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.

Times Colonist, March 21, 2024

The red marker note at the top of the page might have read "needs improvement," but the mayor of Saanich still managed to find reason for optimism amid the middling grades on the district's latest housing report card. Though the annual report made it clear affordability remains a foreign word in Saanich and supply still lags demand, Dean Murdock noted there is a change in the landscape.

Coun. Zac de Vries noted the report makes it clear Saanich’s housing strategy is fighting a tough battle, as it is pushing against and trying to make up for a 30-year development deficit.