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Things to know before voting for a new Saanich Mayor and Council on October 17th


By David Secco
Oct 2, 2026

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For more than two years, I lead our neighbourhood in an effort to save Big Monty and change the design for the eight townhouses Seba Construction plans for 1899 Cochrane Street. I attended many Council Meetings, wrote buckets of letters to the Mayor, Council, Planning, Engineering and the COA and had meetings with
many of them.

Here are my thoughts on our present Saanich Council…

Karen Harper: Very pro-development. Takes her marching orders from the Province. Not a good listener. Will continue “business as usual” if elected Mayor. Has been a bureaucrat too long, doesn’t think well outside the box.

Zac deVries: Most pro-development Councillor. Loves the Active Transportation Plans. Does not grasp that the townhomes being built are not what’s needed. Only Councillor who did not reply to my letters and invitation to meet our group in person. Zac as Mayor would accelerate the pace of change in Saanich.

Nathalie Chambers: Environmentally Conscious Councillor. Wants to bring back Local Plans, save more trees and see slower and more thoughtful development. Well written but struggles at Council Meetings to make her point.

Teale Phelps-Bondaroff: Extremely pro-development. In an email he said: “I worked hard to remove parking minimum requirements for new housing projects, which is helping to lower building costs and get more housing built faster.” Teale is a big
reason that on-street parking is clogging our neighbourhoods. Shows his naivety in expecting developers to pass cost savings onto buyers. Supports bike lanes everywhere and reducing McKenzie to one lane for private vehicles.

Mena Westhaver: Good listener, seemed supportive of our neighbourhood’s cause. Has had little input at Council Meetings and votes in line with the majority. Not running this time around.

Colin Plant: Seeks career as a politician. Ran unsuccessfully for the Federal NDP in last election. Is a director with the CRD, President of BC Drama Educators and teaches at Claremont. Likely too busy to be an effective Councillor.

Judy Brownoff: Sees herself as a closet Green Councillor. One of the few to regularly question the Municipality’s spending. Re-electing Judy would keep “experience” at the table for the next Council.

Susan Brice: Seems to enjoy being a Councillor, she has been doing it for more than 20 years. Perhaps time for a change…new blood is needed.

Saanich Council gives approvals but the design and intent is coming from staff. The COA, Planning and Engineering have too much power and they spend our money too easily. They have reduced public input by limiting town halls, choosing the topics for public discussion and imposing time limits for public comment at
Council Meetings. They were also behind the immoral Alternative Approval Process used to try and borrow $150 Million! The next Council must have more say in the planning process and be fiscally transparent and responsible. I hope they begin with an audit and performance reviews…

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See also:

A Different Perspective on the Townhouses Beside Big Monty, by Dave Secco – CRD Watch Homepage

STOP the Proposed Development at 1899 Cochrane Street, by Dave Secco – CRD Watch Homepage

It’s Time Saanich Council Put The Brakes On! by Dave Secco – CRD Watch Homepage

Oak Bay Developer turns NIMBY but still plans Saanich project that Neighbours Oppose (Letter by Dave Secco) – CRD Watch Homepage