Rishi’s Platform for Saanich
Practical priorities focused on affordability, safety, healthy communities, responsible growth, and building a Saanich that listens.
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
Climate
I support practical and fiscally responsible climate action.
Environmental stewardship matters deeply in Saanich, but we also need affordability and realism. Residents want solutions that are measurable, practical, and respectful of household costs.
I would review what is working, where we are getting value for taxpayers, and where adjustments may be needed.
Current Council
The biggest concern I hear is trust and listening. Too many residents feel decisions are made before meaningful engagement occurs.
I also hear concerns about affordability, tax increases, transportation planning, and growth occurring without enough public confidence.
Another issue is financial transparency. Residents are hearing about hundreds of millions of dollars in future capital spending and facilities planning, yet many people do not feel they clearly understand where the money is going or what projects will ultimately cost taxpayers.
My focus would be rebuilding trust, improving engagement, and strengthening transparency around spending decisions.
Environment / Trees/ Garry Oaks
This should never be framed as housing versus the environment — we can and should do both better.
Garry Oak ecosystems, mature trees, agricultural land, and green spaces are part of what makes Saanich special and deserve strong protection.
At the same time, affordability matters and families need housing options. My preference is responsible growth along transportation corridors where infrastructure already exists, while protecting neighbourhood character and sensitive ecosystems.
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.
People, Pets & Parks (PPP)
Beyond the policy debate itself, PPP raises an important fiscal question: what has this process actually cost taxpayers? To date, there does not appear to be a clear public accounting of the total costs, which likely include staff time across parks, planning, bylaw and communications, consultant work, ecological studies, public engagement, signage, implementation, and ongoing enforcement.
I believe every decision at City Hall should be viewed through a fiscal lens. Every dollar spent by the municipality ultimately comes from the pockets of residents and local businesses, and council should never lose sight of that.
At a time when families are struggling with affordability and Saanich faces major infrastructure pressures, it is fair to ask whether PPP is delivering value for taxpayers.
Given the division in the community around this issue, I believe council should seriously consider pausing and reviewing the program to assess both its costs and outcomes before moving further.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Transportation / ATP / Bike Lanes
Residents want transportation planning that is practical, balanced, safe, and affordable.
Saanich needs transportation solutions that support all modes of travel—vehicles, transit, walking, biking, accessibility, and emergency services—while maintaining good traffic flow and avoiding 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 fiscal lens. It has been surprisingly difficult to get a clear picture of how much has been spent to date on bike lane and active transportation infrastructure, and residents deserve greater transparency around those costs.
I am encouraged that the recent bike pathways report captured important feedback from residents, including concerns about traffic flow, driver frustration, safety, and the importance of considering quieter parallel routes where practical. Before making additional significant transportation changes, we need to carefully review that evidence and listen to what residents are telling us.
My approach is clear: practical transportation planning—not ideological transportation planning.
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.