Mena Westhaver for Saanich Council
Platform
Mena supports decisions that create equal opportunities for everyone from youth to older adults and moves to create a vibrant, strong and environmentally sustainable community.
If elected, I will...
* Always stand by my top three values: Honesty, Integrity, and Trust
I will listen, I will learn, and I will take action in the best interest of Saanich. I will be a voice for you, for community.
* Advocate for safe transportation routes, improved sidewalks and pedestrian crossings and walkable communities including the future potential implementation of a light rail transit system to the peripherals of Greater Victoria reducing vehicle volume and protecting our environment
* Protect our sensitive areas and beautiful parks and work to ensure accessibility is available for everyone to enjoy our parks including paved walkways
* Support increasing housing density where appropriate to maintain the beauty of Saanich supporting secondary suites and garden suites. I want the next generation and older adults on a fixed income to be able to afford to live here.
* I will advocate for those with mental health and addictions by working with Police and Island Health.
* I will be a voice for those living on a low income to ensure services, recreation and housing are attainable.
* I will work wholeheartedly for the people of Saanich.
~ I will be a voice for community ~
Learn more about my vision towards the bottom of this page, matched to the same photo. Thank you for reading.
Mena was a Community Guest Rider of the Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock and raised over $80,000 as an individual rider to support children affected by cancer. She is pictured here with her family 10kms from the 1200km finish line.
Mena Westhaver
Community Involvement & Leadership
Community Involvement & Leadership
Born and raised in Saanich, married with a family of four boys and served in the community. Dedicated and committed to leaving Saanich better and stronger for the future.
Energetic Action Oriented Leader
A voice for community.
Community Involvement & Leadership
Community Involvement & Leadership
Community Involvement & Leadership
Mena is the creator of many community projects and leadership teams. She created Sole Sisters Victoria in 2007 to support women in health and wellness. Empowering women to believe that they 'CAN'. She encouraged women to put a quarter in a jar for every walk or run they completed to support a family in the community who had a child who
Mena is the creator of many community projects and leadership teams. She created Sole Sisters Victoria in 2007 to support women in health and wellness. Empowering women to believe that they 'CAN'. She encouraged women to put a quarter in a jar for every walk or run they completed to support a family in the community who had a child who was ill. Since 2007, Sole Sisters has "walked or run" over $30,000 in quarters and supported just as many families. Mena created KidsRun Victoria in 2010 inspired by her son Jack and many other super heroes. This event has raised over $280,000 with no overhead costs or expenses due to the relationship building and community partnerships she established along with the powerful, compassionate KidsRun Crew, made up of Sole Sister and Brothers. This event supports our local pediatric oncology ward and families through the Victoria Hospitals Foundation and the Island Kids Cancer Association.
Volunteerism
Community Involvement & Leadership
Recognitions & Awards
Mena is an active volunteer in the community. Some examples of her leadership and volunteer outreach include:
* Volunteer skating coach for the Victoria Salsa and Victoria Grizzlies Junior A Hockey Clubs since 2004
* Volunteer hockey coach for Saanich Minor Hockey 2005-2018
* Volunteer for the Women's Transition House providing mentorship a
Mena is an active volunteer in the community. Some examples of her leadership and volunteer outreach include:
* Volunteer skating coach for the Victoria Salsa and Victoria Grizzlies Junior A Hockey Clubs since 2004
* Volunteer hockey coach for Saanich Minor Hockey 2005-2018
* Volunteer for the Women's Transition House providing mentorship and leadership through health and wellness opportunities, 2017 to present
* Canadian Cancer Society for the Island's Tour de Rock: Community Guest Rider in 2016 and COVID alumni teams 2020 and 2021 and an active member of the steering committee 2017-2021
* Volunteer Hockey Coach for the Heros Hockey Program 2019 to present
* countless community events and often found cheering someone on up a hill!
Recognitions & Awards
Community Involvement & Leadership
Recognitions & Awards
Mena is the recipient of many awards including:
* 2022 Spectrum Community School Alumni Award
* 2021 Leadership Victoria for Thriving Children and Youth
* 2016 the CHEK Athlete of the Week Community Leader
* 2015 MVP Community Leader recognized by CTV
* 2015 FRONTRUNNERS Walk of Fame Mentorship Award
* Selected Valedictorian for Leadership V
Mena is the recipient of many awards including:
* 2022 Spectrum Community School Alumni Award
* 2021 Leadership Victoria for Thriving Children and Youth
* 2016 the CHEK Athlete of the Week Community Leader
* 2015 MVP Community Leader recognized by CTV
* 2015 FRONTRUNNERS Walk of Fame Mentorship Award
* Selected Valedictorian for Leadership Victoria 2014 Cohort
* 2013 Unlimited Women Award for Health & Wellness
* 2012 Volunteer and Fan Appreciation - Saanich Minor Hockey Award
* 2010 Aware Recipient for Vision, Determination and Courage, iRun National Magazine
* 2010 CHEK NEWS Unsung Hero
* 2009 Black Press Award - Women Making a Difference in their Community in their 30's
* Class Valedictorian, Spectrum Community High School 1989
Mena has been fortunate to be asked to speak at events and or emcee special occasions in which she takes with great honour.
Leadership experience, vision and fun facts
Leadership Experience
My Vision, my Vision for Saanich
My Vision, my Vision for Saanich
* Spokesperson for the 2022 ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge
* Member of the Canadian Cancer Society, Cops for Cancer, Tour de Rock steering committee 2017-2021
* Mena has been the Block Watch Captain for her area for the past 25 years.
* Mena is the creator/owner/operator of PowerWest Ahtletics, training hockey players to be effici
* Spokesperson for the 2022 ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge
* Member of the Canadian Cancer Society, Cops for Cancer, Tour de Rock steering committee 2017-2021
* Mena has been the Block Watch Captain for her area for the past 25 years.
* Mena is the creator/owner/operator of PowerWest Ahtletics, training hockey players to be efficient skaters and includes a Leadership Training program to mentor youth to become skating coaches and great leaders in their community.
* 2021 Community Team Leader for the Climb Up Challenge supporting mental health services on southern Vancouver Island.
* 2014 Leadership Community Project member for team Look Up
* Creator and Race Director of KidsRun Victoria 2010 to present
* Chair of the Regional LIFE (Leisure Involvement For Everyone) Committee since 2010 to present
* Chair of the School Council Board 2012-2014 for St. Joseph's School.
* Active member of the Saanich Minor Hockey Executive 2006-2009
* Member of the W.A.N.A. (Want A New Arena) Society who worked through the referendum process which was passed to build the Green Rink at G. R. Pearkes Recreation Centre where she proudly 'cut the ribbon' in Dec. 1998.
* Multiple regional and Saanich operating committees during my career with Saanich.
* Mena was always a part of her junior and senior high school councils and leadership teams
My Vision, my Vision for Saanich
My Vision, my Vision for Saanich
My Vision, my Vision for Saanich
Mena has deep passion and commitment to her community and her vision for Saanich moving into the future includes her values. Pease read.
Mena's value system is based on honesty, integrity and trust. Mena has worked hard to create a community that supports everyone from youth to older adults. If elected, she will continue to advocate f
Mena has deep passion and commitment to her community and her vision for Saanich moving into the future includes her values. Pease read.
Mena's value system is based on honesty, integrity and trust. Mena has worked hard to create a community that supports everyone from youth to older adults. If elected, she will continue to advocate for safe transportation routes, improved parks and trails, housing density to increase affordability, and for low income citizens to provide more opportunities for inclusion.
Mena believes in equality, fairness and opportunities for everyone. She recognizes that the growth in our community and the change in our environment means that we, as leaders must be constantly evolving with how we manage situations. We must address change, the need to grow, be flexible, be open minded, be good listeners and be willing to make change happen. This will be necessary in order to accommodate our growth, our children's future and to sustain Saanich, to create a vibrant strong community. Mena feels every individual, regardless of race, sexual orientation, culture, ethnicity or income level should be supported in our community. Saanich must foster an environment that is inclusive with no barriers and provide support services and educational opportunities to ensure "community knows how to support community". Mena is a supporter of the LGBTQ community, an advocate for those living on a low income and loves to engage and learn about other cultures.
Mena has tremendous passion for her community. She has great respect for the land she has grown upon, been educated on, lives, works and plays.
"I know I am a lucky one. I was born in this beautiful place on Earth I call home, surrounded by a community full of family and friends. It is my lifelong intention, to continue to serve my community and the people that live here because I have seen firsthand, that a community of people that work together are happier, healthier, and stronger... a community that thrives."
Fun Facts about Mena
My Vision, my Vision for Saanich
Fun Facts about Mena
* Full name is Filomena, no middle name, named after her paternal grandmother
* Skated with the Ice Capades
* married her high school sweetie 30 years ago
* A regular on the Body Moves fitness TV show,
* Mena has thousands of "Sisters" ~ she created Sole Sisters Victoria in 2008
* Mena was the "Saanich Elf" in 2019 and delivered 1400 pairs o
* Full name is Filomena, no middle name, named after her paternal grandmother
* Skated with the Ice Capades
* married her high school sweetie 30 years ago
* A regular on the Body Moves fitness TV show,
* Mena has thousands of "Sisters" ~ she created Sole Sisters Victoria in 2008
* Mena was the "Saanich Elf" in 2019 and delivered 1400 pairs of socks to those in need
* Rode the Tour de Rock to honour her son, a cancer survivor and other "super heroes" BUT is a tad scared of riding fast downhill!
* Returned to UVic to join a cohort of 7 to complete her masters at the age of 43 under the guidance of her lifelong mentor, Dr. Lara Lauzon.
* Mena committed to running a marathon for every year her son was in treatment for cancer bringing together community members to join her at every kilometer raising a minimum of $100 each. 3 marathons later, over $24,000 was raised for the local pediatric oncology ward.
* One of Mena's novice hockey players now plays for the NHL Washington Capitals, she still trains with him during the off season.
* Doesn't drink coffee - just water and hot chocolate & loves to eat dark chocolate!
* In 2019 Mena's family back-packed through Europe for 2 weeks and ate 56 large pizzas
* Mena ran 50kms on her 50th birthday delivering 50 cards or calls of thanks
* Favorite activities - being with family, running/walking/hiking outside, coaching on the ice, weight training, talking and visiting with people.
please support our campaign
Please consider donating to our campaign. Your donation will be used to help Mena pay for her election campaign costs needed to share her vision. An investment for bettering the future of Saanich. Thank you for your support.
