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“Council shouldn’t pay to hear a sales pitch”
(Letter in the TC By Gerry Anderson)


Sept 27, 2025


“Council shouldn’t pay to hear a sales pitch

Thanks to Victoria councillors Stephen Hammond and Marg Gardiner for ­following Saanich’s lead in pushing to end Victoria’s paid membership with the Urban Development Institute (UDI), a registered lobby group.

Despite some councillors’ claims, ­Victoria doesn’t need to pay to access UDI’s info or resources. During the ­council meeting, Victoria staff confirmed this at least three times, and Saanich still engages with UDI after dropping its membership. Saying that ending paid membership would silence UDI or isolate staff is disingenuous.

However, councillors Chris Coleman and Jeremy Caradonna said it would “cut out voices” and “end a relationship.” Seriously? UDI is a lobby group.

Councillors Krista Loughton and Matt Dell argued membership helps staff stay informed and network. Loughton said UDI helps the city reach other levels of government and understand ­provincial policy; Dell said it “helps staff talk to developers and learn from other ­jurisdictions.”

If staff rely on UDI to understand policy and access other governments, it’s a serious sign of institutional weakness and implies UDI may have too much influence.

Coun. Dave Thompson took a jab at Gardiner for citing a public UDI ­letter, implying it contradicted her stance against paid membership. It doesn’t.

This discussion showed how power and access work in local politics. Victoria shouldn’t pay to hear a sales pitch. Access to city staff and council is worth far more than anything UDI offers. Any lobbyist would gladly offer free membership for that kind of influence.

There’s a severe lack of clarity about who benefits from this relationship.

Gerry Anderson”