Links
Real Estate
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Victoria Real Estate Board Current MLS Statistics
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Victoria Real Estate Board Articles
Buying a Home
•Buying a home: a sound investment in your future
•Buying a home: old versus new
•Buying a home: your needs and wants
•Buying or Selling a Strata Unit - Things You Should Know
•Checklist for house hunting
•Don't forget closing costs when buying a home
•Helpful hints on buying a home
•No time like the present to buy a home
•Picking the right neighbourhood
•REALTORS® help smooth the home buying process
•Tips for buying strata properties
•Tips for first-time home buyers
•The final cost of buying a home
•HST - How it Affects Your Home Purchase
Selling a Home
•Buying or Selling a Strata Unit - Things You Should Know
•Chattels and fixtures: put it in writing before you sell
•Could you sell your own home?
•Creating curb appeal can help sell your home
•How to market your home
•Marketing your home with a REALTOR®
•Moving up in the housing market
•Preparing your home for sale
•Selling your home - how to review an offer
•Selling your home - what a listing entails
•Selling your home - why it pays to use a REALTOR®
•Selling your home - why using a REALTOR® makes sense
•Thinking of selling? Using a REALTOR® just makes sense
•Tips on sprucing up your home prior to selling
•Using MLS® to help sell your home
Buying/ Leasing Commercial Property
• Lease Renewal - Help Is Available
•Using a Commercial Realtor® -- Leasing or Buying a Commercial Property
•Commercial Property Management
Selling/ Leasing Commercial Property
•Lease space or selling commercial property
Arranging Financing
•Arranging a mortgage
•Home buying and finances - making the right decisions
Why Use a REALTOR®?
•Making use of a REALTOR®'s expertise
•REALTORS® offer expertise and experience
•When to call in the experts to help buy or sell a home
•Why hire a Professional Property Management Company?
•Working with a REALTOR®
•Ten good reasons for using a REALTOR®
•Your REALTOR® and the Multiple Listing Service® - an unbeatable marketing combination
Other
•Glossary of Real Estate Terms
•Multiple Offers -
Canadian Real Estate Association
Education - Post Secondary
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Vancouver Island School Of Art
The Vancouver Island School of Art is an accredited private post-secondary contemporary art school established in 2004 by artist and educator, Wendy Welch. The philosophy of the school is to offer art education to adults with and without art experience.
Courses can be taken on an individual basis or as part of a program such as the Certificate of Visual Arts or Diploma of Fine Arts. We offer courses in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, art history and printmaking.
The school’s focus is on the individual who wants to study art but has limited available time. To this end, we provide a flexible schedule offering courses during the day and evenings. We also offer weekend workshops year-round and shorter courses and weeklong workshops in the Spring/Summer session. All courses and workshops qualify for credit towards a program. Programs can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.
The school is located in an historic arts and crafts style building (1921) that is centrally located near many amenities such as cafés, restaurants and grocery stores. The school has four well-lit large classrooms on the main floor and a sculpture room, woodshop and art gallery (the Slide Room Gallery) on the lower level. There is also a fully-equipped darkroom and library. The school also has a large parking lot for student use.
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Victoria College Of Art
THE MOMENT YOU CROSS OUR THRESHOLD… YOU ARE ONE OF US.
You are at the centre of our dedicated teachers’ worlds. We recognize the talents lying dormant within you and we believe in helping you discover them through the atelier tradition of spending more time making your mark in the studio, with our professional practicing artists as your mentors, than writing or talking about it.
WHAT ARE WE HERE FOR?
This is the question everyone asks themselves. And it is the question we constantly ask each other in our Victoria College of Art creative community. We like to think the people who have the best chance of answering this big question are those who recognize that CREATIVITY, in all its various forms, is the hallmark of what makes us truly human. Being an artist is just about the most green profession you can practice. Rather than consuming and polluting, the artist gives back to life and nature by making something out of virtually nothing, at the same time adding a sense of awe, beauty and fresh understanding of life on this planet.
At The Victoria College of Art we believe in putting your creative abilities to good use by teaching you all you need to know from three thousand years of artistic exploration; so you can use your talents in the real world, in hands-on, useful ways. This is why we have launched into organizing our curriculum in a unique way, whereby you can ladder your way up to our prestigious diploma by a series of practical steps through certificate programs of all kinds.
Starting again in January 2011 is the Certificate in Fine Art Illustration Fundamentals. 5 related courses makes you eligible to join the Vancouver Island Illustrators Society. One extra course in Advanced Illustration confirms you as a fully qualified expert.
New, also, is the certificate we offer in Advanced 2D Classical Animation, using Photoshop and Toon Boom, followed by an introduction to 3D animation using MAYA. We also have a fabulous new program in Textile Arts. We are all unique and we endeavor to create individualized and customized programs for everyone. Come and join us in a great adventure.
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University of Victoria
Local Government
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Islands Trust
The Islands Trust is a federation of independent local governments, including Bowen Island Municipality, which plans land use and regulates development in the trust area.
The Islands Trust has a unique legislated mandate for protecting and preserving the trust area, primarily through land use planning and regulation. Please contact any of our offices for further information such as Official Community Plans and bylaws about planning and regulations on specific islands.
Other services such as fire, police, hospitals, roads and sewers or septic systems, are provided by other agencies. For information on who to contact check the blue pages of your local telephone book or see these sections of our website related planning services and related resources.
What is the Trust Area?
The Islands Trust Area covers the islands and waters between the British Columbia mainland and southern Vancouver Island, including Howe Sound and as far north as Comox. This is a unique and special place composed of 13 major islands and more than 450 smaller islands covering approximately 5200 square kilometres of land and water - an area almost the size of Prince Edward Island. About 25,000 people live on these islands.
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Capital Regional District
About the CRDThe Capital Regional District (CRD) is the regional government for the 13 municipalities and three electoral areas that are located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. The urban centre of the CRD is the City of Victoria, and the regional district also includes many of the Gulf Islands, a number of rural municipalities and a vast tract of wilderness that lies along the south-western coast of Vancouver Island.
CRD Governance
■The CRD provides regional governance and services for the entire Capital Region, including regional parks, regional planning, solid waste management (including recycling) and emergency 9-1-1 services.
■The CRD creates partnerships between any combination of municipalities and electoral areas for services or projects that are specific to only part of the region.
■The CRD is the local government in areas which are not within a municipality. These areas are known as “electoral areas”.
The CRD is generally recognized by the services it provides to the Capital Region. These services can be either regional (supplied to the whole region), inter-municipal (supplied to two or more members within the region) or local (provided to electoral areas within the region).
How is the CRD governed?
The CRD derives authority from Letters Patent and from provincial legislation, primarily the Local Government Act. It is run by a 23-member Board of Directors, who also sit as members of the Regional Hospital Board.
The Board is made up of Municipal Directors (who are appointed until December 31st in the year of a general election), and Directors from the Electoral Areas (who are elected for a three year term). The Board provides a political forum for representation of regional residents and communities and a vehicle for advancing the interests of the region as a whole. Board meetings are held once a month and are open to the public.
Representation on the CRD Board balances the need to reflect varying population bases across the region with different community interests. Each local government gets one vote for every 5000 population. Each local government gets one director for every 25,000 population. If a member municipality has more than one director, then the number of votes are divided as evenly as possible.
How was the CRD formed?
The Capital Regional District was formed in 1966 as a federation of seven municipalities and five electoral areas. Shortly thereafter the Salt Spring Island and Southern Gulf Island Electoral Areas were added. The CRD was one of the first regional districts created as a result of changes to the Municipal Act by the provincial government in 1965.
In a “regional district” a number of local governments join together as partners so that they can benefit from economies of scale and eliminate duplication of effort on a region-wide perspective. Over the past four decades the CRD has functioned as an important governing body for regional issues, as well as providing an effective form of local government for the residents of electoral areas.
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CRD Natural Areas Map
Description of the Natural Areas Atlas Initiative Background
In partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (FOC), the Capital Regional District (CRD) is managing a project to produce an atlas of natural areas within the Capital Region area. The CRD hired a Habitat Steward to head up this project with initial support from both the CRD and the Habitat Conservation and Stewardship Program (HCSP) of Fisheries and Oceans. This position is housed within the Environmental Services Department of the CRD.
Mandate
The mandate of the Capital Region Natural Areas Atlas Initiative is the creation of a comprehensive information tool about natural areas for use by anyone interested or involved in land use planning and stewardship in the Capital Regional District. The goal is to promote and aid in well-informed, responsible and sustainable land use decision making. This will in turn, have positive long-term effects on the protection and restoration of natural areas and terrestrial and aquatic habitat in the Capital Region.
Scope
The scope of the project is defined by the political boundaries of the Capital Regional District. In recognizing that political boundaries are not always congruent with natural boundaries, the coverage of the atlas will be extended at the north end of the region to encompass natural watershed boundaries
Rationale
The development of natural areas atlases (mapping) is the recognized initial step towards the protection of natural areas. These atlases are one of the primary tools used by local government planners and engineers who are responsible for making day-to-day decisions regarding land use and development in and around environmentally significant landscapes. An atlas can locate and describe natural areas in relation to property boundaries, road networks and other cadastral information. In this respect, natural areas atlases are excellent 'flagging devices' for planners, consultants, architects, engineers and the development community to inform them that further study of a proposed development or activity may be required. These atlases also provide essential background information for tasks such as defining setbacks on watercourses and can also be used to complement land use bylaws and Official Community Plans (OCPs).
In addition to resource and land use planning, government and non-government agencies and community groups are able to use the atlas to highlight and prioritize areas that may be in need of protection and/or restoration. By compiling information from a wide variety of sources and making it easily accessible, the Natural Areas Atlas will become an essential education and information tool for land use planning decision-makers and the public.
Transportation
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BC Ferries schedules and more
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Harbour Air
Corporate Information
Harbour Air was founded in British Columbia in 1982. With two small Dehavilland Beaver seaplanes and a plan to service the forest industry, we began offering private charters. With growing success the company quickly expanded, adding scheduled flights between Vancouver, the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island.
Today, with over 25 years in business and more than 30 aircraft, Harbour Air and Westcoast Air have become the largest all-seaplane company in the world. Services now include frequent flights connecting Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Richmond, Langley, Sechelt, Comox and the Gulf Islands along with a wide selection of scenic adventure tours and private charters.
Discover the high-towering Olympic Mountains, rugged shorelines of Vancouver Island or almost anywhere you want to go in spectacular British Columbia with Harbour Air Seaplanes and Westcoast Air.
Our commitment is to service, comfort and safety is our number one priority. With your support, Harbour Air Seaplanes and Westcoast Air continue to grow and we appreciate your business.
WELCOME ABOARD!
Greg McDougall
Chief Executive Officer
Environment
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BC Sustainable Energy Association
The BC Sustainable Energy Association was founded in the fall of 2003 and officially launched in summer 2004.
Thanks to our members' support and activity, we have grown steadily since then, with eight regional chapters and hundreds of members across BC.
Explore this section to learn more about what your support is helping us accomplish.
From our Sustainable Energy Now! exhibits in Victoria and the annual Kamloops Energy Fair to the many special events in Vancouver and other communities, we have connected with many enthusiastic individuals, eager to learn about and become more engaged in advancing sustainable energy solutions.
Our Solar Hot Water Acceleration project put solar systems on 50 homes in 17 BC communities by 2008. With this success, we launched SolarBC which has helped install 315 more systems (as of July 2010).
The Climate Change Showdown delivers an interactive climate change education program to grade five and six students, with a challenge to their parents to reduce their emissions. Over 40,000 students and their families have so far been reached in this way (as of July 2010).
BCSEA' Clean Energy Classrooms and Green Landlords programs are helping many different sectors, including students, tenants and building owners, take their place in a greener and more sustainable economy.
We regularly share our educational and research work with political and government staff, and call for policies – like the carbon tax, energy efficiency incentive programs, and greenhouse gas-free electricity generation – that are helping us realize that potential.
With other organizational partners, BCSEA participates in regulatory reviews of BC Hydro’s energy plans, bringing expert evidence to prove the advantages of conservation and other sustainable solutions.
Our Wind and Solar Summits, and monthly Climate & Energy Solutions Webinars bring national and international experts on renewable energy together with policy-makers to educate them on the technologies and ways to make them work in BC.
Building on success, we are developing our Vision 2030 to inspire people with a vision of a workable post-carbon world.
Mission
The BC Sustainable Energy Association envisions a future in which all of BC’s energy comes from clean, renewable, efficient sources. Our mission is to facilitate the transition to a sustainable energy future in British Columbia through education, advocacy and tangible community projects.
» .Activities
The BC Sustainable Energy Association is actively engaged in a wide range of member-driven initiatives. We support the activities of 8 Local Chapters across the province, coordinate a successful middle school education project, host regular events, have an active policy committee, and collaborate on the $5 million SolarBC initiative to achieve a market transformation for solar hot water technologies in British Columbia.
» .Leadership
Our working board is elected annually by our membership, and we have a small core staff working hard at our headquarters in Victoria.
» .Members
The activities of the BC Sustainable Energy Association are made possible by the volunteer effort of our individual members. Members are empowered to develop new initiatives and shape the direction of the organization. Organization members have the opportunity to raise their profile in the province and further the business goals of their organization.
» .Donors and Sponsors
The BC Sustainable Energy Association thanks our sponsoring agencies, businesses and foundations. We are also grateful for the generous financial support we've received from individuals.
» .Contact Us
Your feedback is important to us. BC Sustainable Energy representatives are available to respond to any questions, comments or concerns you may have.
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National Association of Green Agents and Brokers
The National Association Of Green Agents and Brokers (NAGAB) is Canada's largest Non Profit association of Greerealestate™ Real Estate representatives. The Association is committed to promoting ways and means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing building energy efficiency, conservation, overall sustainability and environmental awareness. The association offers an affordable Greenrealestate™ program for real estate representatives leading to the commercial and residential Accredited Greenagent™ and Accredited Greenbroker™ (AGA™ & AGB™) designations.
Greenrealestate®; designees provide a means by which consumers are able to find real world green expertise in their real estate representatives. As a Greenrealestate®; professional you can have a real long term positive impact on your community. Get the designation that will help you make it happen!
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TLC The Land Conservancy of British Columbia
Usually known as TLC, The Land Conservancy is a non-profit, charitable Land Trust working throughout British Columbia. TLC protects important habitat for plants, animals and natural communities as well as properties with historical, cultural, scientific, scenic or compatible recreational value.
Founded in 1997, TLC is modeled after the National Trust of Britain. It is a democratic organization, membership-based, and governed by an elected Board of Directors (volunteer). TLC relies on a strong membership and volunteer base to help maintain its operations.
The Land Conservancy achieves its conservation objectives by working in a non-confrontational, businesslike manner. We work with many partners, all levels of government, other agencies, businesses, community groups and individuals to ensure the broadest support for our activities. We are here for the long term. When we take properties under our care, our goal is to protect them in perpetuity.
Legal Name: TLC The Land Conservancy of British Columbia
Registered charity number: 88902 8338 RR0001
For more details about our organization please view our 2010 Annual Report and 2010 Financial Statement.
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