I’m running for Powell River City Council because Powell River needs thoughtful, practical leadership. Leadership that listens carefully, asks good questions, understands the facts, and then has the courage to make decisions.
These are the issues I believe matter most, where I stand on them, and what I intend to work toward if elected.
Where I Stand.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LOCAL OPPORTUNITY
Where I stand: Powell River should be a place where good ideas can become businesses, jobs and opportunities.
I want our City to become better at saying:
“How can we help make this work?”
That means supporting existing businesses, welcoming responsible investment, encouraging entrepreneurs and looking creatively at the assets and opportunities already present in our community.
Economic development cannot simply be something we talk about. We need clear processes, timely decisions and a City Hall that works collaboratively with people who want to invest here.
A strong community needs a strong local economy.
What I intend to do
If elected, I will:
-
Meet with local businesses, entrepreneurs and employers to understand the barriers they encounter when dealing with the City.
-
Support clearer and more predictable development and permitting processes.
-
Encourage faster responses and better communication for people trying to start, expand or invest in local businesses.
-
Examine underused City assets and properties for opportunities that could generate economic and community benefit.
-
Support efforts to attract responsible investment and new employment opportunities.
-
Encourage partnerships with Tla’amin Nation, educational institutions, senior governments and the private sector.
-
Look for opportunities connected to trades, marine industries, tourism, technology and other sectors that fit our community.
HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS & COMMUNITY SAFETY
Where I stand: Compassion and community safety are not opposing values. We need both.
Homelessness, mental health, addiction and housing affordability are complex issues, and the City cannot solve them alone.
The provincial and federal governments have major responsibilities for housing, health care, mental health and addiction services. Our City must be clear about what it can realistically provide with its existing resources and infrastructure.
I support working with other levels of government and community partners to improve housing and support options.
At the same time, residents, seniors, families, businesses and visitors deserve to feel safe downtown, on our trails and in our public spaces.
We need solutions that protect human dignity while also protecting the community we all share.
What I intend to do.
If elected, I will:
-
Advocate directly to provincial and federal governments for the housing, mental-health and addiction resources our community requires.
-
Ask clearly what additional services and infrastructure must accompany any future provincially funded housing initiative.
-
Support appropriate enforcement of City bylaws and expectations for the respectful use of public spaces.
-
Listen to residents, businesses, service providers and people with lived experience when considering solutions.
-
Ensure the City understands the financial and operational impact of new initiatives before agreeing to take them on.
RESPONSIBLE CITY FINANCES
Where I stand: We need to understand where our money is going, set clear priorities, and ensure residents are receiving good value for their tax dollars.
Every dollar Council spends belongs to the people of this community. Before approving new spending, I believe we should be asking: What problem are we solving? What will it cost now and in the future? Is it a priority? How will we know whether it worked?
I support transparent budgeting, responsible long-term planning, careful management of City assets and infrastructure, and clear communication with residents about the financial choices Council is making.
We cannot do everything at once. Good leadership means knowing the difference between what we could do and what we must do.
What I intend to do.
If elected, I will:
-
Ask clear questions about costs, priorities and long-term financial implications before supporting major expenditures.
-
Support budget information being presented to the public in clear, understandable language.
-
Push for stronger long-term planning for infrastructure, facilities and City assets so costly problems are identified before they become emergencies.
-
Support regular review of City programs and services to determine whether they are delivering value.
-
Encourage Council to establish clear annual priorities so spending decisions can be measured against them.
-
Look for opportunities to reduce unnecessary costs while protecting essential services.
OPEN & RESPECTFUL LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Where I stand: Residents should feel that Council belongs to them.
Public engagement should happen before major decisions are effectively made. Not after.
We need improved opportunities for genuine conversation between Council and residents, clearer explanations of major decisions and meaningful public input.
Council members will not always agree. They shouldn’t. But disagreement can still be respectful, productive and focused on solving problems.
I want to help create a Council culture where people bring different perspectives to the table, ask hard questions, listen to one another and then move forward.
What I intend to do.
If elected, I will:
-
Support earlier public consultation on significant community decisions.
-
Encourage Council meetings and public information to be accessible and understandable.
-
Ask for the reasoning, financial implications and alternatives behind major recommendations to be clearly explained.
-
Support opportunities for residents to communicate directly with Council outside formal meeting structures.
-
Make listening to residents an ongoing part of the job, not something that happens only during an election.
Powell River has enormous potential and it will take new ideas, collaboration and a Council willing to work together to bring that potential to fruition.