The mayoral and city council candidates were asked to reply to four questions that we hope will give voters a better idea on where they stand on some of the most challenging issues of the day.
1. The current city council voted 5-4 to keep Pine Valley. If this matter were to come before council again, how would you vote and why?
1. I love the game of golf. There are programs for youth, seniors, and those with visual and mobility challenges. What I will commit to in the next four years - first, I will always vote to keep the Pine Valley Golf property; second, I will support an increase of bus services from schools, senior's developments and other public facilities; third, I will encourage and support grant applications to the Prince George cultural and social grant intake, and fourth, I will enthusiastically support any program like the First Tee, as it teaches the core values of honesty, integrity, perseverance, self-confidence, and sportsmanship.
2. City council voted 8-1 in favour of the Northern Recovery Centre for Women in the former Haldi Road elementary school. How would you have voted and why? (Incumbents: how did you vote and why?)
2. I voted for the Northern Recovery Centre for Women being located in the former Haldi Road Elementary School property. At the March 2013 Council meeting I stated "it's my view that the Official Community Plan is a living document which focuses on our future, all of our futures, which includes rural, transitional rural, urban, etc. I guess the question I'm faced with on reflection of the OCP is, is there room in that future for a recovery centre for women in a rural transition area? And in my view there is."
3. The current city council gave its bargaining committee a target of a net-zero increase to negotiate a new collective agreement with city workers, leading to the first-ever labour disruption by municipal staff. What will be your recommendation when the current collective agreements for city workers expire in 2016 and why?
3. The first rule of fairness is to listen to all sides. Listening to what everyone has to say is how I have conducted myself in the past and I commit to continuing that way.
In my view good labour relations are grounded in respect. Preliminary talks concerning the next collective agreement have already begun. In my view early talks and negotiation are the best path to a fair settlement and to avoid labour disruption.
Labour negotiations are complex and the details should be left to those with training and experience. I anticipate increases for 2016 through 2018 will be recommended.
4. Why should residents vote in the Nov. 15 municipal election?
4. Our right to a vote is vital to our privilege of living in a democracy. Many who
immigrate to Canada chose to come because of the right of citizens to have their say.
I fully endorse making it easier to vote through technology like online voting, but that doesn't get to the root of the problem, only 29% of those eligible to vote turned out in 2011. A Canadian solution should include a stronger curriculum in the schools, celebrations of the vote, not the outcome, making it easier to vote and community recognition and credit to those who vote.
