310 replies to this topic

[Nparker]

To be fair, the CoV didn't create the Province's WFH policy, which is the largest factor in the exodus of workers from the city.

[Mike K.]

Why is it only impacting downtown Victoria offices, this trend for workers not to want to be at work?

You don’t hear about workers not wanting to work in Langford offices. Or in Sidney offices. Where is the WFH problem in Saanich or in Esquimalt? Everyone else manages to figure out, except the province, which has now said it’s ok to WFH, and that it can’t find local workers to work, period.

[Nparker]

Because most people NEVER worked in those areas. The majority of the offices have always been in downtown Victoria.

[Mike K.]

There are no offices at CFB Esquimalt?

Or in Saanich? Or on the West Shore?

[On the Level]

There are no offices at CFB Esquimalt?

Or in Saanich? Or on the West Shore?

 

For Provincial workers, there are 20,000 that have traditionally worked out of downtown office space no?  Other than some small moves, the province did not allow head office staff to work outside of Victoria, (not even in other areas of the CRD).  

[Mike K.]

Yes, but I’m talking about the rest of the office workforce, that is either back at the office, or there’s a hybrid model that’s in effect.

But only the province is pushing for WFH, due to staffing issues. And only the province has its workforce concentrated in the downtown core. Is there a correlation there?

[Victoria Watcher]

The mayor admits traffic congestion will become an issue once the site is eventually built out.

 

Land has been set aside at Beachlands for a ferry terminal for a proposed commuter route from Royal Beach to downtown Victoria. But how long that land will be reserved depends on the results of a provincial government feasibility study on whether a commuter ferry will be cost-effective.

 

Details of that study are still being worked out, said Stovell, adding the companies are only obliged to keep the land free “in case they run a ferry” for a couple of years.

 

Stovell said it would be up to B.C. Ferries to buy or lease the property, but “at this point, it looks like a bit of a long shot.”

 

“I think B.C. Ferries has other issues to deal with,” said Stovell. “Also, some of the initial feasibility work that was done I believe concluded that several times during the year they wouldn’t be able to run a ferry.”

 

https://www.timescol...lopment-8297591

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 12 February 2024 - 07:49 PM.

[Nparker]

...I think B.C. Ferries has other issues to deal with, said Stovell. Also, some of the initial feasibility work that was done I believe concluded that several times during the year they wouldn’t be able to run a ferry...

Sounds like the perfect fit for BC ferries then.

[Victoria Watcher]

Sanity has prevailed, this ferry was supported just by the former mayor.

[max.bravo]

It’s gotta be one of the dumbest make-work ideas ever floated.

The cost to move a person via purpose-built steel ship in salt water vs. in a car or bus using an existing highway is not even in the same ballpark.

[Mike K.]

3x the distance of the SeaBus, plus a couple of clicks in the Harbour limited to 5knots (I think it is?).