Oak Bay councillor Cairine Green announced today that she will seek the Oak Bay mayor’s chair in this fall’s municipal election and will devote herself to the job full-time.
“It’s a key time for me to step up,” said Green. “I’m experienced at bringing people together, managing people and issues well. I’ve worked in challenging environments before – I really think I have the chops for this job.”
Green said she will build on her “credibility across the region, proven leadership skills, and a nine-year record as a municipal councillor.”
“I offer the residents of Oak Bay a new and different kind of leadership; one that is competent, decisive, and balanced,” Green said. “I have strong skills for this important job and a commitment to this complex work.”
Green has completed her first term as Oak Bay councillor and served two terms on North Saanich council previously.
She was one of three councillors who represented Oak Bay council on the Official Community Plan Advisory Committee and served on a variety of local, Capital Regional District and regional commissions, committees and boards. She also has a long history of volunteer experience.
“I endorsed Cairine three years ago for Oak Bay council because I knew she’d be a hard-working councillor,” said Trudi Brown, Q.C., a longtime resident and practicing lawyer in Oak Bay. “I’m endorsing her now because I know she’ll be a great mayor for our community.”
Retired from the B.C. Public Service, Green said she will dedicate herself to the position of mayor full-time.
“If elected mayor of Oak Bay, I plan on hitting the ground running. The Official Community Plan implementation will require community consultation, strong leadership, experience, transparency and the ability to keep the work moving forward and on track. I will bring these qualities and skills to the process.”
Green’s father was Reeve of Saanich for two terms (1952-1958) and was Liberal MLA prior to that.
“My father really left a legacy – I really should have paid more attention to him as a child … my dad left wonderful values to all of us, the first one being excellence in community service. Both my parents passed that along, involvement in community – it must be in my DNA.”
Green feels her political pedigree, along with her years of public service and human resources work give her a solid platform from which to lead the community.
“Essentially, I have a lot of experience, I really enjoy the work and have a deep commitment to the work. I’m making the jump to the mayor’s position because a number of people have asked me to consider it.”
Although current mayor Nils Jensen has not yet publicly announced if he will run for the mayor’s position again, Green said she feels any political position must be earned.
“I don’t think incumbency automatically entitles you to serve the community. It’s good for the community to have a choice. It’s good for democracy. You should never take it for granted. You have to earn the position every time.”
Green is married, has a grown son and daughter-in-law and a large extended family.
Green hosts a campaign launch event on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Sports Room (upstairs), Windsor Park Pavilion, 2451 Windsor Rd., the public is invited to attend.
To learn more, go to campaign.cairinegreen.ca.