Hello there!

Did you feel that? A 3.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Sidney in the early morning today. Some of you may have even been woken up by it, depending on how far from the site and how heavy a sleeper you are.

Today we start out with something shaking up the region in a much different way: A seismic shift in zoning policy that has two local municipalities at odds with the province.

— Cam

NEWS

Province rejects View Royal and Sooke requests for an extension on new density regulations

New signature BC policy aimed at boosting housing stock requires that municipalities adjust their own rules to align. Every local government with a population of 5,000+ was supposed to update its bylaws by June 30 to ensure 3-4-unit builds (6 if near transit) were legal on usual single-family or duplex land plots.

But municipalities could apply for extensions if they had concerns about the logistics (particularly strain on infrastructure) of making that shift right away. View Royal and Sooke had those concerns, and applied. This month, 21 municipalities were granted those extensions. View Royal and Sooke were not. 

They now have 90 days from the Sept. 16 announcement to adopt the new bylaws (a timeline that effectively does give them a short extension of about half a year, since the original deadline was June 30).

The rejection highlights what was already some friction between these municipalities and the province on issues such as transit congestion in and out of Sooke—and who needs to pay to alleviate it. More on that in the full story.

Read the full story by Sidney Coles on what’s next for Sooke and View Royal. 

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NEWS

Blackface photo of Colwood councillor surfaces

Ian Ward claimed that a photo of him in an afro wig, gold teeth, a Bullets NBA jersey, and dark brown skin paint was released by “leftist extremists” and “hackers.” The Halloween 2007 image was originally posted on his ex-wife’s blog, but was recently deleted after the photo emerged. Lucinda Ward's post described “spending 45 mins that morning turning Ian into a black man with stage paint & dropping him off at work.”

Ward claimed the blog was only made public after being hacked, and said he has filed a police report; internet records show the blog was already public, and West Shore RCMP have not yet confirmed any report or investigation to CTV. Ward also told CTV he is “not a racist” and was dressing as rapper 50 Cent. 50 Cent did not have an afro or gold teeth.

Ward was more muted when addressing the photo Wednesday in statements to Black Press. He said that the costume was “offensive and shameful, and I apologize to those who have been impacted directly and indirectly,” and that he had grown since then as a person and on racial issues. Ward said he “had no malice or overt prejudice in my heart at that time,” but that “it is nonetheless hurtful to many, and I own my mistake.”

Ward's initial two statements on the photo were posted on Twitter/X, where his account has since been deactivated, and took a different tone. Those railed against political opponents—such as “our government and their ‘win at all costs’ troll supporters” and “politically motivated hackers" targeting him for being heavily pro-Israel—for exposing the photo, which he expressed regret over but did not technically apologize for.

The City of Colwood told CTV that Ward will not be penalized for actions taken in a personal capacity prior to his municipal role.

Around the 'Shore

🚨 Construction worker dies on the job in Langford: A man in his mid-20s was found unresponsive just before 1pm yesterday, West Shore RCMP said. Despite first responders’ efforts, he died at the scene. The site was on the 1400-block of Pinehurst Place, a residential development on Bear Mountain that consists mainly of high-end single-family homes. Police said WorkSafeBC and the coroner had been notified, but that no more info would be released because the man’s family was still being contacted. 

👨‍🚒 New Deputy Fire Chief in Sooke: Chris McCrea steps into the job 25 years after beginning with Sooke Fire as a volunteer. The District says the deputy role involves “overseeing day-to-day operations, emergency response coordination, and supporting long-term strategic planning.”

🍄 “Our roads are not Mario Kart tracks”: RCMP tow go-kart, which they say was “driving aggressively in heavy traffic” at Peatt & Hockley. They charged one adult with having no vehicle licence.

🎵 Fall group classes in Langford are now open for registration! Programs for infants to 15+ years, offering music for all skill levels. Music lives here! Register now.*

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Community Events

🍎 Community Sharing Day: Activities for all ages, and plenty of fruit! Sat. 11am-2pm at Welland Community Orchard in View Royal. [Free]

🧡 Orange Shirt Day Community Event for Reflection and Action: With speakers from Royal Roads and the Heron Peoples Circle, the Diversity Action Group continues its series on the ongoing impact of colonialism in Canada. 12-1:30pm Friday at Dogwood Auditorium. Orange clothing encouraged. [Info]

⛪ Gordon United Church will celebrate being recognized as an Affirming Ministry of the United Church of Canada on 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion & other diversity issues. The church hosts a screening & discussion of 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture at 7pm today, and an Affirming Worship & reception on Sunday morning (10:15am). 935 Goldstream / call or email for more info. 

🚜 114th Luxton Fall Fair: Fri.-Sun.  Free admission to see the museum, farm equipment, model trains, chickens, midway, and competitions like best pumpkin and kids’ veggie art. [Info]

🐶 4 Paws & Critter Carnival. Sat. at Langford Station. A pet parade, look-alike contest, novice agility course, coffee “puppuccinos,” and free entry for first responders and local non-profit/charitable Community Service Organizations.

🏈 Westshore Rebels final home game of this regular season, vs VI Raiders. Doors 6pm Sat., game 7-9pm. Tickets. Food bank collections, a celebration of the graduating players, and free entry (with ID) for first responders and nonprofit/charity community service orgs.  

🍽 House of Boateng begins its Long Table Dinners series this weekend with a collaboration with Sheringham.

🧡 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Sooke: A gathering to reflect on the history and ongoing impact of residential schools while promoting healing, understanding, and unity in the community. 11am-1pm Monday outside Sooke VIRL branch. 

What’s Offshore?

🛳 🛳 HMCS Edmonton (Canadian warship 703) & HMCS Yellowknife (706) have returned to local waters. The 1997-completed Kingston-class ships were in San Diego a week ago, after participating in Operation Caribbe with the US Coast Guard. The joint anti-trafficking operation says that it recently seized $60M CAD in cocaine. The ships were anchored off Colwood on Tuesday but docked at CFB Esquimalt yesterday.

🚢 HMCS Max Bernays (Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel 432) remains anchored off the coast of Colwood.

Westshore Snaps

Left: Cloudy with a chance of meatballs? – Sherry Thompson, in Westhills

Right: Moonrise at Sooke Harbour next to Heron View Development –Dennis Rook

Last week had a rare “super harvest moon” that also featured a slight eclipse. Westshore reader Glenys Pumfrey captured these shots of that special moon in action. These photos aren’t actually views from the Westshore, though: they were taken while on the road in Summerland.

That’s it!

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