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1. Do you support re-aligning municipal and regional transportation plans and investments to meet the provincial government’s CleanBC target to “reduce distances travelled in light-duty vehicles by 2030 compared to 2020?

Yes, and the 7% Solution I developed for Sooke (unanimously approved by Council last summer) identifies specific yearly targets we would need to meet in order to be successful in reducing our on-road transportation emissions by 2030. This plan needs to be implemented and will require Council leadership, which I would hope to provide.

2. Do you support making the default speed limit 30 km/h for streets without centrelines?

Yes, in consultation with affected neighbourhoods, and with a cost-effective solution for encouraging compliance/enforcement. I’m also open to additional ideas on how to make streets safer, slow down traffic and make walking and cycling more amenable options for people in our very hilly terrain.

3. Do you commit to budgeting sufficient funds to accelerate the walking, rolling, cycling and public transit parts of the Transportation Master Plan?

Our most recent draft OCP states (Policy 4.1.2): “”Transportation decisions related to investment, space allocation, and improvements will be based on the following priority hierarchy: walking/ rolling, cycling, public transit, goods movement, multi-occupant vehicles and single-occupant vehicles.”” The new Council will be responsible for finalizing and approving the OCP; I support this statement of modal priority in the draft, with its implications for funding decisions at the District.

4. Do you support using neighbourhood-wide traffic calming to create low traffic neighbourhoods with much lower traffic volume with quick build materials?

I look forward to learning more about low traffic neighbourhoods and support the general concept but would need to consider it’s best application here. Sooke’s network of roads does not have a lot of direct routes for car traffic already, with too many sprawling subdivisions and only single access roads into various neighbourhoods. Often, vehicles here aren’t using quiet side streets as short cuts; they use them as the only route available. I do like the idea of quick build test concepts to allow public input, and of establishing a network of connected trails for other modes of travel.

5. How would you support making walking safer and more enjoyable in Sooke?

Traffic calming, and the creation of safe routes. With respect to walking, 80% of Sooke’s roads have no sidewalks. That has to be one of the first priorities for safe and enjoyable walking, but I’m also interested in expanding our network of protected walking/cycling trails through greenspace around town.

6. Do you support building a network of all ages and abilities (“AAA”) bike and roll routes throughout Sooke?

Yes

7. Do you support welcoming people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters to use all ages and abilities (AAA) bike and roll routes?

Yes

8. Do you support rapidly completing 24/7 bus lanes for BC Transit’s proposed RapidBus route along the Highway 1 / Sooke Road corridor, and do you building ‘queue jumper’ bus lanes (with transit signal priority as needed) at key locations on Sooke Road between Langford and Sooke?

I support full implementation of BC Transit’s excellent plan for Sooke. Council does not have authority over Highway 14/Sooke Road, so can act as advocates only. I would want us to consider all available options for speeding up transit through this corridor given the complex situation we have of a two-lane rural road through greenspace being our only way in and out of town. We definitely need to improve transit services and make it faster and easier for people to choose this mode of travel. I would like to see us achieve this important goal without a lot of clear cutting and blasting.

9. With the court-imposed deadline of March 14, 2023 to keep the Island Rail Corridor intact, how would you support modern rail service for Vancouver Island?

Unfortunately the Island Rail Corridor does not include Sooke, but once built, it might make it easier for Sooke residents to get to Esquimalt and Victoria via rapid transit that connects to the rail line. I support the Island Rail Corridor in principle, and if elected and appointed as Sooke’s representative to any CRD body dealing with this, I would work to meet the deadline.

10. Do you support making transit fares more affordable, both by reducing the cost of passes and individual fares and free or discounted passes for youth, seniors, and people living on low incomes?

Yes.

11. Do you support removing the requirements for off-street vehicle parking from new and infill developments while adding requirements for car share, EV charging, bike and other micromobilty parking, as well as expanding accessible parking?

I don’t think Sooke has a requirement for off-street vehicle parking, but developers often want to reduce the number of on-site parking spaces which often results in parking overflow into surrounding streets. Sooke’s parking policies are a major source of conflict in the community and we need to develop a thoughtful and complete set of policies to deal with parking, both residential and in town. Currently, housing costs in Sooke aren’t affordable with local salaries, so many people who live in Sooke need to commute long distances for work and the number of cars are proliferating. Improved transit will be critical. I would support accessible parking, bike parking and charging stations in new builds, and would like to explore whether we could sustain a more extensive car share in Sooke. I’m particularly interested in the possibility of a truck share to reduce the number of people who are commuting by truck because they sometimes want to use one on the weekends.

12. How would you activate and bring more people into public spaces within Sooke, including sidewalks, public squares, streets and parks?

First we need to create more public spaces, which are quite limited in Sooke. I would like to see more playgrounds in Sooke, more fully accessible spaces, and support for arts and culture organizations who animate these spaces. Design guidelines in our draft OCP also attempt to make sidewalks more appealing.

13. Do you support adding substantively more accessible public bathrooms across Sooke?

Yes


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