Rod Smith

• Please tell us a bit about yourself and what made you decide to run in this election?

I am married with two school-age children at home with us in Saltair where we have lived for thirteen years. I have thirty-eight years of leadership experience with some of our country’s most respected organizations: BC Children’s Hospital, Amnesty International, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, the Nature Conservancy and right next door, Chemainus Theatre and just recently, Ladysmith Maritime Society Ladysmith Maritime Society where I was Executive Director for almost five years. Area G needs strong, proven leadership. I have the track record and the ability to unite the community in a new vision.

• Do you support the Drinking Water & Watersheds Protections Service bylaw referendum?  

YES. Water is our most precious resource. That is why I support the Drinking Water & Watersheds Protections Service bylaw. We are fortunate to have good staff at the CVRD but protecting the 17 watersheds in our region can’t be done off the side of someone’s desk. The staff need to know that we consider proper planning and management of our water a top priority and they need to be given the resources to do so effectively.

• Do you support the Cowichan Housing Association Service Establishment bylaw? 

YES. Eighteen months ago, I was part of a focus group on rural development organized by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. There were people there (mayors, council members, business leaders, not-for-profit leaders) from across Vancouver Island. I was surprised to hear that the number one priority for almost every community was affordable housing. The problem was bad then and has gotten worse. It’s young people and this problem is crippling economic development. Businesses can’t attract employees because there aren’t affordable housing options. Seed funding is essential. Yes, to bylaw 4201.

• How do you plan to work with other governments within the region, including local First Nations as well as provincial and federal governments?

Consultation and listening are key to working with other governments within the region. That’s the approach that worked in getting rid of the Viki Lyne II vessel that was threatening the environmental health and economic development of Ladysmith Harbour. I led that initiative but sometimes you follow. You always consult, and you always listen. Our strength as a region is in working together. The issue of freighters in our waters is a good example of an issue we can resolve if we work together. There is a solution that will work for all of us including the Port of Vancouver.

• One Cowichan supporters have expressed concerns about climate change, especially local impacts on our water resources. What local climate change mitigation and/or adaptation strategies would you support if elected?  
  

Climate change is a global problem. It is going to take government will to seriously address this issue. As individuals there is a lot we can do. Research it and make personal changes. Then push government to undertake initiatives like the New Normal Cowichan project and form partnerships like the Partners for Climate Protection program. Make changes like those proposed in the water bylaw 4202. Let’s get a water plan in place. Say “No” to initiatives that don’t make environmental sense for our communities and find an effective not-for-profit organization, like Georgia Strait Alliance, to support.  

• How do you propose managing growth sustainably in the Cowichan Region (e.g. transportation, environmental/agricultural protection, land-use, housing, cost of living)?

Climate change is a global problem. It is going to take government will to seriously address this issue. As individuals there is a lot we can do. Research it and make personal changes. Then push government to undertake initiatives like the New Normal Cowichan project and form partnerships like the Partners for Climate Protection program. Make changes like those proposed in the water bylaw 4202. Let’s get a water plan in place. Say “No” to initiatives that don’t make environmental sense for our communities and find an effective not-for-profit organization, like Georgia Strait Alliance, to support.  

• What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing local government and the one most important thing local government should do on each one?

The three most pressing issues facing local government (CVRD) are: managing growth sustainably, which includes items like housing, water,” green” issues and economic development; resource development (taxation, grants, leveraging opportunities) and citizen engagement. In 2014 some District’s voter turn out was just 14%. Local government can address all three of these issues through better region-wide planning, focusing on creating progressive partnerships and sound information planning that facilitates active citizen engagement across the region.

• Our citizen surveys indicate a desire for more consultation and accountability between elected officials and their constituents. If elected, what would your approach be to those issues?

Information planning is key to ensuring consultation and accountability between elected officials and constituents. Proper information planning begins with listening – engaging constituents to discover how they would like to be consulted and what methods of communication are appropriate. Social media works for some people others won’t touch it. Face to face contact continues to be effective for many and printed material is easy to distribute and can contain a feedback loop. If elected I will reach out to constituents to develop a comprehensive information plan that serves all of Area G.