Important Salt Spring Local Elections: Please Vote

Please encourage your friends and neighbours to vote, and forward this newsletter

Voting Days:

  • Wednesday, October 7
  • Wednesday, October 14
  • Saturday, October 17

8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Library and Legion all days, plus Fulford Hall on Saturday

Positively Forward’s Preferred Candidates

Salt Spring Local Trust Committee (LTC): Gary Holman & Robin Jenkinson
Salt Spring Capital Regional District (CRD) Director: Brian Webster

Our choices for the two Salt Spring trustees were influenced by candidates’ answers to our questionnaire and in-person meetings with the three candidates (Gary, Robin, and Bryan) who asked to meet with us. In particular, we assessed each candidate’s commitment to, and interpretation of, the Islands Trust preserve and protect mandate, as well as experience with local government and community organizations.

Our decision was further influenced by each candidate’s willingness to support increases in density only in exchange for community amenities, including housing agreements guaranteeing affordability in perpetuity.

We know that candidates do not always follow through on election promises after they are elected.  But our preferred Trustee candidates, Gary Holman and Robin Jenkinson, are, in our view, the most likely to act consistently in alignment with the core values of Positively Forward and our supporters. We trust them to uphold the Trust Mandate and make land use planning decisions in accordance with the preserve and protect obligation.

Read the Candidates’ Answers to Our Questionnaire

CRD Director for Salt Spring Island

Based on the experience of the candidates and their past service in public office, we prefer Brian Webster as the candidate with by far the most relevant experience in local government, the most supportive of the Islands Trust, and the best equipped to represent Salt Spring’s interests at the CRD.

Brian Webster is the only candidate with the necessary knowledge, experience, communication skills, and demonstrated competence to represent us at the CRD Board. It is critically important to elect someone who has these qualities in order to continue CRD’s funding and project support for our island. Brian has served diligently on the Salt Spring Local Community Commission (LCC) for the past 4 years.

CRD owns and operates our pool, two sewage treatment plans, and several island water services. It also funds many of Salt Spring’s facilities­ – including affordable housing – and services that islanders rely on, such as the library, the arts, and Search and Rescue. The CRD budget for Salt Spring in 2025 was $9.4 million. Because the provincial government no longer funds affordable housing, the CRD’s role has become even more important. Electing an effective CRD Director is critical to Salt Spring obtaining adequate funds and support for services and projects.

Other Candidates Running: Jesse Jule and Jennifer Lannan

Local Community Commission (LCC)

Positively Forward was instrumental in getting Salt Spring’s Local Community Commission (LCC) established. The four locally elected LCC representatives, together with the Salt Spring CRD director, establish spending priorities and make decisions about many CRD services on Salt Spring, decisions previously made by staff. We were pleased with the performance of the first LCC Commissioners in setting up and operating the LCC over the last 4 years, and we’re not making recommendations for this LCC election.

Five candidates are running for four seats.  The candidates are:

  • Ben Corno – Incumbent LCC Commissioner
  • Myna Lee Johnstone
  • Jenny McCLean
  • Earl Rook – Incumbent Commissioner and current Chair of the LCC
  • Pam Tarr