From community organizer to declared candidate
\nNancy Di Castri announced her candidacy for elected office in Saanich on Wednesday. The announcement marks a shift from her role as an advocate and co-founder of the local organization Save Our Saanich, which she established alongside neighbors in early 2025.
\nDi Castri initially indicated to media outlets that she did not intend to run for office following the formation of her group's electoral arm. However, months after those initial statements regarding her lack of intention to seek public office, Di Castri has now entered the municipal election race.
\n\nA history of opposition and legislative success
\nThe organization Save Our Saanich emerged as a vocal opponent of what is known locally as the Quadra McKenzie Plan. Following this emergence, Di Castri rallied neighbors to co-found the group in early 2025.
\n\nShutting down the alternative approval process
\nThe group grew steadily into an influential force within local politics over a short period. In June 2026, Save Our Saanich organized protests opposing Saanich's $150-million AAP (alternative approval process). According to reporting by Olivier Laurin of Saanich News on July 29, 2026, Di Castri was present at the protest organizing efforts.
\nLater that same summer in 2026, Save Our Saanich successfully led a campaign that shut down Saanich's $150 million alternative approval process. This shutdown came to fund the district's operations centre redevelopment project.
\n\nDedication and initial reluctance
\nDi Castri attended numerous council meetings, organized protests, and spent countless evenings knocking on doors during her tenure with Save Our Saanich. Despite this heavy involvement in local issues, she initially told Saanich News that she had no intention of running for the upcoming election.
\n\nThe platform: Pushing for balanced development
\nDi Castri's stated platform aims to push for what she describes as \"balanced development\" within the district. This specific phrase was used by Di Castri when outlining her goals following her decision to enter the race despite previous public statements.
\n\nThe timeline of events and organizational growth
\nSave Our Saanich announced its electoral organization in October 2025, a move that occurred while Di Castri maintained she would not run. The transition from an advocacy group with no intention of fielding candidates to the founder becoming a candidate represents a significant change in her political trajectory.
\n\nMedia coverage and photographic evidence
\nOlivier Laurin, writing for Saanich News on July 29, 2026, published an article documenting Di Castri's role at the protest. The publication noted that Di Castri was pictured on the right side of a photograph taken during events in June 2025 where Save Our Saanich organized opposition to the $150-million AAP.
\n\nSpecific details regarding the operations centre
\nThe alternative approval process targeted for shutdown involved funding for an operations centre redevelopment. The district's plan was valued at $150 million prior to the intervention by Save Our Saanich in the summer of 2026.
\n\nLocal political landscape and timing
\nThe municipal election race Di Castri has entered is set for later this year. The announcement comes after a period where she was actively engaged with council meetings and community organizing efforts throughout late 2025 and into early 2026.
\n\nAnalysis of the shift in political stance
\nThe decision to run contradicts earlier public comments made by Di Castri regarding her future involvement in electoral politics. The source context provided indicates that she had no intention of running after Save Our Saanich announced its electoral organization.
\n\nVerification of dates and figures
\nAll reported financial figures, such as the $150 million associated with the alternative approval process, are attributed to reports from Olivier Laurin. The timeline provided by the source places the founding of Save Our Saanich in early 2025 and the successful campaign against the AAP later that same summer.
\n\nAttribution of specific claims
\nThe claim regarding Di Castri's initial statement to not run is attributed directly to her interview with Saanich News. The description of Save Our Saanich as an \"influential force\" in local politics comes from the same reporting body.
\n\nCommunity reaction and organizational impact
\nThe organization has been described as influential, a characterization provided by Olivier Laurin's coverage. Di Castri's involvement included organizing protests and knocking on doors during her time with Save Our Saanich before deciding to run for office herself.
\n\nContext of the Quadra McKenzie Plan
\nThe plan was identified as the primary target of opposition when Di Castri emerged as a vocal opponent. This emergence led directly to the formation of Save Our Saanich in early 2025 with neighbors rallying around her.
\n\nContinued involvement and future outlook
\nThe article published on July 29, 2026, serves as the record of this transition. Di Castri's campaign now focuses on balancing development goals within Saanich, a stance she articulated after deciding to enter the race.
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