I had the privilege of recently attending a Royal Roads “Change Maker” Speaker Series event, where the Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould was the keynote. Her new book, focused on Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation, traces her journey as a Canadian Indigenous woman, lawyer, leader, author and former MP and Federal Justice Minister on the path to Indigenous … Read more

Do I believe that local government decision-makers are more challenged today, as they attempt to navigate a more complex public environment in which to make decisions? Yes, I do. First elected as a municipal Councillor in 2005, I found that the environment at that time seemed less ideological and had a greater focus on collegiality. … Read more

https://www.cbc.ca/…/canada-prime-farmland-1.6877661 This article is particularly timely given the recent release of Ontario’s Auditor General’s report on the Ford’s government land swap that appears to have been unduly influenced by developers. Having served on Council in North Saanich for two terms, I am reminded of the ongoing historical tension between those who want to develop the … Read more

From the latest edition of Entrepreneur Magazine, Dr. Samantha Madhosingh writes about 2023 trends in workplace best practices. We all know that the workplace has changed since the pandemic; new concepts and terminology such as “hybrid model,” “quiet quitting,” and “flexible schedule” have created a shift to how, when and where we work. I have … Read more

New legislation would allow Province to set municipal housing targets  November 21, 2022   The Province of B.C. has introduced legislation that would allow the Province to set targets for municipalities and take a variety of actions to ensure compliance. Implementation of the legislation will require further regulatory development to address elements undefined in the legislation. “The … Read more

In the wake of recent threats of violence and anti-semitism levelled at our local Jewish community, I attended as Acting Mayor of Oak Bay, with other community leaders, a Kristallnacht ceremony at Congregation Emmanu-El Synagogue in Victoria on the night of November 9, 2022. We gathered together to honour those who were lost to the … Read more

I am pleased to share the video recording of Oak Bay Council’s Inaugural Meeting, November 7, 2022. It was a meaningful night shared with family and friends. Thanks to everyone who attended and I look forward to working together with this Council over the next four years. We have a lot to do, to fulfill … Read more

First, THANK YOU to the voters and residents of Oak Bay for your support in this election and for taking a sign, making a donation or walking with me during the campaign. The privilege to serve my community is never taken for granted and I feel an enormous responsibility to tackle the work with gusto, … Read more

https://youtu.be/kxzroW2GaBk Here is the link to the last All Candidates’ Meeting, hosted by the Community Association of Oak Bay and moderated by Dr. Michael Prince on Friday night, October 7, 2022. This was the last opportunity for voters to see candidates in action. These meetings can be crucial to voters’ final decision-making about the people … Read more

    This year’s municipal and regional government elections in some places are truly a challenge for voters. Slates, multiple candidates and a myriad of signs and slogans make the choice for voters a difficult task. Many residents are asking “Whom do we vote for?” One of the best ways to learn about candidates is … Read more

The 3 Elements of Trust by Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman Ben Welsh/Getty Images Summary.   As a leader, you want the people in your organization to trust you. And with good reason. In our coaching with leaders, we often see that trust is a leading indicator of whether others evaluate them positively or negatively. But how … Read more