NEWS | SRD Board Reappoints Chair & Elects New Vice-Chair (2025/26)

SRD BOARD REAPPOINTS CHAIR AND ELECTS NEW VICE-CHAIR (2025/26)

Campbell River, BC – At its inaugural meeting on November 19, 2025, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board affirmed its leadership for the year ahead, re-electing Director Mark Baker as Chair and electing Director Mark Vonesch representing Electoral Area B – Cortes Island, as Vice-Chair for the 2025/26 term. As required under provincial legislation, regional districts elect these positions annually at the first meeting after November 1.

Director Mark Baker, Mayor of Sayward, will continue into his fourth consecutive term as Board Chair. “I’m honoured by the Board’s continued confidence,” said Chair Baker. “Over the next year, we will remain focused on strengthening community connections, delivering sustainable services, supporting reconciliation, and advancing the strategic priorities that matter most to the people of the SRD.”

Director Mark Vonesch, Electoral Area B – Cortes Island, was elected as Vice-Chair. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the region in this role,” said Vice-Chair Vonesch.  “I look forward to working alongside Chair Baker and the Board as we build stronger relationships, support inclusive governance, and uphold the values of transparency, collaboration, and accountability in all our decisions.”

The SRD’s current strategic priorities (2023–2027) focus on:

• Fostering stronger connections within our communities and environment
• Providing sustainable, high-quality service delivery
• Strengthening internal and external relationships across the region

These priorities are grounded in the Board’s vision of creating a connected, resilient, and self-sufficient region—one that values diversity, seeks collaboration and partnership, promotes reconciliation with First Nations communities, and stewards the natural environment. The Board continues to be guided by its core values of teamwork, respect, integrity, effectiveness, and accountability.

The SRD Board is composed of 14 directors: four elected electoral area directors, nine municipal directors who are first elected by municipal voters and then appointed by their councils, and one First Nations director appointed by the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations government.

For more information about the Strathcona Regional District’s Board of Directors, visit srd.ca/board-of-directors.

 

 

Media contact – David Leitch, SRD Chief Administrative Officer  –  250-830-6703 | dleitch@srd.ca