What We've Heard to Date

As the second phase of the OCP Review concludes, we would like to summarize what took place.

In phase two, we conducted meetings with stakeholder groups and local First Nations. We hosted public engagement opportunities including, an Emerging Themes Town Hall, a Priorities and Community Character Survey, Community Conversation Workbooks, and a Big Ideas Contest. In addition, we continued to engage with the OCP Advisory Committee through monthly committee meetings, and with committee members and Central Saanich’s Mayor and Council through a Land Use Workshop.

Throughout spring 2021, we met with stakeholder groups, as well as with W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) Chief and Council and the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council. We hosted an Emerging Themes Town Hall open to all community members; a recording of the Town Hall is available on this project site. The Priorities and Community Character Survey was available as were Community Workbooks for small groups to use. The OCP Advisory Committee and Central Saanich’s Mayor and Council participated in a workshop on emerging key topics related to land use.

Through these conversations and survey, we heard about community members’ top priorities for Central Saanich today and in the future.

As shown in Figure 1, growth management, agriculture and food security, environmental protection, and parks, trails and recreation access are high priority topics.

When community members think about priorities for today, they lean more towards local business and economic development, and accessing nature and recreation.

When they think about priorities for the future, they lean more towards agriculture and food security, supporting an aging population, and climate and disaster resilience.

Community members hoped for Central Saanich to maintain its rural and small-town character, and especially to retain the quiet and safe nature of the community. They hoped to maintain a balance between agricultural surroundings, compact village life, and the community’s distinction from nearby urban areas. Many hoped Central Saanich would stay lower density, experience a reasonable or lower level of population growth, and maintain its semi-rural infrastructure. Similarly, community members are concerned about balancing new development with Central Saanich’s rural, agricultural community roots. Many are concerned increasing densification will change the sense of community, architectural design, and overall rural and small-town community character. On the other hand, there is concern the high cultural value placed on agriculture and farming has dominated the culture of the peninsula, with a lack of focus and respect for Indigenous heritage and culture. There were suggestions to increase the awareness of Indigenous history and presence in the community, especially through design elements, cultural artifacts like totem poles, educational signage, and naming.

The input from the community was extensive and invaluable. You can read a detailed summary in the OCP Review What We Heard report.

The summary represents a variety of interests and perspectives from across Central Saanich. At the end of each phase of the project, we will continue to update this document with a summary of what we have heard to date.