Larry Cross

Larry Cross is a long-time resident of the Sidney area and was first elected Mayor in December 2008. He also served as a Councillor from 2005 to 2008. Mayor Cross is committed to ensuring Sidney’s long term sustainability and to working in partnership with the community to make certain everyone has the opportunity to be heard and contribute. Accessibility and approachability are very important to the Mayor and he proves this by the numerous public events and meetings he attends, his response to telephone enquiries and his establishment of the Mayor’s Open Door.

Larry previously had a 37 year career as a popular teacher and school administrator which included time at Parkland Secondary, Saanich Middle School and the Saanich School District. He retired in 2003 and now, when his busy schedule allows, is a Private Consultant in the K-12 Education Sector specializing in Human Resources/Labour Relations issues.

He has served as President of the Education Undergraduate Society, UVIC; Saanich Teachers’ Association; and School District Administrators’ Association as well as Chair of the Vancouver Island Chapter, BC School Personnel Administrators’ Association. Larry has also been very involved with the University of Victoria, serving as President of the Alumni Association, Chair of the Alumni Communications Committee and was elected twice as a Senator.

Larry has been active in the community since 1973 including being Chair of the Friends of Sidney/North Saanich Regional Library; Memorial Park Society; Sidney Police Advisory Committee, Deep Cove Ratepayers Association and being the North Saanich Recycle Coordinator. He also was instrumental in the creation of Pat Bay Park.

After taking office, Mayor Cross introduced a reorganization of Council’s Committee structure resulting in the creation of the Community Development Commission, Healthy Community Commission, Parks and Infrastructure Committee, Protective Services Committee and the Administration and Finance Committee which are all working very successfully for the community.

External agencies Mayor Cross represents the Town on are: Capital Regional District Board; Capital Health Board; Greater Victoria Labour Relations; Peninsula Recreation Commission; and the MPS Joint Finance Steering Committee.

Larry and his wife, Dianne, have been married for 47 years and have a daughter in Vancouver and a son in Dublin – both attended Sidney/North Saanich Schools and the University of Victoria.