Visitors to Saanich

The Municipality of Saanich was incorporated on March 1, 1906. With an area of 11,179 hectares, it is the largest of the core municipalities making up Greater Victoria. The topography is undulating with many glacially scoured rock outcroppings. Elevations range from sea level to 388 metres. The physical setting is greatly influenced by water. There are 334.9 ha of fresh water lakes and 36.2 km of marine shoreline.

The Municipality is in a major position within the metropolitan area. The Trans Canada Highway enters from the west and the Pat Bay Highway enters from the north, they converge within the Municipality and run parallel into the City of Victoria. Traditionally, Saanich has been the gateway to the downtown core of Victoria. Its location within the region has resulted in a dual role, half of the Municipality is urban and half is rural and agricultural. This dual role is a major factor influencing its character.

Saanich can best be described as a bedroom community serving the City of Victoria. Single family dwellings are the predominant land use. As of December 31, 1997 there were 39,237 dwelling units accommodating a population of about 106,000 persons. About 71% of the dwellings were single family. The Regional Growth Review 1990 projects a population of 109.200 by the year 2001. As a result of Council's commitment to a policy of urban containment, a declining supply of developable land for new residential lots, and changing housing market demands, it is anticipated that the ratio of multi-family to single-family dwellings will continue to increase.