Town of View Royal - Annual Report 2025 (Narrative Sections)

ENGINEERING & PARKS (CON’T)

• The Town continued participating in regional wildlife attractant mitigation initiatives through collaboration with the Capital Regional District Working Group on limiting bear attractants. In addition, the Bear Safe Bin Pilot Program in the Riverside Drive neighbourhood was completed, supporting efforts to reduce negative wildlife interactions related to waste handling practices.
• Upgrades to the Knollwood Park playground were completed in early 2025, including the installation of new playground equipment and an additional embankment slide. Playground surfacing and fencing improvements were also completed as part of the project.
• The Town continued environmental restoration and stewardship efforts throughout its parks system in partnership with community organizations and regional agencies. Following completion of the salt marsh restoration project in View Royal Park in 2024, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans conducted a site visit in February with Town staff and the Peninsula Streams Society and expressed satisfaction with the completed works. As a result, discussions continued regarding future habitat restoration opportunities and potential funding partnerships within View Royal Park.
• The Town continued collaborating with the Capital Regional District Regional Canada Goose Management Working Group to address ongoing impacts associated with seasonal Canada Goose activity at Helmcken Centennial Park, including turf damage and increased maintenance requirements.

ENGINEERING & PARKS (CON’T)

• Volunteer environmental stewardship initiatives continued throughout 2025 through partnerships with the Greater Victoria Green Team and the Town’s Parks Habitat Restoration Project Volunteers group. In June, the Greater Victoria Green Team hosted two restoration events in View Royal. Students from Shoreline Community School participated in an invasive species removal event that restored approximately 82.5 square metres of forested area through the removal of invasive English ivy. A separate community volunteer event at Knockan Hill Park resulted in the removal of approximately 18 cubic metres of invasive periwinkle and Himalayan blackberry, supporting ecosystem health and habitat restoration.
• The Town’s Habitat Restoration Volunteer Group also continued to host regular weekend restoration events throughout the year at parks and natural areas including Nursery Hill Park, Game Nature Park, Edwards Park, Watkiss Way Park, Burnside Watkiss Park, and the Stoneridge Wetland. These ongoing efforts supported invasive species removal, habitat enhancement, and environmental stewardship across the community.

View Royal Parks Habitat Restoration Project Volunteers at Edwards Park

FINANCE & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The Finance Department provides the systems, tools, processes, and personnel to plan, record, and report View Royal’s financial position and operations. This department is instrumental in preparing the annual five year financial plan, financial statements, tax and utility billings, and in ensuring suppliers and employees are paid accurately and on time. The information technology function is responsible for the maintenance and security of electronic information systems and the delivery of technology-enabled projects, including expanding online and electronic billing services.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Information technology upgrades continued throughout 2025, including enhancements to the Town’s Thrive on-site and cloud backup systems and the implementation of new hardware infrastructure. Updates and security patches were also completed for the Town’s Vadim enterprise resource planning system. In addition, IT staff supported implementation of the Town’s new online public engagement platform, Engage View Royal.
• Staff issued 4,373 property tax notices in 2025, an increase from 4,340 notices in 2024. Of these, 338 notices were delivered electronically to residents enrolled in the electronic property tax notice program. Staff continued to support residents through the homeowner grant and property tax deferment processes administered by the Province, with comprehensive online and print communications helping to maintain manageable inquiry volumes throughout the tax season.
• A new Deputy Director of Finance and a Senior Accountant/Financial Analyst were selected in July. Existing staff maintained service levels during a period of staffing vacancies and increased workload demands during the first half of the year.
• Finance staff coordinated the review process for permissive tax exemption applications for eligible properties with expiring exemptions. Following public notification and Council consideration, a bylaw was adopted extending permissive tax exemptions for eligible properties through the 2026 to 2035 assessment years.
• Throughout 2025 the Town continued its focus on strict cyber security through increased controls and increased staff training.
• The audit team from MNP completed the Town’s 2025 interim audit remotely in late November. Staff utilized existing digital collaboration tools, including SharePoint, to efficiently coordinate and respond to audit requests throughout the process.

DEPARTMENT QUICK STATS:

[Photo: Craigflower Manor]

PROTECTIVE SERVICES

The Protective Services Department includes the View Royal Fire Department (VRFD) which is a composite paid and volunteer fire department responsible for fire suppression, fire inspections, and related training and education. It also encompasses policing provided under contract with the RCMP through the West Shore detachment, emergency planning and preparedness, and bylaw compliance.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• In early 2025, View Royal Fire Rescue completed a paid-on-call recruitment competition welcoming five new recruits and bringing the department’s paid-on-call ranks to full capacity. In February, the department also welcomed Assistant Fire Chief Kris Malinosky, who returned to View Royal after serving with the Oak Bay Fire Department. Assistant Chief Malinosky originally began his firefighting career with View Royal Fire Rescue in 1997.
• The Bylaw Department welcomed a new Bylaw Enforcement Officer in May. Parking and noise complaints remained the most common enforcement issues, alongside ongoing management of homeless encampments located on municipal and partner agency properties.
• Firefighters from across Greater Victoria, including View Royal Fire Rescue, contributed to a regional fundraising initiative supporting neonatal care at Victoria General Hospital. A combined $37,000 donation helped fund the purchase of a specialized Giraffe OmniBed Carestation for the neonatal intensive care unit, supporting premature and critically ill newborns.
• In June, the Fire Department hosted its annual Open House, welcoming more than 1,000 visitors to the fire station for demonstrations, education, and community activities.
• Modernization and operational improvement initiatives continued throughout 2025. New software was implemented to streamline scheduling, payroll administration, training records, and equipment tracking. In addition, work continued on updates to the Fire and Life Safety Bylaw to align with the Province’s Fire Safety Act.
• Policy development and operational guideline updates continued throughout the year in response to evolving legislative and training requirements. A soft launch of updated Job Performance Requirements for paid-on-call firefighters was introduced in September, with full implementation scheduled for 2026. The updated requirements reflected increasing training and skill maintenance standards within the fire service.
• A new replacement fire engine was received in October, replacing an aging first-due apparatus that had originally been ordered in 2022. The new engine enhanced frontline emergency response capabilities and was prepared for operational service later in the year.
• View Royal Fire Rescue recorded a historic high in emergency response activity during 2025, responding to 1,340 calls for service throughout the year. The department also continued to work collaboratively with neighbouring fire departments through regional mutual aid responses.

DEPARTMENT QUICK STATS:

2025 MUNICIPAL GOALS & OBJECTIVES

[Photo: Helmcken Road at Pheasant Lane]

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - ENHANCE LIVABILITY

GOALS:

1. Shift primary transport mode within View Royal away from vehicles to walking, cycling and transit
2. Improve accessibility options
3. Access to a broad range of housing options to meet the needs of various ages, family types and incomes
4. Ensure proximity to services
5. Build strong relationships and engagement through community events and celebrations
6. Sufficient and appropriate parks and open space
7. Heritage protection

[Photo: Admirals Walk]

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - ENHANCE LIVABILITY (CON’T)

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

GOALS:

1. Managed growth
2. Increase skilled employment
3. Business retention/attraction
4. Strategic investment in public realm

New development at Erskin Lane

[Photo: West Park Non-Market Housing]

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - CLIMATE ACTION & ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

GOALS:

1. Respond to the declared climate action emergency by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our community
2. Support climate change mitigation and adaptation measures with an emphasis on transportation systems and energy efficient buildings
3. Support community preparation for climate change impacts with respect to sea level rise, storm surge, forest fires, and other extreme weather events

[Photo: Community Garden at View Royal Park]

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY & SERVICE EXCELLENCE

GOALS:

1. Confidence in the fiscal health and financial sustainability of the Town
2. Diversified revenue base
3. Anticipate property tax and user fee increases
4. Citizen satisfaction with services and value

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY & SERVICE EXCELLENCE (CON’T)

[Photo: Eagle Creek Village]

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & GOOD GOVERNANCE

GOALS:

1. Strong and active citizen participation in community engagement in Town of View Royal meetings, open houses, survey, budget development
2. Strong constructive relationships with neighbouring municipalities, Songhees Nation, and Esquimalt Nation in the CRD
3. Respectful, constructive Council relationships

[Photo: Island Rail Corridor Reconciliation Corridor Agreement Signing]

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - HEALTH, SAFETY & SECURITY

GOALS:

1. A real and perceived safe community
2. Prepared for emergencies

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - HEALTH, SAFETY & SECURITY (CON’T)

[Photo: FireSmart booth at the View Royal Fire Pumpkin Smash]

LOOKING AHEAD

[Photo: View Royal Town Hall]

ENHANCE LIVABILITY

Citizens told us they want to:

• Be able to move around the community efficiently;
• Have a range of housing options close to services;
• Participate in community events and have a sense of belonging;
• Celebrate View Royal’s unique history.

[Photo: Knockan Hill Park]

[Photo: Skyview Development along Island Highway]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Citizens told us they want:

• Controlled growth;
• Implications of growth considered.

CLIMATE ACTION & ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Citizens told us they want to:

• Focus on community action around climate change.

[Photo: Town Hall Front Entrance]

[Photo: Admirals Walk]

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY & SERVICE EXCELLENCE

Citizens told us they want to:

• Receive good value for tax dollars;
• Fund the continuation of current service levels through taxation;
• Fund future large projects through putting aside funds annually.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & GOOD GOVERNANCE

Citizens told us they want:

• Transparency in decision-making;
• Respectful meetings.

[Photo: Volunteer Appreciation Lunch]

HEALTH, SAFETY & SECURITY

Citizens told us they want to:

• Live and work in a safe community prepared for emergencies.

[Photo: View Royal Public Safety Building]

[Photo: Pheasant Lane]