Judy Brownoff
Website: judybrownoff.ca
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, since 1987
What is your occupation, and for how long?
Business woman, owned and operated two businesses with great staff for 20 years.
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
SAANICH COUNCIL - Positions
• Chair, Parks, Trails & Recreation
• Chair, Planning, Transportation, Economic Development
• Chair, Active Transportation
• Council Liaison, Administrative Traffic
• CRD Climate Action Inter-Municipal Task Force
• Director, Tourism Victoria
• Member, Personnel
• Member, Mayor’s Governance
CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT - Positions
• Chair/Director, CRD
• Chair/Director, CRD Hospital
• Director, Parks
• Chair/Director, Core Area Liquid Waste
• Chair, Environmental Services
• Member, VI Coastal Communities Solid Waste Committee
• Chair, CRD Community Energy Plan
• Director, Finance Corporate Services
• Director, Planning, Transportation, Protective Services
PROVINCIAL POSITIONS
Chair, Victoria Regional Transit Commission
• BC Transit Board
• BC Transit Municipal Systems/Environment
• Chair, BC Healthy Communities
• Community Leader, WHO Age-Friendly Cities Project
Why are you running? What’s your motivation?
To work with my community on moving Saanich forward by addressing the needs of residents today and future generations. Creating a Age-Friendly Livable community for all. Housing options that are affordable, accessible, and sustainable. Walkable streets for residents at all stages of life. Restore and enhance our natural environments with more community stewardship programs. Work with our community to see an increase in our tree canopy especially on major corridors and neighbourhoods. Find ways to expand parks especially in areas of higher density.
What are your top three issues?
Climate Change — Weather extremes have impacted so much, deaths, farming communities, food security, economy — even our way of life. Saanich must address Climate Change comprehensively in ALL our decisions.
Affordable housing — Everyone deserves a dignified, decent, and a safe place to live. I will continue to work to create more variety in housing that is “truly affordable”, meets the needs of our work force, families, seniors, singles, and single parent household — affordable, accessible, sustainable.
Parks/Environment — Equitable/balanced investments in infrastructure and housing but also parks that are close — a healthy community for all! Protect and grow our tree canopy — adopt Tree Canopy Strategy for our future.
What’s your vision for your community in 25 years?
In 25 years, Saanich will be a “place” not just a suburb and have more gathering places for people. Architecture has created variety in living environments with courtyards and green space with green buildings. Mobility options for all ages and ability has seen a reduction in the single occupant vehicles and more walking for services, with home deliveries by vehicles with no emissions. Rapid transit is very convenient and direct to key employment or education hubs. Neighbour to neighbour connections has shown how important social interactions are to create a healthy community for our diverse residents. Our economy will be strengthened by an innovative agriculture sector that technology has helped in creating larger food production that provides over 75% of our needs.
What’s one “big idea” you have for your community?
Intergenerational Housing. Saanich’s older-adult population is growing we need more appropriate older-adult housing. A person’s living situation can be linked to loneliness and social isolation, which older adults are at high risk — we witnessed this during Covid and the Heat Dome.
Intergenerational housing can help by bringing older adults and younger generations together. SFU is trying Canada HomeShare, a co-housing program that pairs students with older adults.
Students are offered reduced rent while providing household assistance to the home provider. SFU’s work aims to support aging in place for older adults while providing safe and affordable housing solutions for post-secondary students.
The Canada HomeShare program, could help students and our older adults in Saanich to have safe housing, together
