Zac De Vries Earns Straight A's on Livable CRD's 2026 Candidate Scorecard
Source: livablecrd.ca
The Saanich mayoral candidate is the only one in the race with top marks in every graded policy area.
As Saanich voters prepare to choose their next mayor on October 17, Councillor Zac De Vries stands out on the region's most detailed policy scorecard. He received an "A" in all seven graded categories of the Livable CRD 2026 Candidate Scorecard. No other Saanich mayoral candidate matched that result.
Every Capital Region candidate received the same questionnaire, and partner groups like Better Transit YYJ, Homes for Living, and Victori'us graded the answers. The grades reward concrete commitments, not just good intentions.
Housing: A (97%)
De Vries earned a perfect 29 out of 29 on his council voting record. He supports pre-zoning to match the Official Community Plan, allowing up to six-storey apartments in traditional single-family areas, and setting firm approval timelines for new homes. By the end of his term, he aims to see hundreds of non-market homes opened or under construction and a rental vacancy rate above 3%.
Transit: A
His top priority is a Regional Transportation Authority that plans transit, regional roads, and land use together. He supports dedicated bus lanes along entire frequent transit corridors, including McKenzie Avenue, home to some of the region's worst transit delays.
Climate: A
De Vries says climate should be the priority that guides every municipal decision. He supports ending fossil fuel advertising on municipal property, joining legal action to recover climate costs from major fossil fuel producers, and building climate resilience into Saanich's stormwater, roads, and urban forest planning.
Arts: A (92%)
He sees arts and culture as core community infrastructure. In his first year, he would make arts a priority in Saanich's strategic plan and cut permitting barriers for cultural groups.
Rolling & Cycling: A
On council, he championed Vision Zero, the Road Safety Action Plan, and the Traffic Calming Pilot. As mayor, he would upgrade Cedar Hill Cross Road and complete a cycling link along Glanford Road connecting Royal Oak to the Galloping Goose and Uptown.
Walking: A
De Vries would prioritize safer, more convenient pedestrian crossings and 30 km/h school zones. On school safety, he's clear: "Children's safety should come first."
Governance: A
His plan for Saanich's finances focuses on growing the tax base through new housing and businesses, strengthening long-term asset management, and pursuing shared services through the CRD to deliver better value for residents.
The bottom line
Zac De Vries has given specific, measurable commitments backed by a record of results on council.
General voting day for the 2026 BC local elections is Saturday, October 17.