He sounds like an incredible guy. Thank you for sharing this!

The stories were painful; I'm sure it was difficult for our grandfathers. When mine brought them up, my grandma would try to stop him because he had nightmares for days afterwards — how much veterans suffered for our freedom. I want to do all I can to respect that by serving others in my community.

Thank you 🫡

My grandpa’s story reminds me that service — especially to the most vulnerable — and peace are things we must keep building, together.

Lest we forget.

On Inauguration Day 2022, I swore my oath of office on his medals and armband — a promise to continue my family’s legacy of service. My dad, who passed away this year, shared that special moment with me.

During the war, he prayed: “God, get me out of here, and I will dedicate my life to you.”

He was the only person from his battalion to return home, and he kept that promise by devoting the rest of his life to service as a minister, alongside his wife, Mona Mae, a Salvation Army deaconess.



and was decorated twice for bravery in the field.

He saw terrible loss — including when his best friend stepped on a land mine at the other end of the stretcher he carried. He survived but carried that trauma all his life.

For me, remembrance is also personal. My grandfather, Alfred John Loughton, served in the First World War as a conscientious objector and stretcher bearer. He spent four years in the trenches, including at Vimy Ridge,

RAP is the only facility on Vancouver Island — and one of just four in B.C. — supported through this $51-billion, 10-year investment in community infrastructure. A fantastic boost for one of Victoria’s most loved spaces!

RAP is the only facility on Vancouver Island — and one of just four in B.C. — supported through this $51-billion, 10-year investment in community infrastructure. A fantastic boost for one of Victoria’s most loved spaces!

whose courage and service continue to strengthen our community.

❤️ Today we remember, we give thanks, and we commit to truth and reconciliation.

#IndigenousVeteransDay #LestWeForget #yyj #TruthAndReconciliation

earning 11 medals for his extraordinary bravery in WWII and the Korean War. Yet when he returned home, like many Indigenous veterans, he was denied benefits, land grants, and even the right to vote.

Here in Victoria, we especially honour the veterans from the Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations,

I’m thrilled to see this progress — it’s a major step toward delivering the modern, accessible recreation centre Victoria deserves.

👉 Learn more about the Crystal Pool Replacement Project here: www.victoria.ca/city-governm...

and fitness facility once the Y moves to its new Bay Centre location in early 2026.

The current Crystal Pool is expected to close in fall 2026, a bit earlier than planned, so that demolition and site prep for the new facility can get underway sooner.

I hope people are enjoying a day filled with gratitude and good company. As we give thanks, let’s also remember that not everyone has a table to gather around — and keep looking out for one another as we work towards building a more just and equitable city.

Thank you for making my day!

which I will add to my “to-do” list. No rest for municipal councillors on federal and provincial responsibilities! (2/2)

He should have said that then ;) The risk here is moving back into “housing readiness,” which takes us backward. It’s best to consult with social scientists and review peer-reviewed research papers on the topic, (1/2)

But Housing First was always meant to come with wraparound supports tailored to each person’s needs — including detox and treatment options. In my experience, I’ve never seen Housing First operate in Greater Victoria as intended.