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Housing
High Housing costs are one of the biggest negative factors affecting Yellowknife. The city needs to sit down and get the solutions required to make this city a more affordable place to live. from lobbying the GNWT for affordable hydro rates, to working with developers on coming up the strategies to overcome high costs and barriers for the average home owner.
My definition of affordable housing is two fold: Offering buyers the option of entry level housing that is not only affordable, but sustainable and does not exceed 30 to 35 per cent of their household incomes. Second part of affordable housing is the cost and delivery of utilities to the home owner.
I plan to work with developers on coming up with strategies to overcome high housing costs and barriers to the average home owner. I will look at ways for the city to assist and provide a varitey of tools to the developers so that they can build homes at an affordable price.
I will also lobby the GNWT for affordable hydro rates and to come up with a system so that any increase is small and uses a phase-in system that does not fleece the consumer
Accessible Government
Yellowknife has become a city that expanded into many areas, this is why I will be pushing for a ward (district) base system for council. Each part of the city will have a member of council representing them, this will benefit the people of Yellowknife in many ways including proper representation, easier access for citizens to access local government office and more.
Traffic
A variety of ways we can improve the traffic situation will include things like synchronized traffic lights throughout the city. It will not only be revenue neutral, but have major benefits such as reduced emissions and safer traffic flow.
Northland
Northland has become an issue that is too important to talk about anymore. The city and the condo corp needs to put into action a plan that is not only workable, but fair for all stakeholders. Northland in the ONLY affordable housing option in Yellowknife and with the right planning and proper support - we can build upon the prosperity that can happen and apply it to other future developments in the city
Police
Re-organizing the Municipal Enforcement department will have many benefits such as using a one tier police service supported exclusively by the RCMP, saving Yellowknife taxpayers a substantial amount of tax money.
Taxes
The municipal level of government has limited tools to raise money to operate the city; a property tax levy is the first step to budget for services. Yellowknife's recent boom in have not put financial pressures on the city's resources to make those types of increases, especially when major capital investments were not made. The expected 12 per cent tax hike over the next two years is not justified with the current proposal. Lack of infrastructure upgrades, shrinking population and extra pressures put on by external jurisdictions will make any increase unfair to the residences of Yellowknife.
Development & Green space
The role of council is not to pick favourites, but balance the needs in a fair and supportive manner. Residential developments and upgrades are important, especially when you have a population that has very challenging and expensive rental options, rising home ownership costs and limited development options. Green space must be managed so that we do not lose the frontier lifestyle we all enjoy. Maintaining and upgrading city streets is also a very important part of the city that needs to be looked after. Everything we do revolves around transportation and with better engineered roads, it will result in greater efficiency.
Solving Social Issues
All three levels of government play a very important role when it comes to social issues. In Yellowknife we are fortunate to have multiple organizations that help address these social problems. Yellowknife needs to properly assist these organizations with a better support system and partnerships that work. Open and efficient communication will be a first major step towards benefitting those organizations that are on the front line every day. Yellowknife is the NWT's capital city and we must be part of the solution when it come to working with organizations and help them maintain and build upon their success.
Population Drain
The population of the north has remained stagnant for many decades; this is also the case with Yellowknife. Population growth has many benefits. If I am elected to council, I will champion this issue with great determination. High housing costs is one of the biggest negative factors affecting Yellowknife. With affordable housing, a more business friendly city hall, improvements to parks, streets and lobbying for more affordable hydro rates with the GNWT, I am confident that Yellowknife will attract and maintain more people who want to live and raise a family here
Voting is an act of leadership an act that we sometimes take for granted. Our city motto is "much in little" and holds true; it takes very little to exercise your vote in our elections, but we get a lot out of it.
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