Marg's Priorities
As a Victoria Councillor, my priorities are Safe Streets, Liveable Neighbourhoods, Respect for the Taxpayer, and Transparent Governance.
Safe Streets
Safe streets and safe neighbourhoods are among the highest priorities of any city council.
I have consistently fought for and supported adequate funding for those who keep us safe. I have opposed "defund the police" motions and other ways of cutting the Victoria police budget.
I have been a strong supporter of more bylaw and police enforcement on our streets. I believe that it is the duty of all Councillors to give the police the resources they need to ensure that Victoria is a safe place to live and work.
It is time to tackle the drug problem. At the same time, I have consistently advocated for compassionate treatment of those suffering from homelessness, addiction and mental illness. I am opposed to the spread of "safe" illicit drug consumption sites and low-barrier supportive housing that permits illicit drug use throughout Victoria.
I strongly support initiatives that improve the lives of those who find themselves without shelter, but proposals that are not focussed on rehabilitation and re-direction of the lives of those who suffer the indignity of living on the street will not solve the problem.
My Plan
- The City must inform the Provincial government that we will henceforth accept only supportive housing that leads to rehabilitation and a pathway to a better life.
- The City must demand that BC Housing phase out any supportive housing in Victoria which allows illicit drugs, alcohol or weapons — converting these to sober or drug-free transitional or therapeutic treatment facilities.
- The City must demand that Island Health cease operating a consumption site in the city that supports illicit drug use.
- The City must end financial support or tax exemption to social service programs which permit illicit drug use. We need more agencies like the Salvation Army and facilities like Our Place’s New Roads in View Royal.
- We must ask the Province to exempt supportive housing from the Residential Tenancy Act to permit managers to remove tenants who disrupt the lives of others or traffic in drugs.
- We have the bylaws to ensure safe streets. We need to enforce them. Council must ensure that funding continues for foot patrols and the hiring of police officers who can handle traditional police work as well as outreach to street communities.
- The City of Victoria must be prepared to support involuntary confinement for those who are a danger to themselves and others.
- We must continue to help the vulnerable and advocate for care — but we must stop promoting Victoria as a centre for illicit drugs and an environment for self-harm and anti-social behaviour.
Liveable Neighbourhoods
There are two issues affecting the quality of life in our neighbourhoods.
The first is the disorder and crime on our streets. Residents tell me that they don't venture downtown or on their neighbourhood streets after dark. And many will not go downtown during the day.
The second is the impact of the City's "missing middle housing" policy and the new blanket zoning within the new Official Community Plan (OCP-2050). These changes permit 4-storey, 6-storey, and higher housing structures by right throughout the city — negatively impacting family homes, heritage homes, greenspace, backyard play areas, gardening space, and sunlight in neighbouring yards.
As developers assemble land for larger developments, low-cost housing is demolished, adding to the need for more affordable housing and often leading to tenant displacement. Much of Victoria's remaining heritage-era housing — and the city's urban forest canopy — is now at risk.
My Plan
Safety in our Neighbourhoods
- Ensure that the “solution” to street disorder downtown is not shifting encampments to neighbourhood park areas.
- The City must ensure that the Provincial government fulfils its responsibilities of health care and housing — altering policies with social service providers to transform supportive housing to therapeutic and rehabilitative facilities.
- Increase bylaw and police presence in neighbourhoods to enforce bylaws and laws regarding open use of illegal drugs.
Housing
- The City must review the new Official Community Plan and set housing targets more in line with current projected population increases.
- Review and amend housing bylaws to conform with the minimum housing dictates of the Province (e.g. the City’s Missing Middle provides for 50% more units than the Provincial mandate).
- Review City amenities with an objective of providing green space and community amenities throughout the city — all based on population densities.
- Review Urban Forest targets with the objective of increasing canopy cover beyond parks through enhanced tree plantings in neighbourhoods, on boulevards and on private property.
Respect for Taxpayer
Victoria will soon face a financial reckoning. Out of control spending is leading to unsustainable tax increases for Victorians.
Over the past 4 years, the City of Victoria has reduced its reserve funds from over $300 million to about $160 million. Victoria home-owners have faced significant tax increases over the same period, with more increases expected through 2030 as the City addresses aging infrastructure.
The 2026 overall tax increase (City part only) is set at 7.28% overall, 9.24% for residential properties. The shift of several expenditures from the 2026 to 2027 year has softened the 2026 blow to taxpayers, but the Financial Plan now indicates a 13.43% overall increase for 2027. The 2027 residential property increase could near 17% — unless expenditures are curtailed.
“Where is the additional tax going? Do taxpayers feel safer on their streets? Is the city more liveable? Do residents feel that they are getting good value for the extra taxes they are paying?”
— Marg Gardiner
My Plan
- Zero base all budget items with a view to holding tax increases to cost of living increases.
- Eliminate planned generous salary increases for City Councillors and the Mayor, limiting increases to cost of living.
- Focus operations on Core Responsibilities of the City.
Transparent Governance
Major decisions affecting our lives — decisions about land use, multi-storey buildings in neighbourhoods, urban development in heritage areas, density — are too often made without public input.
My Plan
- Review and amend the “Delegation Bylaw” to allow City Councillors to participate in key decisions that now fall to staff under the new Official Community Plan.
- Expand the right of residents to be informed about, and to appeal, decisions made by City staff or City Council. As it stands, neighbours cannot appeal a decision of Council to permit a drug advocacy group to open a “safe injection” site in their neighbourhood.
- Give residents a greater say in the densification of their neighbourhoods. While the Provincial mandate prohibits Public Hearings on proposals that fall within the OCP, that mandate does not prohibit Council from reviewing proposals or receiving public comment.
- Re-introduce the IAP2 consultation process — involve people in decision-making rather than informing the public after decisions are made.