With the federal election now slated for April 28, David Beckham is ready to carry the Liberal Party's banner for Saanich-Gulf Islands.
A resident of Sidney for the past 12 years, Beckham brings a wealth of experience in environmental innovation and farming to his political candidacy.
Beckham’s connection to the Saanich-Gulf Islands began in 2012 when he moved to Sidney, captivated by the area's natural beauty.
“There was something about it that was so magical that it got its hooks into me,” Beckham shared. “I wouldn’t live anywhere else now, for love or money.”
However, Beckham's ties to the land go much further back. He was born and raised on a family farm in Killarney, Manitoba, where he started farming at age 12 in 1977.
“My great-grandfather homesteaded that land in the 1880s, so I am the fourth generation,” Beckham explained. “Farming is the hardest job in the world, but you have no idea the reward when you get to that fence."
His experience working the land continues to influence his perspective on life and politics. Beckham often uses the analogy of "driving for the fence" to explain his approach to challenges.
“When you're in the 33rd hour of being awake, crossing a field that never ends, and you see that fence off in the distance, that’s where you have to get to, and it doesn’t make any difference how you feel about it. You just can’t stop; you have to go get it,” he said.
Beckham retired from farming in 2023, closing a chapter on nearly 50 years of hard work. During his career, he transitioned into environmental innovation.
One of his most notable achievements is his patent for a system that revolutionized how concrete trucks are cleaned, enabling waste to be captured and recycled back into production.
“We captured the waste, split it into parts, recycled it back into production. That’s now the standard,” Beckham proudly shared.
His passion for environmental sustainability extends to renewable energy. Beckham was an early advocate for solar energy, particularly in integrating solar technology into architectural designs.
Beckham has been deeply involved in solar energy since 2006, starting with distributing solar roofing tiles.
"Solar energy is a miracle. It's a way to mechanically bypass the carbon cycle in energy creation," Beckham said. "Some of the best memories of my life were researching solar energy."
His work has evolved from distributing solar products to developing integrated solar technology for commercial buildings, ultimately aiming to make solar energy a standard part of all new buildings by 2030.
David’s passion for solar energy is rooted in his broader belief in photosynthesis, and he sees solar power as a way to harness the sun's energy, similar to how plants do.
"I am a believer in and a proponent of all of the various ways in which photosynthesis can get to the human race."
Now, as he prepares for the upcoming election, Beckham will work from the local party headquarters on Cordova Bay Road.
