Saanich Police were called to a construction site on Monday after human remains were found underneath the boulevard, next to the roadway, across the street from a large condo development in the 5100 block of Cordova Bay Road.
With the assistance of the University of Victoria and representatives of a contracted archaeological company, Saanich police confirmed the remains were not of recent origin and did not die of natural causes.
The remains were confirmed as ancestral remains this morning, February 23rd.
The area is known to be active with First Nations remains and the area across the street has been subject to a large development project where a Provincial Heritage Excavation permit exists.
Representatives of the Tsawout and Songhees Nations have been present on site of the construction process.
Saanich Police have left the scene and the excavation will continue as conducted by the First Nations representative on site.
Construction for the mixed commercial and residential unit has been happening since 2019.
