On this page SVO posts all media releases that we are sent that pertain to Sidney, North and Central Saanich and  Saanich. We may or may not have the resources or interest to follow up with a story.

You may send your media release  – or a link to it – to [email protected]

Central Saanich Coun. Zeb King

For release

March 2, 2016: “We took the leap”, Central Saanich Councillor Zeb King and his wife decided to say goodbye to their gas guzzler and go with a fully electric, zero emissions car called a Nissan Leaf. Now they’re keen to share their experience. “Feel free to ask questions” says Councillor King, “while you already see a fair number of these vehicles, we want to see even more in our community.”

King says, “We chose to scrap our previous gas guzzler and receive the $3000 provincial incentive (BC’s Scrap-it program).”

“We want to do our little bit and move away from burning climate changing fossil fuels.” King said that he and his wife weighed their options and decided that rather than go half-way they’d go in fully with the zero emissions car. “There are great hybrid vehicles, but the idea of never having to go to a gas station was just too good,” says King. BC Hydro says 93% of their electricity comes from renewable sources.

 “I stopped in at Motorize Auto Direct in Sidney and talked to them about the Leaf. They were honest and were not trying to push a sale. They actually helped us with the process and offered useful suggestions along the way,” says King. “I recommend getting the 110 volt charge cord adapted for 220 volt so that you have more options for charging quickly.”

“I appreciated how Cam and Julian at Motorize were not pushy and answered any of our questions during our busy schedules either in person, by email, text or whatever we needed,” said King. “You don’t want to regret a purchase like this, so it’s really helpful when you find honest brokers who will accommodate your schedule, let you ask all the questions and will even give you a loaner for a few days to test it out.”

King found that of all the lending institutions, VanCity Credit Union was the most progressive with their special Clean Air Vehicle Loan program for Hybrid and Electric vehicles. “VanCity won the competition since they offered the lowest interest loan with their program specially tailored for getting off carbon emissions,” said King.

So it’s been a couple weeks since they bought their zero emissions the car, and how do they like it? Well, Councillor King’s wife uses it for work as a community nurse and so she gets most of the fun with the heated steering wheel, seat and other comforts. “The range is perfect for the work she does as a nurse in our region,” says King. Councillor King takes the bus to work in Victoria or rides his bike. “We make it work for us,” says King. “Having one car just means you need to get the bike rack ready, have enough bus tickets and be prepared to talk with constituents.”

“I expect that we’ll see a small increase in our hydro bill, but at least our hydro isn’t controlled by the Saudi Royal family like petroleum prices are. It’s good to know that BC Hydro is publicly owned, and it’s hard to beat $.02 cents per kilometer” says King. The Hydro website says that when electricity is your fuel, you save about 75 per cent on fuel costs.

Councillor King is happy to share what he’s learned in the process of purchasing his EV, so if you see him on the bus, bike or plugging in his EV, feel free to ask questions.

For further information contact Councillor Zeb King at 250 508 4645 or [email protected]
Find out more from the BC Hydro website at: https://www.bchydro.com/about/sustainability/climate_action/plugin_vehicles/vehicles___demos.html BC Scrap-it program info: https://scrapit.ca/
VanCity Clean Air Vehicle Loan: https://www.vancity.com/Loans/TypesOfLoans/CleanAirVehicleLoan/

Intergrity BC Release, March 2, 2016

Commentary submission: Up, up and away on Air Christy

by Dermod Travis,

News that Premier Christy Clark has spent $500,000 on private jets since assuming office has – not surprisingly – raised a few eyebrows.

It’s a story that has as much to do with the symbolism as it does with the dollars. A political condition that the government seems increasingly tone deaf to as of late.

The story also broke at a particularly bad time.

Tough to defend private jets when you’re clawing-back transit passes from the disabled at the same time.

The private jets are only part of the total travel bill at the premier’s office.

In 2014/15, Clark’s office charged an additional $131,742 on 10 regularly scheduled airlines, including $99,222 between Harbour Air and Helijet.

Add the premier’s travel expenses all up and they came in at $67,538 for 2014/15 or $1,300 per week.

The premier’s counter-spin on all of this basically boils down to: “well, he spent more than me and him too,” pointing her finger directly at former premiers Gordon Campbell and Glen Clark.

Bit of cherry picking going on, though.

In 2002/03, Campbell billed $77,269 in travel. The next year, Campbell was up to $101,673 and the following year down to $61,939. For 2010/11, his travel came in at $60,598.

Clark billed $75,589 for 2011/12.

Without some outside yardstick to measure travel expenses against, it’s a bit of a mug’s game to claim one premier spent more than the other.

If Clark’s travel costs are indefensible, a former premier’s more indefensible costs doesn’t make hers defensible.

Fortunately such a yardstick is available.

In 2014/15, Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne billed $14,245 in travel and hospitality expenses, including a trade mission to China.

Why the difference?

In Ontario, the premier, cabinet ministers, MPPs and senior bureaucrats don’t have the final say on their expenses. That task falls to the province’s Integrity Commissioner.

They’re also stingy, in a good way. B.C.’s meal per diem for MLAs is $61, in Ontario it’s $40.

You won’t see a $3.39 can of Pringles showing up on an expense account in Ontario, as it did with the former CEO of Partnerships B.C. who was pulling down $250,000 at the time.

Then there’s the tiny matter that Premier Clark rarely travels alone.

She’s often accompanied by her press secretary, videographer and occasionally B.C. Liberal party staff, as she criss crosses the province.

Clark claims she travels with a videographer “to (better) inform the public via social media about events like the climate summit in Paris last fall.”

Check out the government’s YouTube channel and no one would ever accuse those canned videos of going viral. Most have under 1,000 views.

In July, on one charter flight to Kelowna, Clark was joined by three political staff, Forest Minister Steve Thomson and her bodyguard.

Total cost for the trip was $4,251 or $708 per person. A return airfare can be had for about $250.

A point that’s highly relevant when it comes to divvying up the costs.

Do party staff pay their share of the real cost or the equivalent in economy class fares? The same principle would apply to how costs are assigned to Clark’s public travel tally.

It’s also not uncommon for the premier to squeeze in some party fundraising while she travels, as she did in 2012 at the Calgary Petroleum Club and as she does in Kelowna.

There’s no rule that requires the party to contribute to the premier’s travel costs in such circumstances, effectively putting B.C. taxpayers in the position of subsidizing B.C. Liberal fundraisers.

The symbiotic relationship doesn’t stop there. Many of the same companies that fly the premier on charter flights are also generous donors to the B.C. Liberal party.

Since 2005, Helijet has donated $41,185 to the B.C. Liberals, Blackcomb Aviation ($45,505), Pacific Coastal Airlines ($48,660), London Air Services ($53,052) and Harbour Air ($128,310).

So how are the travel sweepstakes shaping up so far this year?

For the first nine months of 2015/16, Natural Gas Minister Rich Coleman has top honours at $49,756, closely followed by Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett ($49,629), Aboriginal Relations Minister John Rustad ($44,880), Premier Clark ($44,300) and Finance Minister Mike de Jong ($40,895).

Ontario’s Finance Minister, Charles Sousa, billed $7,745 in 2014/15.

Dermod Travis is the executive director of IntegrityBC. www.integritybc.ca

March 1, 2015

Deep Cove Folk Music Society proudly presents  LENNIE GALLANT

8:00 pm, Saturday, March 5, 2016.(Doors open at 7:30 PM)

Bodine Hall, Mary Winspear Centre  (243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, BC)

with special guest host, Jo-Ann Roberts

Tickets ($30.00) available at the Mary Winspear Centre 250-656-0275

$31.50 on-line

Reserved cabaret style seating in the Bodine Hall with snacks and treats available from Island Culinary Service PLUS a cash bar.

FiVE YEARS AGO, we presented Lennie Gallant as our first ‘special concert’.  Now … we have the opportunity to present him again.  He’s a fine songwriter and a compelling performer.  Come and join us!

Lennie is a native of the Acadian village of Rustico, PEI, Lennie Gallant has recorded eleven albums (nine in English and two in French), which have won him a host of awards and nominations from the JUNOs, the East Coast Music Awards, and Les Prix Eloizes. He was recently honoured with a Canadian Folk Music Award for the year 2015 for his recording Live Acoustic at The Carleton.

His album, When We Get There was nominated for a Juno Award and went to the International Space Station aboard Shuttle Endeavour with Canadian astronaut Julie Payette. Over 30 artists have recorded his songs, including Measha Bruggergosman, Ode de L’Acadie, The Rankins, and Jimmy Buffet and his songs have appeared in feature films, television series, and numerous theatrical productions.

Lennie has recently wrapped up the second season of his runaway multimedia hit musical, “Searching For Abegweit -The Island Songs & Stories of Lennie Gallant”, which ran for over 85 sold out shows in Charlottetown. He has just released a new double CD of 22 songs from that production, and many of the show’s visual images appear in the book, Peter’s Dream, a collaboration with sibling visual artist Karen Gallant that showcases 52 of her paintings paired up with his songs.
A recipient of the Order of Canada, Lennie is an international touring artist who has represented Canada on songwriter events in Nashville, London and Texas, entertained Canadian troops in Kandahar, performed at Canada Day events in Washington and London, and on the world stage at the Winter Olympics.

Lennie supports “World Vision”.

Lennie’s website is www.lenniegallant.com Deep Cove Folk’s web-site is www.deepcovefolk.ca Need convincing – or want more information – call Bob de Wolff at 250.655.3811

MEDIA RELEASE Town of Sidney

For Immediate Release
Date: January 4, 2016

Town of Sidney Adopts 2016 Budget

Sidney, B.C.; Town Council has adopted a Financial Plan for 2016-2020 that will result in a municipal tax increase of 0.81% for 2016. There are no changes to Utility rates for this year.

The Draft Financial Plan for 2016 started out with a general tax increase of 2.72%. Staff and Council worked successfully to reduce this impact to less than 1%, without sacrificing any of the services that are so important to area residents and businesses. Even with this low increase, the Financial Plan supports Council’s strategic initiatives, as identified through strategic planning sessions held in late 2015.

The net impact of the tax increase on the average residential property’s tax bill is about $11 per year, or less than $1 a month. Municipal taxes make up about half of the total tax bill for the average residential property. Increases in the other levies collected on the property tax bill are not yet finalized, but are estimated at about $12 more, for a total impact of about $2 per month. As always, the tax increase for any individual residence will vary depending on its assessment change relative to the average home value, which is about $441,167 this year.

Total municipal taxes for the average residence are about $1,368 per year, or $114 per month. For this monthly amount, the Town provides fire and police services, roads maintenance, parks and public space maintenance, community and emergency planning, bylaw enforcement, as well as a range of related community services. While many of these services may be taken for granted, the value received for $114 per month compares favourably with many common utility bills, not to mention the average monthly strata fee.

Saanich – Media Release
For Immediate Release
July 14, 2015

Saanich Begins Recruitment Process For Next Chief Administrative Officer

Saanich, BC – Saanich Mayor and Council are pleased to announce that they have retained the executive search firm of Boyden to assist in recruiting the permanent Chief Administrative Officer.  Council will seek guidance throughout the recruitment from interim CAO Andy Laidlaw while Director of Corporate Services Laura Ciarniello will coordinate the comprehensive process on Council’s behalf.  The recruitment will be extensive and is expected to take three to four months.

Council looks forward to completing a successful search for the next CAO and takes this opportunity to thank the interim CAO, officers and employees for their ongoing service and dedication to the community.  Council uses the ‘one employee’ model which makes the CAO position absolutely vital to Council’s governance – this position is the primary conduit between the Council and its workforce of more than 1,500.

While the Council may delegate further powers to the CAO, the Community Charter sets out the primary powers, duties and functions as:

• The overall management of the operations of the District;
• Ensuring that the policies, programs and other directions of the Council are implemented; and,
• Advising and informing the Council on the operation and affairs of the District.

Almost six months has gone by since the January 21st announcement of Mr. Laidlaw’s hiring.  In order to ensure transparency, Council recently decided to release the following summary of the recruitment process:

• In December 2014, Council gave direction to Ms. Ciarniello to search for possible qualified interim CAO candidates and to bring these names forward for Council’s consideration.  In addition, Council members themselves put candidate names forward.
• Four candidates were shortlisted and put through a comprehensive recruitment process –   Council interviewed and evaluated all candidates.
• Council’s decision to hire Mr. Laidlaw was made at the conclusion of a fulsome discussion and after disclosure from references about a conflict of interest matter.

Council thanks both Mr. Laidlaw and Ms. Ciarniello for their work during this transition period.

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Sidney by the Sea MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release Town of Sidney
Date: July 15, 2015

Affordable Workforce Housing – 9821 Third Street Not Proceeding

Sidney, B.C.; At the July 13th In-Camera Council Meeting, Council determined that the Town will not be proceeding with Greater Victoria Rental Development Society’s (GVRDS) proposal for affordable rental workforce housing on the Town owned property at 9821 Third Street. This decision was made by Council as a result of the two parties being too far apart on their ability to reach an agreement on a mutually acceptable purchase price for the land.

While Council recognizes that the decision to no longer pursue workforce housing on this particular site is disappointing, they remain focused and steadfast in their commitment and pursuit of this much needed housing type in Sidney. Furthermore, Council appreciates and acknowledges the efforts of GVRDS to bring forward their proposal and are hoping that they will continue to explore and pursue opportunities within our community for affordable workforce housing.

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Saanich Media Release
For Immediate Release
June 1, 2015

16th Annual Saanich Environmental Awards Winners

Saanich, B.C. – Winners of the 16th Annual Saanich Environmental Awards Announced Councillor Dean Murdock, Chair of the Saanich Environment and Natural Areas Advisory Committee, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 Saanich Environmental Awards:

Award Winners:

Individual Citizen: Colleen O’Brien
Volunteer Organization: Friends of Swan Creek/Pulling Together Volunteers
Business: Bernhardt Contracting
Youth Group/School: Claremont Institute for Global Solutions Biodiversity/Conservation: Habitat Acquisition Trust
Sustainability: Jawl Properties
Long Term Achievement: Rithet’s Bog Conservation Society

The Saanich Environmental Awards were established in 2000 to promote environmental stewardship and leadership. Saanich Council supports recognizing local efforts to improve or conserve the environment and initiatives that work towards greater sustainability. Nominations for the awards are received through a public nomination process and evaluated by the Environment and Natural Areas Advisory Committee.

The 2015 Saanich Environmental Awards will be presented at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 15 in Saanich Council Chambers at 770 Vernon Avenue.
We welcome the public and media to attend the awards ceremony.

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