Canada Day festivities remain a priority at Victoria council, where its budget survived as the city aims to keep its tax lift in the single digits.
Overall, residential property owners can expect an 8.68 per cent tax hike this year, council agreed in October. In November, council asked staff to come back with options that would keep the city’s portion of that increase between 4 and 7 per cent.
After hours of discussion Monday (March 3) continued from the previous week, council kept to its four per cent goal.
Impacts include an increase in recreational fees and a drawdown on the tree reserve.
It means grant program reductions – for example, the Social Policy, Equity and Accessibility Grant that has yet to launch and the Victoria Music Strategy – and relying on the healthy balance (about $900,000) already held for art in public spaces.
Impacts include reducing reserve contributions to funds such as community amenities and climate action. The city would also trim security contracts, with static onsite security at city hall replaced with foot patrols and patrols at Oaklands, Irving, and Pemberton parks would be reduced from twice to once daily.
The draft also includes scaling back programs such as shorelines and beaches, facility improvements, natural area restoration and multi-modal corridor work and overnight public restroom closures in some parks.
Canada Day was among the items that bore scrutiny as elements that balance the joy it brings residents and the cost. Staff recommended scaling it back to a daytime event focused on families in the Inner Harbour to reduce policing costs, suggesting an event producer may yet come forward to take on an evening component. The remaining budget would be $225,000 for production and policing. Council opted to add back $100,000 with funds from the city’s initiatives and events grant program – which meant no impact on this year’s taxation.
There are reasons to invest in the celebration of the nation now more than ever, and especially important for the provincial capital to have a significant event, said Coun. Stephen Hammond, who made the motion.
Programs such as the Butler Book Prize, youth poet laureate, EV charging station and the famed hanging basket program remain in the crosshairs for cuts in 2026.
Coun. Susan Kim suggested trimming the flower baskets by 50 per cent this year instead of next as recommended by staff. The potential 2026 budget would see 75 remaining baskets focused in high-tourist areas.
Surprised to find himself defending hanging baskets, Coun. Matt Dell said downtown needs beautification now, and not just for tourists, but for residents looking to enjoy their city.
“We want to maintain every investment possible in our downtown which is very desperate right now,” Dell said.
While the motion to hold the city’s portion to four per cent passed, not all could support it with Hammond, Kim and Coun. Marg Gardiner opposed.
“The city is still spending beyond what our taxpayers can afford,” Gardiner said.
“I can’t support this, it does not support those who cannot afford to be here,” Kim said. “I will keep going to bat for those who pour our coffee, and can’t start their families, and like myself take on credit card debt from unethical corporations to feed ourselves and continue to live here.”
Council also agreed to set a four-per-cent goal for 2026 based on the scaled-back options provided by staff.
Coleman, who was among those in favour but not pleased with the choices, later noted he plans to bring back the notion of having six as opposed to eight councillors to provide future savings.
“I will support this because it gets us to the next stage,” he said. “We need to sharpen our pencils.”
