Rishi Sharma, a Saanich resident for 46 years and a continuing‑studies instructor at the University of Victoria, is running for mayor as the candidate of the elector organization Save Our Saanich. Sharma’s campaign centres on what he describes as balanced development, protection of parks and natural areas, and a push for housing that accommodates families rather than investor‑oriented units.
Platform focuses on family housing and conservation
Sharma’s platform highlights several core priorities that he says would guide his approach as mayor. His housing proposals emphasise larger family homes — specifically 3, 4 and 5‑bedroom dwellings — rather than small condominiums. He has framed this as a response to development patterns he views as favouring investor units over family accommodation.
- Family‑oriented housing: priority for 3–5 bedroom homes
- Protecting green space: parks, forests, farmland, coastlines and natural areas
- Opposition to amalgamation: against merging Victoria and Saanich
On environmental stewardship, Sharma’s campaign platform commits to protecting Saanich’s parks and natural areas. He positions this as a central pillar of the elector organization he represents, which says it aims to “enhance and protect Saanich’s treasured environments, agricultural lands, and welcoming, human‑scaled neighbourhoods for generations to come.”
From previous candidacy to a mayoral bid
Sharma previously ran for Saanich council in 2022 but was not elected. At that time he voiced frustration with the district’s administrative processes for building. He now argues the situation has shifted, and that the municipality is advancing too many developments he considers inappropriate. He frames his mayoral run as an opportunity to recalibrate how the district evaluates and advances proposals.
His experience includes public service and teaching continuing‑education courses at UVic. Since his last campaign he completed a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University, producing a thesis on building relationships through what he calls “uncomfortable conversations.” Sharma says those learnings inform his approach to contentious local issues and council dynamics.
"I’ve been to a couple council meetings where two councillors were butting heads publicly. I think having proactive, safe conversations ahead of time to make sure that doesn’t happen on council," Sharma said, adding that he wants to "build our relationships so we can move items forward."
Race context and what’s at stake
The mayoral contest in Saanich will include two current councillors — Zac de Vries and Karen Harper — whom Sharma will face in the campaign. With development, housing and protection of natural areas high on the local agenda, the race is likely to hinge on how voters weigh growth pressures against conservation and community character.
| Candidate | Affiliation / Focus |
|---|---|
| Rishi Sharma | Save Our Saanich — family housing, parks protection, oppose amalgamation |
| Zac de Vries | Incumbent councillor (contesting mayor) |
| Karen Harper | Incumbent councillor (contesting mayor) |
Sharma says his leadership training and experience as a long‑time resident will help him bridge divide on council and among the public. He emphasises pre‑emptive relationship building so deliberation in council chambers is productive rather than adversarial. The campaign will need to translate those intentions into policy detail and build voter confidence on planning, housing affordability and ecological protection.
As Saanich faces continued pressure to accommodate regional growth while retaining parks, farmland and shoreline, voters will be weighing competing visions for where and how new housing should appear. Sharma’s candidacy places him squarely in the conversation about scaling development to suit families and conserving natural assets that many residents identify as defining the municipality.
