Stop Ogden Point Rezoning by City Council on June 25, 2026
On Thursday, June 25, 2026, City Council will vote on new and revised industrial zoning within the Urban Industrial Land Reserve which includes a new definition of "Port" for Ogden Point and rezones Ogden Point as Marine Industrial which includes uses such as ship breaking and ship and marine vessel recycling. Ogden Point is currently zoned as light industrial. The GVHA wrote a letter of support for the proposed zoning framework. They did not mention work on proposed rezoning in their recent consultation with the community.
Here is the meeting Agenda. See Item G.2 and read our analysis below.
Committee of the Whole - June 25, 2026
If you agree that this re-zoning should be stopped, please send an email stating your objections to:
councillors@victoria.ca
This email address reaches every Victoria City Councillor, and the Mayor. Make your voice heard!
Here are five reasons why Ogden Point rezoning should be stopped
1) Timing is premature as the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority is currently conducting consultation on a new Integrated Plan
2) Initial consultation on industrial zoning was based on targeted outreach to industrial landowners and businesses only as part of the Industry, Arts and Innovation (IAI) District work, with no public input. Subsequent consultation in 2026, after approval of the OCP, also excluded the public.
3) The Public Notice of Hearing dated August 29, 2025, clearly identified Ogden Point as an Area not Affected by the Amendment to Zoning Bylaw 2018.
4) Ogden Point is currently zoned as M-2 light industrial district. The staff report states that properties with current light industrial zoning (e.g. M-1, M-2) would receive a new Light Industrial Zone (LI--1)
5) The definition of Marine Industrial appears to have changed significantly from its original definition.
Here is background information relating to each of the above objections, according to our reading of materials possible in the short time frame, since we only became aware of this on January 19, 2026.
1) Premature Timing for Rezoning Ogden Point
The City of Victoria's Rezoning and Development Policy states that developments on the Ogden Point lands should be consistent with an adopted comprehensive development plan for the area. The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) is currently developing and consulting on a new Integrated Plan for its properties, including Ogden Point. It seems premature to designate zoning for Ogden Point without a final GVHA plan.
There is no urgency to revise Ogden Point zoning at this point, as the GVHA Integrated Plan is expected to be presented to Council in 2027. Council recently approved changes to Bylaw 2018 for Fisherman's Wharf (a GVHA site) - this was done to meet a June 30 deadline to comply with provincial legislation and preserve existing density bonusing. This sets a precedent that zoning can be implemented as needed and when the timing is right.
2) Targeted Consultation with no Public Input
The MI-1 zone was initially developed prior to OCP approval with targeted engagement of industrial landowners and businesses as part of the Industry, Arts and Innovation (IAI) District work, with no public input. In 2026, the City engaged heavy and marine industrial stakeholders and mailed information postcards to over 600 industrial property landowners and businesses on three proposed industrial zones, again without general public consultation. This is the first time Council is presented with all three zones for the entire urban industrial land reserve, including areas close to residential neighbourhoods.
3) Ogden Point was not Affected by Bylaw 2018 Amendment
Phase One of the Zoning Bylaw Modernization process focused primarily on providing modernized zoning for residential areas. The Notice of Public Hearing dated August 29, 2025 advised that areas like Ogden Point were not affected by Amendments to Zoning Bylaw 2018. This created a perception that there would be further public consultation during other phases.
4) Inconsistency with Current Zoning
Ogden Point is currently zoned M-2 Light Industrial. The staff report states that "properties with current light industrial zoning...would receive a new Light Industrial Zone LI-1)". It is unclear why Ogden Point is now proposed to be included in the MI-1 zone. The site is adjacent to a densely populated residential neighbourhood that is already affected by activities at Ogden Point, including seven months of cruise tourism impacts.
5) Changed Definition for Marine Industrial
The revised definition for Marine Industrial appears to have changed significantly from its original intent. The September 2025 Rezoning and Development Policy defines anticipated land uses as follows: "Marine industrial uses including shipping, manufacturing, processing, transportation, warehousing and accessory office uses that respect and respond to harbour objectives". The revised definition now allows such activities as ship breaking, ship and marine vessel recycling. Marine Industrial also allows heavy industrial uses which are not defined in the staff report.