Track Record
As a community activist, MLA and CRD Director, Gary has a record of involvement with many of Salt Spring’s successes. He has helped secure millions in funding for affordable housing, green space protection, recreation facilities, the Lady Minto Emergency Room, water and waste treatment, composting and food storage and processing facilities, public transit, sidewalks and pathways, and other infrastructure.
Proven, Effective Leadership
Some of the initiatives in which Gary has played a key role include :
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protection of Burgoyne Bay, Ford Lake and Grace Islet
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establishing “The Cedars,” IWAV’s transition housing for women
- inclusion of Salt Spring Island in the CRD’s Housing Trust Fund and development of the Drake Road supportive housing facility
- initiating the first use of gas tax funding for affordable housing, agricultural infrastructure, and our new fire hall
- initiating Islands Trust NAPTEP property tax breaks for land protection on SSI
- securing Ganges Fire Hall for public use, land for our library, and liquid waste disposal
- helped secure funding for a shared daycare–recreation space at Rainbow Road pool
- securing the former middle school as Salt Spring’s first community centre
- helped secure funding for a shared daycare–recreation space at Rainbow Road pool
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securing the former middle school as Salt Spring’s first community centre
- securing the Ganges Hall property for public use
- initiating CRD participation in Islands Trust town halls and public CRD budget presentations
- establishing Salt Spring Island’s public transit system, one of the best in rural BC
- ensuring adequate funding for local recycling
- securing CRD and provincial funding for Salt Spring’s first large-scale composting facility
- establishing the island’s Transportation Commission, enabling construction of sidewalks and pathways in Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) rights of way, still unique in rural BC
- securing voter approval for 11 new CRD services, including several water treatment services, the Transportation and Transit, funding for the arts and SSI Search and Rescue, and the Local Community Commission
- established the CRD Local Community Commission, also unique in BC
Gary has held positions in a number of community organizations and as an elected official, including:
- Chair, Islands Trust Advisory Planning Commission
- Board member, SSI Conservancy
- Board member, The Land Conservancy of BC
- Co-Founder, South and West SSI Conservation Partnership
- President, SSI Abbeyfield Society
- Member, Salt Spring Ferry Advisory Committee
- MLA Saanich North and the Islands (2013–2017)
- Salt Spring CRD Director (2002–2008; 2018–2026)
- Served on CRD Parks, Environmental Services, Hospitals and Housing, and Electoral Area Committees
- Vice-Chair, Local Community Commission, 2023–2026
Gary has demonstrated the leadership and collaboration needed to get things done for — and with — our community. He’ll continue to work hard and build on our successes for our Trust island in the Salish Sea that we share and love.
