Index of articles and other resources regarding the organization: ‘Livable CRD‘ and its coalition partners.
On July 23, 2026 – Livable CRD, a new organization, seeking to influence the outcome of the 2026 General Local Government Election in Greater Victoria, by grading local government candidates, announced itself.
Within days the media was trumpeting the organization without critical thought, repeatedly referring to those doing the grading as “experts” just like they referred to those involved with Homes For Living previously. This is despite that there was no transparency as to the identity of those who would be doing the grading for Livable CRD. The election of 2026, was looking much like a repeat of 2022.
Some were quick to point out that Livable CRD looked like a rebranding of Homes For Living, a political pressure group that advances a housing industry agenda. Within a week Homes For Living announced on their Discord that they had joined Livable CRD, confirming much of what was expected.
The following is an index of articles and other resources regarding Livable CRD, and its coalition of organizations, some of which are local branches of organizations based in the United States.
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CRD Watch articles regarding Livable CRD and the organizations in its coalition:
‘Livable CRD’, and its alliance of astroturfing organizations, seeking to influence the outcome of the 2026 local government election. – CRD Watch Homepage
Greater Victoria Acting Together (GVAT) appears to be run by a member of the political pressure group Homes For Living. – CRD Watch Homepage
‘Livable CRD’: Grading candidate answers – what are the names? It’s a secret! – CRD Watch Homepage
Emails with Livable CRD and partner organizations, show a pattern of evasiveness as to the identity of those involved who will be grading candidates for the 2026 election. – CRD Watch Homepage
The formation of Greater Victoria Acting Together (GVAT), and its relation to the Industrial Areas Foundation – CRD Watch Homepage
Index of Articles and other Media Coverage about Homes For Living – CRD Watch Homepage
Index of articles regarding questionable media coverage of local government and public participation. – CRD Watch Homepage
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External media coverage of Livable CRD and its coalition:
“The questionnaire is expected to be finalized by mid-August and sent to candidates. Once completed, Bassili and his team will collect the questionnaires, and each participating organization will evaluate answers in its area of expertise and assign candidates a letter grade ranging from A to D.”
Greater Victoria coalition launches ‘candidate scorecard’ ahead of election | Victoria News
“The questionnaire candidates will be filling out was made in collaboration by participating coalition organizations, with each group contributing questions in its area of expertise.”
Coalition creates scorecard for candidates in upcoming local elections across CRD [Victoria Buzz]
“Each group will contribute questions in its area of expertise, and Livable CRD will send those queries to suss out each candidate’s position”.
While we soak up summer, others prepare to size up candidates – Capital Daily
“Candidates will be graded by subject matter experts from the organizations that make up the coalition. Those groups focus on various causes, including climate justice, health care, and transit.”
Greater Victoria elections: New platform grades candidates
Transit, housing advocates to ‘grade’ municipal candidates – Victoria Times Colonist
CFAX interview of Michael Bassili, co-founder of Strong Towns Nanaimo and the Authorized Principal/spokesperson for Livable CRD: Note, when Bassili referred to those who would be doing the grading as experts, it almost sounded like Hylden was on the verge of spitting out his coffee.
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-josh-jade-soundbites-307786015/episode/livable-crd-explains-plan-to-grade-339722071/
“Livable CRD explains plan to grade local election candidates
July 27, 2026 • 16 mins
With 95 municipal and electoral-area positions up for election across the Capital Region this fall, Livable CRD says voters need a simpler way to compare candidates. The coalition plans to publish candidate questionnaires and letter grades ahead of the Oct. 17 municipal elections.
Spokesperson Michael Bassili joinsJosh & Jade to discuss how the questionnaire will work, who will grade candidate responses, how the coalition defines its non-partisan approach, and what voters can expect to see ahead of election day.
Image: Livable CRD/Abby Ivison”
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August 6, 2026 – Adam Stirling and I discussed on CFAX, Livable CRD and its network of Coalition Partners seeking to influence the outcome of the 2026 local government election, the utter lack of transparency around their anonymous graders, the media’s coverage/hyping of the organization, Homes For Living, and that two of the organizations that are part of Livable CRD, are part of broader organizations based in the United States.
The segment is at 11:22-23:15 during hour 3 of the show. It can be watched by clicking the following link below:
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/962-adam-stirling-the-podcast-76812037/episode/adam-stirling-hour-3august-62026-340478479/?position=682&cmp=web_share&embed=true&pname=fb&campid=s&keyid=10950069591
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See also:
Index of Articles and other Media Coverage about Homes For Living – CRD Watch Homepage
Over 93% of the donors to the 3rd Party Election Advertising Sponsor Homes For Living during the 2022 Local Government Election, donated anonymously. Serious questions need to be raised with the Province over the lack of transparency surrounding local government election campaign financing. – CRD Watch Homepage
2 Sentence Constitution of the Homes For Living Foundation removes any doubt that Homes For Living (HFL) is a purpose-built pressure group designed to influence municipal politicians. – CRD Watch Homepage
Feb 2025 Dialogue with Jack Sandor of Homes for Living provides a fascinating window onto Homes for Living and described lobbying activities to MLAs. No Entry for the organization appears when searched on on the BC Lobbyists Registry. – CRD Watch Homepage
