ABOUT ME
Born in Toronto to parents with Scottish and Irish heritage, Brian has lived most of my life in Hamilton, Ontario on the Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. He also lived for a decade in Tobermory along the shores of Georgian Bay, situated on the Territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.
He now lives on the ancestral lands of the T’Sou-ke First Nation in Sooke with his rescue dog, Thurman. His son Mitch is a lawyer in Toronto and gets out to visit when he can. Brian loves hiking on the many spectacular trails in the area (Thurman’s faves seem to be Whiffin Spit and Iron Mine Bay) and grabbing a coffee with good conversation at V0S1N0 café, Bear’s Café and Artisans Garden.
While new to Sooke, Brian has visited Vancouver Island many times over the years kayaking in the Broughton Archipelago, around Nootka Island and Haida Gwaii, and walking Chesterman and Tonquin beaches. But nothing beats the natural areas and trails of Sooke!
WORK & EDUCATION
Brian worked selling health and safety equipment (think hardhats and fire extinguishers) to industry in his 20’s, earning a Mohawk College diploma in Occupational Hygiene during that time.
After an amazing experience with blue whale researchers in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, he headed to the University of Waterloo for a degree in Environmental Studies in his late twenties, followed by a summer spent recording the calls of the Northern Resident orca population at Orcalab on Hansen Island in Johnstone Strait.
Post-graduation, Brian worked for Environment Canada on Great Lakes fish and wildlife habitat restoration planning in the 17 Areas of Concern across the basin.
During the same period, he started an ecotourism business, the Green Planet Tour Company, winning a Financial Post Award for the most environmentally-sustainable company.
Wanting a better understanding of social issues in an international perspective Brian gained a Master of Science in Rural Planning and Development from the University of Guelph, studying a Gandhian farmers’ movement in southern India over a 6.5 month sojourn, highlighted by an audience with the Dalai Lama in Dharmasala!
Work experience while at school featured assisting the Lennox Island First Nation in P.E.I. develop an ecotourism strategy. His degree qualified him as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP).
During his time in Tobermory, Ontario he worked as a planner for the County of Bruce, finishing his career with Parks Canada conducting visitor use management planning, parks management plans, and organizing the annual Sources of Knowledge Forum on parks-related issues.
VOLUNTEERING
Here in Sooke, Brian volunteers at:
- ALM Organic Farm
- Friends of Eagle Bluffs Forest Society
- Sooke Streamkeepers program focused on the health of area creeks
- Jack Brooks Salmon Hatchery
Brian is a member of Vosino Co-op, the Sooke Fine Arts Society, and Transition Sooke.
The Sooke Region Lifelong Learning Society encouraged Brian to pursue his love of whales by giving community talks: earlier this year he spoke about the three different orca eco-types in our area. Brian has two more talks planned for the 2026-27 program, one on whale culture and a second on the health of the Southern Resident orca population.
Back in Hamilton, his volunteer work focused on natural areas protection with the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club where he led efforts to in undertaking the first Natural Areas Inventory in the region leading to the protection of over 100 environmentally significant areas in the Official Plan.
Brian was on the Regional Task Force responsible for the award-winning Vision 2020, Canada’s first municipal sustainable development plan.
Brian also started an organization called Environment Hamilton working on cleaning up Hamilton Harbour and monitoring ecosystem health through citizen science.
These activities led to Brian to be awarded the Hamilton Environmentalist of the Year in 2000.
COUNCIL EXPERIENCE
Brian served three terms on City of Hamilton Council taking on key roles such as President of CityHousing Hamilton (the municipal non-profit housing corporation), and Council representative on the Poverty Reduction Roundtable, the Arts Hamilton Board, and the Centre for Civic Inclusion. Committee responsibilities included Planning and Economic Development, Public Works, Community Services, the Board of Health, Business Improvement Areas, Local Food Security, and the Chamber of Commerce’s Transit committee.
Get Involved with Brian's Campaign
Join us in making a difference in Sooke. Whether you volunteer, attend our events, or support the campaign, your involvement is crucial for a sustainable future.
Thank You
I am privileged to live on the ancestral lands of the T’Sou-ke Nation. I want to express my gratitude to the T’Sou-ke and Scianew ancestors and families who have protected these lands since time immemorial. In the spirit of true reconciliation, I am dedicated to building meaningful, supportive relationships with my Indigenous neighbours. Thank you, or Hych’ka.
