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The provincial government sets out the ground rules governing municipalities in the Local
Government Act. This Act is the framework which guides the creation of local government
and covers all facets of its operation. The basic responsibility for local government
services and decisions lies with municipal councils. When Saanich was incorporated in 1906
a Mayor and Council was elected to determine its policies and oversee its responsibilities.
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Additional Links:
Civic Holiday Schedule
Mayor's Inaugural Address
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THE COUNCIL
The Council is the governing body of the municipality and is responsible to see that its powers are
used for the benefit and protection of its citizens.
All the powers of Council are exercised by bylaws and resolutions. The Local Government Act states
that these decisions can only be made at regular, or at specially convened, Council meetings where
there is a quorum, or fixed number of Council members present.
Council establishes policies for the community and adopts bylaws or resolutions based on these
policies. It must then ensure that these policies are executed by the municipality’s
administration in the day to day business of the community.
THE MAYOR
The Mayor has special powers and duties as the head and chief executive officer of Saanich. In
addition to the required duties as a member of Council, the Mayor:
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Sees that the law for the improvement and good government of Saanich is carried out;
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Communicates information to Council and recommends bylaws, resolutions and measures that, in
his opinion, may assist the peace, order and good government of Saanich in relation to the
powers conferred on the Council by any Act;
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Establishes standing committees for matters he considers would be better regulated and managed
by means of committee, and appoints members of Council to the committees; but the proceedings
of a committee are subject to the approval of Council, except delegated executive or
administrative proceedings;
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Inspects and directs the conduct municipal officers and employees, directs the management of
municipal business and affairs.
THE MUNICIPAL CLERK
The Office of the Municipal Clerk is
responsible for the organization of Council's agenda, keeping minutes of Council/Committee meetings,
preparation of bylaws, the safekeeping of municipal records, and the provision of information to the
public. In addition, the Office of the Municipal Clerk is responsible for:
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Processing and coordinating all business relative to Saanich Council
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Carrying out statutory requirements in relation to the Local Government Act
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Providing information and directing enquiries to the appropriate departments
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Providing advice with respect to Council procedures, policies, and functions
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Coordinating and providing sufficient information to Council to support the Council decision
making process
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Providing secretarial service to the majority of Council’s committees
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Administering the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and processing
requests to access records.
The Municipal Clerk and her staff routinely carry out correspondence on
Council’s behalf and are responsible for the publication of official notices. It is the
practice in Saanich for the Municipal Clerk to attend and oversee the administration of all
regularly scheduled Council/Committee of the Whole meetings which at present are held on Monday
evenings. The Municipal Clerk works hand in glove with the Mayor, Councillors and the Municipal
Administrator in coordinating the business of Council.
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