Elected 2018 and 2022
Phone: 250-818-8089
Email: zac.devries@saanich.ca
Personal Summary
- Born, raised, and educated in Saanich, with deep roots across the community
- Married and soon to be a father, with a strong interest in building a livable, inclusive Saanich for future generations
- Lived in the Carey area, Quadra McKenzie Centre, near Uptown, and now in North Quadra
- Advocate for affordability, better transportation options, environmental stewardship, and issues impacting seniors, youth, and families
- Guided by social, economic, and environmental sustainability in decision-making
- Passionate about planning, evidence-based policy, and community-building
- Enjoy research, cycling, volunteering, the outdoors, and cross-cultural exchange
Current
- Sector Specialist, Food and Beverage Processing, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food
- Advises executive leadership and the Minister on issues affecting the food and beverage processing sector
- Provides subject matter expertise to internal teams, external partners, and industry stakeholders
- Designs and delivers programs to improve competitiveness, productivity, and resilience of local food and beverage companies
- Member of the Ministry’s Emergency Management Roster, supporting advanced planning and response for wildfires, floods, COVID-19, and other emergencies
Previous
- Senior Program Developer, Food and Beverage Processing, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food
- Analyst, Food and Beverage Processing, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food
- Cheese Specialist, Whole Foods Market Victoria
Saanich Council Appointments - Current
- Chair, Transportation Advisory Committee
- Member, Finance and Governance Committee
- Member, South Island Prosperity Partnership Municipal Partners Committee
- Liaison, University-Municipal Council Liaison Group
- Liaison, Peninsula and Area Agricultural Commission
Capital Regional District Appointments - Current
- Chair, Capital Region Housing Corporation Board
- Director, Capital Regional District Board
- Director, Capital Region Hospital District Board
- Chair, CRD Planning and Protective Services Committee
- Director, CRD Transportation Committee
- Director, CRD Housing and Hospital Committee
- Director, CRD Core Area Liquid Waste Management Committee
- Commissioner, Regional Water Supply Commission
- Commissioner, Regional Housing Trust Fund Commission
Saanich Council Past Appointments
- Liaison, Resilient Saanich Technical Committee
- Chair, Economic Development Advisory Committee
- Chair, Housing Strategy Taskforce
- Chair, Planning, Transportation & Economic Development Advisory Committee
- Member, Rising Economy Taskforce
- Chair, Mayor's Standing Committee on Housing Affordability and Supply
- Member, Housing Affordability and Supply Committee
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Victoria (2017)
Double Major in Political Science and Geography
Concentration in Urban, Health, and Development Studies, with a focus on urban and political economy - High School Diploma, Pacific Christian School (2012)