That the CRD be fully transparent in regard to its felling of trees by Elk/Beaver Lake
The Issue
We the signed, call upon the Capital Regional District of Greater Victoria (CRD), to be fully open, transparent and accountable to the public, free of charge, in regard to its felling of trees in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional park.
Background:
In February of 2026, seemingly without advanced warning, the CRD started felling trees around near Hamsterly Beach in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park.
This was documented in the following article:
Like wooden tombstones: The latest tree decimation in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. – CRD Watch Homepage
This event was not isolated. It had followed other cuttings of trees in the vicinity within the last few years. Others have spoken about a similar incident in the Beaver Lake area.
A Freedom of Information inquiry seeking to find a holistic view of the CRD's tree felling activities over the last 2 years came up against a wall, when the CRD tried to charge $360 for the full information. The CRD no doubt racked up far more expenses, in attempting to prevent that information from being provided free of charge, as it should be. The issue is clearly in the public interest.
The CRD wants to charge me an estimated $360 to find out what trees have been cut down in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park during the last 2 years. – CRD Watch Homepage
CRD Denies Free Access to Information that is in the Public Interest, regarding felled trees in Elk/Beaver Lake; claims they can pick and choose who can receive such information at lowered cost. – CRD Watch Homepage
At one point, the CRD even claimed that the CRD is not responsible for the felling of trees in the Park, and that it was Saanich's responsibility, which was quickly denied by Saanich.
The CRD is responsible for managing the Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park.
Clearly, the CRD is not being forthright to the public in regard to its tree felling policies in the park. The public have every right to know the full extent of its tree felling program in the park, and what are the reasons for it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information, please contact SaanichPetition@mail.com
Thank you for your much needed support in signing this critically needed petition.
4
The Issue
We the signed, call upon the Capital Regional District of Greater Victoria (CRD), to be fully open, transparent and accountable to the public, free of charge, in regard to its felling of trees in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional park.
Background:
In February of 2026, seemingly without advanced warning, the CRD started felling trees around near Hamsterly Beach in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park.
This was documented in the following article:
Like wooden tombstones: The latest tree decimation in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. – CRD Watch Homepage
This event was not isolated. It had followed other cuttings of trees in the vicinity within the last few years. Others have spoken about a similar incident in the Beaver Lake area.
A Freedom of Information inquiry seeking to find a holistic view of the CRD's tree felling activities over the last 2 years came up against a wall, when the CRD tried to charge $360 for the full information. The CRD no doubt racked up far more expenses, in attempting to prevent that information from being provided free of charge, as it should be. The issue is clearly in the public interest.
The CRD wants to charge me an estimated $360 to find out what trees have been cut down in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park during the last 2 years. – CRD Watch Homepage
CRD Denies Free Access to Information that is in the Public Interest, regarding felled trees in Elk/Beaver Lake; claims they can pick and choose who can receive such information at lowered cost. – CRD Watch Homepage
At one point, the CRD even claimed that the CRD is not responsible for the felling of trees in the Park, and that it was Saanich's responsibility, which was quickly denied by Saanich.
The CRD is responsible for managing the Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park.
Clearly, the CRD is not being forthright to the public in regard to its tree felling policies in the park. The public have every right to know the full extent of its tree felling program in the park, and what are the reasons for it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information, please contact SaanichPetition@mail.com
Thank you for your much needed support in signing this critically needed petition.
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on July 4, 2026