{"id":1710,"date":"2026-10-09T13:52:04","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T20:52:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alliforsaanich.ca\/?page_id=1710"},"modified":"2026-10-09T22:13:05","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T05:13:05","slug":"rural-saanich","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/alliforsaanich.ca\/?page_id=1710","title":{"rendered":"Rural Saanich"},"content":{"rendered":"
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MY THOUGHTS<\/span><\/h1>\n

RURAL SAANICH & FARMLAND<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Protect agricultural land. Support working farms. Listen to rural residents.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A meaningful voice for our farms, rural neighbourhoods and working landscapes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Rural Saanich, it’s farms, and natural areas are an important part of our community. The area contributes to our community’s identity, local food supply, wildlife habitat and a connection to the land. It’s<\/span> part of what makes this municipality special. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Rural residents also have practical needs that deserve attention. Road safety, drainage, maintenance and access to services can look very different here than they do in an urban neighbourhood: They need dependable services too. Emergency access and land-use decisions can affect rural properties differently than urban neighbourhoods.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I believe Council needs to understand those differences before making decisions. That means hearing directly from farmers, rural households and the people caring for these landscapes.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Commitment<\/span><\/span>Protect agricultural land and consider impacts on working farms. Seek clear investigation and follow-up on recurring drainage problems. Involve rural residents and farmers early in decisions affecting them.<\/span><\/span><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Protect farmland and its agricultural purpose<\/strong><\/p>\n

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I support protecting land within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and keeping agriculture central to decisions affecting it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Farmland needs to remain useful for farming. When reviewing proposals on or near agricultural land, I would ask how they affect farm operations, access, drainage and the land\u2019s long-term agricultural potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Housing and development decisions should respect applicable agricultural land rules and consider their cumulative effects. Protecting farmland requires looking beyond an individual application to what neighbouring changes could mean over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Support the people who produce our food<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Preserving land is one part of supporting agriculture. Farmers also need practical conditions in which to operate.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I would listen to local producers about municipal barriers and consider whether requirements and processes are clear, proportionate and serving their intended purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I support farm markets and opportunities for residents to buy locally grown food. Connecting agriculture with local economic development can help recognize farms as businesses and food producers, alongside their contribution to Saanich\u2019s identity.<\/span><\/p>\n

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When concerns arise between farms and neighbouring properties, I would seek an informed approach that recognizes agricultural use and encourages respectful communication.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Give drainage and maintenance proper follow-through<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Recurring roadside flooding, blocked drainage and deteriorating infrastructure deserve investigation and a clear response.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I would ask that residents receive an explanation of what was assessed, which department is responsible and what the next steps will be. Where a concern involves infrastructure capacity rather than routine maintenance, it should be considered through the appropriate capital-planning process.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Drainage decisions should also consider downstream effects on neighbouring properties, agricultural land and natural areas. Fixing one location should not simply move the problem elsewhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Plan safer rural roads<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Rural road improvements need to respond to local conditions, including limited space, visibility, farm equipment and the needs of people walking, cycling or travelling with mobility aids.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I would support assessing problem locations with residents and transportation staff, then selecting suitable measures. These could include clearer markings, better sightlines, appropriate speed management and safer connections near schools and community destinations.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Improvements must also preserve practical access for farms, deliveries and emergency vehicles. Rural residents deserve safety measures designed for the roads they actually use.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Consider housing carefully<\/strong><\/p>\n

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I support examining suites, garden homes and carriage homes where appropriate. These options can help households accommodate family members or provide additional housing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In rural areas, I would consider servicing, drainage, road access, emergency response and environmental impacts. On agricultural land, proposals also need to respect applicable ALR requirements and the needs of working farms.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Rural Saanich should have a meaningful role in housing discussions, with decisions that recognize the difference between agricultural land, rural residential properties and serviced urban neighbourhoods.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Care for water and natural habitat<\/strong><\/p>\n

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My conservation governance experience has reinforced the importance of science, long-term planning and partnerships.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I would bring that approach to concerns affecting rural lakes, streams, wetlands and forests. That includes supporting appropriate invasive-species management, habitat restoration and collaboration with stewardship organizations.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Projects should have clear objectives, suitable expertise and follow-up to establish whether the work is improving ecological conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Give rural residents a meaningful voice<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Farmers and rural households should be involved early when policies could affect their properties, businesses or daily lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I would seek input from agricultural representatives, neighbourhood associations and stewardship groups, while also making room for residents who are not part of an organization.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Council should explain what it heard, how that information influenced the decision and what will happen next.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How this connects to my priorities<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Families First<\/strong> means safe roads, dependable services and opportunities to remain connected to community. <\/span>Community Driven<\/strong> means rural residents and farmers help shape decisions. <\/span>Protect What Makes Saanich Home<\/strong> means caring for farmland, rural landscapes and natural habitat. <\/span>Responsible Leadership<\/strong> means maintaining infrastructure, considering long-term impacts and funding work that delivers clear benefits. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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