Town of View Royal Annual Report - Year Ended December 31, 2025

CONTENTS

• INTRODUCTION - 2
• MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR - 3
• COMMUNITY PROFILE - 4
• SUMMARY OF SERVICES & OPERATIONS - 7
• MAYOR & COUNCIL - 9
• ORGANIZATIONAL CHART - 11
• VISION - 12
• MISSION, VALUES & ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE - 13
• STRATEGIC PLAN - 14
• 2025 MUNICIPAL HIGHLIGHTS - 15
  • ADMINISTRATION - 16
  • DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - 19
  • ENGINEERING & PARKS - 22
  • FINANCE & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - 26
  • PROTECTIVE SERVICES - 28
• 2025 MUNICIPAL GOALS & OBJECTIVES - 29
• LOOKING AHEAD - 41
• FINANCIAL INFORMATION - 49

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INTRODUCTION

Eagle Creek Village

The 2025 Annual Report highlights the Town of View Royal’s services, operations, objectives, and measures to determine progress towards those objectives. It also includes audited financial statements and other financial information for 2025.

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MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

Dear Neighbours of View Royal,

It is my privilege to present the Town of View Royal’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2025.

This past year saw important progress on infrastructure, transportation, community planning, and regional partnerships that will help shape the future of our community. Major milestones included completion of the Six Mile Road roundabout, continued advancement of the Atkins Road Sidewalk Project, and significant work toward renewal of the Official Community Plan with valuable input from residents and stakeholders.

The Town also continued advancing the Reconciliation Corridor Initiative alongside First Nations and regional partners to help restore rail service between downtown Victoria and Langford through a reconciliation-focused approach.

Access to healthcare became an increasing priority as negotiations began with prospective partners to establish a new clinic in View Royal focused on connecting unattached residents to longitudinal primary care services.

Council also remained focused on financial sustainability, environmental stewardship, public safety, and maintaining the high-quality services residents expect.

Although our model for Fire Service was founded on volunteers, it is clear that it has become increasingly unsustainable. The transition from a composite to a career firehall represents one of the most important service improvements currently underway and will be a major investment in public safety for our community.

I would like to sincerely thank Council, staff, volunteers, and residents for their continued dedication to View Royal. Together, we continue to build a stronger, more connected, and more resilient community.

Sincerely,

Sid Tobias Mayor

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COMMUNITY PROFILE

The Town of View Royal is located on southern Vancouver Island, approximately six kilometers west of Victoria, British Columbia. On December 5, 1988 – with a population of less than 5,000 – the Town of View Royal was incorporated and became its own distinct municipality comprising approximately 2,500 hectares of land. The municipality encompasses McKenzie, Pike, Prior and Thetis Lakes and portions of Esquimalt Harbour and Portage Inlet and is situated adjacent to the established jurisdictions of the City of Colwood, Township of Esquimalt, Esquimalt First Nation, District of Highlands, City of Langford, District of Saanich and Songhees First Nation.

The Town of View Royal acknowledges with respect that it is within the unceded traditional territories of the Lekwungen peoples, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, and that their historic connections to these lands continue to this day.

STATISTICS

• 12,539 POPULATION*
• 14.57KM² LAND AREA
• 5,315 HOUSEHOLDS*
• 72 MUNICIPAL PARKS & 2 REGIONAL PARKS
• 30.5KM BIKE LANES
• 27.3KM TRAILS

*as per 2025 BC Stats Estimate

Watkiss Way outside Eagle Creek Village

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PRECINCTS

View Royal is divided into eight distinct precincts based on such factors as topography, major transportation corridors, natural environment and the age of housing stock.

POPULATION GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

The Town has experienced significant growth and development while still maintaining much of its small town character. The Town has 230ha of remaining residential-zoned land within the Urban Containment Boundary available for development.

Census Data

• 1991: 5,925
• 1996: 6,441
• 2001: 7,271
• 2006: 8,768
• 2011: 9,381
• 2016: 10,408
• 2021: 11,575
• 2025: 12,539*

*as per 2025 BC Stats Estimate

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E&N Rail Trail Overpass

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SUMMARY OF SERVICES & OPERATIONS

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL SERVICES

The Town of View Royal is responsible for the provision of a wide variety of local services and programs. These include:

• Transportation network (e.g. roads, bridges, street cleaning, sidewalks)*
• Stormwater management
• Garbage/household food waste collection
• Sanitary sewer collection system
• Parks, recreation and cultural facilities
• West Shore Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
• Fire protection and inspection
• Emergency preparedness planning
• Land use planning
• Building permits
• Business licensing
• Bylaw establishment and enforcement
• Economic development
• Heritage and revitalization
• First responder/rescue

*excludes Admirals Road, Six Mile Road and the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1) which are controlled by the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure.

TOWN SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT

• Animal control
• Wastewater treatment
• Water supply
• Recycling & Blue Box Program

Garbage & Household Food Waste Collection

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TOWN SERVICES PROVIDED BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

• School system (Provincial Government and Local School Boards)
• Social and health programs (Provincial Government)
• Hospital care system (Provincial Government)
• Real property assessments (B.C. Assessment)
• Library collection and distribution system (Greater Victoria Public Library; the Town is a part owner of the Downtown Branch)
• Planning and the management of public transit (Victoria Regional Transit System)
• West Shore Parks & Recreation

Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre

Victoria General Hospital

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MAYOR & COUNCIL

The Town of View Royal is governed by an elected mayor and six councillors for a four-year term (2023-2026). Each member of Council is also appointed to serve on various Town and Regional committees. Council meets regularly and the public is welcome to attend any open meeting or provide feedback in writing via mail or email.

Mayor Sid Tobias

* Committee of the Whole - Finance & Administration Portfolio * CRD Board/Committee of the Whole * CRD Housing Trust Fund Commission * CRD Environmental Services Committee * CRD Core Area Liquid Waste Management Committee * CRD Regional Parks Committee * Capital Regional Hospital District Board * Capital Region Housing Corporation Board * Police Building Liaison Committee * West Shore Parks and Recreation Owners * South Island Reconciliation Advisory Committee * Westshore Chamber of Commerce * Westshore Community Policing Advisory Committee

Councillor Don Brown

* Committee of the Whole - Protective Services & Youth Portfolio * Capital Region Emergency Service Telecommunications Inc. (CREST) * Municipal Insurance Association * South Island Prosperity Association * Victoria Family Court & Youth Justice Committee

Councillor Damian Kowalewich

* Committee of the Whole - Engagement Portfolio * Joint School District / Municipal Committee

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Councillor Gery Lemon

* Committee of the Whole - Arts & Library Portfolio * CRD Arts Commission * Greater Victoria Public Library * Westshore Arts & Culture Centre Intermunicipal Advisory Ad Hoc Committee

Councillor Alison MacKenzie

* Committee of the Whole - Environment, Parks & Recreation Portfolio * CRD Climate Action Inter-municipal Task Force * Parents’ Advisory Committee * Westshore Parks & Recreation Board

Councillor Ron Mattson

* Committee of the Whole - Planning & Development Portfolio * Colquitz/Gorge Watershed Special Management Area Initiative * Esquimalt Harbour Advisory Committee

Councillor John Rogers

• Committee of the Whole - Public Works & Transportation Portfolio
• CRD Regional Water Supply Commission
• Destination Greater Victoria Transportation & Destination Management Committee
• Juan de Fuca Water Distribution Commission

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Town of View Royal Organizational Chart

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VISION

View Royal is a dynamic and inclusive community that manages growth, while retaining the charm of its traditional neighbourhoods. It is home and workplace to people from all walks of life. Its neighbourhoods are attractive, affordable, walkable and safe. Each neighbourhood has an identifiable character and is connected to nearby centres – and a recognizable central community gathering place – through greenspace corridors and pedestrian/cyclist-friendly streets. Some centres are parks for families to gather and youth to play sports. Other centres are bustling, mixed-use places with a range of services, amenities, businesses and housing.

View Royal recognizes the impacts of climate change, and is responding by actively promoting energy-efficient, sustainable development, and environmental protection. Well-designed compact housing ensures choice, affordability and better use of land. Infill and redevelopment near neighbourhood centres and transit corridors provides jobs and services closer to where people live – minimizing the need for commuting, and creating pedestrian-friendly streets and destinations.

The local economy is diversified and strong, providing employment, shopping and service options to local and regional residents. Heritage tourism and eco-tourism are promoted as sustainable ways to stimulate the economy and showcase View Royal’s environmental and cultural assets.

Viable alternatives to vehicle travel will be put in place to get around Town safely by foot, bike, bus, etc. Train, light rail and other forms of future rapid transit are supported by development that facilitates ridership and walkability.

The Town is endowed with unique natural environments – Thetis Lake Park, Millstream Creek, Craigflower Creek, Esquimalt Harbour and Portage Inlet. The integrity and beauty of these natural amenities are protected and enhanced, while public access to recreation and natural areas is improved. The Town’s vast recreation assets are well promoted and integrated into the community. Environmental stewardship and better use of resources are pursued, such as alternative energy generation and enhanced waste management.

Livable View Royal – simply the best place to call home.

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MISSION, VALUES & ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE

MISSION

View Royal is committed to building a resilient, safe, healthy, and vibrant community that provides services and good governance while maintaining Town assets and fostering economic, environmental, and social wellbeing.

VALUES

The Town of View Royal pursues good community through a corporate culture that is:

• Accountable
• Respectful
• Ethical
• Open and transparent
• Collaborative
• Innovative
• Proactive
• Inclusive
• Efficient
• Effective

ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE

The Town of View Royal is committed to providing the best possible local government for our residents and business community. This commitment drives constant improvement, with particular emphasis on:

• providing strong, strategic policy-based governance;
• demonstrating collaborative leadership and effective shared decision-making within the community, with our regional partners, including First Nations;
• nurturing productive working relationships at the legislative and executive level;
• pursuing excellence founded on core values, approved plans, policies and our commitment to innovation;
• decision-making processes to be transparent and responsive;
• integrating strategic planning, business planning, budgeting and performance management systems;
• embracing evidence-based best practices for professionalism;
• enhancing customer service and related communications capacity; and
• positioning sustainability as the foundation of our municipal culture.

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STRATEGIC PLAN

We’re working together to make View Royal better everyday by focusing on what matters to our community, constantly improving how we do business, and planning for the future to build a strong, healthy, and thriving town.

The Strategic Plan reflects what we heard from residents about their priorities and what they want the Town to achieve on their behalf. It outlines the key focus areas that guide our work, helping us prioritize efforts and resources while setting clear goals, measures, targets, and timelines for implementation.

Six strategic priorities were identified for 2023 - 2026:

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2025 MUNICIPAL HIGHLIGHTS

View Royal Welcome Sign

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ADMINISTRATION

Administration provides operational support through customer service, meeting management, communications, web and social media, archives and records management, information and privacy compliance, legal and risk management, and elections administration. This division plays a key role in strategic planning and community engagement.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• In January, the Town launched Engage View Royal, a new online engagement and communications platform powered by Social PinPoint, designed to enhance community participation and create more opportunities for residents to provide feedback on Town projects, policies, and initiatives. During its first year, Engage View Royal recorded 6,674 visits from 4,186 users and attracted 216 followers.
• A community representative was appointed to the Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee for a two-year term.
• The Town expanded its social media presence in 2025 through the launch of official BlueSky and Instagram accounts. At the same time, the Town discontinued posting on X (formerly Twitter) effective January 31.
• Staff applied for and received a $25,000 Local Community Accessibility Grant from the Social Planning and Research Council of British Columbia.
• Improvements were completed in the Town Archives to create a more functional and accessible workspace, including an ergonomic staff workstation and a new display wall.
• The Chief Administrative Officer worked collaboratively with South Island municipalities to address concerns related to the downloading of 911 service costs from the Provincial and Federal governments.
• In early June, the Town’s Electronic Records and Information Management Solution project (M365 Project) was awarded to Elantis Solutions Inc., advancing the transition to a collaborative Microsoft 365 cloud environment.

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ADMINISTRATION (CON’T)

Canada Day at Craigflower Manor

• Canada Day was celebrated at the Craigflower Manor site through a community event co-hosted by the Town of View Royal and the Victoria Highland Games Association.
• Council adopted an amendment to the Town’s Procedure Bylaw in July, changing the start time of Council and Committee of the Whole meetings from 7:00pm to 6:00pm and introducing a formal Consent Agenda process.
• Select archival materials were digitized, including a 1938 View Royal Ratepayers’ Association Minute Book and historical business receipts.
• The Town relaunched its monthly e-newsletter in 2025 under a new design and brand titled Inside View Royal.

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ADMINISTRATION (CON’T)

• The Town hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation event in September, celebrating approximately 60 volunteers.
• On October 17, the Town launched a year-long civic participation campaign aimed at encouraging greater involvement in the 2026 Local General Election.
• The Town continued to support community-building events including the Halloween Spooktacular, Light Up View Royal, and Best in Bloom contests.
• View Royal Council authorized the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer to explore participation in a coordinated judicial review related to recent provincial housing legislation.
• The Town participated in a regional partnership with the Lekwungen Nations and local governments to explore passenger rail service opportunities within the Island Rail Corridor.
• December saw long-service recognition for four employees with 85 years of combined service to the Town.

Helmcken Centennial Park

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DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

Development Services provides the current and future land use, planning, and zoning work for View Royal and is responsible for the Official Community Plan (OCP) that guides future growth.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• In January, the Town formally launched View Royal 2050, the review and update of the Official Community Plan (OCP).
  • Staff undertook five major engagement touchpoints focused on visioning, community growth, the Western Gateway corridor, and policy review.
  • Staff initiated engagement with the Kosapsum and Songhees First Nations, presenting to the Songhees Chief and Council in June.
  • On December 2, 2025, Council adopted Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 811, 2011, Amendment Bylaw No. 1156, 2025.
• In February 2025, Council adopted an updated Sustainability Checklist, applied to rezoning and development permit applications.

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DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (CON’T)

• The Town continued its collaboration on the Gorge Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy. In September 2025, over 70 stakeholders attended a workshop to identify priorities related to sea level rise and coastal flooding.

The Royale - Island Highway

3yr Comparison of Issued Dwelling Units by Type

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Beaumont Shoreline Access

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ENGINEERING & PARKS

The Engineering & Parks Department is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and capital project delivery for View Royal’s Engineering and Parks assets.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Town secured up to $500,000 in provincial grant funding for the Atkins Road Sidewalk Extension project.
• A new traffic signal at the intersection of Island Highway and Atkins Road was completed and activated.
• The Island Highway Sidewalk Upgrade project near Howie’s Car Corral was completed.
• The Town completed asphalt pavement repairs on major roads and renewed painted road markings.
• A new bus shelter was installed on Six Mile Road south of Chilco Road.
• Work continued on the Six Mile Road Improvements Program, Helmcken Road and Watkiss Way Intersection Improvements, and the Drainage Master Plan.
• Public engagement and detailed design work were completed for the future Watkiss Community Park.

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ENGINEERING & PARKS (CON’T)

Helmcken Road outside View Royal Elementary School

• In October, the Town initiated a year-long process to update the Transportation Master Plan.
• Accessibility improvements at Town Hall progressed, including upgrades to the front entrance doors.
• A draft Urban Forest Strategy was prepared for public engagement and feedback.
• The Town purchased two electric vehicles for the Engineering and Parks Departments.
• The Resident Tree Planting Program continued, with a total of 74 trees distributed to residents.

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ENGINEERING & PARKS (CON’T)

View Royal Park

• The Town continued participating in regional wildlife attractant mitigation initiatives. The Bear Safe Bin Pilot Program in the Riverside Drive neighbourhood was completed.
• Upgrades to the Knollwood Park playground were completed in early 2025.
• Environmental restoration efforts included a salt marsh restoration project site visit by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in February.
• The Town continued collaborating with the Capital Regional District on Canada Goose management at Helmcken Centennial Park.

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ENGINEERING & PARKS (CON’T)

• Volunteer initiatives continued with the Greater Victoria Green Team and the Town’s Parks Habitat Restoration Project Volunteers. In June, students from Shoreline Community School removed invasive English ivy, restoring approximately 82.5 square metres.
• The Habitat Restoration Volunteer Group hosted regular events at parks including Nursery Hill Park, Game Nature Park, Edwards Park, Watkiss Way Park, Burnside Watkiss Park, and the Stoneridge Wetland.

View Royal Parks Habitat Restoration Project Volunteers at Edwards Park

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FINANCE & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The Finance Department provides systems and processes to plan, record, and report View Royal’s financial position and operations.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Information technology upgrades included enhancements to the Thrive backup systems and implementation of new hardware infrastructure.
• Staff issued 4,373 property tax notices in 2025, up from 4,340 in 2024. 338 notices were delivered electronically.
• A new Deputy Director of Finance and a Senior Accountant/Financial Analyst were selected in July.
• Finance staff coordinated permissive tax exemption applications, extending exemptions for eligible properties through 2035.
• The Town continued its focus on strict cyber security through increased controls and staff training.
• The audit team from MNP completed the Town’s 2025 interim audit remotely in late November.

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Craigflower Manor

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PROTECTIVE SERVICES

The Protective Services Department includes the View Royal Fire Department (VRFD), policing through the RCMP West Shore detachment, emergency planning, and bylaw compliance.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• In early 2025, View Royal Fire Rescue welcomed five new recruits. In February, Assistant Fire Chief Kris Malinosky returned to the department.
• The Bylaw Department welcomed a new Bylaw Enforcement Officer in May. Parking and noise complaints remained the most common issues.
• Firefighters contributed to a regional fundraising initiative, donating $37,000 for neonatal care at Victoria General Hospital.
• In June, the Fire Department hosted its annual Open House, welcoming over 1,000 visitors.
• New software was implemented to streamline scheduling, payroll, and training records.
• A soft launch of updated Job Performance Requirements for paid-on-call firefighters was introduced in September.
• A new replacement fire engine was received in October.
• View Royal Fire Rescue recorded a historic high in emergency response activity, responding to 1,340 calls for service.

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2025 MUNICIPAL GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Helmcken Road at Pheasant Lane

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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

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STRATEGIC PRIORITY - ENHANCE LIVABILITY (CON’T)

Admirals Walk

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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

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West Park Non-Market Housing