Four sitting Delta councillors are running under the party name One Delta in this fall\u2019s civic election, and they have a familiar face in their corner.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday (April 7), councillors Daniel Boisvert, Rod Binder, Jennifer Johal and Dylan Kruger announced the new name of their slate, and that former longtime city councillor Bruce McDonald is One Delta\u2019s party president.<\/p>\n
\u201cDelta deserves steady leadership that empowers all members of council and respects taxpayers,\u201d McDonald, who served nine terms on council and in 2023 became only the fourth person ever to receive the Freedom of the City Award, said in a press release.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve spent 35 years watching mayors come and go, and I\u2019m very worried about the current leadership and the impact it\u2019s having. The strongest teams are those willing to ask tough questions and have open, respectful debate. One Delta brings together experienced leaders who are not afraid to do just that. Taxpayers can have confidence in a team committed to accountability, transparency and putting the community first, which is why I\u2019m standing with One Delta.\u201d<\/p>\n
First elected in 1988, McDonald retired from public office in 2022, endorsing Mayor George Harvie\u2019s Achieving for Delta slate ahead of that year\u2019s municipal election.<\/p>\n
Boisvert, Binder, Johal and Kruger were all elected in 2022 as Harvie\u2019s slate swept the race for council and won all but one school board seat.<\/p>\n
However, the working relationship between the four and the mayor soured over the ensuing term, and early last December the councillors were served notice that Achieving for Delta would not be endorsing them as candidates in the coming civic election.<\/p>\n
In a joint statement at the time, Boisvert, Binder, Johal and Kruger said Harvie\u2019s \u201cunilateral\u201d decision to remove them from the slate was \u201caimed at silencing voices that have raised concerns about the mayor\u2019s pattern of reckless spending and increasingly erratic decision-making.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDelta residents deserve a council that collaborates effectively. Our goal has always been to work together, engage in open debates, and respect differing opinions. Unfortunately, the mayor seems more focused on exerting control,\u201d the councillors said.<\/p>\n
The four previously announced they were forming a new municipal party<\/a> on Feb. 12, at the time under the name \u201cDelta First.\u201d However, unbeknownst to them, another slate had also applied to register<\/a> that name with Elections BC, submitting their paperwork days ahead of the four councillors.<\/p>\n The team then submitted to register the name One Delta, waiting until they received confirmation from Elections BC before re-announcing their campaign.<\/p>\n According this week\u2019s press release, One Delta is focused on \u201crebuilding trust at city hall, strengthening financial oversight, and continuing city-wide improvements to Delta\u2019s roads and facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n Other priorities include strengthening transparency; supporting police, fire and emergency preparedness teams; encouraging open council debate and citizen-led committees; and making city hall more welcoming and responsive to residents.<\/p>\n \u201cResidents want city hall to get back to basics,\u201d Kruger said. \u201cThey want dependable services, well-maintained roads and parks, and leadership focused on practical results, not political theatre. Having someone with Bruce McDonald\u2019s experience and reputation step forward to support this team reinforces how important it is that we restore trust and put Delta first.\u201d<\/p>\n The four councillors say it\u2019s time for leadership that listens, plans for tomorrow and delivers for residents, noting that improving transparency and public involvement is essential to restoring trust.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want people to feel welcome at city hall, instead of feeling like they\u2019re fighting it,\u201d Johal said. \u201cResidents deserve to know their voices matter and that their input will shape local decisions. It\u2019s time we trust our residents and make them part of the process.\u201d<\/p>\n Public safety is a core focus of One Delta, with the party committing to support first responders and ensure neighbourhoods remain safe.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen people feel safe where they live, the whole community benefits,\u201d Binder said. \u201cWe will continue advocating for the resources that our first responders need to do their jobs well.\u201d<\/p>\n On infrastructure, the party says Delta must continue making steady, city-wide improvements to the facilities residents rely on every day.<\/p>\n \u201cPlaygrounds, sports fields, and recreation centres must continue to be maintained, and all parts of Delta deserve access to these services,\u201d Boisvert said. \u201cConsistent investment requires leadership that listens and plans. We\u2019re going to keep improving what residents use most, upgrade what\u2019s aging and build for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne Delta is ready to lead,\u201d Kruger said. \u201cTaxpayers deserve a city hall that treats their money with care, makes decisions in the open and never forgets who we\u2019re here to serve. We have the experience, the focus and the commitment needed to build a stronger, more affordable community for the people who call Delta home.\u201d<\/p>\n The party intends to run a full slate of candidates in the 2026 municipal election \u2014 set for Saturday, Oct. 17 \u2014 and it is registered with Elections BC to run candidates for both city council and Delta school board.<\/p>\n However, One Delta has not announced any other candidates, nor indicated who will its candidate for mayor, with Tuesday\u2019s release stating the party will announce the full slate at a later date.<\/p>\n Rumour has long circulated that Dylan Kruger intends to mount a campaign for mayor. In mid-February, Kruger told the Reporter he was \u201cactively considering a run for mayor,\u201d but had not made a final decision.<\/p>\n Harvie has not yet officially announced he is running for third term, but has previously indicated he intends to do so. His slate, Achieving for Delta, is registered with Elections BC to run candidates for council and school board, but has yet to make any official announcements.<\/p>\n Current councillors Alicia Guichon and Jessie Dosanjh, both previously elected under the Acheiving for Delta banner, have not announced whether they intend to seek another term in office.<\/p>\n