Hello there!

Yesterday tributes to the late local John Horgan continued, but the work of government marched forward into a new era as the BC NDP selected its cabinet. Among those announced was re-elected local MLA Ravi Parmar, who becomes a minister within two years of entering provincial politics.

More below on his new role, the ministry's relationship with the Westshore, and more—including Langford's latest public consultation, which closes tomorrow.

— Cam

NEWS

Langford–Highlands MLA Ravi Parmar named BC's new forests minister

The Westshore will have just one minister in this new BC cabinet—a far cry from, only two years ago, having the premier himself plus another minister. Newcomers Dana Lajeunesse and Darlene Rotchford may receive small roles in the future, but yesterday the big local news from the cabinet announcement was Parmar's promotion.

The young MLA, elected twice in the space of just a year and a half, was previously handling the international credentials file.

Parmar will captain a ministry tied directly to Westshore & nearby areas

Island forestry has lost jobs in recent years with mill closures. There are multiple current sawmill curtailments in the Cowichan area. Meanwhile, logging in the region continues to be one of the most controversial local issues. In 2021 the demonstrations and blockades in the Fairy Creek area, just northwest of the Westshore, became the largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history. 

Torrance Coste, the associate director at the Wilderness Committee, spoke to the Westshore about continuing frustration with the government on the environmental side of the forests file. He argues the NDP is “way behind on its promises to implement the paradigm shift it committed to” and has let companies “cut too much too fast in too many places,” making for an unhealthy industry. 

Island First Nations have varying positions on logging within their territories, with some partnering with logging companies and others attempting to protect certain areas and/or regain control of the cutting rights that the province disburses. The province has attempted to manage the issue of old-growth logging by instituting deferrals that pause such work—but the current deferral period will end in Feb. 2025, with Parmar just a few months into his new role. 

Fellow Westshore MLA was a forest worker

The new minister may draw on neighbouring MLA Dana Lajeunesse, who was a forest worker during his youth in Jordan River before sustaining a major workplace injury that left him in the wheelchair he now uses. 

During the election, Lajeunesse told The Westshore that “sustainable forestry practices have come a long way” since his youth, and promised his party would draw “more jobs from every tree while conserving our oldest and rarest forests” and consulting with First Nations.

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NEWS

Last days for survey as Langford continues Phase 2 of OCP consultation

Langford’s rapid growth has accelerated its need to revisit its aging OCP, originally published in 2008. The “refresher plan” looks to answer how the city will manage a projected population of 110K—double the current population—over the next 15 to 20 years and manage its community’s housing, education, health, transportation and social needs.

A main goal of this current second phase of planning, the city says, is getting the early takeaways in front of people before a new draft OCP is created—allowing for public support and concerns to be incorporated sooner rather than later.

A summary of the data collected and analyzed from its initial survey and public engagement interactions suggested that respondents wanted to see more parks, green space, and urban forests. Residents are hoping for support for housing (especially around major corridors) and community amenities, a proper downtown, better traffic management, and improved public transportation to Victoria.

At the top of the wish list for residents were mixed housing and more family-sized units, and the reduction of sprawl by increasing density in already developed areas.

Read more in the full Westshore article on the findings of the early consultations, the plan to get broad and varied public input, and how the OCP planning process works.

The current survey closes tomorrow.

Around the 'Shore

🚸 Langford adds crosswalk honouring veterans: The unveiling last Thurs. [see photo above] was attended by Legion members, city officials, and community members who had pushed for the idea. The need for a crosswalk at 761 Station was flagged in community feedback this year, and the project also installed new crosswalk signs while repaving the fence of the Langford Station parking lot.   

💨 Winds could reach 100km/h tonight & tomorrow: A “bomb cyclone” weather system in the Pacific could lash the South and West Island with heavy wind and rains, and possibly some shoreline-area flooding. [The Weather Network]

🔎 Missing teen last seen near Galloping Goose in View Royal. Photo & description via RCMP.

🚧 Construction damaged a gas service line in Langford, FortisBC says, resulting in 8 customers losing service for a few hours yesterday morning. Call before you dig, the utility reminds the public. [CHEK]

🚨 Sooke man allegedly takes out BC Interior power pole while on driving prohibition: He and a passenger were seen trying to leave the scene, RCMP claim, and he's due in a Roseland court in Jan. [RCMP]

🚗 Shop local this holiday season! Enjoy free parking at downtown parkades on November 23 courtesy of the Downtown Victoria Business Association. Find out more.*

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Community Events

🗓 Langford Legion events: Fish & chips Friday, Music Bingo Saturday, & Gifts Galore holiday craft fair Sunday.

📚 Beyond the Books and Past the Shhhh!: The Role of Libraries in Past and Present Society. One of several events this week at Sooke library. Tues. Nov. 19. Presented by Sooke Region Lifelong Learning.

🌲 Holiday Open House & workshops at Garden Works Colwood on Thursday; Family Festive Fun Day on Sat.

💎 Victoria Gem & Mineral Show this weekend at Pearkes Rec, just east of View Royal.

🥘 Metchosin Community Lunch at noon on Sat.

🖼 Gifts & Wishes Holiday Showcase. Wed.-Sat. See and shop original work from local artists and artisans at the Arts & Culture Colwood Society near Esquimalt Lagoon.

🎄 Yuletide Market at Bilston Creek Farm on Fri / Sat / Sun. 90+ local businesses showcasing their products, food vendors, live music, and more.

🎶 Cool Nights, Warm Hearts: Choral Evolution concerts in early Dec. in Sooke & Colwood.

🎅 Sooke Santa Parade on Dec. 8 will have a new route.

What’s Offshore?

🚢🚢🚢 Anchored just off the coast of Colwood: GSL Tripoli, (2009, sailing under flag of Liberia, departed from Busan), Conti Contessa (2006, Malta, departed from Tacoma), HL Leader (built 2016, Marshall Islands, departed from Korea) 

🚢🚢 Anchored further out: MSC Agrigento (2013, Panama flag) & Tonga Chief (2013, Singapore).

As always, feel free to send us photos of ships you see off the ‘Shore and we will try to identify and include them.

Westshore Snaps

Farm field on Prospect Lake Road, Highlands – Richard Steward, View Royal

Massive mushroom found in Langford backyard. [Facebook photo]

November full moon rises over Weir’s Beach. [Doug Clement photo]

That’s it!

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

And before you go, let us know: