A Deep History
Our place in the community starts with the deep history of The Breakwater District, formally known as Ogden Point. This is the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) Territory of the Esquimalt, Songhees and W̱SÁNEĆ people and the space where they once lived, foraged and fished. The lands and bays were their homes and they depended on this beautiful setting for their livelihood. The paintings on The Unity Wall greet ship, crew and passengers today. The art depicts the life of the gracious and industrious people who originally occupied this space.
As settlement occurred, the first piers were built in 1883 to support business and trade. Since then, these natural deep-water harbors have landed a variety of trade and passenger vessels, expanding with the completion of the breakwater in 1916 and of the wharves in 1918. This area was once host to a rail station, grain terminals, fish plants and lumberyards; all which came to an economic pause in 1984. As a result, the grounds lay quiet for nearly two decades before being revitalized to an active hub with a multitude of activities. The breakwater remains a favorite spot for local residents to walk and enjoy the sea.
We are a good citizen.
The Breakwater District is a vibrant place in the cruise season. Our desire is to sustainably move guests from the harbor to points around the regional district quickly, safely and efficiently. To do so means taking stock of not only how far we have come, but how far we can go – on less.
At PNWTS, we are in the process of updating our entire fleet to mirror 2010 EPA compliance, with a goal of completion by the 2024 season. To date we have decreased our emissions by 48% and upon completion this will drop our N0x, S0x and particulate matter on each replaced bus by 80%. The new double decker buses will use less full fuel for further efficiency, thus lowering our GHG emissions. Our company is carbon neutral and thanks to a local and dedicated team, we have been recognized for our efforts in addressing climate challenges and are now B Corp certified. In late 2023 we switch to renewable fuel, made from plant waste for a further CO2 reduction of 85%. This is done without increasing the environmental footprint of fuel delivery. We continue to lead by example, researching and investing in new technologies and systems to ensure the longevity of our vision.
Our final destination has not yet been reached and in the journey, we continue to link our green efforts to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We are B-Corp certified, which is a voluntary movement for the transformation of the economy for the benefit of all. We are proud to be part of this global initiative and to be recognized as one of the elite companies going the distance for a better work workplace and a better world.
Change starts with the little things we already do – like recycling vehicle wash water and using eco-friendly products, measuring waste and excluding single use plastic bottles. We can do more. As you read this, we have a team working on waste reduction, decreased water usage, reduced energy consumption, driver training to reduce fuel use, the creation of a bio-diverse workspace, composting on site and clean transportation options.
We will contribute to building a resilient community.
We don’t just work here – we live here too. We pay a living wage to all our employees ensuring they can live, work and play in the Victoria area. We want our employees to thrive – so they can contribute to the community in which they belong. For 100 families in Victoria – PNWTS is an employer of choice.
