Andrew Petter
VICTORIA – Andrew Petter of Arvay Finlay LLP, and former Attorney General for the Province of BC has been to the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest form of recognition.
The City of Victoria has approved the redevelopment plan of the Northern Junk buildings along the inner harbour, announced by Jon Stovell, President & CEO, Reliance Properties.
The Capital Regional District‘s network of public electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging stations is expanding with the opening of six new stations along highways 1 and 17. They are located at:
- 1420 Store St., Victoria, two stations, operated by BC Hydro, open now.
- 2680 James St., Duncan, one new station, operated by BC Hydro, planned to open summer 2021.
- 2330 Bevan Ave., Sidney, one new station, operated by BC Hydro, open now
- 10200 McDonald Park Rd., North Saanich, two stations, operated by Canadian Tire, planned to open summer 2021.
The IMAX Victoria theater, an integral part of the Royal BC Museum is scheduled to reopen in September.
Maryanne Carmack’s Roast Meat & Sandwich Shop, La Pasta and Taco Stand, all situated in Victoria, became BC’s first Living Wage sandwich store, pasta restaurant, and taco shop.
The federal government and eight Coastal First Nations officially announced a revision to the Coastal First Nations Fisheries Resources Reconciliation Agreement, which governs fisheries management on BC’s north and central coasts, as well as Haida Gwaii.
The City of Victoria has approved a major infrastructure project to transform Topaz Park into a new skate park, a bicycle pump track, and new turf fields. The project is reported to cost $8 million.
The Victoria International Airport has received just under $3M from the Government of Canada’s Regional Air Transportation Initiative.
The provincial government has provided $1 million in subsidies for key tourism enterprises, including: Butchart Gardens, Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum, Prince of Whales Whale Watching, LA Limousines, and Wilson’s Group of Companies
Phillips Brewing and Malting Co. will host a pair of concerts in the Phillips Backyard on September 10 and 11, dubbed the “Phillips Double Header.”
The provincial government will provide an additional $2.5 million to fund the growth of the Digital Marketing Bootcamp, which will add 3,400 additional seats and provide digital marketing training to 6,000 people and businesses.
Sarah Bragg
Sarah Bragg has been announced as the new CEO of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and Healthcare Foundation starting September 2021, taking over from Karen Morgan. Bragg is currently the executive director at the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation on Salt Spring Island.
Greg Constable’s IWCD continues its record-breaking pace, as the company celebrated the ground-breaking of its latest project, The Commons at Royal Bay in Colwood. It’s a 76,000 square foot retail village anchored by Quality Foods and Cascadia Liquor. A proposed commercial and residential plaza at Northfield and Boxwoods Roads has passed first and second reading at Nanaimo City council. IWCD’s proposal includes zoning for a 40,000 square foot supermarket, as well as three five-storey buildings that include retail space on the ground floor and four floors of residential units above, as well as another office building. This follows a public information meeting in May, where IWCD Vice President Patrick Brandreth presented the concept. A public hearing was held July 22.
The BC Financial Services Authority has announced that its integration with the Real Estate Council of British Columbia and BC’s Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate is officially complete. The transaction has created a single integrated regulator of BC’s financial services sector overseeing credit unions, trust and insurance companies, mortgage brokers, pension plans, and real estate services. BCFSA also administers the province’s deposit insurance regime.
The federal and provincial governments announced $11.3 million to create an estimated 46 new affordable homes for individuals and families in the Capital Regional District through the Cities Stream under expanded Rapid Housing Initiative.
Oceanside Pharmacy, owned by Khalid Hammad opened in the 2500-block of Beacon Avenue, downtown Sidney.
Ann Squires Ferguson
Ann Squires Ferguson, CEO of Victoria’s Western Interior Design, has purchased Design District Access, a residential design firm located at the corner of Government and Pembroke Streets.
Reliance Properties‘ proposed Northern Junk warehouse redevelopment recently completed a public hearing, with further consultations planned.
Organizers of the Esquimalt Ribfest, an annual fundraising event featuring food, beverages and live music, have announced that the event will take place on September 10 and 12.
Aqualink, a tourism project piloted by Gulf Islands Water Taxi that will connect five Southern Gulf Islands, is scheduled to begin operations in September.
Dr. Lane Trotter
Dr. Lane Trotter has been chosen as Camosun College‘s next president and CEO. Trotter, current president of Vancouver’s Langara College will head to Victoria to lead Camosun for an initial five-year term that will start on January 1, 2022.
The province’s largest urgent and primary care centre (UPCC), located at 1107 Pandora Avenue in downtown Victoria, recently opened its doors.
TELUS will invest $12 million in Sidney this year to connect over 90 per cent homes and businesses to fibre optics. TELUS recently announced a $13 billion commitment to infrastructure and operations in BC through 2024, which includes this investment.
The BC Boat Show, celebrating its 30th anniversary, will return from September 23 to 26 at Port Sidney Marina in Sidney and is hosted by the BC Yacht Brokers Association.
Local fire departments donated $25,000 to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation to support pediatric care. The Professional Firefighters of Greater Victoria Community Foundation pledged $250,000 over ten years to support child health care in Victoria.
The Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT) met its fundraising goal in partnership with the Capital Regional District, which contributed $2 million to the conservation of Mountain Road Forest.
Root Cellar owners, Adam and Daisy Orser, aim to open their second store in Cook Street Village in fall, this year.
The 153rd annual Saanich Fall Fair will return to the capital region this year, with the theme “Locals For Locals.”
Kenn Mount will assume the position of fire chief for Central Saanich beginning September. Mount has been the fire chief of the Sooke department since 2017, but he has more than 16 years of experience in the fire emergency services.
Mayor Maja Tait officially confirmed $4.6 million in grants for the $6.5 million wastewater plant project, with the remaining funds coming from the District of Sooke.
The Harmony Project, founded by Sooke’s Philharmonic Orchestra‘s conductor, maestro Norman Nelson, is holding a fundraising concert in a secret garden near Otter Point on August 8, featuring world-class musicians.
Down to Earth Gardens and Nursery in Metchosin will host an art market on August 15 to bring people together in the fresh air while providing an opportunity for local Island artists to showcase their work.
#MyBelmont, a 520-unit residential community located at 915 Reunion Avenue, is completing the construction of commercial spaces.
Herold Engineering moved to its new location at Unit #600 1112 Fort Street on August 9.
Navacord Corp. has acquired FX Insurance Brokers, Smythe Advisory acting as the exclusive financial advisor for FX.
Annalee Lepp has been named dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Victoria. The researcher, educator, and school administrator is the university’s first female dean, serving in the position until June 2026.
Destination Greater Victoria has acquired all of Al Clark‘s Northwest Deuce Days assets, goodwill, and intellectual property.
The Victoria Foundation’s Community Recovery Program distributes over $3.13 million to help local organizations on Southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chinook Business Advisory moved to its new office on July 29, at 727 Pandora Avenue, above John’s Place Restaurant.
Merchant Growth and its funding vehicle, the Merchant Opportunities Fund, are excited to announce the takeover of Company Capital Inc.’s portfolio and business assets in Victoria.
District of Oak Bay council directed staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) document towards obtaining proposals for a new 30-year lease of the upland and foreshore/aquatic crown lands associated with the municipally owned marina facilities located at 1327 Beach Drive. The District leases the land/buildings and subleases the foreshore/aquatic area to the Oak Bay Marine Group. The leases expire in December 2022.
The City of Victoria has pledged $250,000 to financially support the preservation project of King’s Road Community Nature Green Space, located at the municipal border of Saanich, Victoria, and Oak Bay.
Sooke District Council approved the development permit for the 132-unit residential housing project at 2182 Church Rd.
Sooke Lions Club is considering to build a two-storey community centre at John Phillips Memorial Park.
Barb’s Barbershop, owned by Barb Vix, located at 6706 Westcoast Road is celebrating its 36th anniversary.
Victoria Foundation will donate $100,000 to Sooke charities and organizations to help withstand the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
The Sidney City Council sought input from the public on plans by Small God’s Brewery to open a craft brewery in the city’s downtown area. The proposed building will come with a lounge area in the ground floor of Oceania Building at 9837 Third St.
Tri-X Group proposes to create parkland in exchange for the right to use a 27-hectare parcel for industrial purposes. The owners of the 52-hectare property at 3659 Sooke Road in Metchosin have pledged $1 million to the District of Metchosin in support of environmental conservation and reconciliation efforts.
