What We Heard: Sechelt Environmental All Candidates Meeting 2026

Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre

Jef Keighley moderated. With 20 candidates at the table, every answer was limited to one minute. Every candidate was asked to name their top environmental issue, to answer the climate infrastructure question, and to close with the community forest question. Each question from the floor went to a group of about six candidates, who could pass.

Twenty of the 22 candidates took part. Darnelda Siegers sent regrets because of a family emergency, and Pamela Jones did not attend.

Questions

Asked of every candidate

Introduce yourself. What is the most important environmental issue facing your local government today, and how would you address it?
Canada’s Changing Climate Report 2026 shows Canada has passed 1.5 degrees of warming. What preparations will you advocate for and implement so local government can cope with the impact of climate change on infrastructure such as water, sewer, roads and our ecosystems?
Do you support expanding the community forest to include Gibsons, the SCRD, Sechelt and the Squamish Nation as a way to do better forestry and protect watersheds and fish? (This was combined with closing remarks.)

Questions from the floor, each asked of a group of candidates

How will Woodfibre LNG tankers affect our ferry schedule, and how will council address it? (Inkster, Whitaker, Shepherd, Randall, Degan, Humphries)
Developers can pay a small fee instead of replanting the trees they cut. Will you strengthen Sechelt’s tree protection rules? (van Ginkel, Trinder, Moore, MacNeil, Humphries, Das)
Flood mapping shows places like Davis Bay are already at risk from rising seas. What is your plan to protect waterfront communities and infrastructure? (Steele, McLauchlan, Toth, Dixon, Holt, Dhillon)
What is your opinion on getting developers to improve the environmental design of their projects, as recommended by the Advisory Planning Commission? (Emery, Inkster, Shepherd, Randall, Fouillard, Degan)
The Wilson Creek watershed is degraded by historic poor forestry practices, and farmland needs predictable water. What can the District do to protect this forest and water supply? (Trinder, Steele, Shepherd, Randall, Humphries, Das)
How could Sechelt encourage residents to get out of their cars and improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians, especially children? (McLauchlan, Emery, Moore, MacNeil, Holt, Dhillon)
Could Sechelt require buildings of three or more units to collect rainwater to help with water shortages? (Inkster, Whitaker, Toth, Dixon, Fouillard, Degan)
Final round, asked of every candidate and combined with closing remarks 10. Do you support expanding the community forest to include Gibsons, the SCRD, Sechelt and the Squamish Nation as a way to do better forestry and protect watersheds and fish? If so, why?

Answers

MAYORAL CANDIDATES

Paul Dhillon

Top issue: Credited a long conversation with Landon Dixon for the idea of thinking seven generations ahead. You can’t pick a single focus like water or sewage. If you challenge yourself to think even three generations forward, “the environment comes into crisp and clear focus in every decision you make.”
Climate and infrastructure: Council’s real lever is the budget. Pointed to the 2026–2030 financial plan. Tying environmental infrastructure to budgeting and taxes is how it “remains there in perpetuity.”
Sea level rise: Said he read the entire federal climate report and its 15 key recommendations. Agreed with Toth: the budget shows Sechelt can’t do what Davis Bay needs without increasing taxes, so it must be a provincial, federal and municipal responsibility, and council should advocate for funding.
Getting out of cars: Cycling on the coast is dangerous. As part of Davis Bay flood mitigation, build a bicycle corridor from the ferries to Sechelt that would double as an emergency lane in a disaster. His family rides together.
Closing: Did not address the community forest. He said he has worked with organizations that put health and the environment first, and urged voters to choose people “ready to make difficult decisions, over easy decisions.”

Dianne McLauchlan, incumbent councillor

Top issue: Sea level rise. Cited the Arts Centre’s week exploring its impacts, and the 2021 heat dome. “We need to retreat from the waterfront downtown and in Davis Bay and we need to use Green Shores approaches.”
Climate and infrastructure: “Not build more sewers and water lines and not have any more sprawl at all.” Build within existing neighbourhoods and design with nature for passive heating and cooling. Plant an urban forest of deciduous trees as natural asset infrastructure.
Sea level rise: Designate the houses along the boulevard, and the large lot behind them, as not redevelopable. Existing houses can stay for their lifetime. “I think it’s important to retreat,” and build softer landscaping that absorbs flooding and serves as natural park space.
Getting out of cars: Safe routes to school, more bike racks, and paths like those connecting West Sechelt elementary schools. Take transit. Bring a passenger ferry like the one coming to Gibsons to Sechelt as well.
Community forest: Supports the community forest’s invitation to the District to join as partners, but said it needs a much more concerted effort and honest partnership than last time. If there isn’t widespread consensus, First Nations could take the expansion opportunities. Said she doesn’t think the current structure and approach is “any longer viable.” Wants a regional sustainability plan and to link parts of the community forest to provincial parks.

Alton Toth, incumbent councillor

Top issue: Make sewers and roads ready for more frequent storms, more rainfall and drought. Developers should bring their most innovative ideas, such as reclaimed water, water recycling and rooftop gardens.
Climate and infrastructure: Use green infrastructure (natural assets, ravines, creeks) instead of “putting a pipe in the ground and hoping it doesn’t wash away.” Said he was unfamiliar with the report referenced in the question. Sechelt is not a leader: “Gibsons is already well ahead of us on natural asset planning. So I think, honestly, we should be copying their homework.”
Sea level rise: Sechelt requires new homes in the floodplain to raise their foundations to the forecast flood level, as with two homes in Davis Bay. Green Shores and managed retreat also need to be considered. The most critical flood-risk infrastructure is the highway through Davis Bay, which is provincial: “We’re going to need the province to step up.”
Rainwater collection: Developers should bring this forward, and “it doesn’t have to be expensive when you’re doing it at scale.” This term, council asked the province to make greywater reuse mandatory in Sechelt. The province said no without saying why, and council “didn’t have enough cohesion” to follow up. It should be revisited.
Community forest: Has spent eight years as the District’s primary representative to the community forest. Its ecosystem-based management is “a far superior system to what BC Timber Sales and the private logging companies have been doing.” Cited upgrades at Big Tree in Halfmoon Bay, trail work, and two bridges replaced in Cliff Gilker Park, a project he said saved the SCRD $600,000. “This format kind of sucks.”

COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Desmond Das

Top issue: On the coast since 2010, with a civil and environmental engineering background. Worked on reclaiming the Egmont gravel pit. Protect natural rainwater catch basins and runoff; when heavy industry undoes that work, “it’s hurting ourselves and shooting ourselves in the foot.”
Climate and infrastructure: Build climate resilience into water, sewage and emergency services. Incentivize residents who collect their own rainwater.
Tree bylaw: Agreed with Moore that developers shouldn’t face more impositions, but “that doesn’t mean you can pay to win and escape responsibility.” Fees should go entirely to reforestation, and the bylaw should be amended.
Wilson Creek: Cutting trees in a catchment lets water run off faster, leaving less for farmers and residents. Use sustainable practices and incentivize farmers who use natural catch basins.
Closing: Did not address the community forest. Said he brings “a practical head,” logic and reasoning, and would analyze what he hears from the community.

Mary Degan

Top issue: On the coast about 30 years; works in healthcare administration. Water and food security: “We only grow 1 to 3% of our own food here on the coast.” Plan for sea level rise in the downtown and other vulnerable areas.
Climate and infrastructure: More trees under the urban forest plan, wildlife corridors and green pathways, better transit and more density. Protect watersheds, so that logging and mineral extraction don’t affect where our water comes from.
Woodfibre LNG: All traffic, including ferries, will have to stop while the tankers pass. “It’s going to severely disrupt our ferry schedule,” especially if tanker numbers increase. “Those tankers are like atomic bombs. So they’re either going to burn or explode.”
Developer design: Chaired the Elphinstone APC for 10 years and now sits on Sechelt’s. SCCA’s Green Bylaws in the OCP could help to encourage green building. “We need to be thinking about not what’s cheap now, but what’s going to last.”
Rainwater collection: Water shortages are partly a storage problem. Partner with senior governments on grants to help builders install collection systems. Encourage greywater, though she wasn’t sure the province allows it in Sechelt.
Community forest: “The more local control we have over our resources, the better management we can achieve.” Wants as much of our forest as possible managed locally.

Landon Dixon

Top issue: A shíshálh Nation member, born and raised, who was a forestry technician for eight years. Plan safe places to go if the highways are cut off, practise for fire, and look after forestry better.
Climate and infrastructure: Stagger infrastructure replacement so it doesn’t all come due at once and drive up taxes. Reassess every 10 years.
Sea level rise: The downtown core lies below sea level. Learn how far tides historically reached into the Davis Bay flats before houses were built, and make sure foundations are right.
Rainwater collection: The District should offer rain barrels.
Community forest: Supports it. Has seen “horrific” and “fantastic” forestry practices. On logging in a watershed: “I don’t know what we’re thinking or allowing that.” Urged people to “listen to understand.”

Mark Emery

Top issue: Asked voters to elect him “so I can keep a jaundice cynical eye on all the expensive proposals.” “I think climate change is a way to exploit taxpayers, add red tape, make our life more miserable… I don’t buy it.” Said land acknowledgements “make us feel like we don’t belong here, that we’re not welcome here.” Wants lower budgets, taxes and water rates.
Climate and infrastructure: “I will not approve anything that sends the tax bill over a 3% increase.”
Developer design: “I have no idea.” Called the format “stupid” and “prejudicial,” and referred to “that ridiculous land acknowledgement.” Said no commercial LNG ship has ever exploded, and warned against “hysterical, exaggerated predictions” that bring costs and red tape.
Getting out of cars: “Cars are wonderful… So don’t get out of your cars. If you love your car, use your car.”
Community forest: Said he doesn’t have the knowledge to answer credibly, and pointed voters to the Coast Reporter candidate interviews.

Daniel Fouillard

Top issue: Moved here 12 years ago for the car business, later went into building, and has had “less than ideal experiences” building in Sechelt. Ran out of time before naming an issue.
Climate and infrastructure: Prepare for extreme weather rather than react to it. Raise awareness: Much of the 2021 road damage came from culverts homeowners didn’t know they had to clean. Agreed fire is a big risk. The Chapman Creek bridge is the only way out of Sechelt, so “we either have a backup plan or that bridge is real healthy.”
Developer design: Built a house in 2022, two tiers above the efficiency requirement at the time. More important is encouraging development, “because we currently don’t have any,” or affordability will suffer.
Rainwater collection: Opposes forcing it. The existing cistern grant covers only about a third of the cost; as a project manager, he had only one client who could afford to use it. Suggested the grant could be revisited and made more aggressive if this is what Sechelt wants. “Our resources need to be focused in a lot more important places first.”
Community forest: Knows the team and called them “very effective,” and agrees they should take “a blanket approach on the entire Sunshine Coast.” Also asked why the coast has three councils.

Allan Holt

Top issue: A homeowner on the coast for over 32 years. “We are very supportive of every and all business developments in Sechelt. And remember, the only way to go is forward.”
Climate and infrastructure: Agreed with Moore that a forest fire is “the biggest disaster we have waiting to happen.” Cut fire breaks now, bring in firefighting experts, maintain logging roads for access, and reinstall the decommissioned Forest Road bridge as a second way out.
Sea level rise: In Davis Bay, “you gotta raise the land because we can’t lower the water.” It floods every winter at king tide, and the District’s answer has been signs. “We need to work on the solution, not the signs.”
Getting out of cars: Close Cowrie Street to vehicles on weekends and move the market there. Cycling safety “doesn’t exist on the Sunshine Coast.”
Community forest: “I’m very supportive of the forestry business practices.” Urged voters to talk to the candidates and make an informed decision.

Lisa Christine Humphries

Top issue: Water: the SCRD and shíshálh Nation have a grant to help protect our water supply, but forestry practices matter too. Sea level rise and king tides threaten the Chapman Creek bridge. Relayed that the SCRD is preparing a multimodal emergency evacuation plan due in January.
Climate and infrastructure: Help residents lobby the SCRD so they pay only base infrastructure costs plus the water they use. Our lakes are shallow and lose water to evaporation, and our forests “look green, but they’re dry.”
Woodfibre LNG: From a marine family and a member of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue. “I think that LNG plan is crazy.” Cited 300-metre tankers and the application to triple trips to 120 tankers in and 120 out a year. Said a pipeline would have been safer, and hopes for a back road off the coast.
Tree bylaw: Plant fruit trees for shade and food. “I don’t think you should pay money. Just plant a tree.”
Wilson Creek: A hydrology study found it will take 30 years to repair the creek’s hydrology. Flows are diminishing. Protect wildlife corridors, and give farmers an offset on water charges so they can keep growing food.
Community forest: The Sunshine Coast Community Forest “has changed logging practices in British Columbia,” with expanded stream buffers and wildlife corridors. Supports expanding it and more District engagement, with all partners at the table, including the shíshálh Nation. Said bike path infrastructure grants are available only in partnership with the shíshálh Nation.

Darren Inkster, incumbent

Top issue: Twenty years on council. “It’s okay to be green.” Water: build infrastructure for higher winter water and make it more robust, and use Green Shores because sea level rise is coming (“I think I’ll be long gone when it comes, but it’s coming”). Fire: deal with wood waste in our forests and have enough water to fight fires.
Climate and infrastructure: Densify downtown, add transit, walking paths and trails, right-size District vehicles, tie water bills to use, and support green buildings with insulation, heat pumps and solar “if affordable.” “Most of all, we need more trees.” Said he pushed for the tree plan that is coming.
Woodfibre LNG: Ferry schedules would have to be amended to avoid conflicts with the tankers. Sechelt needs spill plans and mitigation like Vancouver’s.
Developer design: Better insulation, windows and doors, low-flow and low-energy appliances, heat pumps and solar, and smaller homes and densification.
Rainwater collection: The District could require untreated water for uses like toilets, and cisterns for properties with three dwellings. Praised SCRD metering for detecting leaks.
Community forest: “It’s a good idea.” Was part of the original plan to bring community forests to the Sunshine Coast. Working together brings more tenure and includes First Peoples’ forestry practices. “We borrow this planet from our children.”

Pamela Jones

Did not attend.

Tom Lamb

Top issue: On the coast for 72 years and served two terms on Sechelt council. In 2014, he was part of the team that brought the water resource centre online. Get maximum value from infrastructure taxpayers already own before spending millions on something new. With four governments on a small coastline, “we need to work together.”
Climate and infrastructure: Make greater use of the water resource centre’s reclaimed water for irrigation and other uses, to reduce demand on drinking water. Plan roads, sewer, drainage and development for changing conditions while protecting forests, watersheds and shorelines. Work with the SCRD, the Nation and neighbouring governments.
Community forest: Supports the community forest, which does “a tremendous job.” Noted the shíshálh Nation has a large cut, so “our forest industry is well taken care of here.”

Anna MacNeil

Top issue: On the coast 22 years and works as a strata manager. Protect infrastructure so it can handle extra water and wind.
Climate and infrastructure: “I don’t know enough about climate change, honestly.” Measure what matters: report on the 2019 integrated community sustainability plan’s seven recommendations and on tree canopy, which was 59% in 2010. “I’d like to see us not put drinking water on the lawns.”
Tree bylaw: “I need to know more.”
Getting out of cars: Safety: no drug paraphernalia on sidewalks, good lighting, and bus stops that feel safe early and late. “Transit and safety.”
Community forest: “I agree with the partnership if it makes sense,” but she isn’t sure yet. Will do more research on environmental and climate issues.

Craig Moore

Top issue: Moved here in 1981. A founding director at Dakota Ridge, which is now preserved, and an example of recreation and preservation working together.
Climate and infrastructure: “I think the greatest threat to the Sunshine Coast is wildfire… and we don’t have a plan.” Friends in Sandy Hook have been flooded out by poorly cleaned ditches and culverts. The Chapman Creek bridge was built in the 1950s and should be assessed every year.
Tree bylaw: In real estate for almost 20 years. Developers have left partly because of District “impediments.” “I’m opposed to any more impediments for developers on the coast.”
Getting out of cars: Make Cowrie Street from Wharf to Trail one-way with angle parking and a bike trail, and provide safe, secure bike parking downtown.
Community forest: “I’m not an expert in this area,” but too many levels of government don’t work together. If a coalition protects the watershed more effectively, “I’d be totally supportive of that.”

Bruce Randall

Top issue: In Sechelt since 1990. Frustrated that the cost of living crowds out the environment. Pointed to dysfunction among the community forest, the District, the SCRD and the Ministry of Forests, and recommended The People’s Water by Daniel Bouman and Andrew Scott.
Climate and infrastructure: “My whole reason for running for council is to densify the downtown core,” which would bring revenue, transit and fewer cars.
Woodfibre LNG: “I’m not a big fan of LNG in the first place,” and hopes Woodfibre never happens; expects the LNG market to drop out within 10 years. Harbour masters or pilots could keep everyone safe if needed.
Developer design: Has sat on the APC for five or six months with little to advise on, because little is being built. Wants developers encouraged to build downtown.
Wilson Creek: Not familiar with this watershed, but “any logging in a watershed, as far as I’m concerned, is a mistake.” “I think we just need to stop all logging in any watershed on the Sunshine Coast.”
Community forest: Declined, saying he doesn’t know enough about it.

Adam Shepherd, incumbent

Top issue: Interface fires, especially in steep East Porpoise Bay, Sandy Hook and Tillicum Bay, though FireSmart uptake is good news. Sea level rise: Davis Bay seawall costs, and a heavy storm washed out the main water line near the airport.
Climate and infrastructure: Pointed to work under way in the District and region. Conservation through water meters should be the priority before new supply. The Langdale well is moving toward licensing, and a test well at the hospital has been running for a year. The new Wakefield pump station was moved higher and back from the water. Talks are under way with the province about a temporary emergency bridge.
Woodfibre LNG: Passed, saying he hasn’t been involved in the ferry situation.
Developer design: Council relies on the APC’s experts for conservation ideas. A proposed development at McCourt and the highway planned to use greywater but didn’t proceed for other reasons.
Wilson Creek: Look to the community forest, which has better forestry practices than private companies. Farms need a promised water supply, potable or not.
Community forest: Has served as an occasional council liaison to the community forest, which the District owns as sole shareholder. Supports bringing other Sunshine Coast entities in, to spread better forestry practices over a larger area.

Darnelda Siegers

Sent regrets because of a family emergency.

Rose Steele

Top issue: About 25 years in the medical field. Drought, water shortages, flash flooding and wildfire, and “we only have one in and one out.” With a 36% senior population, getting people out safely is critical.
Climate and infrastructure: On her own recent build in Sandy Hook, the District implemented “some really key ideas”: she and her husband installed extra drainage and rain barrels and planted fire-resistant trees, with fewer cedars. Individuals have a role too.
Sea level rise: Plan ahead, protect the coastline, strengthen infrastructure and make responsible decisions as the community grows. Called for respectful discussion.
Wilson Creek: Deferred: “I don’t know enough about it.”
Community forest: Supports partnerships among the SCRD, Gibsons and Sechelt. Said watersheds were the one thing she didn’t know about coming in, and she will learn.

Gary Trinder

Top issue: Extreme weather, drought and wildfire. Noted the International Space Station recycles 98% of its water. Called for practical solutions like on-demand hot water and more efficient toilets.
Climate and infrastructure: Work with builders so new rules protect ecosystems without making housing unaffordable, and reuse existing sites. Incentivize heat pumps, solar, water recycling, greywater and rainwater reuse. “Sechelt and Gibsons should follow SCRD’s lead and adopt the green bylaws.” “We’re not saving the planet, we’re saving the human race.”
Tree bylaw: The fee should equal the cost of planting a tree. He wouldn’t change the bylaw, because the fees let the District plant trees where they will thrive.
Wilson Creek: Deferred.
Community forest: “The answer is yes. I would prefer the majority of the logging on the coast to be performed by the community forest.”

Joanne van Ginkel

Top issue: Background in landscape architecture. “Up rather than out”: sprawl is costly and eats land that could be farmed or left as natural ecosystem, while town centres support transit, sidewalks and bike paths.
Climate and infrastructure: Learn from the Netherlands. Limit lot coverage so water can soak in, use green roofs, and consider new foundation technologies, septic systems and lift stations.
Tree bylaw: Not familiar with it, but “I don’t think paying some money is the way to go.” Wants to see the tree list. When she sat on the planning committee, there was no horticulturalist on staff.
Community forest: “Yes, I’m in agreement. I think we’re stronger together.”

Ken Whitaker

Top issue: Has family roots on the coast and moved here seven years ago after 20 years working in Asia. Wants more efficient government and “planned growth with respect for the environment.”
Climate and infrastructure: Asked how Canada blew past its Paris targets. “From a local perspective, we can’t necessarily stop the slide,” so the focus has to be mitigation. Agrees with greener corridors and higher density, but called it “a huge selling job” to younger generations.
Woodfibre LNG: “I’m not that comfortable with the question.” Big ports like Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong have robust harbour masters who work like air traffic controllers, and we should adopt those practices.
Rainwater collection: “I think we could do that,” along with trees on the roofs of taller buildings, but the cost has to be weighed against the housing we need.
Community forest: Supports it “as long as it’s not another committee that’s going to push around hot air,” if it brings efficiency and accountability. Worries about global population pressure on natural resources.