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. Pine Valley is an important element to the present and future character of our City and is used extensively by all age groups and people that may be subject to mobility issues and transportation restrictions. Enhancing Pine Valley and upgrading the grounds would allow this facility to provide years more affordable enjoyment for all citizens and I would fully support this endeavour.
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. The majority of Council voted in support of the recovery center with a significant amount of research and consultation from the residents of Haldi road and the proprietor. Was there an identified need? Absolutely. The proprietor submitted their proposal and it was supported by the majority of council.
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 question is not entirely correct, the assumption of net-zero increase was percentage verses cash incentive in the first two years of an agreement. The negotiation process was doomed when you sidestep your own team and bring in an outsider at significant cost to negotiate with no understanding of the players. City management were very capable of entering into meaningful negotiations and the process could have ended with a resolve absent of the demeaning insults and accusations. I will advocate strongly again that negotiations will be respectful of each other's position in the future, that's my commitment.
4. Why should residents vote in the Nov. 15 municipal election?
4. Citizens of this country and our City have the right to vote and every vote does count. Not everyone in this world has that right to cast a ballot. We have been given an opportunity through the sacrifices of so many, we cannot take it for granted. Each November 11th we pay our respects to those that died protecting our democracy and the right to a free vote, one way to show our respect is to use our right to vote in their honor. It is everyone's civic duty.
