Residents deserve to know where their candidates stand on the issues that affect daily life in Saanich. These positions reflect my commitment to practical decision-making, responsible government, and policies that respect neighbourhoods, taxpayers, and the environment.
Jump to: Environment | Transportation | Transparent Governance | Balanced Development | Fiscal Responsibility | Short Term Rentals | Amalgamation | People, Pets and Parks
Protecting the Environment
Climate action should be measured by more than our carbon emissions. It should also be reflected in how we protect the natural environment that supports life in Saanich.
Preserving tree canopy for carbon capture and sequestration, retaining permeable green spaces that absorb rainfall and reduce runoff, restoring natural buffers around our parks, and safeguarding wildlife corridors and migratory bird pathways are all essential to building a resilient, sustainable community.
Healthy forests, functioning ecosystems, and connected green spaces are among our most valuable assets, and they should be treated as such. Environmental responsibility means planning growth in a way that works with nature, not against it, and as our community grows, we must ensure that development respects and protects the natural environment that makes Saanich such a special place to live.
Transportation
Saanich residents rely on many different ways to get around. While we should continue to encourage walking, cycling, and public transit, we must also recognize that many residents, including seniors, families, tradespeople, and those with mobility challenges, depend on their vehicles every day.
I support a balanced transportation strategy that provides safe, connected cycling routes while maintaining the efficient movement of traffic on our arterial roads. We can create an integrated transportation network that serves cyclists, pedestrians, transit users, and drivers alike, without creating unnecessary congestion. Good planning should bring people together, not force one mode of transportation at the expense of another.
Transparent Governance
Good governance begins with trust, and trust is built through openness and meaningful public engagement. Too often residents feel that important decisions are made without them, leaving them uncertain whether their voices have truly been heard.
I believe the community should be engaged early, informed clearly, and treated as a valued partner in the decision making process. Transparency is more than sharing information. It means listening, explaining decisions, and demonstrating how public inputs have been considered. Residents may not always agree with every decision, but they deserve to understand how and why it was made.
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Balanced Development
Growth is inevitable, but what matters is how we grow. Successful planning cannot be imposed from the top down. The people who know a neighbourhood best are the residents who live there every day, and they deserve a meaningful voice in shaping its future.
I support thoughtful neighbourhood infill, including secondary suites, garden suites, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and townhomes where they fit the character of the community. Larger apartment building should be focused in town centres and along major transportation corridors, where the supporting infrastructure ands services already exist.
Growth should be gradual and respectful, gently transitioning from established neighbourhoods to more intensive development in our centres. This approach provides much needed housing while preserving the character, livability, and sense of community that make Saanich such a desirable place to call home.
Fiscal Responsibility
Every dollar the municipality spends comes from the people who live and work in Saanich. Council has a responsibility to be a careful steward of those tax dollars by focusing first on the services residents rely on every day, such as maintaining infrastructure, delivering core municipal services, and planning responsibly for the future.
As the cost of living continues to rise, we need to ensure that new spending reflects community priorities and provides clear value. Before taking on additional initiatives, I believe it is time for a thoughtful review of municipal programs and priorities to determine what is essential, what can be improved, and what can reasonably wait.
I’m not suggesting that we do less, but rather focus on what matters most and ensure that every tax dollar is spent wisely, transparently, and in the best interests of the community.
Short Term Rentals
I support aligning Saanich short term rental policies with the Province of British Columbia. The Province has established a clear regulatory framework that includes licensing, registration, and enforcement. Rather than creating a separate municipal system with additional restrictions, Saanich should work within that provincial framework. A consistent set of rules is easier for homeowners to understand, less costly for taxpayers to administer, and provides greater certainty for everyone.
I do not support municipal nightly caps. In my view, most property owners choose either short terms rentals or long term rentals. They are not switching back and forth throughout the year. For that reason, I do not believe nightly caps are an effective way to increase long term housing.
Saanich’s role should be to address neighbourhood concerns when they arise and leave licensing, compliance, and enforcement to the Province. This approach respects homeowners, supports local tourism, and allows the municipality to focus on its core responsibilities.
Amalgamation
I do not support amalgamation.
Before making a decision that would permanently change how Saanich is governed, residents deserve a comprehensive independent analysis of the financial, operational, and service impacts. To date, that analysis has not been completed.
In my view, the Citizens’Assembly did not fully answer the fundamental question it was asked. Whether amalgamation would benefit Saanich residents. Without a clear business case demonstrating measurable improvements to services, governance, and affordability, I cannot support such a significant change.
I support municipalities working together where it makes sense. Regional cooperation can deliver efficiencies while allowing Saanich to retain local decision making and accountability.
Amalgamation should only proceed if there is compelling evidence that it would provide clear and lasting befits to Saanich residents. Until then, I believe Saanich should remain an independent municipality.
People, Pets and Parks
Our parks should be places where people, pets, and nature can coexist. I believe responsible off leash areas provide important opportunities for both dogs and their owners, while sensitive ecosystems deserve thoughtful protection. The challenge is finding the right balance.
While I have concerns about some of the design decisions that have been made, I do not believe taxpayers should bear the cost of undoing recently completed projects simply because opinions differ. Fiscal responsibility means making the best decision we can going forward, not repeatedly revisiting expensive projects once public money has already been spent.
Instead, I support improving how these decision are made. Residents, user groups, environmental organizations, and neighbouring communities should all have a meaningful opportunity to be heard before major changes are made to our parks.
Future projects should respect the environment, provide appropriate opportunities for responsible off leash recreation, and deliver good value for taxpayers. My goal is practical solutions that bring people together, rather than creating unnecessary division.
These positions reflect my commitment to practical leadership, respectful community engagement, and responsible decision-making for Saanich.