As 2024 draws to a close, Oak Bay’s Mayor Kevin Murdoch reflected on council's successes this year before outlining the district's 2025 priorities. These include reviewing its official community plan, creating a derelict boat task force and hosting an event to welcome home the Stanley Cup.
"This year has really been about addressing housing ... and then the legislative requirements that have come through from the province,” said Murdoch. “That's been pretty dominant in terms of our council year.”
In June, Oak Bay adopted bylaw amendments in response to provincial legislation, which, in part, forced the district to allow developers to raise three to four units on any lot previously restricted to single-detached or duplex use. This initiative was part of a drive to mitigate the housing crisis in B.C.
Housing will likely occupy a chunk of Oak Bay's time next year, too. According to Murdoch, the district plans to review its official community plan and the discussion around housing is one council has been "wanting to have with the community."
“That gives us a chance to look a bit more holistically about what our housing needs are, what kind of housing we want,” said the mayor. “Let's take this opportunity to do a real deep-dive look at other forms of housing and locations of potential housing for adding more multifamily and some higher density than just the fourplex model that the province did.”
Derelict boats will also be a 2025 council priority as the district plans to form a derelict boat task force, according to Murdoch.
“There’s a problem with boats that are either poorly anchored or moored, and so they wash ashore during storms and are a pollution risk or they sink,” he said.
Oak Bay has measures in place to deal with boats that wind up on its beaches, but the task force will help prevent vessels from washing ashore in the first place.
“We’re looking at ways that we can manage moorage to ensure that we're not getting them washed up on the shore,” he said. “If we don't get on the prevention side, then we're never going to get in front of this.”
Murdoch added that a task force will help mitigate jurisdictional challenges that arise when managing derelict boats.
“It's hard because the beach itself above the high-water mark is Oak Bay’s, but below the high-water mark it’s the province’s and the navigable waters are federal,” he said. “And so, it's hard to get all three parties together to come up with a solution. That's the rationale for a task force.”
The mayor is also looking forward to March 30, when the NHL will bring the Stanley Cup to Oak Bay to celebrate the storied history of a now-defunct Island hockey team.
One hundred years ago, the Victoria Cougars battled the Montreal Canadiens for the Stanley Cup – and won, becoming the last non-NHL team to win the prestigious trophy.
The Stanley Cup returned last year to the Inner Harbour for Scotiabank’s Hockey Day in Canada. The Victoria Hockey Legacy Society was formed to host the 2024 event, which generated almost $4 million in economic activity, according to the organization. It hopes the 2025 parade will help generate even more spending in the region.
The Oak Bay Recreation Centre turns 50 next year, and Murdoch said celebratory events will align with the Stanley Cup’s return.
With files from Mark Page and Samantha Duerksen
