News

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.

This is your opportunity to feed into the District’s Financial Plan for 2021 – 2025

The District of Saanich’s draft 2021 to 2025 Financial Plan and the online budget education tool are now available atsaanich.ca/budget. The tool provides an opportunity for citizens to learn about the financial planning process while Council deliberates the draft plan.

The online budget education tool is available for all residents to explore and learn. The real-time results allow residents to see how budget changes could impact their property taxes. Comments submitted by residents in the tool will be provided to Council as citizen feedback.

The tool is available at saanich.ca/budget for the month of March.

Read more about Saanich’s ‘Partnership Tree Planting Program’ below . . .

Do you own property in Saanich with a boulevard area along the road? Want to help improve the tree canopy? Apply for our tree partnership program!

The following is a message from Mayor Haynes . . .

“Some of your members have contacted us in regards to the possible changes under review at Hartland. To help keep you all abreast of the approaches for input and consultation, I am sharing below a recent update that has gone out.

Kindest regards,

Fred

“On behalf of Council I want to express our appreciation for the input and concerns raised regarding potential changes to the commercial access to the Hartland Landfill. The letter has been forwarded to our professional staff who are in active conversations with the CRD on this matter. I’ve spoken with them and they are familiar with these concerns. Given the operational discussions that are ongoing, I can’t provide you with any information at this time. I encourage you to continue voicing your concerns and providing feedback through the CRD process. I know both the CRD and the District are committed to providing affordable and excellent service to residents while respecting and balancing the impact on local residents.”

Mayor Haynes has asked us to share his March 3 2021 update on the BC Urban Mayors Caucus meeting with Premier Horgan . . .

“I am pleased to share this update on the recent meeting of the B.C. Urban Mayors’ Caucus with Premier Horgan. You will see it raises the issues of an improved fiscal formula for your municipality and improved supports for complex care options for those of our residents in need.

As a member of the B.C. Urban Mayors’ Caucus, Saanich is pleased to be able to raise the key issues identified in the Blueprint with the Provincial government.

Meeting at 7:00 – 8:00 every Friday morning since last October, I believe we are making steady progress in meeting with your Provincial Ministers on the four core areas of Mental Health, Substance Use and Treatment, Affordable Housing, Public Transit, and a New Fiscal Relationship. We have also embarked upon raising these conversations at the Federal levels.

On behalf of the B.C. Urban Mayors’ Caucus and the Union of B.C. Municipalities, we would like to thank Premier Horgan and Minister Osborne for meeting to begin to explore opportunities for improving the local government finance system.