RGS Indicator Report - CRD 2021
A detailed report from the Capital Regional District monitoring progress toward the 2038 targets of the Regional Growth Strategy (RGS).
2038 Targets by priority area and objective
| PRIORITY AREA | OBJECTIVE | TARGETS BY 2038 |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 Managing and Balancing Growth | 1.1 Keep Urban Settlement Compact 1.2 Protect the Integrity of Rural Communities |
• Accommodate a minimum of 95% of the region’s new dwelling units within the Urban Containment Policy Area. |
| 2.0 Environment and Infrastructure | 2.1 Protect, Conserve and Manage Ecosystem Health | • Acquire 100% of the Sea-to-Sea Green/Blue Belt. • Complete 100% of the Regional Trail Network. • Reduce contaminants to fresh and marine water bodies. |
| 2.2 Deliver Services Consistent with RGS Objectives | • Prepare long-term capital plans for Capital Regional District utilities and major infrastructure improvements that take into consideration the conservation of land, water and energy resources and the impacts of climate change and natural hazards. | |
| 3.0 Housing and Community | 3.1 Create Safe and Complete Communities | • Municipal targets for the number of people living in complete communities to be identified by municipalities in Regional Context Statements. |
| 3.2 Improve Housing Affordability | • Increase the supply of more affordable housing. • Reduce the number of people in core housing need. • Reduce the number of people who are homeless. |
|
| 4.0 Transportation | 4.1 Improve Multi-Modal Connectivity and Mobility | • Achieve a transportation system that sees 42% of all trips made by walking, cycling and transit. |
| 5.0 Economic Development | 5.1 Realize the Region’s Economic Potential | • Achieve a jobs/population ratio of: • 0.60 in Core Area • 0.53 in Saanich Peninsula • 0.36 in West Shore |
| 6.0 Food Systems | 6.1 Foster a Resilient Food and Agriculture System | • Increase the amount of land in crop production for food by 5,000 ha to enhance local food security. • Municipal targets to increase the amount of land in crop production for food and to encourage agricultural land to be identified by municipalities in Regional Context Statements. |
| 7.0 Climate Action | 7.1 Significantly reduce community based greenhouse gas emissions | • Reduce community greenhouse gas emissions by 33% (from 2007 levels) by 2020, and by 61% by 2038. |
1.0 MANAGING AND BALANCING GROWTH
1.1a Number of net new dwelling units in areas where more than 42% walk/bike/bus to work
What is being measured?
This indicator tracks new dwelling units created in census Dissemination Areas (DA) where at least 42% of trips involve active transportation (walking, biking or taking transit).
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to keep urban settlement compact and directs new growth to be located where it can be efficiently serviced by transit and active transportation.
Target/Desired Trend
Place growth in areas conducive to walking, cycling and transit.
How are we doing?
Currently, we are not meeting the desired trend.
In the Growth Management Planning Area (GMPA) between 2012-2015, we saw as much as 39% of growth in net new dwelling units in areas with greater than 42% active transportation. In the period of 2016-2020 20% of growth in net new dwelling units was in high active transportation areas.
BC Transit has increased its mode share target from 12% to 15%. Future reporting will see the mode share target and measurement adjusted upwards to 45%.
Supplemental map of areas with more than 42% walk/bike/bus to work
What does the map indicate?
This map shows census dissemination areas where more than 42% of residents walk, bike and bus to work, meeting the RGS mode share target.
These areas are mostly located in the region's core in Victoria, and portions of Esquimalt, Oak Bay and Saanich, as well as portions of Sidney.
As noted in Indicator 1.1(a), new growth in these areas is desirable as infrastructure and services are already in place to support high levels of active travel and transit. As the region develops, the desired trend is to see more areas meeting the target.
1.1b Hectares added to the Urban Containment Policy Area (UCPA) growth boundary
What is being measured?
This indicator measures the net change in the land area of the UCPA. The UCPA is intended to hold a land supply that will accommodate the region’s population and employment growth.
Why is this indicator important?
This indicator aligns with the RGS objective to keep urban settlement compact. The RGS includes a policy that generally permits amendment to the UCPA only as an outcome of a comprehensive 5-year review of the RGS.
Target/Desired Trend
Minimize change to the UCPA from the date of adoption of the 2018 RGS.
How are we doing?
We are meeting the desired trend.
Since the March 2018 adoption of the RGS, there have been no changes to the UCPA.
1.2a Percentage of net new dwellings built outside the Urban Containment Policy Area (UCPA)
What is being measured?
This indicator measures the annual share of net new dwelling units located outside the UCPA.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to keep urban settlement compact and protect the integrity of rural communities.
Target/Desired Trend
Accommodate a maximum of 5% of the region’s net new dwelling units outside the UCPA (for a minimum 95% of net new dwelling units within the UCPA, as per RGS target).
How are we doing?
We met the target this year.
In the past 10 years the average percentage growth outside the UCPA has been 5.2%.
2.0 ENVIRONMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
2.1a Percentage of Sea-to-Sea Green/Blue Belt acquired
What is being measured?
This indicator tracks the percentage of land within the regional Sea-to-Sea Green/Blue Belt that has been protected. Acquisition of additional land required to meet the target is to be undertaken by CRD and/or other levels of government.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to protect, conserve and manage ecosystem health. The protection of the Sea-to-Sea Green/Blue Belt will provide a continuous connected greenbelt network from Tod Inlet to the Sooke Basin.
Target/Desired Trend
Acquire 100% of the Sea-to-Sea Green/Blue Belt.
How are we doing?
We have yet to fully meet the target.
As of October 2021, 91% of the proposed 11,310 hectares has been acquired.
2.1b Percentage of the Regional Trail Network completed
What is being measured?
This indicator measures the percentage of the Regional Trail Network that has been completed.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to protect, conserve and manage ecosystem health. The Regional Trail Network represents an integrated trail and linear park system linking urban areas to rural green space and is a key element of the Regional Green/Blue Spaces Strategy.
Target/Desired Trend
Complete 100% of the Regional Trail Network as identified in the 2011 CRD Regional Parks Strategic Plan.
How are we doing?
We are making progress towards the target.
As of October 2021, 48% of the proposed 390 kilometres of the Regional Trail Network has been completed.
2.1c Compliance with Source Control Bylaw
What is being measured?
This indicator measures the percentage of businesses in compliance with Source Control Bylaw standards.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to protect, conserve and manage ecosystem health. A high level of compliance reduces contaminants in fresh and marine regional waterways.
Target/Desired Trend
Maintain compliance of the standards established in the Source Control Bylaw at a rate of 90% or above.
How are we doing?
We are seeing consistently high levels of compliance.
NOTE: Prior to 2014, the indicator tracked proper waste treatment. The new measure, overall compliance, is a stricter standard indicating proper waste treatment facilities that are fully functioning.
2.1d Number of stormwater discharges with a high public health concern
What is being measured?
This indicator monitors the number of stormwater discharges with high public health concern.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to protect, conserve and manage ecosystem health.
Target/Desired Trend
Reduced bacterial contamination to fresh and marine water bodies.
How are we doing?
We are meeting the desired trend.
The overall number of stormwater discharges with high public health concerns has decreased in the Core Area since 2012 and on the Saanich Peninsula since 2005. However, there were still 27 discharges in the Core Area and 7 in the Saanich Peninsula in 2020.
2.2a Waste stream: solid waste disposal
What is being measured?
This indicator measures the per capita amount of solid waste disposed of annually from both residential and non-residential sources.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to minimize the consumption of renewable and non-renewable resources through efficient use and responsible management.
Target/Desired Trend
The BC Government has set a 2020 solid waste disposal target rate of 350 kg/person per year which is the current target. In 2022, the target will be from the CRD Solid Waste Management Plan.
This plan identifies three new targets: short-term (3 years) 340 kg/person, medium-term (5 years) 285 kg/person and long-term (10+ years) 250 kg/person.
How are we doing?
Currently, we are not meeting the target.
However we are at less than the provincial average of 501 kg/person (2019), and the CRD has the lowest kg/person in the province. Following years of decline, recent economic activity has resulted in a sustained increase in per capita solid waste disposal.
2.2b Average residential water consumption
What is being measured?
This indicator measures the average daily consumption of potable water per capita for residential uses.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to minimize the consumption of renewable and non-renewable resources through efficient use and responsible management.
Target/Desired Trend
Decrease per capita consumption of potable water.
How are we doing?
Following a sizable reduction in per capita water consumption in the region, rates have stabilized around the Canadian average.
It is expected that the increase in water consumption observed in 2020 is attributable to changed residential water consumption patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic as people spent significantly more time at home due to office, business and facility closures. It is anticipated that average Canadian residential water use increased 10-20% during the pandemic.
2.0 MANAGING AND BALANCING GROWTH
2.2c Net new dwelling units in East Sooke and Otter Point Official Community Plan (OCP) areas
What is being measured?
This indicator measures annual net new dwelling units located in the East Sooke and Otter Point OCP areas of the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS allows for the possible provision of water servicing in East Sooke and Otter Point, and specifies the total number of existing and new units permitted within their Official Community Plans.
Target/Desired Trend
The total number of units in East Sooke and Otter Point is not to exceed 3,384 units. This includes both existing and new units.
How are we doing?
We are meeting the target.
As of 2020 there are 1,637 dwelling units in East Sooke and Otter Point. There has been minimal expansion, with an average of 21 net new units per year over the past 10 years.
3.0 HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
3.1a Create safe and complete communities
What is being measured?
This indicator measures the number of people living in complete communities identified by municipalities in their Official Community Plans (OCP).
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS supports the development of complete communities that allow residents to undertake many daily activities close to home.
Target/Desired Trend
Increase the number of people living in complete communities.
How are we doing?
Achieving the desired trend will be different for each municipality as measures of community completeness are context-specific. Trends would be best reported through OCP monitoring.
3.2a Reduce core housing need
What is being measured?
This indicator measures the percentage of households in core housing need.
A household in core housing need falls below at least one of the housing standards: adequacy (property does not require major repairs); affordability; or suitability (number of bedrooms match household size) and it would have to spend 30% or more of its total before-tax income to pay the median rent for housing that is acceptable (meets all three standards).
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to improve housing affordability.
Target/Desired Trend
Reduce percentage of households in core housing need to 10%.
How are we doing?
Some progress has been made following a large spike in core housing need in 2011, however, we are far from our target.
3.2b Average rent for 2-bedroom apartment
What is being measured?
This indicator measures the average cost of 2-bedroom rental housing in the Victoria Census Metropolitan Area.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to improve housing affordability.
Target/Desired Trend
There is no target for the average cost of rental housing, however, cost increases at or below the level of inflation are preferable.
How are we doing?
We are currently not meeting the desired trend.
The price of a 2-bedroom rental has outpaced inflation since 2008.
3.2c Vacancy rate by rental price quartiles
What is being measured?
This indicator measures the rental vacancy rate by rental price quartiles in the Victoria Census Metropolitan Area over time.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to improve housing affordability in the region. The rental vacancy rate by rental price quartiles is an indicator of housing supply and housing affordability in the region.
Target/Desired Trend
Higher vacancy rates across all prices are preferable. Recommended vacancy rates range between 2-4%.
How are we doing?
We are currently not meeting the desired trend.
There has been a general trend of very low vacancy rates in the region, especially at the lower price quartiles. Data from the past three years shows a marginal increase in vacancies, most significantly in units renting for more than $1,119.
3.2d Increase supply of affordable housing
What is being measured?
This indicator measures the cumulative number of subsidized housing units in the Growth Management Planning Area (GMPA) that have a financial relationship with BC Housing. The units include emergency shelters, housing for the homeless, transitional and supported housing and assisted living, independent social housing and rent assistance in the private market.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to increase the supply of affordable housing and to reduce the number of people who are experiencing homelessness.
Target/Desired Trend
Increase the cumulative number of subsidized housing units that have a financial relationship with BC Housing.
How are we doing?
Progress is being made toward the desired trend.
As of March 31, 2020 there were 12,957 subsidized housing units in the GMPA, representing an increase of 1046 units in this reporting period.
4.0 TRANSPORTATION
4.1a Percentage of total trips made by walking, cycling and transit in the Growth Management Planning Area (GMPA)
What is being measured?
This indicator measures the percentage of total trips made by cycling, walking and transit in the RGS GMPA.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to improve multi-modal connectivity and mobility. Mode share percentages provide the necessary data to track transportation choices over time.
Target/Desired Trend
Achieve a transportation system that sees 42% of all trips made by walking, cycling and transit by 2038.
How are we doing?
Progress is being made toward the target.
The past three Origin Destination Surveys show steady increases in active transportation and transit mode share over the past decade.
5.0 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
5.1a Jobs to population ratio
What is being measured?
This indicator measures the ratio of employment to population in each CRD sub-region.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to realize the region’s economic potential. A balanced distribution of employment and jobs indicates economic opportunities spread across the region.
Target/Desired Trend
Achieve a jobs to population ratio of: • 0.60 in the Core Area • 0.53 in the Saanich Peninsula • 0.36 in the West Shore
How are we doing?
All three sub-regions have made minor progress towards their targets.
6.0 FOOD SYSTEMS
6.1a Hectares of farmland in the Growth Management Planning Area (GMPA)
What is being measured?
This indicator measures hectares of farmland in the GMPA.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to foster a resilient food and agricultural system.
Target/Desired Trend
Increase the amount of land in food crop production by 5,000 ha by 2038.
How are we doing?
Food systems were a new RGS objective, added in 2018. Data from the 2021 census will be the first opportunity to measure progress toward this target following adoption of this new RGS objective.
The most recent statistics from 2016 show there has been a slight increase in land being used for farming.
6.1b Average age of farmer
What is being measured?
This indicator measures the average age of farm operators.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to foster a resilient food and agricultural system. A higher average age of farmers represents a warning sign for the future of food production in the CRD.
Target/Desired Trend
A lower average age of farmers is desirable.
How are we doing?
Progress toward this desired trend remains static.
The average age of farmers in the CRD remains higher than the Canadian average but after years of steady increases, in recent years the average age has stabilized.
7.0 CLIMATE ACTION
7.1a Community Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions
What is being measured?
Community GHG emissions.
Why is this indicator important?
The RGS aims to significantly reduce community GHG emissions.
Target/Desired Trend
Decrease community GHG emissions by 33% from 2007 levels by 2020 and 61% by 2038.
How are we doing?
In 2020, the CRD’s annual GHG emissions totalled 1,785,814 tCO2. Representing a 9.6% decline from the 2007 base year GHG emissions, and a 5% decline from 2018. The decline in emission in 2020 over 2018 are largely associated with changes in transportation patterns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
On a per capita basis there has been a decline of 23% between 2007 and 2020, which speaks to the efforts by the CRD and CRD local governments to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions. However, the current trend suggests that we will not meet the target by 2038 unless greater effort is taken.