JOURNAL
FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
This is a space that you can read about my campaign updates, reflections and thoughts on topics brought forward from residents in my conversations with them.
Hello everyone,
As you may have seen in some of my comments in the various election groups on Facebook, I'm pleased to announce that I'm running for Saanich Council in the 2026 election campaign.
Born and raised in Saanich, I've lived here for over 32 years and have witnessed many changes in the community - some welcomed, while others raised real concerns about where Saanich is headed.
One of the main focuses of my campaign will be ethical financial management and transparency. Municipal decisions involve taxpayer money: Residents deserve clarity on how their money is being spent and whether the financial decisions represent long-term value for the community.
Topics that come to my mind include:
- Property tax/water/utility increases
- Worsening service quality
- Disingenuous financial processes to fund major projects that should be referendums
- Loss of meaning behind the constituent voice
I also bring a perspective that comes from years of volunteer leadership and financial governance. My volunteer background includes serving as Treasurer of the B.C. Wildlife Federation and as a Director of the B.C. Conservation Foundation. Those roles have given me experience in financial oversight, non-profit governance and board-level decision-making. These organizations are entirely separate from my campaign and do not endorse my candidacy.
My personal involvement in conservation has also given me an appreciation for balancing competing interests. Saanich is a diverse municipality, composed of urban and suburban neighbourhoods, rural areas, farmland, forests and sensitive habitat, and residents who all have different priorities and concerns.
I am concerned about the pace of development and the encroachment of new development into established single-family home neighbourhoods. (Over)development leads to habitat fragmentation. Community character and heritage is lost as a result.
I believe we can grow while still being thoughtful about how we grow. We need to plan traffic and infrastructure for what is forecasted in 20+ years. While maintaining dignity in our neighbourhoods, environment and tax base.
I'm running because I believe Saanich needs councillors who will listen, ask difficult questions, look closely at the numbers, and work to represent residents.
I know I won't agree with everyone on every issue.
I don't expect to.
Strong local government starts with listening to various viewpoints. Understanding different perspectives is a byproduct of that, and helps councillors make better decisions in the chamber.
I look forward to sharing more about my platform, priorities, and vision for Saanich, and most importantly to hear from you.
In community,
Alli Deelstra
Today marks a milestone - I have successfully been nominated as a candidate for Council this Fall. I appreciate the efforts from staff as the process was easy and straightforward. Any questions I had were answered and I left confident to be a potential leader for the community we live in.
After many hours of work, I’m happy to say that each page of my campaign website is finally complete!
I’ve built the site to share my background, priorities, campaign updates and ways to get involved. If you have a few minutes to look through it, I’d genuinely appreciate any feedback on the website’s functionality, navigation, or anything that could be clearer.
If you notice something that isn’t working quite right, or simply have a suggestion, please feel free to reach out through the Contact page.
Thank you for taking the time to visit and help me make the site as accessible as possible!
Today I had the chance to speak with Olivier Laurin with the Saanich News. In the coming weeks, he will release a news article that highlights who I am, what I believe in, and how I will work to serve Saanich. I look forward to sharing it with you and on the News & Media Inquiries page when it becomes available.
Thank you for the opportunity, Olivier!
It was a pleasure joining others at Mount Tolmie Community Association picnic at Horner Park! There was great conversation with other Saanich residents, non-profits and lobby groups. Hearing what the community we live in has to say, is very important and ties directly with my "Community Driven" priority. I encourage you to pop over to my Priorities page to learn more.
Thanks again, MTCA!
I want to take time to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated to my campaign so far.
Every contribution has helped me move my campaign voice forward and connect with Saanich residents. I'm very grateful for those who have placed their trust in me and chosen to support this campaign.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me.
If you would like to donate and help out, please visit the Donate link and Volunteer pages!
Yesterday, I officially launched my website across my Facebook page and another election discussion group. I received great questions from residents, which I will respond to both on Facebook, but also showcase in this journal so other readers can see my responses.
Comment from Brad Smith:
"You are losing me with reduced speed zones in suburban neighbourhoods'. The current Provincially legislated speed limits are fully adequate. The extra time to move about the community take a toll on business and families."
My response:
"Hi Brad Smith, thanks for taking a look and reaching out.
I can appreciate that concern. I think there is a balance here. I support keeping Type A neighbourhood streets (as described on Saanich's website) at 30 km/hour, as these are where children, families, and pedestrians share the roadway with vehicles and bikes. I don't think the same approach should automatically apply to our main corridors, where traffic flow matters and businesses are generally located.
To share the math behind it: Given uninterrupted traffic flow, driving 30 km/hour for 1 kilometer take 120 seconds, whereas 50 km/hour for 1 kilometer takes 72 seconds. The difference is 48 seconds, a relatively small time difference. I believe that's a reasonable trade-off on suburban neighbourhood streets where shared roadways are.
This is only my view, and other candidates wish to change speed zones and increase speed thresholds.
I will post your question and my response here as a journal post on my website for other residents to refer to in the future.
Thank you Brad for addressing this, and I hope I clarified it for you adequately.
In community,
Alli Deelstra"
Comment from Teri Kerr:
"Hi Alli. Well done for putting yourself out there!! Question for you. Where [do] you stand on the proposed new rink / recreation facility at Lambrick Park?"
My response:
"Hi Teri Kerr thanks for engaging! For transparency, I’ve shared my thoughts on Lambrick Park previously and I stand by my position on it. I will expand on it here for the benefit to all followers of my campaign.
I’m supportive of the project given it remains within scope and is financially feasible. As a lifelong Gordon Head resident living close to Lambrick Park, I believe this side of Saanich has needed improved recreation and ice facilities for a long time. A well-used facility could also support economic activity in the surrounding area, which is something Saanich does need to drive and support. For me, the key sticking point is ensuring it delivers long-term value over the life of the facility.
I would want the plan's concept and business case to further examine capital costs, ongoing operating and maintenance costs, potential grants and partnerships, and different operating models. That should include comparing municipal operation with credible private-sector or partnership options to determine what provides the best long-term value.
Rather than asking if Saanich can or cannot afford it, I think what's more important to ask is: What would the taxpayer-supported debt actually be, and can Saanich service that debt sustainably alongside its other infrastructure and financial obligations?
If those pieces make sense, I would be supportive of seeing the facility become part of our neighbourhood in Gordon Head.
Like I mentioned to another commenter on this post, I will add your comment and my response to my journal page on my website, so other readers can see our discourse!
Thank you Teri! Please feel free to reach out to me at hello@alliforsaanich.ca if you'd like to continue chatting.
Sincerely,
Alli Deelstra"