Niall Paltiel (incumbent)
Are you associated with or running as part of a slate? If so, which one?
I am an independent candidate.
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?
I live and work in Central Saanich. I was born and raised in the community and now am raising my own family here.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I own and operate Ascend Planning, a planning consulting company. As well, I am the COO for Mike Geric Construction. A local builder in the Greater Victoria area.
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
Niall has been elected to Central Saanich council for two terms: first in 2014 and then again in 2018 and is now seeking re-election for his third term. On Council, he serves as acting Mayor, on the Peninsula Recreation Commission (Panorama Recreation Centre), as council liaison to the Peninsula and Area Agricultural Commission, council representative to the South Island Prosperity Partnership, and member of the Official Community Plan committee. Outside of Council, Niall has volunteered with the Central Saanich Lions Club, the Brentwood Bay Community Association, Our Place Society, Peninsula Streams Shoreline Cleanup, and the Terry Fox Run.
Why are you running? What’s your motivation?
Niall is running to ensure that Central Saanich continues to be the best place in the world to live, work and play for today, tomorrow and for future generations. As a born-and-raised resident who is now a father, husband, small business owner and community planner, he intends to use his skills and experiences to ensure that the District maintains its rural character while still growing to address the significant housing, climate and quality of life challenges that currently face our community and our region.
What are your top three issues?
Niall’s top three priorities are Safety, affordability and quality of life.
Safety. This means ensuring safety within people’s homes, safety throughout the community and safe travel for those going to-and-from work, school and around their neighbourhoods.
Affordability. Affordability is about ensuring that current and future residents can thrive within our community. This means addressing the challenges facing our District and the region.
Quality of Life. As we navigate the outcomes of the COVID-19 Pandemic and address climate change, it will be critical that we work to provide residents with a high quality of life and make investments that support future generations.
What’s your vision for your community in 25 years?
As a young father elected to Central Saanich Council, Niall takes bold action to improve the lives of people today, tomorrow and for future generations.
Niall will continue to demonstrate leadership at the Council table to ensure that our Saanichton and Brentwood Villages are thriving, livable and walkable “complete communities”.
We, as a community, will continue to preserve our valuable rural, agricultural and environmentally sensitive lands.
The Keating Industrial park will be further built-out and there will be a thoughtful new mix of employee-focused housing, technology and innovation hub and high-quality jobs.
Finally, 25-years from now, Central Saanich will have a series of outdoor and indoor recreational facilities that serve residents of all ages within a reasonable walking and biking distance.
What’s one “big idea” you have for your community?
Niall’s one “big idea” for Central Saanich is that we focus Council’s attention towards significant transportation improvements that connect Saanichton, Brentwood Bay, Tanner Ridge/Keating, Tsartlip and Tsawout in safe walkable and cyclable ‘Central Saanich Loops’.
These loops would be accessible, well identified with signage and clearly connected throughout the municipality. Imagine having clear sidewalk and trail connections with signage, information about local history, First Nations meaning, and local business wayfinding. Niall’s vision is that Central Saanich would become known for these Community Loops and it becomes a gold standard for safely connecting neighbours, businesses and students.
