SAANICHNEWS And baby makes three
Grits drove off a cliff
Naturopaths launch workshop to help new and expectant moms with postpartum depression and anxiety. Community, Page A3
Justin Trudeau visits UVic to talk youth engagement, politics, his party’s future. News, Page A4
Friday, March 16, 2012
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White out St. Michaels University School forward Jeff Nishima-Miller, in blue, runs into a wall of Glenlyon Norfolk School players, in white, made up of MacBryan Bos, left, Arie Kelerstein, Sean Bickersgill and Liam Shillington. A brief dusting of snow fell during the high school boys rugby game on Tuesday at Windsor Park. To find out the outcome of the game, check out Page A19. Photo by Adam Dargavel
Setting sights to prepare for Saanich’s future Strategic plan, citizen survey show need for food security, emergency prep improvements Kyle Slavin News staff
Saanich has a long way to go to achieve some pretty lofty goals in the next quarter century – but Saanich council and staff members are confident that they’re doable. By 2036, Saanich hopes to see the number of residents growing their own vegetables increase by 66 per cent, according to the municipality’s 2012 draft strategic plan, released last week. On Wednesday, results from the latest
citizen survey came out, which show nearly one-third of residents already grow a portion of their food. “I think it’s achievable. They’re always stretched targets – it doesn’t move us far forward if they’re too easy to achieve,” said Sharon Hvozdanski, Saanich’s director of planning. She says the municipality has been moving in this “progressive and sustainable” direction for years, and more is in the works to reach the 2036 target. Food security – from backyard gardens and backyard chickens, to municipal allotment gardens and the state of local agriculture – has become a topic of greater interest to Saanich council recently. In the last two years, Coun. Dean Murdock has recommended that council look at easing urban poultry-keeping restrictions and allowing rooftop gardens. As well, he suggested that Saanich examine the feasibil-
ity of a Moss Street Market-style farm market on the Lochside Trail, where it meets municipal hall. “What I’m hearing, and I think it’s reflected in the citizen survey, is there’s a growing interest in producing food for yourself. As that continues to happen, as interest continues to grow, we’re going to have to look for creative ways to help people do that,” Murdock said. The second-term councillor says food security is important, since in the event of an emergency, Vancouver Island could be cut off from outside food deliveries for a number of days. “Certainly the ability to produce and consume your own food puts you in a much better position in terms of emergency preparedness. If you’re not able to get access to (imported) food, hopefully you have it in your garden.” Capt. Brock Henson, Saanich’s emergency
program officer, agrees, and acknowledges another goal set out in the strategic plan. By 2018, 60 per cent of Saanich residents should be prepared to survive for seven days, following an emergency or disaster. According to citizen survey results, only 23 per cent of households are currently ready to survive for a week in the event of an emergency. “Our supply routes are a little more vulnerable than if we were on the mainland,” Henson said. “Things come by boat, for the most part, and if the ferry and barge service were disrupted, that could cause some supply challenges in the short term.” By 2036, Saanich aims to have 90 per cent of residents prepared to survive for one week after a disaster. PLEASE SEE: Citizens rank roads, parks top Saanich priorities, Page A7
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