The CRD Board approved a provisional 2021 Financial Plan on October 28, 2020. The plan is subject to change prior to final budget review and approval by the Board in March. Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback by January 31, it will be shared with the Board as part of the process.

The CRD budget consists of individual service budgets, some of which are recommended directly through standing committees of the CRD Board, and others which are recommended by sub-regional or local service commissions with various degrees of delegated authority. The consolidated budget consists of the CRD’s operating and capital expenditures as well as Capital Regional Hospital District and Capital Region Housing Corporation expenditures.

• Consolidated Budget Overview (PDF)

Operating costs pay for the daily business of the CRD, including labour, supplies, programs, services and repayment of debt for major projects. The CRD has maintained critical services and infrastructure throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and continues to provide reliable and essential services that play a significant role in economic recovery for the region.

• CRD Operating Overview 2021 (PDF)
• Amended Requisition by Participant 2021 (PDF)

The capital portion of the provisional plan pays for new and enhanced infrastructure, including renewal and replacement of existing structures. This includes acquisition of buildings and facilities, as well as construction and upgrades to assets. For 2021, the capital plan is expected to generate 893 jobs in the region through the flow of goods and services among various industries.

• CRD Capital Overview 2021 (PDF)
• Capital Projects List (PDF)
• Current Capital Projects

Highlights of significant capital projects include:

• Implementation of the Regional Housing First Program continues with construction of Hockley House, a 120-unit affordable housing project located in Langford, set to open in the spring of 2021. In addition, 97 units are expected to break ground in late spring on CRHC’s Michigan Square redevelopment in Victoria, and 75 units on M’akola Housing’s Charters development in Sooke. The Capital Region Housing Corporation has scheduled development planning that will continue on its 158 unit Caledonia development in Victoria.

• The Panorama Recreation Centre energy recovery project is approved and requires a minimum of $700,000 of grant funding to proceed. Staff are pursuing all grant funding options available and are targeting a 2021 start with anticipated completion in 2022. Once completed, Panorama is projected to see an 80% (351 tonne) reduction in total GHG emissions produced.

• Integrated Water Services continues emergency replacement of the Sooke Lake Reservoir intake screens, which was partially completed in 2020. The travelling screen in the intake tower screens out organic and inorganic particles larger than the 0.5 millimeter (mm) openings in the mesh screen. The screen is intended to provide an operational benefit by reducing particle sedimentation in the transmission and distribution systems.
• Dependent on a successful grant application, upgrades will begin on Regional Water Supply Main No. 4 at a capital cost of $3 million in 2021. This project will upgrade vulnerable sections of the pipe to a resilient system better able to withstand a seismic event. This is part of a partially grant funded project partnered with the Saanich Peninsula Water system.
• $2 million has been allocated for the Hartland North Site Buffer Acquisition project. This will allow for decommissioning and deconstruction of the old Maxim Cogen Unit ahead of the new renewable natural gas plant construction.
• $4.3 million will go towards aggregate production and rock extraction at Hartland Landfill for processing rock into material for on-site use as daily cover and building access roads.
• Construction continues on Phase 3 of the E&N Rail Trail with a capital cost of $3.4 million in 2021. This section of trail will fill a gap between the railway crossing on Atkins Avenue and Savory School in Langford, creating a continuous 13 km trail between Jacklin Road in Langford and Esquimalt Road in Victoria. Completion of this section is expected in Spring 2021. The CRD is working with the City of Victoria on planning and design for Phase 4, the section of trail that will link Esquimalt Road and the Johnson Street Bridge. Construction is currently planned to begin in 2021.
• As identified in the Gulf Islands Regional Trails Plan, the first regional trail segment to be developed in the Gulf Islands is Phase 1 of the Mayne Island Regional Trail at a capital cost of $1.2 million in 2021. This 2.3 km bike and pedestrian trail will be developed between Village Bay and Miners Bay village. The CRD’s Engineering Services and Regional Parks divisions will oversee the development of the trail. Construction is anticipated to start in 2021 and be completed in 2023.
• The development of an in-lake remediation plan is underway to address internal sources of nutrients in Elk/Beaver Lake, subject to receiving at least 50% capital grant funds for the project. This includes the installation of oxygenation systems in Elk/Beaver Lake to improve water quality at a capital cost of $1.4 million and ongoing operational costs of $100,000 -$150,000 annually. Staff continue to pursue external funding and partnership opportunities to support this proposed work.
• For 2021, the CRHD major capital projects contribution is $28 million, minor capital projects is $3.75 million, and equipment is $2.95 million for a total of $34.7 million.

Financial indicators provide insight on trends and measures of organizational and financial performance. They are complemented by asset management and policy development regarding debt management, reserve levels, risk management and facility lifecycles. They also enable better monitoring of expenditures and investments in light of continued service delivery demands.

• Financial Indicators 2021 (PDF)

Service planning provides information necessary to create a financial plan and to evaluate overall organizational requirements, new initiatives, proposed service levels and financial implications. Community need summaries describe services and initiatives for the year ahead that directly contribute to meeting the most pressing regional needs outlined in the 2019-2022 Corporate Plan.

• 2021 Community Need Summaries
• Initiatives & Budget Impacts (PDF)