Capital Region Watch

03/06/2026

Community shock on Mann Avenue, Saanich: 70 households got 3 days' notice before all their street parking vanished for protected bike lanes. No consultation. No accidents on record. A parallel bike trail already existed.
See the new 📺 episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3VCiLrITDk
In it, listen to resident Alex Cook on $550K spent, staff who drive to work while promoting cycling, and why he thinks Mann Avenue was just a test case for major Royal Oak development.

👍 Like and share the video to support local voices!

02/16/2026

Gripping new episode of Capital Region Watch with Adrianne Wicks & Sierra Wicks-Irving - 📺 WATCH NOW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgyrWLaefDk | We expose a shocking case of municipal overreach in Saanich.
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01/18/2026

Powerful new episode of Capital Region Watch with Arthur McInnis! 📺 WATCH NOW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuRRbeGMurE | Hear about one of Victoria’s most controversial mega-projects that's killing not only Restore Island Rail but where toxic soil, broken promises, missing transparency, and questionable rezoning practices are just the tip of the iceberg everyone should know about.

👍 Like the video if you support local voices! Comment below with local issues in your area!

01/11/2026

Fresh new episode of Capital Region Watch with Kyla Berry and Philip Wall! 📺 WATCH NOW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0ZOT0yVFAg | Host Jack Etkin speaks with two Saanich residents directly affected by what many call “runaway development.”

Kyla Berry, a visually-impaired tenant of a CRHC building on McKenzie Avenue, shares how redevelopment plans threaten to displace seniors and people with disabilities from stable, affordable homes they’ve lived in for decades.

Philip Wall, representing neighbours near St. Dunstan’s Church on San Juan Avenue, describes a proposed six-storey apartment project that would replace community space and green areas with high-density market rentals, raising questions about safety, parking, and livability.

👍 Like the video if you support local voices and comment with your thoughts on local issues in your area!

01/06/2026

New eye-opening episode of Capital Region Watch with Sasha Izard from CRD (Capital Regional District) Watch ! 📺 WATCH NOW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3nH0knGYC0

CRD Watch is a watchdog blog exposing power, money, and influence inside Vancouver Island politics.

In this episode, Izard explains how lobby groups like the Development Institute (UDI) quietly shape housing and planning decisions across the Capital Regional District (CRD), often without public oversight. From secretive “liaison committees” to the elimination of open public forums, he details how citizen voices are being shut out of municipal decision-making while corporate influence grows stronger.

12/28/2025

Happy Holiday Season to our TV viewers in British Columbia and beyond!

Capital Region Watch is continuing into the New Year with even more exciting conversations that matter to you and your community.

To know what's really going on in Greater Victoria, tune in to Capital Region Watch! 📺

Struggling to get your important issue seen or heard? Get in touch! 📩

12/28/2025

In a new TV episode of CRW, find out how you could travel from Victoria to Courtenay traffic-free, fast and clean. 📺 WATCH NOW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X3HYNKEd4I
In Episode 11, host Jack Etkin talks with Warren Skaalrud, founder of the Restore Island Rail Society about bringing rail service back to Vancouver Island.
It's must-watch. 👉 Share & subscribe on YouTube!

12/10/2025

New Community TV episode: What's the state of democracy in local government? WATCH NOW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXrlyvcHlwY

In this powerful episode, Mehdi Najari explains how municipalities like rushing the Official Community Plan (OCP), provincial housing bills 44, 46, and 47, and growing developer influence are coming together to reshape your neighbourhood - often without genuine public input.

Another must-watch episode! 📺 👉 Share & subscribe on YouTube to catch the next episode!

12/04/2025

New TV episode with Dave Evans from BC Greens on the state od our democracy, Old Growth Forests and LNG! WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HIygMqR8rk
If you care about the island, this is a must-watch for you! 📺 👉 Share & subscribe on YouTube to catch the next episode!

11/23/2025

New, double TV episode with two outspoken housing advocates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMwiSToh9jI A must-watch if you're looking for solutions to high rents, lack of transparency, and government inaction! 📺

👉 Join the conversation, share & subscribe on YouTube to catch the next episode!

11/13/2025

📺 NEW: Care about affordability? Public transit? Environmental stewardship?
See the new episode of TV show Capital Region Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2KwUIaRuiY where special guest John Treleaven, Chair of Grumpy Taxpayer$, joins Jack Etkin for a deep dive into how to address these pressing issues while also respecting the integrity of local communities.

👉 Join the conversation, share & subscribe on YouTube to catch the next episode!

11/07/2025

📺 TV Episode 6 of Capital Region Watch is now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBp3E-CbFQA
Special guest Nancy di Castri from SOS - Save Our Saanich, a grassroots community group in Saanich, B.C., has an eye-opening conversation:

🏙️ Concerns about rapid densification in Saanich
🙅‍♀️ Erosion of local democracy, and the disconnect between municipal leadership and community voices
⚠️ How residents are organizing to defend the character and livability of their neighbourhoods.

👉 Join the conversation, share & subscribe on YouTube to catch the next episode: https://youtube.com/

In this episode of Capital Region Watch, host Jack Etkin speaks with Nancy Di Castri, a dedicated advocate and member of Save Our Saanich (SOS). Nancy shares...