VICTORIA
COUNCIL
Andrew Reeve, 26, communications professional andrewreeve.ca Top three issues:
1. Fiscal responsibility and management 2. Downtown revitalization and future-forward city planning 3. Government accountability and evidence-based decision making.
One big idea:
One of the most ambitious things the City should embark upon would be the process of zoning reform. We have 687 different zones created by council’s constant spot zoning and disregard for neighbourhood plans and the Official Community Plan. In comparison to our city of less than 90,000 people, the City of Vancouver with nearly 650,000 people has less than 100 zoning codes. Let’s give both homeowners and developers predictability about the future of our neighbourhoods with zoning reform.
Jordan Reichert, 36, mental health and addictions worker; animal advocate jordanreichert.ca Top three issues:
Affordable housing, cost of living, mental health and addictions
One big idea:
Creation of an Animal Advisory Committee which would report to council through the Legislative Services department. The mandate of the Animal Advisory Committee would be to advise city council on issues relating to the status and treatment of animals within Victoria by conducting research, reporting on findings and making recommendations to council on issues relating to animal welfare for domestic animals, urban wildlife, farm animals and animals for use in entertainment.
Ted Smith tedsmithvictoria 2018.com Top three issues:
Smooth transition of cannabis into legal regulations, including smoking lounges, cannabis restaurants, large herb-focused festivals, cannabis tourism and other related activities. High density housing with a rapid transit route along Douglas Street from downtown to the Saanich border. The city could encourage the development of buildings with expensive condos on the top floors, and affordable housing, seniors housing, social programs and retail below. A youth center for 1829 year olds to gain work experience and life skills needs to be built, financially independent of government so it is not too bureaucratic but with the assistance of government in other forms.
One big idea:
Over the next four years I will be laying the groundwork for an integrated street youth project that will provide them with a place to learn skills, earn a small amount of cash, a safe place to stay and provide them with a sense of community. In my second term we will put the shovels in the ground and get this project up and running.
Douglas Stewart, 61, shop owner Top three issues:
1. Overdevelopment 2. Free Speech 3. Corruption
One big idea:
When Lisa Helps announced that she was to seek re-election, my big idea was to write a spoof of the goings-on at City Hall. Check it out at city councilconfidential.com If I can make you laugh, consider voting for me on October 20th.
William Tate, 75, retired teacher, social researcher Top three issues:
1. Affordable housing for low income families and workers, housing the homeless 2. Supporting the arts community 3. Dealing with major social issues such as addiction and mental health, by working with the province to provide adequate services.
One big idea:
Ferry to West Shores to reduce the number of cars coming into the city every day to work.
Charlayne ThorntonJoe*, 57, city councillor charlayne.ca Top three issues:
1. Affordability: There are many solutions that need to brought forward and we must continue to bring partners to the table to make housing affordable for all. 2. Aging infrastructure: We have to work to receive funding from other levels of government to assist with the necessary repairs or replacement. 3. Safety: Continue to work towards the concerns of safety, whether it pertains to transportation, late night bar issues or issues involving mental health and addictions.
One big idea:
My “big idea” or dream is to have a Chinese Historic Museum in our Chinatown — -the oldest in Canada. The other is to have a much needed park in downtown which will include green space, a fenced dog park and a playground for children.
Geoff Young*, economist geoffyoung.ca Top three issues:
Zoning and planning in residential neighbourhoods to allow for availability of modestly -priced housing while maintaining the liveability of our neighbourhoods. Need to increase levels of support for treatment of mental health and addictions in order to reduce the impact of homelessness on residents and visitors. Sound budgeting and focussing of spending and staff time on core services.
One big idea:
Several: Rapid bus systems serving the suburban areas and our hospitals and education centers to minimize parking pressures downtown; housing combined with needed parking on some current surface parking lots; development of inner harbour parking lots to provide economic activity and even some parking rather than simple landscaping.