Municipality of North Cowichan Candidate

Website: www.georgegates.ca

Q1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and why you are running.

A: I have been living in the Cowichan Valley for 10 years, raised two amazing children here and owned and operated two successful ongoing businesses. I am actively involved in the business community and heavily involved in volunteering in my community. Now that my children have “flown” the coupe. I feel ready to leap into a lifelong plan of being in local politics. My almost 50 years of life experience of being an independent person affords me the ability to think fast on my feet, react and challenge the norm and be part of a positive future for the Cowichan Valley.

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: Watersheds, water supply\quality and local economy are only a few of the resources we need to manage well. We need to ensure as we grow we do in an environmentally friendly way, making sure that local governments are managing these resources and have the ability to enforce the management of them. Sustainable business growth needs to be done with environmental and fiscal considerations, not just “build it and they will come” We need open doors for entrepreneurs and small businesses wanting to spend money here, but it needs to be done utilizing the spaces we have now, before creating more.

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 am an advocate for public consultation. I believe we need to have the forum to gather input from the communities. I also believe we should not do it over and over again. We need to ensure all the information is made available, do the research, and get all of the facts first. We need to present the information, get the valuable input from the communities and then act upon it. You can’t make everyone happy, that’s a reality. We need to ensure we ask everyone if they want input, we need to listen, and then we need to act.

Q4. What is your position on municipal tax rates and the corresponding level and allocation of services?

A: I believe our tax rates are not out of line. I don't believe we should be paying less tax, nor do I think they need to be higher without good cause. What I do want to investigate is what we are doing with our tax money and what services need to be addressed and in what priority. We live in an amazing place and we only have what we have because we pay taxes, and we need to continue to pay taxes. The question is, are they spent wisely, and for the betterment of all of our communities.

Q5. What is your vision for this area, and how would getting elected help achieve it?

A: My vision is pretty straight forward. I am a businessman and family man in the Cowichan Valley, my strengths are in business and family. I do not want to reinvent the wheel, I just want to make sure the tire is not flat. Let’s create\motivate environmentally and fiscally sound business growth and ensure we have the services and energetic communities to practice our business in and raise our families in. When I am elected I can actually help achieve this, more than I already do as a private citizen.

Return to North Cowichan Candidates