NANAIMO COUNCIL
Peter Urquhart, 49, software developer peterurquhart.ca/ platform Top three issues:
Governance, Innovation and Growth, and Affordability.
One big idea:
One of the biggest issues currently facing our community is housing affordability. I support the Housing Strategy and believe we can, and should, do more to address this issue sooner rather than later as it affects over 25% of all households and 48% of all renters here in Nanaimo. Through policy development, bylaw updates and OCP amendments we can open the way for more innovative solutions which enable small homes/lots and many other measures that will bring affordability back into housing.
Trent Whaley, 43, computer technician facebook.com/ TrentWhaley forCouncil Top three issues:
Rectifying Nanaimo's systemic issues - by mitigating the shortcomings of the single reporting employee model, addressing the turnover and understaffing in city management, and developing a process for project management in the city. Addressing the chronic affordable and subsidized housing shortage in Nanaimo, especially by leasing parcels some of the soon-to-be-subdivided land to the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC and nonprofits. Connecting transit to other regions and modes.
One big idea:
Having a regional Ombudsperson reporting to each municipal board to add verification to the trust required by the single reporting employee model. This could have prevented much of the strife of the last term and could have solved issues for other municipalities as well.
Ashley Briana Zboyovsky, 27, student facebook.com/ Ashley-Zboyovskyfor-Nanaimo-CityCouncil978060772378247 Top three issues:
1) Tent city — it has got to go. 2) Housing crises in Nanaimo ( No. to me this does not mean tent city ) 3) Public transportation — meaning — buses running for longer periods of time and more frequently. A lot of people rely on public transportation for their livelihood. for example. No one should have to pay and take a $50 cab ride home just because their shift ends at midnight and busses stopped running.
One big idea:
My one big idea for the community is one to try and tackle the homelessness crises. To create a program where the city creates jobs / services of the community that always need done and in returnee instead of a pay check they are provided with food / a warm place to sleep. However with this I bet you would find a lot of people in the homeless community not wanting to put in the work and that leads us to the mental heath and addiction issues.