Questions to the candidates
This is an experiment. 17 questions were formulated by Tofitians on subjects that really matter to them. The questions were then sent to all council/mayoral candidates through their emails which they provided when they entered this election. Their answers were published as received. No editing has been done. Some candidates decided to not answer some of the questions.
Omar Soliman decided to not answer the questionnaire.
Access to properties and smaller homes.
1- What more can be done to help locals have access to properties? Locals have been asking for smaller lots to build smaller homes. Do you think by-laws can be changed to allow micro neighbourhoods of small homes. (800-1,000-ft. square)?
Housing solutions
2- What other housing solutions would you consider, and how could the District better support and build on current attempts to bridge the housing gap?
Homes for our local residents
3- Properties in Tofino are often seen as investments rather than homes for our local residents. This drastically affects the price of the properties as they are seen as income generators rather than as homes for residents. What can be done to limit the amount of vacation rentals in town so that homes and properties serve residents, rather than “investors”?
The Tofino Housing Corporation at Tonquin
4- The Tofino Housing Corporation is working on a very big housing project by the Tonquin Park. Do you think this project is realistic? Do you think the district could use land that is already cleared instead of cutting more trees in the beautiful Tonquin forrest? Can housing projects be more low-key and respectful of our beautiful nature?
Empty homes
5- Would you consider implementing a tax increase for homeowners who use their homes for less than three months a year?
Speculation and project management
6- What other tourist town in BC or beyond (apart from Whistler) can be used as an example of a thriving community for young families/young people to invest in and put roots down? What can we learn from their setbacks or planning deficiencies to propel our community forward?
Arts, Culture and Heritage
7- What is the place of Arts, Culture, and Heritage in a remote community like Tofino ? What can be done to help artists stay in Tofino and help them make this town a thriving artistic community ?
Cultural activities for the youth
8- The high school doesn’t have money to offer free cultural activities to the teens of the area: choir, ballet, theatre, etc. Not all teens are into sports and the arts are a great way to develop self-esteem and grow through adolescence. What could be done to help provide these teens with free cultural activities?
Reconciliation and regional prosperity
9- How do you plan to build upon recent reconciliation efforts like the pole raising to address historical wrongs, put resources towards resource cultural revitalization, and resolve the employment and income gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people?
Health Care
10- What are your top two priorities or issues regarding health care in our community? How would you proceed towards improvements on the issues you identify?
Food Safety and Compost
11- How will council and mayor continue to support food security initiatives (access to healthy, local food for all, and food prepared in case of emergency). How could you support a food waste composting system on the coast to reduce greenhouse gases in the landfill and start to create compost to grow more food for our community members?
Tsunami evacuation route up Rosie Bay
12- Would you support an official evacuation route up Rosie Bay for the people living on Chesterman/Cox Bay? Could the town work with Rosie Bay estate to create a little shelter up the hill with food and water in case of a massive earthquake that wouldn’t allow enough time to drive to the community hall.
Wild Salmon Protection
13- What more do you think can be done to protect and bring awareness to the decreasing population of our wild salmon?
Tankers, mining and ocean pollution
14- As a Councillor, how would you take action related to the threats of increased tankers from the proposed Trans Mountain pipeline, mining interests in the area, ocean pollution from industry, and marine debris?
Plastic pollution
15- What action will you take to support the District’s motion to regulate single-use Plastics? And what single-use Plastics do you think should be focused on first?
Light pollution
16- Do you have a plan to decrease light pollution or light pollution standards? Especially on our beaches at night?
All year round shuttle
17- What could you do to support a year-round shuttle in town and to expand its reach to Esowista and Ty-Hystanis?