Victoria, BC– The Capital Regional District (CRD) has begun an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to seek elector approval for the borrowing bylaw for capital funds to purchase 1,973 hectares of land from the Kapoor Lumber Company (KLC). The Kapoor Lands are located adjacent to the Sooke Lake Reservoir catchment area and the Sooke Lake Watershed which is the primary water supply for the Greater Victoria area.
The CRD identified these lands as an acquisition priority due to their strategic location which makes them crucial for safeguarding the region’s water supply and water transmission infrastructure and ensures the continued provision of high-quality, safe drinking water for the residents of Greater Victoria.
The CRD employs a multibarrier approach to protecting Greater Victoria’s drinking water. One of the key barriers is the protection of the watershed and our source water, Sooke Lake Reservoir. The purchase of this land will secure control of the primary access route to Greater Victoria’s principal water supply reservoir, and secure land that will be required for future water supply infrastructure. This additional management control will help safeguard our public drinking water supply by reducing the risk of trespass, human-caused contamination, and wildfire. Another benefit of purchasing this land is that it will allow the CRD to extend the corridor of protected green space from Sooke Inlet to Saanich Inlet and improve environmental biodiversity and connectivity across watersheds and the larger landscape.
Several First Nations have potential interests that overlap with this property. The CRD has initiated conversations with First Nations regarding management opportunities for these lands.
The cost of acquiring this land is $33.3 million dollars. The CRD hired two independent land appraisers to evaluate the lands. The final purchase price falls between the two appraisals and can, therefore, be considered a fair price for both parties.
The purchase will be funded through long-term debt and repaid by Regional Water Supply system water users through water use billing. Debt repayment is planned over 15 years but may be up to a maximum of 30 years. This debt-financing model is the same used for other major land purchases. The projected impact on water rates would be $0.06 cents per cubic meter, which equates to approximately $14 per year for an average household. Property taxes will not be impacted by this purchase.
The CRD may proceed with the purchase of the Kapoor Lands unless at least 10% (31,512) of eligible electors within the Water Supply Local Service Area indicate that they oppose the borrowing bylaw. If the borrowing bylaw is not approved, the CRD would need to obtain the assent of the electors by way of a referendum before proceeding.
The deadline for submitting signed elector response forms for the Kapoor Lands AAP is June 30, 2025, at 4:30 pm. The potential Canada Post service disruption could impact the delivery of mail to the CRD. Any forms that are not received at the CRD office by the deadline date will not be counted. Alternatives to mailing the form include dropping it off at 625 Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC, during regular business hours (Monday – Friday between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm) or scanning a legible, signed copy that can be emailed to LegServ@crd.bc.ca.
Alternative Approval Processes are an important step in the decision-making process. More information about the Kapoor AAP, including copies of the elector response form can be found at: www.crd.ca/RegionalWaterAAP
This land acquisition is a legacy investment that will help ensure safe, clean drinking water for Greater Victoria for generations.
For media inquiries, the CRD Regional Water Supply Commission Chair, Gord Baird and CRD Board Chair, Cliff McNeil-Smith are available to speak on the CRD’s support for the land purchase.
The CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and government partners to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.ca.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492
