Link to letter on the Times Colonist website
In Victoria these days, who is being played?
Since taking office, Mayor Marianna Alto and councillors Jeremy Caradonna, Matt Dell, Susan Kim, Krista Loughton, and Dave Thompson have approved nearly every development proposal, including those rejected by city staff and those that strip away affordable housing while offering minimal community benefits.
This is not surprising, given their endorsement by Homes for Living, a group that appears more like a developer lobby than an organization concerned about the housing needs of Victorians.
A recent example is the Admiral Inn development, which will replace 35 affordable homes with expensive condos. Despite expressing skepticism, such as Caradonna’s remark, “I dislike everything about this project—I think the city has gotten played,” these councillors still voted to move it forward.
Their unwavering support for developers comes with little accountability. Another example is 902 Foul Bay by Aryze, initially pitched as a B.C. Housing “affordable housing” project, it morphed into costly market townhouses lacking essential amenities.
Although Alto expressed disappointment at the changes and vowed that further modifications would not be approved, more changes were ultimately sanctioned.
When the developer claimed he could no longer afford the promised affordable housing and green features, no councillors questioned it or asked to see the financials.
Clearly, developers feel no pressure to fulfill their promises or create projects that benefit the community, as they know they will not be held accountable.
If anyone is being “played,” it’s the citizens of Victoria. In the next election, Victorians should aim to reclaim their city from the overpowering influence of the developer industry and vote out councillors who prioritize developers over community needs.
—Adella James, Victoria