A worrying development has made the news in the usually bucolic agricultural and natural heritage district on Vancouver Island.
In a surprising twist, meetings of three district committees have been summarily suspended by the council. With 21 volunteer residents these committees give meaning to the public participation principles enshrined in the Official Community Plan, namely:
“transparent community communication, engagement, and education in recognition of the importance of the community’s collective expertise, knowledge, and creativity.”
Bill Irving, chair of the former Commission Review Working Group, who drafted terms of reference for the advisory committees in 2024 added:
“I’m familiar enough with local politics that you don’t [suspend the committees] offhand”.
Peter Chandler, chair of the Agriculture and Food Security Committee, spoke at the council meeting on Monday, June 29, acknowledging the work of the volunteer committee members, saying the agriculture committee members shared their subject matter expertise ‘generously, openly and collegially.”
Chandler expressed concern at the surprise suspension of the work of the local advisory committees stating:
“It was entirely unexpected with no notification to the committee chairs” and added that in his two years as chair of the committee, no one has ever brought forward a concern regarding the conduct of any member.
Chandler added that critical work on the development of the vital harvest hub working group is now in limbo, and the coming review of the zoning bylaw is now “flying blind” when it comes to agriculture.
Will the council seek public input into any proposed changes to the OCP or the Zoning Bylaws before replying to the Housing Minister’s report?
If you are concerned about this lack of public engagement by the council on this critical issue, make your concerns known through letters to Mayor and Council or by speaking during the council meetings.
The next council meeting is on 13 July 2026 and the response to the Minister’s housing report is due on 17 July 2026. For context on what’s at stake in that response, see our breakdown of the numbers behind North Saanich’s actual housing needs and supply.
SOURCES
