Overview
- Council committee voted eight to one on June 19 to support the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan following nearly two years of public consultations
- Early measures will deploy additional bylaw officers and explore designated shelters and tiny homes using funds allocated in the existing 2025 budget
- Mayor Marianne Alto emphasized that many recommendations fall under provincial and federal jurisdiction and called for intergovernmental cooperation on costs and execution
- Nearly half of businesses surveyed by the Downtown Victoria Business Association say they may not renew leases due to safety and disorder concerns
- Staff will present a detailed cost analysis ahead of the final council decision on July 3