Lantzville’s 2026 Councilor Candidates
We bring different perspectives and opinions but we’re united by a love for purposeful work, community, and connection.
A 54 year Lantzville resident and retired commercial fisherman, Dunn spends his time protecting and restoring local streams with the Nanoose-Lantzville Streamkeepers. He previously ran for council in 2022.
Development and Growth
Dunn has not laid out a specific development plan. His public statements lean skeptical: he’s said Lantzville can “develop in a way that fits our existing OCP,” and he values the semi-rural feel as a reason people live here. In a recent post, Dunn sharply criticized clear cutting around Ware Rd and the Gee property saying the destruction could harm wildlife habitats and ecosystems: from wet lands, to streams, and along the foreshore. He added proposed “schemes” such as Costco, data centres, or industrial parks would replace nature and “remove our Lantzville charm that residents enjoy.” He warned against a “pro-development bunch” running to replace the current council and vowed he would listen to the community over outside interests.
Taxes and Infrastructure
Dunn stated he would “practise fiscal responsibility when it comes to spending,” to avoid huge jumps in taxation. He did not detail specific mechanisms or targets. With habitat conservation in mind, he prioritizes low-impact infrastructure and stormwater management systems that safeguard the surrounding nature.
Governance & Approach
Dunn promises continuity if he is elected. He praises the most recent council as the “first fully community minded council,” and says he would follow the path they set. His priorities include protecting our environment for future generations and addressing traffic safety concerns such as speeding. Dunn says he has “no hidden agenda” and he considers himself an honest, hard working person who will represent the community.
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John Dunn (Challenger)
A father of four born and raised in Lantzville, Forsyth brings a hands-on construction background to his run and explained his love for the community in his candidacy announcements, saying he hopes to “bring the town back to the way it was before.”
Development & Growth
Forsyth prefers the term "building" to “development” and says if we don’t start building, commercial, light industrial, and residential, to diversify the tax base “we are not going to survive as a municipality.” He believes delays could cost the district more long term. "What we don't need is high density over building,” he clarified. Forsyth says more funding is needed for basic upkeep and repairs, pointing to residents' complaints of overgrown shrubbery on Lantzville Road, but saying the district has no ability to hire more public works staff. He says, “We do not have the funds to even repair Dickinson Road we need to borrow.” In his view, “sensible building that doesn’t change Lantzville,” would bring in needed tax dollars.
Taxes & Infrastructure
Forsyth has stated growing and diversifying the tax base is necessary for the district to continue covering basic costs. He says, “We need to start building up our tax reserves or we will have no money to do things like the gardening in the village core that people complain about.”
Governance & Approach
While Forsyth acknowledges a division in the community on many topics, he also believes an open dialogue would reveal “we all kind of want the same things.” He referred to “toxicity” in community discussions - particularly on social media - and stated he would keep district business to official district channels like email or phone calls. He welcomed open dialogue with residents but wants to keep it offline, saying he is “not going to converse in open discussions on facebook,” but that he needs to hear from residents: “you’re the voice I want to represent.” Forsyth has been actively organizing and attending meet and greet sessions to connect with the public directly.
Also Worth Knowing
Other priorities for Forsyth include increasing law enforcement presence to deal with speeding and road safety issues from the highway to the village core, improving local playgrounds and creating more recreation facilities, creating a community memorial space, exploring possibilities for allowing beach fires, and partnering with First Nations as our neighbouring communities grow.
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Lee Forsyth (Challenger)
Fowler relocated to Lantzville from Victoria four years ago with his young family and has a background in infrastructure, government consulting, and private real estate development. He is self-funding his campaign to remain independent.
Development & Growth
With a vision for a “Charming, vibrant, local” community core on Ware Road, Fowler supports a mix of commercial and residential development in Village South, Gee, and Clark-Medd areas to diversify tax revenue, help pay for infrastructure, and “provide more attainable options for families, seniors and newcomers.” He supported rezoning on the Gee property, “simply because of the potential increase in property tax revenue.” He describes himself as a strong believer in environmental stewardship, while acknowledging that development inevitably changes the land: “Every project is different and needs thoughtful, well-researched discussion about the risks and benefits.” This type of evaluation leads him to reject some ideas outright: "I would not vote in favour of a speculative, resource-consuming project like a data centre."
Taxes & Infrastructure
Fowler credits council and staff with a day-to-day budget that is in good shape. He added,
“Our long-term costs for major infrastructure and facilities, however, are high.” Fowler says he wants to “avoid major property tax increases” whenever possible, and he worries delaying development for too long will only leave the district further behind.
Governance & Approach
Addressing his development background and possible perception of conflict of interest, he stated, “I have no financial or lobbying relationship with any of the project owners in the District.” If a conflict did arise, he assured he would step aside. Fowler is critical of the recent council: “I believe some poor decisions and poor conduct at the Council level have contributed to significant staff turnover over the last four years.” He explained he values respect, integrity, and transparency in the relationship between Council, staff and the community. Fowler believes government consultation could be better at collecting and interpreting information to guide decisions and avoid missing the quiet majority: “Quiet voices count too, and government needs to do a better job of seeking out a broad range of perspectives.”
Also Worth Noting
Fowler is supportive of bringing back beach fires if a reasonable solution can be found.
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Jonathan Lerner (Incumbent)
Jonathan Lerner is a UBC graduate employed in the non-profit sector. A long-time community organizer and volunteer, he has been active in regional committee work since his election in 2022.
Development & Growth
Lerner campaigned for election previously, “with a promise to honour the will of residents and the Official Community Plan.” He renewed this commitment again to preserve Lantzville’s village charm while growing sustainably. He views this as a particularly difficult task for council, “as there are continual pressures to develop land bigger and faster, without necessarily taking the time to do it well.” Lerner referred to provincial housing mandates, which he says effectively erased “the thoughtful community planning achieved in parts of the OCP.” He says council protected Lantzville’s character by maintaining existing setback, height restrictions, and parking requirements instead of adopting new recommendations from the province but still complying with mandated unit numbers per lot. Lerner also promises to “ensure that growth pays for itself” citing council’s recent decision to increase Development Cost Charges (DCCs).
Taxes & Infrastructure
On taxes, Lerner points to his record on council saying they acted to protect residents from being priced out of their homes by freezing tax increases for two years, followed by modest increases of 3% and 5% over the next two. Council instead focused on reducing spending inefficiencies, and he says, “Lantzville is now on solid financial footing.” Next, he says the council will improve oversight and planning for infrastructure and has already authorized an infrastructure management plan. Lerner says, “Residents deserve to have their hard-earned tax dollars spent wisely and efficiently.”
Governance & Approach
Lerner says transparency in governance is key and he encourages “extensive opportunities for people to provide feedback,” including Town Hall opportunities, formalized surveys, and expanded resident comment time at council meetings. Lerner points to council actions last term as evidence of his commitment to transparency and citizen engagement: removing a ban on recording in council chambers, waiving fees for Freedom Of Information (FOI) requests, initiating quarterly reporting of Lantzville’s finances to the public rather than annual, and reviving Committee of the Whole meetings. He also highlighted new or resumed Accessibility, Parks & Trails, and Design committees.
Also Worth Knowing
Lerner believes “pets make our community a better place to live,” and he will continue making pet amenities, such as a dog park, a priority. In his role as representative for Lantzville on the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) Board he advocated for mobile infrastructure for smaller communities without a library branch and secured $700,000 in planned VIRL funding for the initiative. He currently serves as Chair of VIRL.
Learn More
Read Jonathan Lerner’s full platform and policy positions at lernerforlantzville.com
Scott Mack (Challenger)
A registered professional land use planner and small business owner, Mack brings more than 26 years of experience working in and with local governments, 18 years in senior management roles. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Planning (UNBC) and Post-Professional Masters Degree in Architecture. Mack is running explicitly as a change candidate, framing his campaign ”Lets Move Forward, Lantzville”- against what he calls the current council’s status quo.
Development and Growth
Mack advocates for strategic, managed growth to broaden the tax base and improve housing choice, adding “this development need only actually take place within a very small percentage of the District's land base”. He supports targeted commercial, light industrial, and “modest residential density (eg townhouses, multiplexes, and limited apartment development)” concentrated in specific, identified locations, namely the Village Core, Clark-Medd, Gee Property and the Foothills. Mack argues that proactive, careful planning will preserve Lantzville’s character, rural charm, and natural environment and says his background makes him “uniquely qualified” to find the right balance.
Taxes and Infrastructure
Mack has called large swings in property tax hikes over the last 10-years “fiscally irresponsible.” Ranging from 0% to 23%, he says the fluctuations are “the result of poor planning and short-term thinking.” . His platform prioritizes long-term fiscal planning: establishing a comprehensive asset management plan, building robust capital and infrastructure reserves, and delivering predictable, stable taxation. He advocates for diversifying the municipal tax base beyond single-family residential properties, contending that targeted commercial and industrial development is necessary to fund essential infrastructure maintenance without sudden spikes in residential property taxes.
Governance & Approach
Mack represents a platform of governance change, calling for a return to evidence-based local administration and collaborative leadership: “Council needs to stay out of the weeds and allow professional staff to do their jobs.” He highlights recent administrative shortfalls, pointing directly to high staff turnover, organizational instability, and critical vacancies in public works. Mack promises to promote transparency in decision making, saying he will “refuse to take part in any in-camera meeting that does not meet a strict interpretation of the criteria set out in the Community Charter.” Other platform priorities include improving municipal communications with the public, and restoring respectful, professional council-staff relations.
Learn More
Read Scott Mack’s full platform and policy positions at mack2026.ca.
Rachelle Mundell (Incumbent)
Rachelle is seeking re-election for her second term. Mundell points to her initial term on council as evidence of her balanced approach to land use and municipal finance.
Development and Growth
Mundell advocates for what she describes as "controlled calculated development that aligns with the OCP," stating that she has worked to maintain the village’s character in the face of high-density development pressures. She supports moderate density situated close to existing services and transportation corridors rather than sprawling subdivisions, and voted with council to defeat the commercial and industrial rezoning of the Gee property following widespread community opposition.
Taxes and Infrastructure
Mundell links the District's infrastructure challenges directly to its tax structure, campaigning on "fiscal responsibility" alongside "moderate taxation increases". She argues that Lantzville’s predominantly residential tax base is "not able to keep up" with ongoing capital and infrastructure demands. To ease the burden on homeowners, she advocates expanding the commercial and light-industrial tax base, noting:
“We have an incredible opportunity to add to the industrial road businesses.”
Governance & Approach
Mundell positions her campaign around continuity and measured decision-making, emphasizing open dialogue with residents. She has indicated she will be hosting in-person community meet-ups throughout the campaign and encourages voters to discuss local issues directly through her official Facebook page.
Learn More
Read her re-election announcement and platform statements on the Lantzville Community Hub Announcement Post or visit her Councillor Rachelle Mundell Facebook Page.
Ian Savage (Incumbent)
A multi-term incumbent Councillor and long-time community advocate, Savage is known as the council's most prominent champion for keeping property taxes down and protecting Lantzville’s rural seaside character. Pointing to his record over the past three terms as an indicator of what voters can expect going forward, he positions himself as a consistent and proven voice who scrutinizes district spending before asking homeowners to pay more.
Development and Growth
Savage has taken a cautious stance on major development projects in Lantzville, prioritising protection of greenspace and impacts on existing neighbourhoods in his considerations. He voted against development and rezoning proposals like Village South and Clark-Medd but backed the Foothills development because 1100 acres of parkland was included in the deal and he says “it had a low impact on other neighbourhoods” Following community opposition to the proposed commercial and light industrial rezoning of the Gee property, Savage voted with council to defeat the bylaw. Savage supported advancing the Local Area Service (LAS) process to provide municipal water connections to existing homes facing dry or failing private wells in the Winds neighborhood, while opposing applications that sought to expand development footprint or density beyond established community plan designations.
Taxes and Infrastructure
Savage centers his fiscal platform on spending restraint and keeping property taxes as low as possible. He argues that "it is very easy to just raise taxes but much more difficult to find savings and find income other than taxes," highlighting council’s efforts to scrutinize annual budgets, draw on reserves, and increase developer cash amenity contributions (raising them from $3,000 to $10,000 per unit created through rezoning) to cover infrastructure costs. Rather than looking to large capital expansions, Savage emphasizes that tax dollars should be protected to prevent sudden financial burdens on fixed-income residents and seniors.
Governance & Approach
Savage frames his role on council as continuity, positioning himself as a direct defender of the "will of the community" against developer lobbying. As former administrator and frequent contributor on the Lantzville Community Hub, he uses public discussions and forums to keep voters informed. Savage maintains that council must remain vigilant against top-down pressure, prioritizing transparency and accountability to local residents above all else.
Also Worth Knowing
Savage is a vocal defender of public waterfront road ends and foreshore access, repeatedly calling for protections against private encroachment to ensure shoreline access points remain accessible to all residents.
Learn More
Review his candidate positions, forum details, and community discussions on his Candidate Forum & Notice Post, his Water & Land Use Overview, and his Community Address.
John Westby (Challenger)
John has always called Lantzville home, a former volunteer firefighter with Lantzville Fire Department, Westby is running for council on a platform of community revival and collaborative civic governance.
Development and Growth
Westby advocates for "responsible development" and "purposeful, responsible growth," stating that Lantzville is overdue for development to ensure long-term viability. He favors diverse, mixed-use projects and contends that "pockets of higher density mixed with commercial offer an ideal solution to tax diversity and more affordable living spaces". While supporting measures to revitalize the village core, such as outdoor seating, bistro tables, and walkable shops, he maintains that with proper foresight, growth can revive community activity while preserving Lantzville’s seaside charm for future generations.
Taxes and Infrastructure
Westby emphasizes that Lantzville’s tax base is heavily skewed toward residential properties, placing an unfair burden and financial risk on single-family homeowners. He points out that commercial to light-industrial properties are taxed at roughly four to seven times the rate of residential land, arguing that expanding commercial space is essential to fund aging municipal infrastructure without triggering tax spikes for residents.
Governance & Approach
Westby calls for a return to pragmatic, cooperative leadership, stating: "I think governance done well should be quiet. Without scandal or fanfare. Ideally, things should work well behind the scenes and we all work together". Emphasizing that council "shouldn’t let perfection be the enemy of good," he pledges to act as a conscientious community servant who prioritizes constructive problem-solving over division or personal crusades.
Also Worth Knowing
Westby places a major priority on upgrading neglected municipal amenities, specifically highlighting that Lantzville's public beach accesses are in "desperate need of improvement" and choked by minimal or non-existent parking. He advocates for better utilizing existing district-owned land to expand recreational facilities and trails for all age groups.
Learn More
Read his platform and community background at westby.ca, or review his recent updates and community discussions on his Downtown Gathering Post and Tax Balance & Beach Access Statement.