The following is not just a list of goals, but an integrated plan for achieving the future we want for Salt Spring. As such, it is not about what one commissioner or even the LCC as a whole can accomplish on its own. It’s about what a cooperative, multi-agency, approach can achieve, working with community involvement and investment to supplement what our limited tax dollars can provide.

A Government That Works Together 🤝

Salt Springers, and the organizations they run, have always worked together effectively to get things done in the community. Now, agencies and improvement districts need to work together as well. With the involvement of the community, the LCC is ready to lead Salt Spring and its government in a new collaborative approach.

• After three years of evolution, the LCC is ready in its second term to take on full authority for local CRD decision-making and a leadership role in a collaborative local government. 

• Bring all local CRD services under the LCC, and then explore collaboration or even consolidation with fire and water improvement districts and private services.

• Community groups are providing important services on the island, and local agencies should create a formalized structure for non-profits to work for them. Instead of off-island consultants, where possible, governments should look for opportunities to employ local non-profits to provide services for less money and a greater understanding of the community and local issues.

• Work out an effective way for the LCC to listen to and act on input from the entire community, not just the loudest voices.

• Enlist citizen assemblies to create representative community groups that will make recommendations to government on our most challenging problems.

• Start a climate change and wildfire prevention service at the LCC to address the impacts of a rapidly changing climate with speed and focus.

Housing for a Resilient Community 🏡

Lack of affordable workforce housing is an obvious area where we need both more support from government and alternative solutions. But to have the right housing in the right places, we need to plan for the future with both our people and our environment in mind. A Housing Authority will focus on a path forward to secure the housing our community needs.

• Create a Salt Spring housing authority to develop, convert and find funding for a variety of housing options to serve renters, workers, families and the unhoused on land and in the harbour.

• Protect our watersheds and natural ecosystems by directing most of our growth to village centres.

• Support and encourage innovative and non-traditional housing construction and forms (from co-housing to rammed earth).

• Redesign Ganges for climate change, diversity, walkability, reconciliation and a thriving economy.

One Island, One Water 🌊

We need a water plan for the whole island that considers all possibilities for water distribution, capture and conservation to manage our water resources efficiently and effectively within the scope of the LCC.

• The LCC should bring the existing CRD water systems within the purview of the LCC to enhance coordination and increase transparency and accountability.

• The LCC needs to work with community organizations that are actively involved in evaluation of island water and ecosystems and with improvement districts and services.

• Plan for a hotter, wetter and drier future.

• Water should not be unequally available to those who can afford it and those who can’t. We need to pro-actively lead the choices for distribution based on equity and support for a resilient community.

• Technology is an equity issue with rainwater catchment being financially unattainable for many. We need to find ways to support its use through external funding.

• It’s not all about us: Protecting our watersheds means a healthier water ecosystem with less run-off and healthier forests.

• Conservation is always the best choice. Support efficient water usage and incentivize saving water.

Reconciliation in Action 🌲

By building better relationships of respect and open communication with First Nations, we can learn to walk together better for the benefit of our ecosystems, our food, our economy and our spirit.

• We need partnerships and working relationships with First Nations as we tackle issues of mutual interest and concern.

• Establish staff-to-staff enduring relationships with the governments of territorial rights-holder Nations.

• Maintain an on-going conversation about the needs of the Indigenous community living on Salt Spring.

• Support gatherings and events that are opportunities to bring our communities together.

Food Security for the Future 🍎

Our farms are in danger, our farmers are aging out and we still only grow a small fraction of the food we eat. We need to support and promote Salt Spring agriculture by supporting our farms and local food industry for our economy and sustainability.

• Facilitate local food – production, processing and consumption.

• Farming is tough. Keeping a farm afloat when buyers aren’t willing to pay the real cost of local food sometimes requires additional income streams, including agri-tourism. We need to work with government agencies to meet the needs of the people producing our food.

• Protect existing farms and address farmer succession issues by supporting existing land-matching and farmer training programs.

• Work with other agencies to ensure a sufficient supply of farm-worker housing.

• By encouraging an increase in Salt Spring livestock, we can support the Abattoir and integrate a critical element of regenerative agriculture.

• Work with First Nations to stabilize and revive Salt Spring’s land and marine-based food systems. This could include wild harvesting, bringing back streams, supporting healthier forests, protecting Garry Oaks ecosystems and management of the deer population.

• Salt Spring already has a well-known export brand for some foods. We need to promote Salt Spring branded foods as an engine for local economic sustainability and increased local food production.

A Livable Salt Spring 🌎

      We need to create a thriving community and a robust economy with a housing ladder to support the evolution of young people’s lives and the unique needs of our elders. We need to stimulate jobs, culture, arts and a thriving multi-generational society.

• A sustainable community needs a diversity of housing options with a “housing ladder” that allows young singles and families to expand and doesn’t force seniors to leave the island to downsize.

• We need to increase our support of recreation, sports and after-school activities for kids of all ages, to make Salt Spring more attractive as a place to raise families.

• Increase support for active transportation and transit, to reduce car dependence and traffic and make Salt Spring more walkable, safer and accessible.

• We need to retain families and an on-island workforce, and support an economy that will keep them here.

• Salt Spring is known for its arts, crafts and culture and the LCC could do much more to nurture these groups – they are the heart of our community and an expression of who we are.