When a vocal group began opposing the Quadra McKenzie Plan, it appeared their goal was to overturn the results of the 2022 municipal election by pressuring city residents and the council they elected through aggressive tactics. They now seek to paralyze local governance by flooding public hearings and silencing dissent through intimidation and threats.
The 2022 election centred on housing and development. Pro-housing candidates advocated for increased construction to address out-of-control housing costs and improve urban amenities, gaining strong support from younger voters eager to enter the housing market. In contrast, anti-housing candidates pushed to limit development to preserve sky-high property values and the district’s rural-suburban character, appealing mainly to older longtime homeowners. Candidate positions were widely covered in the media (including this paper), and numerous community groups worked to inform voters about where each stood.
Ultimately, pro-housing candidates won in Saanich, securing the mayor’s office and half the council seats. By my estimate, about 54% of voters supported increased development.
This outcome was promising for renters and people looking to buy their first home. But it posed a threat to the paper millionaires who bought their homes when the government was keeping housing prices low and rates of construction high. It was also bad news for realtors and real estate investment trusts (REITs) profiting from inflated home prices and rents. Public disclosures suggest that REITs, in particular, fear that rising vacancy rates could force them to lower rents.
In response, these vested interests want to block development and protect their profits. By spreading misinformation, they’ve recruited some confused residents and used agitation and intimidation to undermine the election results. When people are coming to your door every day telling you the city is going to bulldoze your house, people get scared. The problem gets even worse when these same people threaten to make your life a living hell unless you move if you express even the slightest disagreement with them.
If you value democracy and respect the will of voters, you should oppose these tactics that threaten to replace democratic decision-making with government through intimidation.
Wim Owe
Saanich
