Our Place will open its doors at 7 a.m. Monday morning, marking the beginning of the drop-in shelter’s extended hours.

The Pandora Avenue facility will open weekdays at 7 a.m. rather than 9 a.m. It will still close at 5 p.m.

Executive director Rev. Al Tysick has long fought for Our Place to be open earlier in the morning so that Victoria’s street population can have a place of refuge after a long night on the streets.

In early January, Mayor Dean Fortin announced the City of Victoria would dedicate $120,000 to accommodate that. The provincial government also has kicked in $30,000.

The City of Victoria is leading an economic development mission to China this spring to promote key capital region sectors.

"In these economic times, it is something the city can really do to help our local economy," Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin said.

The delegation will visit Suzhou to mark its 30th anniversary as a sister city of Victoria, as well as several other cities in China, he said, adding Shanghai is a possibility.

The trip gives Victoria the chance to build on federal and provincial initiatives with China, Fortin said. The goal is to expand on the current relationship by fostering economic ties through its post-secondary, high-tech and tourism sectors.

there will be room at the inns for hundreds of Victoria residents needing affordable small-family and supported housing, should the city's bid to buy three low-budget hotels be successful.

The city joined with the Capital Regional District, B.C. Housing and the Greater Victoria Coalition to end Homelessness on the bids presented to the court-appointed receivers Friday. The city and partners hope to buy the Traveller's Inn properties, which contain a total of 133 units, at 723 Field St., 710/712 Queens Ave. and 120 Gorge Rd.

"We're excited -- it's a really unique situation, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Mayor Dean Fortin of the possible acquisition.

As part of the reinternment ceremony for the remains of a first nation woman disturbed by city construction work, we acted as her family and hosted a burning ceremony, which includes a feast for the band at the end. We engaged a first nation speaker to represent the city at this event, which included Chief Andy Thomas and Chief Sam.

The Our Place drop-in centre for street people will soon open two hours earlier each weekday morning, thanks to city funding, Mayor Dean Fortin announced yesterday.

Pending council approval, the Pandora Avenue facility will open at 7 a.m. weekdays rather than 9 a.m. The drop-in closes at 5 p.m.

Opening earlier will cost $120,000 annually, a sum Victoria is prepared to pay immediately, then urge the shelter's other partners to come up with their share, Fortin said.

"The City of Victoria is tired of waiting," he said. "We've been waiting for years to try to get funding to extend the hours of the Open Door."