Ned Taylor, one of four new Saanich councillors, says he looks forward to getting started at his new job.
Affordability, transportation, and protection of the environment were the key planks to Taylor’s platform. “As a [councillor] and CRD director, these issues, along with many others, will be my priorities,” the 19-year-old said after winning a seat with 16,047 votes.
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Taylor, who received a surprise visit from B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver during his victory celebration Saturday, said he is “really intrigued” by the vote on whether to create a Citizens’ Assembly to study amalgamation –57 per cent of voters in Saanich and 66 per cent in Victoria endorsed exploring the issue.
“I look forward to working with council and staff to take the next steps on this topic,” Taylor said.
— Ned Taylor for Saanich Council & CRD (@NTaylor4Saanich) October 21, 2018
Also joining council is Nathalie Chambers, who like Taylor, ran in the 2017 by-election.
An organic farmer and author, Chambers has promised to make the protection of farmland a key priority.
“I am so inspired by the people of Saanich and B.C. and the lengths they have gone to protect…our home sweet home here in Saanich,” she said. “I have been thinking of all the infinite possibilities that have suddenly become possible and our collective power to expedite the good works of Saanich.
“The future of Saanich is looking good,” she added.
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Twenty-three year old Zac de Vries finds himself joining council for the first time.
In a Facebook post, he thanked his supporters with a photo that saw him wearing a sash bearing his name in Korean in tribute to his supporters among Saanich’s Korean community.
De Vries, like Taylor and Chambers, stressed housing affordability and ecological sustainability during his campaign.
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Rebecca Mersereau, meanwhile, joins council as the top vote getter with more than 18,000 votes on her third attempt running for a councillor position.
“Third time is a charm,” she said. “I’m so overwhelmed by all of this support after three strong campaigns. All the work has really paid off, and I’m so grateful for those who stepped forward to help me. It’s really an exciting day for Saanich, and politics in Saanich.”
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Mersereau said she is also excited about serving on the board of the Capital Regional District, pursuing key issues identified during the campaign that include housing and transportation.