2006
Business Survey
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OVERVIEW
On February 28, 2006, a 4 page survey was mailed to 1500 randomly selected Saanich businesses,
asking them to share their ideas and opinions about Saanich as a place to do business, and the
District of Saanich as their municipal government. By the March 15, 2006 response deadline, we had
received 419 completed surveys, giving us a good response rate of 28%. A similar survey mailed to
Saanich citizens received a 33% response rate and is available
separately. Both sets of results will be used to guide our planning.
The complete report can be downloaded in PDF format below. The report is also available by
contacting municipal staff at (250) 475-5415 or by e-mail.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Vision & Value
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Several central themes – the most important concerns and priorities of business –
emerge from analysis of the entire survey: growth pressures; transportation concerns; and
a desire for low taxes.
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When asked to list the three biggest challenges facing Saanich in the next five years,
businesses clearly identified transportation concerns and growth pressures above all others.
Quality of Life
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Businesses give very high ratings to quality of life measures, such as the rating of Saanich as
a place to live or as a place to operate a business.
Service Delivery
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Businesses give an overall score of 65 out of 100 to municipal government services.
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Businesses give particularly high praise to Saanich’s fire fighting services however, the
Emergency Preparedness Program was identified as an area for improvement.
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Businesses give high praise to the customer service provided by Saanich employees. Less than
10% of businesses gave negative ratings to their interactions with Saanich employees.
Local Government
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Businesses strongly prefer low property taxes and limited or no increase in services,
preferring instead that a greater percentage of revenue be raised through user fees.
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When asked to allot an imaginary $100 to a selection of 10 capital projects, businesses choose
to allot the largest portion, $16.80, to roads and traffic control. This was followed closely
by the municipal sewer and drainage system at $11.31.
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When asked to give overall ratings of the performance and direction of the District of Saanich,
businesses give generally high marks, with less than 2% to 8% giving negative responses.
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