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On the Street: A banner year for harbour authority

With only a couple of weeks left in 2018, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority has become a little nostalgic and started crunching the numbers on the year that was.
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Cruise ships — including Norwegian Bliss — made 250 visits to Victoria in 2018.

With only a couple of weeks left in 2018, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority has become a little nostalgic and started crunching the numbers on the year that was.

“We’re proud to own and operate the Ogden Point Cruise Terminal, which saw a record year for ship calls, and we’re equally proud to be stewards of other landmarks throughout Victoria, such as the Inner Harbour causeway and Fisherman’s Wharf,” said a rather chuffed Ian Robertson, chief executive of the GVHA.

Here’s the GVHA by the numbers for 2018:

• Four million litres of fuel dispensed at the fuel dock at Fisherman’s Wharf.

• More than 400,000 people used the barrier-free breakwater walkway at Ogden Point.

• 250 cruise-ship calls brought 640,000 visitors and 230,000 crew members to Victoria.

• 2.8 million pounds of seafood off-loaded by commercial fishing vessels at Fisherman’s Wharf.

• 55 community events held on GVHA properties.

• GVHA sponsors more than 30 public events at the Inner Harbour, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Ogden Point

• Infrastructure Canada pledges $1.9 million toward the $6.8-million project to extend the mooring dolphin at Ogden Point Pier B.

• Annual Clean Up the Shores event sees more than 50 volunteers collect 1,000 pounds of waste in two hours.

• The Breakwater Barge welcomes 8,000 locals from May to September.

First Nations languages taught at college

Starting in the new year, North Island College is planning to offer introductory Likwala/ Kwak’wala and Nuu-chah-nulth language courses for the first time in the Comox Valley.

“These courses support adult learners in obtaining relevant credits to achieve their Dogwood diploma,” said NIC adult instructor Sara Child, who developed the Kwak’wala course. “But, more importantly, they help our students and communities by supporting revitalization of our precious languages.”

The courses were first offered in Port Hardy and Port Alberni, as part of a commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to action.

Both courses are tuition-free.

The Campbell River and Comox campuses will offer the introduction to Kwak’wala course, which incorporates the Likwala language.

The introduction to Nuu-Chah-nulth is offered at NIC’s Campbell River campus.

For information or to register, go to: www.nic.bc.ca/Aboriginal-education/Aboriginal-curriculum/

Empress hotel welcomes 'canine ambassador'

The Fairmont Empress Hotel is adding Winston, a canine ambassador, in 2019.

The two-year-old, part Labrador and part golden retriever, joins the Empress from the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind program.

Winston will welcome guests in the main lobby.