Author: James Porter

Just minutes from the city, a $10 million Oak Bay oceanfront mansion offers the perfect mix of privacy, luxury, and scenic beauty. Nestled on a prestigious cul-de-sac in the Uplands neighbourhood, this Tudor-style home sits on more than half an acre with over 200 feet of private shoreline. “This property is all about privacy and location, location, location,” says listing agent Jason Binab. “It has rare south-facing exposure with all-day sun and shaded areas, thanks to mature trees and beautiful landscaping.” Built in 1980 by noted Victoria architect Pamela Charlesworth, the home underwent major renovations in 1999 and the early…

Oak Bay Avenue may soon lose several local businesses as rent increases threaten their survival. Timeless Toys, a popular toy store in the Bell Block Building, is among the shops affected. The building, home to multiple locally owned stores, was recently sold to Vancouver-based Edgar Development and Upfield Capital Management. In early September, business owners received notices informing them of a 59 percent rent increase. Business owners say they are shocked and unsure how to respond. “These have been our locations for ten years. The landlord is not willing to negotiate,” said one shop owner. Hide and Seek Coffee, located…

Bowker Creek in Oak Bay is showing significant recovery following a diesel spill in early July. Amica Jubilee House, responsible for the leak, reports that recent water tests indicate major improvements. “The one-month surface-water samples collected in the creek showed great improvement in water chemistry compared to results after the spill,” a spokesperson said. The incident occurred when diesel from a rooftop generator flowed into the urban waterway. Amica quickly took responsibility and brought in Thurber Engineering, Nucor Environmental Services, and 30 Forensic Engineering to lead the cleanup and remediation process. Initially, the District of Oak Bay and the City…

Recent concerns about development and densification in Oak Bay have raised questions about the role of local authorities in neighborhood planning. Many residents are troubled by the rapid changes in their communities, especially with new multi-unit buildings replacing older homes. A letter from Rick Lee recently highlighted the impact of these developments, but it missed a key point: the responsibility lies squarely with Oak Bay itself. While some officials quickly blame the province or Premier Eby, the truth is that the province does not set rules for building size or design in the area. These decisions fall entirely within the…

Oak Bay residents are voicing strong concerns about the impact of new housing projects in their community. Many say densification is changing the character of their neighbourhoods and creating new challenges for people who thought they had found a quiet and stable place to live. The rise of multi-unit housing developments, often in the form of three-storey townhouses, has left many feeling uneasy about the future. While these projects are intended to address the housing shortage, residents argue they also bring problems such as blocked sunlight, crowded parking, and pressure on aging infrastructure. A clear example is found on St.…

A man has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and breaking-and-entering in connection with a machete attack in Oak Bay that took place eight years ago. Kaspar Handspiker, 32, admitted responsibility for the April 25, 2017 incident when he broke into a home on the 2500 block of Willows Beach Esplanade. The resident, Nermeen Alireza, was asleep when she was woken by sounds in her kitchen. Handspiker had picked up her purse, prompting Alireza to confront him. During a struggle over the purse, Handspiker struck Alireza multiple times with a machete. Her arm and hand sustained serious injuries that required surgery.…

Christian Brand from Vancouver is the first winner of the 2025 Proudly Canadian Contest hosted by Black Press Media and West Coast Traveller. He won the early bird prize, a package valued at $1,500 from the BC Lions. The prize includes two season tickets for the remainder of the 2025 season, two BC Lions jerseys, and a $100 food and beverage voucher to enjoy during the games. This prize is just the start, as six more packages remain to be won, inviting Canadians to “Celebrate Canada, Celebrate You.” The contest runs until December 14, offering a variety of exciting prizes…

Oak Bay has launched a new survey to improve how the district connects with its residents. The goal is to gather ideas, priorities, and views from the community to shape the future of public engagement. On July 22, the district introduced a questionnaire aimed at collecting input that will help create a public engagement framework. This draft document is expected to be finished by fall. It will guide local staff and council on when, how, and why they should reach out to residents for feedback on important decisions, projects, and priorities. The survey asks residents about the topics they care…

Oak Bay will come alive with music and art this August as 16-year-old folk singer Malakai performs a free outdoor concert in Estevan Village. The event takes place on Sunday, August 17, from 1 to 2 p.m. and is open to everyone. Malakai, a rising star from Quw’utsun territory, brings his heartfelt music to the stage with a special pop-up performance in the heart of the village. Malakai recently returned from Montreal, where he performed at four private showcases during the Folk Alliance International Conference. This major event is known for featuring new talent from around the world. Malakai’s showcases…

Oak Bay’s crime severity index (CSI) has dropped to its lowest point in five years, signaling a shift after two consecutive years of increase. In 2024, the municipality recorded a CSI of 23.63, representing a 22.95% decrease from the previous year. The CSI, developed by Statistics Canada, gives a clearer picture of public safety by accounting for both the number and seriousness of crimes reported to police. Unlike the traditional crime rate, which only tracks incidents per 100,000 residents, the CSI weighs the severity of each offense, giving greater weight to violent crimes. Oak Bay saw its highest CSI in…