Freedom of Information – Page 5

June 26, 2025

BC Housing Launched a Quasi-Judicial Attempt to Deny me Access to Information. They Failed.

BC Housing Launched a Quasi-Judicial Attempt to Deny me Access to Information. They Failed. By Sasha IzardJune 25, 2025 ————————————————————————————— In early February of this year, I wrote the following article: BC Housing estimates charging an outrageous $1768.50 combined, for… Continue reading

June 12, 2025

A Freedom of Information response revealed that City of Victoria staff stated in February 2024 that none of the trees in Centennial Square met the criteria for removal.

A Freedom of Information response revealed that City of Victoria staff stated in February 2024 that none of the trees in Centennial Square met the criteria for removal.The document provides compelling evidence that counters later claims by City of Victoria… Continue reading

June 4, 2025

Ministry of Housing Notes from UDI Executive Committee: “one [of the] potential flaws is that LG [Local Government] has to answer to the electorate and likely continue [to] show NIMBYISM. How do we ensure population is educated that there are consequences over time if LG [Local Governments] don’t do, otherwise public will throw councils out over elections.” “Some council members who approved [the Arbutus development] will pay the price from public, and may see more political churn as the politicians need to be able to answer. Need a financial consequence.”

Ministry of Housing Notes from UDI Executive Committee: “one [of the] potential flaws is that LG [Local Government] has to answer to the electorate and likely continue [to] show NIMBYISM. How do we ensure [the] population is educated that there… Continue reading

May 29, 2025

BC Ministry of Housing violated Freedom of Information Legislation: Ministry’s non-responsiveness in delivering its completed FOI results regarding its dealings and communications with a registered lobbying organization (the UDI), was deemed a refusal to comply with the legislation, by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC), which subsequently compelled the Ministry to deliver the results after.

BC Ministry of Housing violated Freedom of Information Legislation: Ministry’s non-responsiveness in delivering its completed FOI results regarding its dealings and communications with a registered lobbying organization (the UDI), was deemed a refusal to comply with the legislation, by the… Continue reading

May 24, 2025

FOI reveals content of discussion regarding Bill 44 and ‘missing middle’ upzoning at the Union Club between Saanich Staff and the UDI, a registered lobbying organization that advances development/real estate interests. “For background, in June 2024, we rezoned approximately 25,000 lots in Saanich.” “Neighbours may not know until they see signs of construction”. “Saanich wanted similar outcomes as Province”

FOI reveals content of discussion regarding Bill 44 and ‘missing middle’ upzoning at the Union Club between Saanich Staff and the UDI, a registered lobbying organization that advances development/real estate interests. “For background, in June 2024, we rezoned approximately 25,000… Continue reading

March 23, 2025

Index of Crown Corporations and Statutory Entities that have acted evasively about their UDI memberships.

Index of Crown Corporations and Statutory Entities that have acted evasively about their UDI memberships. By Sasha IzardMarch 23, 2025 and updated with the addition of subsequent articles. The Urban Development Institute, is a registered lobbying organization on the BC… Continue reading

March 22, 2025

The mysterious case of BC Housing’s paid memberships in a registered lobbying organization for real estate and development interests the Urban Development Institute (UDI), and how it revealed that a top BC Housing official was pushing for the crown corporation’s membership renewal in the UDI, while they were also simultaneously a UDI director.

The mysterious case of BC Housing’s paid memberships in a registered lobbying organization for real estate and development interests the Urban Development Institute (UDI), and how it revealed that a top BC Housing official was pushing for the crown corporation’s… Continue reading

March 1, 2025

FOI Request to BC Transit yields information about the UDI event: “Pathways to Progress: Uniting Land Use and Transit Strategies for Sustainable Growth” which took place the same day that Saanich adopted its new Official Community Plan and rendered its Local Area Plans legally non-binding.

FOI Request to BC Transit yields information about the UDI event: “Pathways to Progress: Uniting Land Use and Transit Strategies for Sustainable Growth” which took place the same day that Saanich adopted its new Official Community Plan and rendered its… Continue reading

February 9, 2025

Calls for saving the Sequoia mount as the City of Victoria Council receives growing public scrutiny over a lack of transparency, and among indications of what may be gross inconsistencies on the issue.

Calls for saving the Sequoia mount as the City of Victoria Council receives growing public scrutiny over a lack of transparency, and among indications of what may be gross inconsistencies on the issue. By Mary Fowles and Jennifer ButtonFeb 9, 2025… Continue reading

February 8, 2025

BC Housing estimates charging an outrageous $1768.50 combined, for 3 Freedom of Information Requests to do with basic financial and other information regarding payments to a registered lobbying organization that represents development and real estate interests.

BC Housing estimates charging an outrageous $1768.50 combined, for 3 Freedom of Information Requests to do with basic financial and other information regarding payments to a registered lobbying organization that represents development and real estate interests. By Sasha Izard Feb… Continue reading

February 1, 2025

The BC Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) Refuses to Search the District of Sooke’s Records to Determine if Information Regarding its Communications with and about a Registered Lobbying Organization for Development and Real Estate (the UDI) were Purged and/or Withheld from a Freedom of Information Request.

The BC Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) Refuses to Search the District of Sooke’s Records to Determine if Information Regarding its Communications with and about a Registered Lobbying Organization for Development and Real Estate (the UDI) were… Continue reading