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Media Release re Universal Declaration of Tree Rights
Trees Are Not an Obstacle to Development After Saanich’s defeated vote, a clearer and legally grounded path forward By Nathalie Chambers, Saanich Councillor A defeated motion is not a final verdict. It should compel us to return with the official texts, exact attribution, legal clarity and a practical route forward. Recently, Saanich Council rejected my…
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Important Decisions by Saanich Council and How They Impact You … (IMO)
Important Decisions by Saanich Council and How They Impact You … (IMO) It is an honour to be celebrating six years as an elected official at the District of Saanich. It has become a regular practice for me to write to my constituents to inform, engage, and to inspire public participation. As your independent, 100%…
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What is happening at Saanich Council Meetings?
Dear Saanich Residents, Last night at Saanich Council, “Public Forum,” ‘another brick in the wall,’ was dismantled from Saanich’s foundation and legacy of civic engagement. Although the opportunity for semi-annual public town hall meetings was added (council amended to 3), it did not have to come at a loss for the public forum. 5/3 Vote.…
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Fall 2024 Update
Fall Update: I hope this email finds you and your family well. Fall is upon us, and hope that you had the chance to enjoy a nature-filled summer in this beautiful municipality we call home. Thank you, especially to all the stewards of Saanich, for your work. I am your Independent, 100% not development-funded voice…
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Who will write the future of Saanich? Premier Eby.
Who will write the future of Saanich? Premier David Eby The deleterious impacts of Bill 44, that was rushed through Royal Assent without debate on Nov 30th, will outlast his premiership by decades. Bill 44 requires all municipalities (pop. 5000+) to increase density on lots currently zoned for single family homes or duplexes to 4…
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Public Process and People, Pets and Parks Strategy Outcomes
Dear Residents of Saanich, especially those who took time to participate in the People, Pets and Parks engagement, It has become such a contentious and divisive issue that I wish to clarify why I voted in opposition to the bylaw amendments for Saanich’s People Pets and Parks (PPP) Strategy. It is because the revised bylaw…
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Homes for Birds
Along with food and water, shelter is a necessity for all living things, so today I am launching my Homes for Birds initiative. It is in direct response to the provincial housing targets that were announced this past week. Saanich is starting with 440 units and increasing each year to reach a total of 4610…
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Accounts from an Elected Official with No Developer Funding
Last week, I lost one of my most prolific First Nations teachers of 30 years, Mickey Cook. He taught me, and thousands of others, “to thine own self be true”. I would not be living up to that personal standard if I did not speak out at this time. Mickey used to say “when you…
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Zoning is the Magic Wand of Local Government
Last month, a Leger poll showed only six per cent of Canadians blame the country’s onerous housing costs on municipalities. As local government, we must remember we are the most powerful level of government for affordability and environmental sustainability because of our ability to zone lands. Zoning land is a powerful tool that must be…
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A 2023 New Year Call to Action: Preserve, Restore and Renew.
It’s that time of year when people say “Happy New Year!” despite the fact that global species diversity is plummeting, the biomass of wild animals has been reduced by 82%, one million organisms are at risk of extinction, and 50% of earth’s ecosystems have been eradicated by humans. There is still time to halt biodiversity…