2013 Provincial Election - All Candidates Meeting

Saturday April 27, 2013
Time: 7:00 pm - doors open at 6:30 pm
Brentwood Bay Community Hall
7082 Wallace Drive

Candidates for Saanich North and the Islands:

Stephen Roberts - BC Liberal
Gary Holman - BC NDP
Adam Olsen - BC Green
Scott McEachern - Independent

Watch video of the debate on Saanich Voice Online site.

Central Saanich 2013 By-Election Results

1. Alicia Cormier - 872 votes - elected
2. Ryan Windsor - 859 votes - elected
3. Bob Thompson - 827 votes
4. John Hanman - 813 votes
5. James McNulty - 682 votes
7. Susan Mason - 526 votes
8. Bernie Struck - 361 votes

Congratulations to the newly elected councilors!

Vantreight Central Saanich farm listed to sell for $20.4 million
"The Vantreight Farm, famed as the country’s daffodil capital and a family venture since 1884, is for sale."
Read more - Times Colonist (March 21,2013)

Arbitrator ruling derails Peninsula Co-op plans
Decision backs CRD's rejection of Central Saanich bylaw changes
"Central Saanich cannot change its bylaws to allow a co-op supermarket outside the area designated for growth, an arbitrator has ruled."
Read more - Times Colonist (August 10, 2012)

Peninsula Co-op appoints new CEO, general manager
"Ron Heal is the new CEO and general manager of Peninsula Co-op. Heal replaces outgoing CEO Pat Fafard who retired at the end of March."
Read more - Peninsula News Review (March 30, 2012)

Update: Co-op proposal takes Central Saanich, CRD to dispute resolution
"A proposed grocery store on West Saanich Road will see Central Saanich and the Capital Regional District head to dispute resolution."
Read more - Peninsula News Review (March 28, 2012)

Co-op keeps new store options open - Ruling to decide whether property will remain rural or be developed
" Binding arbitration will likely decide the future of Peninsula Co-op's land on West Saanich Road more than 17 years after the organization failed to win municipal support for a grocery store at that site."
Read more - Times Colonist (March 30, 2012)

Feedback cool, but varied, on Keating big box proposal
"While all 19 people who spoke showed some form of opposition to the bylaws, competing visions voiced by the residents highlighted part of the problem facing council: the community’s desires are varied when it comes to revitalizing the Keating corridor."
Read more - Peninsula News Review (March 22, 2012)

Work together on area's future
Out of the blue, as it were, Central Saanich council has announced it may consider allowing "big box" stores in the Keating area. Councillors have decided to hold a public meeting on March 12 to discuss the matter...
Read more - Times Colonist (February 16, 2012)

'Open for business': Central Saanich considers nixing size limits at Keating
Central Saanich could be "open for business" for larger retailers after council opted to move forward with a bylaw to remove a size restriction in Keating X Road business area.,,
Read more - Peninsula News Review (February 14, 2012)

Central Saanich tries again at Co-op development
The Capital Regional District denying Central Saanich's request to allow the Co-op to build outside the urban settlement area didn't sit well and the council opted to seek some outside help...
Read more - Peninsula News Review (February 8, 2012)

Re-evaluate Co-op’s policy
Peninsula Co-op pleaded protection of its members’ contact information when it responded to a B.C. Supreme Court ruling issued last week...
Read more - Peninsula News Review (February 1, 2012)

BC Supreme Court Ruling Confirms Greater Member Participation in Director Elections at the Peninsula Co-op
Justice Gaul of the BC Supreme Court delivered an oral decision today, confirming Peninsula Co-op members are entitled to a copy of the membership list ...
Read more (January 26, 2012)

RRoCSS has applied for leave to appeal a lower court decision to the Supreme Court of Canada
Read more (January 24, 2012)

RRoCSS is based on the work of volunteers. Like many of you we believe in the future of Central Saanich as part of a bigger community of different people united by the ideas of altruism and care for nature around us. Healthy living for all our children and grandchildren, based on clean water, air, land and food, is more important to us than quick gains benefiting a few people. It is not a “sexy” job, and the rewards are few when faced with the relentless appetite for growth of the so-called “proponents of progress”. Development without thought for the future is not progress.

Our volunteers spend a lot of time researching, meeting, preparing statements and organizing events. Some of these activities require money: FOI documents from municipality, advertising, printing, legal advice and counsel. We have the selfless passion of people devoted to the community, but when principles and dollars collide, it is a reality that in our world dollars are favoured to win.

RRoCSS is asking people who can give of their time or money to help now more than ever. We are in the middle of important events which will change the future of our community. Make it a change for a healthy future.
Thank you.

We need your help - please donate

Central Saanich Council's decision to approve the Vantreight development goes against the Official Community Plan, which is supported by provincial legislation. RRoCSS members voted in favour of starting a lawsuit against the bylaw, but any legal action comes with a cost. Justice Victor Curtis ruled it is not for the courts to interfere with an elected council's "reasonable interpretation" of an Official Community Plan. RRoCSS is appealing this decision.

Please donate to help us restore democracy and respect for the law in Central Saanich. Thank you. Donations by cheque: If you would like to donate by cheque make your cheque payable to RROCSS and send it to the address in the "Contact us" page.

SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) Public participation and free speech sometimes results in SLAPP lawsuits. These lawsuits generally have no merit and often rely on a large economic imbalance between the parties. They are crafted to silence freedom of speech, and economically burden the target. As such, if allowed to, they can cause public harm by silencing fair comment and free speech, squandering limited resources, and placing an unnecessary burden on our public legal system. Learn more about SLAPP suits here.

"Democracy is rough and tumble; conflict is built into the process, but provided the conflict stops short of violence, it is better than bland or managed consensus."