Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social
Saanich Councillor, CRD Director, and Chair of the Capital Region Housing Corporation. Opinions are my own.
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.
Most budget increases come from the cost of core service delivery.
October 31, 2025 at 11:07 PM
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.
Most budget increases come from the cost of core service delivery.
See the breakdown on the projected requisition increase for your community in Column D
October 31, 2025 at 11:07 PM
See the breakdown on the projected requisition increase for your community in Column D
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.
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.
October 31, 2025 at 11:07 PM
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.
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.
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).
October 31, 2025 at 11:07 PM
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).
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.
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.
October 31, 2025 at 11:07 PM
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.
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.
This is part of building back better!
October 20, 2025 at 12:42 AM
This is part of building back better!
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!
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!
October 3, 2025 at 12:30 AM
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!
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!
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!
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!
September 15, 2025 at 10:03 PM
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!
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!
Where is SSMUH implementation at in Saanich?
Since the bylaw was approved June 2024 are shown in the chart below.
56% of applications are to build duplexes.
9.5% are for triplexes
Since the bylaw was approved June 2024 are shown in the chart below.
56% of applications are to build duplexes.
9.5% are for triplexes
September 15, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Where is SSMUH implementation at in Saanich?
Since the bylaw was approved June 2024 are shown in the chart below.
56% of applications are to build duplexes.
9.5% are for triplexes
Since the bylaw was approved June 2024 are shown in the chart below.
56% of applications are to build duplexes.
9.5% are for triplexes
Saanich named ‘Best of the City’ by Greater Victoria residents!
Several of Saanich’s community facilities topped the polls as well!
Several of Saanich’s community facilities topped the polls as well!
August 15, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Saanich named ‘Best of the City’ by Greater Victoria residents!
Several of Saanich’s community facilities topped the polls as well!
Several of Saanich’s community facilities topped the polls as well!
Prices are stable, hopefully this gives incomes a chance to catch up a bit!
August 2, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Prices are stable, hopefully this gives incomes a chance to catch up a bit!
While some housing markets have become (slightly) buyers markets the CRD appears to be balanced.
August 2, 2025 at 5:29 AM
While some housing markets have become (slightly) buyers markets the CRD appears to be balanced.
There was unacceptable behavior at Saanich Council last night during the public meeting on the Quadra McKenzie Plan.
Respectful disagreement and open debate are part of democracy. Harassment is not. Every resident — regardless of their view — has the right to be heard without fear or intimidation!
Respectful disagreement and open debate are part of democracy. Harassment is not. Every resident — regardless of their view — has the right to be heard without fear or intimidation!
July 8, 2025 at 8:23 PM
There was unacceptable behavior at Saanich Council last night during the public meeting on the Quadra McKenzie Plan.
Respectful disagreement and open debate are part of democracy. Harassment is not. Every resident — regardless of their view — has the right to be heard without fear or intimidation!
Respectful disagreement and open debate are part of democracy. Harassment is not. Every resident — regardless of their view — has the right to be heard without fear or intimidation!
Quadra McKenzie Plan Update:
The draft plan has been revised with major changes based on your input in Phase 3.
Your voice matters — Phase 4 engagement is coming this fall.
Let’s keep shaping this plan together. #Saanich #QuadraMcKenziePlan
The draft plan has been revised with major changes based on your input in Phase 3.
Your voice matters — Phase 4 engagement is coming this fall.
Let’s keep shaping this plan together. #Saanich #QuadraMcKenziePlan
July 8, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Quadra McKenzie Plan Update:
The draft plan has been revised with major changes based on your input in Phase 3.
Your voice matters — Phase 4 engagement is coming this fall.
Let’s keep shaping this plan together. #Saanich #QuadraMcKenziePlan
The draft plan has been revised with major changes based on your input in Phase 3.
Your voice matters — Phase 4 engagement is coming this fall.
Let’s keep shaping this plan together. #Saanich #QuadraMcKenziePlan
Nothing says summer quite like Saanich’s Strawberry Festival! 🍓
I love seeing the smiling faces as people line up for their signature ice cream and strawberries—it’s a tradition I’m always excited to help serve.
I love seeing the smiling faces as people line up for their signature ice cream and strawberries—it’s a tradition I’m always excited to help serve.
July 7, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Nothing says summer quite like Saanich’s Strawberry Festival! 🍓
I love seeing the smiling faces as people line up for their signature ice cream and strawberries—it’s a tradition I’m always excited to help serve.
I love seeing the smiling faces as people line up for their signature ice cream and strawberries—it’s a tradition I’m always excited to help serve.
The votes have been tallied, and the Great Horned Owl has been named Saanich’s Official Bird!
Saanich’s official bird serves as a symbol of the importance of birds in our ecosystems, helping to bring awareness to birds in Saanich and representing Saanich as an official Bird Friendly City in Canada.
Saanich’s official bird serves as a symbol of the importance of birds in our ecosystems, helping to bring awareness to birds in Saanich and representing Saanich as an official Bird Friendly City in Canada.
June 18, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The votes have been tallied, and the Great Horned Owl has been named Saanich’s Official Bird!
Saanich’s official bird serves as a symbol of the importance of birds in our ecosystems, helping to bring awareness to birds in Saanich and representing Saanich as an official Bird Friendly City in Canada.
Saanich’s official bird serves as a symbol of the importance of birds in our ecosystems, helping to bring awareness to birds in Saanich and representing Saanich as an official Bird Friendly City in Canada.
On National Day of Mourning we remember the workers who have died, suffered injuries or became ill because of their job. We also renew our commitment to protecting workers and preventing workplace tragedies. 1/2
April 28, 2025 at 4:59 PM
On National Day of Mourning we remember the workers who have died, suffered injuries or became ill because of their job. We also renew our commitment to protecting workers and preventing workplace tragedies. 1/2
Nice to see some of Saanich’s work featured in this publication from Simon Fraser University: Designing Comfortable and Safe Cycling Infrastructure: A visual guide to applying the Canadian Bikeway Comfort and Safety classification system (Can-BICS)
See the full guide here: summit.sfu.ca/item/39274
See the full guide here: summit.sfu.ca/item/39274
April 16, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Nice to see some of Saanich’s work featured in this publication from Simon Fraser University: Designing Comfortable and Safe Cycling Infrastructure: A visual guide to applying the Canadian Bikeway Comfort and Safety classification system (Can-BICS)
See the full guide here: summit.sfu.ca/item/39274
See the full guide here: summit.sfu.ca/item/39274
Saanich Police has a new crest!
The SPD previously shared a crest with the District of Saanich. Is it time Saanich modernized its crest too?
Current/old crest for reference:
The SPD previously shared a crest with the District of Saanich. Is it time Saanich modernized its crest too?
Current/old crest for reference:
March 25, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Saanich Police has a new crest!
The SPD previously shared a crest with the District of Saanich. Is it time Saanich modernized its crest too?
Current/old crest for reference:
The SPD previously shared a crest with the District of Saanich. Is it time Saanich modernized its crest too?
Current/old crest for reference:
Website does not have a single mention of:
-Families
-Children
-Youth
-Young people
No advocacy on their housing needs or what’s needed to support their well-being. Who exactly are they saving?
We should be protecting the characters in our community; planning for their needs helps us all thrive!
-Families
-Children
-Youth
-Young people
No advocacy on their housing needs or what’s needed to support their well-being. Who exactly are they saving?
We should be protecting the characters in our community; planning for their needs helps us all thrive!
February 23, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Website does not have a single mention of:
-Families
-Children
-Youth
-Young people
No advocacy on their housing needs or what’s needed to support their well-being. Who exactly are they saving?
We should be protecting the characters in our community; planning for their needs helps us all thrive!
-Families
-Children
-Youth
-Young people
No advocacy on their housing needs or what’s needed to support their well-being. Who exactly are they saving?
We should be protecting the characters in our community; planning for their needs helps us all thrive!