Corporate Services Department

The Corporate Services Department has the following distinct areas:

Human Resources Division

The Human Resources staff assist all departments within Saanich with the following:

  • Departmental planning
  • Employee benefits package
  • Retirement transition
  • Recruitment
  • Contract negotiations
  • Job evaluation and classification
  • Labour relations
  • Training and development
  • Health and wellness initiatives
  • Employee coaching
  • Employee counselling
  • Wage and salary administration
  • Personnel records

We also provide advice to the Administrator, Council and Police Board on a wide range of personnel and labour relations matters.

Communications Division

The Communications staff provide support for internal and external communications, including:

  • Branding / Visual Identity Program
  • Social media
  • Public participation
  • Graphic design
  • Issues management
  • Website
  • Managing the strategic planning and progress reporting processes
  • Media relations
  • Developing content for both the internal and external communications

Economic Development Division

The Economic Development Office supports the growth of local sectors of our economy by:

  • Encouraging strategic investments and economic growth to help build a dynamic, resilient and supportive local business climate
  • Providing economic development and business intelligence and advice to internal staff, Council and external community partners
  • Lending support to policy development, investment and business decisions
  • Implementing Saanich’s new Economic Development Strategy

Occupational Health and Safety Division (OH&S)

OH&S has helped keep Saanich COR (Certificate of Recognition) accredited since 2009. This accreditation means that we meet industry standards in health and safety and injury management systems.

  • Works to prevent accidents and disease 
  • Runs return-to-work programs to help our employees remain productive at work. 
  • Ensures all of our workplaces and employees comply with WorkSafeBC requirements. 

Planning and Reporting

The Planning and Reporting Section and Communications staff provide support for the strategic planning and reporting processes, including:

  • Coordinating reporting on previous years initiatives
  • Managing current year plan
  • Supporting planning for future years
  • Conducting citizen and business surveys

Sustainability

The Sustainability Division focuses on tackling climate change to help achieve our vision for a Sustainable Saanich by:

  • Developing and implementing plans that reach our community-wide zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets and renewable energy goals and that demonstrate leadership through our own municipal operations.
  • Preparing our community and corporation for the impacts of climate change through adaptation and resiliency planning.
  • Leading cross-departmental sustainability and climate initiatives, including the award winning Saanich Climate Plan.
  • Measuring and reporting on our GHG emissions inventories and targets for both the corporation and community, released annually in the Climate Plan Report Card.
  • Acting as advisors to Council on sustainability and climate related matters.
  • Providing liaison to various municipal committees and community groups. 
  • Partnering with other local and regional governments and organizations to further climate action.