2026 Candidates on Active Transportation

Question 1 — Langdale-to-Sechelt Multi-Use Path

A continuous, separated multi-use path from the Langdale Ferry Terminal through Gibsons and the SCRD to Sechelt would provide a safer way for people (residents and visitors) to walk, cycle, and roll around the Coast.

Do you support the construction of a multi-use path from Langdale to Sechelt? If elected, what specific steps will you take to make the Langdale-to-Sechelt multi-use path a municipal and regional priority? Will you advocate to the provincial and federal governments for the funding needed to make it happen?

Supportive, but apprehensive. A continuous path involves the Town, the SCRD, the District of Sechelt, MOTI, and both the shíshálh and Squamish Nations at minimum, and coordinating that many governments on a single project is genuinely hard right now. Water, sewer, recreation, and road infrastructure already carry decades of underfunding on this coast, and I can't honestly call this the top priority while those gaps exist. What I'd actually push for is building the highest-use segments first, prioritized by where people actually live and would use it day to day, not by where car traffic is heaviest, rather than treating the whole Langdale-to-Sechelt route as one project that has to happen all at once or not at all. I'd also want this built into a Regional Growth Strategy discussion rather than negotiated project by project between governments that rarely coordinate well. On funding: this is exactly why growing the tax base through sensible development matters, it's how a small coast pays for infrastructure like this without squeezing existing homeowners. I'd advocate provincially and federally for funding, but as part of a realistic, phased ask tied to the segments that deliver the most use first, not a single large request for the entire corridor at once.

Arthur Cullinan
Candidate for Councillor

Yes, I support a continuous, separated multi-use path from Langdale to Sechelt. A safe connection would give residents and visitors another way to move around the Coast while improving accessibility for people walking, cycling and using mobility devices. If elected, I would work with the District, SCRD, Gibsons, the Province and other local governments to establish the corridor as a regional infrastructure priority, identify the highest-priority segments, and develop a phased implementation plan with realistic costs. I would also advocate directly to the provincial and federal governments for infrastructure funding, particularly because much of the corridor follows Highway 101, which is provincially managed. I believe this should be approached as a long-term regional project rather than expecting one municipality to carry the entire cost.

Desmond Das
Candidate for Councillor

Annemarie De Andrade
Candidate for Councillor

YES. I support the vision of a safe, continuous multi-use path from Langdale to Sechelt, and I have supported this work on Council. In 2023, Gibsons agreed to be the municipal partner for a Green Municipal Fund application to study the first section, from Gibsons to Roberts Creek. Our 2024 Active Transportation Network Plan and our advocacy for safer Highway 101 crossings also help move it forward. If elected, I will: Continue supporting active transportation improvements within Gibsons, as our budget allows, consistent with our Active Transportation Network Plan. Continue collaborating with the SCRD, the District of Sechelt and community partners such as Connect the Coast as the project develops. YES, I will advocate to the Province and the federal government, and continue pursuing funding when opportunities arise. Much of the route runs along Highway 101, a provincial highway, so senior government leadership and funding are essential. At a time when local budgets are stretched, partnerships are how a project of this scale can move forward responsibly.

Yes I support a multi-use path. If elected I would explore what work has already been done on this project, and see what partnerships and grants may be available to make this happen.

Mary Degan
Candidate for Councillor

Tyler Dunn
Candidate for Councillor

I am an avid bike rider both on the road and on our trails; I’ve even built a 250 m perimeter mountain bike trail on my property. I support the construction of this multi-use path from a personal standpoint but I am not willing to commit to making it a priority as a Councillor for Gibsons. I am willing to advocate at the provincial and federal levels when the opportunity arises and certainly believe it would be a welcome improvement for our area. For a project of this magnitude, I would need to see a clear need and benefit for a large section of our population before making it a priority as we have many pressing matters which must be addressed.

I am supportive. It is an ambitious project, but I think now is the perfect time to push it forward, as OCPs will all be up to date once the SCRD adopts the Harmonized OCP. The best path forward in my opinion is to follow the OCP with a Regional Transportation Master Plan. This would be done in collaboration with other local governments, who are already working on their own transportation plans, and First Nations. A regional plan would help us identify and prioritize projects, access grants, and would allow us to work with MoTT on the Langdale-to-Sechelt path and on road safety improvements in rural areas. Collaboration with community partners and advocacy to higher levels of government will be crucial; these projects will need to be in partnership with MoTT and will require substantial investment from the Provincial and Federal governments.

Justine Gabias
Area B Director

EDITOR’S NOTE; Lisa Christine Humphries did not answer the questions directly and provided, instead, a link to her website which includes proposals relevant to Active Transportation. You can view her proposals here: www.4sechelt.ca

Lisa Christine Humphries
Candidate for Councillor

Yes, 100 percent. And I will champion the construction of a safe multi-use path to anyone.

Bruce Randall
Candidate for Councillor

Adam Shepherd
Candidate for Councillor

I do support the eventual construction of a multi-use path from Langdale to Sechelt. I believe TRAC has already done preliminary designs for the overall route and broken up the design into individual sections that could be built consecutively over time. If elected, I would be happy to sit with TRAC and identify the highest priority section for Sechelt and incorporate that into our advocacy program with the Province. Beyond the Langdale-Secehlt corridor, it should be noted that Sechelt Council completed an Active Transportation Plan that outlines walking and biking routes that connect our neighbourhoods.

Yes, a multi-use path from Langdale to Sechelt and beyond is necessary for the safety of residents and visitors. I would definitely advocate to other levels of government for the funding to make it happen.

Darnelda Siegers
Candidate for Councillor

Scott Tilley
Area D Director

Yes. I support a continuous, safe and separated multi-use route from Langdale to Sechelt. I would focus on turning existing planning into a phased, construction-ready program: identify priority sections, complete engineering and costing, and coordinate with Gibsons, Sechelt, First Nations and the Province. We should build workable sections as funding becomes available rather than wait for the entire corridor to be funded at once. As Area D Director, I would advocate to provincial and federal governments for capital funding and work to ensure the SCRD has credible projects ready to submit.

As a TraC member, I support multi-use paths for pedestrians, cyclists, mobility scooters, and potentially electric scooters. However, I do not support building a continuous path from Langdale to Sechelt for the following reasons. Cost — Building the entire route as one project would likely be very expensive. The comparable 25-kilometre Ucluelet-to-Tofino multi-use trail cost $51 million and took more than six years to complete. Having visited it several times, I have not seen it heavily used. I believe there are more urgent priorities, including making existing pedestrian crossings along Highway 101 safer with clearer markings, better signage, flashing warning lights, and cameras activated when people cross. I do not believe many Coast residents would cycle the full distance. Although the route may appeal to tourists and make shorter trips safer, the cost is difficult to justify without a better understanding of which shorter connections would be most useful. I would prefer to build the route in smaller sections, recognising that not every section would need curb protection.

Gary Trinder
Candidate for Councillor

Joanne van Ginkel
Candidate for Councillor

I support segments of the multi-use path from Gibsons. I live in Davis Bay, so will speak directly to that section. I would like to see users get off the highway in Davis Bay and make their way up Laurel, and Laurel to be continued on the previous Havies development. In fact, I would prefer to see a road connect to Nestman for better connectivity in the event of an emergency. From Nestman to Radcliffe to Yacht to Benner to Smaylilh and finally Matukumm Lane. From there it is only a short distance to Tsain Ko on a multi-use path.

Silas White
Candidate for Mayor

Yes. The SCRD used to have a plan to build bike lanes between Gibsons and Langdale around 15 years ago. Relations with the Province over building bike lanes and provincial roads became complicated and confusing and these plans were shelved. I would like to revisit them. I have advocated to the provincial government for funding, including through the B.C. Cycling Coalition, and will continue to. If there are any federal funding opportunities come up we can go for those too.

Question 3 — Rural Connections and Transit

Many people living in rural areas have no safe way to walk, cycle, or roll to nearby communities, transit stops, or essential services, and may have to travel along high-speed roads. Safe connections are also important for people getting to and from transit, including crossing the highway to get to transit stops.

If elected, how will you work with local governments, BC Transit and the provincial government to improve or expand transit networks and to ensure safe connections for pedestrians and cyclists to transit stops are created in rural areas?

Arthur Cullinan
Candidate for Councillor

This is one I'd actually rank as a high priority, not a nice-to-have. As a volunteer firefighter, I've seen directly what happens when people have no safe way to get to a road or a transit stop, and it's not an abstract planning concern, it's a real safety record I've responded to. A regional approach makes far more sense than each government handling its own stretch of highway in isolation: rural safety doesn't respect municipal boundaries, and a resident crossing the highway to reach a bus stop doesn't care whose jurisdiction the shoulder sits in. I'd push for Gibsons, Sechelt, the SCRD and BC Transit to coordinate specifically on crossing points and connections to transit stops in rural areas, rather than leaving it to whichever government happens to own that particular piece of road. I'd also want this tied into our advocacy to the province, since BC Transit service levels and highway safety improvements are provincial decisions in large part. Our coast gets a stronger hearing on this making one coordinated ask than three separate, smaller ones, and I think rural active transportation safety deserves to be named specifically in that ask, not folded quietly into a broader transit wish list.

I would work with the SCRD and BC Transit to identify gaps in transit service and safe connections to transit stops, particularly in rural areas where people may have no realistic alternative to a vehicle. The Sunshine Coast transit system already connects Langdale, Gibsons and Sechelt through Routes 1 and 90, but improving transit is only useful if people can safely reach the stops. I would advocate for improved sidewalks, crossings, shoulders, pathways and other safe connections where they are needed, while working with the Province because Highway 101 is under provincial jurisdiction. I would also support continued discussions with BC Transit and the SCRD around service frequency, route coverage and connections to essential services. The goal should be a transportation network where seniors, workers, students and people with mobility challenges have safe and practical options, regardless of where they live.

Desmond Das
Candidate for Councillor

Annemarie De Andrade
Candidate for Councillor

Safe access to transit is essential, especially for seniors, youth and people without a car. Many of the riskiest crossings are on Highway 101, which is under provincial jurisdiction, so persistent advocacy matters. For years, successive Gibsons councils, together with SCRD directors, pressed the Province for a safe crossing at the Poplars. That persistent advocacy led the Province to commit to pedestrian safety improvements on Highway 101 from Gibsons to Lower Road, including safer crossings at the Poplars and Woodcreek Park. I will continue that advocacy for the remaining unsafe crossings and connections. On transit, Mayor White and our Youth Representatives on Council championed free transit for high school students, building on the Province's free transit for children 12 and under and helping young people get around without a car. Our advocacy with the SCRD and BC Transit has also secured local support for more frequent Route 90 service and prioritized a new Route 5 serving Upper and Lower Gibsons. The SCRD supported it in its 2026 budget; provincial funding is now needed, and I will keep pressing for it. Within our own boundaries, the Town's Transportation Strategic Plan will identify and prioritize safe walking, accessibility, cycling and rolling connections, including routes to transit stops. I will support its implementation and continue working with the SCRD, which serves our rural neighbours, so connections are planned across municipal boundaries.

If elected I would explore what work has already been done on this issue, and see what partnerships and grants may be available to make this happen.

Mary Degan
Candidate for Councillor

Tyler Dunn
Candidate for Councillor

If the SCRD wants to pursue this with support from the Town I would gladly do what I could to help. I am not sure where this fits in with the Town of Gibsons in a lead role, I can identify a few neighbourhoods within the town boundary that may be considered rural but we don’t really contend with high-speed roads (in theory and by the letter of the law anyway!). I’m generally in favour of working with the necessary parties but more in a support role based on the limitations of Councillor for Gibsons.

Justine Gabias
Area B Director

I will go back to the 'master plan' from the first question. Local governments are on the ground, which allows us to easily identify the transportation gaps via engagement with the community. The Province has given local governments a mandate to build more housing--let's use that to our advantage. We can project future needs based on Housing Needs Assessments and create a plan to meet those needs. There are some cost-effective ways to increase safety in rural areas: for example, the Halfmoon Bay Community Association just requested that the #4 bus route be reversed so that bus stops are on the side of Redrooffs Rd that has a paved shoulder. We have asked staff to look into the implications of such a change, which could be a fairly affordable safety win for the community.

Lisa Christine Humphries
Candidate for Councillor

I will advocate long and hard for increased transit networks and stay positive in pursuing safe connections to transit stops in every rural area.

Bruce Randall
Candidate for Councillor

Adam Shepherd
Candidate for Councillor

The Active Transportation Plan and recent Master Transportation Plan both focused on connecting neighbourhoods within Sechelt with bike trails, walking paths and connecter roads. There had been a planned walking path connection route from East Porpoise Bay to Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, but the grant money for this phase had to be absorbed into other works in West Sechelt. If elected to Council, I would look for further grant opportunities to complete that connector. I would also advocate with the SCRD and BC Transit to investigate more bus routes into West Sechelt and the East Porpoise Bay/Sandyhook/ Tuwanek corridor. Another project that I would advocate for with the Ministry of Transportation is an upgrade to the section of highway through Davis Bay to make this a safer area for pedestrians and cyclists.

Darnelda Siegers
Candidate for Councillor

Unfortunately, funding for BC Transit is shared between the province and the SCRD. A few years ago, when the SCRD wanted to expand service on Route 90 to every half an hour and the province didn’t approve the funding, the SCRD asked if they could fund it fully to move the expansion forward. They were told ‘no’. The funding arrangement in place had to be maintained. So, transit expansion is dependent on provincial funding allocations. Also, all rural roads in the SCRD are maintained and upgraded by the Ministry of Transportation. A regional transportation plan could be created to allow for targeted advocating with the Ministry for safe connections to transit stops in rural areas but funding would need to come from the province.

Scott Tilley
Area D Director

I support improving rural transit access, but I do not think the answer is simply adding more service hours. Before major expansion, I want clear performance information showing where demand exists, which services are attracting riders, and where public investment will have the greatest effect. At the same time, transit must be safe and practical to reach. I would prioritize safer crossings, pathways, shoulders and accessibility improvements around rural transit stops and corridors. My approach is simple: improve access, measure performance, and expand service where the evidence shows it will deliver results.

1. Measure Alternative Transportation Access Develop a Transportation Access Report and Remediation Plan focused on reducing car dependence and making other ways of travelling practical. More buses alone will not help people who use walkers or wheelchairs if they cannot reach a stop safely. The District has more direct authority over sidewalks, crossings, and routes to transit than over transit operations, so these connections should be a priority. 2. Coordinate Housing and Transportation Planning Plan housing near transit—or extend transit to new neighbourhoods—to reduce two-car dependence. Edgewater, built from 2015 to 2019, neighbouring shíshálh Nation properties, and Sechelt communities such as Stockwell Road, Marmot Road, Sandy Hook, and Tuwanek still lack transit service. 3. Expand handyDART and Medical Transport Extend handyDART into the evening and add vehicles if needed. OƯer on-call rides for seniors discharged after hours and transportation to oƯ-Coast medical appointments. 4. Enable Neighbourhood-Scale Services Update restrictive zoning to allow small commercial uses, such as convenience or corner stores, within residential neighbourhoods. 5. Ensure Major Developments Support Car-Free Living For major developments, assess whether residents can reach groceries, health care, transit, schools, parks, and community facilities without a car. 6. Design Housing for Mobility Scooters 7. Make Better Use of Existing Transportation Assets 8. Ensure Safe Access to Transit Stops 9. Strengthen Collaboration I welcome ideas from TraC and the community. TraC has presented to Sechelt and Gibsons councils when seeking funding. Council members should also be invited to events showcasing alternative transportation.

Gary Trinder
Candidate for Councillor

Joanne van Ginkel
Candidate for Councillor

BC Transit will be the most difficult piece of the puzzle. I know how challenging it is to even get a stop moved one block. BC Transit has an engagement site where district planners can submit. In 2024, UBCM asked the provincial government to provide funding to double services in rural areas. The federal government recently announced 10.6 million dollars for Pemberton’s multi-modal transit hub – so opportunities do exist!

How? Use my relationships, I suppose. I have long-time relationships with other local governments, the provincial government, BC Transit, TRAC…

Silas White
Candidate for Mayor

Question 2 — Funding Safe Active Transportation

Gibsons, Sechelt and the SCRD have plans for improving active transportation, but those plans require funding and actual construction.

If elected, will you commit to putting dedicated funding for safe, protected walking and cycling infrastructure into the municipal/district budget each year? Are you willing to raise taxes to do so? When roads are redesigned, how will you make sure the safety and needs of pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooter users are given priority?

Arthur Cullinan
Candidate for Councillor

I won't commit to raising taxes specifically for this. My approach to paying for infrastructure across this platform is growing the tax base through sensible development, not defaulting to higher rates every time a real need comes up, and I'd apply that same discipline here rather than carve out an exception. What I will commit to is making active transportation a standing part of capital and asset management planning, not an afterthought funded only when money happens to be left over. Gibsons, Sechelt and the SCRD already have plans and the real gap is construction and sequencing, and that needs to compete honestly for capital dollars alongside water, sewer and road priorities, not be treated as separate from them. On road redesigns specifically, I'd push for a complete-streets expectation whenever a road is resurfaced or rebuilt, so pedestrian, cyclist and mobility scooter needs are considered by default at that point, not as a costly retrofit added later. That's a real, achievable commitment that doesn't require new tax revenue, it requires treating safety as part of normal road maintenance rather than a separate ask every time.

Desmond Das
Candidate for Councillor

Yes, I support dedicated funding for safe active transportation infrastructure as part of the District's annual capital planning. That does not mean I would automatically support raising taxes every year regardless of circumstances. I would first pursue provincial and federal grants, development-related contributions and opportunities to coordinate active transportation projects with planned road and utility work. When roads are redesigned or reconstructed, safety should be considered for everyone using the corridor, including pedestrians, cyclists and mobility-scooter users. I would support designs that provide appropriate separation and accessibility wherever practical. My approach would be to establish consistent funding while balancing it against other essential infrastructure needs. Good infrastructure planning means making investments that improve safety today while avoiding unnecessary costs and ensuring taxpayers receive good value.

Annemarie De Andrade
Candidate for Councillor

I fully support safe walking, cycling and rolling infrastructure, and Gibsons has been expanding its network even with limited budgets. We completed the Reed Road multi-use path and extended the Venture Way path, and secured active transportation contributions from developers. Staff continually seek grants, and the Town contributes staff time and partnership support to advance active transportation in Gibsons and across the Coast. On dedicated annual funding and taxes, I want to be honest. Gibsons faces a major financial shift: as our population passes 5,000, the Town will begin paying 70 per cent of its policing costs, up from about 30 per cent today. With that pressure, I cannot commit to a new tax increase for this purpose. Instead, I will continue to support building active transportation into our capital projects, development approvals, grant applications and regional partnerships, so every dollar goes further. When roads are redesigned, I will continue supporting our OCP's commitment to roads that are safe and comfortable for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooter users, with universal accessibility built in, as guided by our Active Transportation Network Plan and Regional Accessibility Plan.

Yes, I believe that the District of Sechelt has already been implementing this over the last several years, with the assistance of grants so that this type of project does not necessarily equate a tax increase. I would examine the OCP and bylaws when roads are redesigned, and see if we can prioritize alternative transportation on those routes.

Mary Degan
Candidate for Councillor

Tyler Dunn
Candidate for Councillor

I am willing to ensure that any municipal maintenance accounts for safe, protected sidewalks engineered to the highest and latest standards with a particular focus on accessibility. One of my main hobbies after my children go to bed is riding my bicycle around town. In my experience, I find that our town is generally not particularly well suited to commuter cycling travel. We have a few flat roads, many of which already have established bike lanes. I often ride up School Road for cardio training but I would never rely on it as a method of transportation. I would not be willing to raise taxes for this infrastructure unless I am genuinely convinced the return on investment is worth it. I do support developing the many trails we have but would like to see any ear-marked resources created by careful assessment of our existing budget.

Rural roads are under the jurisdiction of MoTT, and road infrastructure projects and funding should not fall onto the lap of already-stretched local governments. We can, however, fund feasibility studies and planning to boost our advocacy efforts. We need to advocate to MoTT for better, more attainable active transportation design guidelines that respond to the needs and constraints of rural areas, and include improvements to the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooter users. Community Works Funds and Active Transportation grants could be used toward road safety projects if there is a plan in place and a clear definition of roles and responsibilities for each level of government.

Justine Gabias
Area B Director

Lisa Christine Humphries
Candidate for Councillor

My main priority is the densification of downtown Sechelt. This will require considerable support and interaction with downtown property owners,quite possibly some tax incentives or waving of DCC’s. In essence a raising of taxes for the rest of us! My ultimate goal is to strengthen the District of Sechelt’s Tax revenue. From a position of fiscal strength we can support the Community. Safe walking and cycling to me is community strengthening and a priority. The challenges of working with MOTI and their priorities are apparent. I will work hard to change the focus of MOTI from vehicle centered to well designed inclusive infrastructure.

Bruce Randall
Candidate for Councillor

Adam Shepherd
Candidate for Councillor

The District certainly looks to incorporate dedicated walking and cycling lanes where possible, but the majority of the cost of the recent Active Transportation work was dependent on grant funding. I am not willing to make a promise to raise property taxes each year for this specific item. I would look at the cost of specific work on a case-by-case basis and make a determination as part of that year’s annual budget.

Darnelda Siegers
Candidate for Councillor

I have a record of seeking out and allocating funding for walking and cycling infrastructure. In Sechelt, we built the circle loop from the highway at Trail and Teredo up and over by Kinnikinnick School over to Mason and then down past West Sechelt Elementary School to the Highway.

Scott Tilley
Area D Director

Yes. I support dedicated funding for safe walking, cycling and accessibility infrastructure, but not an automatic annual tax increase. The Board should identify priority projects, establish costs, pursue outside funding, and then determine the local contribution required. I would consider tax-supported funding where a project is clearly justified. Pedestrian, cycling and accessibility needs should be built into road and infrastructure design from the beginning, including safe crossings and mobility access. Because most Area D roads are under provincial jurisdiction, the Director must also work consistently with the Province to get those improvements delivered.

I support updating road and pathway policies so that all new or resurfaced roads, as well as new or replacement pedestrian paths, are designed for pedestrians, cyclists, mobility scooters, and electric scooters. New and replacement pedestrian paths should be designed for multiple uses, with bylaws revised where necessary. Although this approach will cost more initially, I support it because incorporating these features during scheduled work is less expensive than retrofitting them later. Budgets will need to be adjusted to support these improvements. I do not believe taxes need to increase. I would rather phase in the work and delay some projects than ask Coast residents to pay more. We should also consider alternatives to raised curbs, such as using parked vehicles as protective barriers.

Gary Trinder
Candidate for Councillor

Joanne van Ginkel
Candidate for Councillor

It would be financially irresponsible of me to commit to a budget line item before being elected. According to the Official Community Plan, 19% of active transport links exist and 41% could be funded by development cost charges, development construction or non-District road projects. We need to also keep in mind the likelihood of a bypass from Gibsons into Sechelt, which would lessen the number of cars on the current highway.

Silas White
Candidate for Mayor

We have active transportation improvements in our DCCs bylaw/ capital plan. So new development pays for new active transportation infrastructure, not new taxes. I don’t see us redesigning any roads anytime soon but the standard approach in Gibsons is generally to prioritize the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other active transportation. We have an Active Transportation Plan to follow and will soon have a Master Transportation Plan, too.

Question 1 — Langdale-to-Sechelt Multi-Use Path

Arthur Cullinan Candidate for Councillor

Desmond Das Candidate for Councillor

Annemarie De Andrade Candidate for Councillor

Mary Degan Candidate for Councillor

Tyler Dunn Candidate for Councillor

Justine Gabias Area B Director

Lisa Christine Humphries Candidate for Councillor

Bruce Randall Candidate for Councillor

Adam Shepherd Candidate for Councillor

Darnelda Siegers Candidate for Councillor

Scott Tilley Area D Director

Gary Trinder Candidate for Councillor

Joanne van Ginkel Candidate for Councillor

Silas White Candidate for Mayor

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Arthur Cullinan
Candidate for Councillor

Desmond Das
Candidate for Councillor

Annemarie De Andrade
Candidate for Councillor

Mary Degan
Candidate for Councillor

Tyler Dunn
Candidate for Councillor

Justine Gabias
Area B Director

Lisa Christine Humphries
Candidate for Councillor

Bruce Randall
Candidate for Councillor

Adam Shepherd
Candidate for Councillor

Darnelda Siegers
Candidate for Councillor

Scott Tilley
Area D Director

Gary Trinder
Candidate for Councillor

Joanne van Ginkel
Candidate for Councillor

Silas White
Candidate for Mayor