Candidates reveal most pressing issues for squamish in their own words
Four of five candidates write to The Chief about what they would do for the district
The Chief asked the candidates for the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky riding to write a column explaining why Squamish residents should elect them in the provincial election on May 9. We received responses from the NDP, the Liberals, the Greens and the Independent candidate. The Libertarian candidate did not send a column in.
Who will you be voting for?
NDP, Michelle Livaja
My name is Michelle Livaja. I was born and raised in the Lower Mainland. I’ve spent the last 17 years living on Bowen Island with my husband and cats.
I’m a life-long learner. Currently working on my third credential (communications degree), I also studied science and web technologies. I have 30 years in the workforce, including City Hall, Board of Trade and most recently, the BC Nurses’ Union.
As a labour activist, I fight for people as a union steward, executive councillor, and delegate to the Vancouver District Labour Council. I fight for our community through the Metro Vancouver Alliance, a group that brings together 57 member organizations from labour, faith, community and educational institutions to work for the common good.
I’ve helped nurses in their struggle to protect the public health care system that this government wants to privatize. I know the effects of poverty, addictions, lack of mental health options, overcrowded hospitals and impossibly long waiting lists. Nine out of 10 senior care home facilities are underfunded and understaffed.
I understand that better health care, affordable housing and family-supporting jobs are the priorities of most British Columbians. But where are the jobs?
Last election, Christy Clark promised 100,000 LNG jobs and delivered none. We’ve lost 30,000 forestry jobs and raw logs are being shipped offshore at unprecedented rates. New jobs today are often low-wage and without benefits.
Our housing costs are out of control all the way up the corridor. So the NDP is putting forward the biggest housing plan in B.C. history. Directly and through partnerships, we are building 114,000 affordable rental, non-profit, co-op and owner-purchase housing units for students, seniors, and families.
We want an economy that works for everyone, not just the people at the top. We’re increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour. It’s not right that someone can work full-time and still be in poverty.
We’re bringing in $10/day childcare so that parents can go back to work and not spend the equivalent of a mortgage payment to do it. And we are going to create 96,000 construction jobs by building schools, hospitals, roads and rapid transit.
This election is about choices. Housing is unaffordable. Costs like Hydro and ICBC have gone up, MSP has doubled, and life is not as affordable as it was 16 years ago.
We are focusing on people, with a real plan to make life more affordable, fix services, and create thousands of good jobs. Let’s build a better B.C.!
Liberals, Jordan Sturdy
It has been a privilege to represent Squamish over the last four years.
This is a dynamic and diverse community that is seeing both the benefits and the challenges of unprecedented growth.
Squamish has a broad range of job and business opportunities for people to realize their dreams while living in an unparalleled setting. Whether industries are knowledge based, tourism based, recreation based, retail based or resource based, there is really no limit to opportunity here in Squamish. We need to create the environment that lets small business people thrive and do their thing.
Increasing success, however, has not been without its challenges.
Long an advocate for Sea to Sky regional transit, I have spent considerable time laying the groundwork for and getting a commitment from the Provincial Government to pay its share in order to make the service a reality. Working with local and regional governments and First Nations we can put in place transit services from Pemberton to Whistler, to Squamish, and on to Metro Vancouver – saving commuters money, reducing congestion and GHG emissions, and making it easier for more people to visit Squamish and Whistler without having to drive the highway.
Affordable housing is a priority for Squamish. When the provincial and municipal governments, along with volunteers and community organizations, work together, real progress is made. With BC Housing, I have been pleased to work on the Centrepoint project, seniors housing and housing for vulnerable populations as a start. The introduction of a foreign buyers tax cooled the Metro Vancouver and Squamish real estate markets.
The province has also created several programs to help first-time homebuyers, making home ownership a reality for more people in Squamish.
Outdoor recreation is the reason many of us moved here. There is an incredible inventory of trails, of mountaineering opportunities, skiing, biking, kite surfing, rock climbing and more. It is almost endless.
This is a great place to be. We need to maintain and enhance this experience and I am committed to continue working with municipalities, volunteer organizations and with business to develop more trails, gain better access and longer term tenures. We must maintain the outstanding recreation experience we have for both visitors and those of us lucky enough to live here.
Regional transit, tangible affordable housing opportunities, and unparalleled outdoor recreation experiences: these are my top Squamish priorities for the next four years. Contact us at [email protected] or 604-849-1509.
Greens, Dana Taylor
My vision of West Vancouver-Sea To Sky is of an area of planned and controlled growth, one that makes provision for people who already live in the community, and for future inhabitants.
My vision addresses the current issues of housing affordability and transportation and transit, while enabling the city itself to design and build for future needs. My role if elected MLA, is to facilitate the priorities identified by the District of Squamish.
You know my concerns and objections to the proposed Woodfibre LNG Plant about which numerous environmental, safety, regulatory, and financial risks and problems have been identified. It is also pretty clear that Woodfibre LNG is at the very heart of the corrupting influence of corporate and union donations in B.C. Our party banned these last year while the other two parties continue to accept these monies.
Our party would invite alternative energy creators back to B.C., so we get to where the rest of the world is going, while the Liberals seem prepared to leave B.C. behind, favouring instead financial backers from the oil and gas industry.
There are many young families and kids in Squamish. The Green Party’s commitment to public education and daycare is far greater than that of both the NDP and the BC Liberals with free daycare for kids under three; free ECE for three and four-year-olds, and more support for stay-at-home parents; and more support than any other party for adult education to help people transition to the changing economy.
B.C. home sales, under the Liberals, have turned into a high-risk investment strategy reserved for the wealthy. We have policies to make sure homes are first and foremost for affordable regular families to live and prosper whether they want to rent or own.
I am running to support Squamish to embrace opportunities, such as plans to embellish your brand as “Hardwired For Adventure,” and encouraging Carbon Engineering’s developing technology, and the partnering program with UBC to create a clean energy technology, and the creation of the Squamish community carbon marketplace.
The Green Party has a detailed plan to reinvigorate the economy to fully embrace the opportunities of the 21st century and proposed programs to meet the needs and address the concerns of all British Columbians. It is a positive program that will move us towards a diverse and resilient sustainable economy. I wish to be part of a government that delivers on the future.
Independent, Tristan Galbraith
There had been a great deal of work, volunteer and through our businesses I have performed in the Squamish and surrounding community. I have volunteered, ski’d and bike raced; dealt with business and a tremendous amount of stress, pain and injury. I can bring and relate a great deal of professionalism and experience through my short 34 years and relate strongly to provincial public office. Especially as a young adult and British Columbian and Canadian I relate well with the people here. Through the trades, sports and volunteer experience with hundreds of thousands of community members, I am best suited for this position, to grow our riding and make it stronger.
I propose that provincially we push for:
• A proportional voting system and democratic reform;
• Environmental sustainability and protection of British Columbia weather, climate and environment worldwide
• Transportation and our environment protected
• Updated and more current judicial system and public sector employees
• Greater small business reform and leadership
• Housing, with updates to our forestry industry, manufacturing and the building code
• More proactive healthcare. Stick to what B.C.’s good at,
• More free education
• Keep our Crown corporations green
Created using a more general, environmental policy ranking system hinged on common sense. Average people can look up my platform and understand.
It includes a breakdown of our provincial $2.2-billion surplus. Provincially, from some of the highest contributors in Canada.
It’s awesome we’re all so fortunate here but as the leaders we need to do more. Our average household income is over $120,000 per year versus the $50,000 to $60,000 Canadian average.
Especially for our environment and as global leaders.
Let’s encourage and provide the greater leadership across all demographics we deserve or stop the growth and look elsewhere where there are greater leadership and need.
On May 9 vote Tristan Galbraith for Sea to Sky-West Vancouver MLA.
