The Provincial Capital Commission is currently restructuring some of its administrative support functions, but, for the most part, it is business as usual, says PCC Board Chair Bill Wellburn.

Government has been going through an exercise looking at all Crown corporations and agencies, examining any possible duplications in service and identifying ways in which cost-savings can be found through streamlining some of those services.

In response to this cross-government review, the Provincial Capital Commission will be restructuring some of its administrative support functions related to financial services and property management, Wellburn explained. "Transferring some of these administrative support functions will allow the PCC to increase its focus on delivering our programs and outreach mandate."

Government is not taking over PCC’s finances or properties, he stressed. "The PCC remains in control of both its finances and its properties within a government-approved Service Plan. The proposed changes are designed to simply increase administrative efficiencies."

Noting the Provincial Capital Commission’s total staff complement is about 10 full-time employees, Wellburn says the opportunity to utilize government’s organizational capacity and expertise to support the PCC with its property management and financial services will bring some valuable bench strength to the small Crown agency. "This will allow the PCC to maintain decision-making authority and its self-sustaining business model of using property income to finance its program mandate."

The PCC will retain all the rights and responsibilities related to its properties, Wellburn said. "The only change in this regard will be a transfer of the day-to-day support of these properties."

Outsourcing property management is something that the PCC has considered over the years, he said. "Now it's going to happen with Shared Services BC, an organization that has expertise in property management."

The PCC already has a long-standing relationship with Shared Services BC, which has been responsible for property management at PCC’s St. Ann’s Academy National Historic Site since it reopened to the public in 1997.

"The PCC will be working cooperatively with SSBC to negotiate a service level agreement and a smooth transition of the day-today operating responsibilities for our properties," Wellburn said. In recent years, the PCC successfully completed major seismic renovations and repurposing of several important heritage buildings including St. Ann’s Academy, the Crystal Garden, the Visitor Information Centre at 812 Wharf Street and, most recently, the historic CPR Steamship Terminal building.

"We see this as an opportunity to transfer some administrative support functions to government which will free up our own staff time and resources so the PCC can grow our outreach programs," Wellburn said.

Retaining or removing the monarchy as Canada’s head of state was one of many topics debated en français last week, under the marble columns and decorative gilt plasterwork inside British Columbia’s Legislative Assembly.

Eighty-two youth from around the province participated in the recent Parlement jeunesse francophone de Colombie-Britannique or BC Francophone Youth Parliament held in Victoria Jan. 12 to 15.

There are currently about 70,000 Francophones living in British Columbia and more than 300,000 residents who can speak French fluently.

The annual parliamentary session is organized by the Conseil Jeunesse francophone de la Colombie Britannique, a non-profit youth-run organization that also hosts a variety of sports and cultural events, educational trips and training programs for BC Francophones. The Francophone Youth Parliament brings more than 80 youth from across the province to Victoria each January to learn about, and participate in, the democratic process.

"Learning about the process of politics, how our government works and the rules of parliament improves their leadership skills and allows them to develop public speaking and debating skills," says organizer Rémi Marien. "They also learn about civic responsibility and are more inclined to vote, which is really important for any young person.

"They need to decide in what kind of world they want to live in and realize they have the power in their own hands."

Click here for more information on Youth Parliaments

The Provincial Capital Commission welcomes four new Board members.

Geoff Young rejoins the PCC Board along with fellow Victoria City Council member Ben Isitt. They are taking over from former PCC Directors Chris Coleman and Lynn Hunter. Nichola Wade, appointed by the District of Saanich, joins Oak Bay council member Pam Copley as the other two new PCC Board members.

While the province’s elected Members of the Legislative Assembly enjoyed the Christmas season in their home constituencies, 95 young parliamentarians took over the Parliament Buildings to debate resolutions geared to help develop leadership skills and offer services to communities throughout the province. This year marked the 83rd annual session of the BC Youth Parliament.

Ray Parks, CEO of the Provincial Capital Commission, which financially supports Youth Parliaments, says the program fosters pride in the province and encourages civic engagement and community involvement.

"It’s also a great opportunity for them to connect with, learn about and celebrate the provincial capital," says Parks.

Click here for more information on Youth Parliaments

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority has been chosen as lead applicant for the CPR Steamship Terminal by the Provincial Capital Commission. Following a PCC Board meeting today, Directors instructed staff to proceed with negotiations on a leasing agreement with GVHA for the historic Victoria waterfront building.

Four submissions were received: the Maritime Museum of BC, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, Oak Bay Marine Group and Moxie’s Restaurants.

Under the professional oversight of Ernst and Young LLP, all submissions underwent a thorough two-step review process involving a seven-member Screening Team and a five-member Advisory Panel comprised of appropriate subject matter experts. Submissions were assessed against the Board-approved Tenancy Plan on three main categories: proposed use, lease terms and assessment of business risk.

The Advisory Panel presented the PCC Board of Directors with a summary of its analysis and conclusions and unanimously recommended the GVHA submission as the lead applicant. The Board reviewed all submissions along with the Advisory Panel report and deliberated today on a decision.

The proposal submitted by the GVHA will see increased public access to the building while protecting the option of potential future use as an international gateway terminal. The GVHA is proposing that the CPR Steamship Terminal become a vibrant community hub for visitors and local residents offering a dynamic mixture of retail, service, exhibit attractions, food and beverage and office related uses. While their proposal suggests a total of three phases, their submission has been accepted with the clear understanding that negotiations will reflect acceptance of phase one exclusively.

"With the financial support of the Provincial and Federal governments, the CPR Steamship Terminal has just undergone a $5-million seismic upgrade – an important investment in public safety that will extend the life of this 87-year-old heritage building for future generations," explained Russell Irvine, the PCC Director who oversaw the tenancy process on behalf of the PCC Board of Directors. "It has been more than 40 years since the CPR Steamship Terminal was primarily a public space. We are very much looking forward to seeing the GVHA’s proposal become a reality."

The PCC Board acknowledged its appreciation of all four submissions. The Board also supported a request from the Advisory Panel to encourage the GVHA to consider future opportunities whereby the Maritime Museum might have a presence on the Inner Harbour. Following successful completion of lease negotiations, the GVHA plan is to have the CPR Steamship Terminal to be operational and open to the public by July 2012.

"The PCC would like to acknowledge the considerable public and community interest regarding the future use of the CPR Steamship Terminal, and to thank the applicants for their interest and submissions," said Irvine. "We commend the members of the Screening Team and Advisory Panels for their support, time and professional diligence that ensured that all submissions were considered fairly and thoroughly, and we thank them sincerely for their community leadership and service."

• Summary of Advisory Panel process and recommendation
• Highlights of Greater Victoria Harbour Authority’s proposal
• Members of the Screening Team
• Members of the Advisory Panel
• The Tenancy Process
• Process flowchart
• Backgrounder on seismic upgrade
• Backgrounder on CPR Steamship Terminal
• PCC Outreach

For excerpts of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority’s proposal, please visit GVHA’s website

A decision on choosing a lead applicant for the CPR Steamship Terminal is anticipated at a meeting of the Provincial Capital Commission Board set for the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 30.

Today, PCC Directors received an update on both the major seismic upgrade of the building, which met substantial completion deadline on Oct. 2, and the four submitted tenancy proposals.

"The Board was pleased with the progress made to date," said Russell Irvine, Chair of the PCC Governance Committee and Director responsible for overseeing the tenancy process. "Directors were brought up to date in readiness for our next board meeting where we intend to make a decision on a lead applicant for staff to begin lease negotiations."

The Board also received a verbal report from Ernst Young, tasked with providing independent oversight to ensure the process used remained fair and transparent. Directors were also provided with summaries of the findings of both the screening team and the community-based advisory panel.

"The Board is very satisfied with the integrity of the process and the thoroughness of the review of the submissions," Irvine said.

The screening team, comprised of seven people with balanced relevant skill sets, met for approximately 30 hours to initially review the four written submissions. On Nov. 14 the screening team’s findings were turned over to a five-member community-based Advisory Panel with subject expertise which deliberated for more than 50 hours over a two-week period weighing up proposed use, lease terms and business risks associated with the submissions.

A public announcement will follow the Nov. 30 board decision after all applicants have been notified.

Coverage of summer events, the latest news about Capital for Kids, Merritt wins Communities in Bloom provincial heritage award and how construction crews overcame challenges during the CPR Steamship Terminal seismic upgrade. And lots more!

Click here to download our summer/fall 2011 issue.

Over the past six years, the Provincial Capital Commission has invested more than $6.9 million in capital assets, including major upgrades to its waterfront properties and heritage buildings.

Between 2003 and 2010, the PCC spent $3.7 million on capital maintenance to the Crystal Garden. The restoration and repurposing of this iconic landmark has won accolades from the heritage community, saved the building for future generations, and allowed for growth in additional tourism dollars to the local economy through its current use as an adjunct to the Victoria Conference Centre.

812 Wharf Street, which currently houses the Victoria Visitors Information Centre, Milestones Restaurant and a number of tourist-based businesses, has also received considerable upgrades in recent years. Since 2006, the PCC has invested $312,000 in this building including seismic upgrade, roof repairs, installation of a handicap elevator and restoration of the historic Sperry beacon and tower clock.

The Enterprise Wharf parking lot and festival site received $62,000 in site improvements including new stairs.

Wharves at Ship Point and along Belleville Street required extensive work over recent years for a total accumulated cost of $869,000 since 2003. This includes a total of $146,000 in repairs to the Clipper Terminal facility in 2005-06 and another $259,000 in 2010-11. Repairs to the Black Ball Ferry Terminal wharf between 2008 and 2010 totalled $300,000. About $81,000 was spent on repairs to Ship Point wharf.

These properties are located within the Capital and host commercial tenants linked to tourism as well as provide venues for special events in support of the PCC’s mandate to connect and celebrate the Capital with all British Columbians.

Revenues from PCC’s property holdings not only fund capital maintenance projects, but are integral to the commission’s mandate to provide outreach programs throughout the province, such as the highly-successful Capital for Kids youth travel funding program that has brought more than 26,000 young people to Victoria to learn about their government and experience the history and culture of their Capital.

Because the PCC is a Crown agency, it can also take advantage of third-party funding opportunities. Holding property at arm’s-length from core government allows the PCC to participate in cost-sharing programs. Most recently, the PCC successfully applied for funding under the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Program to help pay for the seismic upgrade of the CPR Steamship Terminal building. Prior to that, the PCC was in a position to benefit from Transport Canada’s decision to divest its Belleville Port Facility holdings.

While the PCC operates under provincial legislation and is publicly accountable to government, its self-sustaining model can deliver services or undertake projects at arm’s length from government at no cost to taxpayers. Because of this status, the PCC routinely negotiates tenant-funded improvements including those completed at the Crystal Garden and Black Ball Ferry Terminal. The PCC’s flexible financial framework also works well with community groups, such as the ad hoc Navy Statue committee, which raised money to pay for improvements to the PCC’s Ship Point Plaza as part of the Homecoming Statue project.

The PCC’s property management costs are less than $0.5 million or under 10% of managed revenues and expenses. This customized low overhead service model, tailored to steward a diverse inventory with commercial tenants linked to tourism, has proven to be efficient and cost effective.

Four interested parties submitted lease proposals for the CPR Steamship Terminal building by the Oct. 28 deadline.

A screening team of seven subject matter experts will now review the content of written proposals and provide a written report to an Advisory Panel. A six-member Advisory Panel of community-based subject experts will then review the submissions and the screening team’s report before providing a recommendation to the PCC Board on selection of an applicant submission. Following a board decision, expected to take place Nov. 24, PCC management will proceed with negotiating a lease agreement.

PCC Board Chair Bill Wellburn, CEO Ray Parks and Director Chris Coleman have excluded themselves from both the current re-tenanting process and the decision-making. Wellburn and Coleman each have direct connections with one of the applicants. Parks, in his corporate role as CEO, was active in soliciting interested parties to make submissions. All three expressed their wish to be recused to avoid any perception of conflict.

PCC CFO Rick Crosby has been named spokesperson for the tenancy process (250-953-8851). PCC Director Russell Irvine has been appointed spokesperson for the Board. (1-250-703-2167).

• Tenacy Plan
• Q & As
• Fact Sheet
• CPR Steamship Terminal backgrounder
• Process flowchart

Since 2006, the PCC has committed about $1 million towards the Capital for Kids program, touching 26,589 young British Columbians from more than 600 school groups representing 105 BC communities. Capital for Kids is funded by revenue generated from several properties the commission owns in Greater Victoria. This fall, in addition to several groups from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, the Capital will welcome groups from Dawson Creek and Bella Bella. For the fiscal year 2010-11, the program has funded more than 8,000 youth from 184 schools.

The program accepts funding applications twice a year. For travel from February 2012 to June 2012, the application deadline is November 17, 2011.

As part of its "connect and celebrate" mandate, the Provincial Capital Commission sponsors 10 to 12 festivals and events each year, adding to the vibrancy and economy of BC’s Capital.

In 2011, through both in-kind use of its properties and cash support totaling more than $85,000, the PCC sponsored 49 festival days, a significant increase over previous years. Groups benefitting from the PCC sponsorship program include: Swiftsure International Yacht Race, Victoria International Cycling Festival’s JumpShip, First People’s Festival celebrating National Aboriginal Day, Canada Day, SkaFest, Victoria Buskers Festival, Victoria Dragon Boat Festival, Fringe Theatre Festival, Classic Boat Festival, Victoria Symphony Splash and BC Day.

These events drew a total estimated audience of 300,000.

Festivals and special events provide significant economic benefits for both the host community and the province in general through spending by the festivals themselves and by their visitors including the generation of tax revenues for government and job creation.

These events have impacts that go well beyond what can be measured in economic terms. They also contribute to quality of life by strengthening communities, providing unique activities, building awareness of diverse cultures and identities and acting as a source of community, provincial and national pride.

The Provincial Capital Commission is continuing to do its part to reduce its carbon footprint. In a report to government, the PCC indicated its climate action goals were met in 2010 with a total of 173.6 tonnes of CO2e compared to the 2007 baseline year, representing a total decline of 47 per cent in energy consumption.

Energy use is primarily generated from the PCC property inventory which includes commercial revenue properties occupied by tenants as well as parks and green space. Commercial revenue properties include heritage buildings, inner harbour ferry terminals and development sites currently utilized as parking lots and special events venues.

PCC energy consumption is primarily driven by tenant operations at the Crystal Garden, Visitor Information Centre, and the CPR Steamship Terminal building. For the base reporting year of 2007, the PCC’s CO2 omissions were approximately 312 tonnes from natural gas and heating oil, and 14 tonnes from electricity.

Since the announcement of the Climate Action Plan in 2007, the PCC and its tenants have implemented some significant infrastructure and technology investments to reduce CO2 emissions and build long-term sustainability into business operations.

At the Crystal Garden reduction in CO2 emissions has been achieved through reduction in natural gas consumption for the glass roofed heritage building through replacement of the primary heating system from hot water radiant coils to modern heat pump technology in space occupied by the Victoria Conference Centre and Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant. Other energy conservation measures included a lighting upgrade and disabling the walk-in chillers at the VCC.

The seismic upgrade and rehabilitation of the CPR Steamship Terminal building includes mechanical, electrical and lighting upgrades. The upgraded heat pumps, lighting controls and improved duct work will show additional energy savings.

The PCC will continue to identify and implement opportunities to reduce electricity use from its property holdings to achieve government’s goal of a 5% reduction against base consumption.

The Provincial Capital Commission has notified parties who have expressed interest in the lease of space at the CPR Steamship Terminal they have until Oct. 28, 2011 to provide new or updated submissions for consideration. Letters were sent to seven interested parties on Sept. 28 notifying them of the timeframe and outlining the guidelines as laid out in the PCC’s Tenancy Plan.

Since the original Request for Proposals was cancelled on April 12, the PCC developed a Board-approved Tenancy Plan to guide the re-tenancy process. This includes information on mandatory criteria, revenue objectives, timelines, tenant fixturing and other information deemed essential to allow for a review of tenancy submissions for proposed use, lease terms, viability and risk.

Since mid-April, the PCC has continued discussions with the three parties who submitted tenancy proposals under the RFP process, as well as receiving new expressions of interest from other parties.

"The goal remains to secure a viable, long-term tenant that will be a good fit for this building -- one that will enhance the Inner Harbour as well as meet the continued requirement for financial sustainability," said PCC CEO Ray Parks.

Upon meeting the Oct. 28 deadline, all received submissions will be screened for completeness and ranked for alignment with Tenancy Plan guidelines. Submissions will then be reviewed by a community-based Advisory Panel comprised of subject experts. The Advisory Panel will then make a recommendation to the PCC Board for final selection and approval, which is planned for mid to late November.

Subsequent to Board approval, terms of an agreement to lease are expected to be signed off in December 2011, to facilitate the start of a tenant fit out period in January, 2012. PCC renovations to the building are currently scheduled for substantial completion by the end of October, 2011.

“The current process is intended to be more flexible and allow for a two-way dialogue with interested parties and their tenancy plans," Parks noted, adding that both previous RFP proponents and newly interested parties have been given an additional six months to develop and/or refine tenancy plans. Given that a lease agreement will involve a long-term legal commitment for the building, the PCC is making every accommodation to ensure the process is open and inclusive to get the best possible outcome, he said.

“As steward of this building, the Provincial Capital Commission must be fair, transparent and inclusive in all of our tenancy negotiations," Parks said. “We cannot offer one party any special privilege or arrangement over another. We are committed to carrying out a clear, just and impartial process in securing viable long-term tenancy for the CPR Steamship Terminal."

• Tenacy Plan
• Q & As
• Fact Sheet
• CPR Steamship Terminal backgrounder

Representatives from capitals across the nation met in Toronto Sept 29-30 for the annual conference of the Canadian Capital Cities Organization. In addition to sharing ideas and accomplishments on how to best engage citizens with their provincial, territorial and national capitals, delegates focused on developing a strategy to participate in Canada's 150th anniversary in 2017.

Guest speakers Mike Shardlow, CEO of Canada Place Corporation in Vancouver, talked about public engagement programs and partnerships; members of the National Capital Commission discussed strategies to involve Canadians in planning for Ottawa’s future; Parks Canada joined a discussion about possible partnerships surrounding youth travel programs and their hopes to attract new Canadians and youth into the park system; and Chris Hebb, senior vice-president of broadcast and content for Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment spoke on the role of sport in bringing Canadians together.

"Canada’s capital cities play a unique role in Canadian society, with more than 10 million people in 14 capitals," explains Ray Parks, CEO of the BC Provincial Capital Commission and president of the CCCO. "Canada’s capitals have diverse populations, climates, geographies, histories and cultures, but they share in common a responsibility as the seat of national, provincial and territorial government and the symbol of collective identity and citizens’ aspirations."

Created in 1994, the Canadian Capital Cities Organization is a nationwide network of Canadian capital cities and capital commissions forging links and shared experiences between Canada’s capital cities in order to promote a greater knowledge of Canada’s capitals and of Canada’s heritage and history.

More than 600 new and practicing teachers attending a recent field trip fair learned about educational resources and travel funding offered by the Provincial Capital Commission. PCC staff manned a booth at the Sept. 26 BC Field Trip Fair held this year at Vancouver’s Science World. Event organizers work to help promote field trips as unique and significant learning opportunities. The fair provides a platform where community groups and agencies like the PCC can communicate directly with interested teachers.

At this year’s event, the PCC handed out more than 250 travel funding applications, along with 350 Learning About the Capital CDs, a fun and interactive online Social Studies unit for Grade 4/5 students and about 250 CDs of Being Victorian, an award-winning online Social Studies unit aimed at Grade 10s featuring critical-thinking exercises based on interesting highlights from Victoria’s past. About 300 copies of the PCC’s historical vignette series were also distributed. For more information on PCC’s learning resources, visit http://www.bcpcc.com/learn_resources.php.

The City of Merritt took home the PCC’s provincial Heritage Conservation Award at this year’s Communities in Bloom awards banquet held in Sooke Sept. 24. This special criteria award looks at natural heritage as well as the integration of landscape and streetscapes as they pertain to the community’s built heritage. Recognition is also given for traditions and customs through festivals and celebrations, events and parades, heritage foods and the arts. For full details see our Communities in Bloom page. Since 1997, more than 80 BC communities have taken part in this program. The Provincial Capital Commission is a Platinum Bloom Sponsor.

You can now have the latest news from the Provincial Capital Commission delivered right to your inbox! Sign up for timely updates. It’s free & easy!

Powered by steam, wind, oars or diesel, designed for work or pleasure, they arrived in Victoria’s Inner Harbour with brass polished and wood gleaming. The 34th annual Victoria Classic Boat Festival showcased proudly-maintained vessels from around the Pacific northwest and beyond.

Held each year over the Labour Day weekend, the Classic Boat Festival draws upwards of 100 boats, many of which are open for public viewing.

The sail past, dory races, the classic rowing regatta and a pirate school for the kids add to the maritime theme and free family fun.

Edgy, thought-provoking, creative. Some of the adjectives used to describe the Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival held this year from Aug. 25 to Sept. 4.

The Provincial Capital Commission is pleased to lend support to this popular festival for the first time this year, including use of the PCC’s St. Ann’s Academy auditorium as a host venue.

For details of performances, visit www.victoriafringe.com

Click for Slideshow!

The 2011 Victoria Dragon Boat Festival held on Victoria’s Inner Harbour Aug. 12-14 was a crowd pleaser – from the colorful Eye-Dotting Ceremony to myriad cultural performers to the excitement of the Dragon Boat races.

The Provincial Capital Commission was among the many proud sponsors to support this annual event that brings paddlers from all over British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest to the Capital city.

The Amazing Grays from the Gorge Rowing and Paddling Centre took home the Provincial Capital Commission medals for the Pearl Division, besting the Komodo Dragons, Chateau Bateau and the Snogard Dragons in the final championship heat.

On dry land, a wide variety of performers entertained from two stages while games, informational tents and food vendors kept the crowd interested.

Kicking off the festivities, Taoist priests led Friday afternoon’s Eye-dotting Ceremony to arouse the dragon’s spirit. The Hon. Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and PCC Board member Lynda Hundleby were among those chosen to dot the eyes of the dragons.

Click for Slideshow!

Music, dance and a juggling clown were part of the festivities Aug. 1 at St. Ann's Academy celebrating BC Day in the Capital.

The grounds and chapel were alive with musical performances, dancers and a variety of activities for kids while soloists and bands took to the auditorium stage in a fight for top honors in a Garage Band competition.

Bill Wellburn, Chair of the Provincial Capital Commission, and the Hon. Ida Chong, Minister of Sport, Community and Cultural Development, were on hand to open the day's festivities.

Click for Slideshow!

Handing out 10,000 free BC flags and countless temporary tattoos, PCC staff were kept busy during the Victoria Symphony Splash festivities around the Inner Harbour.

In addition to the featured performance of the Capital City based symphony orchestra, an estimated crowd of 40,000 enjoyed music, dancing and children’s entertainment throughout the day.

This year, the Provincial Capital Commission partnered with BC Parks as theme sponsors of Splash, which honoured 100 Years of BC Parks.

Click for Slideshow!

Enjoy the long weekend and celebrate BC Day at community events throughout the province!

BC Day in BC Parks

The PCC has joined forces with BC Parks to help celebrate 100 years of BC Parks. There will be additional programming in 10 provincial parks across the province on BC Day. Check out details at www.bcparks.ca.

Victoria Symphony Splash

A major highlight of the summer in BC’s Capital. Lots of fun for everyone throughout the day around the Inner Harbour. This year, the PCC and BC Parks are co-theme sponsors celebrating the provincial parks anniversary. Visit www.victoriasymphony.ca/splash for details.

BC Day at St. Ann’s

The picturesque grounds and historic chapel and auditorium of St. Ann’s Academy National Historic Site will again host a day of free family fun and entertainment in Victoria. 11 a.m. to 5:30 pm Monday August 1. For more information, visit www.capitalfestival.com.

The Hon. Ida Chong, Minister Responsible for the PCC and Bill Wellburn, PCC Board Chair, welcomed the 25,000^th youth brought to the Capital with financial assistance under our highly-successful travel funding program.

To celebrate reaching this impressive milestone, a school group from Lac La Hache was feted on the steps of the Legislative Buildings with special guests, cake and gift presentation.

Since this signature program began five years ago, school students and youth involved in service organizations have visited Victoria to tour the Legislative Buildings, meet their MLA and learn about government. They come from across the province – from major urban centers and from smaller and isolated communities.

Since 2006, the PCC has committed more than $1 million towards this program, touching 25,000 young British Columbians from 105 communities.

Most of the visiting youth also connect with their Capital through tours of the Royal BC Museum or other educational sites and attractions such as Fort Rodd Hill, Craigdarroch Castle, the Maritime Museum of BC and Government House. PCC-sponsored groups have a tremendous impact on Victoria’s local and regional economy with overnight stays, meals and visits to local attractions like the Bug Zoo, Victoria Butterfly Gardens, Butchart Gardens, Pacific Undersea Gardens, Miniature World, IMAX theatre and more, says PCC CEO Ray Parks.

"In addition to the important hands-on learning, this educational field trip experience provides a lifelong memory for these youth, many of whom have never before traveled away from their communities," he says. "Teachers tell us time and again how their students experience numerous "firsts" on their trips and how much the children learned about the history, geography and cultural diversity of their province and their Capital city."

To celebrate the fifth year of this outreach initiative, the Provincial Capital Commission has re-branded the program which is now known as Capital for Kids. Youth participation in the program continues to grow year over year and plans are underway to engage corporate sponsorship to afford all students the exciting opportunity to connect and celebrate their Capital through this enriched educational field trip experience.

Click for Slideshow!

Canada is turning 144 years old, and the Provincial Capital Commission is helping BC’s Capital celebrate.

On July 1, Victoria Celebrates Canada Day will feature a full schedule of events during the day including The Living Flag and an expanded series of children’s events on the Legislature Lawns. Fred Penner, the acclaimed Canadian children’s entertainer famed for The Cat Came Back, will delight youngsters on the Canada Day Main Stage. In addition, the Monster Mural returns for children showing creative Canadian pride.

A Flavour of Canada international food village returns with family-oriented events at Ship Point, including multiple activity tents.

A secondary performance stage at Ship Point will showcase emerging artists and cultural groups throughout the long weekend.

In the evening, the Legislature Lawns will feature family-friendly music performances by local Vancouver Island artists such as Current Swell, Vince Vaccaro, Quoia, Afro Mumanzi, Steph MacPherson and Shane Philip.

On behalf of the Canadian Capital Cities Organization, the PCC will be distributing surveys on Canada Day asking for ideas about ways to celebrate the nation’s 150^th birthday in 2017. Have your say on what you would like to happen during these historic celebrations. Drop into the PCC tent on Ship Point from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 1.

The PCC is currently completing a seismic upgrade and rehabilitation of the CPR Steamship Terminal building located on Victoria’s Inner Harbour. The construction work underway is being funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of BC and the Provincial Capital Commission.

Structural deficiencies found within the building increased the scope and complexity of the seismic upgrade in recent months. The problems were discovered after tenants vacated the building allowing structural elements to be fully exposed.

"We needed to expand the scope of work, therefore we needed to expand the project budget," said PCC CEO Ray Parks. "The PCC was pleased to see the support from government in granting the Order in Council for an additional $1.5 million to complete the project. We will get far more done as a result."

The total project budget increased from $3.25 million to $5 million to address the expanded scope of work. The seismic and structural upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of September.

In the meantime, the search continues for best-case re-tenanting. "We need secure future tenancy in place to restore property revenues that sustain funding for PCC program delivery," Parks noted.

"We are talking to everybody, including the original proponents who submitted proposals earlier this year. We hope to have a tenant secured by mid-August."

The Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Dancers from the Prince Rupert area were featured performers at this year’s National Aboriginal Day celebrations in Victoria. Thanks to additional funding support from the Victoria Native Friendship Centre and the Provincial Capital Commission, 44 members of this impressive Nisga’a performance group demonstrated their distinctive drumming and singing style which incorporates large box drums at the Sunday, June 19 event.

For the fifth year, the PCC was a major sponsor of National Aboriginal Day celebrations in BC’s Capital. In previous years, the event has taken place at St. Ann’s Academy National Historic Site and at the PCC’s Ship Point property on the Inner Harbour. This year, organizers moved the event to Spirit Square beside Victoria City Hall in a collaborative event with the First Peoples Festival.

The Victoria-based Unity Drummers and Singers kicked off the day’s celebration which also featured a large First Nations Arts and Crafts market.

The family-oriented event was free and open to everyone.

Gold Sponsors of this year’s event were Victoria Native Friendship Centre, the Provincial Capital Commission and the City of Victoria. Partners included the Solstice Celebration Aboriginal Cultural Society and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres.

View the Video

The Crystal Garden’s retail shops fronting Douglas Street in Victoria are bustling with activity again with several new tenants opening up businesses.

Ethno Concepts, operated by African-born Pulcherie Mboussi, offers a variety of skin and hair care products and services, designed for all types of ethnic colorations. In addition to a wide array of cosmetics for all skin tones, she offers braiding and hair extensions.

Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, aroma therapy and physical therapy are available in Bin (Billy) Chen’s clinic upstairs. Natural Garden Remedies also offers herbs and natural foods.

Immigrating from Russia two years ago, Dmitry Popov decided to use his economic background to open a new business, Popularia Gifts Victoria. With a distinctive nautical theme, his store offers paintings by local artists, models of tall ships and a variety of gift ideas and collectibles for all boating enthusiasts.

Awesome Coffee owner Brian Westwood also has plans to open later this summer.

Intrepid mountain bikers performing aerial stunts on a barge in Victoria’s Inner Harbour wowed crowds lining the waterfront at Ship Point. Jump Ship showcased some of the world’s best free-ride mountain bikers including Mike Montgomery, Geoff Gulevich, Jamie Goldman, Brendan Howey, Brandon Semenuk and Darren Berrecloth. The Provincial Capital Commission was a sponsor of this new event for Victoria as part of the Victoria International Cycling Festival.

Strong steel bracing with a decorative touch is currently being incorporated as part of the structural upgrade to ensure public safety in the event of an earthquake. In addition to lending flexibility and strength to the building, the new bracing was designed to reflect the look of the heritage windows throughout this iconic building.

Yachting enthusiasts will be looking seaward this weekend hoping for clear skies and brisk winds.

Swiftsure International Yacht Race runs May 28 to 30 out of the Provincial Capital Commission’s Ship Point property.

Best viewing from Clover Point or along Dallas Road.

For more info: http://www.swiftsure.org/

The Grecian-style columns are again glistening white and Poseidon’s beards have been repaired – the CPR Steamship Terminal is once again an elegant and imposing landmark building on Victoria’s waterfront.

Crews have completed painting the exterior of the south side of the building, and are currently working on the north façade.

Last fall, heritage restoration crews repaired broken cornices, plaster moldings and decorative features of this iconic building in readiness for the painting currently underway.

A second statue commemorating the Canadian Navy’s 100th anniversary will be unveiled at the Provincial Capital Commission’s Ship Point Plaza May 1. The "Veteran Sailor" statue captures a glimpse of the Navy’s past, depicting a well-seasoned sailor sitting on a bench, holding a newspaper from VE Day and looking with fond memories at the homecoming scene before him.

The Veteran Sailor will be positioned looking at the Homecoming Statue, unveiled a year ago at the commencement of the year-long tribute to Canada’s Navy. Both statues were created by Victoria sculptor Nathan Scott and funded through the efforts of a community-based group co-chaired by Cedric Steele.

Modeled after one of Canada’s oldest sailors in a uniform from earlier times, the Veteran Statue is of John Mason who enrolled in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve at age 18 in 1942 as a Stoker, 2nd Class. After serving in the North Atlantic for the duration of World War II, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Toronto and returned to the Navy in 1949 as an officer. He later served during the Korean conflict. In 1964, he was the first engineering officer to command a destroyer. He retired in 1978 at the rank of Captain.

Founded in 1910, Canada’s Naval Service wore the same uniform as the Royal Navy. The traditional "sailor suit" included bell bottom trousers, jumper, flannel "gun shirt" and square collar. The uniform was completed with a lanyard, silk, and a round cap with a ribbon that during peacetime identified the sailor’s ship. In 1968 Canada adopted a single uniform for both officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Forces.

The unveiling of the Veteran Sailor will kick off celebrations honoring those that lost their lives or served in the Battle of the Atlantic. The public is welcome to attend the PCC's Ship Point Plaza site, located on Wharf Street beside Victoria’s Visitor Information Centre. The unveiling is scheduled to take place shortly after 10:30 am on Sunday, May 1.