Issues for Sunshine Coast Regional District
Where do candidates stand on environment and climate?
This election is critical, and who we elect will shape the future of our communities for decades to come. We engaged with candidates, and asked them to complete a questionnaire to find out where they stand on climate and environmental policies affecting the Sunshine Coast Regional District.
What about other issues?
Want to learn more? Check out these resources to find out more about each candidate.
Coast Reporter election coverage
Check out the Coast Reporter's election coverage for Sunshine Coast Regional District to read or listen to interviews with candidates, and other election coverage.
Sunshine Coast Conservation Association
Read candidate responses to questions from the SCCA related to:
- Preparing for Climate Change
- Watershed Boards for the Lower Sunshine Coast
- Green Bylaws for the Sunshine Coast
- Sunshine Coast Community Forest Expansion
Policy commitments for Sunshine Coast Regional District
Summary of candidates' policy commitments, grouped by category. Click on each candidate's name to learn more and read their responses to the questionnaire.
| Candidate | Area | Total | Buildings | Climate Justice | Ecosystems | Land Use | Transport | Watersheds | Zero Waste |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | |||||||||
| Christine Alexander | Area A Egmont / Pender Harbour | 0/26 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Justine Gabias | Area B Halfmoon Bay | 26/26 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dean Miller | Area B Halfmoon Bay | 21/26 | ~ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kelly Backs | Area D Roberts Creek | 26/26 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scott Tilley | Area D Roberts Creek | 22/26 | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Donna McMahon | Area E Elphinstone | 0/26 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Kate-Louise Stamford | Area F West Howe Sound | 0/26 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Candidates for Sunshine Coast Regional District
Click on each candidate's profile to learn more and read their responses to the questionnaire.
Director
Christine Alexander
Director · Area A Egmont / Pender Harbour DID NOT RESPOND
Justine Gabias
Director · Area B Halfmoon Bay 26/26 Climate Policies
Born and raised in Quebec, Justine moved to Halfmoon Bay in 2020. She has a background in Visual Arts, Administration and organic farming and was elected Area B Director in 2022, bringing her climate action and community building chops to the Board.
Dean Miller
Director · Area B Halfmoon Bay 21/26 Climate Policies
I have lived in Coastal communities almost my entire life. Outside of 7 years working in business I have been employed in various natural resource related work. I have in-depth knowledge and connection to the B.C. coast and the people who call it hom
Kelly Backs
Director · Area D Roberts Creek 26/26 Climate Policies
The village blacksmith, former columnist for the community at the Coast Reporter, 6 years as a volunteer firefighter and first term director at the SCRD board. I play drums, ride my bike and raised my son here after losing his mother to cancer.
Scott Tilley
Director · Area D Roberts Creek 22/26 Climate Policies
Scott Tilley, AScT, has lived and worked in Roberts Creek for 20 years. His work spans marine service, science and consulting. He also engages independently on local environmental and land-use issues and promotes safe, transparent use of space.
Donna McMahon
Director · Area E Elphinstone DID NOT RESPOND
Kate-Louise Stamford
Director · Area F West Howe Sound DID NOT RESPOND
How to vote
On October 17, 2026, Sunshine Coast Regional District voters will elect one Director for each electoral area.
- Area B Halfmoon Bay
- Area D Roberts Creek
Are you registered to vote?
Find out more about how and where to vote from the Sunshine Coast Regional District.
Put a voting list together
Here are some questions you should ask as you evaluate candidates:
- Do they share my values?
- Do they have the skills and knowledge to do the work?
- Are they willing to listen to all points of view?
- What are their credentials and past work experience?
- Are they involved in the community? Do they volunteer?
- What is their position on issues you care about?
- For incumbents, what is their voting record?
- Are they a one-issue candidate? Or do they understand the big picture?
Voting tip
When you vote, only vote for the candidates you want elected. If that is one mayor and five councillors, only put down those names. For council, the top candidates with the most votes are elected, so if you vote for someone that you don't really want elected, that may bump your preferred candidates off the list.
Compiled & presented by
Vote4Tomorrow is an independent voter guide to evaluate where local candidates stand on climate and environmental policies that will affect our future.