Lesley Watson
Website: watsonforoakbay.ca
Facebook: Lesley Watson for Oak Bay Council
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?
I have lived in Oak Bay for 24 years.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I hold a BA in Economics and Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto, and a masters degree in City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley. The majority of my career has been spent in local government, with senior expertise in planning, housing and sustainability, in positions in British Columbia, Australia, Ontario and California.
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
I am running for elected office for the first time. I have been involved in family and community life in Oak Bay since we moved here in 1998, as a parent volunteer in local public schools and sports organizations, in my church community, and with 5th Garry Oak Scouts. In my professional life, I have held roles on the Boards of national and local non-profit organizations that support the environment and capacity building in the non-profit sector. I follow District council proceedings and participate in community engagement initiatives on key local issues.
Why are you running? What’s your motivation?
Oak Bay has fabulous community and natural assets, but I believe that its social, physical and environmental health is in jeopardy if we don’t take action on some key issues. I’m running for Council because I support regeneration and public investment to make Oak Bay a more inclusive and liveable community for everyone. Over the last 10 years, many good policies and plans have been endorsed by Council but never implemented. I think this needs to change.
What are your top three issues?
More housing, more housing choice, to provide options for the people we rely on to keep our community running, existing residents who want to downsize, and our grown children who can’t find or afford a place in their home community.
Great spaces for everyone. This includes safe, walkable and bikeable streets; a bikeway network that connects to the regional system; and major investment to make our village an accessible, pedestrian-oriented space for the benefit of business, residents and visitors.
Climate-friendly planning and development, with bolder use of the tools available to local governments to reduce our GHG emissions, reduce demolition waste, protect the natural environment, and encourage green infrastructure.
What’s your vision for your community in 25 years? (100-125 words)
Oak Bay has grown. It has a diverse population—by age and background—and a broad mix of housing types within its leafy, green neighbourhoods and along its gracious main streets. Residents and visitors are as likely to get around the community safely on foot or small human-powered vehicles as they are by car. The schools and community nodes are bustling. Our two main village centres—Oak Bay Avenue and Estevan Village—are a vibrant mix of housing, retail and community uses and are favoured destinations within the Capital Regional District. We are the poster child for climate-friendly development. Our shoreline and natural areas are pristine and protected. The rich heritage of our First Peoples is clearly evident.
What’s one “big idea” you have for your community? (100-125 words)
The waterfront at Chikawich (McNeill Bay) has magnificent views to Trial Islands Ecological Reserve and the Olympic Mountains across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Perched over the ocean, it has the potential to be one of the best public spaces in Greater Victoria. However, its use and access are now dominated by speeding traffic on Beach Drive and priority for parked cars over other users. I would like to introduce a community-based planning and design process to improve public amenity and access to this beachfront treasure. Unlike the lands at Spewhung (Turkey Head) where private development has already occurred, this stretch of shoreline provides a unique opportunity for Oak Bay.
