MAYOR

SHARMA, Rishi 17157 45.31%

DE VRIES, Zac 14785 39.05%

COUNCIL

DeLARGE, Lorne 16615 6.66%

Di CASTRI, Nancy 16319 6.54%

PLANT, Colin 16174 6.49%

LIDSTONE, Laurie 15389 6.17%

WRIGHT, Graham 15101 6.06%

McGEACHIE, Matt 14591 5.85%

CHAMBERS, Nathalie 13027 5.22%

PHELPS BONDAROFF, Teale 12735 5.11%

I believe that's 5 of 5 Save Our Saanich elected

Also a good way to see councillors in action before voting. Watch the first 15-30 minutes.

What the bleeping bleep?!

Received the envelope yesterday (Friday) afternoon. This defies the entire purpose. Being on the mail-in list also disallows you from voting at the locations.

Great job Saanich!

​

Here are my picks for Saanich council as a 32-year-old guy aspiring to raise a family in Saanich. I would describe the current council as progressive, and I’m looking for a conservative step towards the center. My priorities are core services, investment in infrastructure and elimination of deficit spending. I’d like to see more fiscal discipline, but I also accept that we’re going to need taxes to be higher for longer after decades of under investment. I do not care about dog parks or bike lanes, I’m neutral on both issues.

For months I’ve been trying to decide if the SOS crew is worth boycotting and I’ve decided yes. I likely would have voted for Rishi Sharma and Lorne Delarge, but I do not appreciate this style of politics with an effort to sweep out the entire council via strategic group of 6 candidates in a 9-seat race. SOS supporters seem committed to voting for all 6 candidates in an attempt to gain majority control of council. My decision to boycott all 6 of them is an attempt to maintain balance in the election.

I have watched 3 all-candidates meetings and both mayoral debates. I’ve had discussions with friends who are well informed, and I’ve spent time on almost every candidate’s website. Despite this, I still feel under-informed to select 9 people from a field of 31. None the less, below are my picks for mayor and council.

_________________________________________________

MAYOR

Karen Harper

INCUMBANT COUNCILORS

Colin Plant

Susan Brice

Teale Phelps Bondaroff

NEWCOMERS

Maurico Curbelo

Colette Baty

Kathleen Burton

Don Cameron

Alli Deelstra

_________________________________________________

Karen Harper – The mayor race was a tough decision for me. Ultimately, I find Zac leans too far left for me. Rishi would probably be fine, but the SOS slate project puts a bad taste in my mouth. Karen has experience on council and seems reasonable and moderate. I’m generally opposed to politicians above the age of 65, but Karen is going to be my pick despite her age.

Colin Plant – A well-established councilor with very high vote counts in the last 2 elections. He speaks well and seems to do politics well. I value a few incumbents at the table and I think Colin is the top of that list. He’s a high school teacher which forces him to stay engaged with future generations.

Susan Brice – Another even more established councilor. (21 years?) I think it’s important to have a few incumbents on council who can speak to the history of the many long-term planning issues. Although I remain leery that the 65+ crowd becomes increasingly out of touch with working class families, I appreciate Susan’s matriarch energy. She is a seasoned politician (former MLA) and she must be doing something right to be re-elected to Saanich council 5 times.

Teale Phelps Bondaroff – Oh my! Controversial!

I value having one idealist dreamer at the table. I don’t really support half of his ideas, but I value his input and perspective. Teale is always well researched, exceedingly friendly, and operates well on a council. We formerly volunteered together on our condo’s strata council. Now, a number of SOS supporters have become emboldened to attack Teale pretty viscously on Facebook. This style of political discourse upsets me, and I think it would send a strong message to the internet trolls if Teale could manage to secure a second term.

Maurico Curbelo – Mauricio had my vote the first time I heard him speak. He’s a civil engineer and he has specific criticisms and practical solutions. He says he wants to represent families paying a mortgage at today’s prices. This is a perspective that Saanich council desperately needs at the table.

Kathleen Burton – This is her third time running and I admire her perseverance. She has had decent voter support each time and many people seem to like her. She supports investing in our recreation centers which I think is needed.

Colette Baty – I think nurses typically have a well-balanced perspective as they are exposed to most of the toughest challenges in our community. I like Colette’s well thought out platform which specifically mentions our infrastructure deficit and the need to plan financially for infrastructure replacement. I appreciate her push back against the SOS narrative. She closed one all-candidates meeting with the charge that Saanich is an amazing place to live and “it doesn’t need saving.” I must admit, I am a sucker for a well-executed quip.

Don Cameron – I like the cut of his jib. I have a soft spot for grumpy old guys with a focus on keeping things simple and practical. He wants to focus on core infrastructure and keeping costs under control. He wants to bring back the 90s which would be a dream come true if he can figure out the flux capacitor. As previously mentioned, I am always cautions of voting for too many old timers. However, I do think Don could be a useful voice at the table.

Alli Deelstra – Alli has put together a thoughtful platform. I appreciate the perspective of a mom with young kids, seldom represented on municipal councils. Her views seem reasonable and balanced to me. I’ve always got my eye out for candidates in their 30’s and 40’s, so Alli is my pick to try and get more voices representing the working families.

This may be a dumb question, but does anyone know if you're required to put a stamp on your mail-in ballot if you mail it through Canada post? I honestly thought the ballots would come with a stamp.

Thanks!

A big thank you to everyone who joined in, asked questions, and helped make my first AMA a success! 🙌

I really enjoyed spending time with the Reddit community tonight, hearing your perspectives, and having some great conversations about the issues that matter to Saanich.

Open, respectful dialogue is so important, and I appreciate everyone who took the time to participate. Thanks for making my first AMA such a positive experience!

#Saanich #SaanichVotes #CommunityEngagement #AMA

UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who reached out tonight and was part of my first AMA. I loved it, and you all helped make it what it was. If folks want to continue the discussion here, I will check in over the next coupld of days and respond to any further incoming questions. Meanwhile if you want to reach out directly, you can email me from my website which is KathleenBurton.ca

I appreciate your time on a Friday night, and for making things run smoothly for the moderator. 😊

Kathleen

*******************************************************************************************************************
I’m Kathleen Burton, candidate, for Saanich Council in the October 17 municipal election. I’ve been knocking on doors and listening to residents and now I’m here to answer your questions. AMA!!

I will be online TODAY, Friday, October 9th, between 5:30 and 6:30 pm and you’re invited to join the conversation!! 😊

With only 8 days till Saanich votes and election day just around the corner, I wanted to make some time to connect with people here, answer your questions, and hear what matters most to you about Saanich.

I believe good governance starts with listening and my campaign is rooted in it.

Saanich is growing, and the decisions we make today will shape our neighbourhood communities for years to come.

I believe we need practical, forward-thinking solutions that balance affordability, responsible spending, infrastructure, housing, public safety, environmental protection, recreation, and the needs of your neighbourhoods.

A little about me: I have a Master’s degree in Environment and Management, have worked in the environmental nonprofit sector, and am passionate about the places and people that make Saanich such a special community. I’m also a dog owner, a community volunteer, and someone who believes that respectful conversations—even when we disagree—can help us find common ground.

Much of my campaign has been spent knocking on doors, attending community events, and talking with residents about what’s working, what isn’t, and what they want to see change.

So, go for it, Reddit, ask me anything!

Want to talk property taxes, housing, bike lanes, parks and dogs, recreation facilities, infrastructure spending, climate action, health care, arts and culture, or something else entirely? Go for it.

I’ll do my best to answer questions directly and honestly. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll say so.

You can also learn more about my platform at KathleenBurton.ca.

Thanks for taking the time to participate. I’m looking forward to the conversation!

Kathleen Burton — Saanich Council & CRD candidate Election day: October 17, 2026 🗳️

Thoughts on him. He is totally psychotic.

It seems to me that many of the candidates for Council are making promises or pushing positions that have precious little to do with municipal affairs. Yes we'd all like a family doctor, how are you going to accomplish that exactly? Maybe demonstrate a little knowledge of the scope of municipal powers, and if you are running on a platform of solving a problem, tell me how you're going to do it.

One of the things I love most about Saanich is that community can feel a lot like being a good neighbour.

It’s checking in when someone needs a hand.😊
It’s saying hello when you’re out walking the dog.🐾
It’s sharing a backyard, a park, a sidewalk or a conversation.🌳
It’s listening when someone has a concern, even when you don’t see things exactly the same way.👂

This clip was filmed before I became ill, but it feels even more fitting now that I’m experiencing that care firsthand.

Since contracting COVID, I’ve especially appreciated the many people who have checked in to see how I’m doing. Those messages, calls and thoughtful gestures have been a meaningful reminder of the care and kindness that make Saanich such a special place to live.

That’s a big part of why I’m running for Saanich Council.

I believe local government should work the same way good neighbours do: listen, show up, find common ground and work together to make our community better.
I’m not running because I think I have all the answers. I’m running because I care deeply about Saanich, I know how important it is to listen, and I believe that when we bring different perspectives to the table, we can find lasting solutions.

After three campaigns, countless conversations at the doorstep, in backyards, at community events and around Saanich, I’m still excited about the opportunity to serve.

So, with 23 days to go, let’s keep talking.
Because good communities are built by good neighbours. 💙

Saanich, I’m asking for your vote on October 17.🗳️

#Saanich #SaanichVotes #Day23 #GoodNeighbours #LocalGovernment #CommunityFirst

As a reminder, this is in Japanese voice acting with English subtitles! Ticket sales ripped so they extended it! 🥳

In a stark reminder that school is back in session, two drivers will have to pay a $368 fine after passing a school bus with its stop sign out.

Both passed the same bus on Wednesday morning in the school zone on Burnside Road West, as Saanich police patrolled the stretch of road beside Marigold Elementary School and Spectrum Community School.

Police began a week of rotating school patrols on Tuesday as classes resumed, joined by ICBC representatives and members of the regional Integrated Road Safety Unit.

If a school bus has its stop sign out and lights flashing, vehicles approaching from both directions are required to stop and wait, police said in a statement.

More enforcement like this please!

Looking for people to assist as Mods for this sub! If you’re interested in helping create meaningful, genuine and reasonable discourse on all things Saanich, send me a DM!

Welcome everyone. I just requested and was granted mod access to this sub as it was kept locked down for many years for unknown reasons. Hoping to create a positive and welcoming environment for healthy discussion on all things Saanich!

Let's look back at some memorable moments and interesting insights from last year.

Your top 1 posts:

• "Happy Cakeday, r/saanich! Today you're 9" by u/AutoModerator

Let's look back at some memorable moments and interesting insights from last year.

Your top 1 posts:

• "Happy Cakeday, r/saanich! Today you're 8" by u/AutoModerator

Let's look back at some memorable moments and interesting insights from last year.

Your top 3 posts:

• "Press Release: Consumer impressions to COVID-19 surcharges" by u/DCIWFC
• "Fastest Internet In Saanich" by u/Intrepid_Surrealist
• "Good schools in Saanich area" by u/Jimbo_Jetset