District of Saanich

Couns. Rebecca Mersereau (left), Ned Taylor and Zac de Vries visit Leslie Drive in Saanich – a residential road with no centreline or sidewalk – on March 20 with pup Piper. They feel streets like these should have a speed limit of 30 km/h. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich aims to reduce residential road speed to 30 km/h through pilot project

Pilot project application to be amended in name of liveability, safety for vulnerable road-users

Couns. Rebecca Mersereau (left), Ned Taylor and Zac de Vries visit Leslie Drive in Saanich – a residential road with no centreline or sidewalk – on March 20 with pup Piper. They feel streets like these should have a speed limit of 30 km/h. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Saanich council will decide the fate of a proposed 59-unit apartment building for Raymond Street South on March 22. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich council defers decision on controversial condo development after five-hour public hearing

Six-storey proposal on Raymond Street South opposed by neighbours rallying to preserve daycare

Saanich council will decide the fate of a proposed 59-unit apartment building for Raymond Street South on March 22. (Black Press Media file photo)
(Left to right) Couns. Rebecca Mersereau, Ned Taylor and Zac de Vries visited Leslie Drive in Saanich – a residential road with no centreline or sidewalk – on March 20 with pup Piper. They feel streets like these should have a speed limit of 30 km/h. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Councillors call on Saanich to reduce residential road speed to 30 km/h instead of 40 km/h

Recommendation to amend pilot project application an effort to increase pedestrian safety

(Left to right) Couns. Rebecca Mersereau, Ned Taylor and Zac de Vries visited Leslie Drive in Saanich – a residential road with no centreline or sidewalk – on March 20 with pup Piper. They feel streets like these should have a speed limit of 30 km/h. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Saanich Coun. Susan Brice has been among those leading the charge to implement a ban on plastic bags at local stores. Council is scheduled to give final adoption to a bylaw banning plastic checkout bags on June 21. (Black Press Media file photo)

Plastic checkout bags could be banned in Saanich starting this summer

If adopted June 21, bylaw would go into effect 60 days later

Saanich Coun. Susan Brice has been among those leading the charge to implement a ban on plastic bags at local stores. Council is scheduled to give final adoption to a bylaw banning plastic checkout bags on June 21. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich and the Capital Regional District are offering free leak detection kits at municipal hall on Vernon Avenue until March 26 in honour of Fix-a-leak Week. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Free leak detection kits available to Saanich residents to reduce water waste, save money

CRD Fix-a-leak Week runs March 15-21, kits available until March 26

Saanich and the Capital Regional District are offering free leak detection kits at municipal hall on Vernon Avenue until March 26 in honour of Fix-a-leak Week. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
(Pixabay)

Mayor, councillor seek to reignite efforts to bring casino to Saanich

Rolling the dice on gaming facility could play a role in economic recovery, Coun. Susan Brice says

(Pixabay)
Saanich Coun. Zac de Vries checks in on the new student housing development on the University of Victoria campus. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich task force proposes more than 70 recommendations to address housing crisis

Housing Strategy task force report comes to council March 22

Saanich Coun. Zac de Vries checks in on the new student housing development on the University of Victoria campus. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
On April 15, the Capital Regional District will purchase a parcel of land off Willis Point Road from Saanich for $1.75 million. (Map via the District of Saanich)

Saanich to sell Willis Point Road property to CRD for $1.75 million

Transfer to take place April 15, funds can be used for land acquisition, building construction

On April 15, the Capital Regional District will purchase a parcel of land off Willis Point Road from Saanich for $1.75 million. (Map via the District of Saanich)
Saanich has installed Leading Pedestrian Interval crosswalks at 15 intersections in the municipality and plans to have installed 15 more by 2023. (Photo courtesy of the District of Saanich) The District of Saanich plans to have installed 30 Leading Pedestrian Interval crosswalks by 2023 (Photo courtesy of the District of Saanich)

Saanich plans for 30 pedestrian-priority crosswalks by 2023

Leading Pedestrian Intervals give crosswalk users head-start on traffic

Saanich has installed Leading Pedestrian Interval crosswalks at 15 intersections in the municipality and plans to have installed 15 more by 2023. (Photo courtesy of the District of Saanich) The District of Saanich plans to have installed 30 Leading Pedestrian Interval crosswalks by 2023 (Photo courtesy of the District of Saanich)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Sparks fly as Saanich council postpones implementation of new Cordova Bay local area plan

Some felt plan needed more consideration, others argued delaying breached public trust

(Black Press Media file photo)
Scott Laming and his neighbours have rallied to save the childcare facility located on the site of a proposed housing development on Raymond Street South. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Public hearing scheduled for Saanich condos opposed by neighbours rallying to preserve daycare

Proposal includes 59-units, six-storeys at 3656 Raymond St. South

Scott Laming and his neighbours have rallied to save the childcare facility located on the site of a proposed housing development on Raymond Street South. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich adopts first maternity, parental leave policy for its elected officials

Lack of provisions for councillors to take parental leave created barriers, staff say

(Black Press Media file photo)
A combination of protected and buffered bike lanes are among a series of improvements recently completed on Larchwood Drive. (District of Saanich/Facebook)

New protected, buffered bike lanes unveiled in Saanich’s Gordon Head

Bikes lanes, defined street parking among improvements on Larchwood Drive

A combination of protected and buffered bike lanes are among a series of improvements recently completed on Larchwood Drive. (District of Saanich/Facebook)
Saanich council recently adopted a 131-step climate action plan expected to cost $2.5-million in the first year of implementation. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tensions high as Saanich considers reigniting local area plan review

Majority vote pushes discussion to fall strategic plan check-in

Saanich council recently adopted a 131-step climate action plan expected to cost $2.5-million in the first year of implementation. (Black Press Media file photo)
Reynolds Secondary School’s spring musical Freaky Friday features Grace Fouracre as teen Ellie Blake (left) who swaps bodies with her overworked mother, Katherine, played by Nadia Lurie. (Photo courtesy Reynolds Secondary School)

Saanich high school goes virtual with Freaky Friday musical

Reynolds Secondary theatre program to livestream performances March 9-12

Reynolds Secondary School’s spring musical Freaky Friday features Grace Fouracre as teen Ellie Blake (left) who swaps bodies with her overworked mother, Katherine, played by Nadia Lurie. (Photo courtesy Reynolds Secondary School)
(Derek Ford / District of Saanich) Greater Victoria residents are among the most credit-worthy Canadians, but overall debt level continues to rise. (Derek Ford / District of Saanich)

Saanich gets an ‘A’ on first climate change progress report card

The document highlights sustainability improvements made in 2020 despite the pandemic

(Derek Ford / District of Saanich) Greater Victoria residents are among the most credit-worthy Canadians, but overall debt level continues to rise. (Derek Ford / District of Saanich)
In 2020, Saanich firefighters responded to 438 fires, 1288 medical calls and prevented more than $150 million in damage. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Pandemic meant more blazes, fewer calls for Saanich firefighters in 2020

Department reports preventing $151-million in property damage

In 2020, Saanich firefighters responded to 438 fires, 1288 medical calls and prevented more than $150 million in damage. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Gas leak in Saanich neighbourhood fills home through sewer lines

Firefighters, Fortis BC responded quickly, no injuries reported

(Black Press Media file photo)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich council opts to wait until amalgamation study can take place safely in-person

Victoria council, province must weigh-in on next steps for citizens’ assembly

(Black Press Media file photo)
On Feb. 27, a construction vehicle remained on the site of the former encampment between the Pat Bay Highway and McKenzie Avenue as part a clean-up effort. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Encampment between Pat Bay Highway, McKenzie Avenue cleared, all residents relocated

Efforts to disband encampment resumed after January fire

On Feb. 27, a construction vehicle remained on the site of the former encampment between the Pat Bay Highway and McKenzie Avenue as part a clean-up effort. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)