Mark Van Deursen

2026 Election Candidate

Environmental

The Spallumcheen Official Community Plan features "Urban Containment and Rural Protection goals and policies, emphasizing the creation of compact, complete communities." Please give local examples of 'good' and 'not good' building development in Spallumcheen, and state why.

I think growth is important for Spallumcheen, but we need to be smart about how we do it.

I'm not against development. We need businesses, jobs, housing and a strong tax base. But for me, it comes down to putting the right development in the right place.

If we already have areas identified for industrial or residential growth, we should make good use of those areas before pushing development farther into our agricultural land. We've always said “Farming Comes First” in Spallumcheen, and I think we need to make sure that still means something.

We also need to understand the real cost of development. Do we have the roads, water, sewer and services to support it? Who pays for it? And what will it cost taxpayers 10 or 20 years from now?

I believe we can have growth and still protect agriculture and our rural way of life. We just need to plan properly and make decisions today that we'll still be proud of 20 years from now.

Spallumcheen has experienced significant climate impacts for the last few years. How do you propose to address these crises, both in preparing ahead for disasters like drought, wildfires, heat domes and floods, as well as reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that lead to climate change?

I think we need to look at climate change from a practical point of view. We have already seen drought, wildfires, extreme heat and flooding right here in Spallumcheen, and we need to be better prepared for them.

For me, water is one of the biggest concerns, especially in an agricultural community. We need to protect our water sources, improve storage where it makes sense, use water more efficiently and make sure we have enough available for residents, agriculture and firefighting.

We also need to continue FireSmart programs, improve emergency planning and evacuation routes, and make sure our infrastructure is designed to handle extreme weather and flooding.

When it comes to reducing emissions, I support practical solutions that also make economic sense—energy-efficient municipal buildings and equipment, supporting local agriculture and businesses, and looking for opportunities to reduce energy use and waste.

I don't think the answer is simply adding more costs or regulations. I think it's about planning ahead, using common sense and investing in projects that make Spallumcheen more resilient for the future.

Do you support the use of public funds to contribute to acquiring natural lands for environmental conservation purposes? Under what conditions would the perceived need for more housing, businesses, roads and other infrastructure prompt you to trade away natural lands with high ecological value for urban expansion?

Yes, I think there are situations where using public funds to protect natural lands makes sense, but there needs to be a clear benefit to the community and we need to be responsible with taxpayers' money.

If a property protects an important water source, wetland, wildlife habitat or other environmentally sensitive area, I think we should look at the options available, including partnerships with other levels of government or conservation organizations rather than automatically putting the entire cost on local taxpayers.

At the same time, we need land for housing, businesses and infrastructure. I don't think every piece of undeveloped land should automatically be considered untouchable.

Before developing land with high ecological value, I would want to know whether there are reasonable alternatives. Can the development go somewhere else? Can the project be redesigned to protect the most sensitive areas?

For me, it comes down to balance. We need to protect important natural areas while still allowing Spallumcheen to grow in a responsible and well-planned way.

Drought, contamination, increasing demand are just some of the water issues. What actions would you prioritise to protect our creeks, lakes, aquifers, and groundwater for home and agricultural water sources, habitat for fish and wildlife, and human recreation?

Water is probably one of the most important resources we have in Spallumcheen, especially being an agricultural community.

My first priority would be understanding exactly how much water we have, how much we're using, and what our aquifers and creeks can sustainably provide. Before approving major new development, I think we need to know that the water is actually there without negatively affecting existing homes, farms or neighbouring wells.

We also need to protect water quality. That means monitoring our aquifers, protecting wells and recharge areas from contamination, maintaining healthy creeks and riparian areas, and making sure development doesn't create unnecessary risks to groundwater.

I also support improving water storage and infrastructure, reducing leaks and encouraging more efficient irrigation and water use.

Agriculture needs to be part of the conversation. Farmers depend on reliable water, but so do our homes, wildlife and environment.

For me, the goal is simple: protect the water we have, use it responsibly, and don't commit more water than we can sustainably provide.

Social

In smaller communities, we need to be creative in how we help one another; how do you see the role of local government in this?

I think one of the strengths of a smaller community like Spallumcheen is that people still know their neighbours and are willing to help each other.

That means listening to residents, supporting local organizations and volunteers, working with our agricultural community and local businesses, and looking for partnerships with Armstrong, neighbouring communities, First Nations and other levels of government.

Most importantly, I think Council needs to be accessible. People should feel comfortable picking up the phone, coming to a meeting or talking to a councilor about an idea or concern.

How do we tackle misinformation and growing distrust in local government as well as uncivil behaviour on social media and in person?

I think the best way to deal with misinformation and distrust is through better communication and transparency.

People aren't always going to agree with Council, and that's okay. But they should be able to understand how decisions were made, what information was considered and where their tax dollars are going.

I believe every Council meeting should be recorded and made easily available to the public. Not everyone can attend a meeting, and residents should be able to hear for themselves what was discussed and how decisions were made.

Council also needs to communicate earlier and more clearly, especially on major issues. When people don't have good information, rumours and misinformation can quickly fill that gap.

What personal and/or professional experience has most shaped your understanding of Truth and Reconciliation, and how would it influence your decisions as a municipal elected official?

For me, Truth and Reconciliation starts with listening, learning and building respectful relationships.

Through my work in agriculture and business, I have learned that strong relationships come from sitting down with people, listening to their perspective and working together to find solutions. I believe the same approach is important when working with First Nations.

My approach would be to listen first, be open to learning, and look for practical opportunities where Spallumcheen and neighbouring First Nations can work together and build stronger relationships for the future.

Cultural

How do you personally engage with arts, culture and heritage in Spallumcheen, and how do you think local government should support these features of our community?

For me, a big part of Spallumcheen's culture and heritage is our agricultural history and the families and businesses that have helped build this community over the years.

I enjoy local events and opportunities that bring people together and celebrate where we come from. I think it's important that as Spallumcheen grows, we don't lose the history and rural character that make our community unique.

I see local government's role as supporting community events, local organizations, museums, heritage sites and the volunteers who put so much time into keeping these things going. That doesn't always mean spending more taxpayer money. Sometimes it's about helping organizations access grants, providing facilities, working together and removing unnecessary barriers.

I also think we should look for ways to preserve and share our agricultural history with younger generations.

Growth is important, but so is remembering where we came from and what makes Spallumcheen different.

Economic

What is your understanding of how small local governments can support our economic development, including the success of our small local businesses?

As a local business owner and farmer, I have seen firsthand both the opportunities and challenges of starting and growing a business in Spallumcheen.

Building GreenLionFarms has meant dealing with permits, infrastructure, power, water, food safety requirements, employees and getting locally grown products to market. That experience has shown me how important it is for local government to work with businesses rather than create unnecessary roadblocks.

I believe the Township's role is to make Spallumcheen a place where people want to invest and create jobs. That means reasonable taxes, clear and efficient permitting, good infrastructure and being willing to sit down with businesses to find practical solutions.

We should also support agriculture and value-added agricultural businesses. There are opportunities to grow, process and distribute more food right here in our community.

Small businesses create local jobs, support other local businesses and strengthen our tax base. Council doesn't need to run businesses, but it can help create an environment where they have a chance to succeed.

What is one action the municipality should take to strengthen our local food system and improve access to healthy, affordable food? Why that action?

Running Green Lion Farms here in Spallumcheen has given me firsthand experience with how difficult it can be to get locally grown food to local consumers.

We can grow fresh lettuce and greens year-round right here in our community, but one of our biggest challenges isn't growing the food, it's getting that food onto local shelves and into the hands of local families. The distribution system has become very centralized, and that can make it difficult for smaller local producers to compete and get access to the market.

One action I would like the municipality to take is making it easier for farmers and local food producers to sell directly to consumers through farm-gate sales, farmers' markets, local food hubs and other direct sales opportunities.

I've seen firsthand that we have the ability to produce more food locally. We need to make it easier to sell it locally as well.

That strengthens our farms, keeps more money in our community and, most importantly, improves our local food security.

Health

As Mayor / Councilor, how would you work to support access to medical services?

Access to medical services is a real concern. While health care is mainly a provincial responsibility

As a Councillor, I would work with Armstrong, neighbouring communities, Interior Health and the Province to advocate for better access to family doctors, nurses, specialists and emergency services in our area.

I also think we need to look at what we can do locally to help attract and keep health-care professionals. Looking at ways communities can work together rather than each trying to solve the same problem on their own.

How will you ensure that our planning of our built environment, our programs and our policies support the diverse physical and mental health needs of our population?

I think good planning should make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to live, work and stay connected in our community.

For me, that means looking at accessibility when we build or upgrade public spaces, improving safe walking and cycling connections where they make sense, and supporting parks, trails and recreational opportunities that encourage people to get outside and be active.

We can't solve every health issue at the municipal level, but we can make practical planning decisions that create a safe, accessible and connected community where people have opportunities to live healthy lives.