FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2026

Saanich, BC — Rishi Sharma and the Save Our Saanich team are calling on mayors and councillors across Southern Vancouver Island to urgently speak out against the closure of the Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre following provincial funding cuts.

"The reported closure of the Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre is deeply concerning and, in our view, the wrong decision," said Rishi Sharma, Save Our Saanich mayoral candidate for Saanich.

"For many deaf and hard-of-hearing residents, this centre is far more than a service provider — it is a vital lifeline offering advocacy, support, connection, accessibility, and dignity."

Sharma is calling on municipal leaders across Southern Vancouver Island to send a unified message to Premier David Eby and the Province of British Columbia:

Reverse this decision immediately and work with the Centre to restore stable funding.

"If we cannot care for the most vulnerable members of our community, then we are failing in our responsibility to provide compassionate, responsible, and respectable government," said Sharma.

Accessibility services are not optional. They are essential.

A strong community is measured by how it supports those who need help most. This issue is about inclusion, dignity, and ensuring every resident can fully participate in community life.

Rishi Sharma and Save Our Saanich are urging the Province to immediately pause this funding decision, engage directly with the Centre, and identify a sustainable path forward that protects these essential services for Vancouver Island residents.

Want to help? Download the template letter to send to your local mayor or councillor urging them to speak out.

Media Contact:
Rishi Sharma
Save Our Saanich — Mayoral Candidate
[email protected]