Government works best when people are heard

Local government is supposed to be local.

Residents should not have to become experts in municipal procedure, attend every Council meeting or spend hours searching through agendas to understand decisions that affect their homes, neighbourhoods and taxes.

Nathalie believes public participation is more than a consultation requirement. It is a foundation of good government.

Throughout her time on Council, she has consistently advocated for greater transparency, stronger civic engagement and better access to information. She has published regular updates explaining Council decisions and has pushed for tools that allow residents to see how elected officials vote.

The concern is bigger than any one meeting.

Nathalie has argued that Saanich’s traditional opportunities for public participation have been weakened — including changes to the Public Forum and the role of Local Area Plans. She has heard from residents who feel that decisions are increasingly being made to communities rather than with them.

That frustration matters.

People will not always agree with Council. They should not expect to. Democracy does not mean everyone gets their preferred outcome. It means residents have a fair opportunity to understand an issue, provide evidence and opinions, see how elected officials voted, and understand why a decision was made.

Nathalie supports restoring that relationship of trust.

Saanich has already begun expanding opportunities for engagement through town halls, and Nathalie has supported three annual town halls. The next step is to make participation more accessible, transparent and meaningful — not simply another online survey after the important decisions have already been made.

What this means in practice:

• Restore meaningful opportunities for residents to speak directly to Council.
• Maintain regular, accessible town halls throughout the year.
• Publish clear voting records and explanations of major Council decisions.
• Make Council information easier to understand and easier to find.
• Improve access to meeting recordings and public information.
• Engage neighbourhoods early, before plans are effectively settled.
• Strengthen Local Area Plans as a genuine expression of community priorities.
• Make participation accessible to people who cannot attend meetings in person.
• Close the loop: tell residents what was heard, what changed and why.

You don’t have to agree with Nathalie. But you should always know where she stands, why she voted the way she did, and have a meaningful opportunity to tell her what you think.