Nathalie Chambers launches third campaign for Saanich Council and seeks a CRD Board position with a regional call to make Saanich and the CRD swimmable again.

CAMPAIGN LAUNCH
Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Cadboro-Gyro Park, Sinclair Road, Saanich
In attendance: Eric Pelkey (WEC’KINEM), Tsawout Hereditary Chief and W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council Community Engagement Coordinator

SAANICH, B.C. – Two-term Saanich Councillor Nathalie Chambers will launch her campaign for a third term and a position on the CRD Board at Cadboro-Gyro Park under the banner “Bring Back the Splash – Make Saanich and the CRD Swimmable Again.” Eric Pelkey (WEC’KINEM), Hereditary Chief of the Tsawout of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation and Community Engagement Coordinator for the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, will be in attendance.

“We live surrounded by some of the most beautiful water in Canada. Our children should be able to swim at our beaches and lakes without wondering whether the water is safe. Protecting water starts upstream – with our streets, storm drains, creeks, farms, septic systems and watersheds.”

Saanich’s beaches, lakes and creeks are connected. Cadboro Bay, Cordova Bay, Elk and Beaver Lakes, Tod Creek, Colquitz Creek, Portage Inlet and the Gorge Waterway all receive water from surrounding neighbourhoods and watersheds. Beach closures and water-quality advisories show why source control matters: stormwater, sewer cross-connections, nutrients and contaminated runoff can all move downstream into places where people swim and wildlife depends on clean water.

Chambers is seeking a position on the CRD Board to push a stronger regional approach through Saanich and the CRD, focused on:
 stormwater source control and wet-weather / first-flush monitoring;
 investigation of sewer cross-connections, overflows and failing infrastructure;
 watershed-based planning for lakes, creeks, beaches and marine receiving waters;
 clear public reporting of water-quality results, pollution sources and corrective action; and
 measurable regional targets to keep recreational waters safe for swimming while improving fish and wildlife habitat.

“Putting up a beach-closed sign after pollution reaches the water is not source control,” Chambers said. “Bring Back the Splash means finding and fixing the pollution before it reaches the beach.”

Chambers is a Saanich farmer, business owner, restoration ecologist, conservation fundraiser, author and two-term councillor. Her 2026 campaign seeks re-election to Saanich Council and a position on the CRD Board, linking protection of natural assets with fiscal responsibility, neighbourhoods and stronger regional cooperation.

MEDIA CONTACT: Nathalie Chambers | 250-893-4505 | madronafarmgirl@gmail.com | https://nathaliechambers.ca/