COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
LISTENING TO SAANICH
A conversation about the community we want to build together.
This campaign isn’t just about telling residents what I think.
Outlined here are some of the conversations I want to have with residents throughout the campaign.
THE CONVERSATION
What matters most to you right now?
Six everyday issues that shape life across Saanich.
Household Costs
Transportation
Growth & Infrastructure
Public Safety
Parks & Environment
Local Economy
"Before I tell you what I think, I want to hear what matters most to you"
YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
What is having the biggest impact where you live?
- Community services and neighbourhood safety
- Safe and livable neighbourhoods
- Accessibility for seniors and people with mobility challenges
- Pedestrian safety near schools and busy crossings
- Poor lighting and visibility in parks, pathways and public spaces
- Emergency response times
- Urban and rural wildfire preparedness; Emergency preparedness for storms, outages
- Property crime, theft, vandalism
- Property taxes and municipal priorities
- Utility fee increases
- Cost of living and tax pressure
- Cumulative effect of taxes, fees, and charges on household affordability
- Spending on major capital projects
- Cost overruns and projects that exceed budget
- Deferral of infrastructure maintenance while new projects are funded
- Roads, sidewalks, and aging municipal assets
- Repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure
- Growth that outpaces roads, utilities and public services
- Development and density that reflects community values
- Traffic and construction impacts from new development
- Water, sewer and storm drain capacity
- Whether new growth pays its fair share of infrastructure costs
- Traffic, cycling, and getting around Saanich
- Safe travel for all road users (pedestrians including those with disabilities, cyclists, drivers)
- Congestion and road design on arterial, collector, and local roadways
- Recreational and commuter transportation needs
- Transit access and connections between neighbourhoods
- Transportation spending that prioritizes safety, need and value
- Parks, mature trees, habitat and natural spaces
- Access to parks, trails and community green spaces
- Maintaining parks and natural areas as Saanich grows
- Conservation in recognized ecosystems and native wildlife habitat
- Loss of tree canopy in suburban and urban locales
- Protection of streams, wetlands, and environmentally sensitive areas
- Balancing recreation, conservation and public access
- Agriculture, rural lands and working landscapes
- Rezoning and development pressures on rural areas
- Loss of arable and productive agricultural land
- Whether municipal policies reflect the needs and realities of rural residents
- Road access, servicing, and infrastructure in rural areas
- Protection of the Agricultural Land Reserve and working farms
- Few opportunities for light industrial and manufacturing
- Loss of neighbourhood businesses; Local job opportunities
- Commercial vacancies and empty storefronts
- Zoning limitations, redevelopment
- Access to shops, services and restaurants close to home
- Rising commercial rents affecting small businesses
- Construction activity, traffic and disruption tied to new development
- Whether economic growth benefits existing residents or adds pressure to infrastructure costs
What do you need from your next Council?
Tell me what matters in your neighbourhood and what would make you feel better represented.