Infrastructure Built for the Future

I support planned, long-term investment in infrastructure that responds to the increasing effects of climate change, population growth and an aging community.

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Saanich depends on emergency infrastructure, roads, water and sewer systems, drainage, public buildings, parks and recreation facilities every day. Many of these assets are aging while demand continues to grow. Delaying necessary maintenance may reduce costs temporarily, but it can also lead to service failures, more expensive repairs and greater risks for future taxpayers.

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Plan Before Problems Become Emergencies

Council should use reliable information about asset condition, service demand and public-safety risk to determine which projects are the highest priorities. Commitments to preventive maintenance and timely renewal should be protected from short-term political pressures and whims.

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Capital plans must identify realistic costs, schedules and funding sources. Large projects should include lifecycle expenses and contingencies, not only their initial construction price.

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Match Infrastructure with Growth

Commitments to new housing and economic development must be coordinated with the infrastructure and services required to support them. Before Council commits to a substantial growth project, residents should know what infrastructure improvements are needed to support the project, how they will be paid for and when the work will be completed.

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Development should contribute fairly to the costs of infrastructure required to support it without making needed housing impossible to approve or build.

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Build Climate Resilience

Drawing on my experience as a forest firefighter and emergency manager, I will advocate for climate risk to be incorporated into every major infrastructure decision.

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Saanich infrastructure must be prepared for the increased frequency and severity of extreme heat, drought, wildfires, flooding and severe storms that it will face in the future as a result of climate change. Improvements in disaster resilience should be incorporated into all renewal schedules and repairs wherever practical. These practices will allow Saanich to build back stronger and reduce future disaster losses.

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Report Progress Publicly

Residents should be able to track major projects, costs, schedules and results through clear public reporting. Responsible infrastructure investment strengthens public safety, protects essential services, supports a growing and aging population and leaves future generations assets they can afford to maintain.

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