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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 – we have just requested that staff come back to us with options for increasing the budget line for active transportation. Also, we have implemented the Coolkit program which has been really well received by our residents.
2. Do you support making the default speed limit 30 km/h for streets without centrelines?
I think this needs to be looked at in conjunction with other municipalities to see if it is feasible.
3. Do you commit to budgeting sufficient funds to accelerate the Oak Bay Active Transportation Strategy?
Yes – as mentioned, Oak Bay recently asked staff to come back to us with ideas on what increasing the active Transportation budget from $200K per year up to about $1M a year might look like. The goal will be to have shovel ready projects so that when government funding comes along we can submit quickly to receive that funding.
4. Do you support using neighbourhood-wide traffic calming to create low traffic neighbourhoods with much lower traffic volume with quick build materials?
This is definitely something we can look at and support with consultation with the residents.
5. How would you support making walking safer and more enjoyable in Oak Bay?
In certain areas we definitely need to look at widening sidewalks to make them more usable by people using mobility devices etc. We have made great inroads to the curb drops and are funding more in this next budget cycle. In some areas, traffic calming devices really help support safer walking. I would support implementing more of these measures around the municipality.
6. Do you support building a network of all ages and abilities (“AAA”) bike and roll routes throughout Oak Bay?
Yes. This is something that would have to be really planned out and done in complete consultation with our residents. Again – if we have some “shovel ready” projects, then when government funding becomes available it makes it easier to apply quickly.
7. Do you support welcoming people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters to use all ages and abilities (AAA) bike and roll routes?
Yes – absolutely. As our population ages, we will need to ensure these routes are accessible to all mobility types.
8. Do you support rapidly completing bus lanes at key locations on busy bus routes in Oak Bay, including for BC Transit’s proposed RapidBus lines, as well as effective transit priority measures along all of BC Transit’s proposed RapidBus routes across the CRD?
Yes, I support this, but there may only be one or two roads in Oak Bay where this might be able to be implemented.
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?
This is done through the CRD, so our Mayor is our spokesperson on that board.
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 – this is really important especially now as prices for everything go up. Those on fixed incomes are finding it hard to make ends meet. Supplying free transit helps in so many ways. In my job at United Way, I see daily the difference something like free transportation can make to families living on the edge.
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?
I support adding requirements for care share, EV charging, bike and other micromobility parking and expanding accessible parking. As for removing requirements for off-street vehicle parking, I think this has to be looked at on a case by case basis. I do think our parking bylaw needs to be re-vamped and changed to more suit what the community wants – this definitely could include lowering the number of parking spaces required for new and infill buildings.
12. How would you activate and bring more people into public spaces within Oak Bay, including sidewalks, public squares, streets and parks?
There are so many things we can do – of course they will all take money, but I believe with good planning we should be able to accomplish a good amount over the next four years. One of the main things will be to look at our village areas and plan them out in a way that makes them more inviting. I also want to see Carnarvon Park redone – it has been a long time in the planning and we need to get started on it. We have been increasing our park budgets, but perhaps we can do more so we can revitalize them more quickly.
13. Do you support adding substantively more accessible public bathrooms across Oak Bay?
Absolutely. As an avid walker around our municipality, I am always aware of how far from any public washroom I am. Some of our washrooms are in dire need of repair, and we could use some more in key areas, especially on transportation routes.
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