victoria news, december 31, 2014

Wednesday, December 31, 2014 Proudly serving Esquimalt & Victoria www.vicnews.com

VICTORIANEWSHappy New Year!

Tammy SchusterVictoria News

The City of Victoria is starting off the new year by modernizing an old tradition.

Mayor Lisa Helps and councillors will be forgoing the usual New Year’s Day levée at City Hall for a public swim at Crystal Pool. They will be in the lobby greeting and shaking hands with people and the pool will also be open for free swimming, from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins is going back to a more formal meet and greet this year.

Desjardins, along with a few members of council, will hold the levée offering light refreshments at Esquimalt Municipal Hall. She said next year they will again look at hav-ing a more active levée with free skating or

swimming.Lt.- Gov. Judith Guichon will host the

traditional levée at Government House on New Year’s Day. She will greet the public and deliver her remarks at 11:30 a.m. The Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Scottish Regiment Pipes and Drums will entertain. Light refreshments will be served.

The levée, an informal reception held by many levels of government to mark the start of the year, dates back to 16th century France, but has mostly become a Canadian observance held on New Year’s Day.

The word levée means “rising” in French and originated in the Levée du Soleil (Rising of the Sun) of King Louis XIV. It was his cus-tom to greet his public just after rising, a prac-tice that spread throughout Europe.

Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe has been suggesting council look for a change regard-ing the City of Victoria levée for the last few years.

It was rookie Coun. Jeremy Loveday who suggested having the event at Crystal Pool this year.

“I thought [it] was a great way to make the levée more inclusive and make it something that all members of the public can participate in,” said Loveday.

“After Christmas holidays, a lot of families will be looking for something to do on New Year’s Day, and we can celebrate in a public pool.”

Added Desjardins: “Tradition is something people value. It’s a nice way to finish off the holidays.”

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Ring in the new yearVictoria and Esquimalt residents have their pick on celebrating the new year with a levee tomorrow (Jan. 1).

■ Government House, 1401 Rockland Ave., 10 a.m. to noon. Website: ltgov.bc.ca.

■ City of Victoria – Crystal Pool, 2275 Quadra St., 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Website: victoria.ca.

■ Township of Esquimalt. Esquimalt Municipal Hall, 1229 Esquimalt Rd., 1 to 2:30 p.m. Website: esquimalt.ca

Levées take on old and new looks

Crystal Pool lifeguard and swim instructor Sarah Parker stands above the pool on the waterslide inside the Quadra Street facility. The pool will be the site of Victoria’s levée on New Year’s Day and will offer free swimming from 1 to 3:30 p.m. as part of the celebration.

Don Denton/Victoria News

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Eat your heart out, WinnipegAs Eastern Canada tries to ward off winter’s bite, Victoria residents are still cutting their lawns. Duart DaSilva, of DaSilva Gardening, cuts the lawn in front of the totem pole at Government House.

Doctors’ offices and pharmacies are often closed or have

reduced hours over the holidays, resulting in increased numbers

at hospital emergency departments. You can avoid some of these vis-its by planning ahead.

Here are some alter-natives to receiving care in emergency departments:

n For non-urgent care during office hours, call your family doctor or the doctor on call for the practice or clinic.

n Consider going to a local walk-in clinic.

n Call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 for confidential health information and non-emergency ser-vices 24 hours a day.

n If you are con-cerned about a possible poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance, call Poison Control at 1 800 567-8911.

Anyone who needs urgent medical atten-tion should immedi-ately go to the emer-gency department of their local hospital.

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Starting January 1, 2015 refuse collectors will no longer collect refuse from non-regulation garbage bins, in keeping with the Township’s Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw 2815.

Residents who purchase a second regulation bin are reminded that the second bin will be considered extra garbage and an extra garbage sticker will need to be attached to the bin. Bins can be purchased at the Municipal Hall, 1229 Esquimalt Road for $95.00 each. This cost includes assembly, delivery within two days of purchase, and a bungee cord for securing the lid against animals, birds and the weather.

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VICTORIA NEWS - Wednesday, December 31, 2014 www.vicnews.com • A3

2014year in review

JulyJuly 2 – A Victoria disabled

rights advocate accused the provincial government of not following the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities after officials refused to fully fund a specialized wheelchair.

Steven Palmer said despite receiving a doctor’s prescription for a rigid wheelchair, the B.C. government won’t permit spending more than $1,500 on a wheelchair. A rigid wheelchair costs about $5,000.

Rigid wheelchairs provide greater mobility and flexibility for people with physical disabilities, as compared to electric or manual wheelchairs.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed by Canada in March 2010. Under Section 20, the convention requires signing nations to give disabled people the option, with their doctor, to decide what they need, not based on what government is willing to pay.

n n nJuly 4 – A 30-bed group home

for adults with severe mental illness re-opened in Esquimalt after undergoing a $5-million renovation and expansion.

McCauley Lodge offers residents daily meals, medication assistance and ongoing monitoring as well as tailored supports like laundry, grooming recreational activities and personal hygiene.

“Our organization believes in making a real difference in the lives of individuals living with mental illness,” said Darrion Campbell, board president of the Capital Mental Health Association.

n n nJuly 9 – The Capital Regional

District board approved a far-reaching smoking ban – the Clean Air Bylaw – which extended the ban on smoking to include all parks, playgrounds, playing fields, public squares and bus stops and increase the current smoke free buffer zone outside of doorways, windows and air intakes from three to seven metres.

The new law is stricter than provincial legislation.

Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins said the driving force behind the bylaw continues to be protecting the health of non-smokers and preventing exposure to secondhand smoke.

“To me, a smoke-free world would be wonderful, but you need steps to achieve it,” Desjardins said.

n n nJuly 16 – Everyday Patty Shaw

and Melissa Del-Sol are thankful for the co-op housing (rent) supplement they received when their lives were in turmoil. Now they worry for their low-income neighbours who could lose their homes at their Victoria co-ops.

Like others across the country, many Greater Victoria co-ops are facing a funding crunch. Low- and fixed income residents will no longer receive supplements when operating mortgage agreements between co-ops and the federal

government end.“The most vulnerable will be

affected, and could be forced into homelessness,” said Shaw, who has lived at Kailasa Housing Co-op in Saanich for more 22 years.

Shaw said most of the residents affected in her building include seniors, people with disabilities and single moms with young children.

n n nJuly 18 – Contraband

cigarettes are flowing freely across Greater Victoria, according to a study that traced the origin of about 6,100 cigarette butts across B.C.

The study, undertaken by Western Convenience Stores Association, found 15 to 22 per cent of cigarette butts collected at Victoria High school and Mount St. Mary Hospital in Fairfield were illegally produced or imported.

“It’s the rock bottom pricing that’s so appealing to young people in particular,” said Andrew Klukas, association president. Contraband tobacco sales are as little as 10 per cent of the cost of legal purchases. Klukas said some sellers offer “baggies” of 200 cigarettes for as little as $10.

Samples collected at Saanich Plaza found only a three per cent prevalence of contraband tobacco, the lowest in the region, and about 700 disposed cigarettes were collected across Greater Victoria at five sites.

n n nJuly 25 – Mayor Dean

Fortin vowed to set Victoria’s $92.8-million Johnson Street Bridge project back on track after an independent review of it revealed it’s heading off course in terms of budget and schedule.

Independent consultant Jonathan Huggett was enlisted to review the project in April, following contractor PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.’s request for a change order that would increase project funding by $7.8 million and extend the deadline by five months, on the basis that the project design was not delivered to it on time.

In his review, Huggett urged

the city to take a more pragmatic approach to deal with the cost of the project, questioning the fixed price contract touted by the city.

n n nJuly 30 – While school is out of

session, Victoria teachers will be holding the line at two locations this summer, although with minimal attendance.

Tara Baird, who teaches at Monterey middle school, has taken 22 four-hour shifts picketing outside the Tolmie board office on Boleskine Road, along with four other teachers from 5:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Thanks to a $1.5 million donation from Ontario teachers, those who sign up to picket are given $50 per shift, a respite after not receiving any strike pay during the last two weeks of the school year.

n n n

AugustAug. 1 – A four-unit apartment

building donated to Victoria’s Threshold Housing Society will help alleviate the “appalling number” of homeless and at-risk youth in the city, says a housing official.

Located in South Jubilee, the $725,000 building will be used as transitional housing for six homeless youth aged 16 to 24.

The number of homeless youth in the region was estimated at 543 in a study conducted by the Community Social Planning Council in 2008.

Threshold received more than 100 referrals last year.

Aug. 6 – The City of Victoria has begun making internal operational changes to the $92.8-million Johnson Street Bridge replacement project after an independent review last month questioned its viability.

Consultant Jonathan Huggett, who has since been named interim project director, put forth eight recommendations to fix the project.

Mayor Dean Fortin said the city is already putting them into place, in hopes the project can still finish on time and on budget.

Continued on Page A5

B.C. disobeys UN accord: advocate

Kevin Laird/News staff

Steven Palmer is challenging the province’s decision not to fund a $5,000 wheelchair. He says the decision contravenes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The province disagrees.

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The presence of cheap or free alcohol on Royal Canadian Navy ships is a tradition that goes back generations.

It can likely be traced back to when the captains of sailing ships heading out for long voyages to new lands felt it prudent to carry rum on board to give crew members something to look forward to during long stretches at sea, and to keep them from going stir crazy.

While ships and personnel in today’s navy still spend extended times at sea away from home and family, the need for a loose liquor policy on board is a vestige from the past that has long outlived its pragmatic need.

There will no doubt be crew members who will grumble about the move announced by the RCN recently to ban self-serve drinking while its ships are at sea or in port.

The change was one of a variety of recommendations stemming from an Internal Review of Personal Conduct, launched after shorebound charges relating to drunken misconduct were lodged against three members of HMCS Whitehorse on exercise in San Diego this past summer.

That said, the navy realizes that the vast majority of personnel behave respectfully when imbibing on board or in port. As such, one recommendation is to offer alcohol on ships for special occasions, but for a higher price than in past and never in a self-serve scenario.

The military is designed to be structured and discipline-oriented – that’s why many people join in the first place. Letting that structure loosen over booze is simply not acceptable.

OUR VIEW

VIEWPOINTThe Victoria News is published every Wednesday and Friday by Black Press Ltd., 818 Broughton St., Victoria, B.C. V8W 1E4. Phone: 250-381-3484. Fax: 250-386-2624. Web: www.vicnews.com

The navy, booze andsailors

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When Prime Minister Stephen Harper admitted in a year-end interview that a price on carbon is something he might accept, Canadians could be forgiven for thinking “it’s about time.”

NASA climatologist James Hansen has studied climate change for more than 30 years. Over that time his alarm has grown steadily about the world his grandchildren will live in, as the accelerating climate crisis takes hold.

Hansen has been speaking about climate change since the 1980s. He now confesses that his earlier projections, while accurate about increasing global temperatures, “failed to explore how quickly this would drive an increase in extreme weather.”

What does Hansen think can be done? A steadily rising

carbon tax is one of the best ways to limit carbon pollution, Hansen says. He points to British Columbia as an example.

BC’s carbon tax, with its six year track record, is a proven success. A tax of $30 per ton of carbon emitted adds about seven cents to a litre of gasoline. B..C’s emissions have declined about 9.9 per cent per capita since 2008, while the economy has grown slightly more than the Canadian average in the same period.

What’s more, the carbon tax is supported by 64 per cent of B.C. residents, who receive lower personal and corporate income tax rates which fully offset the tax.

A carbon tax is one of the tools that could gain support from both sides in the polarized world of federal politics. Conservatives

are typically against anything that increases the size of government. B.C.’s carbon tax does not increase government revenues, and is cheap to administer.

The “revenue neutral” aspect appeals to both sides of the political spectrum. Many like the idea of a market-based tax as a way to address carbon pollution.

We can’t continue to pollute the atmosphere for free. If we don’t clean up our own garbage, our children and grandchildren will, under much more difficult conditions.

The carbon tax is more than simply an incentive to use less gasoline and other fossil fuels. It also acts to level the playing field for providers of wind, solar, and other alternative energy. Oil, gas and coal companies still receive taxpayer subsidies.

However, once the market factors in a steadily increasing carbon tax, renewable energy alternatives can become steadily more economically competitive.

Interestingly, several oil company CEOs have spoken out in favour of a tax. Suncor CEO Rick George called for a carbon tax of $40/ton in 2011, while Lars Bacher, CEO of Statoil Canada, suggested a price of $50/ton.

Oil company executives know the science, and they know that climate change - more droughts, floods, increasing impacts on air, water, and food - means that governments will ultimately be forced to act to reduce emissions. The oil companies would like this to be done in a way that is fair and predictable, and allows them to factor it into their business plans.

With this kind of support for a price on carbon, and mounting evidence that it works, it’s not surprising that the prime minister is coming around.

•••Blaise Salmon of Victoria is a

financial advisor and volunteer with Citizens Climate Lobby.

YOUR VIEW

What’s the carbon price for Canada?

Blaise SalmonGuest Comment

A4 • www.vicnews.com Wednesday, December 31, 2014 - VICTORIA NEWS


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Please place your recyclables at the curb by 7:30 am in appropriate sized containers.For more information, please call the CRD Hotline at 250.360.3030 or visit www.crd.bc.ca

Continued from Page A3

“We were surprised to hear what Huggett had to say,” said Fortin, “but we’re grateful the review came early. We still have time to take corrective measures.”

Among the recommendations are a change in leadership, which the review most heavily criticized. The report also found cooperation between the city and their various contractors was lacking.

n n nAug. 8 – A house

fire on Speed Avenue early Tuesday morning marked Victoria’s fifth fire over the long weekend, in addition to three in Esquimalt.

The fire caused significant damage to an abandoned house on 607 Speed Ave., starting on the back deck before spreading to the house and detached garage.

The other fires all took place early Monday morning, and included a grass fire in Vic West, an occupied residency and the interior of an abandoned building both on Prior Street and a detached shed outside a home on Topaz Avenue.

n n nAug. 13 – While hot

and dry conditions have forced the province to issue stage three drought restrictions across Vancouver Island, CRD officials say the southern Island is not at risk of a water shortage, and residents need not worry about higher restrictions.

“Water conservation is always a good idea,” CRD senior communications manager Andy Orr

said, “but we’re not asking people to do any more than they’re already doing.”

Greater Victoria hasn’t seen any serious issues regarding water shortages since 2003, when the Sooke water reservoir was raised.

Orr said the reservoir is 83.5 per cent full, as of Monday, and could continue serving the CRD for over a year at the current level of demand.

n n nAug. 15 – The

Capital Regional District is facing an invasion of knotweed, a bamboo-like plant described by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as “one of the world’s worst invasive species.”

The Coastal Invasive Species Committee (CISC) has been working with local municipalities in an attempt to prevent the introduction of knotweed to the CRD. CISC treated 120 sites of infestation last year,

as well as 67 in 2012. Executive director

Rachelle McElroy cited an increased awareness of the plant as the reason for treatment almost doubling.

“Knotweed is quite widespread in the region, but not to the point where we can’t get ahead of it,” McElroy said. “More people are reporting it as they become more aware of what it looks like and the kind of damage it can do, and more people are learning that we offer free treatment.”

n n nAug. 20 – Victoria

celebrated the 20th annual Dragon Boat Festival at the Inner Harbour last weekend with style. The shore saw the biggest turnout in the festival’s history, while on the water, previous race records were consistently topped.

Several teams from Victoria managed to claim the top of the podium at the award ceremony on

Sunday. Team Cream OC20 finished first in both the mixed and women’s platinum divisions, while the Gorging Dragons placed third in the mixed platinum division. The Gorging Dragons Sr. B (55+) Women’s team also crossed the finish line with one of the best times of the entire festival.

Last year’s record time of 1:53 was topped by six teams this year, while 20 additional teams managed to finish in under two minutes.

Even off the water, the festival managed to top last year’s numbers.

n n nAug. 22 – With no

end in sight in the B.C. teachers strike, many parents have raised concerns over childcare should classes not resume in September.

To alleviate parents’ concerns, the City of Victoria will be carrying over some of its summertime

programming into the usual school season.

After running six summer camps this season, for ages four to 14, Victoria Parks and Recreation recently opened registration for two extended summer camps slated to start Sept. 2, normally the first day of school.

n n nAug. 27 – Victoria-

Swan Lake MLA Rob Fleming is facing a defamation lawsuit from a B.C. deputy minister after the NDP published statements that suggested the civil servant’s position and pay increase was politically motivated.

In the suit filed Aug. 15 at Vancouver civil courts, jobs, tourism and skills deputy

minister Athana Mentzelopoulos claims Fleming damaged her reputation by naming her in an online petition related to the ongoing teacher’s strike.

NDP’s website, features an image with a mock credit card labelled “Christy Clark’s Friend Rewards Program,” with the name “Liberal Insider” attached. Below, Mentzelopoulos is directly named as benefitting from a $30,000 pay increase in 2013 and called Clark’s friend. The defamation claim also references an email sent to NDP supporters.

n n nAug. 29 – B.C.

students are just days away from the

scheduled start of a new school year but there’s little sign of a break in the teachers strike that has dragged on through the summer.

The final week of summer holiday opened Sunday with a demand in Kamloops from B.C. Teachers Federation president Jim Iker for an immediate start to mediation.

No formal bargaining dates are scheduled, but Iker, Education Minister Peter Fassbender and government negotiator Peter Cameron were to meet Wednesday afternoon in Victoria, raising hopes for some movement.

Continued on Page A8

2014year in review

Capital Region ‘invaded’ by knotweed

Kevin Laird/Victoria News

Thomas Munson, an environmental technician with the City of Victoria, examines knotweed at Beacon Hill Park, in August.

VICTORIA NEWS - Wednesday, December 31, 2014 www.vicnews.com • A7A6 • www.vicnews.com Wednesday, December 31, 2014 - VICTORIA NEWS

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Mark Your Calendars

Come cheer your Victoria Royals at Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena. www.victoriaroyals.comOctober – Black Press Women in Business Awards and Gala. [email protected] 11 – Royal Victoria Marathon welcomes runners from around the world. Boston Marathon qualifier. www.royalvictoriamarathon.comOct 12 – Happy Thanksgiving!Oct 24 & 25 – Art of the Cocktail Festival. www.artofthecocktail.caLate Oct – Ghosts of Victoria Festival offers spine tingling tours and activities around the city.Oct 31 – Happy Halloween! Watch your Victoria News for lots of seasonal events and activities.

November – Secrets of the Goldstream Salmon Run. Saturdays and Sundays. www.naturehouse.caNovember – Gingerbread creations come to the Inn at Laurel Point & the Festival of Trees light up at the EmpressNov 1 – Fall back: Daylight Savings Time ends — one hour backNov 11 – Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Esquimalt and downtown cenotaphsNovember – Lighted Santa Claus Parade through downtown VictoriaNovember – 17th Annual Gallery Walk of downtown galleries. Check your Victoria News for updates.Local artists & artisans gear up for holiday seasons – check your Victoria News for local events

January calendar of EVENTS

October calendar of EVENTS

February calendar of EVENTS

November calendar of EVENTS

March calendar of EVENTS

Fridays & Saturdays in August – Free-B Film Festival, Beacon Hill Park. www.freebfilmfest.comAug 2 – Symphony Splash in the Inner Harbour. www.victoriasymphony.caAug 3 – BC Day!Aug 8 & 9 – Pet-a-Palooza at Ogden Point. West Coast’s largest pet festival. www.petapaloozawest.comAug 14 to 16 – Victoria Dragonboat Festival in the Inner Harbour. www.victoriadragonboat.comAug 27 to Sept 6 - Victoria Fringe Festival. www.victoriafringe.comCheck out the Victoria Royals’ pre-season camps at Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena. www.victoriaroyals.com

Support your Victoria Cougars Junior Hockey Club at Archie Browning Arena. www.victoriacougars.comSept 4 – Back to school!Sept 11 & 12 – Great Canadian Beer Festival at Royal Athletic Park. www.gcbf.comSept 12 & 13 – Victoria International Chalk Festival, downtown Victoria. www.victoriachalkfestival.comSept 17 to 20 – Rifflandia Music Festival, downtown Victoria. www.rifflandia.comSept 25 to 27 – Culture Days. Support and experience arts and culture around Victoria. www.culturedays.caSept 27 – Brewery and the Beast, meat and beer fest, Phillips Brewing Company, 1 – 4 p.m. www.breweryandthebeast.com

July calendar of EVENTS

August calendar of EVENTS

September calendar of EVENTS

April calendar of EVENTS

May calendar of EVENTS

June calendar of EVENTS

December calendar of EVENTS

Highlighting local events in the Victoria throughout 2015

Jan. 1 – Victoria New Year’s Levee, Crystal Pool lobby, refreshments served. Free family swimming.Jan. 1 - Esquimalt New Year’s Levee, meet the mayor and council from 1 – 2:30pm, Council Chambers, Esquimalt Municipal Hall. Refreshments served. 250-414-7101 Jan. 1 – New’s Year’s Levee at Government House from 10 – noon. Refreshments, music and The Lieutenant Governor will deliver her remarks at 11:30 a.m. 1401 Rockland Avenue.Jan. 3 & 4 – Easter Seals Chip In for the Kids, drop off your Christmas trees for a donation, for locations visit www.lionsbc.caJan. 10 – Esquimalt Recreation Open House, 8:30am to noon. www.esquimalt.caJan. 23 – Robbie Burns Day, Cook St Village Activity Centre. www.cookstreetvillageactivitycentre.com

Vote for Black Press Best of the City Awards!

April – Oaklands Community Centre Running Shoe Drive for the Cool Aid Society. www.oaklandscommunitycentre.comApr. 4 – Bunny Bonanza, 10 am to noon, Vic West Community Centre.Apr. 4 – Easter Eggstravaganza at Oaklands Community Centre, www.victoria.caApr. 7 to May 10 – Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival, www.gvpaf.orgApr. 9 to 19 – Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at The Royal Theatre, Pacific Opera Victoria, www.pov.bc.caApr. 26 – Esquimalt Giant Garage Sale, Archie Browning Centre, www.esquimalt.ca

Feb. 26 to Mar. 8 – Be A Tourist in Your Own Hometown, www.tourismvictoria.comMar. 7 to 15 – Victoria Beer Week highlights craft beers of BC, www.victoriabeerweek.com Mar. 8 – Kids Stuff Gigantic Garage Sale, Esquimalt Recreation Centre, 9:00 to noon, www.esquimalt.caMar. 9 to 20 – SD 61 Spring BreakMar. 13 – St. Patrick’s day event the Cook St Village Community Centre, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., www.cvac.caMar. 19 – Culinaire, Victoria’s Premier Food Tasting Experience at The Crystal Garden, www.culinairevictoria.comMar. 28 – LifeMark Esquimalt 5K Run & 1K Kids Fun Run www.esquimalt.caLate March – Black Press Women in Business Gala

July 1 – Canada Day festivities and fireworks around the Inner HarbourJuly – Victoria Pride Week. www.victoriapridesociety.orgJuly 1 to 5 – Victoria Ska Festival, various venues. www.victoriaskafest.caJuly 16 to 19 – Taste: Victoria’s Festival of Food and Wine. www.victoriataste.comJuly 17 to 26 – Victoria International Busker Festival. www.victoriabuskers.comJuly 18 – Art Gallery Pain-In on Moss Street from Fort to Dallas. www.aggv.ca

Apr. 30 to May 3 – Victoria Harbor Boat Show, www.bcybc.comMay to Oct. - Moss Street Market, Saturdays, 10 am to 2 pm, Sir James Douglas School, www.mossstreetmarket.comMay 9 – Celebrate Quadra Village Day, 9:30 am to 1 pm, Kings Road between Quadra and Dowler. www.quadravillagecc.comMay 2 & 3 – Fairfield Artist’s Studio Tour, 11 am to 4 pm, www.fairfieldartistsstudiotour.comMay 13 to 23 – Uno Festival, festival of solo performers, www.intredpidtheatre.comMay 17 & 18 – Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival, Topaz Park, www.victoriahighlandgames.comMay 18 – Island Farms Victoria Day ParadeMay 23 to 25 – Swiftsure International Yacht Race, www.swiftsure.org

Feb. 6 to 15 – Victoria Film Festival, www.victoriafilmfestival.comFeb. 6 & 7 – February Fox Fair, a local designer craft fair at the Fernwood Community Centre, www.wanderinghive.comFeb. 9 – Family Fun Day, 10 a.m. to noon, VicWest Community Centre, www.victoria.caFeb. 12 – So You Think You Can Dance, finalists from the eleventh season perform at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, www.sofmc.comFeb. 13 – Valentine’s Lunch at Cook St Village Activity Centre, www.csvac.caFeb. 20 to Mar. 9 – Dine Around and Stay in Town, www.tourismvictoria.comFeb. 27 & 28 – Vintageous Vintage Fair, Fernwood Community Centre www.victoria.ca

James Bay Market, open every Saturday rain from May to October. www.jamesbaymarket.comJune to August – Victoria Harbour Cats are in action at Royal Athletic Park. www.harbourcats.comJune 8 – World Oceans Day in the Inner Harbour. www.gvha.v3.ca June 13 – Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Westshore - Westhills Stadium. www.convio.cancer.caJune 19 to 28 – Victoria International JazzFest. www.jazzfestvictoria.caJune 21 – Old English Car Club Beacon Hill Father’s Day Picnic. www.oecc.caJune 21 – CFB Esquimalt Navy Run, 10k, 5k &Kids’ Fun Run. www.navyrunesquimalt.comJune 25 – School’s out!

Support your Victoria Cougars Junior Hockey Club at Archie Browning Arena. www.victoriacougars.comDecember – Watch for the Victoria Royals Teddy Bear Toss nightDecember – Take in the Esquimalt Celebration of Lights all month long. www.celebrationoflights.ca.December – Victorian Christmas celebration Craigdarroch Castle. www.thecastle.caDec 5 – Lighted Sailpast in the Inner HarbourDec 5 – Island Equipment Owners Association Annual Lighted Truck Convoy. www.ieoa.ca.Dec 21 to 23 – Live nativity pageant nightly at Topaz Park. www.christmasnativity.ca.Dec 25 – Merry Christmas!Dec 31 – Farewell 2015, Welcome 2016!

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2014year in review

SeptemberSept. 5 – The Victoria tourism industry showed

signs of recovery this summer – the first real signs since the 2008 recession, say tourism officials.

Average hotel occupancy in Victoria increased by 4.76 per cent from July 2013 compared to July 2014.

This was the highest accommodation occupancy rate in the last decade, according to Chemistry Business and Human Resource Consulting.

The Royal B.C. Museum attracted many visitors from Canada and the United States with its Vikings exhibit. While the museum knew the exhibit would be popular due to online surveys and previous discussions with guests, the Vikings display exceeded expectations.

“We are running eight per cent ahead of target,” said Sandy Pratt, executive financial officer.

n n nSept. 12 – The Anglican Diocese of B.C. has

applied for a demolition permit of a heritage building in Victoria, causing uproar in the James Bay community.

The St. James Mission of Christ Church Cathedral School, located at 520 Niagara St. is on the city’s heritage registry, but it is not legally protected as a heritage site.

Bishop Logan McMenamie said the Anglican diocese would like the school to be taken off the heritage registry completely in order to increase its value. He said the city put the building on the registry without the diocese’s permission. City Coun. Pamela Madoff said the diocese is eligible to apply for a grant to get seismic upgrades on the building but has not expressed interest.

n n nSept. 17 – The race is on for Esquimalt Mayor

Barb Desjardins now that former Victoria Police Department deputy chief John Ducker is also running for the mayoralty.

Ducker said his main platform is increasing the economic development and livability of Esquimalt.

“First and foremost, we’ve got to get Esquimalt moving again,” he said. “We are one of the few areas in the region that is actually losing population.”

n n nSept. 24 – The first day of school came three

weeks late this year, but many say it’s better late than never.

“People are so excited to be back to school and work,” said Sherri Bell, superintendent of the Greater Victoria school district. Last week, B.C. teachers voted 86 per cent in favour of ending their strike and accepting a six-year agreement negotiated with the help of mediator Vince Ready.

“I’m happy with this deal,” said BCTF president Jim Iker. The deal gives the province’s teachers raises totalling 7.25 per cent over six years, improvements to benefits and a fund to hire hundreds of new teachers each year.

About three out of four of the province’s 40,000 teachers voted. Iker said the voter turnout was higher than the union’s last two ratification votes.

Bell said many teachers were in schools on Friday and over the weekend preparing for the first week of school. The school board will not know how many students showed up on Monday until later this week when the count is finalized by office staff at each school.

n n nSept. 26 – After 49 years at Bastion Square, the

Maritime Museum of B.C. in on the move, closer to the Inner Harbour. A six month option-to-lease has been signed for the causeway level of the Steam-ship Terminal.

OctOberOct. 1 – The timing was

right as Save-On-Foods announced a 10 year extension for the naming rights to the city owned Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, home of the Western Hockey League Victoria Royals.

Save-On-Foods recently expanded from two to six stores across Greater Victoria.

n n nOct. 8 – The number of

passengers brought into

Victoria via cruise ships is down this year compared to last year, but the positive impact on tourism was still strong.

n n nOct. 10 – The producer

of several major downtown Victoria festivals is calling on the City of Victoria to increase its support for free family festivals held in the city.

“This isn’t a matter of wanting the city to spend more money on festivals as much as where the city

directs arts funding it already has”, John Vickers, executive director of the Victoria International Buskers Festival Society and the Victoria Chalk Festival, said in a news release.

n n nOct. 22 – The City of

Victoria is months away from applying for a supervised drug consumption site in the downtown core, said Coun. Marianne Alto. Alto expects the city to make an application within six months.

Victoria tourism returns best since 2008 downturn

New deal inked for Save-on-Foods arena

Let us knowHave a newsworthy item for the Victoria News? If it involves a

community event or other endeavour in Victoria or Esquimalt, send it along for consideration. Fax the information to 250-386-2624 or email it to [email protected]. For further information, please call the editor at 250-480-3265.


Make recycling one of your New Year’s Resolutions.‘Tis the perfect season to reduce, reuse and recycle. This year, help prevent recycling worker injuries by remembering to use only CRD approved blue boxes and blue bags for your holiday recycling. Flatten and cut large cardboard boxes to size, bundle them together with string or twine and get it all to the curb by 7:30 am sharp. It’s the right thing to do for the environment. And for the people who work every day to make it better. Wishing you a happy “green” holiday season.For more recycling information call the CRD Hotline at 250.360.3030 or visit www.myrecyclopedia.ca

www.crd.bc.ca

The Hartland Landfill Facility will be closed on Labour Day, Monday, September 7, 2015. Hartland will reopen on Tuesday, September 8 from 9 am to 5 pm.

Registered account customers will have access to the active face from 7 to 9 am.

Please make sure your load is covered and secured.

Capital Regional District

Hartland Landfill Labour Day Closure

For more information, please call the CRD Hotline at 250.360.3030 or visit www.crd.bc.ca/hartland

The Hartland Landfill Facility will be closed on New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1, 2015.

Hartland will reopen on Friday, January 2 from 9 am to 5 pm.

Registered account customers will have access to the active face from 7 to 9 am.

Please make sure your load is covered and secured.


Hartland Landfill New Year’s Day Closure

For more information, please call the CRD Hotline at 250.360.3030 or visit www.crd.bc.ca/hartland

Victoria City Council cordially invites you to attend the New Year’s Day Levee, a longstanding tradition at the City of Victoria.

This year, for the first time, the public is invited to the Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre to enjoy a free swim, meet members of Council over coffee and treats, and celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

Thursday, January 1, 2015 1 p.m.– 3:30 p.m.

Crystal Pool & Fitness Centre2275 Quadra Street

NEW YEAR’S DAY LEVEEAND FREE SWIM


2014year in review

NOVEMBER

Nov. 5 – The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is in Victoria investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting Saturday.

At approximately 11 a.m. on Saturday morning, Victoria police responded to a 911 call at a residence on the 200-block of Dallas Road. Upon arrival, they were confronted by a man who was shot by police. The man died from his injuries.

The Victoria Police Department called in the Independent Investigations Office, based in Surrey, to investigate the incident.

n n nNov. 19 – Lisa Helps

is the new mayor of Victoria, beating Dean Fortin by just 89 votes.

“Now the work begins,” said Helps, shortly after her victory.

Helps said her first objective as mayor will be building a relationship with her council.

“If we can build a strong team at city

hall, that’s the first start. And really my commitment for the next four years is to work alongside and with the citizens and business owners in Victoria to make this our city.”

Helps announced her campaign for mayor on Jan. 1 and has been knocking on doors since July. Yet she said she has been setting her campaign in place for the last two years.

n n nNov. 26 – Royal

Jubilee Hospital will be able to process patient samples faster and with more accuracy, thanks to a new state-of-the-art fully automated microbiology lab.

Royal Jubilee is the first hospital in North America to have such a system.

“It will make a huge difference for our patients, because we’ll have critical information to guide their therapy faster,” said Dr. Brendan Carr, CEO of Island Health.

DECEMBERDec. 3 – For the

first time this fall, the Greater Victoria Extreme Weather Protocol increased the amount of available emergency shelter mats beyond the standard amount.

The coldest day was Sunday morning when the mercury registered at -3.7 C. By comparison, the recorded low on Nov. 30 last year was 6.5 C, according to Environment Canada.

n n nDec. 5 – Seaplanes

coming into Victoria, the Black Ball Coho Ferry and the Clipper combined have a higher economic impact than the entire arts and culture sector in Greater Victoria, according to a local expert.

Brock Smith, a business professor at the University of Victoria, conducted a study on the economic impact of harbour seaplanes,

Direct spending of seaplane operations, such as fuel and employee expenses, and the multipliers accounts for $8 million. Spending in the city by seaplane passengers

generates almost $63 million in net income. In total, the economic impact is $70.1 million, said Smith.

n n nDec. 17 – Canadian

sailors will no longer be able to drink aboard ships, unless the vessel is tied up or an exception has been made for a special occasion such as Christmas or a barbecue.

The order was made

by navy commander Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, and it follows an order in July for CFB Esquimalt-based HMCS Whitehorse to abandon an exercise in San Diego and return to port in Canada following three allegations of drunken misconduct.

Norman said the policy change will help prevent instances of alcohol-fuelled misconduct.

Man shot by Victoria police officer

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The Capital Regional District is seeking individuals to serve on the Arts Advisory Council. The AAC adjudicates funding programs and provides advice to the CRD Arts Committee on issues relating to the arts in the capital region. For details and how to apply: crd.bc.ca/arts/service/arts-funding.

Application deadline is Friday, January 9, 2015 at 4:30pm.

Contact: CRD Arts Development 625 Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1R7 T: 250.360.3215 [email protected]

Notice ofArts Advisory Council Appointments

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How not to readWhen reading, you should be seated at

a desk or in a comfortable chair, not lying on your stomach or on your side. Your back should have a normal curve and not be scrunched or propped up with one arm. If used for a long time the horizontal reading position can seem nor-mal, even though it causes eyestrain. The visual system gets used to a distorted perspective, but the muscles which coordinate the eyes have to work hard to prevent double vision.

Once you decide to be in a comfortable chair, you need to consider what kind it will be. It should permit the feet to be flat on the floor. If the feet do not reach, try a phone book under them. The lower back should be supported, and the desk or table should be at waist level when the person is seated. Working at a surface that is too high gives a similar distortion to viewing a movie from the front row, far side. You know how uncomfortable that can be, not only on your neck but on your eyes as well. A rule of thumb is that the reading distance should be no shorter than the length of your forearm. Be good to your eyes, they are the only two you will ever have.

A10 • www.vicnews.com Wednesday, December 31, 2014 - VICTORIA NEWSA14 www.vicnews.com Wed, Dec 31, 2014, Victoria News

Black Press in the West Kootenay region is seeking a regional Editor to oversee both the Nelson Star and the Castlegar News. The successful candidate will have Editor experience in the community newspaper industry. They will have a keen eye for layout, have an extensive photography resume, be an aggressive user of social media, understand the latest trends in digital media and be able to lead two newsrooms both from a print and digital perspective. This successful candidate will also be part of the senior team for the West Kootenay and will be part of setting the overall vision and goals for these newspapers and websites. This position includes active news and community coverage, engaging editorial and opinion writing, as well as understanding and leading change in our print products and on our websites. This position will be based out of Nelson, B.C. The West Kootenay is often considered one of the best places in B.C. to live and this position would suit any outdoor enthusiast, with spectacular skiing, mountain biking and hiking just outside your door. It is truly a wonderful place to live and to be involved in the community newspaper industry. This position offers a better than average compensation package, that also includes a strong benefits package. If this sounds like the right position for you please send your resume, a cover letter, references and some examples of your work to Karen Bennett at [email protected]. Please no phone calls.

Regional Editor

www.blackpress.ca

The Victoria News is looking for a skilled graphic designer to join our community newspaper’s creative department.

This full time position requires the successful applicant to be proficient in AdobeCS: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat on a Mac platform. Experience in digital media would be an asset. The position may require shift and weekend work. Creative design experience in graphic arts is preferred, and a portfolio is required. You are a self-starter, team player and are comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.

We are a well-established, nationally-recognized community newspaper group with more than 150 community, daily and urban papers located in B.C., Alberta, Washington State, Hawaii and Ohio.

Those interested in applying should submit their resumé by Friday, January 9, 2015 to:

Janice Marshall, Production Manager818 Broughton St., Victoria, BC V8W 1E4E-mail: [email protected]: (250) 386-2624

All inquiries and applications will be held in the strictest confidence.We would like to thank in advance all who apply, however only those chosen for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Creative ServicesGraphic Designer - Full Time

HELP WANTED

PRODUCTION WORKERSCanada’s Largest Independently owned news-paper group is currently looking for Part Time Production Workers for its Victoria location.This is an entry level general labour position that involves physical handling of news-papers and advertising supplements.REQUIREMENTS:• Prior bindery and/or

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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DID YOU KNOW? BBB Ac-credited Businesses must pass a comprehensive screen-ing process. Look for the 2014 BBB Accredited Business Di-rectory E-edition on your Black Press Community Newspaper website at

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Victoria

Fully Reno 1 & 2 Bd UnitsOn site staff

$300 Move-In IncentiveMove in today!

250-217-1969

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Sunset Manor 804 Esquimalt Road,

Victoria

Fully Reno 1 & 2 Bd UnitsOn site staff

$300 Move-In IncentiveMove in today!

250-217-1969

VIEW ROYALVictoria’s Hidden Gem!

Christie Point Apts2818-3037 Craigowan Road

Reno’d suites:2 & 3 Bdrm & 3 Bdrm T/H

Pool & canoe rackT/H have w/d hook-upsOn a 15 acre peninsula

15 min to downtownRENT NOW!

On-site mgmnt. Open Daily!(778)747-3152www.realstar.ca

RENTALS

ROOMS FOR RENT

VICTORIA: ROOM for rent in newer house, $500 incl., N/P, avail. now. Call (250)886-6855

SUITES, LOWER

ESQUIMALT 1-BDRM ground level, W/D. NS/NP. $850. Avail now. (250)385-2846.

UVIC AREA: 2 bdrm, $1050 mo incls all utils, NS/NP, avail Jan. 1. Call 250-721-4040.

TRANSPORTATION

AUTO SERVICES

$$$ TOP CA$H PAID $$$. For ALL unwanted Vehicles, any condition. Call (250)885-1427.

CARS

We Buy Cars!$50 to $1000

Scrap Junk Running or Not!Cars Trucks Vans

FREE TOW AWAY

250-686-3933

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

CARPENTRY

BENOIT CONSTRUCTION. Reno’s & Additions. Windows, Doors, Decks. 250-479-0748.

JEREMIAH’S CARPENTRY- Small repairs, interior fi nishing, weather proofi ng. Reasonable rates. Senior’s Discounts. In-sured. Call 250-857-1269.www.jeremiahscarpentry.com

CLEANING SERVICES

EXP. RELIABLE & effi cient house cleaner and home care, 10 yrs exp. $20/hr. Bondable, have own supplies except vacuum.(250)220-4965

EAVESTROUGH

ABBA EXTERIORSProfessional gutter cleaning & repairs. Window cleaning. Roof de-mossing. Pkg dis-counts. WCB. (778)433-9275.


ELECTRICAL

250-361-6193 Quality Electric Reno’s, res & comm. No job too small. Lic# 22779.

KENDRA’S ELECTRICAL Co. #86952. No Job too Small. Kendra, 250-415-7991.

NORTHERN SUN Electric Comm/Res. $40/hr. Work Guaranteed. Any size job. (250)888-6160. Lic#13981.

FENCING

ALL TYPES of fencing, re-pairs. Reliable, on-time. Free estimates. Call 250-888-8637.

GARDENING

BLACKBERRY CLEARING- Weedeater miracles! Hedges, Clean-ups, lawn cuts. John 250-478-7314, 250-812-8236.

DPM SERVICES- lawn & gar-den, seasonal pruning, clean ups, landscape, power wash, etc. 15yrs exp. (250)883-8141.

CHECK CLASSIFIEDS! 250.388.3535 or bcclassifi ed.com✔


GARDENING

(250) 858-0588- Lawn & garden maint.

- Landscaping- Fences & Decks

- Hedge & Tree Services- Pressure Washing

Free estimates * WCBwww.mowtime.ca


GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS

250-507-6543. AL’S V.I.P. Gutter Cleaning, guards, pow-er washing, de-moss, Insured.(250)889-5794. DIAMOND Dave- window, gutter cleaning, roof-de-moss, gutter guards, power washing. Free est.GRAND XTERIOR Cleaning- Gutter, windows, de-moss, p wash. We clean your neigh-bours house. 250-380-7778.

HANDYPERSONS

BIG BEAR Handyman. Decks, Painting, Repairs. Free estimate. Barry 250-896-6071.HOUSE & Yard repairs. no job too small. OAP Discounts, free est. Andy, (250)886-3383.

HAULING AND SALVAGE

$20 & Up Garbage & Garden waste removal. Senior Disc. Free estimates. 250-812-2279.CLEAN-UP SPECIAL. You load bins, size 12 yard $100 plus dump fee or we do it all. Call 250-361-6164.


HAULING AND SALVAGE

JUNK BOX- Junk Removal Company. Local guys. Low rates. Call (250)658-3944.

PARRY’S HAULING We haul it all - FREE estimates. Call Wes 250-812-7774.

PETE’S HAUL A DAY- Junk removal. Airforce guy. Call 250-888-1221.

SAVE-A-LOT HAULING Furniture, appliance, garden waste, we take it all! Always lowest rate, senior discount. Brad 250-217-9578.

MASONRY & BRICKWORK

CBS MASONRY BBB. WCB. Chimneys, fi replaces,fl agstone rock, concrete, natural & ve-neered stone. Replace, re-build, restore, renew! Free competitive est. www.cbsma-sonry.com; Call (250)589-9942, (250)294-9942.

CLASSIFIED ADS MEAN MORE BUSINESS Call 250.388.3535


& MOVING STORAGE

(250)858-6747. WRIGHT Bros Moving&Hauling.Free estimate $75=(2men&4tontruck)Sr Disc.

ALLSTAR MOVING Delivery Service. From $59. Free local travel. Call (250)818-2699.

PAINTING

ALFRED, ALFRED Quality Painting. Wholesale, Dis-counts! 50 years experience. 250-382-3694.

A PROFESSIONAL Woman painter. Karen Bales Painting & Wall coverings. Over 25yrs exp. Free est. 250-514-5220.

OLD TIMER. Quality old fash-ioned service. Great rates. Ex-cellent references. Call Al at 250-474-6924, 250-888-7187.

PLASTERING

PATCHES,Drywall, skimming, match the textures, coves, fi re-places. Bob, 250-516-5178.


PRESSURE WASHING

DRIVEWAYS, WALKWAYS, Decks, etc. Reasonable rates.250-744-8588, Norm.

STUCCO/SIDING

PATCHES, ADDITIONS, re-stucco, renos, chimney, water-proofi ng. Bob, 250-516-5178.

TREE SERVICES

BUDDY’S TREE SERVICES-Trimming, pruning, chipping,removals, hedges. Insured.Call Keith, (250)474-3697.

WINDOW CLEANING

BOB’S WINDOW Cleaning.Roof demoss, Gutters. Licensed and affordable. 250-884-7066.

DAVE’S WINDOW Cleaning.Windows, Gutters, Sweeping,Roofs, Roof Demossing, Pres-sure Washing. 250-361-6190.

GRAND XTERIOR Cleaning-We clean your neighbourshouse. Gutters, window,roofs, de-moss. 250-380-7778.

SERVICE DIRECTORYwww.bcclassified.com 250.388.3535

SELL YOUR CAR... FAST!

250.388.3535

with a classifi ed ad

fi l here pleaseLocal news.

Local shopping.Your local paper.

Read the Victoria News

every Wednesday and Friday

CORPORATIONOF THE TOWNSHIP

OF ESQUIMALT1229 Esquimalt Road

Esquimalt, B.C. V9A 3P1250-414-7100

NOTICE OF MEETINGS

For further information, please call 250-414-7135

or our website @ www.esquimalt.ca/council

Holiday Business Hours Thursday, January 1st Municipal Hall Closed

New Year’s Levee Thursday, January 1st

1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Council Chambers

Esquimalt Municipal Hall

Monday, January 5th Regular Council

7:00 p.m., Council Chambers

• • • • • • • •

Thursday Jan 8 - 7:30 pmMcPherson Playhouse

Tickets 250-386-612 or online www.rmts.ca

Winners will be contacted Jan 5, 2015. No purchase necessary. Contest open to all residents of BCof the age of majority. One ballet per person. Valid ID may be required. Prizes must be accepted as awarded.

Go to www.vicnews.com/contests for a chanceto WIN a pair of tickets to ELVIS - If I Can Dream

CONTEST > ENTER TO WIN TICKETS!

vicnewswww.

.com

More Newson line

@vicnews.

com


Community Calendar

Thursday, Jan. 1Government House New Year’s Day Levée.

Government House, 1401 Rockland Ave., 10 a.m. to noon. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to avoid a long line-up.

Volkssport - 5/10 km walk. Meet at YM-YWCA, 851 Broughton St.. Registration 11:30 a.m.; walk at noon Contact Judy at 250.385-8519 (Vic Y Volkssport).

Victoria New Year’s Levée. Crystal Pool, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Info: Victoria.ca.

Esquimalt New Year’s Levée. Esquimalt City Hall, 527 Fraser St., 1 to 2:30 p.m. Info: 250-414-7101.

Viennese New Year concert presented by The Victoria Symphony. Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St., 2:30 p.m. Tickets available online at rmts.bc.ca.

Saturday, Jan. 3Chip in for the Kids Christmas tree recycle. The

B.C. Lions Society’s helps you dispose of your Christmas tree in an environmentally-friendly manner at one of six recycling depots around Greater Victoria: Broadmead Village Shopping Centre, Save-on-Foods – Fort and Foul Bay location, Westshore Town Centre, University Heights Shopping Centre, Sooke Home Hardware and Tillicum Shopping Centre.

Volkssport - 5/10 km walk. Meet at Juan deFuca Recreation Centre, 1767 Island Highway. Registration 9:30 a.m.; walk 10 a.m. Contact is Francine at 250-361-4583.

Moss Street Winter Market. Fairfield Community Centre, 1330 Fairfield Rd., 10 a.m to noon.

Svyatay Vechir – Ukrainian Christmas Eve tradi-tion. Ukrainian Cultural Centre, 3277 Douglas St., 6 p.m. For ticket information, please call 250-475-2585.

Sunday, Jan. 4Volkssport - 5/10 km walk. Meet at Harbour

Towers, 345 Quebec S. Registration 9:30 a.m.; walk 10 a.m. Contact is Randy at 250-590-7175.

Luna - Ukrainian Christmas Concert featuring Christine Chepyha. Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, 1112 Caledonia St., 6:30 p.m. Admission free.

Monday, Jan. 5Gallery Artists Salon. Eclectic Gallery

introduces its first salon-style exhibit featuring more than a dozen gallery artists who immerse themselves in their vision of discovery. Exhibit runs from Jan. 5 to Feb. 28. Reception Jan. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. Eclectic Gallery, 2170 Oak Bay Ave.

Thursday, Jan. 8Gallery Artists Salon. Eclectic Gallery

introduces its first salon-style exhibit featuring more than a dozen gallery artists who immerse themselves in their vision of discovery. Exhibit runs from Jan. 5 to Feb. 28. Reception Jan. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. Eclectic Gallery, 2170 Oak Bay Ave.

Tom FletcherBlack Press

A financial review of B.C. Lottery Corp. put a sunny face on an organization that continues to waste money and have sig-nificant gaps in control of illegal activi-ties, NDP gambling critic David Eby says.

Among the findings of the review were that BCLC costs have been rising faster than revenues from casinos and lotter-

ies, four departing executives received 18 months severance pay regardless of their length of service, and a test of retailers found that 40 per cent of them sold lottery tickets to minors.

Finance Minister Mike de Jong released the report last Wednesday in Kamloops, with BCLC board chair Bud Smith describing an overhaul of the cor-poration’s human resources department after a staff buyout program that was

designed to save $6.6 million, but ended up costing $25 million.

Eby also noted that since BCLC stopped paying for a dedicated RCMP group to investigate money launder-ing, suspicious cash transactions in B.C. casinos have doubled, “and to my knowledge there has not been a single charge at a B.C. casino related to money laundering.”

[email protected]

NDP blasts lottery corporation spending

Store Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:30 am - 9:00 pmSat. 9:30 am - 5:30 pm Sun and Holidays 11:00 am - 5 pm

3170 TILLICUM ROAD, VICTORIALOWER LEVEL OUTSIDE OF TILLICUM CENTRE

ACROSS FROM PEARKES REC. CENTRE • 250-475-7501

NEW YEARS SNOOZE YOU LOSE SALEFABRICS

all regular stock includes Fashion, Craft, Home Decor & MORE!!

50%-70%

BURDAPATTERNS

ALL STOCK

50% OFF REG. PRICE

VOGUEPATTERNS

NOW

11.00ea

BUTTERICKPATTERNS

NOW

700ea

BARGAINCENTER FABRICS2.00/M - 5.00/M

50% OFF SALE PRICE

212 1

34

5678

910

11

99

NEW YEARSNEW YEARS6

JANUARY 1ST & 2ND (B.C & AB) JANUARY 2ND & 3RD (SK &MB)

Check store for hours some locations closed January 1st

DAYS ONLY2

OFF REGULAR PRICE

50OFF REGULAR PRICE%

(exclusions apply to Promotional, Clearance, “Special Purchase”, Signature Styles & Yarn products)

All Prices here Exclusive to Fabricland Sewing Club MembersMEMBERSHIP CARD MUST BE PRESENTED FOR DISCOUNTS

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FOAM

PILLOW FORMS

FIBREFILL

CUT LACES & TRIMS

SEWING NOTIONSQUILTING NOTIONS

DRAPERY HARDWARE

DRAPERY PANELS

DRAPERY TAPES & TRIMS

Dec/14 New Years AD - Insert usual basebar at bottom Ad Size 6 x 180 Group 1SEE INSERTION ORDER FOR PUBLICATION DATEwww.fabriclandwest.com | customer service # 1-855-554-4840

CHURCH DIRECTORYYour Guide to

Local Houses of WorshipParish of St. Peter and St. PaulArchdeacon Lon Towstego1379 Esquimalt Rd. 250-386-6833www.stpeterandpaul.ca

Sunday Service 8:30 am and 10:30 am Sunday School at the 10:30 service,

best suited to children 5-12 years.

To book space please callKelly Somerville at 250-480-3228

Your Neighborhood Church

victoria news, december 31, 2014

Documents

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