Saanich Candidate, Colette Baty

1. Are you familiar with the lingering issues created by the People, Pets and Parks Strategy?

Yes. I am familiar with the continuing disagreements over access, environmental protection, fencing, enforcement and the fairness of particular restrictions. People on all sides have strongly held views, often grounded in difficult personal experiences. The persistence and intensity of the conflict suggest that the strategy has not yet produced a broadly accepted, workable or sustainable balance.

2. Has the People, Pets and Parks initiative been effective so far? Why or why not?

Not fully. The PPP has clarified some rules and created designated opportunities, but it has also produced continuing conflict and dissatisfaction. I hear from residents who believe it is too restrictive and others who believe stronger protections are needed. A successful strategy should protect the environment and other park users while providing meaningful off-leash opportunities. It should also be understandable, enforceable and sufficiently sustainable that it is not constantly relitigated.

3. What aspects of the PPP, if any, do you think need to change?

In my first year, I would initiate an evidence-based review and bring together dog owners, other park users, environmental specialists, veterinarians and affected community groups in a properly facilitated process. Rather than expecting Council to choose between competing claims presented from entrenched positions, we should help stakeholders develop a practical and sustainable settlement that protects natural areas, addresses safety and provides reasonable, meaningfully accessible opportunities for responsible offleash recreation.

4. How do you see Saanich supporting education programs related to park, beach and trail etiquette?

Saanich should provide clear, practical information about responsible behaviour in parks, on beaches and along trails. This should include direct community outreach and easily understood information at points where people make decisions about access and conduct. Education can help establish shared expectations, improve compliance and reduce conflict. However, it must accompany rules that are understandable, workable and perceived as fair, together with appropriate enforcement where education does not succeed.

5. Is the $1.7 million in taxpayer funding allocated to the PPP the best use of those funds for Saanich? Why or why not?

I am not satisfied that continuing to spend the full allocation under the existing strategy represents the best use of taxpayers’ money. Before committing remaining funds to new or difficult-to-reverse projects, Council should review the strategy’s results, costs and community impacts. We need to determine what is working, what is not and whether the remaining money could be used more effectively. That is both fiscally responsible and consistent with evidence-based decision-making.

6. Are you familiar with the peg-and-post fencing added to PKOLS this year?

Yes. I am familiar with the peg-and-post fencing installed at PKOLS and the concerns raised about its cost, purpose, effectiveness and environmental impact. The fencing should be assessed as part of the broader review, using evidence about actual outcomes rather than assuming that further construction is necessarily the answer.

6(a). Do you support spending a further $270,000 to fully enclose the 1.7-kilometre offleash trail at PKOLS? Why or why not?

I would not support committing another $270,000 before the broader review is completed. Fully enclosing the trail would be a substantial and difficult-to-reverse expenditure. Council should first determine whether it is necessary, effective and environmentally appropriate, and whether it represents good value. Further construction should not pre-empt a properly facilitated process intended to produce a more broadly accepted and sustainable policy.

7. In seeking to be elected, what do you stand for that you think would be important for our members to know about?

Dogs are a much-loved part of our family. I have owned seven dogs of all sizes since 2000, including two rescues; I currently have two and help care for two more. I understand both the need for meaningfully accessible off-leash activity and the risks it can present. Decisions should be guided by evidence, demonstrate fiscal responsibility and be made in an environment of respect for residents with different experiences and legitimate concerns.

Sincerely, Colette Baty