Cairine Green
Website: www.wherewelive.cairinegreen.ca
Twitter: @CairineGreen
Are you associated with or running as part of a slate? If so, which one?
NO.
Do you live in the municipality where you are running, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to that community?
YES and we have lived here since 2010 and from 1982 to 1987, when careers took us to the Cowichan Valley.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I am retired but volunteer with a provincial regulatory body, the College of Applied Biologists, as a member of their Investigation Committee. I had successful careers in criminal justice, family mediation, human resources, post-secondary and K-12 education and provincial government sectors, as administrator, senior policy advisor, program coordinator and branch manager (Indigenous Education Branch, Ministry of Education). I have a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s of Education and am an alumnus of the University of Victoria.
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
I served two terms as a Councillor in the District of North Saanich, from 2005 to 2011. I served two terms as a Councillor in the District of Oak Bay, from 2011 to 2014 and from 2018 to 2022. I have served on a variety of regional bodies as Council representative for North Saanich and Oak Bay, including as CRD Alternate Director, the Saanich Peninsula Water and Wastewater Commission, the Peninsula Agricultural Commission, the CRD’s two housing bodies, the CRD Arts Committee, Youth and Family Court Justice Committee, Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the Greater Victoria Labour Relations Association (North Saanich and Oak Bay). I also have a history of volunteer community service as Board Member and Vice-Chair of the Our Place Society Board and as Oak Bay Heritage Commission member and Chair, 2015 to 2018 and as a provincially-appointed Lay Board Member of the College of Applied Biologists, 2015 to 2021.
Why are you running? What’s your motivation?
I am running again to complete some of the major initiatives that were interrupted or disrupted by the pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions on community engagement/involvement. Local government is inspired by the community it serves and the community of Oak Bay has inspired me to run for re-election, because of its tireless commitment and resilience. Regardless of the challenges during the past 2.5 years, residents, volunteers, helping organizations, local small businesses, municipal staff and fire and police services, among countless others, has sustained community well-being.
What are your top three issues?
Housing diversity, infrastructure as it relates to environmental protection and climate change and the long term future of the Oak Bay Marina site that includes meaningful consultation with our community and with local Lekwungen Peoples, known as the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.
What’s your vision for your community in 25 years?
A community that is diverse and inclusive, remains vibrant and welcoming and is known for its climate action and environmental sustainability, through the protection of green and natural spaces, foreshore and marine habitats and conservation of built heritage. In 25 years, I hope that Oak Bay has also established meaningful working relationships with local Indigenous communities that include joint initiatives focused on economic prosperity-sharing.
What’s one “big idea” you have for your community?
That the future of the Oak Bay Lodge site remains in public hands and involves a more creative, comprehensive “campus of care” approach, featuring a primary health care centre and a wide range of additional inter-generational health care and wellness programs and services for seniors, families, adults and youth.
