PREPARED. PRINCIPLED. LISTENING.

ABOUT

I’m Alli Deelstra, a lifelong Saanich resident of 32 years, now raising my two young children in Gordon Head, in the same family home that has welcomed three generations of our family.


With a background in accounting, financial management, board governance and volunteering. I've spent much of my professional and volunteer life working in roles where preparation matters, difficult questions need to be asked, and decisions have real financial and organizational impacts.


My professional background is in accounting and financial management. I graduated from the University of Victoria in 2018 with a Bachelor of Commerce, and I now have more than eight years of diverse accounting experience in public practice, private industry and managerial accounting.


That experience has shaped the way I approach decisions. Understand the numbers. Ask what something will cost over the long term. Identify the risks. And make sure there is a clear reason for spending money.


Volunteer Leadership and Governance

I currently serve as Treasurer of the B.C. Wildlife Federation, an organization representing more than 40,000 members across British Columbia. In that role, I have worked closely with budgeting, financial reporting, audits, governance, strategic planning and board-level decision-making. Serving an organization with both urban and rural members has also reinforced the importance of listening to people whose experiences and priorities may be very different from one another.


I also serve as a Director (previously Vice Chair) of the B.C. Conservation Foundation, where my involvement combines my commitment to board business and a longstanding interest in conservation, habitat and responsible stewardship.


Previously, I served as Treasurer of the Island Rangers Society, adding another perspective on volunteer organizations representing over 400 members across Vancouver Island with private land access for recreational activity.

In addition to my non-profit society commitments, I volunteer at Claremont Secondary's bi-annual capstone projects presented by senior students. This is an opportunity that I'm grateful to participate in, as I was a graduate from the school and enjoy observing what youth are motivated to achieve.

Continued below...

IN THEIR WORDS

WHAT OTHERS SAY

Perspectives from people I've worked with and served alongside.

"

I'm proud to support Alli because I know how genuinely she cares about our community.

She's hardworking, compassionate, practical, and committed to responsible decisions that protect our community and the outdoors we value.


- Mike W.

Last name withheld for privacy

Have we worked together, served alongside one another, or connected through the community? I’d love to hear your perspective.

If you’d like to share a testimonial, please email me at hello@alliforsaanich.ca

Community and Conservation


Outside of my professional and board responsibilities, conservation and community involvement have been significant parts of my life. I am currently a member of the following organizations:



These organizations are very different from one another, and that is part of what I value about being involved. They connect me with people from different backgrounds, generations, and interests. They reinforce the value of community involvement across traditional lines.


Beyond the Boardroom

I'm also a hunter, sport shooter, angler and outdoor enthusiast. Much of my free time is spent outdoors, and my involvement in conservation has grown naturally from the activities I value and the places I want to see managed for future generations to enjoy.


Outdoor pursuits have taught me that conservation is not an abstract idea. Healthy wildlife populations depend on healthy habitat, responsible stewardship and people who are willing to put time and effort into protecting both. Those experiences have helped shape how I think about Saanich as well: Growth, recreation, agriculture, neighbourhoods, and conservation efforts all have to coexist, and good decisions require understanding how one choice can affect another.

Being a hunter and sport shooter has meant that some of my interests are not always immediately understood by others. I have encountered strong opinions about activities that are often judged from the outside, and those experiences have taught me a great deal about communication. I've learned not to lead with defensiveness. Having interests that sometimes fall outside of the mainstream has taught me how to navigate disagreement respectfully and reinforces my belief that productive conversations require curiousity from both sides.

I believe this lived experience of mine will serve me well on Council, where disagreement is inevitable but respect, listening and the ability to find common ground are essential.


These parts of my life may not fit everyone's idea of a typical municipal candidate, but they have connected me with people and communities I might never otherwise have encountered. They have reinforced one of my core beliefs, which is there should be room in Saanich for people with different backgrounds, interests, and perspectives to feel represented.


Rooted in Saanich

Saanich is not one uniform community. It includes urban centres, established suburban neighbourhoods, rural areas, agricultural land and significant natural habitat. The priorities of residents in one part of the municipality will not always be the same as those in another.

That diversity is one of Saanich’s strengths, but it also means municipal decisions rarely affect every neighbourhood in the same way. I believe Council has a responsibility to understand those differences rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.


In closing: I don't expect everyone to agree with me on every issue. I do believe residents should expect their elected representatives to come prepared, listen respectfully, explain their reasoning, use public resources responsibly, and be accountable for the decisions they make.


Scroll to Top