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Good morning!

In last Tuesday’s newsletter, we reported on the former Danbrook One building being evacuated for the second time over continued structural issues. There have been quite a few updates since then on how residents are being affected and supported. More on that below.

Other than that, today’s supposed to be a bright, sunny day. So get your sunglasses out, and let’s go.

NEWS

Support for displaced tenants of RidgeView Place coming from all directions

It’s been a little over a week since residents of RidgeView Place were evacuated due to structural concerns and several announcements have been made in regards to support for the displaced tenants.

Last week, the BC government stepped in to provide five days of emergency accommodations to support the tenants. Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson held a press conference where he also noted that building owners Centurion Property Associates Inc., a Toronto-based asset firm, had increased its one-time “compassionate assistance” payment to residents from $1,000 to $2,500 after “heavy influence” from Langford.

On Saturday, Centurion stated in a press release that the first $1,000 was processed and received by residents, and the additional $1,500 plus rent and deposit refund cheques was available for pickup as of Friday, April 28.

Provincial support for RidgeView Place residents is being administered through the Emergency Support Services (ESS) program. ESS is designed to provide aid in the first 72 hours of a crisis before other supports kick in.

As of last Thursday, the City of Langford said they were working actively with external agencies to determine how to collect and distribute donations and in-kind services to residents of RidgeView Place, and the City announced a community fundraising initiative on Monday with the Westshore Developers Association and the Community Social Planning Council.

The developers association will conduct fundraising efforts to support residents of RidgeView Place and the City of Langford will match any funds donated by WSDA members, local businesses and residents up to $75,000. More information will be released to RidgeView residents on the criteria and how to apply for this funding. Donations can be made here.

As for next steps for building owner Centurion Property Associates, the asset firm has engaged a third-party structural engineering firm to understand how to best address and remediate the building’s structural concerns. The company stated it is also developing a phased approach to allow residents to return to their units to remove their personal belongings.

Centurion filed a lawsuit in October 2020 against DB Services, Loco Investments, Sorensen Trilogy Structural Engineering Solutions, and the City of Langford for compensation for alleged negligence in the design and construction of the building. The lawsuit is currently up on appeal, as the decision dated Dec. 30, 2022 dismissed the applications that the defendants owed Centurion a duty of care.

The judge stated that based on the contract the companies signed when Centurion bought the property in 2019, risk had been managed.

Read more on the provincial support and compassionate assistance from the building owner. 

SPONSORED BY MP ALISTAIR MACGREGOR

Proudly representing the Cowichan-Malahat-Langford riding since 2015

As your Member of Parliament, Alistair MacGregor understands that life for Canada’s workers should be getting easier; not harder. That’s why New Democrats successfully fought for an increase to the GST benefit, rent relief, and a national dental care program.

If you need assistance with federal agencies, or would like to know more about how Alistair is bringing Langford and Westshore voices to Ottawa, please contact him.

POLITICS

Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke MP Randall Garrison will not seek re-election

Randall Garrison, an NDP member of Parliament since 2011, announced the decision Thursday. His announcement alluded to a potential replacement, saying “there are already strong candidates, including the Mayor of Sooke, Maja Tait, and others, who are ready to step forward for the NDP nomination.”

His announcement touted work done to protect Southern resident orcas, fund Esquimalt harbour cleanup, and ban conversion therapy. Garrison’s decision comes a decade after another of his most prominent moves in Parliament: his 2013 private bill to add gender identity to the forms of discrimination banned by the Canadian Human Rights Act. The bill passed the House and then stalled out in the senate, but its change was made law by the federal government in 2017.

“As an out and proud member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community,” Garrison said in last week’s release, “I hope that I have demonstrated that diversity is one of our strengths as a nation and that more diverse parliaments make better laws.”

Garrison remains the NDP’s critic on sexual orientation and gender identity and on public safety, and deputy critic on national defence.

Four-time MP was first a local prof and city councillor

Nebraska-born Garrison was a Camosun professor for several decades and made close but unsuccessful runs at the Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca MP seat in the 2004 and 2006 elections. He then won a seat on Esquimalt city council in 2008 before becoming MP in 2011’s “orange wave” that brought the Jack-Layton-led NDP to 103 seats. Garrison beat the Conservatives by less than a percentage point in that race but was re-elected by eight points over Liberal and Green challengers in the redrawn, larger Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke riding in 2015 and 2019. In 2021 he cruised to a 20-point win over the now-mayor of Colwood Doug Kobayashi.

The only other Island MLAs and MPs with a decade-plus in their roles are Elizabeth May, Lana Popham, Doug Routley, and Rob Fleming.

Around the 'Shore

🚸 West Shore Parkway crossing guards being repositioned: The Sooke School District is repositioning crossing guards at the roundabout on West Shore Parkway due to safety concerns. Changes take place this week. [CTV News]

🚔 Two men apologize for causing hold and secure at Colwood school: On Thursday the men were spotted with a rifle near École John Stubbs Memorial. West Shore RCMP attended the scene, recommended a hold and secure at the school, arrested the individuals and determined the rifle was a replica. [Global News]

💩 Tired of empty promises? Cherish at Central Park offers chef-prepared homemade meals to indulge the senses! Contact Cherish to book a tour today!*

🛹 West Shore skate park to open May 13: The Thrifty Foods Skate Park will be located at the West Shore Parks and Recreation’s lower park. The official opening will be from 1-3pm on May 13. [Goldstream Gazette]

👋 SD62 superintendent retires: After 37 years of working in public education, Superintendent Scott Stinson will retire from his role with the Sooke School District at the end of this calendar year. The Board of Education will begin the hiring process for a replacement to take over as of Jan. 1, 2024.

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SPONSORED BY INTERTIDAL COUNSELLING & WELLNESS

Past hardship can be very present

Memories of difficulty are not like other memories. They can include protective body sensations, emotions, impulses, and thoughts that can feel like they are happening now.

If you’re interested in learning more, please feel welcome to book a free consultation with a counsellor from Intertidal Counselling & Wellness.

Community Events

🌱 Sooke Broombusters Community Clean Up: The next clean up is today from 11am to 12:30pm. Volunteers will meet at Seaparc Leisure Centre at 2168 Phillips Rd. From there the team will scout out scotch broom along Phillips Road, staying close to Seaparc.

🛍️ Young Entrepreneurship Fair: Grade 5 students from Ruth King Elementary will be selling their handmade products in the school’s gymnasium on May 4 from 9-11:45am and 12:45-2pm.

🎳 Bowling Provincials: Langford Lanes is hosting the bowling provincials from May 4-7.

🫂 ACA and Dysfunctional Families Meeting: The Westshore Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) and Dysfunctional Families meets every Tuesday from 12-1pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church at 3024 Jacklin Rd. Participants can share experiences in this 12-step, 12-tradition program.  

What’s Offshore?

⛴ The Ototachibana is a bulk carrier built in 2012 and is sailing under the flag of Japan. It is sailing from 🇯🇵 Oita, Japan ➡ 🇨🇦 Roberts Bank, Canada and was scheduled to arrive April 7.

🚢 The CS Nan Jing is a bulk carrier built in 2021 and is sailing under the flag of Hong Kong. It is sailing from 🇨🇳 Huanghua, China ➡ 🇨🇦 Vancouver, Canada and was scheduled to arrive April 11.

🛳 The Verdure Wave is a bulk carrier built in 2005 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing from 🇯🇵 Kinuura, Japan ➡ 🇨🇦 North Vancouver, Canada and was scheduled to arrive April 14.

Westshore Snaps

“Peacocks in the garden at Royal Roads University.” — Emara Angus, Langford