Friday October 17, 2025 | NORTH SAANICH, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
In the wake of concerns about issues at the North Saanich Fire Department, the District of North Saanich will now hold a Special Committee of the Whole Meeting on November 3 (previously scheduled for October 20), to start at 5 pm.
To attend the public portion of the meeting electronically, email to corporateservices@northsaanich.ca before 12 noon on Monday November 3.
The meeting will be held in person at North Saanich Council Chambers, at the municipal hall at 1620 Mills Road.
According to a local TV news report by CHEK News, multiple current and former North Saanich firefighters have come forward with allegations against leadership within the fire department and the district.
A firefighter who has now quit mentioned several allegations to CHEK, including bullying, harassment, and dysfunctional leadership.
The North Saanich Fire Interim Director of Emergency Services is Steve Sorensen who has a long track record in firefighting leadership for over 36 years, including as the Sooke Fire Department Chief. He received a BC Achievement Community Award in 2020 from the BC Achievement Foundation.
In 2024, six full-time members of the fire department unionized under the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF). This past May, the BC Labour Board ordered that the department’s POC firefighters also be unionized under the IAFF.
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