Hello there!

Good morning, and I hope you're managing alright when it comes to the snow, the cold, and the conditions that those have caused. Some more on that below, along with updates on a big council budget and an update on the upcoming post-secondary campus in the core of the ‘Shore.

— Cam

NEWS

What's in Langford's new budgets

In the run up to Feb. 20, when the city will make its Five Year Financial Plan (2025-2029) public, Langford is well into its staggered budget approval process.

The process began earlier this year than it had in previous years, owing to an initial absence of crucial data traditionally supplied by the province and required to generate a full draft of the proposed plan. The plan will reflect council’s departmental priorities as well as prior and future fiscal commitments.

Two recent land and infrastructure acquisitions as well as the 9-1-1 dispatch call cost download that was announced last month represent some of the outsized sources of tax increases in store for Langford residents.

Council will deliberate and consider approval of the financial plan at its March 3 meeting. The financial plan won’t pass into law until later this spring; the final date for passing the plan into municipal bylaw is May 15. But the public can weigh in online until this Sunday and at upcoming meetings.

Today we have a primer on what is in the budget and multi-year plan that the city relies on.

Read the full article to find out which things the city is investing in and how much a lot of it will cost.

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NEWS / SNAPS

Snowy sights around the ‘Shore

Winter weather continues, with snow expected today and this weekend and temperatures remaining negative for much of the next week.

The snow was a bit more manageable yesterday, and there were fewer closures than at the start of the week. Classes resumed at Camosun. K-12 schools in SD62 have remained open all week despite their counterparts in SD61 and SD63 taking a snow day.

Here are some of the photos you sent in to show what a snow-covered Westshore looked like in your various necks of the woods.

The sort of sight that greeted many locals last weekend. — Paul Young

“A robin who seems perplexed about the snow making getting its dinner more difficult during the recent snowy conditions.” – Bennett Guinn

Plus: An American Robin checking out its surroundings in the snow. – Gary Woodburn

Punkie (the pup) takes in the view from Sky House overlooking Anderson Cove, East Sooke. - Nan P. Hundere

“I am Canadian" – a rooftop photoshoot in the falling snow from Tina Martel ( model) and Doug Wills (photographer).

NEWS

Camosun announces courses for new Westshore campus

The college announced last week that it will be offering these courses fully at the upcoming campus it shares with Royal Roads and UVic:

• Information and Computer Systems Technologist Diploma

• Early Learning and Care Diploma

• Health Care Assistant Certificate

Camosun had already offered a few courses at Westshore locations, including at Belmont Secondary. But this year it will co-open a 5-storey mass timber building that is planned to include flexible learning spaces and classrooms, student supports, an Innovation Studio, and space for Indigenous gathering.

The partnership aims to make it easier for students from the Westshore—which has a lower rate of post-secondary continuation than some other parts of the region—to attend college close to home. Also involved are SD62 and the Justice Institute of BC.

Around the 'Shore

🔌 Colwood gets BC Hydro's first-ever EV-charging hub. In 10 minutes the stations at Quarry Park in Royal Bay can charge either 4 electric vehicles with 180km of driving time or 8 EVs with 90km. Both Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi and new Esquimalt-Colwood MLA Darlene Rotchford said that the new hub speaks to the growth of EV drivership in the Westshore. [Info]

4️⃣ Langford pursuing 4 “initial strategies" in face of potential US tariffs: Procuring Canadian-prouduced materials, promoting affected businesses, expediting “shovel-ready" projects, and working with other levels of government. [Goldstream Gazette]

❄ Tuesday news: Snow begins; Fairy Creek deferral extended. Sooke given 2 weeks to pass zoning bylaw. [Newsletter]

Community Events

⚽️ Langford hosts international soccer, standing in as home field for Calgary's Cavalry FC today. [Tickets]

🖼 Winter gallery hours for Arts & Culture Colwood are Thurs.-Sun., 11am-3pm.

🏒 Grizzlies host Nanaimo on Friday. [Tickets]

💕 Sweethearts Market at Bilston Creek Farm this Fri., Sat., and Sun. (10am-4pm). Specialty vendors with hand-made gifts and treats. Plus: food, drink, and a hunt for the golden heart. [Free]

🏉 Rugby: Westshore RFC vs. Pacific Pride on Sat. in Langford.

🍽 Community Dinner at Gordon United Church, 935 Goldstream Ave. in Langford is this coming Monday, Feb. 10, at 5pm. All welcome.

☕ Coffee with the Mayor in Metchosin will next happen on Feb. 13.

👣 Family Day Storybook Walks next week. [Info]

🧘‍♀️ Galentine's Yoga for a Cause: Yoga class and pool / hot tub time at Bear Mountain on Feb. 15 to fundraise for the Goldstream Food Bank. [Info]

What’s Offshore?

Anchored off coast of Colwood: None right now

🚢 Further out: Maersk Monte Olivia (2004-built container ship sailing to Prince Rupert under Singapore flag)

Westshore Snaps

The calm before the storm; the sky before the snow. Photo: Richard Steward

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to another Westshore local.

And before you go, let us know: