RE-ELECT

Shelly Donaldson

Together for a Sustainable Metchosin

Vote October 17

MEET SHELLY DONALDSON

Shelly Donaldson has proudly called Metchosin home for nearly four decades. Together with her husband, Brent, she raised her family here and operates Ewe View Farm, a small family farm producing locally raised lamb and pork. Her children are now the sixth generation of her family to live in Metchosin.

A retired chef and former business owner, Shelly understands the value of hard work, responsible financial management and supporting the people and organizations that strengthen our community. Her many years of community service—and her current experience as a Metchosin Councillor—have given her a practical understanding of both local priorities and regional governance.

Shelly serves as Chair of the District’s Finance Committee and represents Metchosin on the Greater Victoria Public Library Board, West Shore Parks and Recreation Society and the Juan de Fuca Water Distribution Commission. She is also the Chair of the IslandLink Library Federation and an alternate member of the CRD Regional Water Supply Commission.

Shelly is a strong advocate for local agriculture, food security, responsible infrastructure investment, reliable emergency services, accessibility and meaningful public engagement. She believes municipal decisions should be transparent, financially responsible and grounded in respect for Metchosin’s rural character.

Approachable, experienced and principled, Shelly listens carefully, welcomes different perspectives and works collaboratively to find practical solutions. She remains committed to protecting the farmland, natural environment and close community connections that make Metchosin such a special place to call home.

Experienced — Shelly’s record of public service, business ownership and community involvement gives her the practical knowledge to represent Metchosin effectively and turn local priorities into action.

Principled — She approaches decisions with integrity, accountability and careful consideration of their long-term effects on the people of Metchosin and the community’s rural future.

Respectful — Approachable and willing to listen, Shelly values every voice and works collaboratively—even when perspectives differ—to find responsible solutions.

Why Re-Elect Shelly?

At Home On The Farm

Priorities for the Next Four Years

Collaborative Leadership

Listen, engage and remain accessible. Represent residents’ voices and pursue practical solutions through respectful, transparent decision-making.

Agriculture and Food Security

Promote local food, protect farmland and support growers while building a resilient food system for Metchosin and Vancouver Island.

Rural Character and Land Stewardship

Safeguard Metchosin’s natural environment, green spaces and rural character for generations to come.

Responsible Financial Management

Make thoughtful, transparent decisions that prioritize essential services, maintain affordability and build a strong, sustainable Metchosin.

CURRENT ISSUES

Priorities in Action

PROGRESS MADE. WORK TO CONTINUE.

Shelly’s priorities are grounded in practical action. These initiatives reflect the progress she has helped achieve and the work she will continue advancing for a safe, sustainable and financially responsible Metchosin.

Essential Services and Responsible Investment

Shelly will prioritize reliable emergency services, roads, bridges and an interconnected trail system that provides safe passage for pedestrians, equestrians, joggers and cyclists.

Replacing or substantially upgrading the fire hall—one of Metchosin’s most crucial public assets—requires especially careful planning. Before committing residents to a major long-term expense, Council must clearly establish the community’s operational needs, assess the existing structure, compare practical options and validate the full costs of construction, financing and ongoing operation.

Shelly will advocate for a safe, functional and appropriately scaled fire hall supported by sound evidence, transparent financial analysis and meaningful public engagement. Essential infrastructure must serve Metchosin well into the future while remaining affordable, limiting unnecessary debt and protecting our rural character.

Safe, Local Water for Our Community

With approximately 25% of Metchosin residents relying on groundwater, Shelly organized three public Water Talks to explore water science, supply and costs. Recognizing that extending piped water to many rural and upland properties is unaffordable, she advocated for a local Bulk Water Station.

Developed through a partnership between Metchosin and the Juan de Fuca Water Distribution Commission, with funding from CRD Water and a Local Government Climate Action Program grant, the station is scheduled to begin construction in October 2026. Once complete, it will provide residents with reliable, user-pay access to safe drinking water—a practical investment in community health and climate resilience.

Protecting Farmland and Strengthening Food Security

Shelly continues to put Metchosin’s Agricultural Area Plan into action by supporting growers, promoting farm stands and encouraging people to buy local food. She helped establish the Community Garden on the Metchosin School grounds and secure a BC Hydro ReGreening grant for a pollinator hedge that will support agriculture, enhance the village core and reflect the environmental goals of Metchosin’s Official Community Plan.

In partnership with ReImagine Westshore, Shelly supported the Farm to Fork map, highlighting Metchosin farms and local businesses while strengthening our local economy. She also organized the Farm to Table Tour for the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC).

Through AVICC and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, Shelly has advocated for action on Canada goose crop predation, a Community Supported Agriculture incentive and crop damage caused by feral rabbits. She will continue working to protect farmland, strengthen farm viability and build food security across Vancouver Island.

A Vibrant and Sustainable School Site

Shelly will champion an updated plan for the entire Metchosin School site, building on the 2018 Land Story report. Her vision brings together health and wellness, recreation, arts and culture, community activities and viable local businesses in a place that serves residents and welcomes visitors.

She will strengthen the partnership with West Shore Parks & Recreation and advance a prominent wayfinding sign to connect people with the site’s programs, organizations and businesses. Fuller use of this community asset will generate revenue, support the local economy and move the site toward greater financial self-sufficiency.

Community Involvement

MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT

General Voting Day: Saturday, October 17, 2026

Voting hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Where to Vote: Metchosin School Gym

Advance voting: October 7 and 14 at Metchosin Municipal Hall (chambers)

Support Shelly’s Campaign

Together for a Sustainable Metchosin

There are two ways to help: make a contribution or give your time. Every contribution and conversation helps us connect with Metchosin residents.

Make a Contribution

By e-transfer
Send your contribution to polinsky.finance@gmail.com

By cheque
Contact Alaine Polinsky, Financial Agent, for cheque instructions.

Please provide your full name and residential address, plus your mailing address if different.

Contribution Information

Contributors must be B.C. residents and Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
The 2026 contribution limit is $1,429.70 per person.
Contributions of $100 or more are publicly reported.
Contributions are not eligible for a tax receipt.

Give Your Time: Host a Conversation

Bring a few friends or neighbours together for a coffee chat, a neighbourhood meetup or a virtual discussion, and invite Shelly to join you.

“I’ve always believed the best decisions begin with listening. I’d welcome the chance to hear what matters to you, your neighbours and the future of Metchosin.”
— Shelly Donaldson

Volunteer

Help us connect with residents by sharing your time and skills.

Drive Shelly door-to-door
Making phone calls
Speaking to Residents
Host an Event
Sign placement

Metchosin residents, backing Metchosin.

Territorial Acknowledgement

I acknowledge and respect that Metchosin lies within the traditional territories of Coast Salish peoples, including the T’Sou-ke, SĆIȺNEW̱ and lək̓ʷəŋən peoples, who have cared for these lands and waters since time immemorial. I am grateful to live, farm and serve here, and I remain committed to respectful relationships, reconciliation and caring for the lands and waters for future generations.