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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, absolutely –
2. Do you support making the default speed limit 30 km/h for streets without centrelines, as Saanich has already committed to doing?
Yes, as Saanich Mayor I was very pleased to contribute and lead the application for the Provincial Speed reduction pilot. As that was not accepted by the province, we have instituted a Saanich road speed policy.
3. Do you commit to budgeting sufficient funds to accelerate the Saanich 2018 Active Transportation Plan?
Yes, absolutely. Earlier this year, Council directed staff to bring a report in Q1/2 2023 on accelerating the current ATP to a 15 year time from its 30 year initial time frame. I believe we have already delivered some 5.5-6.0 years of ATP works since 2018.
4. Do you support using neighbourhood-wide traffic calming to create low traffic neighbourhoods with much lower traffic volume with quick build materials?
Yes. Absolutely. We are already doing so with a number of approaches. . Example is Tillicum Rd – Burnside into Esquimalt – where we also partnered with Esquimalt to have the traffic calming extend into their road way. Our recent experience is that for success “quick builds” need to have preparatory conversations with the community. Or, to be delivered to neighbourhoods that are already seeking these opportunities. Several neighbourhoods resisting the opportunity for QBs, yet an equal number said please can we have QBs here. This identified the importance of some missionary work. On low traffic neighbourhoods, with lower traffic volume and traffic calming in general, Council has directed staff to bring a report on Traffic Calming techniques for delivery across Saanich. This should be ready Q1/2 2023. Saanich looks to be a leader in delivering practical, cost effective options for traffic calming.
5. How would you support making walking safer and more enjoyable in Saanich?
We have some 600 km of roads and therefore the opportunity for 1,200 km of sidewalks. Options to support making walking safer and more enjoyable in Saanich include: Building out our ATP in an accelerated fashion – 15 years instead of 30, Implementing quick build solutions in receptive neighbourhoods. Reducing traffic speeds to 30 on the neighbourhood roads. Improving our infrastructure to support arriving at vision zero. And more.
6. Do you support building a network of all ages and abilities (“AAA”) bike and roll routes throughout Saanich?
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, of course.
8. Do you support rapidly completing 24/7 bus lanes along McKenzie to UVic for BC Transit’s proposed RapidBus route, as well as similar measures along all proposed RapidBus routes in Saanich?
Yes, as Board member of the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, and as the current mayor of Saanich I support these actions.
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?
As Saanich Mayor, I have been supporting this at the CRD Board, and in the conversations by the 13 Mayors with the Province and the Federal governments. A modern rail service requires funding from senior levels of government. Meanwhile we need to do all we can to keep the corridor available.
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?
I am in support of actions that enable more affordable transit and actions that encourage shifts to non-car transportation. Working on the Victoria Transit Commission Board, and seeing the budgetary issues I have participated in discussions on lower cost individual fares and free or discounted passes for youth, seniors, and people living on low incomes. Sourcing the sustainable levels of funding needs to be established.
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 micromobility parking, as well as expanding accessible parking?
yes
12. How would you activate and bring more people into public spaces within Saanich, including sidewalks, public squares, streets and parks?
(Candidate did not answer)
13. Do you support adding substantively more accessible public bathrooms across Saanich?
yes
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