A message from Mayor Haynes . . .

“Members of the public may visit G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre, Cedar Hill Recreation Centre or Gordon Head Recreation Centre to take a break from the sun and record breaking temperatures. Remember to bring your mask as COVID-19 safety protocols are still in place.

Not near any of those three spaces? Check out local businesses in the neighbourhood, such as malls and retail spaces, and cool down while you shop!

If you don’t have access to air conditioning, stay in the shade and stay hydrated. Keep water on you and don’t forget to check on friends, family and neighbours. Small children and the elderly are especially vulnerable in this heat.

Our four-legged friends can’t speak for themselves, but leaving dogs outside unattended or for ‘just a minute’ in a parked car could bring about disastrous results. Remember, the concrete is hot too!

Hats, sunscreen, water, all of these will make a tremendous difference in how we react to the heat.

Stay safe,
Fred”

Mayor Haynes has asked us to share this message and Q&A from BC Housing about the use of Mount Tolmie Hospital as a temporary shelter.

Click on the link to read the full message from BC Housing

QCHCA has been advised that the Rezoning and Development Permit application for 3839, 3851 and 3861 Quadra Street will be considered by Saanich Council at a Special Council meeting to be held on Monday, 21 June, 2021, in Council Chambers, Saanich Municipal Hall, 770 Vernon Avenue, commencing at 7:00 p.m. 

The report and agenda package will not be available until Thursday morning, June 17 at:

Saanich.ca/agendas  

Please email council@saanich.ca to indicate if you wish to present verbal input.

Written correspondence received up to 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting will be copied to Council for their consideration. Correspondence should be sent to council@saanich.ca.  All correspondence submitted to the District of Saanich in response to our notification of meeting, will form part of the public record.

QCHCA submitted two letters to Saanich Planning re the proposal – one after their first submission QCHCA submitted letter and a second letter after their resubmission following the deficiencies letter.  We will be drafting and forwarding another letter prior to June 21 based on Abstract’s final submission.   If you write to Council prior to the meeting, please cc qchca3003@gmail.com so we can incorporate your thoughts into our letter.

Thank you.

QCHCA members and friends were treated to an excellent presentation by Saanich’s Sustainability Planner, Glenys Verhulst, on May 25.  The presentation was recorded and you can watch it at https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/4epvd0KG6d1ABZCwKNQGE1c873dMI-AouRbHpoBnebHNpZZNgyQhwmvdmE9yuikO.ZjTfhbU-_tp3ElSz Passcode: 8Km=rxJj

You can also click here to see her slides.

Shape Living, the architects for Phase IV of Uptown, have asked QCHCA to share a link to their website, with:

• Updated project information (design rationale)
• Link to survey
• Link to a feedback form
• Direct email address
• Mailing address

https://shopuptown.ca/development/

Mayor Haynes was interviewed on Victoria’s Rumble Room and the link to the interview, in which he answers questions on such topics as “amalgamation, movie studio, 30 km/h pilot project, casino, police, homelessness, economic development, old growth forest, wolves, climate change and more”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l39tOnNIIq4

Join the CRD’s iNaturalist Biodiversity Challenge May 21-24!

The capital region lies in one of Canada’s biodiversity hotspots, bursting with an incredible diversity of plants and wildlife. Nestled among our neighbourhoods and workplaces are salmon-bearing streams, Garry oak meadows, vibrant wetlands and dynamic shorelines. In our backyards and local parks we can find pollinating insects, migrating birds, native wildflowers, and towering trees. This incredible abundance of life, or biodiversity, supports clean air and water, food security, recreational and cultural opportunities, and is key to the high quality of life we enjoy in the capital region.

Join the CRD in celebrating local species and ecosystems by participating in the 2021 iNaturalist Biodiversity Challenge, in honor of the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22).  Over a four day period, May 21 through 24, photograph and document local biodiversity in the CRD using the free iNaturalist Canada website or app, and help to build a record of the nature that surrounds us.

Participating in the CRD’s iNaturalist Biodiversity Challenge is simple:

1. Find nature in your backyard, neighbourhood, or favourite park or beach. Observations of plants, animals, fungi, insects, tracks, or even scat are all welcome.
2. Ideally, photograph your observation from different angles and capture different features. Use a digital camera or smart phone.
3. Upload your observation to the iNaturalist app or website.
4. Identify your finding to the highest level that you can.
5. Interact with iNaturalist community members online to confirm the identification of your observation.

iNaturalist is a free app that is designed for use by nature newcomers as well as more seasoned naturalists. By uploading photos of local biodiversity to iNaturalist between May 21 and 24 you will join a large community of local nature lovers who are helping to inventory and celebrate the capital region’s amazing flora and fauna.  Observing and learning about the natural world that surrounds us can boost mental health and wellbeing, and is a key step in conserving nature for future generations.

Visit www.crd.bc.ca/biodiversity for more information on biodiversity in the CRD and the iNaturalist challenge, including details about prizes and iNaturalist resources that will help you get started.

The Mayor’s Task Force on Housing Affordability and Sustainability has “identified top priorities for immediate action and a series of supporting principles, strategies and actions based on a 10-year time horizon”. Its recommendations are anticipated to form the core content of the Housing Strategy.

The Task Force recommendations are organized under seven key themes:

• Increasing affordable and supportive housing;
• Promoting and protecting rental housing;
• Supporting housing diversity and increasing supply;
• Reducing barriers to housing development;
• Strengthening partnerships;
• Enhancing community engagement of housing needs and initiatives; and
• Understanding housing demand and addressing land speculation.

Saanich is looking for feedback on the task force’s recommendations on housing and affordability in Saanich via our short survey.  The recommendations are outlined in a report and will guide the direction of housing decisions in Saanich.