Summary

• On Jan. 19, 2026, the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs appointed an independent external adviser to review the District of North Saanich’s land-use planning and housing policies
• The appointment was made because the district did not meet or make satisfactory progress toward its Year 1 housing target of 60 net new units, delivering only 12 units (20%)
• On March 31, 2026, the adviser submitted a final report with 19 policy and planning recommendations to help the district increase its housing supply and meet its targets
• The ministry provided the district with a copy of the report on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, and the ministry and the district will be consulting on proposed directives and enhanced reporting requirements

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Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, has issued the following statement:

“We’re facing a global housing affordability crisis. Here in B.C., too many people are having a hard time with high housing costs, and we’ve been working to change that. 

“Through the Housing Supply Act, we’ve set housing targets to strengthen communities now and for generations to come. This focus has helped deliver more than 34,700 net-new homes across the first 30 priority municipalities since September 2023, with more than 172,000 net-new homes to be delivered through all target communities under the program. 

“No single action can address the housing crisis, but one thing is clear: We need to increase housing supply. 

“I’ve been encouraged by the work of several councils and the positive changes they have made, which allow them to meet or exceed their targets. In other communities, there is work to do.

“Earlier this year, I appointed an adviser to review a lack of progress on housing supply in the district of North Saanich as they were able to meet only 20% of their Year 1 housing targets under the Province’s Housing Supply Act. The adviser’s report identified clear recommendations for how the district can act to increase its housing supply.

“I recognize that the district operates in a context of significant organizational transition, constrained staff capacity and a community with important values around preserving its rural character. We are committed to supporting the district and have proposed directives and enhanced reporting requirements to help it progress on its path to meeting the need for more homes in the community.

“We will continue to do the work with all levels of government to add more homes in communities throughout B.C. and make sure more people and families can find a place to live in the communities they know and love.

“Our government will continue to break down barriers that were making it harder to build the homes people with middle incomes can afford for too long. Good progress has been made, and it’s starting to make a difference right now, with rents continuing to come down, vacancy rates rising, more new rentals than ever being built and housing starts remaining strong even in the face of global economic challenges – encouraging signs that we’re making it easier for people to find a good place to live.”  

Learn More:

• To read the adviser report for district of North Saanich, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/NorthSaanichAdvisorReport.pdf
• To see minister Boyle’s letter to District of North Saanich to consult on proposed directives, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/MinisterBoyleLetter.pdf