Municipality of North Cowichan Candidate
Website: robdouglas.ca
Q1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and why you are running.
A: I was born and raised in North Cowichan and have lived here my whole life. I work for the provincial government as a policy analyst, developing programs in post-secondary education for Aboriginal people. I also write for the Cowichan News leader Pictorial, and previously worked in the construction and forest industries. I have been involved in a wide range of community organizations, serving on the Boards for the Cowichan Land Trust, Regional Co-op Council, Elder Care Co-op, and Volunteer Cowichan. I am running for Council because I think we need leaders with fresh ideas, progressive values and a long-term vision for the community.
Q2. The community survey results placed a high priority on sustainability, in particular on protecting our watersheds, water supply and water quality, as well as on creating a more sustainable local economy. If elected, please describe what your approach would be to those issues.
A: In terms of our water, de-centralizing control to the local level and raising the weir need to be our top priorities. As a longer-term solution, I would like to see local government take steps to ensure the area surrounding the watershed is properly reforested.
In terms of creating a sustainable local economy, we need local government to encourage small business, local ownership and “living wage” jobs for young people. I would also like to see more of a focus on expanding value-added forestry, local food production, renewable energy and small-scale manufacturing. Additionally, we could do well to learn from other communities that have set up community investment funds.
Q3. The survey results indicated citizens want to see more consultation and accountability between elected officials and their constituents. If elected, please describe what your approach would be to those issues.
A: North Cowichan should explore the possibility of introducing “participatory budgeting,” a well-regarded model pioneered in Brazil many years ago that has since spread across to hundreds of communities in both the advanced economies and the developing world. With participatory budgeting, citizens in particular neighbourhoods are able, through a highly democratic process, to set priorities in spending and determine community development projects.
I would also like to see our elected officials hold regular town hall meetings to solicit feedback from citizens on particular policies.
Q4. What is your position on municipal tax rates and the corresponding level and allocation of services?
A: I think over the long-term we need to find new sources of revenue to reduce our dependence on property taxes. While our current tax rates are certainly not out of line with many other Vancouver Island communities, the recent increases have created challenges for many of us. In both Canada and the USA, municipalities have developed creative ways to generate revenue, such as operating their own energy utilities, leasing municipal land for industrial and commercial purposes, and investing in the venture capital market, to name a few. The City of Nelson, for example, generates $15 million per year through its energy utility. The long-term solution should also involve putting pressure on senior levels of government to provide adequate funding to address issues related to downloading.
Q5. What is your vision for this area, and how would getting elected help achieve it?
A: My vision for the Cowichan region is that one day this will be a place where young people can find good jobs; where we protect the environment and do our part to fight climate change; where we produce more of our food locally; where we ensure there is enough affordable housing in the community; and where we put local government on a sound financial footing so that we can continue to fund the public services that we depend on.
With a $40 million a year budget, many talented and dedicated staff, and probably more land than any other public or private entity in the region, North Cowichan has an important role to play in making this vision a reality.
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