Dean Murdock Saanich Councillor

Saanich Council supports funding application to expedite Douglas Corridor planning
May 28, 2012 CFAX 1070

Saanich Council has supported a report regarding the securing of funding that would expedite the planning process for the future of the Douglas Corridor.

Saanich Councilor Dean Murdock the request for funding would be made of the UBCM, in a joint application with the City of Victoria

"to apply for planning funds from UBCM, part of the gas tax funds for planning purposes, and the idea is that we would accelerate the planning process in the Douglas Corridor"

We need to get moving. Traffic snarls on our major roads are an everyday occurrence. Gridlock costs commuters time that could be spent at home with family. It costs businesses money when customers are too frustrated to drive to their store.

Solving our traffic woes has long been a priority for residents and municipal councils across this region. It now seems that we might actually get moving.

Saanich Council supports report on Douglas Corridor traffic improvements
CFAX 1070 March 26, 2012

A report authored by engineering staff on traffic improvements proposed for the Douglas Corridor received unanimous support from Saanich Council Monday night.

Saanich Councillor Dean Murdock says council wants to ensure that this issue is a priority.

"I hear from commuters that travel along Douglas and all our major corridors, that we can't wait for a rapid transit system to begin addressing traffic, we have to start implementing changes now, to get people moving"

Councils debate state of bus service in Saanich and Victoria
CFAX 1070 February 29 2012

B-C Transit provided an update on its planning for a light rail rapid transit line to a special joint meeting of Saanich and Victoria Councils...but most of the politicians seemed more interested in what can be done to improve bus movements right now.

'Green commuting' bill finds second wind
By Jeff Bell, Times Colonist February 11, 2012

With buses passing behind her and cyclists in attendance, Victoria MP Denise Savoie had the ideal setting Friday to announce that her 2009 private member's bill on "green" commuter choices will be re-introduced in Parliament.

Since she is Deputy Speaker, Savoie cannot bring the Commuter Tax Incentive Bill back herself, so fellow NDP MP Jamie Nicholls, who represents Vaudreuil-Soulanges in Quebec, is taking on the task.

We asked the Saanich mayor and council candidates to provide their thoughts and strategies on the transportation issues in Saanich (outside of the light rail discussion).

Dean Murdock, council candidate:

How do you propose to quickly alleviate some of the stresses caused by single-occupancy vehicles, which turns many of our major thoroughfares into parking lots at rush hour?

Dean Murdock, council candidate:

We know that other cities have seen incredible economic growth as a result of rail systems in their major corridors. We know that LRT can reduce emissions significantly and can do a lot to encourage new ridership — as much as double ridership -- bringing more convenience and lower car-dependence to thousands of individuals and families.

Here in our region, we need an independent review of the proposed regional LRT system to give the public and decision-makers the information we need to evaluate these extraordinary benefits and the estimated costs to build and operate the system.

Politicans join call for light rail transit in Greater Victoria
By Bill Cleverley, Times Colonist

Standing on a busy downtown sidewalk with transit buses rumbling by, politicians from three levels of government said the time has come for light rail transit in Greater Victoria.

Light rail transit "is the most cost effective form of transportation for our future in the region," said MP Denise Savoie (NDP-Victoria).