Nine people are seeking a seat as a Sidney councillor, while the mayor is acclaimed.
There are six councillor seats to fill, with four incumbents running. The incumbent mayor, Cliff McNeil-Smith, was acclaimed to the position. He is one of 11 mayors on the Island who were acclaimed to their roles.
The Sidney seat on the Saanich School District is also acclaimed.
In Sidney, there will be advance voting days on Oct. 5 and 12 at Sidney Town Hall, as well as the general voting day on Oct. 15 at the Mary Winspear Centre. Hours for all three days are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Additionally, mail voting is available by application.
In 2018, 4,692 people voted for a voter turnout of 48.4 per cent.
Eric Diller
Diller is originally from the Cowichan Valley, and moved to the Peninsula in 2009, then Sidney in 2014. He works as an electrician and has volunteered for groups like the Sidney Community Association and the Better Transit Alliance of Victoria.
If elected, his priorities are to address housing affordability, address street safety, and work to keep costs low for businesses and residents and the quality and delivery of services high.
Diller’s Twitter page can be found here.
Steve Duck
Duck has been a resident of Sidney for over a decade, and has served on a number of organizations and groups including Sidney Community Association, Cycling Without Age Society and Sidney COVID Recovery Task Force. He has been the principal of TIDES group for over 41 years.
If elected, he will work to ensure new zoning reflects the intention of the OCP, reopen the study of the future for Beacon Pier, develop active transportation, and ensure fiscal responsibility.
Duck’s website can be found here.
Sara Duncan
Duncan has lived in Sidney since 2010 and has worked as an environmental consultant for over 10 years. In 2017 she started a home-based bicycle rental business in order to stay home with her two children and to get more involved with the community. She joined the Board of the Sidney Community Association, and helped found Sidney’s Cycling Without Age Society.
If elected, she plans to see if housing, transportation and services are meeting the needs of residents; create sustainable economic opportunities and services; and ensure infrastructure is resilient.
In 2018, she received the fourth most votes with 3,072.
Duncan’s Facebook page can be found here.
Scott Garnett
Garnett is seeking re-election and has raised two sons in Sidney. He has a bachelors degree in psychology and masters in sociology, both from UVic. He has worked for over 31 years as a deliver agent/letter carrier with Canada Post.
If re-elected, he has four main priorities: take a more balanced approach to development, reach out to non-profits and senior levels of government to address housing affordability, infrastructure, and engaging and listening to the community.
In 2018, he received the sixth most votes with 2,378.
Garnett’s Facebook page can be found here.
Cam McLennan
McLennan was born and raised in Sidney and has raised three children with his wife in the community. He is an active member of the Peninsula Celebrations Society and has been parade organizer of the Canada Day and Sidney Sparkles parades.
If elected, his priorities are to engage Sidney citizens, update the zoning bylaw to match the OCP, start implementing the Westside Local Area Plan, work with non-profits and developers to bring affordable housing projects, start community consultation on the Beacon Wharf, work with developers to include amenities for families in developments, keep pressure on the provincial government to address issues with the health care system, and advocate for options to construct a pedestrian overpass at Beacon Ave and Highway 17.
McLennan was formerly a Sidney councillor but was not re-elected in the 2018 election. He came in eighth with 1,394 votes.
McLennan’s website can be found here.
Richard Novek
Novek moved to Sidney in 2017 after he retired in 2015 following a 17 year career in the private education sector. In his career he created and oversaw the operation of language schools and vocational colleges internationally. Before that he spent 20 years as a restaurant owner and executive. He spent 15 years with RCMSAR as a Marine Search and Rescue Coxswain helping to keep boaters safe on B.C.’s coast.
His vision for Sidney is to remain a cultural, social and commercial hub of the Saanich Peninsula and to continue to grow as a tourism destination. If elected, he plans to work to manage growth and development to benefit Sidney, maintain the seaside village, and focus on seniors through facilities, parking, accessibility and washrooms.
Novek’s Facebook page can be found here.
Terri O’Keeffe
O’Keefe has been a resident of Sidney for 24 years. She has worked in the public sector for 34 years at the Canada Revenue Agency. She moved to National Defence for the last 13 years of her career as a regional manager for B.C. She has volunteered for a number of boards including Peninsula Soccer, Peninsula Lacrosse and Sidney Museum.
If re-elected, her priorities are housing for young families, increase rental housing, provide financial incentives for secondary suites, implement the Climate Action Plan, expand active transportation, find a way forward for the Beacon Wharf, balance development with the need for trees and green spaces, have more support for the arts community, an economic development strategy, and accessibility for people with disabilities.
In 2018, she received the third most votes with 3,088.
O’Keefe’s Facebook page can be found here.
Steve Price
Price has been a resident of Sidney since 1989 and is now retired after formerly being a small business owner in the town for 30 years. He served as councillor between 2008-2014 then as mayor between 2014-2018. As mayor, he also served on the CRD board and hospital board.
If elected, he plans to listen to the concerns of the community then act on them.
Price was formerly the mayor of Sidney and was not re-elected in 2018. In the previous election he received 929 votes.
Price’s website can be found here.
Chad Rintoul
Rintoul is the CEO of British Columbia Notaries Association and before that he served as CAO of the Association of BC Land Surveyors.
If re-elected, his priorities are a measured approach to development, business community, health care, housing, resident safety, town finances, environment, and public transportation.
In 2018, he received the fifth most votes with 2,794.
Laura Brougham
