Lana Popham

Candidate Profile

On May 12th voters in Saanich South will have the opportunity to put Lana's experience, energy and enthusiasm to work as their voice in the Legislature.

So who is Lana Popham?

Some will know her as an environmental and community activist; others as a businesswoman and organic farmer; still others as a neighbour, parent and community volunteer.

Lana is well-known for successful advocacy campaigns and from her regular appearances for the past 18 months on CFAX with Joe Easingwood. In 2008, she was named “runner up” as Community Leader in the annual CFAX awards for her campaign to replace disposable plastic bags with reusable ones.

Born in Regina in 1968, Lana was raised on Quadra Island where her understanding of sustainability, the ability to live without causing long-term damage to the environment, had its roots. Growing food and respecting nature was part of her family's and her neighbours' day-to-day lives.

Studying geography and urban planning at university led her to realize that sustainable cities link neighbourhoods to jobs and services with high-quality walking, cycling and transit networks. She also believes that they should connect people to nature with parks and trails, and support a local farm economy to help supply their food needs.

In 1996, Lana made her home in Saanich South where she lives with her husband Jon, a firefighter, and their son Kye. The family owns and operates Barking Dog Vineyard, the first certified organic vineyard on Vancouver Island.

Lana ran for Saanich Council in 2005 and although she didn’t win, she has remained involved in our community and currently sits on Saanich’s Planning, Transportation and Economic Development Committee.

As a volunteer, she offers farm tours for school children so they can see where and how food grows, and she has partnered with her son’s school by running a composting program and holding an annual tomato plant sale fundraiser.

Lana is past-president the Vancouver Island Grape Growers Association, chair of the Certification Committee for the Islands Organic Producers Association, a commissioner on the Peninsula Agricultural Commission and a voting member of the Agri-Food Initiative Advisory Committee.

When the economic viability of over ninety food producers on Saanich farms was threatened by increased property taxes, Lana gave voice to the wave of public reaction that forced the Campbell Liberals to back away from their misguided farm-tax policies.

Lana is persistent in speaking up when she sees inequity. Many who initially dismissed concerns about the destructive effect of farm tax hikes now understand its impact on local farmers and our food supply.

Lana has always been an ardent advocate for local businesses and the recent economic downturn has magnified the importance of her focus on buying local and keeping money circulating within the local economy.

Lana Popham is a high-energy individual with a demonstrated commitment to enhancing the quality of life of our community.

Questions

1. Please identify what you believe to be the most important issue in your riding and your plan to address that issue.
   

   The most important issue in Saanich South is quality of life. We are lucky to live in Saanich South, where we are close enough to downtown to enjoy a night out at the theatre but also close enough to enjoy a day at Thetis or a walk at Francis King Park. However, if we are to continue enjoying this quality of life, we need to ensure that our provincial representative continues to advocate on behalf of our community. I am committed to advocating for adequate funding for our school systems; strengthening our public health care system; prioritizing green, sustainable transportation options and protecting our vibrant local food system. I want to represent the community of Saanich South in the Legislature because we need a strong voice that understands we need to work on all of these issues with an eye to sustainability.