local-government – Page 2 – CRD Watch Homepage

October 4, 2025

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.

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. By Sasha IzardOct 2, 2025 An Archive.org Waybackmachine snapshot of Deanmurdock.ca 2… Continue reading

September 21, 2025

“Informal feedback” was used as justification to eliminate off-site Saanich Council Town Hall meetings. I made an FOI request to locate the “informal feedback”. The only feedback in this direction, that showed up in the FOI response, regarding the May 6, 2025 Town Hall meeting, was from Councillor Bondaroff.

“Informal feedback” was used as justification to eliminate off-site Saanich Council Town Hall meetings. I made an FOI request to locate the “informal feedback”. The only feedback in this direction, that showed up in the FOI response, regarding the May… Continue reading

September 20, 2025

Sooke’s Director of Corporate Services denied that a document showing who was responsible for renewing the District’s UDI membership (in contravention of a council motion) was in the District’s custody and control. Now after much of the year has passed, I have a copy.

Sooke’s Director of Corporate Services denied that a document showing who was responsible for renewing the District’s UDI membership (in contravention of a council motion) was in the District’s custody and control. Now after much of the year has passed,… Continue reading

September 11, 2025

Letter to Councillor Thompson in regard to your comments during the deliberations regarding the City’s membership in the Urban Development Institute at the City of Victoria Sept 4, 2025 Committee of the Whole

Letter to Councillor Thompson in regard to your comments during the deliberations regarding the City’s membership in the Urban Development Institute at the City of Victoria Sept 4, 2025 Committee of the Whole By Sasha IzardSept 11, 2025 The following… Continue reading

September 6, 2025

Transcript of City of Victoria Council Deliberation on Motion put forward by Councillors Hammond and Gardiner to “Terminate Victoria’s membership in the Urban Development Institute”. (Sept 4, 2025)

Transcript of City of Victoria Council Deliberation on Motion put forward by Councillors Hammond and Gardiner to “Terminate Victoria’s membership in the Urban Development Institute”. (Sept 4, 2025) The transcription of the deliberation provides very interesting and sometimes revealing material… 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

March 16, 2025

According to Saanich’s Corporate Officer, Saanich staff researched and found the cost for holding a potential recorded town hall to be $6000-$8000 per meeting.

According to Saanich’s Corporate Officer, Saanich staff researched and found the cost for holding a potential recorded town hall to be $6000-$8000 per meeting. By Sasha Izard March 16, 2025 On March 10, 2025 Saanich Councillor Chambers’ motion that Council… Continue reading

March 15, 2025

Who is in charge in Sooke, the elected officials, or District Staff? Staff went ahead and renewed District’s paid membership with registered lobbying organization for development and real estate interests anyway, despite clear Motion from the elected officials that Council would have to make the decision prior to membership renewal.

Who is in charge in Sooke, the elected officials, or District Staff? Staff went ahead and renewed District’s paid membership with registered lobbying organization for development and real estate interests anyway, despite clear Motion from the elected officials that Council… Continue reading

June 4, 2024

“Local Governments Chafe Against NDP’s Authoritarian Zoning Bill” by Riley Donovan

Local Governments Chafe Against NDP’s Authoritarian Zoning Bill Riley Donovan June 4, 2024 It turns out that mayors and town councils don’t love the idea of zoning control being unilaterally transferred to Victoria with minimal or no consultation. Who could… Continue reading

April 2, 2024

Voiceless in Victoria by Susan Simmons

Voiceless in Victoria This letter was originally sent to Minister Kang on April 1, 2024 by Susan Simmons and was republished on CRD Watch on April 2, 2024. Ms. Simmons encourages others to write to the Minister if they are… Continue reading

March 28, 2024

We may be on to something here by Arthur McInnes

We May be on to Something Here More questions arise regarding Victoria Council’s surprise unilateral 25% salary hike for themselves. Arthur McInnesMarch 28, 2024 Some readers may have seen my writing mocking Council’s (the Coalition of Five) recent approval of… Continue reading