Harry Corro

JOURNALIST

Politics, Policy & Governance

Victoria News •

Fire chief says Sidney is not sending unhoused to Victoria - Victoria News

Sidney Fire Chief Brett Mikkelsen says Sidney is not sending unhoused people to Victoria.  
Speaking at the council meeting on Monday (Nov. 25), Mikkelsen took the opportunity to put an end to circulating discussion that the town is contributing to overcrowding Victoria shelters. 
"We wouldn't be able to, and nobody from the local government of the town of Sidney is providing transportation." 
Mikkelsen explained that under the Assistance to Shelter Act (ASA), local police and the RCMP are the o...
Campbell River Mirror •

Wrecking ball looms for final tenant of Vancouver Island apartment - Campbell River Mirror

A demolition permit has been approved for the apartments located at 9972 Third St. in Sidney, marking a significant step forward for Highstreet Ventures' proposed redevelopment project.
The decision follows months of uncertainty and debate tied to zoning changes, tenant concerns and questions about the application of the town's Tenant Assistance Policy (TAP).
The site – home to the Charmay and Seacrest apartments – has been the subject of considerable discussion since Highstreet acquired it in O...
Ponoka News •

Elizabeth May slams decision to exclude Green Party from debates - Ponoka News

The Green Party says the debates commission might have misinterpreted its own rules regarding candidate nomination, potentially preventing Greens from participating in a series of debates on Wednesday, April 16 (in French)  and Thursday, April 17 (in English). 
On Wednesday morning, the Leaders' Debates Commission revoked its invitation to Green Party co-leader Jonathan Pedneault, citing the party's failure to meet the participation criteria.
The party claims the commission initially confirmed t...
Trail Times •

B.C. councillor challenging other leaders to dump U.S. social media platforms. - Trail Times

A municipal councillor on Vancouver Island is challenging Canadian leaders to prove their commitment to digital sovereignty by adopting alternative social media platforms like the Fediverse.
This comes in the wake of concerns over the Canadian government's stance on the digital services tax for U.S. tech giants.
Central Saanich Coun. Zeb King argues that a concrete step towards demonstrating true leadership would be for government officials to actively engage with the public through platforms th...
Victoria News •

Central Saanich short-term rentals locked in licensing fight for survival - Victoria News

Jana Zachariou usually starts her day by checking her phone for notifications on her Brentwood Bay short-term rental (STR) – a '60s retro-modern themed guest suite with a bedroom, two beds, bathroom, kitchen and living room.
Running the rental, which costs $120 per night on Airbnb, has been an adventure that has taken up a lot of her time. Managing the demands of her STR together with her husband Rob Irving, means she temporarily has put her full-time professional photography and creative work o...
Comox Valley Record •

Visitors to Sidney to start paying new hotel tax this summer - Comox Valley Record

Starting in August, hotel visitors in Sidney will be subject to a three per cent tax.
That's after the province approved a Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) or hotel tax on sales of short-term accommodation.
The decision, green-lighting the Sidney Business Improvement Area's (BIA) application, guarantees a dedicated and consistent funding stream for tourism marketing, destination development and enhanced visitor services.  
 
Set to be implemented on Aug. 1, the MRDT will levy a three p...
Kelowna Capital News •

B.C. Greens leader says platform espouses holistic approach to governance - Kelowna Capital News

A group of supporters with their placards smiled and waved at motorists near Juan De Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood early Tuesday morning, Oct. 1.
This was how B.C. Greens started the day, a prelude to the party's announcement of its 2024 platform as the second week of election campaign gets underway.
In a press conference held at Swans Hotel in downtown Victoria, Greens leader Sonia Furstenau unveiled her party's platform with a commitment to do things differently by putting people first.
Th...
Oak Bay News •

North Saanich at risk of missing housing target, minister warns - Oak Bay News

North Saanich is facing the possibility of failing to meet its first-year housing target, according to a letter from B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon.
The letter, dated May 7, raised concerns about the municipality's progress in achieving the province's mandated housing goals.
Kahlon's letter highlighted that North Saanich had only achieved six net-new housing units, representing a mere 10 per cent of the year-one target of 60 units.
This assessment was based on the housing targets progress rep...
Victoria News •

Breaking down barriers: Clinic for marginalized opens on Saanich Peninsula - Victoria News

The Saanich Peninsula Outreach Team (SPOT-SDELK) has launched a “much-needed” community health clinic at the Peninsula Health Unit, located on the grounds of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
After five years of planning and organizing involving various local stakeholders, the clinic officially begins its work on April 1 to help bridge a critical gap in health-care access for vulnerable populations within the region. 
It will focus on providing consistent and comprehensive care to patients facing...
Saanich News •

North Saanich pickleball saga faces February court date - Saanich News

The District of North Saanich will learn the fate of the highly contentious closure of Wain Park pickleball courts after a judicial review on Feb. 10, 2025.  
Following a motion made by Mayor Peter Jones at a late April council meeting, the four-court outdoor complex built in 2017 closed on May 7. 
According to Jones, the motion to permanently close the courts was largely due to noise complaints from neighbours who live within 200 feet of the courts on Birch Road. A week after the courts closed,...
Saanich News •

Divided council approves controversial Central Saanich housing project - Saanich News

After months of intense debate and two marathon public hearings, Central Saanich council has approved an amendment to the official community plan (OCP), paving the way for a controversial rental building project on 1934 Hovey Rd.
The decision, made on Monday night (July 14) in a packed council chamber, allows for the development of two purpose-built rental buildings on the site, more than four months after council gave the application its first three readings on March 10.
It has ignited both cel...
Victoria News •

VIDEO: New Highway 17 flyover to Keating Cross Road opens July 28 - Victoria News

Drivers on Highway 17 can look forward to improved commutes starting Monday, July 28, with the opening of the new northbound flyover on Patricia Bay Highway connecting to Keating Cross Road.
On Friday, July 25, MLA for Saanich South, Lana Popham, alongside Tsawout Chief Abraham Pelkey and Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor, officially announced the opening of the flyover designed to alleviate congestion and enhance safety.
The $76.8 million Highway 17/Keating Cross overpass project represents a...