April 3, 2026
SSIFID Trustee David Courtney Incumbent.
Candidate for a second 3 year Term as Trustee.
Dear Fellow SSIFID Ratepayers,
We came to Salt Spring Island in 1999, when we purchased a small cabin. I’m currently coming to the end of my 3 Yr Term as a Trustee at the SSIFID and going into year 3 at the North Salt Spring Water District. My time at both SSIFID and NSSWD has proven insightful as to how we function or don’t at times as Improvement Districts, within our current Governance Model. NSSWD conducted a 3 Party Survey in February of 2025, 84% of the Respondents suggested that Improved Governance would improve the Quality of Life for all Salt Springers.
As we are about to Celebrate the New State of The Art Fire Hall No 1, due to the diligent efforts of our Fire Chief, CAO and Owner’s Agent. It will be adorned with an amazing new to us 75’ Ladder Truck. As Community, we owe a debt of gratitude to the Anonymous Donor and the Fire Chief & CAO for putting the plan together. A sincere thank you from all! This represents the end of the campaigning for a $2.5 Million Ladder Truck and the financial burden that would have placed on Ratepayers.
Some have asked, what is the most important issue to deal with over the next 3 years? Unequivocally for me, it’s the creation of a new cost effective Satellite Fire Hall on Sunset Dr, now that Central Hall No. 3 will basically become redundant at the end of May with the commissioning of the New Fire Hall No 1. This will provide 172 Ratepayers Full Fire Protection within 8 Km of a Firehall and reduce dramatically their Fire Insurance Premiums for those North of the 1100 Block on Sunset Drive. My Campaign Sign on upper Sunset, marks 8 Km from Central Hall, abeam the Beach Access.
1. Proposed 2500 Sq Ft Pre Engineered Steel Building for the Sunset Rural Fire Hall Project.
Similar to the gracious Anonymous Donor of the New Ladder Truck, we’ve had a gracious offer by an Anonymous Donor of Land come forward on one of the most strategic locations possible. However, the current Chair and his Olde Guard Trustee have put this Golden Opportunity on hold for the last 27 months. To add insult to injury the current Chair suggested that the New Sunset Satellite Fire Hall will cost $2.5 Million or $1000/Sq Ft and take 5 years to build at last year’s AGM. Fellow Ratepayers, nothing could be further from the truth.
This is the same Chair in the lead up to New Fire Hall Referendum in June of 2022, that said the New - No Frills Fire Hall would be a 2 Bay, 11,500 Sq Ft facility and cost $1191/Sq Ft. What’s transpired over last 4 years is a Facility that is 3 Bays, approximately 16,500 Sq Ft in size, along with services to a standalone Antique Fire Engine Museum. Costs are coming in at a little over $800/Sq Ft and an overall cost of $13.7 Million.
Please refer to the recent submission to the SS Exchange - “Salt Spring Island Improvement Districts Referendums - A Black Art?”
See the link here.
We envision the cost of the New Sunset Satellite Fire Hall will be borne by the Sale of the Central Hall Facility, now considered redundant. With enough reserve funding on hand to negate a Referendum. A New Rural Fire Hall facility costing $600,000 to $800,000. Hopefully, as cost effective as possible, providing a cost neutral option for all Ratepayers and negating a Funding Referendum. With the recent Anonymous Donation for the Ladder Truck, who’s to say some Donors’ in the North End of the Island may come forward with financial assistance to enhance their Fire Protection, while reducing their Fire Insurance Premiums concurrently.
See the link here.
There’s been an Undertow of Harassment within the current Board of Trustees, since August 21, 2023. 3 - Complaints have been filed, with 1 Trustee captured by a 3rd Party Investigator for Harassment in the Workplace. The interesting bit, the current current Chair felt he had the power to Act as an Adjudicator, contrary to the Code of Conduct Policy and assessed a feeble, insincere remedy. In the 2 In Camera Sessions, the current Chair played the roll of Judge, with the Board of Trustees as Jury. If your looking for a Kangaroo Court in our Community, look no further. The process took nearly 2 years and cost Ratepayers $36,000 in Legal Costs. When the Chair didn’t like the Code of Conduct Policy, he had the CAO change it to his liking. You’ll note in the Olde Guard Campaign Literature, there’s no mention of Transparency & Accountability or Integrity & Credibility in their Campaign literature.
In Summary:
My Campaign Platform is based on the acronym FIRE - 1. F-Fiscally Responsible. 2. I - Integrity & Credibility 3. R - Respect for Transparency 4. Experience
Join me in supporting the New Guard of Candidates - Jennifer McClean and Darryl Martin. Jenny is involved with everything Salt Spring, while Darryl acting as the President of the Chamber of Commerce in 2021 and 2022 provided helpful support in Advocating to BC Ferries for - “The Fix For Route Six”, along with former MLA Adam Olsen. The Petition is currently quiet but definitely still alive, while we Advocate for the creation of proper terminal facilities at Vesuvius Bay and Crofton previously promised by BCF, Home Porting on SSI and New Trestles that Patrons can feel safe and comfortable transiting on. The 2 Vessel Service beginning in a year from now in 2027, is part of The Fix for Route Six.
Last Fall we acclaimed a Former Chair of the SSIFID from 2018 to 2020, who is very capable, clever and a forthright individual. Let’s build a Board of Trustees that foster Transparency and Accountability as the cornerstones, along with Integrity & Credibility in everything we do!
It would be an Honour to serve the 8400 Ratepayers of the SSIFID for the next 3 yrs.
A Sincere Thank you! SSIFID - Trustee David Courtney.
