Council adopted a vacation policy that can recognize new hires’ prior local-government service, and gave three readings to a revised remuneration bylaw after rejecting a proposal to bring the full pay increases in one year. A motion seeking detailed reports and fortnightly updates on the proposed Seniors Centre was defeated, 2–4. Public comment and council debate also exposed sharp concerns about transparency around a conference on measuring the Official Community Plan, while a delegation urged stronger environmental coordination across the Saanich Peninsula. Council adopted two election-related bylaws and repealed the old secondary-suites permit bylaw; it also asked staff to follow up on short-term rentals and dangerous traffic on Barrett Drive.
Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.
Council debated moving a late letter about the conference on living systems and future performance measures out of a councillor’s liaison report and into correspondence, where it could be discussed with related letters. The change passed 4–3, with three councillors opposed.
Agreement
The letter could still be discussed if placed under correspondence.
Disagreement
Some councillors preferred keeping related letters with the liaison report for consistency; others supported moving them to correspondence.
Add the late Gartshore correspondence to the correspondence section and renumber the agenda.
Official wording: That the correspondence dated June 14, 2026, from H. Gartshore, received as a late item under Item No. 8(b)(iv), be added to Item No. 11(d) Correspondence and further, that the agenda be renumbered accordingly.
Routine: approve the meeting agenda with the late items included and renumber it accordingly.
Official wording: That the June 15, 2026, Regular Meeting of Council agenda be approved as amended with the inclusion of the late items and further, that the agenda be renumbered accordingly.
Seven members of the public spoke. Speakers raised concerns about who was included in the conference on Official Community Plan performance measures, limits on raising staffing concerns during public input, protecting North Saanich’s rural and agricultural priorities, and declaring councillors’ family ties in zoning matters. A short-term-rental operator supported licensing but urged flexible rules that recognize provincial exemptions, allow responsible rentals during temporary absences, and set occupancy by bedroom count. Council extended the speaking period by ten minutes.
Agreement
Several speakers said the Official Community Plan’s rural character, farmland and food-security priorities should guide planning decisions.
The short-term-rental speaker supported licensing, safety standards and good-neighbour rules, while calling for workable regulations.
Disagreement
The chair stopped two speakers from discussing specific staff members or their experience, citing privacy and personnel concerns; a later speaker challenged whether public rules barred respectful discussion of staffing more generally.
Speakers and the chair differed over how much public access and council-wide involvement the conference and planning work required.
Routine: adopt the minutes of five previous Council meetings held April 13, April 27, May 25, May 27, and May 29, 2026.
Official wording: That Council:
1. adopt the minutes of the Special meeting of Council held April 13, 2026;
2. adopt the minutes of the Special meeting of Council held April 27, 2026;
3. adopt the minutes of the Regular meeting of Council held May 25, 2026;
4. adopt the minutes of the Special meeting of Council held May 27, 2026; and further,
5. adopt the minutes of the Special meeting of Council held May 29, 2026.
7(a) Saanich Peninsula Environmental Coalition (SPEC), presentation regarding the March 7, 2026, SPEC Community Meeting
parks environment1 public speaker30:40 Watch · Read
A coordinator for the Saanich Peninsula Environmental Coalition described its review of North Saanich, Sidney and Central Saanich Official Community Plans with Simon Fraser University. The review found that the plans recognize environmental issues crossing municipal boundaries, but shared priorities, mapping and coordinated action are limited. Community-meeting participants called for the three municipalities to meet regularly, coordinate water and shoreline management, better support agriculture, and consider a peninsula-wide environmental advisory body. A final research report, including draft terms of reference for such a body, was expected to be circulated in about a week.
Agreement
Environmental systems cross municipal boundaries, so coordination among the three municipalities is important.
The coalition said it would share its forthcoming report and draft terms of reference with councils and staff.
Staff said the policy is intended to help recruit and retain experienced local-government employees by recognizing some prior municipal service when setting vacation. It applies to new hires and existing staff; employees already receiving more vacation than the policy provides would not get an additional increase. Staff said the initial cost of adjusting current employees was described in the report, followed by costs as new staff are hired. Council approved the policy unanimously.
Agreement
Councillors supported a consistent, transparent way to recognize relevant prior local-government experience.
The policy’s proposed allowance was described as comparable to other local governments in the region.
Disagreement
A councillor questioned whether local taxpayers would be subsidizing vacation benefits earned in another municipality and sought clarity on how existing employees would be treated.
After a community committee’s review, Council considered Bylaw No. 1608, 2026, to set councillor and mayor remuneration. A councillor proposed removing the planned phase-in and applying the 2030 rates in 2027; that change passed 4–3. Council then gave the amended bylaw second and third readings, each 4–3. The councillors opposing the accelerated increase argued that residents already face tax and service costs; supporters said local remuneration lagged comparable municipalities and the proposed increase was a small share of the tax base. The adopted schedule remained phased in rather than jumping to the full 2030 rates in 2027.
Agreement
Councillors thanked the community committee for its comparative research and detailed review.
The remuneration bylaw required further approval before adoption.
Disagreement
Some councillors supported higher remuneration, arguing the workload is substantial and current rates lag other municipalities.
Others opposed a large increase, citing residents’ tax burden; one councillor supported a phase-in rather than applying the full rates in 2027.
Carried 4 to 3221Item 8(a)(ii)1:06:26 Watch · Read
Have staff prepare a change to Council’s pay bylaw so the 2030 pay rates take effect in 2027 instead of being phased in over time.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to prepare an amendment to the Council Remuneration Bylaw to amend Section 2, "Remuneration for Councillors," and Section 3, "Mayor's Remuneration," by removing the phased implementation steps and adopting the 2030 remuneration rates in 2027.
Council reviewed the annual financial disclosure required by law. Questions covered employee pay below $75,000, elected officials’ expenses, the Harvest Hub contribution, and the broad general operating fund. Staff offered to provide the employee count and explained that operating expenses include services such as policing, fire protection, infrastructure and parks. A councillor suggested future reports identify the purpose or project behind supplier payments; staff noted that the statement is prescribed by law and pointed to the upcoming annual report for broader information. Council approved the statement unanimously.
Agreement
The statement is a statutory reporting requirement.
Staff clarified that the $774,000 Harvest Hub figure reflected investment proceeds above the original $750,000 contribution.
Disagreement
A councillor said the statement did not address enough of the District’s governance principles to support approval; staff replied that the statement’s format is prescribed and that broader information would be in the annual report.
Council set topics for staff to seek meetings at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention. Requests discussed included housing and infrastructure grants, provincial standards for council conduct, agricultural land, climate action, the Harvest Hub, seniors, primary care and a 24-hour Peninsula hospital, and continued FireSmart funding through the Community Resilience Investment program. Council approved the requests unanimously; the mayor said he would not attend.
Agreement
Councillors agreed that meeting topics should be selected by Council as a whole so staff could submit and prioritize requests before the deadline.
Councillors supported asking the province to discuss several local funding, service and policy concerns.
Ask staff to arrange meetings with provincial officials and the Agricultural Land Commission about local government capacity and accountability, farmland protection, Harvest Hub funding, climate-action funding, health and emergency services, support for a Seniors Centre, and continued funding for the District’s FireSmart program.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to:
1. request a meeting with the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs to discuss the Capacity Building Grant and the 6 Million Dollar Build Communities Strong Fund to explore capacity and infrastructure issues, and Bill 17 Housing and Municipal Affairs Statutes (Code of Conduct) Amendment Act, 2026 to discuss accountability within local government;
2. request a meeting with the Agricultural Land Commission to seek information, guidance, and ongoing collaboration regarding the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and the work of the Provincial Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), while emphasizing the importance of protecting agricultural land for long-term agricultural use, food security, and sustainability within the District;
3. request a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Food to explore potential grant funding opportunities to support future expansion of the Harvest Hub and enhance local food security, agricultural initiatives, and community access programs;
4. request a meeting with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy to discuss the commitment to reliable funding levels through the Local Government Climate Action Program which is critical to undertake and complete critical climate action and environmental initiatives at the District;
5. request a meeting with the Minister of Health to advocate for increased provincial funding for BC ambulance service, service areas that impact medical first response, advocate for provincial action to improve access to primary care physicians and the reopening of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital to 24-hour service including support required to enhance security and safety measures at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital to ensure timely access to emergency care for the community;
6. request a meeting with the Office of the Seniors Advocate to seek support for the development of a Seniors Centre within the District, including potential funding opportunities and partnership support to establish a community facility in collaboration with local service providers; and further,
7. request a meeting with the Minister of Forests to speak with the BC Wildlife Service to advocate for the continuance of the Community Resilience Investment Program, which funds the District’s FireSmart Program.
The liaison report noted that a proposed Peninsula Recreation Commission borrowing bylaw had been scaled back after Sidney voted against the earlier proposal. The revised plan reduced both the facility scope and borrowing by about 30%; it still needed further Capital Regional District review, so it was unlikely to be ready for North Saanich’s June 29 meeting. Council received both liaison reports.
Routine: receive Councillor DiBattista’s two liaison reports for information.
Official wording: That Council receive the following items from Councillor DiBattista for information:
1. Liaison report dated May 28, 2026, regarding the Peninsula Recreation Commission; and further,
2. Liaison report dated May 28, 2026, regarding the Saanich Peninsula Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Council received the library liaison report. In response to a question, the liaison councillor undertook to obtain figures on Sidney library use and circulation, and to seek an update on an earlier discussion about joining the Victoria library system.
Routine: receive Councillor McClintock’s library board liaison report for information.
Official wording: That Council receive the Liaison report dated June 3, 2026, from Councillor McClintock, regarding the Vancouver Island Regional Library Board for information.
The councillor who organized the conference reported 41 attendees, including planning and policy professionals, and said the event was community-funded with no conference funding requested from the District. Council debated who knew about the event, how its title and program developed, whether all councillors had been included, and when the promised public report and performance measures would be available. The organizer said a report was still being prepared by volunteers and might arrive by late summer or early fall; any measures would be developed later for North Saanich’s needs. Some councillors argued that all Council should have been informed and involved in work connected to the District’s Official Community Plan; the organizer defended the technical, expert-focused format. Council received the report for information.
Agreement
The conference explored ways to measure progress toward Official Community Plan goals, and a further report was expected to come to Council and be made public.
Councillors acknowledged the work and contributions of the organizers and volunteers.
Disagreement
Some councillors objected that they had not received basic information about the event, including its timing, venue, attendance and program, and said the process lacked transparency and inclusion.
The organizer said the event was a technical conference for registered participants and that expert input was needed before proposed measures could be brought forward for public and Council review.
Routine: receive Councillor Shrivastava’s conference report for information.
Official wording: That Council receive Councillor Shrivastava's report regarding the Living Systems Beyond Growth: Building Future-Forward KPIs Conference held May 20 to May 22, 2026, for information.
Council received the committee’s draft minutes and supported its recommendations. The recommendations called for the three peninsula municipalities to raise accessibility concerns with the Victoria Airport Authority and to consider accessible parking during relevant activities. Council directed staff accordingly.
Agreement
Council supported the committee’s recommendations and directed staff to follow up.
Receive the accessibility committee’s draft minutes and support its recommendations, including contacting the Victoria Airport Authority about accessibility concerns and informing businesses about accessible-parking practices during November awareness month.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive the draft minutes of the Saanich Peninsula Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting held May 28, 2026, for information; and further.
2. support the recommendations from the Saanich Peninsula Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting held May 28, 2026.
Council considered adoption of the procedures bylaw authorizing mail ballots. The official motion list records adoption as carried, but the transcript does not clearly capture the chair’s declaration of the result.
Carried, unanimous232Item 9(b)
Adopt the procedures allowing mail ballots in the District.
Official wording: That District of North Saanich Mail Ballot Authorization Procedures Bylaw No. 1603 (2026) be adopted.
The chair read the recommendation to adopt the bylaw authorizing automated voting machines, but the transcript moves on without a recorded vote or declaration of adoption. No official motion for this bylaw appears in the supplied motions list.
9(d) District of North Saanich Secondary Suites Permit Bylaw No. 1244, 2010, Repeal Bylaw No. 1596, 2026
A councillor sought a report for June 29 on the proposed Seniors Centre and service model, including discussions, correspondence, consultations and any commitments, plus Council briefings every two weeks. Supporters of the motion said councillors and residents lacked basic information about the initiative, including the possible lease of a building and the roles being discussed for community groups. Others questioned what information could be shared while lease discussions remained confidential. The motion was defeated 2–4, so the requested report and fortnightly briefings were not directed by this motion.
Agreement
Councillors raised the importance of clear information about the proposed initiative and its possible use of a building.
Disagreement
The motion’s supporters wanted a full account before any further commitments; four councillors, including the mayor, opposed the motion.
Require a report to Council on the proposed Seniors Centre, including its service model and discussions or commitments made to outside groups, before further decisions are made; also require updates to Council every two weeks.
Official wording: 1. That the Mayor, the Working Group, Councillor Shrivastava, and any other member of Council involved in the proposed Seniors Centre initiative report to Council at the Regular Meeting of June 29, 2026, on the proposed Seniors Centre and service model, including all discussions, correspondence, consultations, and any expressed or implied commitments made to community groups, organizations, property owners, funding partners, or other stakeholders; and that Council review and consider this information before any further commitments, decisions, or actions are made in relation to the initiative; and further,
2. that Council be briefed every 2 weeks on all matters concerning this initiative.
After a short-term-rental operator spoke earlier in the meeting, Council received the letter and directed staff to consider the issues raised and bring them back to Council. The speaker had urged recognition of provincial exemptions, practical occupancy limits and permission to rent a principal residence during temporary absences when responsibly managed.
Agreement
Council agreed to receive the correspondence and ask staff to review the issues for a future report.
Receive the letter about short-term rentals and have staff review the issues it raises and report back to Council.
Official wording: That Council:
1. Receive the correspondence dated May 26, 2026, from B. MacKenzie, regarding short-term rental regulations; and further,
2. Direct staff to review the matters raised in the correspondence and report back to Council at a future meeting.
11(b) Correspondence dated May 29, 2026, regarding Traffic on Barrett Drive
transportation2 public speakers2:18:45 Watch · Read
A resident described narrow road space, no sidewalks, obstructing brush, blind driveways and fast downhill traffic on Barrett Drive, including near a school-bus stop. A representative of the Dean Park Estates committee supported the concerns and said drivers had passed a stopped school bus at speed. A resident called for speed humps and urged councillors and staff to visit. Council directed staff to liaise with the letter writer and explore traffic-calming measures.
Agreement
Speakers and councillors agreed the road conditions and speeding warranted follow-up.
Council directed staff to discuss possible traffic-calming options with the letter writer.
Receive the letter about Barrett Drive traffic and have staff work with the correspondent to explore traffic-calming options and report back.
Official wording: That Council:
1. Receive the correspondence dated May 29, 2026, from R. Fimrite regarding traffic on Barrett Drive; and further,
2. Direct staff to liaise with R. Fimrite and explore potential traffic calming measures for Barrett Drive, and report back to Council.
Approve ArtSea Community Arts Council’s request to present to Council and have staff schedule it for the next available regular meeting.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive the correspondence dated June 2, 2026, from ArtSea Community Arts Council, regarding an Application to Present to Council; and further,
2. approve the application to present to Council and further, direct staff to schedule a presentation for the next available Regular Council meeting.
Council discussed two letters about the conference, including questions about registration, who was invited, public access and whether a quorum of councillors might have been conducting municipal business. The conference organizer said it was a registered technical event for professionals and that no Council decision had been made there. Council received both letters for information; no staff action was directed.
Agreement
Council agreed to receive the letters for information.
Disagreement
A councillor questioned whether registration rules had excluded councillors or residents and whether a quorum at the event raised open-meeting concerns; the organizer said attendance was based on registration and that no decision had been made.
Routine: receive H. Gartshore’s two letters about the conference for information.
Official wording: That Council receive the correspondence dated June 2 and June 14, 2026, from H. Gartshore, regarding the History of the Doughnut Economic Framework Conference in North Saanich for information.
Receive the Cycling Without Age Society’s letter and have staff arrange a meeting with the correspondent.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive the correspondence dated June 4, 2026, from the Cycling Without Age Society regarding Expression of Gratitude and Request for Meeting; and further,
2. Direct staff to arrange a meeting with the correspondent.
Council discussed an invitation to support a Canada Day golf tournament for community members, through donations in kind or money. Councillors differed on whether to consider a contribution without more information, with one noting the tournament was a commercial operation. Council asked the Director of Infrastructure and First Nations Relations to find out what support was being sought before deciding on a contribution.
Agreement
Council agreed to seek more detail about the requested support before deciding whether to contribute.
Disagreement
One councillor cautioned against subsidizing a commercial operation without a specific request; another wanted further information about the tournament’s needs.
Receive the letter about the Canada Day golf tournament and have staff ask Pauquachin First Nation for details about any sponsorship or contribution request, then report back to Council.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive the correspondence dated May 24, 2026, from Pauquachin First Nation regarding Canada Day Golf Tournament for information; and further,
2. direct staff to contact Pauquachin First Nation to obtain additional information regarding any requested sponsorship or contribution and report back to Council at a future meeting.
Council discussed a sponsorship request connected to canoe races and recalled that the District may have supported a similar event in the past. Council asked the Director of Infrastructure and First Nations Relations to follow up on the request before deciding on support.
Agreement
Council agreed to seek further information before deciding whether to contribute.
Receive the letter about sponsorship or donations for the canoe club races and have staff clarify any request with the company and report back to Council.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive the correspondence dated June 5, 2026, from Indigenous Roots Coffee Company regarding Sponsorship/Donations for Geronimo Canoe Club Races for information; and further,
2. direct staff to contact Indigenous Roots Coffee Company to obtain additional information regarding any requested sponsorship or contribution and report back to Council at a future meeting.
Council received correspondence about the recreation-centre borrowing proposal. Councillors noted that the project scope and proposed borrowing had since been reduced and expected further information to return to Council.
Agreement
Council agreed to receive the correspondence while awaiting the revised proposal.
Council received the listed correspondence for information, including letters about climate-action funding, short-term rentals, regional issues, the Capital Regional District annual report, Te'mexw Treaty Association engagement, physician recruitment, council behaviour and a food-hub discussion.