Latest News | Victoria

What's Up at Council on Thursday, August 5 | August 03 2021
What's Up At Council? is our bi-weekly video series that gives you a glance at what's coming up for discussion and decision making at City Council.  Hosted by Mayor Lisa Helps, this week's episode is available here and on the City of Victoria's social media channels.  Here's What’s Up At Council on Thursday, August 5 at 6:30 p.m. View the meeting agenda and tune in to the live webcast.   Council Meetings – How to Participate Throughout the global pandemic, City Council has been meeting regularly. Although you can't attend in person due to COVID-19, there are many ways to participate.  What City Council meetings are where final decisions are made that will most impact you. Mayor and Council convene twice a month to make decisions about bylaws and development permits, City business such as programs and services, and our Strategic Plan initiatives. When Victoria City Council meetings normally occur on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. Agendas are posted the Friday before by 3 p.m. here. NOTE: To accommodate renovations to the HVAC system at City Hall, from March 4 to August 31, meetings of Council will be held at the CRD Boardroom and will be webcast live and archived. How to Watch a Council Meeting You can watch the live webcast from the comfort of your home. Council webcasts are archived online so you can view at your convenience. View the 2021 Council Meeting Schedule. How to Participate in a Virtual Public Hearing Public hearings are held at Council meetings to provide Victoria citizens an opportunity to share their views on how land in their community is proposed to be used. During the pandemic, you can indicate your support or opposition to a Virtual Public Hearing item by submitting written comments or a pre-recorded video in advance, or by pre-registering to call-in. Learn how to participate in a Virtual Public Hearing. How to Request to Address Council on a Topic You can also address Council on a topic other than a public hearing by filling out the Request to Address Council Form. City staff will follow up with you on how to participate via conference call.  What Was Decided? Council Highlights provide a snapshot of the progress made on City programs, initiatives and on Council decision-making. Sign up to receive our Council Highlights by emailing engage@victoria.ca. Who Voted for What? You can see and track Council voting records at the click of a mouse with the Council Meeting Dashboard. The dashboard makes it easy to see how members of Council voted on a particular motion and gives you more tools to access and analyze information about decisions that impact you. The dashboard begins at the start of Council’s four-year term in November 2018.
>> Read more

HAVE YOUR SAY: Stadacona Park Playground Replacement | August 02 2021
Have your say on a new playground coming to Stadacona Park in 2022. The City is designing a playground to provide fun and engaging play experiences for all ages and abilities for years to come. View the proposed design and take the survey by August 20, 2021 at engage.victoria.ca. Goals for the playground are based on guidance from the Parks and Open Spaces Master Plan, best practices in playground design and construction, and international guidelines for creating inclusive play spaces. The project goals include: 1. Create an inclusive and accessible playground 2. Design fun and engaging play spaces 3. Enhance natural areas and ecosystems Proposed features include a tall tower, a small tower, swings, climbers, in-ground trampolines, spinners and springers, as well as natural elements with boulders and log step edging. Through a thoughtful selection of equipment and layout, opportunities will range from adventurous to quiet, creative, and imaginative to respond to the various ways children play. In addition, amenities such as seating and picnic tables, shade trees, and access to washrooms and drinking water will make this a welcoming and inclusive environment. The playground is proposed to move to a new location next to a wide greenspace, mature trees, and garden beds. The new central location is also within sight of the sport courts and will create an activity hub within the park which is well connected to the City’s cycling network and public transit. Community feedback will inform the final playground design to be developed in fall 2021. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2022 and the playground will open for community use in summer 2022.
>> Read more

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: Honorary Citizen Award | July 29 2021
Do you know someone who makes our community a better place? Nominate them for the City of Victoria’s Honorary Citizen Award which celebrates those who have performed outstanding service for the betterment of our community and personal achievements.  Nominees must be a current or former resident of the local First Nations, the City of Victoria or the Capital Region, and must demonstrate outstanding contribution(s) in one or more of the following categories: Arts and Culture Business Communication Community/Volunteer Education Environment Heritage Indigenous Inspirational Youth (up to and including 24 years of age) Multicultural Social/Health Issues Sports Other Nomination packages are to include a completed nomination form signed by two nominators, a statement of nomination, a digital photo of the nominee for publication purposes and two letters of support. Previous recipients are not eligible for nomination, except for recipients of the Inspirational Youth category once 10 years have elapsed. DEADLINE EXTENDED: The deadline to submit a nomination package is 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 8, 2021. Nomination packages can be emailed to mayorandcouncil@victoria.ca, dropped off in person or mailed to Victoria City Hall. Nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee who will make recommendations for Council’s consideration. The committee is co-chaired by Councillor Charlayne Thornton-Joe and Councillor Ben Isitt along with eight past award recipients. Depending on the number of nominations received, there will be approximately 10 award recipients this year.  Recipients of the 2021 Honorary Citizen Award will be notified in September and acknowledged at a virtual or in-person ceremony this fall. The Honorary Citizen Award program was established in 1970 as an official recognition of persons who had, over time, served the city meritoriously in any walk of life, often in a volunteer capacity and without recognition. The awards are presented every four years.  Learn more and nominate. 
>> Read more

Get Growing, Victoria! Seedling Collection Schedule | July 28 2021
Neighbourhood distribution days are returning for the Get Growing, Victoria! program. Fall winter veggie seedings and gardening materials will be distributed in a neighbourhood near you between August 16 - September 3. Residents facing barriers to growing their own food can collect free food seedlings and get advice on how to care for them. Community collection hubs are operated by program partners and some require registration in advance. Please view the Summer 2021 Neighbourhood Distribution Days Schedule for days, times and instructions.  Get Growing, Victoria! supports communities in need through partnerships with non-profit organizations that distribute food seedlings grown in the City’s nursery in Beacon Hill Park to residents who are facing barriers. Many partner organizations support communities directly through programs like horticultural therapy for mental health support groups, and gardening and food access programs for community kitchens that support people with disabilities. Learn more: victoria.ca/getgrowing
>> Read more

Special Weather Statement in Effect for Victoria | July 27 2021
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Greater Victoria. Daytime high temperatures will rise 3 to 5 degrees Celsius compared to today, pushing them into the mid to high 20's near the water to low 30's inland. To reduce your risk of heat-related illness, make sure to: Stay hydrated Avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day Wear light, loose clothing, and a hat If working outside, take breaks and find shade Make sure to drink more fluids than normal, especially water, regardless of your activity level, and do not wait until you are thirsty to have a drink. Avoid liquids that contain alcohol, caffeine, or large amounts of sugar as these are less helpful in keeping your body hydrated. The City of Victoria operates drinking water fountains throughout the City. Find them all using this map to stay hydrated during the hot weather: https://vicmap.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=01d530fe77d24581b69b1b0a0c8e3583 If you’re looking for a place to cool off, both the watering can and playground splash pads in Beacon Hill Park are open from 8am-8pm daily.  Misting stations are available at Royal Athletic Park during community access times, Thursday and Friday 5-8pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10am-8pm, in addition to operating during the summer camps from 8:30am – 4:30pm on all weekdays. We will continue to monitor the weather and open more community access as we’re able.  Heat Safety Island Health has some great tips for heat safety on their website, including how to identify the signs of heat-related illness: Pale, cool, moist skin Heavy sweating, cramps, rash Fatigue, light headedness, headache Nausea, vomiting High fever, hallucinations, seizures and unconsciousness require urgent medical attention. Call 9-1-1. Also, remember to check in on your friends and neighbours throughout the next few days. The following people are at greater risk of heat-related illness: Infants and young children People aged 65 or older People who work outside People with heart conditions or breathing problems People who live alone
>> Read more