Saanich recently stepped into the national spotlight after being recognized as a Canadian leader in sustainability efforts.
The district received national recognition for its environmental efforts, winning the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators’ 2025 Environmental Leadership and Sustainability Award.
The award, presented on May 27 at CAMA’s national conference in Mont Tremblant, Que., recognized the municipality’s Biodiversity Conservation and Urban Forest Strategies.
Both strategies, endorsed by council in 2024, aim to strengthen climate resilience, protect ecosystems, and expand tree canopy coverage across the district. The plans incorporate advanced mapping tools and Indigenous knowledge shared by the WSANEC Leadership Council.
“Saanich aims to protect and enhance its natural areas and urban forests to ensure they continue delivering critical ecosystem services and a sustainable environment for a growing community,” said Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock.
Saanich won in the category for municipalities with populations over 100,000.
