Victoria's parking will remain free on Sundays and evenings.

Councillors heeded Mayor Dean Fortin's request yesterday and rescinded an earlier motion asking staff to revisit the idea of charging for parking on Sundays and evenings.

"I think part of what we've inadvertently done is signal that we're looking to introduce Sunday [pay] parking," Fortin said.

He noted the city's parking strategy, completed in 2007-2008, involved extensive consultation and ultimately rejected Sunday pay parking. "I think it's somewhat premature to be bringing it back and taking a look at it."  read more »

Is more rental housing worth less parking?

Victoria councillors want to see if an already parking-challenged James Bay neighbourhood will accept even more cars fighting for spots on the street if it means additional rental housing.

"It's going to be a bit of a trial balloon," said Tim Van Alstine, chairman of the James Bay Neighbourhood Association. Van Alstine said he understands council's desire to add more rental units, but his association has already heard from many neighbours who don't won't anything adding to the area's parking problem.

"Is it going to be contentious? Yes. ... Is it going to be easy? No. Do people still have cars? Yes they do and that's the reality of it," he said.  read more »

About 3,000 Canadian Forces personnel clad in pressed dress uniforms, crisp white hats, shined shoes and brass buttons that gleamed in the spring sun marched on Victoria streets yesterday morning in a rare display of military might to celebrate the navy's 100th anniversary.

Row upon row of sailors, soldiers and air force personnel from CFB Esquimalt marched in time, their ranks undulating down five city blocks at a time. All along the route, clapping and cheering from onlookers almost drowned out the stamping of feet and the "left right, left right" orders from unit chiefs.  read more »

ITINERARY: CITY OF VICTORIA MISSION TO CHINA – April 19th
 – May 2nd
, 2010 
 
APRIL 19, 2010: ARRIVE IN SHANGHAI
 
APRIL 20 - 21, 2010: - SHANGHAI
·  Canadian Consulate and BC Trade & Investment Office
·  Roundtable Discussion on Chinese Tourism Industry Development
·  Meeting with Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board
·  Welcome Reception at Official Residence of Consul General
·  Canada China Business Council
·  Site Visits
 
APRIL 22 – 24, 2010: SUZHOU
·  Welcome banquet – 30th
 anniversary celebration of Twin City relationship, signing  read more »

VICTORIA, BC — Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin leaves this weekend to lead an economic and friendship delegation to China.
 
“Victoria has had close relations with China for decades, as demonstrated by our 30-year Twin City relationship with Suzhou,” says Mayor Fortin. “Victoria is a gateway to Asia and it’s essential that we continue to foster opportunities around culture, education, business and tourism.”
 
The two week mission will pay visits to Shanghai, Suzhou, Changsha, and Nanning. During the visit, Mayor Fortin will re-dedicate to our Twin City agreement with Suzhou at a ceremony on April 22. The Mayor will also be present for the opening of the Shanghai World Expo on May 1.
   read more »