Good Ideas

Continuing to work within a clear and integrated framework of measurable goals, fiscal oversight, community engagement, and transparent processes.

Health: Care Close to Home

Everyone in Colwood deserves access to the care and support they need, close to home.

Since being elected, I’ve worked to improve health and quality-of-life services for residents of all ages by:

• • helping establish Colwood’s nationally recognized municipal primary care clinic — a model now being watched by communities across Canada;
  • helping move Foundry West Shore toward construction, with an expected opening in Spring 2028, to provide youth ages 12 to 24 with one-stop health, mental health, and wellbeing supports;
  • working with The Village Initiative to create a Regional Coordinator role that helps better connect services for children, youth, and families across Colwood and the West Shore.

Looking ahead, if re-elected I will keep working to:

• • build on the success of Colwood’s first municipal primary care clinic by supporting a second full-sized clinic for our growing community;
  • help guide the opening and success of Foundry West Shore so young people can access the wrap-around care they need;
  • support the local volunteer and community organizations that strengthen the health, wellbeing, and resilience of Colwood residents.

Home: A Community Where Everyone Can Belong

Colwood should be a place where people can build a life, raise a family, age in place, and feel at home.

Since being elected, I’ve worked to support thoughtful growth and a more complete community by:

• • listening to residents and advocating with the Greater Victoria Housing Authority for housing that better meets the needs of Colwood families and seniors;
  • connecting the pieces that make a healthy community — housing, roads, sidewalks, transit, parks, services, and cultural spaces;
  • serving as Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee and Vice-Chair of the Waterfront Stewardship Committee, helping protect the natural places that shape Colwood’s identity and make this community feel like home.

There is more work to do. If re-elected, I will work to:

• • help residents make older homes more energy-efficient, including exploring a Model Net-Zero Home demonstration project with tours, workshops, videos, and practical tools people can use;
  • support creative public and private partnerships that create more housing choices for young people, families, and seniors;
  • advance clean energy in Colwood through more municipal solar projects, neighbourhood-scale electrification, and greater use of home battery storage.

Food: Access and Enjoyment

In these challenging economic times, it is vital that we build greater community capacity to grow, share, and enjoy more food closer to home.

Since being elected, I have worked to advance this priority by:

• • building ongoing relationships with community garden groups and local food advocates to better understand the need for more space and support for food growing, harvesting, processing, and distribution;
  • supporting conversations through The Village Initiative and its Food Security Collective to explore ways to increase food access, particularly for the most vulnerable members of our community;
  • supporting community service organizations such as ReImagine West Shore in providing barrier-free access to educational opportunities that increase skill-building in growing, harvesting, cooking, and preserving food for families;
  • recognizing food as part of a healthy, connected community — linked to land use, parks, neighbourhood design, climate resilience, affordability, culture, and social well-being.

My commitment to healthy food for all is a lifelong one. If re-elected, I will work to:

• • support the creation of more community gardens, edible landscapes, and shared growing spaces across Colwood;
  • explore opportunities for food forests, pollinator gardens, and native edible plantings in parks and public spaces where appropriate;
  • strengthen partnerships with local organizations, schools, growers, and community groups to improve food access and reduce food insecurity;
  • support local food programs that bring people together through growing, cooking, preserving, sharing, and celebrating food;
  • look for practical ways the City can help remove barriers to small-scale food production and distribution in our community.

Good Ideas: From Plans to Results

Good ideas only matter when they lead to real results. As Colwood grows, we need clear goals, careful spending, open decision-making, and strong community involvement.

Since being elected, I have worked to turn good ideas into action by:

• • supporting stronger budget tracking and review, so taxpayer dollars are used wisely and cost-effectively;
  • improving transparency at City Hall, so residents can better understand local decisions and have a stronger voice in them;
  • staying connected with the community by attending local events, business openings, site visits, tours, and community gatherings where residents share their ideas, concerns, and hopes for Colwood’s future.

Looking ahead, I want to keep moving good ideas from discussion to delivery. If re-elected, I will:

• • continue improving the City’s financial reporting and management practices to better serve taxpayers;
  • look for innovative, cost-effective approaches to public buildings and facilities, including new design and construction options for projects such as Public Works facilities, recreation spaces, and youth centres;
  • explore a partnership with the City, School District, Camosun College, and local non-profits to create a community-run “third place” — a welcoming gathering space where people of all ages can connect, enjoy food and drink, buy locally made products, experience local art and entertainment, and take part in workshops and learning opportunities;
  • continue working with regional partners to improve transportation and help people move more easily and efficiently throughout Greater Victoria;
  • explore ways to expand the role of the Greater Victoria Public Library in supporting literacy, lifelong learning, and community resilience in a growing and diverse Colwood.

About David Grove

I have much to be thankful for: Health, Family and Friends, Our Home and Neighbourhood, and a City I remain proud to live in and serve.

My mother, who faced and lived with major health challenges, often said, “David, always remember, your health is everything.” It is so true. Health is personal, but it is also shared: clinics with enough doctors and professional staff for all; safe homes; having enough food to eat; stable work; clean air and water; parks, trees, forests, waterfront, wildlife, gardens, and places to enjoy the recreation and cultural experiences that sustain us.

Healthcare, food security, housing, and job stability are closely linked. As a member of council, the demands of today keep me focused on the fundamentals, beginning with the fiscally responsible management of core municipal services. There is much important work to be done, and when we all do our part, we can live well together in a world-class community.

Serving the people of Colwood has been one of the most rewarding and challenging pursuits of my life. The learning curve has been steep and supports the notion that a second term would benefit from my lived experience, knowledge of how municipal government works, networks built, positioning, and awareness of important grassroots issues. It is my intent to stay the course in how I represent the people of Colwood: diligent attendance, careful preparation, contributions to meetings and functions, and bringing a unique, valuable, and heartfelt perspective into what I hope will be another positive and successful council term.

Continued support from family and friends has been strong and crucial to my ability to serve on council. To Gwen I owe much. To our children and grandchildren, I owe my continued effort because they represent the future we are all working toward. To this community I owe gratitude for the support that helped our family bakery business succeed right here in this burgeoning, small and beautiful city.

I am now old enough to understand. Wise enough to see through. Tough enough to keep going with commitment and preparation. And hopeful enough to let my heart and soul continue to care deeply for Colwood.

Many visitors come to this beautiful part of Canada. May we all find it within ourselves to keep it beautiful, plan wisely for growth, protect our natural assets, steward our precious resources, and keep our homes and neighbourhoods safe. Let’s work together to keep Colwood a welcoming community for all people.

David will be conducting neighbourhood walkabouts starting on Monday, September 14th and is looking forward to continuing to engage with community members on the issues that matter most to them.

WestShore Chamber of Commerce Online All-Candidates Forum
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Tune in to learn more about the candidates and their priorities for the coming council term.
Click to visit the Westshore Chamber website for more information.

Anglican Church of the Advent Colwood Election Town Hall
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
510 Mount View Avenue, Colwood