Saanich issued a statement framing the feedback they received about plans to limit off-leash dog areas in parks as misinformation or myths. Taking this approach discounts the value of the publicB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s feedback. The myths they describe are self-serving, arbitrary and misrepresent the intentions of the publicB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s comments.

For example, the myth that there wonB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t be any spaces for dogs to run free is clarified by noting that 57 of SaanichB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s parks will offer dedicated off-leash areas but ignores the fact that 115 parks will have no off-leash areas and the majority of parks described as off-leash have small fenced enclosures. Regarding concerns that SaanichB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s recommendations are too restrictive, their clarification was that the recommendations are quite generous compared to other communities, ignoring the total reversal of leasing regulations from off-leash to on-leash.

Furthermore, the area of PKOLS recommended for off-leash walking decreases by at least 90%. Overall the whole process has been disingenuous and arbitrary leaving one with the impression that citizensB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ comments have no influence and the outcome was known from the beginning B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ yet another decrease in the quality of life driven by the imperative of growth.

Aidan Byrne

Saanich