Protect what makes Highlands special
Keep nature, rural character and responsible stewardship at the centre of every decision.
Re-elect
Ken Williams
Mayor of Highlands
Experienced leadership.
Highlands values.
Highlands, British Columbia
Watch Ken's message
Experienced leadership.
Highlands values.
Press play to hear why Ken is asking for your support.
A message from Ken
“Highlands is more than a place. It's a community shaped by nature, independence, and neighbours helping neighbours.”
As mayor, I've worked to protect what makes Highlands special while making responsible, common-sense decisions for its future. I'm asking for your support to continue serving as mayor.
About Ken
Steady leadership,
rooted in Highlands.
Ken Williams has spent years serving Highlands with a practical, collaborative approach. He understands that residents value peace and quiet, independence, nature—and the willingness to lend a hand when a neighbour needs one.
His approach is simple: listen carefully, protect what matters, spend responsibly and make decisions that will serve Highlands for generations.
Experience that delivers
A record of service to Highlands
Ken has helped turn community priorities into lasting results while keeping Highlands' values at the centre of municipal government.
- Helped initiate the 2007 Groundwater Protection Study, leading to annual monitoring of all 18 Highlands aquifers since 2009
- Supported the protection of Highlands' natural landscape—today, more than 40% of the municipality's land base is parkland
- Helped bring high-speed internet to Highlands
- Helped advance the Community Hall, West Fire Hall improvements and completion of the East Fire Hall
- Helped create the Highlands Flag with input from the community
- Advanced long-term road and infrastructure asset management
- Supported stronger emergency planning and evacuation access
- Protected Highlands' rural character through thoughtful planning
Ken's Bio
Ken Williams
Bass · Keys · Vocals
Ken is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. He was a studio bassist at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver and toured with the Dixon House Band, Rick Springfield, Zipper and the New Vaudeville Band. He later co-owned Legacy Music Ltd. and Kayum Sound Inc., specializing in music for film and television.
Ken has more than 800 soundtrack credits as a composer, including the Cannes and Sundance winner In the Company of Men, International Emmy winner The Magician's House, and Peabody Award winner The Threads of Hope. He was also nominated for a Video Premiere Award for Best Composer for The Crimson Code.
His other composing credits include Warner Bros.' Police Academy and Disney's So Weird, produced by Henry “The Fonz” Winkler of Happy Days fame.
Closer to home, Ken started the Highlands “Blues Jam” night at the Caleb Pike Coffee House. It grew into a series of concerts featuring acclaimed local talent and became another way to bring the community together through music.
Life in Highlands
Ken, Sherry
and Kadence
Looking ahead
Ken's priorities for Highlands
Practical priorities guided by the community's values.
Responsible, common-sense government
Respect private property rights, avoid unnecessary regulation, manage public finances carefully and focus on practical results.
A resilient, connected community
Strengthen emergency preparedness, support neighbours and improve access to services for residents of every age.
A stronger, more balanced tax base
Responsibly pursue appropriate commercial and light-industrial opportunities on already-remediated lands, easing pressure on residential taxpayers while protecting Highlands' rural character.
Ken on the issues
Practical choices for Highlands
Protect our rural character, plan for the costs ahead, and make responsible use of the opportunities we have. Here is where I stand.
01 / Land & finances
Millstream Meadows
After nearly 20 years and more than $15 million in remediation, this approximately 32-acre property can return to productive use. Certificates of Compliance were issued in 2025. The question now is what comes next.
Commercial and industrial use was contemplated for years. I support environmentally responsible commercial and light-industrial use, with appropriate safeguards for groundwater, habitat and neighbouring properties.
I am concerned that overly restrictive development requirements could limit the property's use and value. I supported bringing forward commercial and light-industrial zoning so Highlands could protect the environment and give this public investment a practical future.
Highlands has very little commercial or industrial tax base. Responsible use of this site could help fund roads, emergency preparedness and municipal services while easing future pressure on residential taxpayers.
Protect the environment. Protect Highlands' rural character. Make responsible use of an asset in which the public has invested more than $15 million.
Read the CRD remediation overviewFinancial sustainability
Balancing one budget is only a start. Roads, culverts, fire equipment and buildings will need repair or replacement. I want stronger long-term asset planning, adequate reserves and careful control of costs.
A responsibly planned tax base at Millstream Meadows could help us meet those obligations without spreading commercial development across our rural community.
Plan ahead and reduce future pressure on residential taxpayers.Keeping Highlands rural
Our forests, wildlife, larger properties, quiet roads and dark skies are why many of us live here. More than 40% of Highlands is parkland, and protecting our natural environment remains fundamental.
I trust residents to be good stewards and neighbours. Rules should address genuine needs such as safety, environmental protection and impacts on others, and be clear and proportionate.
Protect what makes Highlands special while respecting the people who live here.Roads & emergency access
Many Highlands roads are narrow and were not designed for today's traffic. I have raised residents' concerns about shortcut traffic between Langford and the Saanich Peninsula with the provincial government.
We need continued work on alternative emergency access, roads and culverts, wildfire preparedness and timely emergency information. Our volunteer firefighters need the facilities, equipment and training to serve safely.
Keep our rural roads safe for residents and emergency responders.Parks & environment
Our parks and natural areas are part of Highlands' identity. I have supported Twinflower Park, advocated for Eagles Lake Park and worked through West Shore Parks & Recreation to improve access to recreation.
Groundwater protection matters just as much. The 2007 study helped establish annual monitoring of Highlands' 18 aquifers.
Protect our natural setting and make healthy recreation accessible.Responsible government
Council should hear all sides, treat residents fairly and explain decisions clearly. I support reasonable regulation, property rights, transparency and careful use of taxpayers' money.
When new information reveals a better course, leaders should be willing to reconsider a decision.
Listen. Be fair. Use common sense.Experience that matters
Twenty-one years serving Highlands
For 12 years as mayor, following nine years as a councillor, I have worked with successive councils, staff, volunteers, First Nations and regional partners. Together we have advanced the Community Hall, the East Fire Hall and improvements to the West Fire Hall; groundwater monitoring; high-speed internet; handyDART service to northern Highlands; emergency planning; and road and infrastructure asset management.
At the CRD, I have represented Highlands on finance, parks, environment, planning, protective services, governance and First Nations relations. Experience means knowing how to get things done and when to challenge the status quo.
Explore my record of serviceLet Highlands be Highlands.
Community first
Independent in spirit.
Generous at heart.
Highlands works because people show up. They volunteer, care for the land and find practical ways to get things done together. Ken believes local government should respect and support that spirit.
Leadership beyond our borders
A strong regional voice.
As Highlands' Director at the Capital Regional District, Ken has earned respect through steady participation, practical leadership and a consistent voice for the community.
Regional leadership
- Chair, CRD Planning and Protective Services Committee
- Vice-Chair, CRD Finance Committee
- Vice-Chair, Integrated Resource Management Committee
- Vice-Chair, CRD Governance and First Nations Relations Committee
- Served on the CRD Environment, Regional Parks and Housing committees
Trusted representation
- More than 20 years representing Highlands—nine years as councillor and twelve as mayor, returned by acclamation once as councillor and twice as mayor
- Served as a voting member of the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia
- Long-time service as a voting member of the Municipal Insurance Association of British Columbia
- Fifteen years on the Te'mexw Treaty Advisory Committee, including three years as Chair
- Represented Highlands on the West Shore Parks & Recreation Society, the Juan de Fuca Water Distribution Commission, the Greater Victoria Family Court and Youth Justice Committee, and the Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues
- Member of the Westshore Municipal Leaders Advisory Team
Practical advocacy
- Worked to secure First Nations representation on the school board
- Working with family doctors to bring health care closer to Highlands
- Helped expand handyDART service to Highlands
- Attended every AVICC AGM and every UBCM AGM during his service, except 2026 when Council chose not to attend UBCM
In their words
What Colleagues Say
“This is our fabulous Mayor, Ken Williams. I served on Council for 6 years with Ken. He did a great job then, and has continued to do a great job as Mayor! We love him!!! ♥️ And we are so grateful he is running for reelection!! 🙏”
“It was a genuine pleasure to serve alongside Ken on Highlands Council for three terms. His diplomacy and deep love for Highlands remain unmatched.
Ken is politically astute and an exceptional listener, with a rare ability to understand not only what is said, but also what is left unsaid.
As Mayor, he has represented Highlands’ interests across the region and to the province with skill, integrity and unwavering commitment. His willingness to continue serving the residents of Highlands reflects the depth of his care for our community and its future.”
“Dear Highlands Neighbours, as the elected representative of the Juan de Fuca - which includes Willis Point to your North, I endorse Ken Williams in his re-bidding to the Mayoral position leading your beautiful municipality. I’ve worked with Ken for the past term of four years at the CRD Board table and always found him to be considerate and thoughtful in his decisions, prepared in his statements and congenial and open in his demeanour. His wry wit is only matched by his conviction to do what he feels is best for Highlands.
Ken is a practical and common sense fellow, no bluff and bluster, no promises beyond your means. He loves the community, the lakes, hills, dark skies, adjoining parklands, and the rural settings he is surrounded by. He has experience, drive, shows solid leadership and stays the course. I don’t ever vote in the Highlands, but If I could, I’d vote Ken Williams for Mayor. He’s a good man!”
“Ken and I have worked together for many years to protect the rural nature of our municipalities and to keep them fiscally sustainable. He understands that environmental preservation, financial security and personal freedom go hand in hand and that each are necessary for a successful low density community. At the CRD Ken is a practical voice of reason and a solid defender of the regional value of the Highlands.”
2026 General Local Election
When and where to vote
All three voting opportunities are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
OCT07
Advance Voting 1
Highlands Fire Department
East Fire Hall
3613 Woodridge Place
OCT14
Advance Voting 2
Highlands Community Hall
729 Finlayson Arm Road
OCT17
General Voting Day
Highlands Community Hall
729 Finlayson Arm Road
Voter registration
Not registered? You can register when you vote.
The District uses the Provincial Voters List. If you were already registered or completed online registration by July 10, 2026, you should appear on the District's List of Electors.
If you missed the deadline, you may register in person at either advance voting opportunity or on General Voting Day before casting your ballot.
What to bring
Bring two pieces of identification.
Resident electors registering at the voting place need two pieces of identification showing identity and residency. At least one must include a signature. Photo identification is not required.
Special requirements apply to non-resident property electors. Please review the District's official voter information before attending.
Need a ride to the polls?
Call or text Ken's campaign · 236-638-3380Election questions: elections@highlands.ca · 250-474-1773
Election day · October 17, 2026
Let's keep Highlands moving forward.
Re-elect Ken Williams for experienced leadership and Highlands values.