Zac de Vries

Zac de Vries

@zacdevries.bsky.social

Saanich Councillor, CRD Director, and Chair of the Capital Region Housing Corporation. Opinions are my own.

459 followers335 following161 posts

Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

I am honoured to have the endorsement of the Victoria Labour Council for Mayor of Saanich. As your Mayor, I’ll continue working to build a Saanich where working people can live, work, raise families, and thrive through every phase of their lives. Together we can make a positive difference!

Zac de Vries reposted

Livable CRD
@livablecrd.bsky.social

Introducing Livable CRD 🗳️ A non-partisan coalition making Capital Region municipal elections easier to navigate. We publish a candidate scorecard + questionnaire on transit, housing, climate, healthcare & more. We inform, we don't endorse. 👉 livablecrd.ca #YYJ #BCpoli

livablecrd.caLivable CRDLivable CRD is a non-partisan coalition scoring Capital Regional District municipal candidates on transit, housing, climate, arts, and other livability issues.
Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

First music in the park of summer 2026! Full house down at Goward House. Great to see everyone out and enjoying the music together! See you next time July 14 6-8pm at Majestic Park!

Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

Thank you to everyone who joined us last weekend to launch our campaign for Mayor of Saanich. Being surrounded by neighbours, families, community leaders, friends, and my wife and daughter meant the world to me. Huge thank you to my volunteers who worked hard to make this launch such a success.

Zac de Vries reposted

Leo Spalteholz
@leospalteholz.bsky.social

Zac would be a great mayor for Saanich

Zac de Vries@zacdevries.bsky.social

✨Big news, Saanich!✨ I am am running to be the next Mayor of Saanich! Serving our community on council has been the honour of my life I am proud of progress we have made together, but there’s more work to be done I hope you’ll join me Let’s keep Saanich moving forward, together 👉 zacdevries.ca

Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

✨Big news, Saanich!✨ I am am running to be the next Mayor of Saanich! Serving our community on council has been the honour of my life I am proud of progress we have made together, but there’s more work to be done I hope you’ll join me Let’s keep Saanich moving forward, together 👉 zacdevries.ca

Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

The doctor shortage is not only about recruitment, it’s about system design. Saanich is calling for province to implement team-based primary care, a recognized as a best practice to expanding the capacity, to ensure more residents get the care they need faster www.timescolonist.com/local-news/s...

timescolonist.comSaanich calls on province to fund team-based health care amid doctor shortageThe resolution, to be considered at the UBCM in September, asks the province to give communities and clinics the funding, health-care workers and clinic space they need.
Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

Saanich is strengthening our Tree Protection Bylaw to help enhance our urban tree canopy, supporting both quality of life and the environment. The new bylaw is focused on outcomes by shifting to canopy-based targets instead of a fixed tree replacement ratio. www.timescolonist.com/local-news/s...

timescolonist.comSaanich developers to replant trees based on canopy target under new modelInstead of having replacement-tree ratios, developers will be required to meet a canopy-cover target, ranging from 20% to 48%, depending on the area.
Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

@jeremycaradonnayyj.bsky.social and I wrote this op-ed to explain the range of affordable housing options offered by the Capital Region Housing Corporation. Each affordability level meets an important community need. The combination of affordability levels supports the sustainability of the CRHC.

Jeremy Caradonna@jeremycaradonnayyj.bsky.social

@zacdevries.bsky.social and I wrote an op-ed in the Times Colonist today to set the record straight on the variety of affordability levels offered in CRHC buildings. www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comm...

timescolonist.comComment: CRD housing projects offer a range of affordability levelsQuestions have been raised about the current non-market affordable housing boom. Let’s set the record straight.
Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

This trend is particularly acute in Oak Bay but the truth here is relevant to the entire region! Neighbourhoods will change regardless, it’s up to us to ensure they support residents through every phase of their lives.

Leo Spalteholz@leospalteholz.bsky.social

Oak Bay's old OCP still spittin facts

Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

I think a request from students for advocacy at the very least merits discussion!

The Martlet@themartlet.bsky.social

Saanich Council block discussion on UVSS food security grant and $10 ferry fares at March 2 meeting: martlet.ca/majority-of-...

martlet.caMajority of Saanich Council vote against student advocacy resolutionsBoth the student food bank grant and $10 ferry fares are initiatives of the BC3 Coalition — which includes the student unions from UVic, UBC, UBCO, and SFU
Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

Saanich Council approved 60 homes at Saanich rd and McKenzie Avenue Unit breakdown: -4 studios -46 one bedroom units -10 two bedroom units Badly needed housing, but regrettable tree loss due to the constraints and servicing requirements of the site. Saanich looks to retain trees whenever possible.

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Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

Saanich Council approved 60 homes at Saanich rd and McKenzie Avenue Unit breakdown: -4 studios -46 one bedroom units -10 two bedroom units Badly needed housing, but regrettable tree loss due to the constraints and servicing requirements of the site. Saanich looks to retain trees whenever possible.

View full thread
Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

Overall a 3.3% vacancy rate is a good thing, it means residents have more choices and a chance to negotiate a fairer price. But in a lot of circumstances vacancy rates remain astoundingly low, which signals there’s sill a need for more housing for people in our community.

Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

Saanich’s Hosuing Needs Report, Saanich’s Housing Targets, and disaggregated vacancy rates show there’s unmet Hosuing needs. It’s not job done, it might be a challenging economic environment, but it’s a sure sign there is a lot more work to do on housing in Saanich and our Region!

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Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

Rent would soften more, but a lot of the rental supply is very new and therefore more expensive than older units. We went essentially 30 years without building rental housing so there’s a lot to catch up on! Saanich took until 2024 to have more rental units than it did in 1991…

Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

Another problem is the vacancy rate is not the same for every size of unit. Saanich and the region desperately needs more 2-bed and 3+ bed units that are suitable for families! The vacancy rate for 3+ bedroom homes is effectively 0%!

Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

3-5% Vacancy is considered to be a healthy housing market for both renters and rental providers. This is pretty much the first time since the mid 1990’s that we have had a healthy vacancy rate!

Zac de Vries reposted

Leo Spalteholz
@leospalteholz.bsky.social

Replying to @leospalteholz.bsky.social

I would like to add that housing champions like Zac have done a lot to turn Saanich policies around and get a lot more housing built, but it takes a long time to turn that ship. Saanich is in a better position now than 4 years ago

Zac de Vries reposted

Leo Spalteholz
@leospalteholz.bsky.social

As usual, the anti-housing argument includes a kernel of truth: housing starts depend on external factors as well But all those external factors are equal between neighbouring CRD municipalities. The remaining huge differences in home building is mostly explained by internal factors

Zac de Vries@zacdevries.bsky.social

I’m glad to say the motion to ask the province to remove housing targets failed last night! Housing targets are based on 75% of our community’s housing needs. Regardless of external economic factors it’s our duty as council to do our level best to meet the housing needs of people in our community.

Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

There was a motion arising forwarded to committee that might come back: It argues the housing target metric should be rezoning, development permits, and building permits approved rather than housing completions. Last I checked only completed homes can meet community members Hosuing needs!

Zac de Vries@zacdevries.bsky.social

I’m glad to say the motion to ask the province to remove housing targets failed last night! Housing targets are based on 75% of our community’s housing needs. Regardless of external economic factors it’s our duty as council to do our level best to meet the housing needs of people in our community.

Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

I’m glad to say the motion to ask the province to remove housing targets failed last night! Housing targets are based on 75% of our community’s housing needs. Regardless of external economic factors it’s our duty as council to do our level best to meet the housing needs of people in our community.

CHEK News@cheknews.ca

Two Vancouver Island municipalities, Saanich and North Cowichan, are calling on the province to hit pause on its housing targets, saying while they support building more homes, the targets are unrealistic in this economy.

cheknews.ca2 Island municipalities want B.C.’s imposed housing targets tossedTwo Vancouver Island municipalities, Saanich and North Cowichan, are calling on the province to hit pause on its housing targets, saying while they support building more homes, the targets are unrealistic in this economy.
Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

+1 to that! Most local governments are grappling with the cost of delaying infrastructure replacement for decades to keep taxes artificially low. Current councils are working hard to manage costs and ensure asset management makes the services and infrastructure residents rely on sustainable!

Andrew Appleton@aaoakbay.bsky.social

Just an editorial cartoon? Maybe, but I’m calling this out. 1. Don’t put Councillors in the same category as criminals and Donald Trump (also a criminal). 2. Both my council/staff and most around the CRD have worked extremely hard with budgeting this year. 1/2 www.timescolonist.com/opinion/adri...

timescolonist.comAdrian Raeside cartoon: Let's try to keep threats at bay

Zac de Vries reposted

District of Saanich
@saanichbc.bsky.social

Become an at-home leak detective with a free kit from the CRD during Fix a Leak Week (March 16–22). Saanich residents can pick up a kit at the Saanich Municipal Hall (770 Vernon Ave) — stop by the lobby during regular hours: Monday–Friday (8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.). Learn more: crd.bc.ca/leaks

Zac de Vries reposted

Ryan Jabs
@ryanjabs.bsky.social

Replying to @ryanjabs.bsky.social

Saanich, where I live, might actually be seeing more fourplexes being built than 1 for 1 replacements b/c of a shift to treat them similarly. This could grow exponentially (and reduce home prices) if they allow for incrementally greater density. But the politicians seem to be looking to stop this.

Zac de Vries reposted

Doug Baer
@douglasbaer.bsky.social

A tale of two cities: earlier today, City of Victoria voted to accelerate the construction of bike lanes on Pandora. Tonight, Saanich council is train-wrecking the Active Transportation Plan with a 25% cutback, supported by Couns. Brownoff, Brice, Chambers, Westhaver and Harper.

Zac de Vries reposted

District of Saanich
@saanichbc.bsky.social

The Saanich Economic Development Office is scheduling spring 2026 BusinessCare visits and we want to meet with you! These free 1:1 in-person or virtual visits take 30 -45 minutes and connect you with directly with a staff member to hear how we can support your business! 👉 saanich.ca/BusinessCare.

Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

What is sad is that Saanich council chose to save the average household $13 by cutting the active transportation budget. These savings were dwarfed by the amount of new revenue from new housing, increased non-tax revenues, efficiencies, and a phasing of infrastructure replacement funding growth

Zac de Vries@zacdevries.bsky.social

An annual reminder of the budget choices local governments have. The beautiful thing is that the best way to reduce budget pressure and tax increases is to meet our communities housing needs and make neighbourhoods more walkable by allowing commercial uses.

Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

An annual reminder of the budget choices local governments have. The beautiful thing is that the best way to reduce budget pressure and tax increases is to meet our communities housing needs and make neighbourhoods more walkable by allowing commercial uses.

Zac de Vries
@zacdevries.bsky.social

For more than a decade, this site sat as a hole in the ground, contributing nothing to the community except uncertainty and unease. The original proposal simply wasn’t economically viable. That’s why community plans today must account for real-world economics, not arbitrary designations.