Saanich Now and Our Future
Gorge Park community gardens welcomes everyone.
A hidden gem on the South end of the Gorge Walkway.
OUR saanich
Saanich was incorporated on March 1, 1908. The word Saanich means “emerging land” or “emerging people”. In 2017 our population was 115,864 residents, making Saanich the most populated municipality on Vancouver Island and the eighth most populated in British Columbia.
Saanich is an urban and rural municipality. It is the largest municipality in the Greater Victoria Region with a land area of 103 square kilometres (40 square miles). Roughly 50% of the lands are in the urban containment boundary and 50% are rural-farm lands.
Saanich offers a balanced, active and diverse lifestyle. Residents enjoy food security through the safeguarding of agricultural lands and the promotion of community gardens and urban farming. We value our history and our heritage buildings are a part of Saanich. Land-use planning, investing in our infrastructure and facilities so that service delivery continues to address public safety issues are key to our future. Saanich continues to be a healthy community with citizen involvement and education through collaboration in community development.
A trail through Rithet's Bog.
Restoration of native plants.
Specially designed road crossing for amphibeans.
our Environment
“Saanich is a sustainable community where a healthy natural environment is recognized as paramount for ensuring social well-being and economic vibrancy for current and future generations.”
Saanich continues to improve and balance the natural and built environments. Using planning principles that see centres, villages and primary corridors accommodating the majority of future growth. Using sustainable and green building practices Saanich will continue to meet or exceed in addressing the climate change challenges.
With our unique, vibrant and distinct neighbourhoods Saanich will provide lifestyles for our diverse population, a municipality for all ages. Investing in a variety of travel modes which connect people, neighbourhoods and businesses. Designing for efficient and safe movement of people, goods and services is our future. Saanich must continue to protect our rural farmlands by adherence to the Urban Containment Boundary.
Map showing the boundaries for Local Area Plans in Saanich.
Lining up for the start of a Regatta on Elk Lake.
This is a favourite picture of me and my daughter’s horse Chances R. We were regulars at the Saanich Fair. She competed with Chance in dressage, western and jumping. In those days I was always amazed at the “things” needed and the costs ... being part of the horse community taught my daughter a lot about responsibility...
the our economy
Saanich is a diverse and active municipality. It provides abundant economic opportunities connected locally, regionally and globally. With an innovative and highly educated population, with the University of Victoria and Camosun College located in Saanich, these higher education facilities contribute to our strengths moving forward. Continuing to maintain a clean environment, skilled workforce, responsive public services and excellent community infrastructure all of which add to making us an ideal location to live, learn, work and play, and grow a business.
With the Shelbourne Valley Plan approval and the Uptown Douglas Corridor Plan completed, opportunities for business, housing and more have a clearer vision.
When I served as Saanich member of Victoria Tourism Board for two years it was obvious that Saanich can offer tourists great outdoor experiences from walking on a beach, biking the Galloping Goose or Lochside trails, a quiet hike up Mount Doug or an ice cream at Mattick’s — it’s all here to enjoy and help our local economy.
When I was in Japan as a key note speaker on Age-Friendly Saanich and our work with the WHO we produced a video to highlight the great outdoor adventures a tourist could enjoy plus our diverse business community.
With the establishment of the Greater Victoria Sports Tourism Commission located in Commonwealth Place and the new Executive Director actively bidding on sporting events, we will see an increase in tourists with each new event we secure. Saanich is home to many sports facilities that not only serve our community but can help capitalize on this new opportunity that will result from greater partnerships within the sports community. Saanich’s sport tourism is set to grow.
According to the Travel Activity and Motivation Survey, 10.4% of US travellers consider agri-tourism a primary trip motivator. It looks like another great asset in Saanich which we can use to help enhance and educate our farming industry.