Affordable Housing for Everyone

Saanich should be a place where everyone has safe housing within their financial means. To do this, we need to improve and expand on existing affordable housing efforts. 

Saanich’s development approvals process is one of the slowest in the province, and it needs to be modernised. It is critical that we prioritise approvals for affordable, mixed-use housing projects that meet the needs of Saanich families. We need to work with the Province and local non-profit organizations to secure funding for below-market and supportive housing in Saanich. I will also push for creative, community-driven housing options like co-ops. 

As a councillor, I will be vigilant in making sure proposed projects include significant numbers of affordable units in a range of sizes. I will work to improve Saanich’s garden and secondary suite policies to empower community members to create more rental housing, while working to protect renters. My vision for Saanich is one of green, walkable neighbourhoods with mixed-use buildings, designed to encourage community connection.

Safe and Accessible Streets

Streets are part of our public commons, and everyone should be able to use them safely, whether they walk, cycle, roll, or drive. Many road conflicts and safety concerns are the result of poor design. Piloting innovative traffic calming measures like curb extensions, chicanes, and road murals allows us to measure their success before expanding them throughout our communities. This is something I have already put into action with my leadership on the Falaise Crescent Road Mural pilot project.

Speeding vehicles on quiet residential streets are a hazard for people, pets, and property alike. I will work to accelerate Saanich’s efforts to reduce speed limits on residential streets and strengthen measures to improve road safety around playgrounds and schools.  

We also need to implement proven solutions for road safety, like building safer and more accessible sidewalks along school routes and to bus stops, and creating more safe, high-visibility crosswalks in areas that see more pedestrian traffic.

The Galloping Goose and Lochside trails are much-loved and heavily used for commuting and recreation, but many sections of these trails are narrow, making it difficult for people to share them safely. I will push to make these trails safer by widening them in key areas, adding lighting to improve evening access, and improving signage where trails intersect with roads. 

Sustainable Communities

Well-designed cities are a critical tool in the fight against climate change. I want to make our community more sustainable by protecting our parks and green spaces, focusing on growth in core and village areas, strengthening support for resident-led community projects, and accelerating the implementation of Saanich’s climate plan.

Strategically increasing density is an effective way to improve sustainability and reduce costs for residents. That means focusing on growth in core and village areas that are transit accessible, walkable, and connected with active transportation networks. I also want to maintain and improve our existing natural spaces, plant more street trees, promote local agriculture, and build food security in our community. 

Reducing water, noise, light, and air pollution is essential to keep our community healthy. This includes finding ways to improve our waste management systems, reducing our production and consumption of single-use plastics, and protecting our waterways. 

Saanich residents often want to engage in projects to connect neighbours and beautify communities, but do not know how to get started. I will work to hire a social planner who can help guide residents, neighbourhood associations, and other organizations through municipal systems to help make beautiful projects happen. We can also foster community-building in the District by improving and diversifying Saanich’s community grants program. 

Inclusive Governance

Reconciliation requires meaningful and concrete action to address past harms and stand in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. If elected, I will push to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (especially Calls to Action 43, 47, 57, 75, and 77) and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice.

Saanich can partner with the provincial government to help improve access to family doctors and childcare by exploring tax exemptions and other creative municipal policy solutions to make those services more accessible. Supporting more mixed-use developments will not only build capacity for much-needed services but also create opportunities for local businesses and community spaces.

Saanich faces perennial issues with bylaw enforcement. I will move for a review of Saanich’s complaint-driven bylaw system, and look for ways to make enforcement more equitable and effective. 

Saanich has a number of Advisory Committees, which create space for members of the community to share their perspectives on municipal programs and policies; however, these committees can be inaccessible for people who face barriers in communicating with government. I will push for the creation of an Accessibility Advisory Committee to ensure that the voices of people with lived experience are prioritized in municipal decision-making.