Abstract’s hypocrisy on parade: “Out of prudence, we are carefully phasing our projects, to avoid over-supplying the market.”

Abstract’s hypocrisy on parade: “Out of prudence, we are carefully phasing our projects, to avoid over-supplying the market.”

By Sasha Izard

Oct 9, 2025

At the Oct 6, 2025 Saanich Council meeting, the company Abstract Developments sought and gained approval for extending their development permit to build 25 town homes at the corner of Rainbow/Sevenoaks near the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary for 24 months.

The entire council with the exception of Councillor Chambers, approved the extension.

The proposal had been the subject of major controversy when it was approved in 2023, despite almost complete opposition from the residents. Many questions abounded. Why were there no hydrological and environmental impact assessments made, when this project was in the watershed of Swan Lake and Christmas Hill? How was wiping out dozens of mature trees including Garry Oaks maintain the ecology in the area surrounding the nature/bird sanctuary?

The issue that the majority of Saanich Council had combined received $11,200 for their election campaigns from Abstract Executives was not missed on those present at the public hearing which took place over several days.

The tie-breaker in favour of the proposal was Mayor Murdock who asked no question of the developers during the public hearing. Questions were asked, if he had been contracted previously by Abstract:

Snapshot of Deanmurdock.ca in Aug 2020: “Facilitation and engagement specialist”, leads to questions about the focus of Murdock’s consultation business, prior to his becoming the Mayor of Saanich. – CRD Watch Homepage

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The project went through on the basis that it would deliver critically needed housing during the housing crisis, now fast forward ahead 2 and a half years layer:

Not one shovel has gone into the ground since then at the site. Yet Abstract asked to extend their development permit.

During public input at the Oct 6, 2025 council meeting, Abstract’s Director of Planning said:

“Out of prudence, we are carefully phasing our projects, to avoid over-supplying the market.”

In other words, a proposal rejected by the community, that was approved under the guise of increasing desperately needed housing supply, was now being extended beyond its limits, while Abstract complained about market conditions being unfavourable to them 2 and a half years later without a shovel going into the ground in the interim.

Abstract’s Director of Planning tells Saanich Council: “Out of prudence, we are carefully phasing our projects, to avoid over-supplying the market.”

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Despite, major concerns brought forward by the public over environmental damage that would be incurred to the Swan Lake watershed; during the public hearing in early 2023 for the proposal, Abstract’s director of planning claimed that there would be many environmental advantages to the project, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

The company that owns Abstract development is Javelin Group Inc. Javelin Group – An Opportunity Company

According to the BC Government’s Corporate Registry Notices, the following to events were noted for October 19, 2023:

“ABSTRACT CONSTRUCTION INC. to JAVELIN (GROUP) RE HOLDINGS INC. at 10:28 AM Pacific Time”
“ABSTRACT DEVELOPMENTS (USA) LTD. to JAVELIN (GROUP) USA INC. at 10:26 AM Pacific Time”

Corporate Registry Notices — October 26, 2023

On Linkedin at the time of writing, the Founder of Abstract, Mike Miller is also listed as the CEO of Javelin Group:

Mike Miller – Founder & Executive Chair at Abstract Developments, CEO at Javelin Group | LinkedIn

Javelin’s headquarters contact is listed on their website at Abstract’s office on Cook St.

On Javelin’s LinkedIn

Javelin Group Inc. | LinkedIn

an address is provided for the organization to an Abstract building on Cadboro Bay Rd., a combined project by Abstract and CBRE:

2276_2290CadboroBay_Bowker_Brochure_Email.pdf

Under the company’s LinkedIn Description their “Specialties” include: “Real Estate Development, Capital Lending, Philanthropy, and Autosport”

In their LinkedIn “About us” section, they state: “Javelin is an international opportunity company based in Victoria, BC. Our pursuits span from real estate and capital investments to special ventures. We’re about building a wildly interesting future – and attracting possibility, like metal on magnet.”

Screen captures of Javelingroup.ca

For a company ostensibly concerned about greenhouse gas emissions, their parent company’s website featuring a racing car, and a jet flying overhead, does not provide optimism, that this is actually the case.

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