Former Victoria City Councillor Sonya Gracey announced her intent to run for Mayor of Esquimalt on Thursday, after resigning from council 12 years ago.
Gracey says she loves Esquimalt and wants to deliver what the community needs.
She has a background as a registered nurse and Victoria City Councillor that has given her experience and perspective that she plans on bringing to the table as Mayor of Esquimalt.
To Gracey, Esquimalt is changing and she says, “there is an excitement in our community for what is possible.”
“I don’t have all the answers, but I have a deep curiosity, and a belief that together we make Esquimalt even better for today, and for future generations.”
Gracey’s main priorities if elected are affordable housing, fair dealings with developers, climate action, building relationships with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and investing in community services.
Sonya Gracey – previously Sonya Chandler – resigned from Victoria’s city council in 2010 during her second term in office to pursue her Master’s degree in Sustainable Health Systems after receiving a full scholarship in the European Union.
As Victoria City Councillor, Gracey helped to create one of Canada’s first comprehensive municipal resident engagement programs.
Current Mayor of Esquimalt, Barb Desjardins has served four terms as Mayor and is seeking her fifth in the coming election. In the township of close to 20,000, she won the 2018 bid for mayor by 4,000 votes.
