Kim Nakahara – Candidate for Ladysmith Council www.facebook.com/kim.nakahara.7
Please tell us a bit about yourself and what made you decide to run in this election?
I am happily married with three adult children. I work in mental health and am a member of the HSA union. I have a degree in psychology and am currently pursuing a master's degree in community development and program evaluation. I decided to run in this election because it is an exciting time to be from Ladysmith, and I am enthusiastic about working collaboratively to help guide the growth and development that is in Ladysmith’s future. I love being in service to my community and felt it was time to take on this challenge.
The climate science is clear - we need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 45% from 2005 levels by 2030 to address the devastating climate impacts (heat waves, fires, floods, droughts) we face. What priority actions to reduce GHG emissions locally will you advocate to get local government on course to meet that 45% reduction by 2030, less than 7 ½ years from now?
I support including more ways to incorporate active transportation and public transportation into our daily lives. As vehicle traffic and commuting reach an all-time high, I am committed to working towards reducing the number of cars on the road and building a community that is more sustainable for its residents. Additionally, I support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and will advocate for the town to actively engage in working towards achieving the goals in our community. They address not only reaching GHG emissions but also include reducing poverty, gender inequality, affordable clean energy, and other valuable goals.
Transportation, mostly in private cars and trucks, is reported to be responsible for 72% of GHG emissions in the Cowichan What three strategies to reduce emissions from transportation, while also supporting local people getting where they need to go, would you work to implement?
I will work to implement greater accessibility to multi-use trails that allow for various forms of active transportation, I will advocate and work towards establishing infrastructure that support active transportation, and I will work with senior governments to increase access and accessibility to transit systems.
We’re not only in a climate crisis, we’re in multiple overlapping crises, including affordable housing, homelessness, and the opioid overdose crises. If elected to local government, what interconnected solutions would you advocate to address these social and environmental crises in the Cowichan Valley?
Affordable housing and the climate crisis are big issues to tackle and can feel like eating an elephant. I will do this in the most sensible way I know, one bite at a time. By working with civil society, NGOs and senior government to support and advocate for policy that addresses these issues in a sustainable and effective way. Many of the crises occurring in communities stem from social disconnection. I will work to strengthen the fabric of goodwill in our community and support policies that enhance the connection between people and builds a sense of place for all.
We’re not only in a climate crisis, we’re in multiple overlapping crises, including affordable housing, homelessness, and the opioid overdose crises. If elected to local government, what interconnected solutions would you advocate to address these social and environmental crises in the Cowichan Valley?
Affordable housing and the climate crisis are big issues to tackle and can feel like eating an elephant. I will do this in the most sensible way I know, one bite at a time. By working with civil society, NGOs and senior government to support and advocate for policy that addresses these issues in a sustainable and effective way. Many of the crises occurring in communities stem from social disconnection. I will work to strengthen the fabric of goodwill in our community and support policies that enhance the connection between people and builds a sense of place for all.
The Cowichan Valley is experiencing increasing climate-related cycles of drought and flooding in our watersheds, as well as other damage to natural ecosystems and farmland caused by development pressures. These trends threaten our salmon and our food What actions must local government take to better protect our watersheds and drinking water, as well as increase local food production and food security? What protections should local government put in place?
No response.
Emissions from buildings are second only to transportation emissions here in the Cowichan Local groups working together on climate change solutions have asked all five of our local governments to commit to getting fossil fuel emissions - gas and oil - out of our built environment. Do you support this move, and what next steps would you advocate local government take to achieve this?
I do support this move and will advocate for clean energy uses and work collaboratively with all levels of government to achieve and enhance affordable options for people to make these changes.
Most of our local governments have either, like North Cowichan, recently approved a new Official Community Plan (OCP) or are in the process of updating or harmonizing their OCP (CVRD) with stronger social and environmental directions for our Cowichan How would you support the OCP approved for your community in moving forward, including implementing the bylaws needed?
No response
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?
I think the three most pressing issues are affordability, sustainability, and the climate crisis. Municipal governments need to work closely with senior government and Indigenous nations to tackle these issues in a sustainable and effective way. By working towards sustainable economic development, densification, and equitable access to services, governments can work together to overcome these and other challenges.
How do you plan to work with other governments within our region, including working with Local First Nations, as well as the provincial and federal governments?
I plan to work collaboratively and with great respect. I believe that establishing and building strong relationships with all levels of government and governance is important; these relationships lead to healthy, resilient communities and allow for complex issues to be worked on in an inclusive and participatory manner. There is much to learn from each other, and by having a seat at the table, we can ensure that learning and sharing of knowledge occurs between nations and governments.