Good Morning!

Many of you will be watching to see what happens now that Ravi Parmar is the MLA-elect for Langford-Juan de Fuca. Parmar promises to focus on Westshore issues. Keeping on track with accountability, the Onni group and the City of Colwood hope to come to an agreement on the paid parking issue that has left both residents and businesses frustrated.

POLITICS

Parmar becomes Langford–Juan de Fuca MLA as landslide keeps Horgan’s seat in NDP hands

Results have Sooke School District chair Ravi Parmar taking the byelection with 53.4% of the vote. The NDP was expected to hold what has historically been a safe seat under former premier John Horgan.

“Words can't express the gratitude I feel towards the people of Langford-Juan de Fuca for placing their trust in me to be their representative in the BC Legislature,” Parmar said. “I want to thank all of my fellow candidates, Elena, Mike, Camille, and Tyson for their campaigns, the different perspectives they brought and for the service that they provided out on the doorstep—I’m very much looking forward to wrapping up the campaign and getting to work for the people.”

The results brought some surprises as BC United (formerly the BC Liberals) finished a distant fourth, with much of its typical vote share seemingly going to the BC Conservatives’ surprise second-place finish.

The Conservatives and BC Greens were bunched close together in second and third with 19.9% and 17.6%, respectively. BC United were well back at 8.6% and the BC Communists were fifth at 0.6%.

The election brought out 13,542 voters—about a quarter of eligible voters, and half the turnout of the most recent provincial general election in 2020.

“I heard on the doorstep people who were really appreciative of the service in particular that John [Horgan] has provided over the last 18 years, whether it was in opposition or as the premier over the last few years, and I now have the same expectation put on me to deliver in the same way,” said Parmar, who previously told The Westshore how important it was to continue Horgan’s legacy.

“That's making sure we're making continuing investments in health care, making sure we're building more schools, as well as making sure we develop more infrastructure to support a growing community like transportation, and of course addressing the challenges impacting so many people in Langford, like the cost of living.”

Parmar became BC’s youngest school board chair in 2017 at age 22 while studying at UVic. He’s held that SD62 role since then while working for the minister of jobs, economic development, and innovation, most recently as the chief of staff.

Horgan was on hand for Parmar’s election party, writing up the votes on a whiteboard and shooting a dig at United’s low total.

“I know we've got a lot of work ahead and I'm very much looking forward to engaging with people so they're not sitting at the doorstep, engaging with folks at coffee shops and, of course, delivering for people in the BC Legislature,” says Parmar.

Read the full election results story at Capital Daily.

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NEWS

City seeks resolution in Colwood Corners paid parking debate

Colwood locals have been frustrated with the inability to easily access Colwood Corners after Onni Group, the owner of the complex, decided to implement a paid parking system this past April.

“I was very disturbed by it,” says Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi. “I guess it was something that certainly got approved before my time.”

In terms of parking, the first 90 minutes are free, with an additional cost of $1.25 per hour afterwards. A minimum of $110.25 per month can also get customers a monthly pass. Indigo parking, which enforces the rates, states that it will leave tickets when customers do not pay.

While Indigo is attached to Colwood Corners, the company has no relation to city parking enforcement. Many customers are unsure of how Indigo will follow up with the tickets, something that Mayor Kobayashi is also confused about.

“I ask that same question—what if someone didn’t pay?” Kobayashi says. “They’re getting threats, that's my understanding, someone I talked to said they were threatened with a debt collector, but there is no real enforcement.”

Locals who normally use the corner to access stores have been taking their business elsewhere—something that has been impacting many of the area’s shops.

“It’s certainly a lesson, because going forward if we continue to have issues, and they want to expand, the city controls zoning and so there might be tension,” Kobayashi says.

With many in the community being vocal about the paid parking, as well as the mayor himself, Onni and the city are working towards a resolution.

“[Onni] people are talking to me now as mayor, and we are looking for a resolution,” says Kobayashi. “I raised the motion because we wanted it properly investigated, I want to have the whole picture and work together on this.”

Subscribe to the Westshore for updates.

Around the 'Shore

🏔️ Sooke local takes on Mount Everest: Retired soldier James Sails achieved his dreams of reaching the Mount Everest peak. Sails was in the Canadian Forces for 19 years, which opened the opportunity up to his goal. [Vancouver Island Free Daily]

✏️ Schools in BC move towards a new grading system: Instead of letter grading, students from kindergarten to Grade 9 will see a scale system in the coming school year. The goal is to have kids focus on understanding materials rather than focusing on their marks. [CTV News]

🐋 Humpbacks return to the Island: The first round of humpback mothers have made their migration and were spotted by the Pacific Whale Watch Association around the Island. Graze—one of the new moms in the pack—has even been seen in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. [Victoria Buzz]

🍁 As your Member of Parliament, Alistair MacGregor can assist you with federal agencies, and help explain how he’s bringing Langford and Westshore voices to Ottawa.*

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Community Events

⚽ Pacific FC game: Still in first place in the CPL, watch Pacific FC defend its ranking June 30 at Starlight Stadium. Starting at 7:30pm, tickets are being sold online. Games will be going until October.

🎓 Royal Roads University MBA Class: On July 7 from 11:30am to 12:45pm, register for a free online MBA class hosted by architect Michael Green, innovation expert David Dunne, and executive Teri McEachern.

🎻 Philharmonic Fling: Mark your calendars for Sooke’s annual Philharmonic Orchestra Concert on July 9 at 2:30pm at Ed MacGregor Park. Make sure to bring lawn chairs and blankets, and come early to get a good spot.

What’s Offshore

No ships today!

Westshore Snaps

The Rock Sitter, Colwood - Richard Steward, View Royal