TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: April 20, 2026 Report No. P&R-26-004
TO: Committee of the Whole
FROM: Robbie Young, Manager of Parks
SUBJECT: Ocean Networks Canada Radar Proposal
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the Committee of the Whole recommend that Council approves the installation of a marine radar by Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) and the University of Victoria at Saxe Point Park and direct staff to enter into a 10-year license.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) has requested permission to install an oceanographic radar unit at Saxe Point Park to support coastal monitoring and research in the Juan de Fuca Strait. The installation would be permanent, remotely operated, and maintained by ONC.
Staff have reviewed the proposal and find the installation to be low impact, compatible with park use, and consistent with Township objectives. The radar will add to the scientific knowledge base and may contribute to improvements in climate resilience and environmental stewardship. All costs and liabilities would be assumed by ONC through a 10-year agreement. The proposal is presented for Council's consideration (Appendix A).
BACKGROUND:
Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is an ocean observing facility hosted and owned by the University of Victoria (UVic), and managed and operated by the ONC Society, a not-for-profit established in 2007. ONC delivers ocean data from its cabled, mobile and community-based observing networks that represent an essential component of Canada's ocean observing science capacity. Representatives from ONC will attend the Committee of the Whole meeting to provide an overview of the organization and the proposed installation and to respond to questions.
ANALYSIS:
ONC proposes to install an oceanographic radar unit at Saxe Point Park to collect data on coastal and marine conditions. The equipment would be permanently mounted, remotely operated, and maintained by ONC.
The proposed location has been s...
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