Author Archives: Ben

Hello Friends, I hope you are enjoying the spring weather. With the season comes an exciting line-up of festivals and events in our city. Please check out the CityVibe catalogue for information on musical events, public markets, cultural festivals and other recreational activities around our community. I look forward to seeing you at many of these events! … Continue reading »

A battle is underway in the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) over a proposed contaminated soil facility within the Shawnigan Lake drinking watershed. On one side, we see Shawnigan Lake residents united with the CVRD board in requesting that the BC provincial government decline a permit for the toxic soil dump. On the other side, … Continue reading »

The City of Victoria is proposing to make our communities safer by reducing the default speed limit in BC municipalities from 50 km/h to 40 km/h. We are urging local governments across Vancouver Island and BC to join with us in lobbying the provincial government to amend the Motor Vehicle Act for a safer speed limit. … Continue reading »

Dear Friends, As 2012 draws to a close, I want to wish you a healthy, restful and fun holiday season, as we recharge our batteries to pursue personal and collective goals in 2013. It has been a rewarding and interesting year since I assumed my seat as your City Councillor and Regional Director in December 2011. … Continue reading »

What is your vision for public land around Victoria Harbour? On December 12, 2012, Ben and fellow city councillor Shellie Gudgeon hosted a public forum with the James Bay Neighbourhood Association entitled “Victoria Harbour: Restoring the Public Realm.” This forum built on policy in Victoria’s new Official Community Plan, which commits the City to enhance the … Continue reading »

Please take a few moments to complete this survey, which I am conducting with community members to help inform policy in the City of Victoria and Capital Region: Complete the survey here Tweetgovernment,politics news,politics news,politics

Do you know of exciting child-friendly green spaces that could help enhance Victoria’s downtown? Please share your ideas as Victoria begins to implement the Official Community Plan objective of enhancing the public realm on pubic lands surrounding Victoria Harbour. Send examples from communities across Canada and beyond to Ben@Isitt.ca IPhone/IPad/Non-Flash Version  Tweetgovernment,politics news,politics news,politics

Over the weekend, I received a strong message from members of the New Democratic Party in favour of keeping it local. I had been encouraged to seek that party’s nomination to succeed former council member and environmentalist Denise Savoie as Victoria MP. Citizens from across the political spectrum responded to my outspoken and principled work … Continue reading »

I have been encouraged to enter the race to succeed Denise Savoie as Victoria’s NDP Member of Parliament. Denise was an outstanding MP, providing principled leadership on behalf of people and the environment. Since she announced her resignation in August, I have heard from citizens from across the political spectrum, who have been impressed by my track … Continue reading »

The “twitter-verse” has been alive with speculation over comments relating to place-names and the process of reconciliation with indigenous people. The debate began when a local reporter suggested on a radio program that I had proposed to change the city’s name in my 2011 municipal platform (which was not true). The debate deteriorated further when a member … Continue reading »

I helped “roll out the red carpet” for elected officials at the Union of BC Municipalities convention, urging a boycott of a reception hosted by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, an industry lobby group. In a vote the following day, delegates voted 51% in favour of Resolution A8, calling for the protection of BC’s … Continue reading »

Many residents have asked me why the Smith’s Hill Reservoir near Summit Park in the Hillside-Quadra neighbourhood is in its current state — with unsightly fencing, minimal public access, low water levels, uneven pathways and a preponderance of invasive plant species. I recently requested a meeting with the head of the Capital Regional District’s (CRD) Water … Continue reading »