Today, the University of Guelph's Community Engagement and Global Citizenship office was launching an event on campus to promote election awareness. I hope it's off to a great start.
I was asked to provide information on my candidacy, and this is how I responded.
1. What's your vision for Guelph?
My high-level
vision for Guelph is a city where residents are proactively consulted on municipal
issues. Too often, we find out about development projects or city initiatives after
it is far too late for our comments to be duly considered. Through my extensive
email network, I intend to seek meaningful input from my fellow Ward 1
residents on matters coming before Council.
My
street-level vision for Guelph is a city where every neighbourhood has jobs, shops,
natural areas, cafés and restaurants that people can walk to. Walkable
neighbourhoods are not only healthier and easier on the pocket book; they also
strengthen our sense of community.
2. Why should students vote for you?
I
hope that students will vote for me because they feel an affinity with my
strong environmental values and my outlook towards the future—not just the next
four years.
3. What do you believe is the most important municipal issue for students?
I
think the most important municipal issue for students is rental housing. Now
that the City proposal to licence rental properties has been abandoned, dealing
with on-going problems such as absentee landlords and housing conditions
remains unresolved. I encourage everyone to take an interest in this issue
because Council’s future decisions on the matter will definitely affect
students’ lives.
