Jon Rennison
Facebook: Jon Rennison, Jon Rennison For North Saanich Council
Twitter: @JonRennison
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, for thirty-five years.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
Carpenter of twenty years.
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
As a resident of North Saanich for 35 years, I have witnessed many (good and bad) decisions being made by previous councils affecting how our community grows and operates. I actively follow the council meetings and right now I see a divided North Saanich. Being a passionate member of the North Saanich community, my goal is to bring the community together and I feel that can be achieved by having a diverse council. I would bring a new voice and younger demographic to the council. I have served on a strata council as Vice-president and am comfortable in a decision making role.
Why are you running? What’s your motivation?
My motivation to run in this year’s election is to bring informed and knowledgeable decision-making skills to help further the progress of solidifying our OCP. Seeing all the changes in North Saanich over the last 35 years, I am very familiar with most developments, subdivision and new roads that have been added In North Saanich over the past 35 years; from Dean Park to Deep Cove, Canora Mews across to Eagle hurst. I would like to see the ALR continue to be protected and keep a rural North Saanich while finding the right areas to provide housing.
What are your top three issues?
My top three issues:
Aging in place is essential to protect our elderly community.
Protecting agriculture and the land in ALR.
Bringing a sense of balance to the community while integrating and finalizing the OCP.
What’s your vision for your community in 25 years?
My vision for the community over the next twenty-five years is to protect the land in the ALR, to adapt in making sure people are able to age in place and to help build a vibrant and thriving community in which we can stand together proud. It would be great to see a diverse age group in North Saanich and provide more options for younger people to have the opportunity to stay here or move here and become homeowners.
What’s one “big idea” you have for your community?
One idea I have that perhaps not everyone is aware of, is to help NS continue to be its own governing body and continue to make its own decisions regarding housing. We are currently in the midst of a national housing crisis, as our community grows there will inevitably be a demand for more housing. The province is pushing for more housing which includes the potential for legislation that would circumvent and override power from our council in making housing decisions. Knowing North Saanich’s beautiful layout, I am wanting to help liaise so together we can do our part as a community to protect land in the ALR while providing housing where it is suitable and continue to control how and where we add housing.
