This is where I stand. I want all of Ward 2 to know what I believe, where my values lie, and what I pledge to do for this community if reelected. 

• Your Tax Dollars: I will work to continue ensuring residents receive essential services and resources which provide good value for our tax dollars. 

It is important to protect and grow our industrial tax base, respecting the Industrial Heartland is key to keeping our taxes in check. It’s about supporting the industry and commerce that already exists and promoting future development that ties into this infrastructure. This is what will ultimately help augment our tax base.  I will protect our investment and fight any attempts by the provincial government to reduce it.

It is imperative to keep in mind, however, that any future development, industrial or otherwise, needs to be sustainable and it also needs to be something Strathcona County residents want. I will always advocate for what is important to my residents. 

• Emergency Medical Service: Continued support of our Emergency Medical Services is essential to the safety of our residents and the well-being of generations to come. Continued support of the cross training of our Fire Department and EMS teams is critical to our County as we have yet to receive a fully functional hospital that allows for ongoing in-patient care. Having individuals who can respond to your medical needs and provide lifesaving emergency care on the way to a major medical centre is critical. Where health and wellness are concerned, there are no shortcuts; more than ever there is a dire need for support in this sector, support that I will do my absolute best to ensure. I will also continue my advocacy to the province to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents.

• Affordable Housing: I believe we need to provide affordable options for families, youth, and seniors. We need non-market housing options moving into the future so people from all socio-economic backgrounds can afford to live and age in our community. It’s about diversity, affordability and ensuring that no one is left without a home. 

• Youth, Seniors, and those with Accessibility Issues Need to be Heard:  As a result of my election platform last term, I was able to revive the Youth Advisory Committee, Seniors’ Advisory Committee, and the Accessibility Committee. These groups have had an important voice in our community over the last four years. 

Our Seniors’ Advisory Committee has identified a strong need for a fully functional seniors’ hub to allow seniors access to strong social connections, programming, and health and wellness opportunities, all within one centre allowing them to age in place. Making sure that this space is accessible for those with mobility issues and is accessible by transit should be key focusses when looking at options.

The Youth Advisory Committee has identified that affordable housing, transit, and mental health and addiction supports are important to them. 

The Accessibility Committee has identified the need for access to local businesses and recreation facilities in our community, making sure that things such as accessible stalls are truly available.

 It would be my mandate to support all these issues. My priority will be to create a Seniors’ Hub to support those aging in our community. I also aim to create better access to transit with increased commuter services to local post-secondary institutions and to provide increased funding to Family Community Services and the RCMP to combat mental health and addictions in our community. Everyone should have equal access to all aspects of our community. It would be my intention to create an annual program that supports local businesses and organizations to be more accessible by helping to offset costs to local businesses to make their spaces more accessible thereby making our community more inclusive to those with disabilities.