As a longtime Saanich resident, I have to comment on the zero waste survey that is currently being conducted. It is another example of futility as it is fine in principle, however, I found it a waste of time. I ended up sending questions to sustainability@saanich.ca and received a reply that provided websites I already located, yet completely failed to respond to my questions. I asked two questions and received very political responses.
Zero waste and what residents are supposed to place in the bins to "reduce" solid waste is covered in a bylaw which was implemented in March 2014. I was advised Saanich is taking an educational approach rather than enforcing the bylaw. The drivers of the trucks are expected to monitor the bin contents and tag the offending bins. I suggested after 10 years it is time to actively enforce the bylaw. The policy is a joke.
I also requested the calculations for greenhouse gas emissions produced in creating the bike lanes, and received zero response after requesting this from Saanich mayor and council as well as the Sustainability Saanich.
Wake up residents of Saanich. We are given the calculations for the reduction of GHG emissions (ie: the e-bike rebate will reduce emissions by "X%" over a number of years by replacing vehicles with e-bikes). Great plan on paper, but why are residents only provided the savings without the costs to provide a "safe place" for cyclists? That is my big question Saanich seems to ignore.
Thomas Musgreave
Saanich
