Municipality of North Cowichan Candidate
Website: www.alsiebring.ca
Q1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and why you are running.
A: I grew up on a dairy farm near Cobble Hill, but in my late teens, I left the Valley and spent the next 22 years living and working all over Canada and parts of the USA as a radio newscaster. The work included regular coverage of civic politics in Edmonton, Calgary, and Regina, as well as stints as a Legislative Affairs reporter in several Provincial Legislatures. I returned home about 15 years ago, and have been very engaged in community ever since. My political role is simply an extension of that engagement.
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: I totally agree with the principle that we need to increase “local control” on these issues. However, the fear for me is that our ongoing demands for this will cause the Province to throw up their hands and say “Fine then. You do it.” Without any commensurate funding to achieve these goals. The funding and governance piece of “local control” desperately needs to be sorted out. We simply can’t load all of this onto local taxpayers – they’re already over-burdened.
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: I write extensively about this on my website. Fundamentally, public engagement has to move beyond “stakeholders” and special interest groups. This means our consultation has to deliberately and intentionally seek out people where they live, work, and engage in community, rather than constantly using consultation methods which in which participants “self-select”.
Q4. What is your position on municipal tax rates and the corresponding level and allocation of services?
A: In North Cowichan, residential taxes have more than doubled in the past 10 years. This is simply not sustainable. I want the new Council to commit to limiting residential tax increases to no more than the rate of inflation in each of the next four years. We also need to do a true “priority-setting exercise” to collectively figure out how we can achieve that.
Q5. What is your vision for this area, and how would getting elected help achieve it?
A: We live in one of the most beautiful areas in Canada, if not the world. And we are becoming somewhat of a retirement mecca. While we can certainly play to these strengths, our economy cannot survive on tourists and seniors alone. Local government also needs to facilitate an economic environment that encourages entrepreneurship and free enterprise. Our young people are leaving in droves – we need to keep them here with jobs and a sustainable economy.
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