RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ISLANDERS AND THE CRD
Islanders have lost trust in the CRD and for good reason. I will lobby the province for an independent review of errors and delays by CRD staff in Salt Spring water districts, with recommendations as to how such errors and delays can be avoided in future. I will ask for a written guarantee of protection for ratepayers in the event that errors are made again. I will lobby for compensation for affected taxpayers.

TRANSPORTATION
I will work to secure funding for a Fulford to Vesuvius bike path and support other initiatives to expand non-motorized and public transportation.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING
I believe that a balanced demographic is the key to a resilient, healthy community. I therefore support policies and projects that support young families and working people of all ages to make Salt Spring their permanent home.

Working people and young families need secure, (year-round) affordable housing. If elected, I will lobby the new Local Trust Committee to legalize existing suites and cottages immediately and to legalize new suites and cottages that can prove adequate water supply and septic. I will also lobby the Trust to put housing agreements in place to ensure that these suites and cottages remain affordable. I will encourage the business community to make a significant ongoing contribution to affordable housing.

The current annual household contribution to the CRD Regional Housing Fund is only $5.08. That’s less than .60 cents per household a month. I will increase significantly the household contribution to this fund while reducing taxes in another area. I will support other local initiatives to create affordable housing. I will support the work of the new SSI Housing Council.

DRINKING WATER QUALITY
The quality of our local drinking water supplies is at risk, as evidenced by the increasing incidence of advisories warning people to boil their water or not drink it at all. I will implement the recommendations within the St Mary and Cushion Lake watershed management plans that are within CRD jurisdiction and encourage the Local Trust Committee to implement the recommendations that fall within their jurisdiction. I will work closely with organizations and people on the island who know alot about water issues, the Local Trust Committee and people in the various water districts to develop work toward developing a comprehensive water quality management plan for the island.

FOOD SECURITY/AGRICULTURE
I will support action to strengthen local food security, with a focus on supporting implementation of the Area Farm Plan. Increasing substantially the amount of food we consume that is grown on the island is one of the keys to community resilience in the face of unstable global conditions. Building local resilience in food alone – increasing the amount of food we consume that is produced on Salt Spring - will strengthen our ability to withstand shocks from outside such as extreme weather events and rising fossil fuel prices.

CLIMATE CHANGE
I will support the work of the Climate Action Council and work for education around and enforcement of the CRD No-Idling Bylaw. I will encourage B.C. Ferries to reduce fares for those who car-share and support other initiatives to reduce car use on the island such as ride sharing and road side pull-outs.

LIQUID WASTE
Our liquid waste treatment facility was constructed as a pilot project and was not meant to be a permanent facility. The equipment is outdated, and has been subject to ongoing malfunctions. I propose to fund a study to explore central and neighbourhood-based options . I propose to fund a study to explore central and neighbourhood-based options for more environmentally friendly and more cost effective liquid waste treatment.

SOLID WASTE
I will work to support installation of recycling stations in public places throughout the island and to divert yard, garden and kitchen waste to composting. I would like to find a way to reduce recycling costs for local businesses.

OUTDOOR BURNING
Outdoor burning has well-documented adverse affects on human health. It is illegal to burn anything but yard and garden waste on Salt Spring. Few islanders are aware of this law, and many people on Salt Spring burn prohibited substances outdoors on a regular basis. I will lobby for a change in burn permits to include a list of what materials are legal to burn and which are not. I support ending the outdoor burning of yard and garden waste and diversion of these materials to the SSI community composting facility once this facility is up and running.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT
I will work to support local initiatives to diversify and strengthen the island economy that reflect our unique island culture. I will support local initiatives to keep more of the money generated on Salt Spring circulating in our local economy. I will support the ongoing work of the Community Economic Development Commission and encourage them to include the Chamber of Commerce as a member.

I will take action to ensure that CRD funded projects for Salt Spring go to the people who live here.

I will support organizations and initiatives that attract tourists and promote low-impact tourism. I think that working to make the island attractive to a broader range of tourists - cyclists, people who come here for educational/learning opportunities, in the arts, in wilderness skills, in agriculture and food related business, green building, the healing arts, and so on - focusing on attracting tourists from neighbouring communities in Canada and the U.S., and developing and promoting programs, packages and special events throughout the year – not just during summer months – will increase tourism and increase the flow of tourist dollars throughout the year.

I will work with local business and the Local Trust Committee on a plan to beautify Ganges. I would like to explore re-routing traffic around downtown Ganges and turn part of Ganges into a pedestrian commons. (See below.)

GANGES PEDESTRIAN COMMONS
I would like to explore re-routing traffic around downtown Ganges and turn part of Ganges into a pedestrian commons. I believe that making this change in the design of our "downtown" together with building a Fulford to Vesuvius bike path will help to revitalize our local economy while also enhancing islanders and visitors’ enjoyment of the island, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is a matter of joint jurisdiction with the Islands Trust and the provincial government, but I can and will take the lead in this initiative.

ARTS AND CULTURE
If elected, I will continue CRD financial support for the Arts Council. I will subscribe Salt Spring to the CRD Arts Development Service. I will support organizations and initiatives that attract tourists and promote tourism. I will lobby B.C.Ferries to introduce incentives for people traveling with 2 or more adults in their vehicles and will ask the Local Trust Council to join me in making a formal request to B.C. Ferries to include Salt Spring arts, crafts and other locally made products in ferry and ferry terminal gift shops.

GOVERNANCE
I support a study of governance options for Salt Spring Island, and I will lobby
the province vigorously for a governance study that examines all options and their various impacts on the island. I believe there is a pressing need to resolve the conflict in the community around this issue and to address the larger issue of how we work together as a community.

SMART METERS
There are many reasons to support a moratorium on the installation of smart meters, not the least of which is that the B.C. Union of Municipalities, representing thousands of people across the province, passed a motion requesting such a moratorium and was informed by the responsible Minister Rich Coleman that the wishes and concerns of thousands of voters don't matter. I will lobby the province for a moratorium on the installation of smart meters.

COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
I intend to increase and diversify opportunities for public consultation through Citizen’s Panels, a monthly Director’s Open Door and Open Space meetings. I intend to report to the public on my activities on a regular basis through a monthly Director’s Report in the local newspaper. I pledge to work closely with my counterparts at the Federal and Provincial levels and with the Islands Trust.