November brings wind, rain, sun…a mixed month straddling Fall and Winter. Leaves striping fir forests
golden and orchards turning into stark sentinels. It’s time to welcome the season of clarity, a
resting time between lush growth moments.

This year, Daylight Time remains, making mornings darker and afternoons capturing light a
little longer. A once every four years civic election has delivered two new trustees and a new CRD
director to Salt Spring (on October 17). A snap provincial election has delivered (on October 24) a new
government to the province, and one with a huge majority.

A New Government

Under our parliamentary system, a majority is called at 47 seats. The opposition party ended with around 63
seats. B.C.-ers obviously wanted change. The new government plans to repeal many regulations put in place
during the past nine years. These changes may bring good outcomes for real estate and small business
growth. Stay tuned.

The Real Estate Market

Since 2023, real estate has seen low inventory and relatively stable pricing. Potential buyers might inquire
and might come to view (no local market here), but often did not act with an offer. This hesitation market
had different reasons as time passed, but uncertainty on the part of buyers kept outcomes soft. This
uncertainty may be resolved as the new provincial government makes its mark. More details later.

A Year of Change

2026 seems to have indulged in daily shifts, with “change” the key element. As November
unrolls, thoughts on market dynamics will become more evident and updates more meaningful.

Meanwhile, no matter what’s going on, nationally or internationally, it’s important to practice
that peripheral vision, to keep one’s editing function in good order, to seek the positives in the AI
revolution, to remember the space trekkers on the moon’s dark side. They were in awe. There’s
a thought on this first day of November.