Skip to content

Sidney mayor takes the helm of the Capital Regional District board

Saanich councillor takes on housing corp; Oak Bay mayor remains head of hospital board
carefair
Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith takes the helm of the Capital Regional District board for 2025.

Voting day at the Capital Regional District netted one new face leading the three boards governing work in the region.

Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith takes the helm of the Capital Regional District board for the next year with elections held during a series of Nov. 13 board meetings.

McNeil-Smith praised the board’s innovative approach to date on transportation and environment issues as well as government to government relations with First Nations.

“Of course we have many other important priorities in housing, climate change, solid waste, parks and the Regional Growth Strategy and others. But let us acknowledge that transportation, dealing responsibly with biosolids and productive First Nations relations are far-reaching and are transformative in their beneficial impact to the region."

The CRD board met first, with Metchosin Mayor Marie-Terese Little and McNeil-Smith both nominated as chair. McNeil-Smith earned the nod through the blind ballots around the table. Little was later voted vice-chair.

Saanich Coun. Colin Plant stepped down after six years serving as chair.

The CRD board chair leads the 24-member board of directors, which includes mayors and councillors from Greater Victoria municipalities and directly elected directors representing the electoral areas of Salt Spring Island, the Southern Gulf Islands, and Juan de Fuca.

Saanich Coun. Zac de Vries was re-elected chair of the Capital Region Housing Commission, earning the position by acclamation, and Victoria Coun. Jeremy Caradonna, who declined nomination as chair, will serve as vice-chair.

Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch was re-elected Capital Regional Hospital District board chair with Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson as acting chair (legislated term for vice-chair).

The balance votes were not reported out in any case and ballots were destroyed after each vote.

In accordance with provincial legislation, representation on the CRD board balances varying population bases with shared community interests. Each local government receives one director for every 25,000 residents and receives one vote for every 5,000 residents for matters requiring a weighted vote such as financial plans. Chairs and vice-chairs are elected each November.

Breaking News You Need To Know

Sign up for a free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters.

Sign Up with google Sign Up with facebook

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Reset your password

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox.



Don't have an account? Click here to sign up


About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk

Longtime journalist with the Greater Victoria news team.
Read more