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What Happens at a Council Meeting
Saanich's Council
Procedure Bylaw (PDF 51KB) regulates the proceedings
of Council particularly with respect to meeting procedures
and is
used as a reference document.
- Council presently meets Monday evenings and conducts the
majority of its business as Committee of the Whole. The
agenda format has the Council meeting first followed by
the Committee of the Whole meeting.
- Decisions made in Committee of the Whole that require
Council approval are normally ratified at the next Council
meeting.
- In Camera meetings are normally held following Committee
of the Whole. In Camera meetings are held in the absence
of the public and generally deal with property transactions,
personnel matters and legal matters as outlined in the
Procedure Bylaw.
- Special Council meetings for the purposes of Public Hearings
are held on Tuesday evenings and usually twice per month
depending on the volume of applications.
- Amendments to the Zoning Bylaw and Official Community
Plan, and proposed heritage designations are required to
be considered at Public Hearings. Amendments to land use
contracts and restrictive covenants are also sometimes
considered at Public Hearings depending on the type of
amendment and how the application was originally dealt
with.
- Special Committee of the Whole meetings are occasionally
held for matters that are controversial or will attract
a large volume of speakers and are usually held on a Tuesday
or Wednesday evening.
- With the exception of In Camera meetings, Council, Committee
of the Whole, Special Council and Special Committee of
the Whole meetings are open to the public. Except for Council
meetings, members of the public have the opportunity for
input on the various agenda items.
How to Present an Issue to Council
What To Do
If you have an issue you wish to be considered by Council, submit a letter addressed to Mayor
and Council outlining your concerns and
either:
Mail it to: Mayor and Council, 770 Vernon
Avenue, Victoria BC V8X 2W7
Email us at: clerksec@saanich.ca
Fax us at: (250) 475-5440
What Happens Next?
Your request is forwarded to the appropriate department for a direct response to you or for
a report to Council.
If a report to Council is requested, the matter will be scheduled for consideration at a
Committee of the Whole meeting once the report is received. The Municipal Clerk's Office
will advise you when the meeting has been scheduled in order that you may attend and make
representation to Council if you so wish.
 What
is a Public Hearing?
A Public Hearing is actually a special Council meeting and is Chaired by the Mayor or in his absence the Acting Mayor. A Public Hearing is required for Council consideration of amendments to the Zoning Bylaw, Official Community Plan and Land Use Contracts and prior to the adoption of a heritage designation bylaw. Where development permits, development variance permits or temporary commercial/industrial use permits accompany Zoning or OCP amendments the permits are also considered at a Public Hearing.
Attending a Public Hearing
Council welcomes your participation at Public Hearings. These Hearings are subject to some formal rules and procedures and the following information is intended to help you better understand the process.
Who can speak at a Public Hearing?
At a Public Hearing, any person present who believes that he or she is affected by a proposed bylaw and/or permit will be given an opportunity to speak or to present a written submission. You do not have to register to speak at a Public Hearing.
What if I do not want to appear at the Public Hearing?
If you do not wish to speak at the Hearing or simply cannot attend, you may submit a letter by mail, fax (250) 475-5440 or e-mail. All correspondence received until 4:30pm the date of the Hearing will be provided to each member of Council.
What will happen at the Public Hearing?
- The Municipal Clerk will introduce each item following which the Council will be given an opportunity to ask questions of staff. The applicant will then be asked to detail his or her proposal to Council and the public.
- Following the applicant's presentation, a request for public input will be called a total of 3 times for those persons wishing to be heard either in favour or in opposition to the application. If you wish to speak on the item being considered, you will be asked to come to the microphone, state your name and address and then give your comments. Please be aware that inappropriate language, outbursts or criticisms aimed at individuals or groups will not be condoned. Once the call for public input has been given 3 times, no further input from the public can be considered.
- After all persons wishing to address Council have been heard, the applicant will be asked to respond to any questions, new information or factual matters raised.
- Once the applicant has been provided an opportunity to respond, the Public Hearing will be closed and Council will be asked to debate the matter. No further submissions or public input may be received by Council.
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