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 cityB次元官网网址檚 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 B次元官网网址� for example, the Social Policy, Equity and Accessibility Grant that has yet to launch and the Victoria Music Strategy B次元官网网址� 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 cityB次元官网网址檚 initiatives and events grant program B次元官网网址� which meant no impact on this yearB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淲e want to maintain every investment possible in our downtown which is very desperate right now,B次元官网网址� Dell said.

While the motion to hold the cityB次元官网网址檚 portion to four per cent passed, not all could support it with Hammond, Kim and Coun. Marg Gardiner opposed.

B次元官网网址淭he city is still spending beyond what our taxpayers can afford,B次元官网网址� Gardiner said.

B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 support this, it does not support those who cannot afford to be here,B次元官网网址� Kim said. B次元官网网址淚 will keep going to bat for those who pour our coffee, and canB次元官网网址檛 start their families, and like myself take on credit card debt from unethical corporations to feed ourselves and continue to live here.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淚 will support this because it gets us to the next stage,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e need to sharpen our pencils.B次元官网网址�