Issues and Interests

Development and the OCP

Resident input and feedback is an essential component of a vision for our town over the next few years and opportunities for those who live here should be numerous and widespread when the updated Official Community Plan goes to public consultation in the new term.

In general, I can support development and density where it makes sense.

• It makes sense along some areas on major corridors.
• It makes sense where gentrification is desirable (and most of us know where that applies in View Royal).
• It makes sense where alternate forms of transportation are available and accessible - bus routes, cycling corridors and active transportation corridors - and (hopefully) an active rail corridor.
• It makes sense if, given the above, commercial opportunities that will see residents able to work and shop closer to home are a part of the whole. I would love our community to have an identifiable town core where people can live, work, shop, and access services and with transportation corridors at their door.

View Royal is made up of distinctive neighbourhoods and I'm unlikely to support development that will impinge on and impact their integrity or character.

Traffic and Transportation

Traffic congestion largely caused by expanding communities to the west is an ongoing frustration for View Royal residents and commuters.

I will listen and take on board the ideas, potential solutions and opinions of residents in addressing traffic.

I think of View Royal as an isthmus through which all traffic is pushed. I'm not convinced the answer to decreased volumes lies in expanding roadways through our town; rather, if we build it, they will come.

I absolutely support transportation modes that will lessen traffic on View Royal streets .. eg active transportation networks and public transportation.

I also take the long term view that the Island Corridor with its potential for light or commuter rail or as a rapid bus route, has the potential to take traffic off our roads.

With the clock ticking on the climate crisis, it’s imperative that we do our part to eliminate GHG emissions and to keep View Royal green, clean and desirable.

For me, that means:

• larger incentives and rebates that make it possible for home owners to replace fossil fuel burning furnaces with heat pumps
• making it possible for vehicle owners to swap out their gasoline/diesel fueled vehicles for electric vehicles with $ incentives
• encouraging active transporation through a commitment to a network of trails, paths, and sidewalks
• contributing to food sustainability with more community gardens and information on how to grow food

Public engagement

It's been a strange few years for council. During the earliest days of the pandemic all council and committee meetings were virtual. Webcasting and changing Covid variants saw council back in chambers but it was months before members of the public could attend meetings.

The lack of public participation has been a void and I will seek more opportunities to engage with  residents on matters that interest and affect them.

Public Safety

The impact of a global pandemic has been far reaching. Homelessness, a shifting transient population, mental health and opioid crises all cast a shadow in the past three years.

Continuing to support our superb fire/rescue service and increased police presence in View Royal are essential to a healthy community.

Doctors' Crisis

Not strictly a local government issue, healthcare belongs to us all and I will explore with council means and ways that we can attract and keep general practitioners in View Royal.