LETTER: More transparency needed in North Saanich

LETTER: More transparency needed in North Saanich Published 3:30 pm Sunday, July 12, 2026 One of the most frustrating aspects of our current local government is the growing reliance on in-camera decision-making.

LETTER: More transparency needed in North Saanich Published 3:30 pm Sunday, July 12, 2026 One of the most frustrating aspects of our current local government is the growing reliance on in-camera decision-making. While there are legitimate reasons for legal issues and personnel matters to be discussed in-camera, too many important decisions are being made behind closed doors.

These include: The citizens’ advisory committees were abruptly suspended, with vague allegations of misconduct casting shadows on all volunteer committee members. Who voted to suspend and investigate the advisory committees and why? Who objected?

Council voted to retain an outside public relations firm to “educate” citizens on the role of a municipal government. Who supported hiring consultants to explain how governance works? Who asked why it couldn’t be done by in-house communications staff?

Council decided to review leasing a building to provide services for seniors. How do we know this is a good idea without knowing the proposed use of the facility and what the taxpayers will be paying? How do we know this doesn’t duplicate facilities and services in Sidney?

Who supported this idea? Who opposed it? These are not trivial issues.

We elect councillors and a mayor to make decisions on our behalf, and we deserve to know how they vote whenever the law allows that information to be made public. As the October municipal election approaches, many find themselves thinking, “Maybe it’s time to vote them all out.” But that would be unfortunate, because there are likely some councillors and/or the mayor who spoke up, asked pertinent questions, or voted differently.

But we have no way of knowing who they are. The North Saanich Residents Association believes accountability depends on transparency. The NSRA believes democracy works best when citizens can see not only the outcome of decisions but also who stood behind them.

John Kafka, NSRA president, on behalf of North Saanich Residents Association directors