The results are in.

As a long time horseback rider, I can honestly say this has been quite a ride.  Thanks to all the good folks of Saanich – you turned out in much higher numbers to vote.  Good for you.
Thanks to all my supporters, you are the best.
Congrats to all those who ran, and most importantly, thank you to Mayor Frank Leonard for his visionary leadership, collaborative style and long term commitment to building this beautiful community.  He has been an unparalleled mentor to me.  I for one, will miss his drive, vision and support.
As for me, my commitment to community building remains undiminished.  I am certain that I will continue to serve the people of Saanich in some capacity as a volunteer.  And now back to the fun things in life, family, horses, sailing, motorcycling, running.  See you on the trails.

Election Day is tomorrow: November 15, 2014

Polls are open from 8 am to 8 pm on November 15 and polling places for Saanich are listed below.

Campus View Elementary School at 3900 Gordon Head Road

Cedar Hill Middle School at 3910 Cedar Hill Road

Cordova Bay Elementary School at 5238 Cordova Bay Road

Cloverdale Traditional School at 3427 Quadra Street

Doncaster Elementary School at 1525 Rowan Street

Frank Hobbs Elementary School at 3875 Haro Road

Glanford Middle School at 4140 Glanford Avenue

Gordon Head Middle School at 1671 Kenmore Avenue

Hillcrest Elementary School at 4421 Greentree Terrace

Lochside Elementary School at 1145 Royal Oak Drive

Prospect Lake Elementary School at 321 Prospect Lake Road

Reynolds Secondary School at 3963 Borden Street

Royal Oak Middle School at 751 Travino Lane (off West Saanich Rd)

Spectrum Community School at 957 Burnside Road West

Tillicum Elementary School at 3155 Albina Street

Victoria Pacific Rim Alliance Church at 1792 Townley Street

For more information or for a ride to the polls, please contact me by telephoning (250) 652-1021 or emailing nicholawade6100@gmail.com

For more information about the election visit: Saanich Votes

Let's get out and vote! And whatever the outcome, I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me during this campaign and my time on Saanich Council. It has been a pleasure to serve the people of Saanich.

In remembrance...

On this Remembrance Day I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and share a famous Canadian poem composed by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae during the second battle of Ypres in Belgium on May 3, 1915.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!

Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

And at this time of remembrance, I can't help but remember my own father who served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict.

For more information about the poem "In Flanders Field" visit: Great War

Put a survivor to work for you

In 2008 I was diagnosed with cancer. This life-changing experience underlined for me the great fortune we have to live in one of the best places on earth. More than just great air, water, natural resources, human services and amenities, a healthy environment is dependent on community connections.

Counselling cancer survivors, supporting seniors, coaching half-marathon runners and volunteering at community events lets me ‘pay it forward.’

I was honoured to be the keynote Survivor speaker at the CIBC Run for the Cure in 2011 and to represent the District of Saanich at the CIBC Run for the Cure in 2014.

Returning to Saanich Council for another term in 2014 will enable me to take these efforts to the next level. My commitment is to examine projects and proposals to ensure we never lose sight of the very aspects that make Saanich so liveable.

For more information about the CIBC Run for the Cure visit: Run for the Cure

Advance voting begins tomorrow: November 4

Advance polling takes place November 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 at several venues including Saanich Municipal Hall at 770 Vernon Avenue.

For a full schedule with locations visit Saanich Election website.

For more information about the election including mail-in ballot information visit the link above or call 250-475-1775.

Sustainability and Community Liveability

Good governance means utilising the excellent guidance provided by the Official Community Plan, the Local Area Plans, respecting the Urban Containment Boundary and supporting our Agricultural Land Reserve and the farmers who depend on it for a living.

I believe that growth within the context of sustainability takes successful transportation and transit planning, effective use of greenways for recreation and travel, and accessible, affordable and inclusive recreation opportunities.

If elected to Saanich Council again, I will continue our efforts to build an even more accessible, inclusive and affordable community.

To learn more about Saanich and its vision for the future visit: Saanich Vision

Fiscal Responsibility

While Saanich has a strong fiscal foundation, it is critical that this be maintained. Council must scrutinise expenditures to ensure taxpayer funds are appropriately spent.

Combining my local government experience with Master's degree in Business Administration, I am committed to a reasonable approach.

For more information about Saanich government visit: Saanich Mayor & Council

You can download the 2013 Saanich Annual Report here in PDF.

Climate Action in Saanich

As the Executive Director at the Climate Action Secretariat, I was a proud supporter and promoter of the Climate Action Charter. Saanich signed onto the Charter in 2009 and has a since developed a Climate Action Plan.

Now we can take our leadership position and build on it assisting neighbourhoods and even other communities to grasp how critical it is to respond to the global issue by literally acting locally.

Saanich GHG reduction targets are 33% in the community and 50% for municipal operations.

"Emissions from fossil fuel consumption, methane production from waste and agriculture, and deforestation are regarded as the primary causes of human induced global warming. These emissions consist primarily of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide and are accelerating the ‘greenhouse effect’ within the atmosphere. Subsequently, this is contributing to the warming of the world’s oceans which regulate the earth’s temperature and directly impact regional weather patterns. The impacts of global warming are being witnessed through rising global temperatures, increasing frequency of storm events, melting glaciers and rising sea levels.   The 2007 inventory also provided a detailed breakdown of emissions by sector within the community, showing that 62% of greenhouse gas emissions are related to fuel combustion vehicles, 30% is related to buildings and 8% to landfilled waste."

For more information visit: Saanich Living

Download the action plan in PDF format by clicking Action Plan

Professional Experience & Community Service

For more than 25 years I've been dedicated to community service. Following is a list of the positions I've had the privilege to hold - either in a professional capacity or as a volunteer.

• Councillor, District of Saanich 2001-2005, 2011-2014
• Councillor, Central Saanich, 1996-1999
• Chair of the Saanich Administrative Traffic Committee 
• Liaison to the Saanich Peninsula Agricultural Commission 
• Chair of the Saanich Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee
• Co-chair of Saanich Public Safety and Emergency Planning
• Trustee, Greater Victoria Public Library Board, 2005-2013
• Certified Negotiator & Mediator
• Volunteer Coach, Breast Cancer Survivor Clinic, CIBC Run for the Cure
• Board service: Silver Threads, Lower Island Equestrian Club, CRD Arts, Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary

I have a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and received a Greater Victoria YWCA Woman of Distinction Award.

Let me put my experience and dedication to work for you for another three years by voting for me in the upcoming Saanich election on November 15.

For more information visit: Saanich Council bio

Thank-you for the opportunity to serve on Saanich Council

Thanks for all the support you've given me since I was re-elected to Saanich Council. Since taking office in 2011, I've been Chair of the Administrative Traffic Committee and Liaison to the Peninsula Agricultural Commission, and I am currently Chair of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee and Co-chair of Saanich Public Safety and Emergency Planning.

It has been a pleasure to serve the people of Saanich for the past three years, and with your support and votes I hope to continue for another four years.

As many of you already know, I believe in sustainability, fiscal responsibility, climate action and community livability. Saanich is great place to live, and together we can make it even better.

To view the current Saanich Council visit: Saanich Council

2014 Election

The 2014 municipal elections are right around the corner.

Everything you need to know about 2014 Saanich Election can be found here.