For past years, EDA Executive Committee members are listed here, and their bios here.
Our 2024-2025 Saanich-Gulf Islands EDA Executive Committee:
(scroll down for a bio of each current member)
Julie Cisz – Member-at-large
Jim Deas – Financial Agent
Debra Kelly – Secretary
Richard Kendon – Member-at-large
Jennifer Kennedy – Member-at-large
Shelagh Levey – Member-at-large
Stuart Mackinnon – Chief Executive Officer
Tom Mitchell – Member-at-large
Julie Cisz – Member-at-large
from Brentwood Bay
first 3-year term, ending 2028
Enthusiasm for the Greens is contagious. My introduction to the Greens and Elizabeth May occurred even before I moved to the Island in 2016. Thanks to the late Polly Walter, a highly enthusiastic Green, I read about the Greens commitment to address the climate emergency, as well as their focus on issues of justice in all facets – social, economic, political as well as environmental.
After meeting Elizabeth and subsequently volunteering in her re-election campaign, I was struck by her command of the issues, intelligence, passion, and integrity. And, all of these qualities seemed common to each Green I had the privilege to meet. My 30-year career as a psychotherapist has taught me to listen for congruence. Likewise, my longstanding interest and involvement in progressive politics has similarly trained my attention to focus on whether statements of purpose and values are reflected in action and policy. For Elizabeth and the Greens there is clear alignment. These seem to be increasingly rare qualities in our modern world, and especially among our political leaders.
Yet, here in the SGI we have leadership with integrity along with a highly engaged community. To have had 78% of eligible voters participate in the recent election is extraordinary. I am eager – and yes, enthusiastic, to do my part to contribute to this vibrant community and the value driven mission and actions of the Green Party.
Jim Deas – Financial Agent
from North Saanich
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 – Secretary
from Central Saanich
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.
Richard Kendon – Member-at-large
from Saanich
first 3-year term, ending 2028
I have now been actively involved in two campaigns. As the south hub for SGI during the recent federal election, I helped organize canvassing in the south Saanich area including preparing walk sheets, delivering flyers and all the rest.
Prior to that I was one of the key organizers in Ned Taylor’s campaign for MLA in Saanich South.
This new chapter in my life has inspired me to get more involved in helping the Green Party and the BC Greens win more representation in Ottawa and Victoria. I had the good fortune as a child to be able to play in the woods near our family farm in England. I spent a lot of time there as in those days there were no restrictions to a kid running wild while the parents worked, as long as I came home for dinner. During that time, I became very aware of the interconnectedness of nature. I am not sure I heard the trees speak but I certainly could feel their presence along with all the little creatures in the woods. Later through scouts, lots of hiking and camping in the wilderness including an unforgettable canoe trip in the Yukon and several visits to Haida Gwaii, this love of nature became deeper and stronger. Now I am totally appalled at what we are doing to destroy our lovely planet. The words of people like Elizabeth May, Greta Tunberg and Jane Goodall inspire me to do whatever I can to raise awareness of the desperate state of our environment. Being an active member of the Green Party and the BC Green party will be my way to do this.
Of course life got in the way. I had to get an education and a job. Now with a Bachelor of Commerce and a MSc in Agricultural Economics and a career in a variety of businesses behind me, I believe in lifetime learning and I am not going to stop now. I think I can use the skills I have developed to help green progress.
I have lived and worked in 4 provinces and 3 countries. I have developed skills in management, leadership, strategy, diplomacy, listening, critical thinking and problem solving. I have learned from my teachers, colleagues, friends and mistakes and I plan to continue to learn.
I will be happy to fit into whatever role the executive of SGIRA see as being useful. I am currently treasurer of the Saanich South Riding Association.
Jennifer Kennedy – Member-at-large
from Central Saanich
second 3-year term, ending 2027
Shelagh Levey – Member-at-large
from Cordova Bay (Saanich)
first 3-year term, ending 2026 (also an earlier term)
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.
Stuart Mackinnon – Member-at-large
from North Saanich
first 3-year term, ending 2027
A resident of North Saanich, Stuart is currently a Constituency Advocate for Adam Olsen, MLA (Saanich North and the Islands). He was elected for 11 years as a Vancouver Park Board Commissioner representing the Green Party, serving for 3 years as Chair. He is a retired Secondary Special Needs teacher and former Constituency Assistant to the Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould MP.
A graduate of the University of Victoria, Stuart has always enjoyed exploring the natural beauty of the Saanich Peninsula and surrounding islands. Since moving to North Saanich, Stuart has served on the District’s Commissions Review Working Group and is a member of the Parish Council of Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
Stuart has advocated for natural areas and preserving both urban and rural green spaces for decades. Contributing to his community is core to his values. He has served on several boards including the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation, the Wilderness Committee, Axis Theatre, and the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association. He has volunteered at the Mission to Seafarers, May’s Place Hospice, and established the Killarney Dragon Boat Racing Club.
Stuart has been a member of the Green Party since 2005 and was twice a BC Greens candidate — 2005 in Vancouver Kingsway and 2013 in Vancouver Fraserview — and served on the Provincial Council as an Ombudsperson.
Tom Mitchell – Member-at-large
from Saanich
first 3-year term, ending 2028 (also two earlier terms)
Born 29th November 1945 in a castle.
Apprenticed as a millwright.
Raised in Glasgow and emigrated to Canada in 1970 aged 24.
Four years in Toronto—Ten years in Vancouver—Forty plus years on Salt Spring Island.
Involved in Green Party Federal and Provincial Campaigns and support for many years.
Ken Rouleau—Andrew Lewis —Elizabeth May
Previous member of EDA for two terms
Salt Spring liaison for Fall Fairs and other functions.
Footnote
Lennox Castle was an emergency hospital during the war so no, not of noble blood.