Council approves 2026 budget focused on affordability, service continuity

News release
For immediate release

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich’s latest budget reflects a measured approach that recognizes community concerns about affordability while protecting the high-quality core services that residents expect.

Council has now adopted the five-year Financial Plan Bylaw as well as the 2026 Tax Rate Bylaw which establish the operating and capital plans for all municipal programs, including the tax revenue required to support service delivery. This follows an extensive process to ensure taxpayer dollars are budgeted and spent wisely.

“Costs continue to rise, both for the municipality and for residents navigating their daily lives. Council’s budget decisions were guided by the need to strike a careful balance, recognizing the real financial pressures people are facing while continuing to invest in the services, infrastructure and public safety they rely on every day,” says Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock. “We appreciate the public feedback which helped shape these choices, as well as the work by staff to find efficiencies and streamline processes where possible. These collective efforts helped us make thoughtful adjustments to keep the potential tax lift lower for residents.”

While the Financial Plan delays some planned future investments in order to reduce immediate cost pressures, it keeps Saanich moving toward its long-term goals for infrastructure, service delivery, managing anticipated growth, and ensuring a bright future for the people who live here.

More details on this year’s budget can be found in our 2026 Budget in Brief available at saanich.ca/budget.

Quick facts

• The Saanich budget saw an overall net increase in property tax of 5.35%. This increase supports the core services Saanich provides to residents each day, as well as needed improvements to infrastructure to support the delivery of those services.
• Check out our wide range of services and offerings here.
• Property owners in Saanich can expect to see tax notices and informational materials arriving in their mailboxes soon. Payment of taxes and annual home owner grant applications are due on or before July 2, 2026.
• Property owners can apply for their home owner grant online or by phone with the Province. Municipalities do not accept or process home owner grants.

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Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca