iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 8h

If you've made it all the way through - thanks! Let us know if we missed any news pieces you found helpful in understanding where the candidates stand.

010

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 8h

Lastly for tonight, we're not news, but we have linked all the candidate websites and posted some video clips from the all candidates' debates for those who couldn't attend. www.oakbayforall.ca/elections

oakbayforall.ca

Elections — Oak Bay for All

A resource page with candidate websites, forums, and other information regarding the Oak Bay Council and Mayor election on October 17th, 2026 and the provincial election on October 24th, 2026.

110

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 8h

And if you have time for a longer watch/listen, here's the @cfax1070.bsky.social mayoral debate between Kevin Murdoch and @samuelholland.ca in full: www.youtube.com/live/vAfIjSB... #yyj #yyjpoli

youtube.com

Oak Bay: 2026 CFAX Mayoral Debate

YouTube video by CFAX 1070

110

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 9h

There's not a ton of #SD61 school trustee news coverage, but Victoria Buzz has basic bios (and gives you an overview across all of the new TEAs/wards) victoriabuzz.com/2026/10/loca...

victoriabuzz.com

110

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 9h

The @timescolonist.bsky.social also has a profile on each Oak Bay mayor & council candidate. We won't post each of them individually, but they're all here: www.timescolonist.com/2026-civic-e... #yyj #yyjpoli

timescolonist.com

2026 Civic Election Oak Bay

110

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 9h

Victoria Buzz summarizes mayor & council candidates - a lot appears to just summarize candidates' websites, but a good quick intro victoriabuzz.com/2026/10/loca...

victoriabuzz.com

110

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 9h

With under 48 hours to go, we figured it's time for a news roundup for anyone still deciding who to vote for in Oak Bay's municipal election. 🧵 #yyj #yyjpoli #bcpoli

143

Reposted by Oak Bay for All

BC Policy Solutions @bcpolicy.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Polling shows health care is a top priority for people in British Columbia this provincial election. Here's how we can improve the healthcare system:

144

Reposted by Oak Bay for All

Oliver Moore @oliver-moore.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Toronto bike lane protest, day 2 Related anecdote: was talking to a small business owner this ayem on different part of Bloor and he was like, what's the problem with the bike lanes? Apparently he and his family use them. Says biz suffering but because everyone feels poor. It's not the bike lanes

39522

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

MacDonald wonders why Willows built more spaces for childcare instead of using the existing space at the Neighbourhood Learning Center where his kids go? [ed: Willows funded by province to meet needs, SD61 is 'childcare desert' for ages 6-12].

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Chaney and Mears: supportive of that, noted the struggle of trying to find spots. Mears notes that having school-site childcare is a way to keep kids connected to community, and a good way for staff to pick up extra hours. issue is funding.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Childcare, what can SD61 do to improve it?

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

All 3 candidates are supportive of AT, Chaney and MacDonald note they are avid cyclists. Would improve bike shelters, support UPASS expansion for Oak Bay students to encourage bus. Mears notes that independent movement is good for teens to build habits early and be able to go to after-school jobs.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Question: walking/biking to school is shown by research to be beneficial to kids' health and school performance, what would you do to encourage it?

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Mears: I think it would depend on situation. Important comms with educators and caregivers to determine what it is. Ways to look at how assessments are done. Maybe not capturing full scope of that child’s abilities.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

MacDonoald: "I’m not fully aware of the constraints." Not doing anything by forcing them through. Has seen research on adverse effects of holding back. In uni you repeat a class. Try that. Find ways to get support without the embarrassment of holding someone back.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Chaney: depends on next level but yes if needed. Has seen it work. At discretion of admin in school to assess individual. Board and admin to decide approach district-wide.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Do you support holding students back to complete grades?

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Chaney: "I see it at work when adults don’t strive to do a good job." Trickles down. Think of variables with real challenges. “Old school” would have been aconsequence, mentions detention. But culture has shifted so it needs to be a human consequence. Maybe tough home life for these kids.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Chaney: I think it’s complex in this city. Kids alone getting ready after parents leave for work.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Mears: SD61 and schools can implement outreach workers to meet kids’ needs (wake up calls, transport, meals) and make sure they have an activity they enjoy that makes them want to come school. Think/plan/do measurement system. Won’t be one size fits all.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Mears: agree with Piers that attendance/ being on time important. Mentions nonprofit experiences, notes from her previous work experience that kids don’t get to school for many reasons.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

MacDonald: a lot of data links truancy/absence to performance. That said, schools have obligation to educate. School shouldn’t be “punishing in sense of punitive” but should be an effect. Attendance and tardiness should be dealt with and measured. "I don’t know what the exact action should be."

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Student question: There so no penalty for late students or work. What power should schools have to discipline kids?

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

MacDonald: wants to dig in numbers: Electives are important not just for excellent students but for at-risk kids. Odds of dropping out reduced by 2/3 when they have an elective they like. Sport is something we have to do. Mandatory. Creative opportunities for other community orgs to pitch in.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Chaney: inclusion and access are important. School board can play a role here to promote discretionary funds to help students.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Question on ensuring access to sports: Mears: that’s a really good question. For volleyball over 100 tried out for 15 spots. How do we include more kids so they can busy and connected in pro social activities like this. Would look into funding sources.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Question: heat in schools/heat dome planning for future. All three candidates in agreement that plans need to be in place, audit existing schools, OBH issue of hot hallway, emergency backups. Mears mentions need for good HVAC and air filtration to prevent illness/absences of both students and staff

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

MacDonald: "I've actually created AI models." most transformative technology. A little bit scary how fast it's moving. at same time, we don't need to expose children to it. Schools need classical skill set: learn, reason, numeracy, literacy. Basics still important.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Chaney: "it's taken over healthcare" mentions devices. Parents modeling dependence on gadgets. "how to teach kids to live with and without tech." mentions privacy concerns that Board will have to deal with. ongoing discussion for gov't too (regulation). Device free schools should be on the table.

110

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Question on AI: all 3 have consensus is that it's inevitable, here to stay. MacDonald uses it every day but thinks kids should not. Mears calls for guidelines for teachers/students. Young ppl need to learn to think critically and how to evaluate sources.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

CHaney: educator in my day job. Ppl have range of learning styles and range of ways for ppl lot learn. Would even put arts ahead. Kids with disabilities especially can provide connection to material. Funding should be at least equal. Not even a question.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

MacDonald: Kids are pushed to STEM fields, "but I actually think best folks in tech are ppl who are creative." LLMS for AI are driven from language so writing and reading comp are important. 100% equal funding.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

All candidate agree that yes, just as important to fund these areas. Mears connects to to creating sense of belonging and increasing areas where kids feel seen and connected. Young ppl are all different and need space to grow into that and that’s what makes people fun and interesting.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Do you advocate for equivalent funding in humanities and arts?

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Mears and Chaney give similar responses around active transportation, eliminating waste, composting, asking students for their ideas (Chaney: kids often have best ideas).

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

MacDonald: “This is actually not best question," (moderator gently reminds him this is a student question.) Rest of his response is below.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Student question: how can district help address climate crisis?

110

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Another budget question. Need and pressure how to handle. Missed answers, but all in agreement need more money, schools are underfunded.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Mears: Notes GVTA endorsement. Would lobby province for additional funding. This is "unacceptable."We don’t ask this or in our hospitals in our other public settings. Clarified that GVTA do not give money with endorsement. Commends teachers for doing what they do with what they have.

110

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

MacDonald: needs question repeated. Then; It’s unacceptable. Pencils and papers are cheap. It shouldn’t happen. Would look at budget to “squeeze money out” out for supplies. “Ask forgiveness not permission” and pool funds, even if violates School Act.

100

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Chaney: need to fully fund education. It’s not okay. Frustrating system. Even PAC money takes time to dispense. Board could look at making funds available to teachers early on. Lobby province.

110

Oak Bay for All @oakbayforall.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Next up: Teachers are often forced to buy materials with own funds. How to address this?

100