Article, Energy, Housing, & Buildings
It took about 4 years for all 8 municipalities on Vancouver Island + the CRD, to withdraw their memberships in the UDI, a lobby for development and real estate interests. This is what happened in the process, and what is still yet to be determined.
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Article, Energy, Housing, & Buildings, Nature & Conservation
The results have major consequences. The CRD’s Regional Heat Map shows a stark difference in temperature between natural and built environments. A closer look: The first thing that becomes very apparent is high density in terms of built environment and low nature, not... Read more
Article, Nature & Conservation
Government in order to sell the idea, typically euphemizes “infill” as “gentle density”, but when applied as it is without protections for the natural environment and habitat, it is nothing other than another manifestation of the ‘Shock... Read more
Article, Energy, Housing, & Buildings, Nature & Conservation
It’s been an ongoing theme on CRD Watch, and in my writings that Post-Secondary Institutions on Southern Vancouver Island, shackled to the unsustainability of ecology destroying growth-based capitalism and a government also under its shackles, in particular to the... Read more
Article, Nature & Conservation
The majestic Garry oaks at 4015 Braefoot Rd. in Saanich, British Columbia, are at critical risk. Over 100 of these magnificent trees, stand on the property; many have done so for centuries. These trees are not just flora, they are vital keystone components of the... Read more
Article, Nature & Conservation
In the morning hours of Feb 19, 2026, tree cutting trucks towing wood chippers behind them made their way into the vicinity of Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park, which is managed by the CRD. In the evening, I approached what looked like a funeral.... Read more
Article, Fairy Creek, Nature & Conservation
The Tongass National Forest in Alaska is the largest National Forest in North America. It covers nearly 17 million acres and makes up a significant part of the world’s temperate forests. I’m reaching out to share a documentary project that needs support. The... Read more
Article, Energy, Housing, & Buildings, Nature & Conservation
Ella Stream in Critical Danger: When asked if the District of Sooke had discussions with the Federal Government about damage or potential damage to the Ella Stream and its environs, Sooke’s CAO, initially confirmed that conversations between the District and the Feds... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
Dozens of neighbourhood associations from across British Columbia have banded together to form the British Columbia Alliance of Neighbourhoods (BCAN). BCAN is the first platform of its kind that connects, coordinates, and amplifies voices of neighbourhood groups and... Read more
Article, Energy, Housing, & Buildings
We the signed residents of British Columbia, call upon the Province of B.C. to repeal (or amend) BC Bill-44 (2023), in order to restore public hearings and municipal powers over zoning, which are being taken away by the bill. Sign the petition here. We do so, because... Read more
Article, Community Trees, Energy, Housing, & Buildings, Nature & Conservation
The following was posted on the Friends of Vancouver Island Facebook page: Friends of Vancouver Island | Tree Removal Notices Appearing Across Victoria | Facebook “Tree Removal Notices Appearing Across Victoria If you’ve been walking around Victoria lately, you... Read more
Article, Nature & Conservation
A new petition for the District of Saanich, calls for the municipality to take the crucial action of immediately deciding to phase out highly polluting gas landscaping equipment.
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Article, Nature & Conservation
The UDI successfully lobbied the government against environmental streamside protection regulation. This ‘achievement’ by the UDI took place about 2 decades ago. Despite numerous indications to suggest lobbying activity at all levels of government, the UDI does not... Read more
Article, Energy, Housing, & Buildings
In November of 2023, the Urban Development Institute (UDI), a registered organization on the BC Lobbyists Registry, that offers political influence to its paying corporate member companies that profit from development and real estate – took to hiding its members... Read more
Article, Community Trees, Energy, Housing, & Buildings, Nature & Conservation
An inconvenient tree? Sign the petition here. On Jul 11, 2024 Victoria’s mayor and a majority of council members approved the updated concept design for Centennial Square and directed staff to proceed with implementation as outlined in the Centennial Square... Read more
Article, Energy, Housing, & Buildings
Background: The so-called Lobbyists Transparency Act (LTA) of British Columbia is not as transparent as its name makes it appear on first sight. On the contrary, it lacks crucial transparency by not defining lobby as a noun and thus as a thing or entity.
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Article, Community Trees, Energy, Housing, & Buildings, Nature & Conservation
With the recent housing Bills, protecting the natural environment within so-called building envelopes couldn’t be more crucial.
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Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
The Executive Director of the Urban Development Institute Capital Region, told View Royal Council during public input: “UDI is not a lobbying group.” Not only is the UDI a legally registered lobbying group, according to the BC Lobbyists Registry but the Executive Director…
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Article, Community Trees, Energy, Housing, & Buildings, Nature & Conservation
BC Hydro is planning to remove several hundred trees near Prospect Lake in Saanich in order to upgrade their power transmission lines. Among a number of questions that come to mind, what is Hydro’s relation to the development/real estate lobby?
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Article, Energy, Housing, & Buildings
Glacier Media is the parent company of the Times Colonist. Both Glacier and the TC are paying members of the UDI development/Real Estate lobby and the TC is an open “Media Partner” with it, which has raised serious questions for many about its independence
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Article, Energy, Housing, & Buildings
If you are a resident of Saanich, please sign the petition to make Saanich Withdraw its membership from the UDICR Development Lobby. This is of key importance in placing the interests of residents above that of industry in determining our future.
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