News release
For immediate release

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich is receiving $600,000 from the Government of Canada for its Asset Management Software Implementation Project to help expand and integrate its asset management program.

For local governments across British Columbia, the right investment can support housing, foster connection and build strong communities,” said the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada. “This project will make a lasting impact and reinforces our commitment to building bold, building strong, and building together.”

The grant funding will support the purchase and implementation of a new, modern, digital software system that centralizes asset data, integrates technical and financial information, and supports information sharing and reporting. Asset management software modernization will increase productivity and operational efficiency to support service delivery using more than $6B worth of built and natural assets and increase the return on the community’s investment.

“Managing community assets like parks, trails, facilities, vehicles and equipment over their full life cycle helps local governments prioritize investments and maintain reliable services,” said Nina Krieger, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake. “Through a partnership with the Province, the Government of Canada and UBCM, Saanich is building the capacity to support sustainable service delivery over the long term.”

Strategic approach to asset management

The District’s Asset Management Strategy, approved by Council in July 2023, highlights that asset management is critical to sustainable, effective service delivery. This award-winning strategy is a key part of the Asset Management Program goal of developing and implementing a District-wide, systematic and consistent approach to managing physical assets to ensure that decisions regarding levels of service, asset maintenance, renewal and replacement, and funding are sustainable over the long term.

By better maintaining the infrastructure residents rely on, this software will allow the District to continue to improve upon operational efficiency, increasing the reliability and transparency of asset data, supporting risk-based decision-making, and helping plan sustainable funding so services can continue to be delivered responsibly for current and future generations.

“The Build Communities Strong funding helps us maximize our ongoing investment in maintaining and enhancing important infrastructure across Saanich,” said Mayor Dean Murdock. “We are very thankful for the support from the Government of Canada and UBCM that allows us to take care of the assets that sustain our community and ensures a high quality of life for everyone in Saanich.”

Learn more

The Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) Community stream is a transfer-based program that provides $2.5 billion per year in funding to communities across Canada. The Province of British Columbia receives over $326 million annually from this stream, which is administered by the Union of BC Municipalities and distributed to local governments through the Community Works Fund, Strategic Priorities Fund, and Metro Vancouver Regional Fund.

More information about the District’s Asset Management Program is available on saanich.ca/assetmanagement.

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Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca