Track Record
As a community activist, MLA and CRD Director, Gary has a record of involvement with many of Salt Spring’s successes. He secured voter approval and funding for 11 new CRD services, several of which are unique in BC. He has helped secure millions in funding, including innovative use of federal gas tax funding for affordable housing, green space protection, and a number of recreational, health, community amenities, facilities, and infrastructure projects.
In his four terms as CRD Director, the Salt Spring community has made significant progress on these issues. Gary is ready to keep working with Salt Spring Islanders as an Island Trustee to continue building on these successes.
The review of Trust Policy and Salt Spring’s Official Community Plan, the challenges posed by housing and climate crises, and the need for meaningful reconciliation with First Nations, mean this is an important time in the history of the Trust and Salt Spring Island.
For over 35 years, as community activist, conservationist, MLA, and four terms as CRD Director, Gary has worked hard, and with others, on the protection of Salt Spring’s rural values, environment, and diverse community and amenities.
A vote for Gary is a vote for proven, collaborative leadership at a challenging time for the Islands Trust mandate and our community!
Proven, Effective Leadership
Some of the initiatives in which Gary has played a key role include :
-
protecting Burgoyne Bay, Ford Lake, and the Grace Islet First Nations burial site
- establishing “The Cedars,” IWAV’s transition housing for women fleeing abuse
- including 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 and agricultural infrastructure, arts facilities, community halls, and other facilities, including revitalization of Centennial Park and our new fire hall
- initiating Islands Trust NAPTEP property tax breaks for land protection on SSI
- securing Ganges Fire Hall for public use, and land for our library and liquid waste disposal
- helping secure funding for a shared daycare–recreation space at Rainbow Road pool
- securing the former middle school as SSI’s first community centre (which also houses the CRD Emergency Operations Centre)
- initiating public CRD budget presentations and participation in Islands Trust town halls
- securing funding for the new emergency room at Lady Minto Hospital
- approving funding to enhance engineering, technical and other professional staffing support for CRD services
- establishing Salt Spring Island’s public transit system, one of the best in rural BC
- ensuring adequate CRD funding for local recycling
- securing CRD and senior government funding for Salt Spring’s first large-scale composting facility and the Root food processing and storage facility
- establishing the island’s transportation service, enabling construction of kilometres of sidewalks and pathways in Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) rights of way, still unique in rural BC
- establishing the elected CRD Local Community Commission (LCC), also unique in BC, to broaden CRD representation, make it more accountable, and better coordinate service delivery
- re-allocating part of his salary to increase well-deserved remuneration for LCC Commissioners
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.
