Our Salt Spring Housing Council questionnaire, which is focused on finding out what the candidates’ solutions are to the housing inequities on Salt Spring, was sent to all 7 Islands Trust candidates and the three CRD candidates. We received responses from four Islands Trust candidates: Gary Gagne, Jamie Harris, Laura Patrick and Elissa Poole, and one CRD candidate, Gary Holman. We have not edited or corrected the answers in any way, they appear exactly as they were provided to us. Question 1 Do you support the Islands Trust Housing Action Program? If so, please describe which aspects you will support if elected. Gary Gagne - candidate for Islands Trust There are parts of the report that I agree with, but my understanding is that housing is not the responsibility of the Islands Trust.  Zoning changes to facilitate multi-family units is under their discretion, but may not necessarily be the most sustainable avenue.  Maximizing use of larger properties to create a sim…

I am and have been committed to service for many years. As a community builder and networker, during my decades as a resident of Salt Spring Island, I have worked with a passion for protecting the environment on local, national, and international levels. I was an officer on Greenpeace ships, which led to being instrumental in saving over 1/3 of Clayoquot Sound. Locally I have volunteered for Transition SS, Island Pathways, Cycling SS, Partners Creating Pathways, TSSEC (Micro-loan group), Green Islands, and the Ambulance Service. Training in permaculture included installations in Africa. Currently serving as Vice-Chair of NSSWD and briefly, as Acting Chair, I have four years of experience as a trustee. Very involved with the Climate Action Plan 2.0 update, I am now participating in its ongoing implementation in the Maxwell Creek watershed. One of my main priorities would be to support the continuation of this forest ecology work with regard to forest fire mitigation and wetla…

The 2022 General Local Elections are on October 15, 2022. Election profiles on the Salt Spring Exchange feature candidates who are running for local office. These short interviews are structured so that we can quickly and easily learn more about each of the candidates and a bit more about why we might consider voting for them. All candidates have been invited to participate. This profile is from Gary Holman who is running as a candidate for Capital Regional District Director. Tell us a bit about your background: I have three children - Eren, Amber and stepson Owen. I'm an economist by training and worked for over 25 years as a consulting economist on such projects as the Nisga'a Treaty and land and resource management planning throughout BC. I come from the land trust movement on Salt Spring and in the Capital Region, serving on the Boards of The Salt Spring Island Conservancy and The Land Conservancy of BC. I am privileged to have owned property in the south end of Sa…