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A letter to Saanich Council by Alex Cook:
“What is your legacy going to be?”

Alex Cook
Feb 18, 2025


“Today – this morning, I was reminded why Saanich is so special and why it needs to be preserved as a community. The reason why Saanich was never destined to be a “City”.

This morning, I woke to the sound of 3 bald eagles calling out to each other, perched high above my next-door neighbor’s home, up at the top of the tree he planted 30 years ago. In my 50 years in Royal Oak I have never seen a bald eagle(s), that was until this past summer, when I experienced them here for the first time in my life.

A few years ago, walking through Copley park trails, I noticed something I had not witnessed ever in my life as a kid growing up exploring in these woods. I noticed salmon spawning in Copley Creek for the first time in my life.

I consider myself so fortunate to live where I do. It is why I chose to set my roots here, raise my family, and operate my business.

I use the Commonwealth Pool 3 – 4 times per week. I am so grateful to have a world class facility within a couple of miles from my home

When I want to go for a walk – I’ll leave my home on Vanguard Place – walk to Bryden Park and along the trail by Copley Creek. Across Wilkinson Road to Quicks Bottom Nature Reserve, I pass the pastures where the horses turn their heads and approach with curiosity, the farmland where dozens of chickens run to meet me at the gate as I walk past the home. Then through Layritz Park, where generations of kids learned to play baseball and soccer. (including myself)

As I come back home, I take the path towards upper Mann Ave. This is where the sheep come to greet me at the wire fence. I then walk down Wilkinson and back through the nature paths in Copley Parks to return to my home in amazement.

Every time I think of just how fortunate I am to live where I do.

A 10 minute drive to downtown Victoria or a 30 – 45 min walk in the countryside from my home.

We are so blessed to have places such as Mount Doug, Mount Tolmie, the many beaches such as Caddy bay and Cordova Bay. The hidden bays like Arbutus Cove, Balmacara and Telegraph Cove to name but a few. We are so fortunate to have access to these parks, the many lakes such as Elk, Beaver, and Prospect Lake.

We are fortunate to have world class facilities, institutions and recreation centers such as; Commonwealth Pool, Cedar Hill Rec Centre, Gordon Head Rec Centre, two Camosun College campus’ , PISES, UVIC and a Tech Park, Cedar Hill, Mount Doug and Cordova Bay Golf Courses.

Our trail systems are the envy of the world. Centennial Trail, Lochside Trail and the Galloping Goose trail are all connected, heavily used and valued by people from all regions of Greater Victoria

This list of amazing places, parks and facilities and improvements continues on and on and on

I’d like to point out the one thing that all these places have in common.

These were ALL legacies of previous Saanich Council members.

These were the legacy’s that the previous Saanich council members left for US.

They were the true stewards of our municipality, they were truly looking out for the people who live here…. And man do I have mad respect for those councilors…

They helped shape our community, the one we know today

My question to you all is this…

What is the Legacy you will leave behind???

Unwanted bike lanes, traffic calming, unused protected bike lanes, unwanted density in family neighborhoods, angry voters, taxpayers and homeowners.

This is what you will leave behind.

A lot on NO’s

• No parks,
  
  
• No trails
  
  
• No community centers
  
  
• No gathering places
  
  
• No affordable homes
  
  
• No affordable rental units
  
  
• No protected farmland
  
  

I urge you to think carefully about this before you continue to push your unpopular agenda on Saanich residents.

What is your legacy going to be?”

Respectfully


Alex