Plans to borrow $150 million for the construction of a new operations centre will bring a protest to Saanich streets on Saturday
Save Our Saanich Neighbourhoods Society will hold its second rally against the Saanich alternative approval process (AAP) on Saturday (June 21) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the intersection of Gorge Road West and Tillicum Road in Saanich. The group will be providing elector response forms at the adjacent Gorge Waterway Park to allow residents to voice opposition to the borrowing plan.
Saanich is seeking authorization to borrow $150 million to replace the aging Saanich Operations Centre. The 13.2-acre site, which currently employs about 250 people, serves as the primary hub for services including water, sewer, roads, parks, solid waste collection and fleet maintenance. Built between the 1950s and 1970s, the buildings are now considered Saanich's “highest priority site” for redevelopment.
Described as a method of seeking electoral approval for local government initiatives, the AAP allows residents to oppose the borrowing plan by submitting a response form. If more than 10 per cent of eligible voters (8,735 residents) do so by the June 25 deadline, the initiative will not proceed.
Several dozen protesters gathered at the intersection of Quadra Street and McKenzie Avenue at the first rally on June 10.
“The AAP process is undemocratic in that you are assumed to be in favour unless you go to the effort of finding, completing, then returning an elector response form on time,” said Save Our Saanich president Nancy Di Castri. “Most Saanich residents don’t even know what an AAP is, nor understand the property tax increases and the utility cost increases that go along with it.”
In a previous interview with Saanich News, Mayor Dean Murdock emphasized that the AAP route was necessary, as the district “no longer has the luxury of more time” to replace its parks and public works facilities.
“A referendum… would mean a delay in advancing the project,” said Murdock. “Given the current inflationary environment when it comes to construction costs, that's likely to add many millions to the costs of the project… and just further kick the can down the road.
Residents must submit their vote to the District of Saanich by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25. Forms can be submitted in person at the municipal hall (770 Vernon Ave.), from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Forms can also be submitted by using the secure drop box after hours, by mail, or by sending a scanned copy via email. Any Saanich resident aged 18 or over, or any Saanich residential property owner who resides outside of the municipality, is eligible to submit a form.
More information, including background documents and response forms, is available at saanich.ca and the district’s public engagement site, hellosaanich.ca.
