Gary has followed through on his promises to help address important Salt Spring issues, and he will prioritize development proposals and initiatives that offer significant community benefits, such as affordable housing, climate resiliency, food security, transit and active transportation, public health and safety, and relationships with First Nations. He will continue to invite public feedback on his platform commitments and work with our Local Trust Committee, amazing community groups and local, regional, and senior government agencies on:

Gary will support the spirit and intent of Official Community Plan (OCP) policies to prioritize a diversity of truly affordable housing, including worker, co-op, co-housing, and land trust initiatives that are in or near villages and transit services by:

• using planning tools such as amenity zoning, density transfers, and housing agreements
• supporting the OCP policies and zoning bylaws that facilitate suites in Fulford and other areas with transit service, as well as liveaboards or float homes in fully-serviced marinas, and alternative housing options, such as boarding houses and manufactured home parks
• establishing a designated Islands Trust housing planner and ways to speed up affordable housing zoning approvals

Gary will also work with other agencies to:

• secure funding for housing development and construction 
• develop and implement an inter-agency housing strategy
• convene regular inter-agency meetings, including housing proponents and funders, to share information and coordinate efforts
• prioritize limited water and sewage treatment capacity for truly affordable housing
• continue advocacy for Salt Spring Island’s inclusion in the Speculation and Vacancy Tax
• clarify and enforce Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) bylaws and regulations in partnership with the Province

Gary is committed to supporting Trust-wide, OCP, and zoning policies that preserve and protect our unique natural and rural environment and support climate resilience, in collaboration with First Nations, local agencies, senior governments, and community groups. He will work to:

• reconvene the Salt Spring Island Watershed Protection Alliance (SSIWPA) under Trust auspices in collaboration with the Capital Regional District (CRD), local water districts, the Province, and community groups
• strengthen Development Permit Areas and enforcement measures that protect drinking water sources
• support existing OCP policies, including density transfers and clustering, that help to prevent development sprawl and damage to drinking watersheds and sensitive ecosystems
• help protect estuaries and sensitive marine habitats within Trust jurisdiction
• reconvene a Salt Spring Island Conservation Partnership in collaboration with government and nonprofit conservation agencies
• seek legislative change to transfer the parkland acquisition function and requisition from the CRD to the Trust Conservancy
• explore options for protection of lands in the Channel Ridge area in collaboration with the landowner and other agencies

Gary will support OCP policies and zoning to help implement SSI’s updated Area Farm Plan, including: 

• protecting of the integrity of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR)
• facilitating food processing, storage, and sale on ALR and non-ALR farm land
• allowing off-site sale of compost produced by the CRD Burgoyne facility

• review Islands Trust finances, organizational structure, and administrative processes to ensure value for money, fair allocation of tax revenues, and quicker action on community priorities
• request greater Provincial support for key functions such as land protection and housing
• prioritize Islands Trust staff time for key initiatives to further community priorities
• help coordinate regular inter-agency meetings with the CRD, North Salt Spring Waterworks District (NSSWD), and the Salt Spring Fire Improvement District (SSFID)
• develop strategies to attract and retain qualified Trust staff
• make more pro-active use of planning tools such as amenity zoning and density transfer to facilitate affordable housing and other community amenities and priorities

• oppose proposals to repeal UNDRIP and DRIPA legislation
• strengthen Trust policies supporting reconciliation
• advocate for First Nations co-management of protected areas (including the Gulf Islands National Park and proposed Marine Conservation Area for the Salish Sea), Crown lands, and harbours
• support Land Back initiatives and other partnerships with First Nations, with planning tools such as amenity zoning

• retain existing OCP policies directing new development in or near villages and transit routes
• consider more pro-active use of planning tools to support important village amenities and infrastructure
• rezone Ganges Fire Hall property to maximize community benefit from re-purposing the property