Thanks to everyone who responded to my numerous questions in last week’s newsletter—read on for the promised story on the E&N train situation, though an important announcement is expected today, so the story isn’t finished yet.
Also, congratulations to me who became an aunt for the first time on this day 14 years ago! And congratulations to my brother who became a dad, my parents who became grandparents… and I guess a happy birthday to my oldest nephew is in order. 😉 Bonne fête!
Reporter The Westshore
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TRANSPORTATION
‘ICF has had a very narrow vision of what the corridor can be’
The E&N Dayliner pictured in Goldstream Provincial Park in 1981 (BC Archives I-03771).
For more than a decade the Island Corridor Foundation, a non-profit organization that owns the corridor of land formerly used for a railroad between Courtenay and Victoria, has worked to get financial and political support to restore the tracks and buy new trains.
As time passed with no commitment from governments, questions about rail’s viability circled—including suggestions of what else could be done with the contiguous right of way that spans the lower third of Vancouver Island. What about light rail? Could the land be paved and used by buses? What about a pedestrian greenspace?
But the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) remained focused on trains, and the land sat dormant.
That single-solution focus has frustrated more than one of the local First Nations along the corridor, who along with regional districts own ICF and therefore the corridor. Some of those nations are increasingly calling for ICF to look beyond rail and consider alternatives that would benefit affected communities.
It came to a head at a January board meeting when five board members voted to expand ICF’s scope beyond rail. In light of recent consultation that showed “limited interest” in rail among Indigenous communities on the route, these five board members brought a motion to have ICF formally consider other non-rail options. The motion was defeated 6-5, and five First Nations representatives who voted in favour all resigned.
Read what your fellow readers had to say about this corridor.
ENVIRONMENT
RCMP facing investigation, possible class action from Fairy Creek
Ryan Henderson, second from left, was arrested on Oct. 20, 2021 at Fairy Creek after being extracted from the tripod hard block shown behind. (📸 Contributed)
An official “systemic investigation” is being launched into the RCMP's Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG), a task force it uses to enforce injunctions against resource-based project opposition in BC. The independent federal body that reviews the RCMP will investigate the C-IRG force’s overall policies and practices, as well as its actions during enforcement of the Teal-Jones injunction at Fairy Creek and two others elsewhere in BC.
For years, C-IRG has been criticized by human rights groups and activists for its secrecy and surveillance operations; its collaboration with the extraction industry and with private security; and for tactics they allege have involved excessive violence.
Meanwhile, general RCMP conduct at Fairy Creek is the subject of a new class action suit application. It argues that detentions and restrictions of media members and others were arbitrary and unjustified and violated people’s freedoms, and in some cases caused injury or property damage. This application, if approved, will encompass people who were either not arrested or arrested but not charged.
Around the 'Shore
🏠 **TriWay trailer park residents worried about decreased assessed property value:******Lowered values will affect the buyout prices park residents will receive from Starlight Investments that bought the park. [Goldstream Gazette]
🅿️ Colwood Corners to start charging for parking, after 90 minutes free. Neighbours are not pleased. [CHEK]
🏡 Coastal Shores Window Cleaning has you covered! From pressure washing, moss removal, gutter cleaning, and window cleaning, Victoria’s best exterior cleaning company is the “clear” choice!*
🚨 A man was found dead in Otter Point: Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit is investigating the incident that is being called suspicious. [CHEK]
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TOGETHER WITH MEGSON FITZPATRICK-ACERA
The Westshore’s full-service insurance brokerage
Megson FitzPatrick is an employee-owned, independent insurance brokerage. They’ve proudly called Vancouver Island home since 1968 and have locations in Victoria and Nanaimo and this summer they will be joining The Westshore in Royal Bay at the new development, The Commons.
In 2017 they partnered with Rogers Insurance out of Calgary to increase their capabilities. In late 2022 the group of companies merged with Burnaby-based CapriCMW to become Acera Insurance. As Acera Insurance, they remain local, independent, and employee-owned.
As a full-service brokerage, they do more than place insurance; they support their clients with risk management; identifying ongoing and emerging risks, minimizing, and in some cases eliminating these hazards. Their in-house claims team also supports clients throughout the claims process.
Community Events
🤝 The last of the in person Te’mexw Treatyopen houses is happening tomorrow night in Metchosin. There are still two online information sessions on April 5 at 2:30pm and April 13 at 6pm (register by emailing here). The multi-year five-nation negotiations are nearing the final stage, and these open houses are designed for the public to learn about the proposed terms. March 15, 4:30-7pm, Metchosin Community Hall, 4401 William Head Rd.
🌎 CENiC speakers series: the Colwood environmental group is hosting its annual speakers series over Zoom, five Tuesday evenings in a row starting March 21 with an update on Colwood’s low carbon resiliency plan and planning for climate emergencies, featuring representatives from the city. March 21, 7-8pm. March 28: transportation, April 4: protecting natural assets; April 11, the economics of sustainable buildings; April 18, environmental action in Colwood.
🎸 Chilliwack is coming to Sooke! No it’s not a geographical phenomenon, Chilliwack the band is performing at the Sooke Community Theatre on March 30. Tickets are $50.
What’s Offshore?
Esquimalt Lagoon looking towards Washington State, taken on March 13, 2023 (📸 Zoë Ducklow)
🚢 The Mariloula is a bulk carrier built in 2008 and is sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands. It is sailing from 🇨🇳 Qingdao, China ➡ 🇨🇦 Victoria, BC and was scheduled to arrive on Feb. 11. It’s been moored here for a month.
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TOGETHER WITH WESTIN BEAR MOUNTAIN
Westin Bear Mountain Hospitality Job Fair
Bring a resume to meet managers and associates from every department. Interviews on the spot!
March 17 from 3pm to 6pm | March 18 from 10am to 1pm 1999 Country Club Way, Victoria
View positions and register now!
Westshore Snaps
"A fiery early sunrise wakes Langford below to a new day." — Sophia Cuthbert, Highlands
📸 Snapped a photo you’d like to share? Send it with a caption and don’t forget to add where you live.