Editor:
From housing, essential community infrastructure and operating transit, municipal governments make decisions that have the greatest impact on our day-to-day lives. Yet four years ago, voter turnout in local elections in B.C. was an abysmal 39 per cent, much lower than in provincial or federal elections.
I will be working closely with whoever is elected to run the 10 local governments across our riding on Oct. 15. Here are the two most important ways I see local governments making a critical difference in building the kind of smart and livable communities we all want.
The most needed type of housing is not being built, shutting workers, young people, and families out of the communities they grew up in, while fuelling a labour shortage that is affecting the services on which we rely. Local governments must be bold to reverse this trend. The federal government will work with willing councils to speed up housing approvals through the Housing Accelerator Fund, while our $72 billion National Housing Strategy works directly with municipal governments to help build affordable and supportive housing.
Ignoring that we have a rapidly changing climate with increasingly intense rains and droughts leaves our communities at risk. That is why we need to invest in the community infrastructure that will help us adapt and mitigate climate impacts. Progress has been made to address the infrastructure deficit over the last few years. But, continued investment is needed to ensure we are not alternating from one crisis to another. The federal government’s $180 billion infrastructure plan stands ready to partner on these projects, covering a larger share for smaller communities.
I’m not here to endorse any particular candidate, but if the priorities I’ve mentioned speak to you, please take the time to learn about your local candidates and remember to vote on Oct. 15 if you haven’t already. Your vote will shape the type of community you and your family will live in.
