The Tomorrow’s Sechelt slate is down to two candidates after Jacqueline Gillis announced she’ll be running a fully independent, and entirely self-funded campaign.
In a post on her campaign Facebook page, Gillis said, “The last few weeks have been tough ones for me. I’ve been somewhat disillusioned by the level of political discourse in Sechelt… So, I’ve made a decision. I’ve decided not to conduct a traditional campaign.”
Gillis suggested those who’ve already pledged financial support should donate instead to the SPCA or Red Cross wildfire relief campaign. She also said her self-funding will be limited to just $100.
Gillis also plans to forgo traditional signs.
“I’m exploring options for yard signs that recycle or reuse existing materials, that supporters can make themselves,” her statement said. “No one should be elected to political office simply because they have more yard signs than anyone else. No one should be elected to office because they have more money to spend.”
Gillis was one of the first candidates to declare under the Tomorrow’s Sechelt banner, which she described as a “loose slate” of like-minded candidates.
“I think Tomorrow’s Sechelt is amazing, and has been such a great and positive influence in my political life, but I can’t continue in that organization because I am going in a different direction,” Gillis said.
Donna Bell, another one of the original trio, has also abandoned her plans to run for council and will now be working on Danelda Siegers’ mayoralty campaign.
Tomorrow’s Sechelt currently consists of Alton Toth and Tony Lobb. In an email to Coast Reporter Toth said, “While we are saddened by the decision [Gillis] has made, especially given the number of months of work we've already been working together, we are proud to have collaborated with her, and wish her absolutely nothing but the best on her new campaign direction.”
Toth also said they are still interested in attracting other candidates to the banner, and Tomorrow’s Sechelt will try to collect the necessary signatures to get a “ballot mark” beside their names on the ballot indicating they are Tomorrow’s Sechelt candidates, which would formalize the group’s status as a slate.
