Rishi’s Platform for Saanich

I support strong regional collaboration across Greater Victoria and remain open to thoughtful, evidence-based discussions about governance reform.

However, I am concerned by the Province’s recent decision not to approve a binding referendum. The Province has made it clear that there is currently not enough information available for residents to make a fully informed decision, particularly around costs, service impacts, and transition planning.

That concern matters. Without a clear understanding of the financial implications—and without applying an appropriate fiscal lens—I do not believe we should move further toward amalgamation. Residents deserve transparency, meaningful consultation, and credible cost analysis before considering a decision of this magnitude.

Amalgamation

Affordable Housing vs. Market Housing

Affordability must be front and centre in every housing conversation. Affordable housing and market housing are not the same thing, and simply approving more density does not guarantee affordability.

Saanich should prioritize housing that actually works for students, families, seniors, workers, and first-time buyers, while ensuring development is respectful of neighbourhoods and infrastructure.

I have repeatedly asked to see the family housing plan that was promised as part of the Official Community Plan, but I have yet to see that plan clearly presented. That raises an important question: are we delivering the kind of housing we said we would?

Red tape, delays, uncertainty, and poor planning all increase costs—and those costs are ultimately passed on to residents.

Housing / Balanced Development

Balanced development means responsible and respectable growth that improves affordability while respecting neighbourhoods, infrastructure capacity, and environmental assets.

Saanich needs more family-oriented housing—including 3-, 4-, and 5-bedroom homes—not just small condos and investor-oriented units.

I have repeatedly asked to see the family housing plan promised through the Official Community Plan, and I believe residents deserve greater clarity on how Saanich intends to deliver housing that truly works for families.

Growth should be strategic, carefully planned, and shaped with communities—not imposed on them in ways that overwhelm neighbourhood streets, infrastructure, or local character.

My approach is clear: growth should happen with communities, not to communities.

Opportunity For Growth

Saanich’s greatest opportunity is to rebuild trust while creating a stronger, more resilient local economy.

Through my work with Daya Strategies, my membership in the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, and my conversations with local businesses, I have seen firsthand both the challenges and opportunities facing our community.

I believe we need to bring together local businesses, post-secondary institutions, the tech sector, agritourism, film, and other low-impact industries to have a serious conversation about responsible and respectable economic growth.

We can strengthen affordability, create good local jobs, expand our tax base, and support innovation—while protecting the environmental assets and neighbourhood character that make Saanich special.

Public Engagement

I support meaningful engagement from the beginning, including more town halls, neighbourhood conversations, transparent reporting back to residents, and honest public surveys with clear, unbiased questions designed to gather real feedback—not predetermined answers.

I am also concerned about efforts to reduce public input on residential housing applications, including changes tied to Bill 44 that limit traditional public hearings. Major planning decisions that affect neighbourhoods should not move forward without meaningful opportunities for residents to be heard.

My graduate work focused on how difficult conversations build trust, and I believe Saanich needs more open dialogue—not less. Good leadership means listening respectfully, even when the feedback is uncomfortable.

Spending & Infrastructure

Infrastructure is one of the most important responsibilities of local government. Roads, drainage, pipes, parks, and public facilities must be maintained properly because delaying maintenance only increases costs for future taxpayers.

Our research has raised concerns that Saanich still lacks a fully developed long-term asset management plan that clearly identifies infrastructure condition, replacement timelines, lifecycle costs, and funding priorities. That is a serious concern given the scale of future capital pressures facing the municipality.

Within the first 100 days, I support fast-tracking a comprehensive review of Saanich’s asset management planning as part of our broader Core Services Review.

Residents deserve clear information about what infrastructure needs to be repaired or replaced, what it will cost, and how those costs will be managed. We need stronger oversight, better long-term planning, and a fiscal lens on major infrastructure commitments so today’s decisions do not create unnecessary tax burdens tomorrow.

Transportation / ATP / Bike Lanes

Transportation That Works for Everyone

Residents want transportation planning that is practical, balanced, safe, and affordable.

Saanich needs transportation solutions that support all modes of travel—including vehicles, transit, walking, cycling, accessibility, and emergency services—while maintaining good traffic flow and minimizing unnecessary impacts on neighbourhoods.

I support cycling infrastructure where it clearly improves safety and makes practical sense. However, transportation decisions must be evidence-based, financially responsible, and viewed through a strong fiscal lens.

One of the recurring themes I've heard from residents at town halls, on doorsteps, online, and through direct emails is a desire to pause new major bike lane projects while Council reviews the costs, community feedback, and long-term transportation priorities.

It has also been surprisingly difficult to obtain a clear picture of how much has been invested to date in bike lanes and active transportation infrastructure, as well as the long-term maintenance and operating costs. Residents deserve greater transparency about these investments before additional major commitments are made.

I was encouraged that the recent Bike Pathways Report documented a range of resident perspectives, including concerns about traffic flow, congestion, emergency access, parking, driver frustration, and the importance of considering quieter parallel routes where practical. The findings of that report deserve careful consideration. Before proceeding with additional significant projects, I believe Council should publicly review its findings, provide greater transparency around transportation spending, and ensure future investments reflect community priorities, sound evidence, and a strong fiscal lens.

My Approach

Prioritize safety for everyone using our roads.
Improve traffic flow where practical.
Make transportation decisions using evidence, data, and a strong fiscal lens.
Increase transparency around transportation planning and spending.
Temporarily pause approval of new major bike lane projects while Council reviews costs, community feedback, and long-term transportation priorities.
Continue investing in transportation solutions that deliver the greatest benefit for residents across Saanich.

Transportation planning should bring our community together—not divide it. By listening to residents, respecting all road users, and making financially responsible decisions, we can build a transportation network that works for everyone.

Safer Roads

Road safety is one of the core responsibilities of local government. Every resident—whether they walk, cycle, roll, take transit or drive—deserves to get home safely.

I support the goal of reducing serious injuries and fatalities on our roads. At the same time, I have heard from many residents who are frustrated with how some transportation decisions, including speed levels, have been made and communicated. People want to understand not only what decisions are being made, but why, and whether they are producing measurable results.

Listening First

Transportation decisions should begin with meaningful community engagement. Residents deserve honest consultation, transparent reporting, and confidence that their voices are genuinely considered before major changes are made.

Road Safety Partnership

I will work closely with the Saanich Police Department, Saanich Fire Department, ICBC, schools, engineering staff, neighbourhood associations, and road safety experts to regularly review collision trends, emerging concerns, and opportunities to improve safety throughout our community.

Evidence-Based Decisions

Major transportation decisions should be supported by local data and regularly evaluated. If we ask residents to adapt to changes, we also have a responsibility to demonstrate that those changes are improving safety.

Annual Road Safety Report Card

I will strengthen public reporting so residents can clearly see:

Annual fatalities and serious injuries.
Pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle collision trends.
High-risk intersections and corridors.
Before-and-after results for major transportation projects.
Vehicle speed data where changes have been implemented.
Progress toward Saanich's road safety objectives.
Capital investments and measurable outcomes.
Resident feedback and areas identified for improvement.

Balanced Transportation

Saanich's transportation network must work for everyone. That means improving safety while also recognizing the needs of families, seniors, businesses, emergency responders, transit users, cyclists, pedestrians and drivers. Good transportation planning is balanced, practical and responsive to the community.

Listening First

Road safety should never become an "us versus them" conversation.

Whether you walk, cycle, roll, take transit or drive, we all share the same goal: safe, efficient and welcoming streets.

As Mayor, I will focus on listening, collaboration, transparency and measurable results—because safer roads are achieved not only through engineering, but through partnership, trust and evidence-based decision-making.

Safety for Women & Girls

Prevention. Support. Partnership.

Public safety must include what happens in our homes as well as on our streets.

During the campaign I had a very constructive conversation with Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) about its Downplay Effect campaign and the need to recognize intimate partner and gender-based violence as serious public-safety issues.

This issue is also personal to me. After my daughter and two friends experienced a frightening incident in Saanich, I helped organize a free community self-defence course. I remain grateful to the Saanich Police Department for its response and for the important work officers do every day to keep women and girls safe.

But policing is only part of the solution. Many incidents of intimate partner and gender-based violence never reach police. Prevention, education, victim services, transition housing, health care and community organizations are also essential.

My Commitments

As Mayor, I will work to:

Review Saanich’s current funding and support for organizations and programs addressing intimate partner and gender-based violence and the safety of women and girls, identify service and funding gaps, and determine where additional municipal support may be appropriate.
Actively pursue increased Provincial and Federal funding for frontline victim services, prevention programs, transition housing and other community supports. These are shared responsibilities, and Saanich should be a strong advocate for the resources our community needs.
Maintain strong policing and public-safety services, while strengthening our focus on prevention and early intervention.
Bring together police, victim-service organizations, health care, housing providers, Indigenous organizations, schools and other community partners to identify gaps and strengthen our local response.
Support prevention education and improved local data, measurement and public reporting so we can understand the problem and measure whether our efforts are making a difference.

Learning From Others

My commitment to inclusion, equity and safety has also been shaped by organizations I have had the privilege of working and volunteering with over the years.

Through the BC Construction Association’s Builders Code, I worked on efforts to create more inclusive workplaces and recruit and retain more women in the skilled trades. I am also a certified facilitator of the BC Lions’ Be More Than a Bystander program and helped support delivery of the program through the BC Centre for Women in the Trades.

I was also privileged to serve as a Director with Minerva BC, whose work advancing women’s leadership and economic equality helped deepen my understanding of the barriers women continue to face. I also helped establish FENS, a non-profit organization where I continue to serve as a Director.

I am grateful to these organizations, their leaders, staff, volunteers and participants. They have helped me better understand inclusion, equity, respectful workplaces and the importance of creating communities where women and girls feel safe, supported and able to fully participate.

Moving From Commitment to Action

I support BWSS’s call for increased resources to address intimate partner and gender-based violence. I also want to understand the current funding baseline and service gaps so we can determine what additional investment is needed, what role Saanich should play, and what additional funding we should actively pursue from the Provincial and Federal governments.

My commitment is to work with frontline organizations, review the resources currently available, identify the gaps, and advocate for the funding and partnerships needed to make Saanich one of the safest communities in British Columbia for women and girls—not only by responding when violence occurs, but by doing more together to prevent it.

Arts, Culture & Creative Saanich

Arts and culture help build healthy, connected communities. They give young people opportunities to express themselves, celebrate the many cultures that make up Saanich, and contribute to our local economy.

This is personal for me. I grew up participating in dance, acting and cultural performances through school and our Hindu temple. Today, my wife and I support our three daughters in arts, dance, school plays and performances. I continue to volunteer and contribute to cultural events, including our annual Diwali celebration, and this year I also supported the Victoria Chinese Museum Society.

I also recognize I can do more. Much of my volunteer time in recent years has been spent coaching youth sports, and I want to better support the artists, cultural organizations and school programs that enrich our community.

My Priorities

Know what we're investing. Residents should have a clear picture of what Saanich currently spends on arts and culture, where that support goes and where gaps exist. Before simply promising more spending, let's understand what we're doing today and what is needed.

Give arts and culture a strong voice. I would review our current advisory committee structure and engage directly with artists, cultural organizations, Indigenous and multicultural communities, schools and young people about what is working and what needs to improve.

Make the arts accessible. We should look for practical ways to expand opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, incomes and cultural backgrounds to participate in arts and cultural activities.

Grow our creative economy. I have long supported doing more to attract film production and creative industries to Saanich. Let's identify the barriers, opportunities and partnerships that could bring more investment and jobs to our community.

Arts and culture tell our stories, connect our communities and help create a Saanich where everyone has an opportunity to participate.

Short-Term Rentals

I support reasonable regulation of short-term rentals, including the Province’s principal-residence requirements and strong enforcement against bad actors. But I do not believe Saanich should automatically layer additional restrictions on top of provincial rules without clear evidence they will create more long-term housing.

Housing policy should be based on results. Before imposing additional municipal caps or restrictions, we should understand whether they will actually increase rental supply, what they will cost taxpayers to administer and enforce, and what unintended consequences they may have for homeowners.

My approach is straightforward: work within the provincial framework, monitor the results, enforce the rules, and make future decisions based on evidence. Our priority should remain creating more housing—not simply creating more regulation.

Practical priorities focused on affordability, safety, healthy communities, responsible growth, and building a Saanich that listens.

Environmental Stewardship & Climate Resilience

Protecting Saanich's Environment and Biodiversity

Saanich's parks, forests, farmland, coastlines and natural areas are among our community's greatest assets. Protecting them isn't simply about the environment—it's about creating a healthier, safer and more resilient community for future generations.

My commitment to environmental stewardship is grounded in experience. During my career in the BC Public Service, I had the privilege of serving as Chief of Staff to both the Minister of Climate Action and the Minister of Environment. Those roles gave me a firsthand understanding of the science surrounding climate change, the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the need for practical, evidence-based policies that balance environmental protection with strong communities.

I support the important work Saanich staff, community volunteers, environmental organizations and residents are doing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, restore natural areas and protect biodiversity. We should continue building on that work.

Listening also means being willing to clarify and change. Through recent conversations with residents and people who contributed directly to Saanich's environmental work, I heard that my original commitment to “develop a Saanich Biodiversity Strategy” did not adequately recognize the considerable work that has already gone into Saanich's existing Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and the broader Resilient Saanich process.

They were right to raise that with me.

My intention is not to start over. It is to build on the work already done, move from recommendations to sustained implementation, and make progress measurable and accountable to the public.

At the same time, I believe we must continue placing greater emphasis on climate adaptation and environmental resilience. Extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding, drought, biodiversity loss and aging infrastructure are challenges we are already facing. Preparing for them today will help protect our environment, our economy and our quality of life tomorrow.

My Priorities

As Mayor, I will work with residents, Council, staff, Indigenous partners, environmental organizations and local experts to:

Implement and strengthen Saanich's existing Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, establishing clear priorities, timelines and measurable outcomes so residents can see what has been completed, what is underway and what remains outstanding.
Continue practical and measurable actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening climate adaptation and resilience.
Protect and restore Garry Oak ecosystems, wildlife corridors, watersheds and agricultural lands, including the Blenkinsop Valley.
Support appropriate buffer areas around environmentally sensitive parks and natural areas, guided by science, evidence and sound planning.
Restore a strong mechanism for independent environmental and technical advice to Council, building on the expertise and work of the former Resilient Saanich Technical Committee.
Develop a comprehensive Invasive Species Management Plan that better coordinates restoration on municipal lands while supporting voluntary stewardship on private property through education and partnerships.
Better support and recognize the dedicated volunteers and stewardship groups who contribute thousands of hours caring for our parks, removing invasive species and restoring habitat. Their knowledge and commitment should be valued as part of Saanich's environmental work.
Strengthen partnerships with local experts, including the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS), the University of Victoria, Camosun College, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and local environmental organizations.
Publish an annual Environmental Report Card showing which biodiversity recommendations have been completed, which are underway and which remain outstanding, alongside measurable progress on habitat restoration, invasive species management, climate resilience and greenhouse-gas reduction.

Listening to Science. Listening to Our Community.

Saanich is fortunate to have leading environmental expertise right here in our community. We should be making greater use of it—and we should also recognize the residents and volunteers who have spent years working to protect the places they care about.

The best environmental decisions come from listening: to science, Indigenous knowledge, community volunteers, local researchers and residents.

That includes listening when someone tells me we can do better. Recent conversations with residents helped me improve and clarify this policy. That's the kind of Mayor I intend to be: willing to listen, willing to have uncomfortable conversations, and willing to change an approach when good information and thoughtful dialogue show there is a better way forward.

I believe environmental leadership should be practical, collaborative and accountable. We don't need to discard good work that has already been done. We need to act on it, measure our progress and keep listening.

By reducing emissions, preparing for climate impacts, protecting biodiversity and working together, we can make Saanich a leader in environmental stewardship while preserving the natural beauty that makes our community so special.

People, Pets & Parks (PPP)

After meeting with residents one-on-one, at their doors, at town halls and community meetings, and hearing feedback through emails and online comments, it is clear to me that further consultation and change to People, Pets & Parks (PPP) is needed.

We need a better balance between responsible off-leash and on-leash opportunities, public safety, environmental protection, and access to our shared parks and trails.

As part of that review, I support exploring opportunities to return some appropriate natural trail space for responsible off-leash use, while ensuring appropriate on-leash opportunities remain available. Any changes should be developed through further consultation and consider other park users, wildlife, sensitive ecosystems, and environmental science.

This work must also align with my proposed Biodiversity Strategy and Invasive Species Management Plan, so recreation and environmental stewardship are considered together.

Transparency & Cost

There is also an important fiscal question.

The 2023 PPP Strategy contemplated an estimated $5.3–$7.1 million in capital expenditures over five years, in addition to ongoing staffing and operating costs.

Almost immediately after formally announcing my intention to run for Mayor, I wrote to Saanich on June 23 requesting a detailed update on PPP implementation and spending. I asked how much has actually been spent to date, what remains to be implemented, what measurable results have been achieved, and whether the monitoring and evaluation envisioned in the original strategy has occurred.

I am still awaiting that information.

Residents deserve a clear accounting of what PPP has cost, what future expenditures are anticipated, and what measurable benefits have resulted from that investment.

My Commitment

I support pausing further major implementation, reviewing the costs and measurable outcomes, exploring opportunities for responsible off-leash and on-leash use, and reopening meaningful consultation on PPP.

That conversation should include dog owners, on-leash users, environmental and stewardship groups, Indigenous partners, other park users, staff, and residents.

We don't have to choose between protecting our natural environment and providing responsible opportunities for people to enjoy our parks with their dogs. We should work together to find a better balance.

Improving Engagement

Improving engagement starts with rebuilding trust between residents and City Hall.

I believe residents deserve meaningful, ongoing access to their Mayor—not just during elections or major controversies. That is why I support a new Mayor’s Open Door Policy, including dedicated weekly office hours where residents can book time to share concerns, ideas, and lived experiences directly with me.

I also support more open town halls, neighbourhood conversations, timely public reporting, and honest surveys with transparent questions designed to gather real feedback—not predetermined answers.

Good leadership means listening openly, including to difficult or uncomfortable perspectives, and ensuring residents feel genuinely heard before major decisions are made.

Protecting Tax Payers Money

Protecting taxpayers starts with recognizing a simple truth: every dollar Saanich spends comes directly from the pockets of residents and local businesses. Council should never lose sight of that.

That is why I believe every major decision at City Hall must be viewed through a fiscal lens. Before making new commitments, approving major projects, or considering tax increases, we must ask: Is this necessary? Is it affordable? Is it the best use of taxpayer dollars?

Within my first 100 days, I support a Core Services Review and a comprehensive review of Saanich's long-term infrastructure and asset management priorities to examine municipal spending, staffing, priorities, and service delivery to ensure Saanich is operating as efficiently and effectively as possible.

My approach is clear: transparency, accountability, and affordability. I will prioritize core services and infrastructure, demand clear public reporting on major projects, and look for efficiencies before cuts—or before asking taxpayers to pay more.

Safety

Saanich remains a great and generally safe community—and I want to keep it that way.

Recently, my daughter and some friends had an unsettling experience near a local corner store in Gordon Head. As a parent, it reinforced something many residents are feeling: neighbourhood safety matters deeply, and we cannot wait until problems become crises before acting.

We are seeing growing concerns around disorder, theft, aggressive behaviour, and public safety in some areas. These issues need to be addressed early, thoughtfully, and firmly.

I strongly support our police, fire, and emergency services and believe they must have the resources, staffing, and community support needed to keep residents safe. Public safety also means proactive prevention—good lighting, safe roads, well-designed public spaces, and strong community partnerships.

Safe communities do not happen by accident—they require leadership, investment, and vigilance.

Rural Saanich

Protecting Agriculture. Supporting Rural Communities.

Rural Saanich is an important part of our municipality. Its farms, forests, lakes, parks, trails, and open spaces contribute to our local food security, environmental stewardship, and quality of life.

During this campaign, several rural residents have shared concerns that some municipal policies do not always reflect the unique needs of rural communities. I believe every neighbourhood deserves to be heard.

Just as I support applying an Accessibility Lens, an Environmental Lens, and a Strong Fiscal Lens to municipal decision-making, I also believe Council should apply a Rural Equity Lens when considering policies that affect rural and agricultural communities.

My Priorities

Protect Agriculture While Reviewing Rural Policies

Protecting productive farmland and preserving the Agricultural Land Reserve are priorities that I strongly support.

At the same time, I believe there is an opportunity for a respectful community conversation about whether current rural regulations strike the right balance between protecting agriculture, respecting property owners, and recognizing that not every rural property has the same agricultural capability.

After reviewing Saanich's new Farm Residential Footprint Guide, I believe Council should carefully examine whether the District's additional regulations governing the size and placement of residential dwellings on ALR properties remain appropriate. The stated purpose of the Farm Residential Footprint is to cluster residential uses and reduce impacts on farmland, but I believe residents deserve an opportunity to discuss whether the current approach achieves that objective fairly across all rural properties.

Where the Province has already established a framework for residential dwellings on agricultural land, Saanich should clearly demonstrate why any additional municipal restrictions are necessary, what local benefit they provide, and whether those objectives could be achieved in other ways.

Municipal regulations should be evidence-based, transparent, and proportionate. We should avoid creating additional layers of regulation unless they clearly protect agriculture, the environment, or the broader public interest.

I am not advocating for increased development or weakening farmland protection. I am advocating for thoughtful dialogue, innovative thinking, and policies that recognize the diversity of rural properties while continuing to protect productive farmland.

Fair & Practical Rural Housing

I have also heard concerns regarding opportunities for secondary and accessory dwelling units on rural properties.

As we work to address housing affordability, support multi-generational families, and provide housing for farm workers and caregivers, I believe Council should review whether rural housing policies remain practical, equitable, and aligned with Provincial regulations and neighbouring municipalities.

Protect Rural Ecosystems

Prospect Lake, our watersheds, forests, and natural areas are essential to the future of rural Saanich.

I will ensure that rural ecosystems remain a priority through habitat restoration, invasive species management, water quality protection, and long-term environmental stewardship.

Listen First

The best rural policies come from working together.

I will bring together farmers, rural residents, environmental organizations, Indigenous partners, agricultural experts, and the broader community to ensure future decisions are guided by science, local knowledge, and respectful dialogue.

My Commitment

If elected, I will ask staff to publicly review:

How Saanich's rural regulations compare with Provincial regulations and neighbouring municipalities.
Whether Saanich's additional restrictions on the size and placement of residential dwellings on ALR properties are achieving measurable benefits beyond the Provincial framework.
Whether current rural housing policies, including secondary and accessory dwelling regulations, remain practical and equitable.
Opportunities to reduce unnecessary municipal regulation while continuing to protect agriculture and the environment.
Whether current policies are achieving their intended objectives and whether adjustments should be considered through meaningful public consultation.

Protecting farmland and listening to rural residents are not competing priorities. We can—and should—do both.

Water Bills: Conserving More Should Matter

“We're using less water. Why are our bills still going up?”

So I did some research.

Part of the increase is coming from the CRD. For 2026, the CRD increased the wholesale water rate it charges Saanich by 7.91%, adding approximately $880,000 to Saanich's annual cost of purchasing bulk water. Those costs help pay for important regional infrastructure, including aging water mains, seismic improvements, dam safety and long-term water-system upgrades.

We need to maintain that infrastructure and protect our drinking water.

But that's not the whole story.

Saanich is changing how we pay for water

Historically, Saanich's water system relied heavily on consumption — roughly 90% of revenues came from consumption charges and 10% from fixed charges.

Council is now moving toward a 50/50 model, putting more of the cost onto a fixed charge that residents pay regardless of how much water they use.

For a typical residential connection, Saanich's fixed monthly water charge increased from $7.65 in 2025 to $12.25 in 2026 — about 60% in one year.

I understand the reasoning. Even when we use less water, pipes still need to be maintained, infrastructure needs replacing and the system has significant fixed costs.

But I don't believe we've seen enough evidence yet to conclude that 50/50 is necessarily the right balance for Saanich.

If we're asking residents to conserve water — and residents are doing exactly that — there should continue to be a meaningful financial benefit for using less.

My Commitment: An Annual Utility Rate Review

As Mayor, I will propose an Annual Utility Rate Review before Council approves changes to water and other major utility rates.

I want residents to be able to clearly see:

How much comes from the CRD?
How much comes from Saanich?
Why are those costs increasing?
How much is going toward maintaining and replacing infrastructure?
How will the increase affect the average household?
Are residents who conserve water still receiving a meaningful benefit?
Is 50/50 really the right fixed-versus-consumption balance for Saanich?

I am not committing to simply returning to the old 90/10 system. There are legitimate concerns about having enough stable revenue to operate and maintain our water system.

I'm committing to something simpler:

Let's look at the evidence before deciding where we should end up.

This is also about Asset Management

This connects directly to another commitment I've made.

Before Council determines how much residents need to pay for infrastructure, we should have a clear understanding of:

What do we own?
What condition is it in?
When does it need replacing?
What will it cost?

Saanich has an Asset Management Strategy, but its detailed first-generation asset-management planning is still being developed.

I believe completing that work should be a priority and should help drive our long-term capital, borrowing and utility-rate decisions.

Safe Water. Fair Rates. Clear Answers.

Maintaining our water system isn't optional.

Neither is paying attention to affordability.

When residents are conserving more but still paying more, they're right to ask questions.

My commitment is to make sure Council asks those questions too — every year — before simply passing another increase on to residents.

Know what we own. Know what we need. Know what it costs. Then determine what residents actually need to pay.

Focused On Saanich’s Future

Rishi remains deeply committed to helping create a more affordable, safe, healthy, and welcoming Saanich where families, seniors, businesses, and future generations can thrive.