1) Why are you running?
I am running for the position of Councillor because I want to continue to serve you and represent our community. I want to be part of the decision making that affects our everyday lives to ensure effective use of our tax dollars and stewardship of natural, environmental and built resources. I want to encourage and support diversity and inclusivity so our city can thrive now and for future generations. I want to see a safe, welcoming, healthy city; a city where we can live and prosper; a city where our children can grow up healthy and happy and our seniors can age in place.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to ease the cost of living concerns? If so, what measures would you support?
I would support initiatives that link with the Social Services community organizations and network partners to move towards a living wage, as a bridge to help individuals. I support a Housing First approach which would put appropriate and affordable housing in place to ensure that seniors and those at low and low-middle income brackets can have housing availability and security. I would encourage support of those social service agencies and organizations that are proving the essentials of life to those who need them in our community. I would encourage our support, along with the County, to advocate with Provincial and Federal governments to implement strategies to mitigate the impact of the increase in the cost of living that disproportionately impacts our most disadvantaged and vulnerable populations.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
An untapped economic opportunity is developing those businesses and services that support Aging in Place and Age Friendly communities. This aligns with the statistics regarding our population. Developing and promoting our artist and artisan culture and partnering with other areas in the region to promote the tourism business would be encouraged. Linking with our educational and healthcare institutions to explore skills, trades development and employment housing as an incentive to new or current businesses can be explored as an opportunity for growth and economic development. As we transition away from fossil fuels and move towards green energy we can develop and support these changes to draw more of these new industries to our community.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
Yes. We all have a part to play in ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents locally. Active recruitment and retention efforts to engage and support current as well as future medical care providers, physicians, nurses, personal support workers and allied health professionals is essential for the sustainability of our community, our work force, our growth and development. Along with other community partners, including Georgian College, Grey Bruce Health Services, Community Foundation Grey Bruce we can explore strategies as part of a Heath Care Recruitment Working Group. We could offer incentives such as bursary programs, educational grants, incentive bonuses for those who recruit others to relocate to Owen Sound and employment housing to encourage health care providers to come to work, play and stay in our area.
5) What steps could municipalities take to help get more housing built that you support?
The housing crisis, income insecurity and the impacts relating to climate change are all intertwined. These issues which were present before today have been made significantly worse by the pandemic and global economics. They affect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community.
A housing solution platform needs many parts working together play a part in finding, implementing and supporting housing solutions that will sustain our communities for future generations. This includes Federal, Provincial, Upper Tier County municipalities, Lower Tier municipalities like Owen Sound and the local Community. Housing is not the sole responsibility of one single level of government but is shared between all the levels of government who must work together with the community to look for creative and innovative solutions in this complex situation. Housing for all means we all have a part to play!
6) Should the city do more to regulate short-term rentals, such as AirBNBs?
Yes. Steps the city could take include aligning short term rentals with the appropriate zoning in the Official Plan as well as developing zoning parameters regarding the requirement for such rentals to be owner-occupied. The city could define in regulation the maximum area which can be rented, an annual licensing fee, municipal accommodation tax and an robust enforcement strategy.