Frequently Asked Questions

  So I've recently updated my platform with my position, which is that we need to repeal the blanket zoning bylaw and revert to the older bylaw that allows for more restrictions on development in mature neighbourhoods and ensures more discussion with the community.

I think that at the most we take an appropriately sized mid-block lot and allow no more than a duplex, and on acceptable corner lots a 4-plex.  However reasonable restrictions are that the façade must match with the surrounding neighbourhood to fit the character, that it cannot be taller than it's neighbours to prevent the building of monstrous skinny homes, and that parking must be included in the building design.  In the case of a duplex they must have a garage and driveway, In the case of the fourplex, there must be parking for at least half the residents on the lot to limit the impact to the surrounding neighbours.  We need reasonable and fair considerations to be made.

The reality is that while infill is important to prevent the endless sprawl of the city for financial and service reasons, we cannot destroy the character or enjoyment of mature neighbourhoods that people buy into because of how desirable it is, we need to respect that balance, and more often than not the weight of council should be on the side of those who came first to protect their neighbourhoods.

  When it comes to transit, my belief is that the city needs to look at the people who need to access transit as their primary customer, and make a system that is easy for them to use, is safe, and can get them where they need to go quickly.  By focusing on this core group of regular transit users that we need to identify, we can build a transit system that everyone would be more likely to take.  Increasing safety on the trains can be done by installing turnstiles at the stations, and transit officers to patrol them and ride the trains with the authority to arrest, not just shoo along or write a ticket.  Making the buses safer would likely be accomplished by a public campaign showing the increase of plain clothes transit officers, so that the idea that someone is watching can be as effective a deterrent as if someone were actually there.  There would likely be a larger presence to begin with, to show that its happening, and then adjust according to need and severity of the routes that are identified as hotspots. 

  As for environmental initiatives, I am opposed to tearing out forests and parks to create housing, when there is a greater call for green spaces not the reduction of them.  I am also opposed to cyclists in the river valley going off trail because of the damage potential to the flora and introduction of possible foreign species to other areas.  As for rebates, as the city is currently facing a 4-billion-dollar deficit, we are unlikely to find any funding for solar panel or heat pump incentives until that situation is brought under control, and we get ahead on the upgrading and maintaining of our existing infrastructure.  

  Regarding bike lanes, which are used by less than 1% of the population, we should stop funding and expanding them in residential areas.  We already have infrastructure issues and a 1.5 billion dollar deficit in our capital operating budget, we need to prioritize infrastructure used by the majority of the population. 

   I think we do need more affordable housing, however we should not be building in parks or greenspaces which of course is a major concern of Wedgewood, and was stopped in Wolf Willow a few years ago.  We should focus in other areas which have been zoned for commercial or residential development to build these units, but we also need to figure out what is going on at Civida (a not for profit) and HomeEd (city owned corp) that manage affordable housing units, but they are allowing the units they manage to fall into disrepair, and then sell them on the open market.  Something doesn't make sense there and we need to get to the bottom of it. People choose certain neighbourhoods to live in for a reason, and when there are drastic changes with the addition of infills, that character is lost and the community loses out.