The District of Saanich council has just taken their first steps towards being able to establish non-profit medical clinics in the municipality.
This would be achieved by granting these hypothetical clinics with permissive tax exemptions, which would exempt them from paying any property tax.
The motion was initially brought forward by Councillor Karen Harper and was seconded by Councillor Teale Phelps Bondaroff during the January 26th meeting.
The unanimously approved endeavour was also supported by local advocates, Family Doctors for Saanich, who work to reduce barriers for non-profit medical clinics and improve access to primary care in the District.
The motion directed staff to refer the issue of permissive tax exemptions for non-profit medical clinics to both the Arts, Culture and Community Wellbeing Advisory Committee and the Finance and Governance Standing Committee for consideration.
If given approval by these committees, this will help a potential clinic looking to establish itself in the community by automatically lowering operating costs and reducing financial barriers. This approach would save would-be clinics thousands of dollars.
In 2025, property tax on commercial properties equated to $14.27 per $1,000 of the spaces’ assessed value. For example, a property valued at $500,000 would pay $7,135 in property tax.
“Lack of access to primary care is one of the most serious issues facing Saanich residents right now,” said JoAnne Nelson, Family Doctors for Saanich.
“For many people, it is not just a matter of convenience but of health, quality of life, and in some cases life itself.”
She added that although permissive tax exemptions may seem modest in scale, they are a practical step forward in the right direction.
Councillor Phelps Bondaroff noted the importance of these exemptions as a policy tool, but says that there is still plenty of work to do to increase access to family physicians.
“Permissive tax exemptions are a place to start, but this crisis demands a broader and more sustained response,” said Saanich Councillor Phelps Bondaroff.
“Saanich needs to actively explore a wide range of available tools to support non-profit primary care clinics and increase access to family doctors and nurse practitioners.”
According to data from the Ministry of Health, around one-third of people living on the Saanich Peninsula and Oak Bay do not currently have a doctor.
Of that total population, which is approximately 133,929, there are 98,301 who are attached to a provider, 19,038 who are seeking attachment and 22,886 who are not attached and have not registered.
“About 35,000 Saanich residents are not attached to a primary care provider. We urgently need 30 to 40 more doctors,” said Tony Wass, Family Doctors for Saanich.
“We do not expect Saanich to provide the doctors, but the city could make it easier and cheaper for new clinics to open.”
Family Doctors for Saanich says they will be monitoring the upcoming committee discussions closely and is encouraging council to explore further municipal actions that could support primary care access.
