A new municipal party, Victoria for All, formally launched its slate at Victoria City Hall on Saturday, endorsing current city councillor Susan Kim, community organiser Peter Rose Gibbs for council and Maiya Beech for Greater Victoria School District 61 trustee.
Campaign framed around affordability and crisis response
The group said its campaign will focus on four pillars: housing affordability, support for people experiencing crisis and homelessness, climate change preparedness, and community connection. At the event, Kim described lessons from her four years on council and said she wants to continue advocating for affordability.
“I believe Victoria is at a turning point,” Kim said. “There’s a lot of wealth in this city.”
Victoria for All outlined several specific commitments it would pursue if its candidates are elected. Among them are a pledge to double city spending on affordable public, non-profit and co-operative housing while maintaining existing affordable rental stock; the creation of a 24-hour mental health crisis response service; expanded outreach and harm-reduction services; broader access to free transit; and investments in energy-efficiency and urban nature such as heat pumps, green roofs and street trees.
Voices and motivations
Gibbs said conversations with their young daughter about people sleeping in parks spurred the decision to run, arguing the status quo is unacceptable. Beech, who seeks a seat on the school board, said threatened cuts to music program funding motivated their candidacy and pledged to defend arts and music in every budget they influence. They also promised advocacy for schools to be welcoming and safe for queer, transgender and racialized students.
Victoria for All’s platform links housing and social services with climate measures and neighbourhood cohesion. The group proposed policy changes intended to reduce street disorder through enhanced crisis response and to support lower-income households with housing and transit measures.
Local implications ahead of the vote
The announcement arrives roughly two months before the municipal election and introduces an organised slate into Victoria’s local race. The party’s focus on ramping up municipal investment in non-profit housing and on crisis-focused mental-health responses will shape debate over budget priorities and service delivery models offered by council candidates across the city.
- Candidates: Susan Kim (incumbent councillor), Peter Rose Gibbs (council candidate), Maiya Beech (school trustee candidate)
- Core pledges: double city spending on affordable housing, 24-hour mental health response, expand free transit, climate resiliency investments
- Pillars: housing affordability, crisis supports, climate preparedness, community connection
| Item | Promised action |
|---|---|
| Affordable housing | Double city spending on public, non-profit and co-op housing |
| Mental health response | Create 24-hour crisis service |
| Climate measures | Invest in heat pumps, green roofs and urban trees |
As the campaign unfolds, voters and council candidates will be watching how Victoria for All translates these platform commitments into specific budget proposals and operational plans, and whether the slate can mobilise sufficient support to influence council priorities after the election.
