Sidney, BC.;

Highlights from regular Council meetings provide a brief summary of some items of broad public interest. The summary is not inclusive of all agenda items. Please refer to www.sidney.ca for the full agenda, minutes, and webcast.

Council advances Single Use Plastics Bylaw for checkout bags, straws, utensils, and foam service ware

The Town of Sidney may soon have its own Single Use Plastics Bylaw that takes advantage of provincial authority granted to municipalities in 2021 to restrict a range of single-use plastics. If the bylaw is adopted as written, local businesses will not be permitted to distribute plastic checkout bags, plastic straws, plastic utensils (including stir sticks), and foam service ware beginning January 1, 2023.

Paper bags and reusable bags may be offered as an alternative to plastic bags for a minimum fee of 25 cents for paper bags and $2 for reusable bags. These minimum fees are consistent with fees in the District of Saanich and City of Victoria. Some exemptions would be included in the bylaw, including the provision of straws for people with accessibility needs.

The bylaw is intended to reduce the creation of waste from single-use items and reduce plastic litter, which impacts sewers, streets, parks, beaches, and waterways in Sidney and beyond.

Staff Report      Video (00:44:55)

Terms of Reference to be amended for Saanich Peninsula Accessibility Advisory Committee to improve representation

After seeking citizen representatives to form the new Saanich Peninsula Accessibility Advisory Committee, Council - on the recommendation of the Member Selection Committee - increased the number of citizen appointees from three to six. Having more members will provide better representation of the wide range of disabilities in the community such as mobility, hearing, visual, and cognitive disabilities, as well as different demographic groups.

The Committee will provide input to the District of Central Saanich, District of North Saanich, and Town of Sidney on policies, programs, services, built environments, infrastructure, and outdoor spaces for persons with disabilities, who live, work, and play on the Saanich Peninsula.

Councillor Report      Video (1:54:26)

Media Contact:

Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith
250-656-1139, mayor@sidney.ca