Our Priorities

The Elector Organization will endorse independent candidates for Saanich Council who share our policy priorities. These priorities are all important and not listed in order.

Public Engagement and Transparency

  • Leadership that listens to, values, and makes decisions which reflect the concerns of Saanich residents.
  • Open and inclusive town halls and documented public engagement.
  • Unbiased surveys to gather opinions before decisions are made.
  • All speakers at Council meetings to identify themselves by their full name and general area of residence in Saanich.
  • A Lobbyists Registry, to increase transparency and accountability, so citizens know who staff and council are meeting with.

Respectful Planning, Growth, Development and Density

  • Planning, growth, development and density that is neighbourhood-centred, and which protects the environment.
  • Public engagement to review, then rewrite the Official Community Plan.
  • Work to repeal any legislation that takes zoning and subdivision decision-making away from the municipality and gives it to the Province (e.g. Bills 13, 18, 25, 44, 46, 47 and m216).
  • The continued protection of Saanich’s Heritage Buildings.

Roads and Transportation

  • Practical, not ideological, transportation policies and solutions.
  • Transportation planning that is balanced, to include all modes of transportation, from vehicles to biking to walking and moves away from the current crusade against cars.
  • Transportation planning that does not overwhelm existing neighbourhoods or the environment, and is planned within manageable budgets.
  • A focus on safety, accessibility, and emergency vehicle access.

Fiscal Responsibility

  • Saanich must operate within its means (minimal to no tax increases).
  • Prioritization of spending towards maintaining infrastructure and providing core services.
  • Greater financial accountability with improved oversight for new municipal projects to prevent cost overruns.
  • No large borrowing without voter referendums.
  • A “Core Review” of all operations, priorities and staffing levels.

Protecting the Environment

  • Comprehensive planning that prioritizes environmental concerns, including robust protection for the continuity of Garry Oak ecosystems on both private and public land.
  • Plans to include, protect, maintain and enhance wildlife corridors between parks and nature sanctuaries; and to create buffer zones around parks and nature sanctuaries to prevent large-scale (over tree-height) developments.
  • Re-establishment of the Resilient Saanich Technical Committee to oversee sensitive areas and inform proposed development plans.
  • Safeguarding agricultural land (e.g. Blenkinsop Valley) from inappropriate intrusions and development, and to protect watersheds.

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