Editor’s note: The six candidates vying to be your Delta representative in Ottawa were provided with six questions from the Optimist and if they liked, could also provide introductory comments or a biography.
Q1: What is your position on the recently announced Massey Tunnel replacement project? Do you like the plans? Not like the plans?
Answer: I am happy to see Metro Vancouver is endorsing this project vs the bridge proposal.
Personally I am in favour of the tunnel vs the bridge. The tunnel will for the most part be out of sight and it will not add the ever increasing light and noise pollution, but are there any guarantees that the tunnel will be built if the leadership of B.C. changes in the next election? That last time this happened it cost tax payers $100 million.
Q2: What is your position on the Terminal 2 project for Roberts Bank?
Answer: Any time we expand shipping in our waters it comes at a huge cost to the environment. We are also reminded on how little we manufacture goods in Canada since most of what we consume these days is coming from China.
Currently in Delta I see more and more diesel container trucks that are the biggest polluters on the road.
Each container ship holds anywhere from 10,000 to 21,000 containers and that means 20,000 to 42,000 trips the container trucks have to make per vessel. If they move by rail it reduces the impact somewhat.
Q3: Recently, South Delta has experienced several incidents of vandalism of the Pride flag at Ladner United Church. If elected what will you do to help spread a message of diversity and inclusivity in Delta?
Answer: Educate, educate no one is born racist or discriminating it’s learned. Don’t bring attention to the vandalism as it gives them power. Investigate and prosecute outside of public eye. The more attention we give them the more hate will spread.
Q4: Affordable housing continues to be a major issue in Delta. If elected how will you help?
Answer: I would work with local government to change existing bylaws to allow smaller lot sizes. Smaller lots and smaller homes will make homes more affordable. All new developments everywhere must include housing for low income people, inclusion is not always easy for people but it’s the right thing to do. What happened to BC housing?
Q5: Do you think the COVID-19 pandemic response has been handled well here in Canada?
Answer: Canadas and Canadians response was amazing at first. All parties came together in Ottawa to work as one for the benefit of all. Looking where we were to where we are, it’s amazing to see how many people have been vaccinated, however, as much as the government has done to help us all get through this incredibly difficult time, we have a small portion of the public that refuse to be vaccinated and or have taken advantage of the CERB “now COVID 19 benefits” and not returning to work. All businesses are struggling to get back to pre-COVID staffing numbers.
Q6: If elected, how will you help small businesses in Delta as they rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Answer: Everyone I know in business is struggling with the same issue, staffing.
I don’t know why but in the last three years I have seen a decline in potential employees. I thought it was wages, so we raised them. Thought it was benefits, so we made them better. Still having difficulties finding people willing to work.
Working with the local schools to get more students in apprenticeships will help local businesses and help students achieve their high school diploma while working.
I would also work with business owners and managers to see how policies and red tape effect the companies’ ability to run under the “new normal"
Delta is a great place to live and work. We should all be proud of where we live.
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