Community Improvement
Over the past eight years, Oak Bay has transitioned from decades of deferred maintenance to an era of proactive renewal, fiscal responsibility, and modernization. This work has been completed despite the considerable disruption from COVID-19 and the insertion of the Province into local land planning. The following provides a small snapshot of work undertaken on behalf of the taxpayer over the last two terms. Of course, the Mayor is just one of seven on Council, and I would like to thank all members of Council for their hard work over the last two terms to advance projects and care for the community in difficult times.
Investment
In 2018, Oak Bay’s total capital expenditures stood at $4.74 million, with $3.27 million directed to roads, drainage, sewers, and water mains. By 2024, our capital expenditures had climbed to $16.75 million, and capital asset acquisition reached $22.1 million in 2025 - a quadrupling of annual capital investment over those seven years. As a result, our physical municipal assets grew from $63.4 million in 2019 to $123.8 million in 2025
By law, Oak Bay cannot run a deficit, and the maintenance of adequate fiscal reserves is essential to avoid expensive borrowing costs. The Infrastructure Renewal Reserve grew from $4.42 million in 2019 to $22.97 million in 2023, and the Capital Works reserve held $17.45 million by the end of 2025. Annual tax- and utility-funded reserve contributions are projected to reach $18.1 million annually by 2029.
In 2025, Council established a Debt Management Policy and Long-term Borrowing Guidelines to ensure financial prudence in the management of future capital renewal.
Housing and Planning
The latest version of Oak Bay’s Official Community Plan (OCP) was adopted by Council in December 2025, after extensive public engagement, in time to meet the mandated Provincial deadline. The updated OCP balances housing choice, growth, and community amenities while preserving Oak Bay’s character and heritage.
In September 2022 Oak Bay completed one of the first as-of-right Secondary Suites programs in BC, uniformly amending zoning on all R1-R5 residential lots.
More recently we addressed the Provincially-mandated 20-year housing needs target with an Infill Housing zoning* that was approved by the Provincially-appointed Housing Advisor. Oak Bay also implemented Amenity Cost Charges and Development Cost Charges (ACCs & DCCs) to ensure that any new development will help fund necessary infrastructure.
We also completed several Heritage Revitalization Agreements, adding needed rental and market units to our community while preserving key historical buildings.
*I believe the current infill zoning requires modification to reduce negative impacts on neighbours - those options will return to the new Council.
Utility and Core Infrastructure
While individual capital categories move up and down each year with individual projects, the trendline in capital projects is significantly up. Over the last few years, thanks to increased funding, Oak Bay delivered critical water, sewer, and stormwater replacements on several corridors, including Oliver Street (Phases 1 & 2), Margate, Runnymede, Dalhousie, Topp, and Currie. The Uplands Humber catchment sewage separation project (and partial water main replacement) was also completed. McNeil Road upgrades are currently underway. We integrated the Sewer Line Rapid Assessment Tool into Public Works operations to optimize preventative maintenance, expanded the preventative maintenance and sidewalk maintenance teams, and implemented modern WorkSafe practices that dramatically reduced insurance premiums.
Road rehabilitation continues: Oak Bay rehabilitated around 15,000 m² per year in 2018-2019, and that peaked at over 28,500 m² in 2023. 2024 & 2025 were lower years as large underground replacement projects were undertaken - 2026 will be a record year with the completion of Estevan and Uplands work allowing the paving to catch up. There has also been consistent increases in streetlight replacements, sidewalk replacements, and comprehensive condition assessments continuing across roads and facilities.
Parks and Recreation
Recreation facility upgrades include resurfacing all seven indoor tennis courts at Oak Bay Recreation Centre and four outdoor courts at Carnarvon Park, replacing much of the Recreation Centre roof, and upgrading the Sportsview Lounge. Three playgrounds were fully replaced with modern and accessible designs, and thanks to community input we kept several of the much beloved classic reatures enjoyed by earlier generations. Full restoration of the Cenotaph was completed.
Through considerable community consultation the Carnarvon Park Master Plan was completed to tender-ready detailed design. In response to noise concerns around pickleball, specialized acoustic mitigation was installed at Carnarvon Park courts.
To ensure uninterrupted service after the Canadian Red Cross discontinued its national program, an Oak Bay–tailored swim lesson curriculum (ages 4 months to 12 years) was developed and launched. And Oak Bay hosted several regional sporting events, including the BC 55+ Games.
The Paddington Station Daycare and Licensed After School Care programs were enrolled in the provincial $10/day childcare program, saving local families an average of $400 to $600 per month per child.
Housing and Planning
Oak Bay Completed its Official Community Plan (OCP) update by the mandated Provincial Deadline. Adopted by Council in December 2025 following extensive public engagement, the OCP balanced housing choice and community amenities while safeguarding Oak Bay’s heritage and character.
In September 2022 Oak Bay completed one of the first as-of-right Secondary Suites Programs in BC, uniformly amending zoning on all R1-R5 lots. Oak Bay completed it's Infill Housing Strategy on time, with a plan that was approved by the Provincially-appointed Housing Advisor.
Reporting and Engagement
Oak Bay received the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Community Excellence Award in Governance for the Council Priorities Process, earned the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, and the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting.
Connect Oak Bay was launched - a comprehensive digital engagement platform to keep the community up to date on all current projects.
Rolled out a completely redesigned, accessible District website with modern user tools as well as a development tracker available to the public.
Implemented an updated District Communications and Community Engagement Framework alongside staff IAP2 training
Formed the Accessibility Advisory Committee and delivered Oak Bay’s inaugural municipal Accessibility Plan
Transportation
Delivered enhanced cycling facilities on Foul Bay Road and completed the Henderson and Haultain cycling corridors. Advanced designs for all 9 routes in cycling plan.
Enabled "All Ages and Abilities" by considering those mobility challenged, pedestrians, cyclists, cars, and commercial traffic in all decision making.
Expanded public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in partnership with the CRD
Added improved lighting and rapid flashing beacons at multiple critical crosswalks
First Nations
Council has met Council-to-Council with both Songhees and Esquimalt (Kosapsum) Nations several times both pre-and post-COVID to build relationships and undertake learning around shared goals.
Lekwungen culture has been made more prominent at events throughout Oak Bay from Council inauguration to the Tea Party to Music in the Park.
Support has been provided to ReconciliACTION Oak Bay, a community-led group raising awareness and fostering indigenous connections and learning withing the community.
Council has supported and attended events of importance to our First Nations neighbours, including sponsoring the Songhees Pow-Wow annual event and indigenous leadership gatherings
Installation of artwork at Cattle Point which builds awareness of the wolf of Tl'ches and the connections to the Sam family.
Ongoing work towards a Reconciliation Agreement with both local First Nations is well underway
