Regional issues dominate concerns

Saanich News, May 30, 2014

Earlier this month Saanich held two public consultation sessions.

At the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre, the evening attendance was about 15, three of whom were there specifically to talk about amalgamation and regional issues. That is whopping 20 per cent of those who turned out.

This was ironic in the context of the session, which was entitled “together we are stronger.”

It was also apparent on reviewing the feedback of other participants that most issues are, in fact, regional issues, and would be better addressed by a governance model that had us all working together.

Whether it is the new recycling, composting, and garbage systems, deer, policing, cycling lanes, roads, zoning issues, road and bridge infrastructure, effective disaster response planning – the list goes on – these are all items that would be better dealt with on a regional basis.

Saanich Council does not seem to think its electors are concerned with these issues. In fact, Council believes that a tennis clay court proposal is more important for public hearings than discussing an improved governance model.

Perhaps the results of this consultation session will inform Council that a good percentage of the electorate cares about Greater Victoria, not just Saanich, and prefers to have a integrated model of governance in place.

Karen Harper
Saanich