local democracy – CRD Watch Homepage

March 24, 2026

Letter by Elizabeth Borek Re: “I asked AI, if amalgamation saves money in Canada. The answer was no.”

Letter by Elizabeth Borek Re: “I asked AI, if amalgamation saves money in Canada. The answer was no.” By Elizabeth Borek,March 24, 2026 As you are likely aware there is a proposal to amalgamate Victoria and Saanich. The research in… Continue reading

March 23, 2026

Mayor Alto’s Proximity Problem with a Ward Crusade vs. Her Own Place of Residence, by Arthur McInnis

Mayor Alto’s Proximity Problem with a Ward Crusade vs. Her Own Place of Residence By Arthur McInnisMarch 23, 2026 Mayor Marianne Alto has made residency the cornerstone of her case for electoral reform at the Greater Victoria School Board. Her… Continue reading

August 26, 2025

How a groundless narrative cooked up by elected officials and the press of “boisterous” and “raucous” meetings, was used to justify major claw backs in open public input to Saanich Council.

How a groundless narrative cooked up by elected officials and the press of “boisterous” and “raucous” meetings, was used to justify major claw backs in open public input to Saanich Council. This article reveals the results of an investigation that… Continue reading

April 11, 2025

“We need to take the approach of all areas potentially supporting up to six storeys to ensure we have a pivotal opportunity to arrive at where we will inevitably need to get by 2050” – Quote from Sept 19, 2024 UDI Workshop on City of Victoria Official Community Plan (OCP) update.

“We need to take the approach of all areas potentially supporting up to six storeys to ensure we have a pivotal opportunity to arrive at where we will inevitably need to get by 2050” – Quote from Sept 19, 2024… Continue reading

November 24, 2024

Letter with answers to questions raised by Sooke Councillor, as to whether the District of Sooke is the target of UDI lobbying, etc.

Letter with answers to questions raised by Sooke Councillor, as to whether the District of Sooke is the target of UDI lobbying, etc. Letter to Sooke Mayor and Council by Sasha IzardNov 24, 2024 Hello Sooke Mayor and Council, At… Continue reading

November 22, 2024

Freedom of Information reveals that the Province of B.C. was working to implement what the registered lobbying organization, the Urban Development Institute, had been pushing for. This culminated in the recent Housing Bills that override local government authority on zoning.

Freedom of Information reveals that the Province of B.C. was working to implement what the registered lobbying organization, the Urban Development Institute, had been pushing for. This culminated in the recent Housing Bills that override local government authority on zoning. … Continue reading

October 14, 2024

Motion Debated at Oak Bay Council Meeting that the Urban Development Institute (UDI), Not Be Included as a Community Stakeholder on the District’s OCP Update.

Motion Debated at Oak Bay Council Meeting that the Urban Development Institute (UDI), Not Be Included as a Community Stakeholder on the District’s OCP Update. By Sasha Izard Oct 14, 2024 3 Oak Bay Councillors vote in favour of the… Continue reading

October 8, 2024

In one “Special Council Meeting” (Sept 23, 2024): The Majority of Saanich Council Voted to Eliminate Open Forum, and then Chose to Continue to Allow Unrecorded, Unminuted Backroom Meetings that the Public Cannot Attend Between the District and a Lobby for Developers.

In One “Special Council Meeting” (Sept 23, 2024): The Majority of Saanich Council Voted to Eliminate Open Forum, and then Chose to Continue to Allow Unrecorded, Unminuted Backroom Meetings that the Public Cannot Attend Between the District and a Lobby… Continue reading

August 25, 2024

Fact Checking the UDI Capital Region Executive Director’s Claim that Some First Nations Organizations are Among the UDI’s Members

Fact Checking the UDI Capital Region Executive Director’s Claim that Some First Nations Organizations are Among the UDI’s Members August 25, 2024By Sasha Izard At the September 12, 2023 View Royal Committee of the Whole, the Urban Development Institute (UDI)… Continue reading

April 28, 2024

How the Development and Real Estate Lobby Pressed Mandatory Housing Targets, Mass Upzoning, Captured Official Community Plans, and Made the Shutting Down of Public Hearings the Norm in British Columbia Under the NDP Government

How the Development and Real Estate Lobby Pressed Mandatory Housing Targets, Mass Upzoning, Captured Official Community Plans, and Made the Shutting Down of Public Hearings the Norm in British Columbia Under the NDP Government April 27, 2024By Sasha Izard (Originally… Continue reading

April 25, 2024

Citizens Protest the Likely Imminent Disabling of the Saanich Local Area Plans

On April 24, 2024 Citizens protested outside Saanich City Hall over the imminent likely rendering of their Local Area Plans to be legally non-binding. This is set to be accomplished by Council not including the LAPs in the new proposed… Continue reading