Why I'm running

I am running because I believe Sidney would benefit from a wider range of lived experience at the Council table. Sidney is a special place, and I feel lucky to call it home. It offers so much of what people need: a walkable downtown, a beautiful waterfront and a wide range of local businesses and services.

My experience has also shown me that living on the Peninsula can be challenging for families. As a mom of two neurodiverse children, I often had to travel to Saanich or Victoria to access the services my children relied on. With two working parents and long travel times to access services, there were times our children went without the support they needed.

When my children were toddlers, Tulista Park became an important place for our family because its open sightlines and fencing made it easier for us to safely spend time outdoors. I have also seen that recreation opportunities are not always available locally for children with disabilities. These experiences have shown me how decisions about parks, community spaces and accessibility can make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

Sidney is a beautiful town, and I want it to work better for families and people who face more barriers than most. Affordability is a concern for many who call Sidney home. The cost of housing, childcare and basic services shape the choices people can make and their overall quality of life. While municipalities cannot solve every affordability challenge alone, Council should consider how its own decisions affect household costs, access to services and opportunities available to residents.

I understand that making decisions is rarely simple. I care about the environment and using funds responsibly, but I drive to work in Victoria because it gives me more time with family and friends. People who cannot drive, whether for medical, financial or other reasons, face different barriers. I am comfortable considering multiple variables and points of view, then making thoughtful decisions when no answer is perfect.

I will bring that approach to Council: listening to residents, trying to anticipate how a decision will affect different people and looking for effective, affordable solutions.

Erin Fedotov for Sidney – Thoughtful Leadership for Real Life.