politics – CRD Watch Homepage

March 18, 2026

Setting the record straight with the Times Colonist, on Saanich Council’s refusal to write a letter to the Provincial Government asking for the removal of provincially mandated housing targets for the municipality.

Setting the record straight with the Times Colonist, on Saanich Council’s refusal to write a letter to the Provincial Government asking for the removal of provincially mandated housing targets for the municipality. By Sasha Izard March 18, 2026 Yesterday, I… Continue reading

March 17, 2026

Saanich Council Ditches Motion to write to the Provincial Government to Remove the Provincially Mandated Housing Target Order for the District.

Saanich Council Ditches Motion to write to the Provincial Government to Remove the Provincially Mandated Housing Target Order for the District. Councillors Brice and Brownoff, had previously made a media tour promoting their motion to remove the Provincially Mandated Housing… Continue reading

March 13, 2026

The District of North Vancouver has discontinued its UDI membership.

The District of North Vancouver has discontinued its UDI membership. The action marks the first time that a municipality in the Lower Mainland has been observed ending its membership in the lobbying organization. By Sasha IzardMarch 13, 2026 The District… Continue reading

March 12, 2026

Lack of Consistency at Saanich on housing supply. Councillor Harper: “There is no excess of housing”, just a “lull”.

Lack of Consistency at Saanich on housing supply. Councillor Harper: “There is no excess of housing”, just a “lull”. By Sasha IzardMarch 11, 2026 Last fall I wrote the following article: Abstract’s hypocrisy on parade: “Out of prudence, we are… Continue reading

March 11, 2026

Our City is not Serious, by Arthur McInnis

Our City is not Serious Arthur McInnis March 11, 2026 Victoria’s HR Director Job Posting Is a Masterclass in What Not to Do The City of Victoria is looking for its next top people leader. Its own job ad suggests… 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 4, 2026

The UDI doesn’t register Federal Lobbying Activity, but it’s own public statements show that it is lobbying the Feds.

The UDI doesn’t register Federal Lobbying Activity, but it’s own public statements show that it is lobbying the Feds. By Sasha IzardMarch 4, 2026 The Urban Development Institute (UDI), is an actively registered lobbying organization on the BC Lobbyists Registry.… Continue reading

February 15, 2026

Experience: Amalgamation in Toronto Hurt Local Democracy, by Elizabeth Borek

Experience: Amalgamation in Toronto Hurt Local Democracy Saanich should avoid the same fate. Elizabeth BorekFeb 15, 2026 I was a resident of the City of Toronto when the various surrounding municipalities amalgamated with Toronto in the late 1990’s. There was… Continue reading

February 8, 2026

Newspaper clippings from the Times Colonist in 1981 reveal that the Housing Crisis scheme has been recycled a generation later.

Newspaper clippings from the Times Colonist in 1981 reveal that the Housing Crisis scheme has been recycled a generation later. By Sasha IzardFeb 8, 2026 The following are excerpts from February 1981 Times Colonist articles: “While many factors have contributed… Continue reading

February 6, 2026

New Facebook page created to Save Saanich from Amalgamation

New Facebook page created to Save Saanich from Amalgamation Sasha IzardFeb 6, 2026 Today I founded a new Facebook page created to save Saanich from amalgamation. Saanich may not survive the ballot question on amalgamation, which will be voted on… Continue reading

January 31, 2026

The NIMBY Smokescreen: How Bill 44 Protects Speculation, Not Communities, by M. Rose Munro

The NIMBY Smokescreen: How Bill 44 Protects Speculation, Not Communities M. Rose MunroJan 31, 2026 Bill 44 delivers guaranteed density and instant land‑value inflation to developers and speculators, while handing residents the bill. It accelerates upzoning without requiring affordability, infrastructure… Continue reading