For past years, EDA Executive Committee members are listed here, and their bios here.
Our 2023-2024 Saanich-Gulf Islands EDA Executive Committee:
(scroll down for a bio of each current member)
Jim Deas – Member-at-large
Debra Kelly – Member-at-large
Jennifer Kennedy – Financial Agent
Mary Leslie – Member-at-large
Shelagh Levey – Member-at-large
Helena Murray-Hill – Member-at-large
Tom Niemann – Chief Executive Officer and Secretary
Jim Deas – Member-at-large,
first 3-year term, ending 2026
I am a retired accountant with many years of finance and business experience in a variety of types of businesses and not for profit organizations. I have served as a member of several boards and finance committees.
My wife and I moved from Scotland to Canada in 1974 and we have lived in North Saanich from 1979 to the present time, with a break of about 15 years in the middle when we lived on Salt Spring Island. We count ourselves very fortunate to live in this part of the world.
I strongly believe in the values and vision of the GP and I would like to do what I can to promote them. I think I can do that by helping to support our local EDA and MP in whatever way I can.
Debra Kelly – Member-at-large,
first 3-year term, ending 2026
I am a retired high school English teacher and have had the privilege of living in the Saanich Gulf Island district for 8 years. I have always had an affinity for nature, having been raised in a small town surrounded by the beauty of the Canadian Rockies.
I volunteer at the local SHOAL center and have initiated and run the soft plastics recycling
program in our condo community. I enjoy exploring the many treasures of our beautiful
peninsula, reading and oil painting.
Of the many gifts this region has given me, one of the greatest has been to live in a
constituency that is represented by the Green Party of Canada. I look forward to contributing in a more concrete way to a better political future.
Jennifer Kennedy – Financial Agent,
first 3-year term, ending 2024
Mary Leslie – Member-at-large,
first 3-year term, ending 2024
I moved to Vancouver Island from Burnaby in Nov. 2015 and was thrilled to have landed in Elizabeth May’s riding. No more strategic voting, I said with relief. Having Adam as an MLA is an extra plus.
I was born and lived briefly in northwestern Alberta and spent all my growing up years in Ontario, north of Toronto, until moving to BC to take my masters at UBC. I lived in Vancouver and Bowen Island before moving to Burnaby and now Sidney. I became interested in politics while taking a political sociology course in my BA program, many years ago and have been involved in political campaigns from time to time; most recently I was supporting Kennedy Stewart in Burnaby (whose passion for environmental issues was not always supported by his NDP counterparts, I might add). Trans Mountain/Kinder Morgan issues were front and center for me there, especially as I lived just meters from the pipeline; they continue to be important for me.
I am semi-retired, as a clinical social worker, having worked mostly in health fields, private practice and teaching as a sessional faculty member at UBC School of Social Work. I have had two very impactful visits to Fairy Creek and am passionate about saving our old growth forests. Hiking and outdoor activities have always been important to me and to my two now adult sons. I am enjoying sharing this passion with my two grandchildren in California. They have added an even greater urgency to my efforts re environmental issues.
I have campaigned for Adam and for Elizabeth in each of their last two elections in several capacities and have been impressed by the level of organization and deep commitment of those involved. I hope to be able to lend my skills where they are needed most and to be of support for Elizabeth’s fine contributions in any way I can.
Shelagh Levey – Member-at-large,
first 3-year term, ending 2026
Born and raised in England, I went to teach in East Africa where I met and married John.
We then moved to Jamaica, and eventually Canada. Our children were born in each of
these countries, and we now have seven grandchildren.
I have always felt close to nature, but my political activities began after reading the Club of Rome Report. In 1969, I worked with a few other young people, to begin the first recycling programme in the area, and since then I have written hundreds of letters, and taken part in numerous protests. As a member of Old Folks for Old Growth I am presently involved in actions to protect watersheds, and old growth trees.
I am a member of the Green Party because I feel it is the only political party that speaks for the environment. When Elizabeth May arrived in Saanich Gulf Islands I realized that my values aligned with the Green Party, and eagerly volunteered in the election that made her the first Green MP in Canada. In 2019, I was the volunteer canvassing coordinator for SGI and felt privileged to work with so many committed volunteers.
To combat climate anxiety I try to be active, which is why I am happy to serve on the SGI
executive.
Helena Murray-Hill – Member-at-large,
second 3-year term, ending 2026
As a political science student, I was keenly interested in getting involved with the 2019 election. I chose to canvass and scrutineer for the Green Party and had the privilege of joining Elizabeth May on a canvassing blitz. I was astonished by her passion and knowledge of the complex issues she represented in her campaign. I was thrilled to have the chance to represent the often overlooked voices of young people and immerse myself in the campaign process of a party whose values reflected my own. Like many young people, I am dismayed by the lack of access to affordable higher education. As well, I believe the federal government is not taking the climate crisis seriously enough.
As a young person, student, and essential worker, I bring a unique energy and perspective. I am interested in running for the EDA so I can continue to immerse myself in the Green Party’s campaign process and support an organization that upholds my values and
represents my interests at the highest level of government.
Tom Niemann – Chief Executive Officer and Secretary,
first 3-year term, ending 2025
After retiring from a career in forestry, focused on sustainability issues including climate change, helping out the Greens in my riding seemed a good fit. Turns out you can have a lot of fun putting up campaign signs, building/maintaining a new SGI website, and talking to strangers on their doorsteps!
Working with other Greens makes me feel better about the future. Conversations that lead to shared actions that improve our world, locally and globally, are the best antidote to the polarized culture and politics of our time. There’s much to do, and I’m happy to pitch in where I can.