Matt Dell
Council · Victoria
South Jubilee 23 yrs
About
Matt Dell is a community leader with a proven record of getting results for Victoria. Matt was elected to Victoria City Council in 2022. He is an advocate for affordable housing, arts & culture, climate & transportation, and better parks, recreation
Policy commitments
Buildings
We all want healthy, affordable, and comfortable homes. These policies will help to lower energy bills, cut pollution, and improve indoor air quality.
✓
Implement a 'right to cool' bylaw to protect tenants during extreme heat events.
Supportive
Climate Justice
Our community is already experiencing the harmful impacts of climate change caused by fossil fuel pollution, and taxpayers are on the hook to upgrade and repair critical infrastructure.
✓
Pursue available legal options to recover a fair share of the climate costs facing our community from fossil fuel companies and other big polluters.
Supportive
✓
Collaborate with Indigenous peoples as partners in the stewardship of the land, air, and water, and work towards reconciliation.
Supportive
Ecosystems
The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat all rely on healthy ecosystems. Nature can also help protect our community from extreme weather by controlling floods, protecting shorelines, and cooling neighbourhoods. Access to nature improves the health and well-being of residents, and supports biodiversity.
✓
Expand and protect tree canopy, parks, and green infrastructure to cool neighbourhoods, clean air, and manage stormwater.
Supportive
Land Use
We envision vibrant, walkable communities that protect nature and improve food security.
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Upgrade critical infrastructure for heat, fire, flood, and storm resilience.
Supportive
Transport
Connecting neighbourhoods through public transit and active transportation networks will cut pollution, improve public health, and make our communities more affordable (and fun!).
✓
Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities.
Supportive
Watersheds
Climate change, increasing populations, and overconsumption threaten our water security. Healthy watersheds and forests are critical to support clean drinking water, stormwater management, climate resilience, and biodiversity for future generations.
✓
Protect and restore watersheds as vital municipal infrastructure.
Supportive
Zero Waste
Zero waste policies reduce pollution, keep waste out of landfills, build resilient local economies, and safeguard public health by shifting society away from a disposable culture toward a sustainable circular economy.
✓
Implement bylaws to eliminate waste from new buildings, renovation, and demolition projects and to use existing buildings as efficiently as possible.
Supportive
✓ Supportive
~ Neutral
× Opposed
– No response
Climate action
How have you contributed to climate action in your community through advocacy, past work, advisory committees, volunteer work, and/or reducing your personal carbon footprint?
Climate change is the most critical challenge of our generation. I am committed to doing everything possible to reduce emissions in Victoria. City councils play a huge role in creating local policies to reduce emissions and help educate the public. As a parent, I know my children will be dealing with the realities of a warming climate throughout their life. I’ve been passionate about tackling climate change for a long time. In 2009, I wrote my Master’s thesis on policies to incentivize small-scale agriculture in BC, to help build climate resilience. Throughout 2020 and 2021, I represented community associations on the City of Victoria “Climate Change Adaptation” working group. I’m proud that my community South Jubilee hosts a monthly zero-waste recycle depot, to keep plastics and styrofoam out of the landfill. The City of Victoria declared a climate emergency in 2019, but we must act faster to tackle the climate crisis. To reduce emissions, we must promote active and public transportation, reduce vehicle reliance and traffic congestion, and move to clean electricity to heat our homes and buildings. Personally, I cycle as my main method of transportation, limit high-emission foods and global travel, and advocate for ending fossil fuel reliance.
Questions for Victoria
What are Victoria’s three most important environmental priorities for the next four years? What policies and budgets would you advance, and how would you respond when environmental protection is presented as conflicting with housing or economic growth?
The three most important environmental priorities for Victoria are: 1) reducing emissions across the city, including corporate emissions and emissions from buildings and transportation; 2) planting trees, expanding green space, and restoring local natural systems (e.g. daylighting Bowker Creek and other watersheds; and 3) helping residents prepare for greater climate impacts through better regulations, policies and social programs, and new infrastructure (e.g. seawall construction).
I support all policies that work on mitigation and adaptation, and have a long track-record of supporting climate-friendly policies. I think environmental protection always needs to be the top policy goal, even if it comes at the expense of housing or economic growth. But, climate and housing/economy are not always competing priorities. Building new housing in the city often means that we can limit suburban sprawl that destroys natural ecosystems; and new buildings can be constructed with zero-emission technology. I plan to continue to advocate for housing policy changes that support walkable cities, zero-emission buildings, sustainable transit and green neighbourhoods.
I support all policies that work on mitigation and adaptation, and have a long track-record of supporting climate-friendly policies. I think environmental protection always needs to be the top policy goal, even if it comes at the expense of housing or economic growth. But, climate and housing/economy are not always competing priorities. Building new housing in the city often means that we can limit suburban sprawl that destroys natural ecosystems; and new buildings can be constructed with zero-emission technology. I plan to continue to advocate for housing policy changes that support walkable cities, zero-emission buildings, sustainable transit and green neighbourhoods.
What policies and investments would you prioritize for the next heat dome to retain mature shade trees, expand canopy in heat-vulnerable neighbourhoods, improve public cooling and drinking-water access, and ensure all at-risk residents receive protection?
Climate adaptation - especially policies that focus on human health - are absolutely critical. I brought the motion to Victoria Council in 2026 that set a 26 degree maximum heat bylaw in Victoria, to ensure renter are protected in the next heat dome. I have also advocated for outdoor pools, splashpads, and more public parks, to ensure kids and families have cool space in the summer.
Victoria will need to increase budgets for tree protection, as many of our mature trees are going to require municipal watering to help survive the warmer summers - I support this work. I supported Victoria's move to expand our tree canopy from 30% to 40%, and will commit to the budget increase needed to support this work. I would also support taxpayer funding to ensure we have cooling stations, water stations, and social programs that help buildings adapt to warmer summers - this term we passed a tax incentive program to help older rental buildings remove their natural gas heating systems and replace with heat pump units.
Victoria will need to increase budgets for tree protection, as many of our mature trees are going to require municipal watering to help survive the warmer summers - I support this work. I supported Victoria's move to expand our tree canopy from 30% to 40%, and will commit to the budget increase needed to support this work. I would also support taxpayer funding to ensure we have cooling stations, water stations, and social programs that help buildings adapt to warmer summers - this term we passed a tax incentive program to help older rental buildings remove their natural gas heating systems and replace with heat pump units.
What changes to bylaws, development standards and approvals would you support to retain mature trees, Garry oak ecosystems, wildlife corridors, adequate soil and permeable ground to measure and enforce progress toward the 40% canopy target?
Expanding Victoria's tree canopy must be a key city goal for the next term of council. During the development process, the easiest way to add space for more trees is to remove requirement for car parking. On a single family home site, we can either allow a big driveway beside the house (and parking in the back yard), or preserve all of this space for trees and green space. I am a strong advocate for using parking space, and under-utilized road space, to plan more trees. I also support building taller/skinnier buildings, which allows more space on the ground to plant trees.
I also support the new OCP's plan to build a "blue/green linear park network" throughout Victoria, which means there will be green-walking trails throughout the city. In Sept 2026, council approved a new rental development that provided a large road dedicate for a green trail downtown, which I support. I also support adding tree-lined meridians when we re-pave streets, as we did on the new Fort Street.
I also support the new OCP's plan to build a "blue/green linear park network" throughout Victoria, which means there will be green-walking trails throughout the city. In Sept 2026, council approved a new rental development that provided a large road dedicate for a green trail downtown, which I support. I also support adding tree-lined meridians when we re-pave streets, as we did on the new Fort Street.
Which municipal actions would you prioritize to close Victoria’s 2030 emissions gap? What improvements would you require or incentivize, how would you make them affordable and accessible, and what measurable results would you deliver during your term?
I supported the development of the new Crystal Pool, as the old pool created 40% of the city's corporate building emissions. I support the electrification of city vehicles, and other policies to reduce the City's emissions. Moving forward, I will prioritize sustainable transportation so all residents can travel without creating emissions. For me, this means building electric busses, expanding transit, ensuring everyone can cycle safely, and building walkable communities where most residents don't need to rely on a car. For example, the recent electric bike share means people will have alternative option to get around, without needing a car.
I plan to use the CRD's Transportation Study to measure how many people are switching from gas-vehicles to sustainable transportation, and will commit to making policy changes and investments to ensure more and more people use sustainable methods.
Victoria also needs to help people remove natural gas from their homes, and improve building efficiency. I want Victoria to develop a municipal program to incentivize people to remove gas from their homes. We should create a building inventory to track energy systems, which can be used to ensure all buildings eventually use electricity.
I plan to use the CRD's Transportation Study to measure how many people are switching from gas-vehicles to sustainable transportation, and will commit to making policy changes and investments to ensure more and more people use sustainable methods.
Victoria also needs to help people remove natural gas from their homes, and improve building efficiency. I want Victoria to develop a municipal program to incentivize people to remove gas from their homes. We should create a building inventory to track energy systems, which can be used to ensure all buildings eventually use electricity.
Campaign contributions
Public records from Elections BC — 88 contributions totalling $19,230.69.
2022 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS
88 contributions · $19,230.69
| Contributor | Date | Amount | Office | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KAREN AITKEN | Aug 10, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| IRENE ALLEN | Jul 1, 2022 | $1,000.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| DAVID BILDEK | May 9, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| DAVID BILDEK | Jul 1, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| REBECCA BOON | Dec 31, 2021 | $1,230.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| DOUG BOYD | Jul 19, 2022 | $139.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JEFFERY BRUTON | Sep 28, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JEFFERY BRUTON | Oct 7, 2022 | $75.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JOHN BURROWS | Sep 15, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JOSEPH CALENDA | Sep 5, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JAMES COCCOLA | Aug 30, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| RAYNA CORNER | Sep 13, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| LORNE DANIEL | Apr 6, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| WILLIAM DELL | Dec 30, 2021 | $1,200.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GARY DELL | Dec 30, 2021 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GEORGINA DELL | Dec 31, 2021 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GRAHAM DELL | Jul 30, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GARY DELL | Oct 5, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GEORGINA DELL | Jul 24, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GEORGINA DELL | Sep 1, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GEORGINA DELL | Sep 21, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GEORGINA DELL | Sep 28, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GEORGINA DELL | Jul 18, 2022 | $39.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ANDREW DIMMA | Jul 9, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ANDREW DIMMA | Jul 25, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| M ANTOINE DUFAULT | Sep 11, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| KYLE EDWARDS | Apr 2, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| WAYNE FOSTER | Jun 27, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| WAYNE FOSTER | Apr 10, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| WAYNE FOSTER | Sep 1, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| WAYNE FOSTER | Sep 1, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ED GERIC | Oct 1, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| WILFRED GREIEVES | Jul 4, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| LINDA HANNAH | Aug 22, 2022 | $400.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| CAROLYN HELPS | Apr 14, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JEFF HOOK | Sep 9, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GRAHAM ISENEGGER | Sep 3, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ROB JAL | Jun 13, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| KATHY ST JOHN | Sep 21, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| WILLIAM JOHNSON | Oct 5, 2022 | $300.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ERIK KAYE | Apr 16, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ERIK KAYE | Jul 21, 2022 | $39.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| PATRICIA LANE | Jun 21, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ISABELLA LEE | Sep 12, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| MATHEW LEWIS | Jul 18, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| TODD LITMAN | Sep 7, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| TODD LITMAN | Sep 18, 2022 | $25.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ROB LORE | Mar 14, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| KEJU MA | Jun 27, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| LAURA MARSHALL | Apr 3, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| MEGAN MATHEWS | Sep 21, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| DAVYD MCMINN | Oct 14, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| DAVYD MCMINN | Sep 7, 2022 | $50.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JAMES MCNISH | Sep 17, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| QUINN MCTAVISH | Apr 10, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| RYAN PAINTER | Jul 1, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| RYAN PAINTER | Jul 18, 2022 | $39.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| DANIEL PALMER | Jul 21, 2022 | $420.69 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| SARAH PETRESCUE | Jul 10, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ASTRA LUND PHILLIPS | Sep 22, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GARY POONI | Oct 12, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| TAVISH RAI | Oct 5, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| MURRAY RANKIN | Apr 3, 2022 | $150.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GERALD ROTERING | Jun 11, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GERALD ROTERING | Sep 7, 2022 | $50.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| SILVANA SACCOMANI | Sep 9, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| BRUCE SANDERS | Jun 11, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JEREMY SCHMIDT | Jun 11, 2022 | $50.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JEREMY SCHMIDT | Jun 20, 2022 | $50.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JEREMY SCHMIDT | Aug 16, 2022 | $50.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JEREMY SCHMIDT | Sep 6, 2022 | $25.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| MANSI SEHGAL | Jul 29, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| TIM SHAH | Jul 21, 2022 | $200.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| DYLAN SHERLOCK | Aug 9, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| STAN SIPOS | Sep 13, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JOHNATHON SIPOS | Sep 12, 2022 | $350.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| TIM SMITH | Jul 20, 2022 | $80.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| TIM SMITH | Sep 13, 2022 | $50.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| STEPHEN TYLER | May 18, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| BRIAN VATNE | Jun 5, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| BRIAN VATNE | Sep 7, 2022 | $25.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| BILL WARBURTON | Jul 28, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| MICHAEL WARREN | Jul 21, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GRAHAM WETTER | Jun 18, 2022 | $1,100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| LESLIE WICKS | Jul 29, 2022 | $216.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| DON ZADRAVEC | Dec 30, 2021 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| MILJENKA ZADRAVEC | Jul 19, 2022 | $139.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| MILJENKA ZADRAVEC | Jul 26, 2022 | $139.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
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