Author | Lightnews

Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 20h

The short answer to whether there are easy to cut or delay board directed initiatives is no.

Most budget increases come from the cost of core service delivery.

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 20h

See the breakdown on the projected requisition increase for your community in Column D

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 20h

An area of concern, and future budget pressure, is the drawing down on CRD reserve funds.

It is wise that there are annual transfers to reserves and the CRD has used debt strategically to smooth out costs for taxpayers.

Transfers to reserves need to be increased going forward.

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 20h

CRD staff, based on board direction, looked to reduce the increase this year from potential double digits down to 6.3%, 4.7% if you exclude municipal debt (which is owned by each individual local government but flows through the CRD).

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 20h

This is why delaying necessary projects is not fiscally responsible.

This graph shows CRD budget projections from 2026-2030.

Every year, based on board direction staff work hard to reduce expenditures where possible while continuing to deliver the services residents expect.

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 3d

This is a great move by the City of Victoria to operate the YMCA/YWCA pool during the Crystal Pool construction.

This helps take pressure off Saanich’s pools and other public pools in the region.

That said the closure of pools over the years across the region is very concerning.

CHEK News @cheknews.ca · 5d

Pool users in Victoria are no longer facing a closure of two major pools, after the city announced an agreement to keep the YMCA/YWCA pool open during Crystal Pool construction.

Victoria to keep Downtown YMCA/YWCA pool open during Crystal Pool construction

Pool users in Victoria are no longer facing a closure of two major pools, after the city announced an agreement to keep the YMCA/YWCA pool open during Crystal Pool construction.

cheknews.ca

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 3d

Saanich is making progress on our housing targets, but we need to do more.

Families are growing, existing residents circumstance and needs are changing, people are looking to settling in our region, meeting housing needs is a good thing for everyone.

More work to be done to get there!

CHEK News @cheknews.ca · 4d

Saanich council received its latest housing target update, showing the district continues to trail B.C.'s goal but has accelerated approvals.

Saanich still short of provincial housing target, but ‘pipeline’ doubles as permits surge

Saanich council received its latest housing target update Monday, showing the district continues to trail the province's year-two goal but has sharply accelerated approvals that could boost completions in the months ahead.

cheknews.ca

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Reposted by Zac de Vries

Homes For Living @homesforliving.ca · 3d

Why! So disappointed in Colwood for denying 66 homes.

Colwood Corners is designated for high-density development according to the 2018 Official Community Plan.

What is the point of a community plan if everyone ignores it?

#yyjpoli #yyjpolitics #colwood #hfl #homesforliving #housingcrisis

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 4d

Transportation is also a large line item, but is most often number 2. There’s some exceptions to this, especially if someone Rents a single room in a shared house.

Transportation is also a significant opportunity to address coat of living!

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 4d

Housing is the largest line item in most people's budgets.

Housing is the foundation of affordability for individuals and families.

Building more homes of all types is the most effective way to tackle the cost of living!

Polling Canada @canadianpolling.bsky.social · 4d

"What is the most important issue to you?"

Cost of living/Housing: 45%
Healthcare: 16%
Immigration: 6%
Relations with the US: 6%
Debt/Deficit: 6%
Crime: 4%
Job: 4%
Environment: 4%
Education: 2%
Social issues: 2%

Innovative / Oct 13, 2025 / n=1500 / Online

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 4d

Valid point here!

Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 4d

Interesting ideas! I will pass them onto staff.

Something to note is nothing is changing any time soon; changes will be made in response to traffic and congestion issues as they get worse in order to offer some relief for people and it will be tied to transit improvement and community and growth

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 4d

Most likely it would begin as HOV but it is dependant on a lot of factors. First plug I’ve heard to add motorcycles to that, interesting!

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 4d

The only way to move more people through McKenzie Avenue faster is with bus lanes paired with cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.

It would be paired with community and regional growth as well as rapid transit from BC Transit!

inparts.bsky.social @inparts.bsky.social · 6d

Nothing to see here, just me and my 26 taking 8 minutes to travel the 500m from Saanich/McKenzie to McKenzie/Quadra. On a Saturday. 🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 12d

This is part of building back better!

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 15d

The link above is for Greater Victoria, there is a broader network of the BC Rent Bank Across the province: bcrentbank.ca/about-us/

About Us - BC Rent Bank

BC Rent Bank provides funding to the provincial rent bank network and supports our partners with technology, resources, and training.

bcrentbank.ca

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 15d

Are you on strike and struggling to pay your rent on your strike pay?

Please consider applying to the BC Rent Bank, which exists to support renters through short-term crisis.

More information here: communitycouncil.ca/rentbank/

Greater Victoria Rent Bank – Community Social Planning Council

communitycouncil.ca

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Reposted by Zac de Vries

Local BC News Headlines - Curated by CivicInfo BC @bcheadlines.bsky.social · 22d

#Saanich - Saanich rezones district-owned land in Royal Oak for 'special' proposal www.vicnews.com/local-news/s...

Saanich rezones district-owned land in Royal Oak for 'special' proposal

The 2.7-acre parcel on West Saanich Road has been rezoned for mixed use, allowing buildings up to 12 storeys

www.vicnews.com

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 23d

Saanich is helping non-profit housing providers build the homes our community needs by funding the pre-development costs for nearly 400 new affordable homes.

The funding comes from contributions made by new market housing. It’s a great example of growth helping meet community needs!

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Reposted by Zac de Vries

Tracy Grimsrud @pizzalarry.bsky.social · 25d

About 400 new units of non-market housing are closer to becoming a reality in #Saanich, with help from the Saanich Affordable Housing Reserve Fund (SAHRF):

www.saanich.ca/EN/main/news...

Saanich grants help boost development of non-market housing

www.saanich.ca

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 29d

That does make a difference! Im grateful to live near the Goose and Uptown exchange. Lots of transport options!

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 29d

Agree, theres more than enough room too! Hope something is in the works there!

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 29d

When a single car crash can gridlock Greater Victoria, it shows the fragility of autocentricity.

Walkable neighborhoods, safe cycling routes, and rapid & reliable transit aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re resilience. They give people options, cut congestion, and keep the city moving!

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · Sep 15

Where are SSMUH applications located in Saanich?

100% are within the Urban Containment Boundary.

Most are within or proximate to primary growth areas.

Others are close to parks and schools, perfect for families!

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · Sep 15

Huge opportunity for families here!

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