment by other council members

Claims she has endured ‘name calling, intimidation, personal attacks and facial mocking and mimicking’

Langley City mayor Val van den Broek has made allegations of bullying and harassment against unnamed councillors, saying she has endured “name calling, intimidation, personal attacks and facial mocking and mimicking during council meetings, events and community meetings, by other Langley City council members.”(file)
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