Capital Regional District facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Capital
Regional district
Capital Regional District
Logo
Nickname(s):  CRD
Motto(s):  Making a difference...together
Location in British Columbia
Country	Canada
Province	British Columbia
Incorporated	1966
Administrative office location	Victoria
Government
• Body	Board of directors
Area
• Total	2,340.49 km2 (903.67 sq mi)
Population  (2021)
• Total	415,451
• Density	177.7/km2 (460/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
Area code(s)	250 / 778 / 236 / 672

The Capital Regional District (CRD) is a local government area in British Columbia, Canada. It covers the southern part of Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands. The CRD is one of many regional districts in British Columbia. In 2021, its population was about 415,451 people.

The CRD includes thirteen cities and towns, plus three areas that are not part of any city. These "unincorporated areas" are Juan de Fuca, Salt Spring Island, and the Southern Gulf Islands. The CRD acts as the local government for these areas. The main office of the CRD is in Victoria. The total land area of the CRD is about 2,341 square kilometers (904 square miles).

The CRD was created in 1966. It brought together seven cities and five rural areas. Its main job was to help manage issues that affected the whole region. It also provided local government services to the rural areas.

People in the Capital Regional District

In 2021, the Capital Regional District had a population of 415,451. This was a growth of about 8.4% since 2016. The area has a land size of about 2,338 square kilometers (903 square miles). This means there were about 177.7 people living in each square kilometer.

The CRD is home to a diverse group of people. Many different cultures and backgrounds make up the population.

How the CRD is Organized

The CRD includes 13 cities and towns, three "electoral areas," and 10 Indigenous reserves. Indigenous reserves are lands set aside for First Nations people. They have their own governments. The CRD does not have power over these reserves.

The cities of Saanich and Victoria together have more than half of the region's population.

Here is a table showing the population of different parts of the CRD:

Electoral Areas Explained

Electoral Areas are parts of the CRD that are not organized as cities or towns. They are directly governed by the CRD. Each electoral area has one director who represents them on the CRD board.

Salt Spring Island Electoral Area

This area covers the parts of Salt Spring Island that are not part of a city.

• Population (2021): 11,635
• Area: 182.23 square kilometers (70.36 sq mi)
• Population Density: 63.8 people per square kilometer

Some of the main places in this area are:

• Ganges
• Fulford Harbour
• Vesuvius Bay
• Long Harbour
• Beaver Point
• Musgrave Landing

Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area

Southern Gulf Islands (British Columbia) in the Strait of Georgia

This area includes the parts of Galiano, Saturna, Mayne, and North and South Pender Islands that are not cities. It also includes many smaller islands near Victoria. Its population is 6,101.

Some of the main places in this area are:

• Bedwell Harbour (South Pender Island)
• Montague Harbour (Galiano Island)
• Otter Bay (North Pender Island)
• Saturna (Saturna Island)
• Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island)
• Village Bay (Mayne Island)

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

This electoral area covers the rural parts of Vancouver Island within the CRD. This includes areas like Willis Point (Greater Victoria), Malahat, East Sooke, Jordan River, Otter Point, Shirley, and Port Renfrew. It also includes some Indigenous reserves, but their populations are not counted in the area's total. The population of this area is 5,531. Its total land area is 1,502.24 square kilometers (580.0 sq mi).

What the CRD Does

The CRD is run by a board of directors. These directors are either elected by the people or chosen from the councils of the cities and towns in the region.

The CRD is responsible for many important services, such as:

• Recycling programs
• Running the regional landfill (where garbage goes)
• Building and managing sewage treatment plants
• Providing clean water to the region
• Helping fund local arts groups
• Planning for the region's future growth
• Helping fund health facilities
• Managing over 30 regional parks, trails, and park reserves. These parks cover more than 100 square kilometers (38.6 sq mi).

The CRD also owns and manages over 1,200 rental homes through its Capital Region Housing Corporation. The CRD can also create rules, called bylaws, that apply to certain areas or the whole region. For example, they have a "clean air bylaw" that bans smoking in all public places and restaurant patios.

In the electoral areas (the rural parts not in cities), the CRD provides services that cities usually offer. These include:

• Animal control
• Building inspections
• Fire protection
• Enforcing local rules

Some cities in the region also pay the CRD to provide some of these services for them.

Capital Regional Hospital District

The Capital Regional Hospital District (CRHD) is closely linked to the CRD. It shares the same board of directors. The CRHD's main job is to help pay for new health facilities and equipment in the region. The actual health care services are provided by the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

See also

In Spanish: Distrito regional de la Capital para niños

• Metro Vancouver Regional District
• Greater Victoria
• Gulf Islands