BC old growth still dwindling after three-year anniversary of promised protection
Plus, pushing for red light cameras, sewage in Sooke, RBCM in Colwood, and more
Emma Boyne
September 14, 2023
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Westshore artists are coming together in protest after the three-year anniversary of the BC government’s promise to protect old-growth forests. Hoping to draw attention to the fact that none of the 14 steps outlined have been implemented, the artists are hosting an upcoming exhibition at Metchosin School.
— Emma
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NEWS
BC old growth still dwindling after three-year anniversary of promised protection
It’s been three years since the BC government promised to project old growth, and now a group of citizens from Metchosin, Colwood, and Sooke are hosting a forest-themed art exhibit to draw attention to the still dwindling ancient trees of Southern Vancouver Island.
“It’s a non-confrontational, inviting space for folks that might be intimidated by protests and want to be able to enter the conversation,” says Bonnie Farris, one of the members who helped put the exhibit together. “A few years back, we were approached at the legislature grounds for our various signs and somebody came by and said ‘we're collecting protest art, and the museum wants to do an exhibit down the road.’ That's what sparked the interest in me.”
On Sept. 12, 2020, the provincial government commissioned an Old Growth Strategic Review; then-premier John Horgan accepted all of the panel’s recommendations and promised to implement them within a three-year timeline, but none of the 14 recommendations have been enacted.
“We cannot understand how the desecration of these old-growth forests can continue,” says Farris. “With the machinery and equipment available nowadays, it takes very little time to clear cut an area, and we just don't want to see this happening while talking continues.”
From 4 to 8pm on Sept. 28, the exhibit will be displayed for all to access at the Metchosin School on Happy Valley Road; the event is part of a provincewide Day of Action for Old Growth Forests, and will showcase a variety of mediums of “protest art” focused on old-growth forests created by residents from various CRD municipalities, primarily the Westshore.
“We'll have some good music and a whole mishmash of artwork and a bit of information,” says Farris. “Hopefully, it might be a starting point for something larger down the road.”
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NEWS
Councillors push for more red light cameras in CRD
Photo: James MacDonald/Capital Daily
With school back in session, residents need to be aware and cautious of students when driving. With that in mind, two councillors in Victoria are pushing for speed cameras and more red light cameras surveilling intersections in the CRD.
Here in the Westshore, improvements have been made along Highway 14, which was under construction throughout the summer. But improvements are still needed on many other routes.
Capital Daily recently reported on the dangers of Victoria roads, with Couns. Dave Thompson and Matt Dell calling on the mayor to request that the province install cameras at all locations that saw more than 20 casualty crashes (crashes that caused injury or death). Victoria council also plans to ask other CRD municipalities to request the same.
Currently there’s only one red light camera—at Lansdowne/Hillside and Shelbourne—and there are no speed cameras.
According to ICBC data, 98% of crashes reported to ICBC between 2018 and 2022 happened at other intersections.
In July, Capital Daily reported on Greater Victoria’s most dangerous intersections, with the Westshore seeing over 400 casualty crashes, and a Langford intersection took the third spot for Greater Victoria’s most dangerous intersections. There were over 4,000 casualty crashes in Greater Victoria during the 2018-22 reporting period and more than 5,000 for the entire Island.
These are five of the Westshore’s most dangerous intersections:
1. Langford intersection at Trans-Canada Highway and the Veterans Memorial Parkway (112 casualty crashes)
2. Goldstream and Veterans Memorial Pkwy at E&N Rail trail crossing (91 casualty crashes)
3. Trans-Canada and Tillicum near Galloping Goose (82 casualty crashes)
4. Happy Valley and Sooke at Glen Lake (80 casualty crashes)
5. Blanshard and Finlayson (79 casualty crashes)
Around the 'Shore
🛣️ Sewage dumped onto Highway 14: Sooke drivers were surprised to find a portion of Highway 14 covered with sewage on Sept. 6 after an electrical fault at a lift station. The Sooke wastewater treatment plant’s monitoring system alerted staff of the fault; an electrical contractor fixed the technical side, while a pump truck cleaned the sewage from the road. [Vancouver Island Free Daily]
📢 Royal Canadian Navy warns Metchosin residents of possible increased noise: From Sept. 14 to 22, the Royal Canadian Navy will be conducting underwater demolition training at Whirl Bay, meaning a possible increase in noise and personnel. Going from 8am to 4pm, locals can expect the training to last about a week. [CHEK]
🚸 Colwood can’t afford photoluminescent paint to improve pedestrian safety: Colwood councillors voted against introducing a photoluminescent paint to increase pedestrian safety after finding out that a 20-litre pail costs $2,950, plus about $750 to ship from Montreal. While pedestrian safety is extremely important, the city couldn’t justify the cost of purchasing the special paint. [Times Colonist]
🔨 Construction starts on Royal BC Museum’s collections and research building in Colwood: After a land blessing ceremony, the RBCM announced the construction of the collections and research building, which will allow for better public access and research. Only 1% of the province’s collection is currently on display. Along with other sponsors, the City of Colwood has been a supporter in the planning of the project.
🩰 Early bird special for The Westshore readers. Save 20% off adult tickets for Ukrainian Shumka Dancers’ Nutcracker. Limited time only. Promo code: Nut-Westshore at Royal and McPherson Theatres or 250-386-6121.*
Man wanted in three Greater Victoria jurisdictions: Sheldon Gulbrandsen, 40, is wanted for assault by Victoria police, assault and theft by West Shore RCMP, and breach of probation by Saanich police after failing to show up for court for each case.
SD62 looking for part-time bus drivers: Sooke has 41 school bus drivers covering 41 routes to get 4.2K students to and from school daily. If a driver gets sick, their route is often cancelled. Backup needed. The district says it will train Class-2 drivers, who still would need to take their final ICBC test. [CTV]
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Community Events
🧱 North Latoria Visioning Project: engagement session: On Sept. 14, ask questions, receive information, and weigh in on the North Latoria Visioning Project. Head to Colwood City Hall from 6 to 8pm, or catch another session on Sept. 18 from 2 to 4pm.
🏈 Westshore Rebels game: Watch the Rebels take on the VI Raiders this Sept. 16 at 7pm at Starlight Stadium. The Rebels are currently in first with 12 points in the British Columbia Conference of the Canadian Junior Football League.
🍻 Brewery and the Beast: With over 50 chefs and a variety of craft drinks, Brewery and the Beast returns this Sept. 24 at Starlight Stadium. From noon to 4pm, locals who are 19+ can get a taste of some of Vancouver Island’s best ingredients and creations.
What’s Offshore?
🚢 The Navios Coral is a bulk carrier built in 2016 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing from Pyeongtaek, Korea 🇰🇷 ➡ Vancouver 🇨🇦.
Westshore Snaps
Swartz Bay ferry terminal. – Paul Young, Langford
📸 Snapped a photo you’d like to share? Send it with a caption and don’t forget to add where you live.
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