Freedom of Information – CRD Watch Homepage

March 20, 2026

New petition: That the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) be subject to Freedom of Information (FIPPA)

New petition: That the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) be subject to Freedom of Information (FIPPA) March 20, 2026CRD Watch A new petition has been created, calling for the Province of BC to require through legislation that the Union of… Continue reading

March 6, 2026

Parting Mayors: Helps and Murdock pushed for Government Reductions on Development Charges for Purpose-Built Rental Construction, Prior to Leaving Elected Office.

Parting Mayors: Helps and Murdock pushed for Government Reductions on Development Charges for Purpose-Built Rental Construction, Prior to Leaving Elected Office. Their advocacy while in elected office for waiving types of such charges on purpose-built rental constructions, mirrors the advocacy… Continue reading

March 5, 2026

No Transparency: The District of Saanich Doesn’t Keep Track of the Total Costs for the Estimated Quarter Billion Dollar: Active Transportation Plan

No Transparency: The District of Saanich Doesn’t Keep Track of the Total Costs for the Estimated Quarter Billion Dollar: Active Transportation Plan I asked the District of Saanich for the “Totals spent on the Active Transportation Plan and variants.“ The District responded: “there are no records in… Continue reading

March 2, 2026

Ministry of Citizens’ Services: “The Legislative Assembly is not a public body under the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.”

Ministry of Citizens Services: “The Legislative Assembly is not a public body under the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.” By Sasha IzardMarch 2, 2026 Several months ago, I wrote the following article: BC MLAs that are… Continue reading

January 31, 2026

FOI reveals full page of former UDI heads, having a conversation between themselves on Saanich Mayor’s Committee in 2019.

FOI reveals full page of UDI heads, having a conversation between themselves on Saanich Mayor’s Committee in 2019. By Sasha IzardJan 31, 2026 Recently I wrote the following articles about a Chair of the UDI Capital Region serving on the… Continue reading

January 16, 2026

I made an FOI request regarding the City Manager’s Office of the City of Victoria, with and regards, the UDI a registered lobbying group for corporate real estate and development interests. The City of Victoria estimates charging me over $700 for that information.

I made an FOI request regarding the City Manager’s Office of the City of Victoria, with and regards, the UDI a registered lobbying group for corporate real estate and development interests. The City of Victoria estimates charging me over $700… Continue reading

January 13, 2026

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC), has concluded that the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) is not subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC), has concluded that the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) is not subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Another major government transparency gap has been exposed. By… Continue reading

December 29, 2025

BC MLAs that are not Ministers, are not subject to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) requirements.

BC MLAs that are not Ministers, are not subject to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) requirements. The Offices of BC MLA’s (unless they are a Minister, member of Cabinet, or the Premier) are not subject to… Continue reading

December 24, 2025

Spending taxpayer money on development lobby social events, and other ethical conundrums faced by BC Housing employees.

Spending taxpayer money on development lobby social events, and other ethical conundrums faced by BC Housing employees. By Sasha Izard Dec 12, 2024 It’s Christmas Eve, which is a time for ethics, as many parents inform their children that Santa… Continue reading

December 23, 2025

The Housing Crisis Playbook: How BC’s Development Lobby Wrote the Province’s Override Laws, by Arthur McInnis

The Housing Crisis Playbook: How BC’s Development Lobby Wrote the Province’s Override Laws An investigation by Sasha Izard revealed the hidden architecture of British Columbia’s housing reforms: non-disclosure agreements, inside access for lobbyists, delayed FOI releases, and publicly subsidised industry… Continue reading

December 20, 2025

Neighbours say new Saanich mega-home towers over bylaw limit — City cites unwritten rule, by Franke James

Neighbours say new Saanich mega-home towers over bylaw limit — City cites unwritten rule. Did someone at City Hall make a math mistake? By Franke James Dec 20, 2025 Neighbours on Tudor Avenue are scratching their heads, wondering how Saanich… Continue reading