Hundreds of workers may be moving from Victoria to Central Saanich
An economic boost could be coming to the relatively small community of Central Saanich.
Hundreds of workers may be migrating to Central Saanich from Victoria as a subcontractor for the B.C. government closes down its office in downtown Victoria.
The workers will be coming to a new office building on Keating Cross Road, though the exact number of employees has not been announced.
"Maybe as many as 500 employees coming out to the peninsula on a regular basis," said Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor.
The news has been welcomed by local businesses, like Category 12 Brewing.
"My first reaction was excitement and pleasure," said Category 12 owner Karen Kuzyk.
The mayor says it's just the beginning of some long-term growth for Central Saanich.
"We're obviously, in some ways, into a 20 to 25 year plan," said Windsor.
A municipal study found that Keating Cross Road has room for 3,500 new workers over the next two decades.
A new overpass is also coming to the intersection of the Pat Bay Highway and Keating Cross Road, along with new road paving and rapid public transit.
"There's a lot of businesses on Keating Cross Road that are willing and able to absorb that," said Kuzyk.
Category 12 isn't the only business that's excited.
Adriana Ramirez, owner of Adriana's The Whole Enchilada, says she's excited about the prospect of more workers coming to the area.
"It makes me feel really, really good that I have to do a whole lot of burritos and enchiladas," she said.
With a mix of industrial operations and commercial businesses on the main strip of Keating Cross Road, bars and restaurants took a big hit during the pandemic, with many usual customers working from home.
But now it appears that business is on the upswing and it's welcome news for the community.
"It's concrete proof that there's growth in the right direction," said Kuzyk.
"The economy is growing, things are happening, people are getting back and it's good to be together," she said.
The mayor says the new provincial sub-contractor has been holding the office space since December, although it's unclear when it will move in.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.