Q & A
As I move forward in my campaign, I will be posting answers to the questions people ask me here so everyone can read them. If you have a question, please email me at cindyel@telus.net and I will add it to the list!
Q: In principle, do you think it is a good idea for a mayor/councillor to be in the development business with the City’s senior planner?
A: It is incredibly bad judgement for a local politician to be in business with Senior city staff and I would not do so myself. I have proposed that City Council address this through a Code of Conduct. The development of the Code of Conduct could include a consultation process so community members could provide input.
Q: Do you think that a business relationship between a member of Council and a senior planning staff member creates a potential for bias? Is this kind of business relationship something you would enter in to?
A: Absolutely it does have potential for bias, and no, I would not consider entering into this type of business relationship.
From Volunteer Powell River Youth CAN – Q: What does ‘social good’ mean to you?
A: Infrastructure and programs that support the social fabric of our culture and communities, like transit, schools, hospitals, etc. It also includes Art Galleries, Museums, Theatres, and infrastructure that supports community social cohesion.
From the Seniors Association – Q: How important to you is it to make Powell River more attractive to tourism?
A: Powell River is already very attractive to tourists and the focus needs to be on increasing capacity to provide workers and services to the community including visitors. Childcare, health services, better transit and affordability for workers all support this goal of increased capacity.
From qathet Climate Action – Q: How will you support real action on the climate emergency?
A: I support recommendations from the Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation Committee’s August 16th Memo to City Council. I will also continue to learn and support the initiatives of the Sustainability Planner.
From qathet Living – Q: How will you respond to Tla’amin Nation’s name change request?
A: There is a Community Accord signed that commits us to work together on these matters. It’s very important that we live up to our government-to-government commitments. The way the City of Powell River responds must be consistent with the existing commitments in the Community Accord. The relationship the City has with Tla’Amin Nation is perhaps the most important relationship the city has with another community for all aspects of our future growth and well being both financially and holistically. I support the recommendations of the Joint Working Group.
From The Name Matters – Q: There has been a lot of recent discussion about reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and other Canadians. What does reconciliation mean to you?
A: Reconciliation between Canada, the provinces and Indigenous people means correcting the historical record to ensure the harmful actions toward Indigenous people and the multi-generational impacts are known and understood by all Canadians as part of our collective history. The education should include information about what remains today as part of our current system that continues to cause harm and changing it to form a better future for all of us. It is a responsibility of each Canadian to get informed about information that has been missing from our historical record. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada made 94 calls to action that outline ways we can and should proceed. I am in favour of supporting reconciliation.
From The Name Matters – Q: If elected, what would you do to improve the relationship between the City and the Tla’amin Nation?
A: The City of Powell River has signed a Community Accord with the Tla’Amin Nation that commits us to work together on issues of mutual interest. This is a unique and wonderful agreement that can support relationship building for now and the future. I would like to see some policy development with full public involvement that provides more clarity for everyone about how the Community Accord is implemented. I would advocate with the Provincial and Federal Governments for funding to support this process and particularly support for education and awareness.
From The Name Matters – Q: Do you support the request to the City by the Tla’amin Nation to change the name of Powell River? Why or why not?
A: I absolutely support the Tla’Amin Nation in coming forward and telling us how the City of Powell River can improve relationships with their community, including letting us know when we are harming them. I think more information sharing and discussions will help us as a community to build consensus as we move forward into the future. Specifically I would like to work with the City of Powell River people to explore ideas for what new name people might all love. The people who live here are beautiful people with large hearts and I have faith that we will land in a good place with a name that we can all love, be proud of, and is acceptable to our friends and neighbours the Tla’Amin Nation.
From The Name Matters – Q: What do you believe are the most important issues faced by both the residents of the City and citizens of the Tla’amin Nation, and how would you work with the Tla’amin Nation to address these issues?
A: The issues that are most important are numerous and it depends on whether you are speaking of what is most urgent, or catastrophic. Climate change is huge and the City, the RD and the Nation are all interested in participating in Climate Mitigation and Adaptation actions that lower our carbon emissions. I believe increasing our region’s capacity and coordination for emergency response and preparedness is critical for everyone’s safety. I would like to see better communication on that front.
Social issues of poverty, housing, and health care all require attention, and working together will allow us to pool resources and create better, more effective solutions.
Regional Economic Diversification that promotes sustainable good paying jobs for everyone. It would be good to have a Standing Committee focused on this that was inclusive of all local governments. Community building that is inclusive of Tla’Amin culture, history and language is beneficial for supporting our regional uniqueness and our economy.
Generally it is important that we support one another and communicate regularly in a supportive and mutually beneficial way.
Q: If elected, will you work to keep moorage rates affordable for local residents?
A: I don’t support increases in user fees that exceed the general taxation increase to the community as a whole. I would like a process that results in a restructured management model for our harbours. I support forming a committee to advise this restructuring process, which includes our local users, as part of improving overall services and management of our infrastructure across all harbours. It is my hope that this will lead to a model that addresses the long term sustainability of the harbours and how they support our community, our environment, and our economy. It should also result in better communication and involvement of users in decisions about rates and services moving forward.