PERIOD REPORT
DATE: January 26, 2026 Report No. SI-26-002
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Judy Kitts, Director of Strategic Initiatives
SUBJECT:TITLE Strategic Initiatives - 2025 Third Period Report
Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Strategic Initiatives Department from September 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
I. DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
The Department has recently transitioned from Community Safey Services to Strategic Initiatives under a new Director, who joined the Township in August 2025. This newly established department has oversight of bylaw enforcement, the policing model and Framework Agreement with VicPD, First Nations engagement and reconciliation initiatives, and the Council Priorities Plan process.
Highlights:
§ The 4-year study on immunocontraception in black-tailed deer was concluded with the delivery of a final report in September 2025.
§ A new 3-year contract was awarded to Victoria Animal Control Services following a comprehensive RFP process.
§ 17 staff members, along with Inspector King of VicPD and two Council members, participated in the Signs of Lekwungen Walking Tour on October 9.
§ Esquimalt’s Fire Department attended the Xwsepsum Nation Halloween Party on October 31, meeting community members and providing fire safety education.
§ A historic partnership was announced on December 11 regarding the Island Rail Corridor in Greater Victoria. The Township of Esquimalt is a proud signatory.
1. Department Activities
§ Bylaw Enforcement
o Bylaw Offence Notices (BONs), Warnings, & Disputes
o In this period, 111 warnings and 465 BONs were issued.
§ 98% of BONs were related to parking violations.
o This is an increase from 350 BONs in the previous period, primarily due to the recent implementation of time-limited parking.
o In this period, 17 BONs were disputed. Of those, 7 were cancelled, 9 were upheld for payment, and 1 is in process. No matters were referred for adjudication.
o After Hours Enforcement:
§ VicPD provides the Township’s after-hours bylaw enforcement.
§ The Township’s Bylaw Officer worked additional shifts to better understand our after-hours bylaw needs.
§ A full report will be presented to Council this spring.
§ Collections
o Advanced Collection Services has been retained to collect on unpaid BONs on behalf of the Township.
o 248 unpaid BONs from 2022 (valued at $ 13,152.00) were forwarded for collection during this period.
§ The agency’s fee is 33.34% plus 5% GST.
o Payments have been received on 62 unpaid BON’s from 2022 for a net recovery of $2,015.00.
o Work is ongoing and 2023 unpaid BONs will be sent to the collection agency this spring.
§ Animal Control
o Following an RFP process, the Township of Esquimalt awarded a 3-year contract to Victoria Animal Control Services effective January 1, 2026.
o During this period, VACS investigated 273 incidents.
o During this period, 70 dog licenses were sold: 18 from Municipal Hall, 45 from vendors and 7 online.
o 2025 saw a total of 1567 tags sold (608 from Municipal Hall, 365 from vendors and 594 online.
o Renewals were sent out on December 3rd, with the option to renew dog licences online through MyEsquimalt.
Attachments: 2025 Bylaw Enforcement, Period 3 Report
2. Deer Study
§ The 4-year study on immunocontraception in black-tailed deer was concluded with the delivery of a final report in November 2025.
§ On December 15, Council approved the following motions:
o “That Council direct staff to shift to a monitoring-only approach for deer management, conduct a deer management and social carrying capacity survey, and work with a contractor to prepare a comprehensive immunocontraception (IC) program proposal for Council’s consideration in Q3 2026, and work with other municipalities and the CRD to pursue a regional approach.”
o “That Council direct staff to write a letter to the Minister of Environment and Parks and MLA Darlene Rotchford and requesting support for wildlife management responsibilities and funding.”
§ Staff are working to move forward with these actions.
3. First Nations Engagement
§ The South Island Powwow was held on September 30. The Township was a proud sponsor of the event.
§ On December 11, 2025, a historic partnership was announced regarding the Island Rail Corridor in Greater Victoria. The agreement, known as the Reconciliation Corridor Initiative, was signed by Xwsepsum Nation and Songhees Nation alongside local governments including the Township of Esquimalt, the City of Victoria, the Town of View Royal, the City of Colwood, the City of Langford, and the Capital Regional District.
§ The Township of Esquimalt, CFB Esquimalt, and the Esquimalt Graving Dock are seeking to work collaboratively with Songhees Nation and Xwsepsum Nation on placemaking initiatives in the region. A letter expressing our joint interest was sent to the Nations on January 9.
§ Xwsepsum Nation has directed their new Director of Operations to work with the Township to develop a framework agreement to guide collaboration on shared priorities and initiatives.
§ The Township is working to schedule a meeting with Songhees Nation Chief and Council for this February. Topics will include MOU, the Gorge midden, placemaking, and staff training.
§ The Gorge midden is tentatively on the agenda for Songhees Nation and Xwsepsum Nation’s joint meeting. The focus will be on next steps regarding interpretative signage.
4. Policing
§ In October, VicPD released their 2026 Police Budget.
§ VicPD presented the budget to Esquimalt Council on Monday November 10.
§ The proposed budget increases 9.82%. This represents a proposed increase to the Township’s police budget of $1,060,116.
§ The proposed budget includes additional resources for four traffic officers, one logistics officer, and eight officers for the Crime Reduction Unit, which is independently funded by the City of Victoria under Section 5 of the Framework Agreement.
§ Budget discussions are ongoing.
5. Public Safety Building
§ The construction phase of the Public Safety Building began in June 2024 and continues on budget and on schedule. Council received a project governance touchpoint update in December 2025.