1. How do you plan to support the continued build-out of active transportation in the Comox Valley?
Cumberland is well suited to active transportation in all its forms. I have and will support the creation of safe sidewalks, cycling infrastructure and alternatives to road routes that allow people to enjoy getting to school, work and wherever without needing to take the car. A safe cycle route from Cumberland to Courtenay remains a council priority and I’d keep working on that, piece by piece and whenever an opportunity arises.
2. How do you plan to balance the region’s growing infrastructure, transportation and housing needs with environmental protection?
I’ll continue to strongly support actions and projects that maintain and enhance the natural assets that sustain us all. In Cumberland, we have many examples including our introduction of an Urban Containment Boundary to limit sprawl, and I’m very conscious that land use decisions we make have a 50+ year impact and must strive for sustainability.
3. Out of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action, which calls do you want to ensure are addressed locally, and how?
Call 43 – for all levels of government to adopt the UN Declaration as the framework for reconciliation, is, for me, the most fundamental and challenging call upon us as municipalities. To grapple with what that means in practice, and how to work together with the K’ómoks Nation and hereditary leadership as they progress through treaty, is work we must dedicate time and effort towards.
4. What will you do to support housing affordability and an increase in affordable housing supply in the region?
Continue to try to advance our shovel-ready affordable housing project here in Cumberland, to zone for smaller housing types to ease the pressure at that end of the market, and to encourage further accessory dwelling creation by seeking to ease the code and permit requirements on small units.
5. How would you support adding supportive housing beds, second stage housing and warming centres in the Valley?
No-one should be homeless – it is a tragic indictment of our society and I’ll advocate for federal and provincial governments to do what is necessary and right . Only higher levels of government have the resources to address this issue at a meaningful scale. At the municipal level we can identify and support what is relevant within each community, with an inevitable focus on Courtenay for the most challenging needs of shelter and supportive housing with wrap-around services.