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Local Services in the Electoral Areas

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Main office address:
625 Fisgard Street
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V8W 1R7
tel: 250.360.3000

Fast Facts

April 20, 2011
Wastewater Management

The CRD operates trunk sewer systems in the capital region and the electoral areas. Liquid Waste Management Plans (LWMP) govern wastewater in the region. The CRD conducts research and implements programs to partner with businesses, institutions and households to meet the LWMP requirements and to help protect the environment.

1. Our region’s extensive sewage collection systems culminate at eight sewage treatment plants, operated by the CRD.
2. Since the inception of the Regional Source Control program in 1993, the amount of mercury discharged into sewers has decreased by 98%.
   
3. In just one area rehabilitated through our Inflow and Infiltration program, groundwater entering the sewers was reduced by 67,000 cubic metres annually, enough to fill 27
   Olympic-size swimming pools!
4. The CRD coordinates with 20 service providers to help businesses properly dispose of 36 types of Trucked Liquid Waste not suitable for the sewer systems.
5. Wastewater and marine environment monitoring and assessment is conducted by CRD scientists, often in collaboration with universities and government agencies.

March 23, 2011
Electoral Areas

The CRD creates partnerships to provide region-wide services including parks, planning and recycling to the 28,000 residents that make up the electoral areas of Juan de Fuca, Salt Spring Island and the Southern Gulf Islands.

1. The CRD acts as the local government for unincorporated areas, which include the electoral areas of Juan de Fuca, Salt Spring Island, and the Southern Gulf Islands.
2. Transit service, funded in part by the CRD, was established on Salt Spring Island in January 2008 and is now one of the most successful systems in BC.
3. Nine CRD owned docks are operated and managed by the Southern Gulf Islands Harbours Commission.
4. The CRD works through local committees and commissions to deliver many services to the electoral areas including libraries, arts funding and recycling.
5. The CRD develops emergency programs for the electoral areas and works with local volunteers to administer them.

March 10, 2011
Emergency Services

The Capital Regional District brings municipal and electoral area representatives together in a Local Government Emergency Program Advisory Commission to develop emergency preparedness initiatives to assist with response to major emergencies or region-wide disasters.

1. The CRD was first in North America to implement enhanced 911, a system that now takes more than 115,000 calls annually from across the region.
2. The CRD Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Program works with municipalities to coordinate a team of specially trained fire fighters from across the region.
3. The Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue Program includes more than 40 trained and certified volunteers.
4. CRD emergency programs in Juan de Fuca, Salt Spring Island and Southern Gulf Islands train and exercise with community volunteers to prepare
   residents in times of disaster.
5. Approximately 75 CRD staff volunteer for cross training to provide fire protection services for Regional Water Supply Lands and Regional Parks.

February 23, 2011
Arts Development

The CRD investment in arts organizations recognizes the profile they bring to the region, supports the wide range of activities they produce for citizens and visitors, and acknowledges the role they play in creating a healthy, diverse and vibrant community.

1. Last year CRD Arts Development invested $2.1 million in 54 arts organizations through its operating and project grant programs.
2. In 2010 organizations receiving operating support produced 2634 events attracting 664,000 people.
3. The recently launched IDEA Grants program (Innovate, Develop, Experiment, Access) provides small grants to fulfill an identified need for building arts capacity and new growth in the sector.
4. In 2010, for every dollar received in CRD operating grants, organizations generated an additional $9.88 in revenues.
5. The CRD owns the Royal Theatre. That ownership is supported through funding from Oak Bay, Saanich and Victoria.

February 9, 2011
Animal Care & Control

Capital Regional District Bylaw and Animal Care Services provides services in 11 municipalities and 3 electoral areas. The CRD Pound offers temporary shelter for lost domesticated animals, and operates an adoption program, with the ultimate goal of re-homing lost or stray animals.

1. The CRD Pound received a national award for effectiveness in re-homing animals, given by peers at the annual Urban Animals Summit.
2. In 2010 the CRD Pound achieved a 97% success rate in re-homing dogs and cats. That’s 671 animals!
3. The CRD works with more than 8 local rescue services who provide medical and social care to help prepare animals for adoption.
4. In 2010, the CRD sold close to 10,000 dog licenses!
5. Opportunities to work hands on with animals are provided to individuals with special needs and to co-op students.

January 26, 2011
Health and Capital Planning Strategies

At the CRD we are focused on regional health care. Through the Capital Regional Hospital
District (CRHD) we provide the local share of capital funding for health facilities and hospital
equipment, and work closely with the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) and other
health service agencies to develop and sustain health facilities in the capital region.

1. The Board of the Capital Regional District also acts as the Board for the Capital Regional Hospital District (CRHD) which provides funding for health capital initiatives in the region.
2. The new 500 bed Patient Care Centre at Royal Jubilee Hospital received $108 million in funding through CRHD.
3. CRHD provided $7.5 million to the Victoria General Emergency Room upgrade, which tripled the emergency area.
4. The CRHD contributes to community priority projects such as Victoria’s Access Health Centre for the homeless ($1.1 million) and the Pender Island Health Centre ($600,000).
5. Each year more than $7 million is provided to Vancouver Island Health Authority to upgrade infrastructure and medical equipment.

January 12, 2011
Climate Action

At the CRD we are focused on regional sustainability. By ensuring that residents and businesses are engaged in the issues and understand the case for taking action on climate change, we can meet our goals to reduce energy and emissions, and prepare our region for climate related impacts.

Today's five FastFacts are on Climate Action:

1. Each year more than 1.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses are generated from energy use in buildings, transportation methods and waste in the Capital Region.
2. Hartland landfill’s program to capture gas and generate electricity, powers the equivalent of 1,600 homes annually.
3. The operation of a new heat recovery system from the sewage at Saanich Peninsula Wastewater Treatment plant and a waste heat utilization and facility upgrade at SEAPARC Recreation Centre results in 660 fewer tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
4. In 2010, the CRD along with three non-profit organizations, reached more than 7,400 youth as a part of the Youth Climate Education Partnership.
5. In 2012 the CRD, along with all member municipalities, will become carbon neutral in their operations under the BC Climate Action Charter.

December 29, 2010
Integrated Water Services

At the CRD we are focused on ensuring regional sustainability. One of our strategic priorities is environmental protection. The acquisition and stewardship of water supply lands not only protect the ecological conditions that contribute to high quality source water, but also sustain native ecosystems, species and scenic regional landscapes.

Today's five FastFacts are on Integrated Water Services:

1. The lands around Sooke Reservoir have been managed by the CRD since 1999 and were originally purchased in 1915 by the City of Victoria.
2. The CRD owns and manages approximately 98% of the forested catchment lands, 10,921 hectares, that provide water to our reservoirs, protecting the ecosystems and our water quality.
3. The CRD also protects future water supply through the 9,300 hectare Leech River watershed, of which we currently own and manage 91%.
4. Our five reservoirs that supply the existing Greater Victoria water supply system hold enough water to fill 41,000 Olympic sized swimming pools!
5. The CRD supplies drinking water to 340,000 customers in the Greater Victoria Drinking Water System, the third largest system in British Columbia.

December 15, 2010
Regional Parks

At the CRD we are focused on ensuring regional sustainability. One of our strategic priorities is environmental protection. The CRD protects a network of regional parks and trails in perpetuity to help maintain diverse natural environments and contribute to regional sustainability.

Today's five FastFacts are on Regional Parks:

1. The CRD protects and manages more than 13,00 hectares (32,000 acres) of spectacular and easily accessible natural areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
2. Our regional parks and trails receive more than 4 million visits each year.
3. More than 300 kilometres of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding are encompassed in 33 regional parks and trails.
4. More than 35,000 visitors attended nature programs, nature centres and special events in 2009.
5. Over the last year 380 volunteers participated in the preservation and stewardship of regional parks and trails.

December 1, 2010
Watersheds & Storm Water

At the CRD we are focused on ensuring regional sustainability. One of our strategic priorities is environmental protection. Our Storm Water, Harbours and Watersheds Program works with municipalities and the community to protect multi-use watersheds and the nearshore marine environment to help ensure quality water and a healthy ecosystem.

Today's five FastFacts on Watersheds & Storm Water:

1. The Capital Region is home to 314 watersheds, many of which cross municipal boundaries.
2. We monitor storm water quality at more than 1000 locations, and water quality in 49 creeks and streams, to help identify public health and environmental concerns, such as support of aquatic life, and what land practices may be resulting in poor water quality.
3. Our downtown office building has the first monitored living wall in Canada, and the first monitored green roof on Vancouver Island; the data collected will help quantify the rainwater management and energy conservation benefits of living walls and green roofs in our region.
4. Nearly 14% of land from Sooke to Sidney is covered with impervious surface, where water does not penetrate. We monitor the impacts on the health of our local watersheds when rainwater runs over these impervious surfaces.
5. 99 examples of innovative rainwater management techniques throughout the region are featured in the CRD's Rainwater Management Virtual Tour.

November 17, 2010
Regional Recycling

At the CRD we are focused on ensuring regional sustainability. A strategic priority of the CRD is responsible management of our region's waste, with a focus on developing options to reduce, reuse and recycle. Our ultimate goal is increasing our waste diversion rate to 60% by 2012, measured in total solid waste (tonnes) sent to the landfill.

Today's five FastFacts on Regional Recycling:

1. Recycling at the curb keeps about 26,000 tonnes, equivalent to the weight of 64 jumbo jets, of waste out of our landfill each year.
2. Last year, we recycled more than 5,000 tonnes of waste destined for our landfill at the recycling facility at Hartland landfill. That's the weight of more than 1080 adult elephants.
3. We have kept more than 5000 mattresses from our landfill (that's half the height of Mount Baker when stacked up) through one of our pilot recycling programs.
4. The Hartland recycling facility takes more than 80 different materials from 25 product categories.
5. The hazardous waste drop-off area at our regional landfill is the only no-charge facility of its kind in all of BC.

November 3, 2010
Housing

At the CRD we are focused on ensuring regional sustainability. One of our strategic priority areas on this quest is housing. We are committed to increasing housing for those in need, creating additional affordable and accessible housing units and establishing effective delivery frameworks with our partners.

Today's five FastFacts on housing:

1. In the past ten years, more than $1.2 million has been directed towards creating homes for the homeless.
2. Last year, renovations at the Cridge Centre for the Family resulted in the creation of eight rental units for single women at risk of homelessness.
3. Last month, we granted $500,00 in funding towards the conversion project at the former Travellers Inn on Gorge Road into 39 affordable housing units.
4. The majority of our subsidized housing is allocated to low income families and seniors.
5. Over the past five years, we have assisted in the creation of more than 325 affordable housing units.

© Gulf Islands image courtesy of Evan Leeson