What Victoria has been reading

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• August 14, 2026 Political parties have no place in our municipal politics Times Colonist, comment · Stuart Mackinnon

  Equates “anger and NIMBY-ism” with the incursion of political parties, slates, and block voting in municipal politics.

• August 7, 2026 How confusion undermines confidence at Victoria City Hall Times Colonist, comment · Trevor Moat

  City council passes a highly controversial bundle of disparate matters, large and small, with a single vote. Little wonder the public is suspicious, and want change.

• July 29, 2026 Comment: Don’t rewrite regional plan to fit questionable housing target Times Colonist · Springfield Harrison

  Planning processes are being run backwards - and affordability is not being addressed.

• July 28, 2026 Victoria city council puts Old Town at risk Times Colonist, letter · JC Scott

  City staff pander to the hotel industry, encouraging council to approve inappropriate heights and facade-ism.

• July 25, 2026 Saanich has enough of its own problems Times Colonist, letter · Roger Love (Saanich)

  Amalgamation would result in the neglect of local issues and the extension of bad policies.

• July 18, 2026 Candidates should reveal views on amalgamation Times Colonist, letter · Robin Farquhar

  The inevitable ward system would lead to improved accountability and respresentation.

• July 15, 2026 Comment: Victoria-Saanich merger would be a sensible first step Times Colonist, comment · Doug Pascoe

  Requires impartial and factual information

• April 25, 2026 Squeezing the parade another bright idea Times Colonist, letter · Gillian Bryan

  Council decisions are often poorly thought out.

• April 22, 2026 Many questions over city’s role in housing TC comment · Matt McGeachie

  How did Speed Ave. co-op morph from condo to rental to co-op and who is the management? And how are they affordable with a $20G buyin?

• April 16, 2026 Ancient lights’ idea should be revived Times Colonist, letter · Alec Mitchell

  Many residential areas could be saved by law requiring no new building to interfere with the access of light to adjacent, occupied buildings.

• March 26, 2026 Local democracy being put to the test Times Colonist, letter · Linda Jeaurond

  By stripping local councils of their ability to regulate growth, the province facilitates the loss of permeable soil and tree canopy.

• March 20, 2026 Downtown plan keeps city’s character Times Colonist, letter · Bob June

  The city does not need another simplistic building with minimal contextual references, reminiscent of View Towers and with no reference to Victoria’s downtown urban character.

• March 19, 2026 Developers don’t know what Victorians want Times Colonist, letter · James King

  What used to be a vibrant and people-friendly place is now a wasteland of failing businesses, half-built buildings constructed for the benefit of investors and the profits of developers.

• March 19, 2026 Streamlining' development can cause more problems TC Opinion · Ryan Painter

  Local government staff must identify deficiencies in applications that have already been certified by developers’ hired professionals.

• March 18, 2026 Developers must stick to Official Community Plan Times Colonist, letter · Ken Johnson

  In past years, we had far too many amendments to the OCP, a document the city states is citizen-generated.

• March 17, 2026 Living in a dystopian fantasy world of development Times Colonist, comment · Mur Meadows

  Victoria is no longer lacking in apartments to rent. What is lacking are tenants who can afford the exorbitant starting rents dictated by the developers.Council needs to listen to the citizens of Victoria: what they would like to see happen to the future of Victoria?

• March 7, 2026 Victoria needs a moratorium on new construction Letter toVictoria News · Mike Nahser

  The 5,000-page OCP basically says, “Build, build, build.” It’s time to stop.

• February 27, 2026 Accountability needed like in the private sector Times Colonist, letter · M.H. Ward

  Candidates for council should have decision-making and accountability that comes from experience in the private sector.

• February 10, 2026 It’s Time to CloseGonzales Beach Park to Sheltering Letter to TCGonzales N.A.

  Mayor Alto has refused to meet withneighbours most affected

• January 15, 2026 “Victoria Council lacks transparency about zoning” - OpEd Times Colonist · Trevor Moat

  Moat criticizes City for > quietly changing boundaries of several neighbourhoods before OCP approval; > without community consultation or public notice; > shows how this benefited and will benefit developers while overriding residents’ rights.

• January 7, 2026 “Sixteen years later she’s still running” - LTE Times Colonist. · Bill Cleverly

  Cleverly uses Alto’s own comments to criticize her decision to run for re-election.

• January 4, 2026 “Impatience can transform local politics from democratic to imperial” - Opinion Times Colonist · Gene Miller

  Miller assesses mayor and Council majority as > disappointment at policy creation and implementation, civic direction-setting and renewal, and community-building.> Cites bad financial decisions (swimming-pool, Centennial Square); failure to address urgencies (downtown decline): excuse and blame-shifting (homelessness, mental health & addictions); unpopular & destructive OCP; lack of courage against province’s “theft of civic identity”.

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• August 4, 2026 Few options available when tenants displaced Times Colonist, letter · Victoria Adams

  Council disbanded the Renters’ Advisory Cte., but before the election this October plans to amend bylaws re compensation for long-term tenants, which won’t go far enough in today’s market.

• July 29, 2026 Comment: Don’t rewrite regional plan to fit questionable housing target Times Colonist · Springfield Harrison

  Planning processes are being run backwards - and affordability is not being addressed.

• July 15, 2026 Victoria making it tough to keep rents affordable Times Colonist, letter · Darcy Houston

  Council waives development charges and fees, but ignores rising assessments and spends on discretionary projects, making life here unaffordable.

• July 13, 2026 Prove the need for new homes before we lose the old ones Times Colonist, letter · Elizabeth Johnson(Saanich)

  The demolition of existing affordable housing should not be permitted until developers can prove there is market demand.

• July 9, 2026 The Bigger Condo Bailout No One Is DiscussingAs Ottawa and BC give $3.2 billion for ‘development charges,’ some cities tear up affordable unit requirements. The Tyee · Patrick Condon

  Instead of directly subsidizing developers & speculators by eliminating development charges and inclusionary zoning, require substantial, permanent affordability.

• July 6, 2026 Renters, remember how council voted Times Colonist, letter · Gerry Anderson

  Hammond and Gardiner support tenants - the Gang of 5 does not.

• April 29, 2026 Let short-term rentals bring diversity to area's tourism Times Colonist, comment · Debra Sheets

  Grandfathering legally established, purpose-built short-term rentals would preserve existing supply, protect local investment, and buy time while slower hotel development catches up.

• April 28, 2026 Co-op housing idea is not a good deal Times Colonist, letter · Lucas Allen

  Units will be unaffordable to the single workers for whom 80% of the units are being designed.

• April 17, 2026 High-end units to replace Admiral Inn Times Colonist, letter · Roland Clift

  34 low-cost rental units will be replaced by high-end investment properties & parking for residents with multiple cars.

• April 11, 2026 Architectural ingenuity would improve homes Times Colonist, letter · Glynne Evans(Saanich)

  Home design regulations might make missing middle proposals more palatable and more environmental.

• April 5, 2026 Financial incentives turn renters from homes Times Colonist, letter · David Smith

  The Gang of 5 votes against increasing the compensation for long-term tenants evicted for redevelopment.

• March 25, 2026 No room for Saanich’s younger families Times Colonist, letter · Rob Harvey(Saanich)

  It would be so much better to build less-dense, more environmentally and family-friendly townhouses.

• March 21, 2026 Exciting condo buildings in Victoria TC Cartoon · Adrian Raeside

  Victoria is becoming a city of boring, boxy condo buildings.

• March 19, 2026 Developers don’t know what Victorians want Times Colonist, letter · James King

  What used to be a vibrant and people-friendly place is now a wasteland of failing businesses, half-built buildings constructed for the benefit of investors and the profits of developers.

• March 14, 2026 Victoria can’t build its way to affordability Victoria News, letter · Pat McGuire

  The Gang of Five consistently vote together, failing to advance alternative thinking and action for the majority of Victorians who struggle to find decent, safe housing that they can afford.

• March 11, 2026 Tax rate increases should reflect affordability Times Colonist, letter · Stan Barlett (Grumpy Taxpayers)

  Household incomes are significantly less in Victoria -Tax restraint

• March 3, 2026 Les Leyne: B.C. sidelines housing projects while pushing cities to keep up pace Times Colonist · Les Leyne

  A number of key drivers in the housing market have changed dramatically in the past three years.Federal immigration curbs have dramatically curtailed population growth in B.C. Last year, the population actually dropped slightly as out-migration to Alberta increased.Rents have been dropping lately, and the tight vacancy rate has eased in B.C.

• February 11, 2026 We Need a Bigger Supply of Housing for Beginners Opinion Piece in the TC · Anne Swannell

  Demolition of existing housing = fewer affordable places.Need for simpler, affordable spaces.

• February 9, 2026 Victoria to consider program to help people get out of supportive housing Times Colonist, op-ed · Andrew A. Duffy

  Supportive housing ladder

• January 18, 2026 “Multiplexes Raise Concerns” - OpEd City Hall Watch · Carol Volkart

  Volkart’s article > reviews movement to repeal provincial housing legislation; > cites Calgary electing new mayor and council opposed to blanket rezoning; > shows how Burnaby & other BC municipalities are pushing back; > describes how BC neighbourhood associations,16 BC mayors and 27 experts are calling for repeal.

• January 17, 2026 “Yes, to thoughtful density, but say no to greed” - LTE Times Colonist · Susan Kerschbaumer

  Kerschbaumer criticizes Oakland development:> serves no one but greedy developers; > provides unaffordable luxury priced housing under guise of missing middle; > not for renters, young families or working people; > density impacts: destruction of trees & underground stream and damages Garry Oak canopy.

• January 16, 2026 “R1 zoning, public hearings and 16 Metro Mayors calling on the Province to pause and reconsider” - letter from Mayor of Burnaby City of Burnaby website Mayor · Mike Hurley

  Burnaby Mayor writes on behalf of 16 Metro Mayors, > calling on Eby to repeal housing legislation; > criticizing unrealistic housing targets, eliminating public hearings & public input;> reflecting public hearing concerns about overcrowding, infrastructure strain & growing uncertainty for residents;>calling for collaboration with, not control of cities. > He also explains Burnaby’s variance from provincial guidelines: less lot coverage, more trees & greenspace, more parking.

• January 15, 2026 “Victoria Council lacks transparency about zoning” - OpEd Times Colonist · Trevor Moat

  Moat criticizes City for > quietly changing boundaries of several neighbourhoods before OCP approval; > without community consultation or public notice; > shows how this benefited and will benefit developers while overriding residents’ rights.

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• August 13, 2026 Bike lanes have made cycling much safer Times Colonist, letter · Merv Schmit

  Candidates should address today’s needs rather than regress to the past.

• August 11, 2026 Research before pausing downtown traffic Times Colonist, letter · Stephen Kishkan

  “Crazies” at City Hall inconvenience thousands with temporary traffic closures.

• July 24, 2026 How too many signs are quietly making our roads less safe Times Colonist · John Ducker

  Remove redundant signs, simplify intersections, reduce visual noise: prioritize clarity over quantity.

• July 24, 2026 The age of automobile is not over yet Times Colonist, letter · Barbara J. Desmond

  Abolishing street parking impacts tourists and locals who are elderly or disabled.

• July 17, 2026 Parking minimums encourage more cars Times Colonist, letter · Steven Murray

  Parking minimums have been destructive, increasing sprawl, costs, and car use. People choose other modes, when car infrastructure is limited.

• July 15, 2026 Gimme Shelter: almost 100 new bus stands going up at city stops Capital Daily newsletter

  at no cost to the City - easier and safer for people to choose transit

• July 11, 2026 We should start testing practical transit ideas Times Colonist, letter · Josh Hylden (Esquimalt)

  A modest pilot project would allow us to measure the demand & identify operational challenges for connecting existing transit systems.

• July 9, 2026 Slower speed limits make for better driving Times Colonist, letter · Marty West(Ladysmith)

  Lower speed limits are working - drivers are obeying and streets are safer.

• May 2, 2026 Why don’t cyclists use Vancouver Street? Times Colonist, letter · Karla Decker

  Protected bike lanes are necessary and desirable, but “overboard.”

• May 1, 2026 Cook Street bike lanes a welcome addition Times Colonist, letter · Colin Stepney

  Vulnerable road users not relegated to over-complicated, winding back street routes - freeing up road space for thosewho need to drive.

• April 27, 2026 Liveable, walkable city would be progress Times Colonist, letter · Dan Fleming

  The whole point of living in a city is to be able to easily access shopping, work, and play in whatever mode is most convenient, whether it’s walking, cycling, or driving.

• April 9, 2026 Massive increase in local traffic flow Times Colonist, letter · Juhree Zimmerman

  Council needs to reject proposals that seriously reduce setbacks, violate height restrictions, and threaten to cause traffic chaos.

• April 8, 2026 Getting more difficult to use public roads Times Colonist, letter · Ian Mackay

  Increasing density to the extent we are is destroying our natural environment and adding more congestion to the streets.

• February 26, 2026 When infrastructure work brings gridlock Times Colonist, letter · Nelly van Schagen

  Overlap of major projects feels poorly coordinated and deeply disruptive.

• February 7, 2026 Those cyclists are making parking easier Times Colonist, letter · Fayu Zhang

  People who aren’t in cars help make traffic a little lighter, parking a little easier and our air a little cleaner.

• February 6, 2026 Victoria wants province to allow mobility scooters in bike lanes Times Colonist · OpEdAndrew A. Duffy

  The request comes in the wake of a spate of collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians, cyclists, and scooters.

• February 4, 2026 Protected lanes help commuting by cycle Times Colonist, letter · Michael van der Kamp

  These protected lanes help unlock financial freedom for members of our community, without requiring that we put our health and safety at extreme risk.

• January 16, 2026 “R1 zoning, public hearings and 16 Metro Mayors calling on the Province to pause and reconsider” - letter from Mayor of Burnaby City of Burnaby website Mayor · Mike Hurley

  Burnaby Mayor writes on behalf of 16 Metro Mayors, > calling on Eby to repeal housing legislation; > criticizing unrealistic housing targets, eliminating public hearings & public input;> reflecting public hearing concerns about overcrowding, infrastructure strain & growing uncertainty for residents;>calling for collaboration with, not control of cities. > He also explains Burnaby’s variance from provincial guidelines: less lot coverage, more trees & greenspace, more parking.

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• August 15, 2026 No recreation facility, but free meals for some Times Colonist, letter · Patrick Murphy

  Council (some of whom don’t reside in Victoria) provides meals, hotel rooms, cellphones, & bus passes to drug-users.

• August 1, 2026 City should not give away hotel tax revenue Times Colonist, letter · Darrel Woods

  Instead of subsidizing an industry that is in demand, spend revenue on issues related to poverty and homelessness.

• July 21, 2026 To help tourism, clean up downtown Times Colonist, letter · Robert Blank

  Disgusting state of the sidewalks downtown could have a serious effect on tourism.

• July 14, 2026 Municipalities should collect money from fines Times Colonist, letter · Stephen Kishkan

  Stop voting for councillors who refuse to collect fines owed by people who haven’t paid their parking tickets.

• July 2, 2026 Major changes at city hall will get my vote Times Colonist, letter · Barbara Golder

  Moratorium on tax, hiring, bike lanes …$ for flower baskets.Amalgamation.More oversight on building apps, etc.

• April 15, 2026 Please, powerwash the stinky stairwell Times Colonist, letter · Laurel Worth

  Public facilities are not being kept up.

• April 14, 2026 Bad precedent set with curling club grant Times Colonist, letter · Merry Hallsor

  This council is too ready to hand out public money.

• March 21, 2026 Victoria spending on new washrooms Times Colonist, letter · Mischa Gringras

  Yet another complete lack of judgment over discretionary spending in the midst of an unmitigated and ongoing budget crisis.

• March 16, 2026 Sir, this is not an ATM Times Colonist · Adrian Raeside cartoon

  Municipalies representative “mistakes” modest residence for ATM

• February 27, 2026 Accountability needed like in the private sector Times Colonist, letter · M.H. Ward

  Candidates for council should have decision-making and accountability that comes from experience in the private sector.