Dean Murdock Saanich Councillor

Have you got a household oil tank? Better check it for leaks!

Don't know how? Check out these helpful tips: http://www.saanich.ca/living/environment/pdf/otank.pdf

Did you know that heating with oil produces more greenhouse gas emissions than natural gas or electricty? It can also be quite expensive!

Convert to a heat pump, natural gas, or hydro electricity and you could be eligible for up to $2,000 in rebates!
The provincial Livesmart and federal EcoEnergy programmes offer about $1250 to convert to natural gas and $2000 for a heat pump.

Saanich council passes local food motion
Colleen Kimmett, The Tyee

Saanich district council unanimously passed a motion last night to adopt a local food procurement policy.

Councillor Dean Murdock introduced the motion. He told The Tyee the policy would make locally-produced food a priority at district events and within its food services. It would apply to vendors at public festivals, for example, as well as catering at internal meetings. It would also apply to the cafe at the district's recreation centre, said Murdock.

Saanich council supports local food policy
CFAX 1070

Saanich Council passed a motion Monday night to support local food producers.

Councillor Dean Murdock says the recommendation from the Healthy Saanich Advisory Committee to develop a local food procurement policy was supported unanimously.

Saanich first in region to go 'local' on food
Kim Westad, Times Colonist

Saanich is set to become the first municipality in the region to focus on local food for its events, moving toward having the same for all its food services.

Coun. Dean Murdock, chairman of the Healthy Saanich Advisory Committee, said he's not aware of any other municipalities with such a local food procurement policy, although the University of Victoria does.

"With a population of about 20,000 students, that means they serve an awful lot of local food," Murdock said.

The food grown in your and your neighbours' backyards could soon be for sale at a festival or rec centre near you.
Saanich looks to use municipality's purchasing power to help local food producers
Kyle Slavin, Saanich News

The Healthy Saanich Advisory Committee is looking to create a food procurement policy that will give priority to local producers when catering is needed for municipal services or events.

Saanich needs to raise its green design standards for commercial and industrial buildings.

A recent application before Council highlighted the deficiency in our energy and environmental design standards. Council approved the redevelopment of a warehouse building in the Ardersier Road commercial-industrial park. The building is a larger upgrade to the existing structure that will create new space for additional tenants.

Earth Day is an opportunity for us to join together in appreciation of our natural environment. Let's celebrate the steps we've taken to protect our climate and ecosystems, as we work together to stem the tide of further environmental devastation.

Saanich tables recycling depot proposal after neighbours voice concerns
Kyle Slavin - Saanich News

Not in their backyards… yet

The difference between a NIMBY and an impassioned group of residents hinges on the ability to justify your position.

The Royal Oak neighbourhood fell into the latter category, after somewhat successfully lobbying council to reject rezoning for a recycling facility proposal on Commerce Circle.

BC Liberal leadership candidate Kevin Falcon says he wants to talk to Mayors and communities about commuter rail on the E&N, light rail, or an overpass at McKenzie Avenue and the Trans-Canada Highway.

It’s easy to dismiss this as political opportunism or pandering. Falcon had five years as Transportation Minister to do something about the Colwood Crawl and congestion on Highway 1, but failed to deliver. Now the leadership is at stake, he’s all ears.