Learn Where LCC Candidates Stand on Key Issues – Questions

Responses From Local Community Commissioner Candidates

Following are the responses to a questionnaire developed for the candidates standing for election to the new CRD Local Community Commission approved by voters by referendum last fall. These responses will form the basis for a free online All Candidates Forum May 9th, 2023, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. To register click here.

The questionnaire and the upcoming All Candidates Forum are jointly produced by Transition Salt Spring Society, Island Pathways – Cycling Committee, and Salt Spring Island Farmland Trus in the interests of ensuring that eligible voters have an opportunity to get to know the candidates for this new governing body on Salt Spring.  

All candidates were emailed this questionnaire on April 22nd. The deadline for responses was 5 pm, May 2nd. Eleven responses were received by the deadline. Their responses are duplicated here without edits. Candidates who responded to the questionnaire have been invited to participate in an online All Candidates Forum on May 9th. To register click here.

The candidates who responded to this questionnaire by the deadline are (in the order in which they were received):

Brian Webster

Jesse Brown

Jennifer Lannan

Ben Corno

Kylie Coates

Jamie Harris

Jenny McClean

Eric March

Gayle Baker 

Earl Rook

Nejmah Guermoudi

Click on the sections below to jump to the specific questions and answers.

Question 1: The Role and Scope of the LCC Question

Question 2: Collaborative Approaches: Bridging Differences for Effective Governance Question

Question 3: Prioritizing Community Issues: Strategies for Salt Spring’s Future Question

Question 4: Active Transportation and Transit Options Question

Question 5: Food Security, Waste Management, and Regenerative Agriculture Question

Question 6: Forest Fire Prevention and Resiliency Question

Question 7: Affordable Housing and the Role of the LCC

Question 1: Role and Scope of the LCC

What is your understanding of the current scope of the LCC’s authority? In other words, what are its key responsibilities, how are these determined, and how can the LCC address issues outside its initial scope?  

The role of the LCC Commissioner is described as part-time, but the work involved in the first term will be significant for this new governing body. How will you meet the demands of this new workload? 

Responses to Question 1

Brian Webster: The initial scope of the LCC — set out in a CRD bylaw — will include administrative authority over 11 current island-wide CRD services, including the four parks and recreation-related services, two transportation-related services and five others. Additionally, the LCC will recommend budgets for three current contributory services (arts, library, search and rescue) and may be asked by the Electoral Area Director to provide advice on other CRD-related issues.

While not covered by the bylaws, the LCC will likely also discuss issues relating to potential new services (such as housing) and services outside its current scope (such as the area-specific CRD water and sewer services) that could potentially be within its scope in the future.

Managing the LCC’s workload will be a challenge for the four elected part-time commissioners. I expect the job to take the equivalent of two full days per week. If elected, I will meet the demands of the position by clearly allocating designated amounts of my time to these duties as well as my other commitments as an orchardist and small business owner.

Jesse Brown: Contributing to a Local Community Commission, especially in a place as large as Salt Spring, will be an exciting experience and a major task for those of us elected as commission members. I promise to reach out and listen to Salt Springers to bring our community’s needs and hopes to the table. The LCC’s responsibilities are detailed in the bylaws that were presented to voters during the referendum and, as I said when I campaigned for Director last election, limit the commission’s ability to address major issues we face related to water, land use, and housing. That said, I’m a pragmatist, I understand the details of local government, I’ve worked for CRD Salt Spring as an economic sustainability coordinator, and I know how to get work done given the constrains of CRD commissions. If elected I will push for the work of the commission to be open and accessible to working people and people raising children.

Jennifer Lannan: I have a clear understanding of the scope of the LCC’s authority and topics/areas that the CRD oversees—-parks and recreation, transportation and transit, economic development, liquid waste disposal, lighting in public places, CRD enforced bylaw issues (fines for livestock injury, etc.), oversight of budgets for services with CRD funding, and more. I’m sure all commissioners will have insight about topics that are of critical importance and they will work to address everything in an efficient manner. 


As for addressing issues outside the initial scope, I believe that time will determine this best, but I anticipate that the many societies and councils that our community has will be vying for the support of commissioners and bringing their issues to the table. Local governance should be supportive of community efforts and volunteerism and assist with support of issues.
I have no doubt that the workload for this new governing body will be significant and more than part-time, or certainly feel like it. A positive framework must be built and the elected commissioners should be prepared to do that. I certainly am.

Ben Corno: As far as I understand it, the LCC has been granted delegated authority by the CRD to work alongside staff to oversee and administer a selection of services on Salt Spring Island: Economic Development, Liquid Waste Disposal, Pools and Recreation spaces, transit, street lighting, grants-in-aid (assisting non-profits and community organizations), as well as the Fernwood Dock, and Compensation for Livestock Injury.

The LCC will also be tasked with recommending annual and 5-year budgets, strategic planning, purchase and maintenance of properties, as well as considering matters referred to the LCC by the CRD board.

Regarding addressing issues outside of the initial scope, I imagine the LCC would take on an advocacy role, lending support and making recommendations within the purview of the CRD, both internally and outwardly, into the community and other organizations.

Kylie Coates: This commission is the first elected government council in Salt Spring’s history. The vote to create this body speaks to the community’s desire to get things done , as the LCC will have delegated authority over certain services which should improve transparency of the CRD.). The LCC will be able to review the CRD budget and will be able to make decisions to improving parks, improving our transit system, and hopefully ending the drain of tax-payers’ money being wasted on sewage removal. It will hopefully allow more community input overall.

I think that the commission will take six months to set up, and this will be the most critical step, as it will be the foundation on which we move forward as a governing body. Fortunately, I am self employed and will be able to incorporate the demands this extra time will involve. I happy to give of myself for the community.

Jamie Harris: My understanding of the role is that commissioners will deciding through a voting process where to focus tax dollars in our community.

Jenny McClean: I attended the information meeting on the LCC that was put together by the CRD. I understand that our meetings will be limited by staffing requirement as was stated by CRD staff during the information meeting.. As there were significant time over runs for the previous CRD advisory groups, I will have to see how the LCC can achieve what it needs to with far fewer people and less time per month. I intend to do homework and to bring in information from what I have done on my own time. Those in the transportation commission and other CRD advisory commissions did a significant amount of leg work on their own time and brought this into the meetings. I intend to do the same.

Eric G. March: The LCC has authority over several formerly separate community services, Economic Development, Wastewater Disposal, Community Parks, Community Recreation, the Swimming Pool, the Parks and Rec Facilities, Fernwood Dock, Transportation, Street Lighting, the issuance of grants, and determination of compensation or livestock injury by dogs. Additionally oversight of the arts, public library, and Search and Rescue. The scope of the LCC may not be able to solve all of the problems our new commissioners are concerned about, but the LCC is new and there will be opportunities for collaboration and perhaps even expansion of authorities.

The LCC has been described as many things. I think all of our potential Commissioners need to be ready for more work than expected. Not only is this a new organization, but it is a significantly larger community than it has ever been tried in. I have spent the majority of my life working and playing in the outdoors, and I am nothing if not adaptable. If the demands of the LCC are greater than expected then I will adapt.

Earl Rook: CRD Bylaw 4507 delegates authority to the LCC in 11 specific areas, the top 3, in terms of budget, being Parks & Recreation, Liquid Waste, and Transit & Transportation respectively. The LCC has broad authority to oversee and administer the delivery of these services, including setting priorities, recommending budgets, and administering the work. Roughly 60% of the 2022 CRD operating budget funded services that have been placed under the authority of the LCC. The remaining 40% of the budget, withheld from LCC authority, includes the sewer systems, water systems, emergency management, and administrative staff. The LCC can address these and other areas outside its initial scope by public advocacy (short term) and requesting expansion of its mandate from the CRD Board (long term).

The workload for the initial LCC commissioners will be extensive. The CRD estimate that the LCC needs one 2-3 hour monthly meeting, 9 months per year, is unrealistic. As a recent retiree with a background in government administration and finance I can devote the time needed. I have informed the other organizations I work with that I may have to step back. Making the LCC a success is my priority.

Gayle Baker: The CRD has given the LCC administrative authority over almost all island-wide CRD services including parks and recreation, transit and transportation, liquid waste disposal, economic development, and grants-in-aid. The LCC will also advise on Contribution Agreements with the Library, Search and Rescue, and the Arts Council.

The LCC will have the power to set budgets, authorize agreements, create strategic plans, prioritize projects, develop operational policies, recommend user fees, and oversee maintenance and acquisition of CRD properties in these designated services. The LCC should work to increase its scope of authority to include other services and the allocation of the annual $600,000 gas tax funding. It should also define its advocacy role for key local issues like housing, transportation, health, environment, and food security.

With my energy and experience as well as my knowledge of CRD issues, I am confident that, if elected, I will successfully handle the demands of this position.

Nejmah Guermoudi: The LCC’s role is spelled out in CRD Bylaw 4508. It has authority over local services, such as transportation, liquid waste management, parks and recreation, economic development, transportation, grant-in-aid disbursement and more. The LCC only advises on arts funding, the library and S&R, and must consider items brought forward by the Regional Board and our Director. CRD’s strong corporate culture may also be contributing to an excess of authority now sitting with CRD staff. Addressing issues outside the current scope will require a Director bringing a request to the Board for bylaw amendments (#4508, #4186, #3795, among others). Progress in other areas may also require support from the provincial government and other agencies.

I will encourage a great deal of community involvement and collaboration right away. Many hands make light work! Personally, I am currently cutting back on long hours doing downtown outreach. My youngest starts kindergarten in September. While it may be challenging, I am committed to giving the LCC the best start possible and am ready for the workload.

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Question 2: Collaborative Approaches: Bridging Differences for Effective Governance

Commissioners are not expected to agree on all issues. Each will bring a unique set of perspectives, skills and opinions to the LCC. However, a collegial, collaborative working relationship will be necessary for the LCC to function effectively. Good working relationships with the community and other elected bodies (e.g., Local Trust Committee, Salt Spring Fire, North Salt Spring Waterworks District) are also important. Describe your approach to collaboration with recent examples where you worked effectively with others holding different and even opposing perspectives and achieved results.

Responses to Question 2

Brian Webster: Constructive and collegial collaboration is essential for the LCC to succeed. For seven years as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner, I worked in exactly that manner, even when I found myself a minority of one on an issue. Listening, treating others respectfully and not taking things personally are key to making this work.

Another example is my work with the Community Alliance’s Governance Working Group, which developed a report in 2018 that recommended the establishment of an LCC for Salt Spring. That group was diverse, with varying perspectives and vigorous debate on some issues. That group functioned effectively, partly due to the collegial approach of our chair, Gayle Baker and partly because all members, regardless of how much they disagreed on particular points, respected the views of all other members.

My involvement with local non-profit boards, including the Community Market Society, Agricultural Alliance and Saturday Market Society are other examples of constructive collaboration that has worked. Further back, I took the same approach as I sat on the board of the BC Summer Swimming Association and chaired the Vancouver Island Region’s board in the same organization.

Jesse Brown: I have a history of working with people that hold different opinions to accomplish results for the community. I am an excellent listener and able to translate group needs into realistic goals and outcomes. Being responsible for fund development at the organizations I’ve led, I’ve needed to reach out to many different stakeholders for the benefit of the society. For example, as executive director at YouthCO Canada’s largest youth HIV organization, I was just as responsive to the needs and hopes of street involved youth as I was to those of the executives at Provincial Health Authority in order to run a well funded and impactful program. I believe in balance while also advocating for voices that have been traditionally left out of leadership and decision making. I promise to bring these voices to the LCC table. 

Jennifer Lannan: I think it’s important to politely and humbly maneuver through issues, and also do so with clarity and honesty. Unveiling an issue, learning how to present it, asking for assistance and coming up with solutions and actions is a skill set that should not be overlooked. I do hope that the elected LCC commissioners have good relationships with other elected bodies, and are respected and accepted into their new roles by the community, as well.
I am no stranger to reaching out about topics I am passionate about or needing assistance with. Most recently, I have sought support from Director Holman, the LTC and MLA Adam Olson’s office regarding an issue affecting a local society. I have advocated for myself and my family and I have no issues with reaching out to ask questions and find solutions with a collaborated approach. In this posiiton, transparency is key and strong record keeping skills are also needed in the commissioner positions.


As for working with others holding different and opposing perspectives- this is where the real magic happens. We listen, we deliberate find common ground or commit to the best for all issues. Decisions won’t come down to one person being ‘right’.

Ben Corno: I have adapted my communication style to focus on active listening and working to understand the perspectives of my collaborators, and how their understanding of an issue converges or diverges with my mine. Identifying and naming the places where those similarities and differences occur is a great first step. After that, establishing an understanding of our shared goals, and purpose to build a foundation of mutual interest from which discussion regarding the differences in our understanding can be framed and our individual needs realized through respectful discussion.

My role with the Community Market Society has me performing this task throughout the season, and without going into details, our deliberations are frequently like this. We take on a discussion topic by sharing our thoughts, sometimes passionately, and we identify each other’s needs and boundaries on the matter. Inside those boundaries, we share our ideas accurately, staying on task, and consenting before proceeding forward. This style of communication has become my professional second nature, and I find it to be a cure for growing anxiety and the hostility that sometimes makes negotiations seem impossible.

Kylie Coates: I am a good listener, and have the ability to recognize good ideas, or concepts, and have an open mind. I recognize that some solutions are not feasible, but am able to consider them, and hopefully, as a group come to a solution everyone can work with.

An example of collaborative work, is seen in my work with getting the Salt Spring Laundromat up and running. We had to work with Islands Trust, the CRD, and North Salt Spring Waterworks/the moratorium, to make this happen. I was able to navigate around all the various stumbling blocks to complete this project. I have sat on other volunteer boards and have worked effectively with others on those boards.

Jamie Harris: I would be using a common sense and reality based approach to making decisions. I am currently a Islands Trust Trustee and through recent successes at the Trust Council level as well as the LTC level I have proven that I can work with others who hold opposing views successfully.

Jenny McClean: I have found that the meetings of the School Board in School District 64 set the best example of people with differing opinions working together in a friendly manner with mutual respect. I believe that it is important to not take things personally and if a person does not know the answer, it is ok to come back to it. If a vote is deadlocked, hopefully there will be a tie breaker that can be used. As in all meetings, not everyone will agree with the decisions made. However, if there is a deep shared purpose, then a lot can be accomplished.I would not want to give examples from meetings I have been in for confidentiality reasons.

Eric G. March: I have been a worker for over 20 years, and I haven’t always liked my bosses and coworkers, yet we find common ground to work together and make it happen. Furthermore, the majority of my working life has been in various customer service and tourism roles, jobs requiring a high level of congeniality. Working together at a team is about seeing the value in all of your teammates and listening to their perspectives regardless of your personal feelings about them. Everyone in the LCC, the LTC, SSF, NSSWD, and other organizations want to serve our community, and regardless of our political differences we have that desire as common ground. We can build on that to create collaborative working partnerships to serve this island we call home.

Earl Rook: The LCC commissioners will need to establish productive working relationships with one another, CRD staff, and the CRD Director in order to fulfill their primary responsibility to oversee and administer delegated services. They will need similar collaborative relationships with other governmental and elected bodies to make progress on the biggest issues facing Salt Spring, all of which are cross jurisdictional and fall largely outside of the LCC mandate.

I spent much of my career leading or coordinating decision-making groups. Differences of opinion will always arise. Consistent success in reaching consensus requires respect for all participants, attentive listening to the concerns and views of others, the ability to understand and restate opposing opinions clearly, a solid understanding of the facts and data, and a commitment to logical, evidence-based decisions. This approach has been successful for me when leading planning and implementation groups for large government projects and when working with local charity and nonprofit groups on Salt Spring.

Gayle Baker: I have decades of professional experience transforming differing opinions into collaborative action by working effectively with the widely-divergent needs of college faculty, staff, students, administrators, and the community to develop over 50 programs at Santa Barbara City College alone.

On Salt Spring, over 10 years as a CRD Commissioner and Chair, with passionate Commissioners holding strong opinions often in opposition to CRD staff, is an example of tenacity and patience. I have also served as a director on a variety of local boards, including Island Pathways, Transition Salt Spring, and, most recently, the Chamber of Commerce.

Results of these collaborative projects include trails, Velo Village, pathways, sidewalks, benches, safer scenic cycling routes, the soon-to-be-launched Ganges Ambassador Program, and ocean accesses. This list may soon be enhanced by MoTI approval for traffic calming initiatives such as reduced speed limits and speed reader boards.

Created four years ago, ASK Salt Spring provides a weekly space for islanders to meet with decision-makers and air their opinions in a respectful conversation, another example of my successful collaborative endeavors.

Nejmah Guermoudi: I understand that diverse opinions are necessary for informed and equitable decisions in a democratic society. I won’t always agree with everyone, and I’m alright with that. I will consider all SSI voices, and will support and amplify ideas that understand the importance of both a healthy ecosystem and a sound community infrastructure.


I am on the Trust’s Housing Action Program Task Force working with a diverse group
committed to seeking solutions through knowledge sharing and debate. While we tend to get to consensus on many issues, Bylaw 530 was a challenge for some of us. I had questions: Is scattering single units across the island our best solution? How will we ensure that housing will remain affordable? Will that mean 4 cars instead of 2 commuting to work and school daily? Would this allow current “illegal” units to become conforming? With the collaborative group we have, we were able to talk through some of these concerns and help come up with the current draft Bylaw we support. That’s the commitment to collaboration I would bring to the LCC.

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Question 3: Prioritizing Community Issues: Strategies for Salt Spring’s Future

What are the top issues that Salt Spring is facing, and how will you address them in collaboration with your fellow commissioners, including the CRD director, other levels of government, and community partners?

Responses to Question 3

Brian Webster: Our most important issue is fragmented local government decision-making. I could have said “housing” or “water,” “health care,” or others. But all of these issues are exacerbated by having too many decision-making silos and not enough leadership on key topics. The LCC is a step forward in reducing this fragmentation, but we need to do more.

The LCC needs to address the issues already on its plate, such as the glacial-paced Harbourwalk project and the need for more safe cycling and walking paths.

The LCC should also set out to bring all the other local CRD services under its purview, to ensure that people elected here on Salt Spring are making decisions around those services, such as the Fulford water service, which has faced significant issues and concerns.

The LCC should work closely with the North Salt Spring Water and Salt Spring Fire improvement districts to map out a way forward that ensures the long-term health and sustainability of those vital services.

And the LCC should listen to the community about other areas where we lack clear local government leadership, such as housing for working people. The LCC can and must play a role in addressing these neglected areas.

Jesse Brown: Our wonderful Island is a microcosm of the issues facing our BC: affordable and comfortable housing access; a shrinking and squeezed middle class; challenges finding a family doctor; the polarization of politics; the effect of the pandemic on community health and economic wellness; social isolation among seniors and youth; lack of mental health services combined with a toxic drug supply; shortage of water and forest fires as a result of global warming… and the list goes on. It’s a really a tough time for people – I feel it too. Let me be real – the LCC will not solve these problems on Salt Spring. But what I can promise is that I will bring open ears, an open-heart, and a hard work ethic to this commission. I’m a dreamer, and I have a track record of working with the community to make Salt Spring better. I’ve developed three successful funding proposals to Islands Coastal Economic Trust through creativity, collaboration, and despite naysayers. I have worked with governments, businesses, and NGOs for the benefit of the community and I want to work with individual Salt Springers to bring your top issues to the LCC table.

Jennifer Lannan: I believe that economic sustainability is a top issue as it really encompasses so many other pieces. I don’t believe that the seasonal tourism industry is a healthy dynamic and matters around this should be addressed. The housing crisis goes hand in hand here- as there is less workforce housing, business cannot staff accordingly. If people come here seasonally to work and live, that affects stability and consistency. That in turn affects laying down roots, which then goes onto affecting services like the school district and enrolment numbers. Fluctuations of residents and visitors make for potentially stressful situations, from income instability to stress on spaces and shared places/resources. How can there be sustainability without continuous sustenance? 


I think Ganges needs some serious help and strong choices should be made to refine the appearance of our village so that we are giving the best impression to others and ourselves. Business closures and limited hours are affecting visitor impressions and will or has affected return visits. I think the things that used to be unique to Salt Spring are now found elsewhere and and we need to work on what’s next for this place.

Ben Corno: Within the scope of the LCC:

Long-term community planning that includes bolstering the economic viability of small businesses inside our villages, and identifying a coherent vision for the look and accessibility of our villages.

Road safety and improvement, parking solutions, and the continuing improvement of our public transit and cycling infrastructure.

Committing to more accessible public recreation spaces and parks for sports, leisure, and nature immersion.

I will simply commit to being an active, optimistic participant in these discussions who elevates solutions and perspectives that lend the most value to our community, and have ecological sensitivity built into their vision. I believe that there is an abundance of experienced and educated advocates who spend their good time trying to realize their visions and I expect to give them my attention and commitment whenever and wherever possible.

Kylie Coates: Our major issue is governance, and its’ current lack of transparency and focus. Many of these issues revolve around housing, the water moratorium, the boardwalk, and simple issues like providing garbage receptacles in and around Ganges. Most of these issues have not been addressed in a straightforward, nor a timely fashion, and many of the issues (decades for the boardwalk), are still unresolved. I am hopeful, that once elected, that other like-minded commissioners will band together to resolve these issues more quickly, and much more decisively.

Jamie Harris: Our “workforce ownership housing” crisis coupled with non-governmental organizations who are opposed to addressing this issue to the point of using flat out false information to whip up climate anxiety and create polarization within our community in order to ensure we do not have further development of “workforce ownership housing units” is a very serious concern to myself and many others.

One way I would address this is by pushing for full funding cuts to any NGO’s who are using false or misleading information that has a negative effect on our communities social well-being.
I would urge other governmental agencies to do the same.

I would continue to urge others to use a common sense reality based approach to decision making when deciding where to focus our tax dollars.

I would look for collaboration with community groups who are using the same approach
and shine a light on initiatives that will help repair the damage that has been done to our communities’ social well-being while at the same time improving our economic well-being.

Jenny McClean: The top issues facing Salt Spring that are within the purview of the LCC are the issues of congestion and in town and the need for some shuttle services and some plans on how people can do their shopping and not be trapped in terrible weather and waiting for long times while taking transit. 


The next significant issue is that many have to leave Salt Spring after living here for their entire lives as they cannot afford housing. We need to work on assessing the needs here and allowing more tiny homes and flexible housing solutions.

Thirdly, more green space and a more varied and creative town space is very important.
I would work with the others in the LCC to discuss and set priorities around these in consideration with what they consider to be their priorities.In terms of working with the province and MOTI, there is already an established history of that being done by the former CRD advisory groups. I would follow their well worn path.

Eric G. March: There are lots of issues facing our community right now that are of critical importance. Lack of housing, decaying roads, lack of bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure, water infrastructure, political divisiveness, organizational siloing… The issue that concerns me most is apathy, if not antipathy, towards the working classes of Salt Spring Island and our needs. We need housing for our workers and artists, we need roads that allow safe and efficient travel for our commutes, in general we need a community that works for our workers. Without our retail and service workers, our ferry workers, our agricultural and production workers, our eldercare, pharmacy, and medical workers, and our artists and musicians our community turns into a theme park for landowners and tourists.

Earl Rook: The most pressing short term issue for Salt Spring is affordable housing, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change on our water supply, market forces distorting our housing availability, and divided government lacking effective coordination and collaboration. The initial mandate of the LCC does not include the authority for housing, water, or most environmental matters. However, as the largest elected body representing the community the LCC can and must use its moral authority, its political gravitas, to drive intergovernmental cooperation to address our most pressing problems. This would include regular meetings at the highest level with the CRD, Trust, and our MLA to set priorities, clear roadblocks to progress, and coordinate roles and responsibilities. All of our biggest issues cross governmental lines and involve non-governmental community partners, like the NSSWD. The LCC is uniquely positioned to bring the parties together and push for effective change. It must seize this opportunity.

Gayle Baker: A daunting array of challenges face Salt Spring. Issues like a lack of housing, water, transportation, village vitality, environment, food security, health, pathways, and general community feelings of wellbeing are top areas of concern. Without action on each one of them, our future as a vibrant, multi-faceted community is in doubt.

While siloed decision-making complicates these challenges, the LCC must immediately begin working with community members, the Islands Trust, Improvement Districts, businesses, nonprofits, and provincial and CRD staff to address these local needs through strong, united advocacy.

But, these partnerships take time. Immediately, the LCC has the tools and funding to provide ongoing support for local nonprofits to address some of these issues including enhancing village vitality (the Chamber), climate action (TSS), food security (Ag Alliance), and housing.

If elected, I will work diligently to make sure the LCC acts quickly and decisively, using already identified resources to fund nonprofit volunteer partners to agilely and cost-effectively address our most daunting challenges.

Nejmah Guermoudi: The top issues that I see on our island today can all be attributed to siloed government, institutional bodies and large non-profit organizations who need to collaborate while being informed by the needs and values of the community they all serve. Eco-friendly affordable housing, waste and water issues, health services gaps, and our car-dominant roads and town centre all come up as significant and urgent, requiring a holistic community plan that harmonizes our climate and social justice goals.

We are also missing our youth, young families and workers in local politics, many not engaged due to barriers, such as inaccessible information and a lack of family/worker friendly meeting times. Let’s schedule meetings that give our workers the option of showing up. Let’s also create a Committee of Youth that can make recommendations to the LCC on issues they care about.

Our issues won’t be resolved in a vacuum, separate from each other, but by a coordinated response that pulls in our community’s activators and forward-thinkers to implement the changes that need to happen now. I see the LCC as a potential facilitator for that collaborative work, which must begin as soon as possible.

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Question 4: Active Transportation and Transit Options

The biggest direct source of greenhouse gas emissions on Salt Spring Island comes from on-island private and public transportation at roughly 25%. In the 2022 Salt Spring Vital Signs Report, 69% of Salt Springers said they disagreed that Salt Spring had adequate options for getting around without a private vehicle. As a CRD LCC commissioner, how do you propose to decarbonize Salt Spring transportation to provide active transportation and/or more transit options for islanders and visitors? 

Responses to Question 4

Brian Webster: First, every decision the LCC considers should be viewed through a climate action lens. That way, even if the topic does not at first glance seem related to climate change, we will be able to identify opportunities to decarbonize as well as unintended negative consequences of a proposal.

More specifically, I believe the LCC should press CRD Regional Parks to accelerate its long-term goal to create foot and cycle paths linking Fulford, Ganges and Vesuvius. The last I saw, this was a 20 year initiative. It needs to happen much, much sooner than that and the LCC can play a role in pushing for the acceleration of the program to ensure people can safely walk or cycle from Fulford to Ganges to Vesuvius to Long Harbour.

In addition, our existing transportation-related services should continue to work toward decarbonization, including through further enhancements to our bus service and its transition to electric vehicles.

And last, but certainly not least, the LCC must rebuild strong positive relations with community groups like Island Pathways that have done so much to enhance transportation alternatives. Volunteers should never feel unwelcome in our community.

Jesse Brown: Times are hard financially for people, and now is not the time to tell Salt Springers not to drive a private vehicle, or to buy an expensive electric vehicle, or to guilt people over their transportation choices. It’s not helpful to shame individuals when the real problem is that our provincial and federal governments heavily subsidize the oil and gas industry and we all generally agree to a quality of life that is inherently unsustainable (mic drop). What the LCC does have some control over is improving walk-ability and safer roads for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists and I am very invested in working with fellow commissioners on a coordinated plan to demand that MOTI improve Fulford-Ganges Road and roads leading to the ferry terminals to make them safer for cyclists. We need an Island wide water utility and coordinated effort with Islands Trust to make it possible and profitable for developers to build higher density rental buildings in Ganges so more people can walk to work or to the store. I’m a huge fan of Transit as an option for visitors – let’s ensure there is always a bus waiting to pick up visitors at the Ferry regardless if the Ferry is late.

Jennifer Lannan: As a parent to three children in the school district (as of this coming September), I have become aware that the budget for school transportation is in the rage of 1.5m/year. If I am correct and for whatever portion of the SD64 budget that is used for school buses (not water taxis), I have often wondered about if there is a possibility to unify public transit and transit to school needs. Implementing a system that is public, so not just for students also allows parents that work in school areas to be able to consider taking a bus instead of a car. I for one, would be able to consider leaving in the morning with my children and cutting a vehicle out of my day all together. Perhaps I would not be alone.


I agree with the 69% of islanders that think there are inadequate options for getting around without a car. There are simply too many roads that don’t connect to a bus route. However, have innovative solutions really been considered? I do like looking to preexisting systems to see how they can be elaborated upon to cater to the needs here. 


I would love to see less tourists bring cars to SSI, due to obvious reasons around limited parking in Ganges.

Ben Corno: 1) Long-term planning to improve the safety and connectedness of our cycling infrastructure.

2) Continued focus on the collaboration necessary to broaden our public transit reach, and hours of operation.

3) Making it easier to identify the walking routes that make Ganges walkable. There is a vast amount of paths inside Ganges that lack meaningful signage.

Kylie Coates: On “The Nature of Things”, with David Suzuki, he addressed this very same issue for small towns. Using an example in a small town in Ontario, his recommendation was in mass planting of a certain species of pine trees and the live oak tree that trap carbon more effectively, by strategically placing them near transit routes. The live oak is the most efficient carbon capturing tree, able to sequester some 10,994 CO2 equivalent over its’ lifetime. This method could be easily introduced to Salt Spring.

Jamie Harris: No response

Jenny McClean: I believe that every political representative on Salt Spring should try to go for one week without using a car.

Eric G. March: The issue of transportation infrastructure is one that is near and dear to my heart. I primarily get around Salty as a pedestrian and a cyclist, and it’s not always a fun trip. The first step to getting people out of their cars is to give them somewhere safe to go. More pedestrian pathways, wider and safer shoulders, more frequent bus service. We could stand to drop the speed limits some of our roads too. I love my daily walk to work, but when I am being passed with barely a foot of space by vehicles doing 60kph or more, I can hardly expect anyone else to emulate my example.

Earl Rook: Salt Spring transportation suffers from the unintended consequences of decades of land use decisions that have left us with a broadly dispersed population, reliant on a network of roads of mixed quality, largely unsuited to the multi-modal needs of a green transportation infrastructure. We need to look at ways to improve transit options to reduce reliance on the private automobile. We need to continue to support the use of electric vehicles, including more charging stations, to reduce the carbon footprint of our legacy transportation infrastructure. We need to continue the efforts of Island Pathways and others to transform that aging infrastructure into one that supports safe, de-carbonized personal transportation, particularly for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other forms of human or battery powered transportation. However, upgrading a transportation infrastructure as extensive as ours is costly. The LCC will need to set funding priorities to ensure resources are allocated to achieve the greatest impact and look more broadly for additional funding sources to accelerate our transportation upgrades.

Gayle Baker: As 4-year Chair of the recently-dissolved Transportation Commission, I know how ridiculously-difficult seemingly-simple transportation challenges are to accomplish. Concerning the electrification of our buses, BC Transit has heard Salt Springers loud and clear. I believe it is likely that, with the in-progress plan for the electrification infrastructure, we will be one of the first communities using small buses to be electrified. Beyond that, we need to know why folks are not riding. I would address this immediately by listening to our local bus owners/drivers. Currently, they are allowed only to talk to BC Transit. This must stop – The LCC needs their local input!

We also need to better support Island Pathways to build our pathways, operationalize Gary Lehman’s plans for accessibility in Ganges, balance parking needs with the imperative to provide safe sidewalks, and continue to advocate strongly with MoTI and CRD Regional Parks for bike lanes. The LCC must challenge the many millions of dollars we have been forced to give to CRD Regional Parks with no local return, demanding some immediate progress on their promised Vesuvius Bay Road bike lanes.

Nejmah Guermoudi: Safer roads for pedestrians and cyclists require a coordinated approach from CRD, MoTI, the LTC, Island Pathways and other community stakeholders. We must prioritize bike lanes and pedestrian pathways. Many who live up the hill and now drive to town would cycle if it were safer. I would encourage the LCC to focus on making this happen. 

We can also work with BC Transit to add more frequent trips between ferries. Adding a night bus would also help Islanders get home safely after dark. We could also provide Visitor Shuttles on Market Days.

We could also re-establish the old ride share locations where you could wait in a designated safe location for a driver with a spare seat.Creating a culture around carpooling could significantly reduce road traffic.

I recently dreamt of a neat little conveyor system that both pedestrians and cyclists could hang on to while getting a ride up the hill out of town. It seemed so simple and smart I couldn’t believe it! When I awoke, I realized that we might, with the help of both committed visionaries and capable engineers, make that happen. Ambitious yes, but aren’t we an island full of potential!?

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Question 5: Food Security, Waste Management, and Regenerative Agriculture

The CRD owns and or manages Salt Spring’s septage waste and the new composting facility and leases land for community gardens. It also administers regulations and bylaws that impact Salt Spring’s ability to improve local food security and develop our local food system. For example, most Salt Spring growers, large and small, use regenerative practices that support healthy ecosystems and need reliable, legal access to local organic waste materials. How will you, as an LCC commissioner, help address some of the issues that directly impact local food security?

Responses to Question 5

Brian Webster: Healthy, properly composted organic matter is a precious resource and the work done by the Farmland Trust and others to end the need for restaurants, grocery stores and others to truck their food waste off island while farmers and others must bring compost from off island is laudable. The island’s new composting facility is going to make a big positive difference.

The LCC can build on this by pressing the Islands Trust to make sure its land use regulations permit responsible composting and by pursuing other initiatives to encourage the production and distribution of local food. The pandemic and associated supply chain disruptions showed us how vulnerable we are when we bring the vast majority of our food from off island. We must reduce this vulnerability (and reduce greenhouse gas emissions) by encouraging increased local food production and availability.

The CRD’s acquisition of the old firehall site is a great opportunity for this, offering the potential for a year-round farmer’s market in the centre of Ganges. If this happens, food producers will have an incentive to produce more, while all Salt Spring residents will have everyday access to a wider range of local food.

Jesse Brown: I don’t fully understand the example as it relates to the question as this isn’t my field (no pun intended). I do have some knowledge related to food security and the local agricultural economy as I sat for a year on the board of the Agricultural Alliance in 2021. Furthermore, through my work at CRD I wrote a 2022 staff report recommending to the economic development commission fund that organization’s work developing a marketing initiative for local growers – now known as Grow Local. I am a huge fan of the Tuesday and Saturday Market and would love to advocate for more year round opportunities for local growers to sell their products. I will advocate for more support from the CRD to market food products made on Salt Spring and our Island as a visitor destination for people who are interested in learning more about smaller scale sustainable farming practice.

Jennifer Lannan: Growing food is not something that I have had the privilege to experience so far in my life. I am not yet aware of regulations and bylaws that impact the island’s food security. I will go find out more about this immediately, but off the bat I feel restrictions on growing food seems wrong. 


If legal access to reliable local organic waste materials hasn’t been obtained in our community, I could see myself seeking positive support for this issue. This also seems like an area where healthy collaborative projects could flourish.

Ben Corno: I see this as 2 questions:

How will we empower community members to grow more of their food, AND, how will we encourage and empower farmers to grow more food for our community?

How to empower community members:

Give them access to more community garden spaces, and education that will stimulate their understanding of how to grow food in an ecologically supportive way.

How to empower farmers to grow more food:

Reduce the cost of operation. Materials and staffing are the two biggest costs associated with farming. Focusing grants-in-aid to non-profits who provide value to the farming community and can consolidate materials by purchasing large quantities cheaper. Focus on initiatives that make living on Salt Spring easier for would-be farm workers. Economic development should be more than a Ganges Village Plan; bringing farms to the table, not only promoting Salt Spring as an agricultural marketplace but bringing farmers’ needs into our vision.

The CRD’s Firehall acquisition was founded on the idea that it would be to benefit our food community, and seeing that that is implemented through consultation with our island farmers will be a feather in all our caps.

Kylie Coates: I feel that, as we are at war with climate change, that there should be a locally supported program to encourage every Salt Springer to put in a “Victory” garden to support every islander’s ability to feed themselves with local, healthy food. This can reduce the amount of food being shipped onto the island, reducing our carbon footprint. Also, the CRD would be encouraged to start a seed-sharing program towards this end.

Jamie Harris: No Response

Jenny McClean: I believe that there is a controversy around the use of human manure for fertilizing food crops although at the Liquid waste meeting I attended, it looked like this type of fertilizer could be spread in other places off of Salt Spring Island. I am wondering why a food security question is included with a septage waste question? In terms of food security, Salt Spring cannot be completely food secure at this time. We rely on trucks that come off of the ferries every, single day in order to stock our grocery stores. I do support local food production including the abbattoir. I am from a historical local farming family who moved to Salt Spring Island to produce food when this island was a bread basket for other parts of B.C. My son has steadily farmed and grown food for our family and to sell. However, it is very difficult for young farmers to make enough money to survive. The federal gov’t is establishing some grants to allow young farmers to own land for the purpose of food production. I support the Ag program fully returning to the schools with land leased to the school district to help younger people learn about farming and animal husbandry as a future career.

Eric G. March: No Response

Earl Rook: As islanders, we recognize that our supply chain for essentials is more precarious than for mainland communities. Fortunately, Salt Spring has a rich agricultural history and a deep well of collective knowledge in smaller scale food production. We may not be able to produce all of the food that our population requires but a strong agricultural sector will give us enhanced food security, healthier locally produced food, and economic support for our farmers. The LCC needs to reach out to our farming community to better understand their challenges and needs. It needs to understand where the CRD is creating barriers and where it can better use its resources to support food security on Salt Spring. Any long term vision for a stable and sustainable economy on the island requires a strong and healthy agricultural component.

Gayle Baker: Now under the control of the LCC, the unconscionable waste of our precious tax dollars – $600,000 annually! – trucking our effluent off-island must stop! The underway Options Analysis must recommend a green, low tech, scalable, affordable method for managing our own waste. If elected, I will make it a priority to implement this plan to stop this waste of our tax dollars.

Locally converting our food waste is essential to our food security. Instead, we are paying to truck it off and then back again as compost. Although long-delayed, we do have a large scale composter that will eventually convert food waste from local restaurants and schools as well as offal from the abattoir. If elected, I will strongly support this project to completion by addressing current restrictions on the local sale of this compost and making sure CRD’s risk averse requirements do not bog down progress.

In addition to local commercial producers, home gardeners can also make important contributions to local food security. I would work with our growing community of young homesteaders supporting their families on small plots, to make sure that CRD regulations are not impeding their hard work.

Nejmah Guermoudi: I worked as an organic commercial farmer for many years and believe that regenerative agriculture is how to sustain our precious farmland and food security on Salt Spring. Anything that stands in the way of our healthy soil microbes must be a top priority for our community! I was pleased to hear of the community collaboration that helped establish a community composter in Fulford at the Community Farm. I also understand that we spend $600,000 annually to transport over 4000 tonnes of liquid septage off-island for processing into biosolids that stay off-island.

Our Liquid Waste Commission’s Dec 2022 meeting agenda included a Project Charter for a Burgoyne Septage Treatment Options Analysis, requiring a paid consultant to look at our options and consider best practices. Recently, the CRD was forced to amend their policy banning biosolid land applications, so now is the time to act! I would encourage the LCC to authorize a pilot project to examine plant/food composting, humanure and septage dewatering/treatment systems to ensure that we can produce a pure end product for our farms and forests, while working towards greater sustainability and security.

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Question 6: Forest Fire Prevention and Resiliency

Salt Spring Island’s Climate Action Plan identifies forest fires and drought as the key risks we face as climate change impacts intensify. The CRD has many roles that impact our forests and watersheds. It is a landowner of many hundreds of hectares of parks in unmaintained forested areas. The CRD also provides emergency programs, and potable water and wastewater management services, all of which could be mobilized to address these risks. How will you, as an LCC commissioner, address fire, drought and erosion in our forests and watersheds to build resiliency as climate change related risks increase?  

Responses to Question 6

Brian Webster: As a farmer, I have been painfully aware of how our weather patterns are changing and how extreme weather is affecting our island more and more. The potential for devastating wildfires on Salt Spring is increasing and we need to approach these risks in a responsible way.

On Salt Spring, this is one place where it’s particularly important for different areas of local government to work together closely. Salt Spring Island Fire Protection Improvement District developed a Community Wildland Interface Fire Protection Plan back in 2005. I don’t know if it has been updated since then, but the version available on their website is 17 years old. Meanwhile, the CRD’s Emergency Program in Victoria has been developing Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans for the three electoral areas, including Salt Spring.

It is, of course, vital that the work of the Fire District and that of the CRD emergency program be aligned. In my view, this is another opportunity for discussion between the LCC and the Fire District on how best to work together in the future so the risk of devastating wildfires is managed as effectively sand efficiently as possible.

Jesse Brown: I am an excellent listener and will defer to experts on this topic including the CRD’s friends at the Fire Department and Transition Salt Spring. I will bring my green values to all decision making if elected to the LCC.

Jennifer Lannan: I have always wondered why the treated water from the Ganges Wastewater Treatment Plant is not utilized for watering our town. To further that then, would holding it in order to prepare for fire management not be effective? I understand that at some point in the not so distant past, the treatment plant here was using the best technology available for filtering the water and people from all over the world came to see the system here. I’ve seen the filtered water myself and it is hard to think that it just goes to the ocean. If using the water instead, think of how good our park could look in the summer instead of being a dust bowl!
Fire hazard needs to be more and more advertised. Far more signage, especially for visitors. Smoking in public place should be even less tolerated. Same goes for erosion in forests- more signage and education for the public is called for here.

Ben Corno: I know it goes without saying, but whatever gets done will be done in concert with CRD staff, the other commissioners, community groups, and the taxpayer.

As far as I understand, getting consensus on a forest maintenance plan that is actionable, and ecologically sound is no small feat. There are divergent perspectives on what a healthy forest is on SSI, and intervention in the forest is a charged debate. To gather information on other municipalities and regions, such as East Sooke or Saturna, forest management plans and outcomes would have to lead to a priority-based fuel reduction strategy and bolster or guarantee access to sufficient water for addressing fires in those priority places.

This topic is above my pay grade. I know that I would be learning about our current strategies, hearing from experts with different perspectives, especially looking to other communities, and communicating with them to see what works.

Kylie Coates: Salt spring needs emergency plans for fire, earthquakes, windstorms and other natural disasters. If a large fire does break out, we need a plan in place on addressing this issue. Water storage tanks placed strategically around the island, and also having volunteers dedicated to assisting the fire department in making fire breaks should a wildfire occur, should be in place. Food and rest areas should be identified and implemented and a plan conceived for volunteers to assist at these areas. Use of our community buildings would be a natural for muster stations, and should be upgraded with generators and supplies in case of emergencies.

Jamie Harris: I would push for carbon sequestration optimization programs to be initiated in all CRD forested areas that would at the same time deal with the fuel load on the forest floor that is currently leaving us open to severe wildfire risk. I would look to collaborate with people like Bruce Blackwell who is one of if not “the” top wild fire expert around, to help create a program that would fit.

I would also advocate for rainwater catchment to become much more common place than it already is.

I think we also have opportunities for water storage to be used by water authorities, collecting and storing large amounts of water through the wet season to be used in the drier season.

Jenny McClean: There has been a collaborative effort with the local SSI Fire Department to work on forest management for mitigation of forest fire risk. Also, it is important that the CRD can keep it’s promises around providing enough water to water districts for fire fighting needs.I refer to the article in the April 19 Driftwood, quoting as follows, ” Commission chair Carole Eyles said it was ridiculous to include fire flow estimates in any report, recalling that giving fire protection to ratepayers’ properties was one of the few things promised through the CRD borrowing referendum passed in 2004 that did not come to fruition. Water meters was another.” I am interested in what the CRD has promised and not provided and how to fix that.

Eric G. March: No Response

Earl Rook: As a POD leader for my area, and a member of the Salt Spring Emergency Program POD Planning Group, I recognize wildfire as one of the greatest disaster risks that we face on this island – more likely than a massive earthquake and potentially as devastating. Like most problems facing Salt Spring, drought and wildfire is multi-jurisdictional. The LCC does not have authority over emergency management or potable water systems, though perhaps it should. The LCC has jurisdiction of its park lands but most island land use decisions are outside of its control, resting with the Trust or private landowners.


The LCC should ensure that it has updated wildfire risk assessments for the island and use that information in focusing resources where most needed, including homeowner outreach and education. It should ensure that its decisions do not degrade watersheds or reduce remaining intact forest. It needs to pull together our disparate water utilities to build drought resilience into our water supply.

Gayle Baker: Luckily, we are gaining invaluable information about fire risk intervention and resilience through TSS’s partnership with NSSWD, SSI Fire Rescue, SSI Conservancy and the SSI Water Preservation Society through the Climate Action Research Lab. Unfortunately, CRD is not using this information, as well as traditional indigenous practices, to implement resilient, sustainable management of their own forests. CRD must begin adequately maintaining its water-holding forests.

It is also the CRD’s responsibility to build policy upon this knowledge. While rewriting all CRD policies to reflect climate action imperatives is needed, some smaller, more immediate actions could include: 
– Increased rain catchment requirements, rebates, bulk purchases, and simplified potable water requirements.
– Project-based funding for Emergency Services to create and distribute an emergency resource list, an individualized Emergency Risk Assessment, free Grab and Go bags, and rebates to all who buy approved communication radios.
– Utilization of stormwater rather than culverting it all into the ocean.
– Information, guidance, and rewards for large landowners who restore their water-holding forests.

Nejmah Guermoudi: The fires in the interior this week are a good reminder that we need to take fire mitigation seriously. The CRD has a Planning & Protective Services Committee with policies and procedures governing emergency deployment to our community if ever our Fire District could not handle things. Thanks to the Wildfire Act, the Province could even come to our rescue. The many recent community efforts to “preserve and protect” our trees makes it all the more important that the CRD further increase its efforts to ensure safer forests.

In 2005, the SSI Fire Improvement District received a UBCM grant to develop an in-depth
Community Protection Plan, That Plan is still very relevant, although it ma now be time for an update. The Maxwell PARC land acquisition agreement requires both a Hazard Assessment by an expert, and then an Action Plan shaped after community input. Also worth noting is that wildfire and climate change mitigation is mentioned in the SSI Official Community Plan, this committing the LTC to act accordingly. Doesn’t all this call for more joint action?

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Question 7: Affordable Housing and the Role of the LCC

Housing is not included in the initially defined role of the LCC, but it is a hot topic that the public will likely ask the LCC to address. The CRD plays a major role in building affordable housing for low-income people on Salt Spring, but affordable housing is not included in the LCC’s delegated authority. Should the LCC request authority over the CRD’s affordable housing initiatives on Salt Spring? Do you have an alternate approach? What do you suggest that the LCC do to address the housing problem?

Responses to Question 7 

Brian Webster: Although housing is an issue on the minds of many Salt Springers, the LCC does not have housing on its initial list of responsibilities. This is unsurprising, given the overall lack of clear local government leadership in this area. Some good work is being done on subsidized low-income housing, but what about housing for working people who may not be classified as low-income? The issues are much broader than the CRD’s current focus on Salt Spring.

I believe the LCC should work with the community to explore whether we need a housing service for Salt Spring that provides resources and identifies clear leadership on the issue. Other communities have already done this.

For example, Cowichan Valley Regional District has had a housing service for five years now. That service funds the development of affordable housing proposals as well as a portion of the cost of building of new affordable rental housing stock. In the Cowichan Valley, the regional district has identified an agency – the Cowichan Housing Association – to take the lead on housing. The Association has developed the Attainable Housing Strategy for the CVRD, with clear priorities and targets for success.

Jesse Brown: I look forward to reading and learning from the recent report issues by Salt Spring Solutions on this important topic. I am interested in working towards preparing Ganges Village for higher density, specifically for rental buildings, and working to implement recommendations set forward in the report related to the CRD if elected. While finding more housing solutions for low-income individuals is extremely important, there is a major need to create a wide range of housing options so that middle-class working people and people raising children can afford to live comfortably on Salt Spring Island. Moving forward on housing solutions, despite the limitations of the LCC mandate, will be a priority of mine if elected as a commissioner.

Jennifer Lannan: This is a big topic. Housing initiatives are not solely for low-income people and families. Housing initiatives are also for middle class families that can’t or don’t want to buy $1m+ homes and think that that much money for a 2 bedroom home is ridiculous. Development of clean and healthy homes on small lots that are manageable for working people are very much needed here. Working class people deserve to build equity as much as more wealthy people do.


It surprises me that the LCC matters don’t include housing.The housing issues affect services functioning fully or even materializing how they could. I think that the LCC positions aren’t remunerated enough to begin with, so I may not encourage more oversight. However what I can fathom as I write this is that there could be rules implemented about how much above assessed values homes can be listed for. I’m sure this goes beyond this small level of local government, though. 

Salt Spring Island needs housing stock for first time home owners. The Commons were supposed to be that. Pivoting the intent of that project still needs a replacement. I would sincerely encourage it. I also think others could invest in a housing development.

Ben Corno: Yes, without question the LCC should be having a say on affordable housing. The CRD plays a major role in building affordable housing by acquiring property and delivering capital projects. The stated goals of the CR Housing Corporation are to build an array of housing solutions, protect existing non-market rental stock, and develop a coordinated homelessness response. The CRD should be leading the way on property acquisition for affordable housing developments, as it is their mandate.

On Salt Spring, it does not appear that our CRD branch is in the driver’s seat on these fronts and bringing those obligations closer to our community will help us fulfill the responsibility that is identified in the Salt Spring Solutions “Homes For Islanders” integrated framework, which explains it all!

Kylie Coates: YES. As the only person running for the LCC that is currently working on affordable housing for the last 6 years, this issue is close to my heart. Currently the CRD Parks has 8 empty lots not being utilized, and could be used for temporary housing. My suggestion would be to bring CRD Housing projects into the LCC, so that all 5 elected members can get affordable housing built.

Jamie Harris: I would again look to urge a common sense reality based approach to this issue.

Jenny McClean: The LCC will have a big challenge already in terms of replacing many volunteers who worked for hours with four paid positions that are required to work with CRD staffing availability in order to have permission to meet. I do not think they should take on housing at this time. Housing could be a subject to include in meetings and to advise on but I am not sure how the LCC could take authority over housing at this time.

Eric G. March: Request is a weaker word than I would use. The LCC needs to demand authority over the CRD’s housing initiatives on Salt Spring Island. Housing is something that should absolutely be dealt with by Salt Spring specific governance. Until the LCC is able to, or if it is unable to, secure the authority over housing, the LCC must pressure the CRD to do better on affordable housing. The LCC needs to do everything and anything to achieve progress on housing our workers, retirees, and artists, especially collaborating with other stakeholders in local government. Not to mention exploring alternative housing options.

Earl Rook: The initial mandate for the LCC is too limited in scope to allow the LCC to achieve its full potential in addressing our biggest problems. Yes, the LCC should seek CRD-delegated authority over affordable housing but that is, at best, a partial solution. The affordable housing problem requires committed and coordinated action that crosses jurisdictional lines. The LCC must take a role in driving a coordinated multi-jurisdictional effort to support new and ongoing housing initiatives, clear roadblocks, and resolve our fragmented water supply problems. Some housing challenges (e.g., controlling short term vacation rentals) will likely require new or amended bylaws, an authority the LCC does not have. The LCC will need to assert itself with the CRD Board, and with the Islands Trust, to push for bylaws that responsibly support the goals of affordable housing on the island. We need more funding for additional affordable housing projects. We need to look at bringing the Speculation and Vacancy Tax to Salt Spring, with the revenue allocated to local housing on island. Without additional authority the LCC will be largely limited to an advocacy role on housing issues in the near term.

Gayle Baker: We are failing in efforts to provide workforce housing. The LCC should take a leadership role discussing/implementing the recommendations in the Salt Spring Solutions study. The LCC should also move quickly toward supporting a lead housing agency, the details of which should be quickly determined.

If I got to decide, this would not be a CRD-controlled service, requiring a costly and delaying referendum and subject to high CRD staff costs, bottlenecks, and that veil of mystery that shrouds too many CRD projects. I would, instead, focus upon identifying and funding a responsible nonprofit agency to take the lead in needed housing acton, using currently allocated funding formerly used almost exclusively to conduct studies.

This nonprofit housing agency, guided by performance objectives and evaluated by the LCC each year, would address needed initiatives such as advocacy, land acquisition, project management, fundraising, and renter support systems. The nonprofit position(s) required to accomplish this would be well-funded by CRD but free to act without CRD shackles.” Let’s act as one and get it done!”

Nejmah Guermoudi: Housing requires a collaborative inter-agency, community-led response that the LCC has a strong role in actualizing, yet they must stay focused on the relevant CRD services that will need to mobilize to support community planning that reflects our island’s unique nature. LCC authority on housing may only contribute to the current siloed governance dysfunction. Authority must include local stakeholders (individuals and orgs), the LTC, Water Districts, provincial government (Ministries and crown corps), the CRHC, the Regional Housing Trust Fund Commission (of which SS should be represented) and CRD Building Inspection.

The LCC must urge our LTC (the required primary applicant) to apply for the CMHC Housing Accelerator Fund, which would fund at least seven projects. These could include supporting inter-agency collaboration, the creation of a community-led housing authority and multiple eco-housing developments. Highlighted could be a pilot project on the Drake Road BC Housing lease land that has been granted Provinical Paramouncy, which could inform how we build, manage closed loop systems and more. We will need to step into a new mode of unity immediately to catch this opportunity!

Contact Information

Candidates were provided an opportunity to provide contact information to be shared publicly.  Following is a listing of the contact information that was provided.

For information on the community organizations that produced this document and the All Candidates Forum on May 9th, 2023, go to  Transition Salt Spring Society, Island Pathways – Cycling Committee, and Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust, Positively Forward. 

Thank you! And don’t forget to vote!