Island Social Trends, June 27, 2026

Two-term District of Saanich Councillor Zac de Vries officially announced his Saanich mayoral campaign last week. But on Saturday afternoon, it was about who showed up for his launch at busy Beckwith Park in Saanich that made further news. Local Victoria MP Will Greaves was there, as was BC Cabinet Minister and local MLA Diana Gibson (Oak Bay-Gordon Head). Candidate de Vries was supported by about 100 people at the launch event.

Calling himself "a proven leader with a strong track record of turning shared visions into practical results on housing affordability, transportation, climate action, financial sustainability, and livability," de Vries has made himself visible in the regional government scene.

Victoria Buzz, June 18, 2026

Saanich Councillor Zac de Vries has officially thrown his hat in the ring for the position of mayor of Saanich.

After serving two terms as a councillor, de Vries believes he has proven himself to be a leader who has worked diligently to turn shared visions into practical results on housing affordability, transportation, climate action, financial sustainability and livability.

"I am running for Mayor because I love this community and believe Saanich should be a place where seniors can age in place, young people can get a start, and families can put down roots," said de Vries. "That future requires experienced leadership, strong regional partnerships, and practical financial solutions—and that is what I bring to the table."

Times Colonist, June 24, 2026

Saying the cost of doing nothing is too high, Saanich council has endorsed a five-year climate plan that could add more than $3.2 million to its operations budget over its lifespan. The plan, unanimously backed by council Monday night, builds on a previous five-year plan. Coun. Zac De Vries said the plan does more than just try to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, it also looks at how to protect the community from the growing costs and impacts of climate change.

"We've seen a rollback of the climate action in senior governments over affordability concerns, and the Saanich plan is rooted in the idea that affordability and climate action can go hand in hand," he said.

Saanich News, June 19th, 2026

Two-term Saanich Coun. Zac de Vries has entered the race for mayor, launching a campaign centred on housing, transportation, climate action and fiscal management. Announcing the news on June 17, the Saanich-born and raised politician, now a father to a newborn baby, said he hopes to serve Saanich from the council's top seat. Having also served on the Capital Regional District board as well as chairing the Capital Region Housing Corporation, de Vries said he decided to run following Mayor Dean Murdock's withdrawal.

"I love working with people, whether it's council, staff, residents, community organizations, and finding common ground to chart a path forward together," he said.

Times Colonist, June 18th, 2026

After a five-and-a-half-hour public hearing Tuesday night, council voted 6-2 in favour of adopting the Quadra-McKenzie Plan, which has been more than three years in the making. The plan, which will be folded into the district's official community plan, is meant to focus future growth in Saanich's centres, corridors and villages where there is transit and infrastructure to handle the increased density. Coun. Zac De Vries said keeping the status quo won't help those who can't afford to live or stay in Saanich.

"Doing nothing doesn't preserve affordability or opportunity. It simply limits who can live here," he said.

Times Colonist, June 18, 2026

Saanich council will have at least a few new faces around the table after the fall election, after a second councillor announced a bid for the mayor's seat. Coun. Zac de Vries has announced he will run to fill the post that will be vacated by current Mayor Dean Murdock, who is stepping away from politics.

"Saanich is at a pivotal moment, and I've benefited from not only two terms on council but a term on the Capital Regional District, which included being chair of the Capital Regional Housing Corporation for the last four years, so I'm ready to take this next step in serving our community," he said.

Island Social Trends, June 17, 2026

Two-term District of Saanich Councillor Zac de Vries has officially announced his Saanich mayoral campaign. Calling himself "a proven leader with a strong track record of turning shared visions into practical results on housing affordability, transportation, climate action, financial sustainability, and livability," de Vries has made himself visible in the regional government scene. De Vries has chaired the Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC) dealing with things like affordable housing planning and funding for the Greater Victoria region.

"I am running for Mayor because I love this community and believe Saanich should be a place where seniors can age in place, young people can get a start, and families can put down roots," de Vries said.

Times Colonist, June 10, 2026

A commentary by Zac de Vries, a Saanich councillor and the chair of the Capital Region Housing Corporation, and Jeremy Caradonna, a Victoria councillor and the vice-chair of the CRHC. The Capital Region Housing Corporation is wholly owned by the Capital Regional District. It has a portfolio of 54 buildings and about 2,000 homes, and it houses about 4,500 people across the region.

"The overwhelming majority of CRHC homes are rent-geared-to-income, in which 30 per cent of household income goes straight to rent. This program is for lower-income folks, including those who would be, in many cases, earning minimum wage."It All Begins Here

Time Colonist, June 10, 2026

The District of Saanich will switch to a new model for determining how many trees developers have to plant to replace the ones they remove. Instead of having replacement-tree ratios, developers will be required to meet a canopy-cover target, ranging from 20 per cent to 48 per cent, depending on the area. Coun. Zac De Vries pointed out that the proposed changes are focused on outcomes.

"We want to maximize the tree canopy in a way that's appropriate, recognizing that there's other needs in our community around housing and health-care services, as well as other recreational opportunities," he said.

Times Colonist, June 1st, 2026

Work on a $158-million housing project on the grounds of the Nellie McClung library branch is expected to begin this month. The District of Saanich has issued a building permit for the project, which will include a modern library that's double the size of the old 14,000-square-foot one, along with 210 units of affordable housing at 3950 Cedar Hill Rd. at McKenzie Avenue. The project, a partnership between the District of Saanich and the Capital Region Housing Corporation, is being funded through the province's Community Housing Fund.

"The Cedar Hill library and affordable housing project is a great example of what we can achieve through collaboration with local and provincial partners," said Zac de Vries.

Victoria News, May 27, 2026

Saanich council is urging the province to reinstate its Community Housing Fund (CHF), warning that the pause on new funding intakes is putting affordable housing projects at risk locally and across the province. The motion, put forward by Couns. Teale Phelps Bondaroff and Zac de Vries, follows the province's decision to indefinitely pause new intakes to the program, which supports affordable rental housing. De Vries added that the program has been a key tool in delivering "badly needed" affordable housing in the municipality.

"We cannot tackle the housing crisis without the CHF," he said. "Deeply affordable housing requires public investment and partnerships."

Time Colonist, May 14th, 2026

Saanich council has given the green light to a six-storey condominium project in Gordon Head that the district hopes will eventually act as a bridge between future high-density housing near McKenzie Avenue and low-rise projects around the neighbourhood. Following a public hearing Tuesday night, council voted 7-1 in favour of a rezoning application and amendment to the Official Community Plan, to clear the path for the 78-unit condo project at the southwest corner of Gordon Head Road and Laval Avenue.

"While this isn't a subsidized building that's going to offer housing that is affordable to everyone, it is a needed portion of housing that is going to be affordable to a number of income earners in our community," said Coun. Zac de Vries.

Times Colonist, March 17th, 2026

Saanich is pressing the province to reinstate its Community Housing Fund, which helps build affordable rental homes for people with low incomes and those with disabilities. Faced with a debt-laden budget this spring, the province put the program on hold and pulled back more than $775 million in funding that was to have been made available for projects this year. On Monday night, Saanich council agreed to have Mayor Dean Murdock write to the premier, housing minister and local MLAs.

"I think we all recognize the importance of affordable and non-market housing in our community," said Coun. Zac de Vries.

Times Colonist, March 3, 2026

A 12-unit townhouse project in Gordon Head has cleared an early hurdle, as Saanich council Monday night endorsed a rezoning and development permit application to replace two single-family homes. Council voted 7-2 in favour of moving forward with the project, which envisions 12 units spread across four three-storey buildings at 1853 and 1855 Fairburn Dr., two blocks north of Mount Douglas Secondary. Coun. Zac de Vries said council rarely hears from the young families who are looking for this kind of housing to get into the property market.

"This project offers something quite rare, four-bedroom homes, something that is of great need," he said.

Times Colonist, February 26th, 2026

Since a five-year plan to improve Saanich's business climate was launched two years ago, district staff have met with only 25 of the district's 5,245 licensed businesses, according to a report to council Monday night. Mitchell Edgar, the district's economic development manager, said while the sample size may be small, they have learned from the visits, most businesses are still talking about growth, though they have also cited high rent costs and taxes as limiting factors. Coun. Zac de Vries noted that a lot of effort is required to start from scratch and cold-call businesses.

"Businesses are busy facing challenges, serving customers, trying to move things forward. They're not necessarily eager to have government come by for a visit," he said.

Times Colonist, February 11, 2026

Saanich council agreed to update its grants policy Monday night so non-profit groups hosting large events can be reimbursed for liability-insurance costs of up to $12,000. The Gorge Tillicum Community Association had faced mounting financial pressure that threatened the annual Canada Day event, which draws about 18,000 people to Gorge Waterway Park, according to the association. Coun. Zac de Vries agreed, calling it a relatively modest investment in a "significant" event in Saanich.

"This is a $12,000 investment in an event that's going to be attended by 10,000 residents, potentially more, and one that has for the last couple of decades here been a cornerstone weekend or holiday event in Saanich," he said.

Times Colonist, January 28, 2026

Saanich council is moving ahead with redevelopment of its aging operations centre, agreeing to borrow $93.4 million to start the project. Council gave first three readings Monday night to a bylaw authorizing borrowing for the project, which could take more than 10 years to build out. Borrowing $93.4 million will allow Saanich to replace a 65-year-old building that houses both administration and workshops. Coun. Zac De Vries pointed out that the project is essential, and every delay adds to the cost.

"Every month that goes by is further risk of cost escalation and an additional challenge to our long-term financial sustainability as a district," he said.

Times Colonist, November 19, 2025

Saanich will forge ahead with a scaled-back, less expensive redevelopment of its aging operations centre, after borrowing for a more ambitious plan was rejected by residents. The district will now focus on just the first phase, a $93-million plan endorsed by council this week to replace a 65-year-old building that houses both administration and workshops in the operations centre at the corner of McKenzie Avenue and Borden Street. Coun. Zac de Vries said the new estimated pricetag for Phase 1 may be more palatable, but the next two phases could cost a fortune because of the delay.

"I can almost guarantee you that it will eclipse that $172 million as set out in the original plan. It's almost a guarantee, and that is rather unfortunate," he said.It All Begins Here

Times Colonist, Oct 22, 2025

District of Saanich staff will be able to sign off on routine procurement contracts without council approval after new purchasing policies were approved on Monday. Historically, Saanich council has had to approve municipal procurements over $200,000, including refuse-truck rentals, water-meter installations, and roadside mowing contracts, often after the matter had gone through a rigorous process and a contractor had been selected. Coun. Zac de Vries said the newly approved procurement process is already standard practice in a number of larger B.C. communities.

"Council is responsible for approving every dollar through the budget. They are responsible for that high-level policy direction. It's really staff that are responsible for the operational efficiency," he said.