PERIOD REPORT
DATE: September 28, 2026 Report No. SI-26-023
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Judy Kitts, Director, Strategic Initiatives
SUBJECT:TITLEStrategic Initiatives- 2026 Second Period Report
Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Department of Strategic Initiatives from May 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026.
The Strategic Initiatives Department has completed its first year of operation and continues to evolve as organizational needs change. Since August 2025, the department has focused on building a cohesive team, establishing foundational processes, and strengthening internal and external relationships. Over the past year, the department's mandate has expanded to include responsibilities for economic development, volunteer services, and First Nations engagement and reconciliation initiatives, in addition to its existing oversight of bylaw enforcement, the policing model and Framework Agreement with VicPD, and the Council Priorities Plan process.
Highlights:
• Began work on a municipal facilities and property options analysis to inform future Council decisions regarding the Temporary Fire Hall, Municipal Hall, and long-term civic space requirements.
• Advanced the Industrial Lands Study in partnership with Royal Roads University, helping identify opportunities to strengthen Esquimalt's industrial economy, support local employment, and inform future economic development decision-making.
• Advanced reconciliation initiatives through development of Relationship Agreements and collaboration on Lekwungen placemaking projects and cultural installations.
• Expanded community safety and bylaw enforcement capacity through the recruitment of an auxiliary bylaw officer, enabling Saturday parking enforcement and additional enforcement presence at Township events.
Department Activities:
1. Bylaw Enforcement
o Bylaw Offence Notices (BONs), Warnings, & Disputes
§ In this period 57 warnings and 234 BONs were issued.
§ 97.5% of BONs were related to parking violations.
§ In this period, 15 BON’s were referred to the screening officer level. Of those, 7 were cancelled and 6 were upheld for payment. One matter was referred for adjudication.
o Animal Control
§ During this period, VACS investigated 129 incidents.
§ During this period, 185 dog licenses were sold: 36 from Municipal Hall, 121 from vendors and 28 online.
o Collections
§ During the reporting period, staff advanced implementation of the collections program by reviewing and preparing outstanding BON files from 2023, 2024, and 2025.
o After Hours Enforcement
§ VicPD continues to provide after-hours bylaw enforcement and is working with the Township to enhance service through clearer metrics and reporting.
§ In response to Council direction provided in March, the Township has successfully recruited an auxiliary bylaw officer to support expanded Saturday parking enforcement and enforcement at community events. The new position provides additional enforcement capacity while offering flexibility as the Department evaluates longer-term staffing requirements and service levels.
o Bylaw Modernization
§ The Department continues to advance modernization initiatives, including the implementation of a mobile ticketing application and online payment functionality. These improvements, intended to be operationalized by the end of the calendar year, will modernize service delivery, support more efficient enforcement operations, and improve customer access to payment service.
See Appendix A: Bylaw Contraventions and Complaints, BONs and Animal Management Report.
2. First Nations Engagement
o Development of Nation Relationship Agreements with Songhees Nation and Xwsepsum Nation has continued, with discussions focused on establishing a framework for collaboration, communication, and mutual priorities.
o The Township has advanced several Lekwungen placemaking initiatives in partnership with Songhees Nation, Xwsepsum Nation, CFB Esquimalt, and the Esquimalt Graving Dock.
o Planning and design work for the Gorge Midden interpretive signage project has progressed with guidance from Songhees and Xwsepsum representatives.
o Township developed draft concepts for native planting signage which incorporates Lekwungen language, culture and traditional uses. Signs to be developed and implemented in Township parks following input from the Nations.
3. Policing
o The Township continues to work with the Victoria Esquimalt Police Board and Victoria Police Department on matters related to public safety, policing priorities, and governance.
o Collaboration between VicPD's Esquimalt Division and the Township's Bylaw Team continues to support coordinated enforcement, communication, and service delivery.
o Esquimalt Councillor Ken Amour has stepped down from his position on Council and has been appointed as a community representative on the Victoria Esquimalt Police Board for a one-year term commencing August 24, 2026.
4. Economic Development
o Launched Esquimalt's participation in the Economic Nutrition program in partnership with the Shorefast Institute, providing local businesses with tools to better understand and communicate their economic impact within the community.
o Strengthened regional, provincial, and federal partnerships through participation in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Defence Task Force, helping position Esquimalt to identify opportunities and prepare for future defence-related growth and investment
o Additional economic development accomplishments are outlined in Appendix B.
5. Strategic Initiatives
o Procurement was completed for the Municipal Facilities Options Analysis project, which will support Council's consideration of future uses of the Temporary Fire Hall, Municipal Hall, and other civic facilities.
o Preliminary work commenced on a long-term approach to municipal property and facility planning to help inform future Council decision-making.
o Development of Esquimalt Forward continued during the reporting period, including a September workshop with directors and managers. The plan is intended to provide a framework for advancing strategic priorities, improving organizational effectiveness, cross-departmental coordination, and continuous improvement.
Attachments:
1. Appendix A: P2 Bylaw Enforcement Report
2. Appendix B: P2 Economic Development Report