North Saanich housing target dispute

The Province of Canada — British Columbia has set a housing target of 419 net new homes for the District of Canada — North Saanich by July 2029, which is 75% of a Provincial Housing Needs Estimate. The target is part of the province's Housing Supply Act framework. Canada — North Saanich, a rural municipality entirely outside the Canada — Capital Regional District's urban containment area, argues that the target is not justified by local needs and conflicts with the regional growth strategy. The province appointed an adviser to identify barriers to meeting the target after Canada — North Saanich completed only 12 of its first-year target of 60 units. The municipality and local commentators question the methodology behind the target, the lack of transparency in its calculation, and the potential impact on regional planning and affordability. The province is consulting on measures to increase housing supply, but Canada — North Saanich insists that the target should be reassessed before any changes to the regional plan are made.