Culture & Heritage

For thousands of years, the Saanich Peninsula, along with the Gulf and San Juan Islands, has been home to W̱SÁNEĆ people who built permanent winter homes in the area in the shape of cedar longhouses.

Bazan Bay, which lies near the southern border of Sidney and North Saanich long served as a gathering site for camas and urchins, and also a site for greeting visitors from neighbouring tribes. From this site, First Nations people launched their canoes to travel to the surrounding islands. Tsehum Habour at the northern end of Sidney was a historic village called W̱SI,I,KEM.

The W̱SÁNEĆ continue to have a vibrant presence on the Peninsula today, proudly speaking and preserving SENĆOŦEN, a dialect of Coast Salish languages.

Learn about W̱SÁNEĆ history and ongoing presence on the Saanich Peninsula through a summary provided by the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council in the Official Community Plan (page 15).

Sidney’s landscape changed significantly with colonial settlement. Following the British Government’s establishment of the colony of Vancouver Island in 1849, the Hudson’s Bay Company obtained two large tracts of land in 1852, which became known as North and South Saanich Districts.

Within a few months after the advent of the Fraser River gold rush excitement in April 1858, the majority of the North Saanich District was spoken for by gold miners, settlers, and speculators. Among them were William and Charles Reay, Donald Fraser, William Booth, and Octavius Ommaney, who purchased land which is now part of the Town of Sidney.

In 1891, fifty acres of land owned by the Brethour family was subdivided into lots and registered as the Township of Sidney. By the close of 1892, there was a general store, a post office, a boat building shop, and a hotel.

The name “Sidney” comes from nearby Sidney Island, which can be seen from the shores of the community. Sidney Island was named after Lieutenant Frederick William Sidney (later Captain) who was a member of the Hydrographic Service of the Royal Navy.

Transportation played a major role in the success of the Peninsula, with rail and sea links to Victoria and the Mainland, and more recently with Victoria International Airport established on the border of Sidney.

Sidney was incorporated as a village on September 30th, 1952 and has enjoyed steady growth. It’s current population is 12,300* residents (*2021 Census).

The Town of Sidney is honoured to hold “Sister Cities” relationships with three cities:

• City of Cairns, Queensland, Australia (May 3, 1984)
• City of Anacortes, Washington, USA (June 7, 1996)
• City of Niimi, Japan (June 30, 2008)

In establishing these affiliations, each community has a greater opportunity to develop meaningful and long-term relationships and enjoying mutual benefits in tourism and economic development.

The Sidney Sister Cities Association  (SSCA) is a non-profit organization made up of community volunteers who work on behalf of the Town to promote peace through respect, understanding and cooperation. The goal of the SSCA is to foster international relationships, understanding and cooperation at the grass roots level, person to person and between organizations.

Original Coat-of-Arms

Sidney’s original Coat-of-Arms was designed in 1969 by Professor A. L. C. Atkinson It consists of a shield centered with the sloop H. M. S. Plumper, which Captain George Henry Richards commanded when surveying Sidney Island and Sidney Channel for the Royal Navy.

On the upper left and right of the shield were two arrowheads with clasped hands between them, symbolizing the friendship between First Nations and settlers. Above the shield was a flaming beacon, which formerly marked the rocks off Sidney and after which Beacon Avenue was named. Below the beacon is the motto “PHARUS EXCLARARET NOS” , which translates to “Let a beacon enlighten us“.

Updated Coat-of-Arms

In 1996, based on a proposal from Sidney’s Environment Advisory Committee, the crest was updated to included bufflehead ducks and arbutus leaves to represent the natural environment of Sidney.

Shoal Harbour, particularly Roberts Bay, is important winter habitat for buffleheads. The southern BC coast, including Sidney, is one of the few areas where arbutus trees can be found.

Official Flag

In 1999, the Town adopted an official flag design with the Town’s Coat of Arms with two blue waves of the sea below.

In 2023, the Town began using a new logo, which was developed with community input.

Sidney’s logo uses an illustrative style that is both modern and rooted in Sidney’s coastal heritage. It features the Bevan Fishing Pier with the Salish Sea, Gulf Islands, Mount Baker, and the rising sun layered in the background. This design uses the imagery that was most popular with community members in community surveys.

For many, the Pier is emblematic of the connectedness Sidney community members feel to the ocean, offering a free and accessible way to travel 150m out onto the water. Construction of the Pier began in 1996 as a community-led initiative, funded through donations, grants, and Town contributions.

Sidney’s most recent Town Crier, Kenny Podmore, retired in 2024 after more than 20 years of service in the role.

The position is appointed by Mayor and Council to represent the Town as an ambassador at significant municipal and related functions, mainly as a means of welcoming agencies or dignitaries or promoting the community. Town Criers also emcee events, lead parades, and help open new parks, facilities or businesses.

Sidney’s first Official Town Crier was Bert Stevens who was appointed on June 24, 1991, during the 100th-anniversary celebrations of the founding of Sidney. Bert remained as Sidney’s Official Town Crier up until 2003 when he stepped into the role as Honourary  Town Crier.

Mayor’s Community Builder Award

Established by Council policy in 2011, the purpose of the Mayor’s Community Builder Award is to honour and recognize an outstanding individual who has provided long-term initiative and leadership in the development of our community.

Criteria for selection includes but is not limited to:

• Specific service, deeds and activities that have made the community a better place to live
• Outstanding contributions in a particular field or endeavor
• Selfless volunteerism.

Persons conferred with the honour of the Mayor’s Community Builder Award will have a commemorative plaque placed in the garden area surrounding the Beacon Park Pavilion.

Learn about Mayor’s Community Builder Award Recipients.