It should come as no surprise that thousands of people in our community are struggling with the current cost of living. Housing, groceries, transportation, utilities and nearly every other household expense have become more expensive. At a time when families, seniors and small businesses are being asked to do more with less, I do not believe City Hall should simply assume taxpayers can absorb another increase. I will not support an increase in taxes until this economic downturn has passed.

That does not mean neglecting the services and infrastructure our community depends on. It means setting priorities. Essential services must be protected, infrastructure must be properly maintained, and we must continue planning for Chilliwack's growth. But every new expenditure should be weighed against the financial pressure already facing the people who ultimately have to pay for it.

Before asking residents for more money, Council should be asking whether a project is necessary today, whether there is a more efficient way to deliver it, whether existing resources can be better used, and whether it fits within our long-term financial plan. Good government is not measured by how much it spends; it is measured by how effectively it uses the resources taxpayers have already entrusted to it.

A healthy neighbourhood should make everyday life easier. Wherever possible, residents should be able to safely walk or cycle to shops, parks, schools, services and gathering places without having to get in a car for every trip.

That means safe crossings, connected sidewalks and trails, shade and green space, interesting streets, and neighbourhood centres that give people reasons to walk.

As Chilliwack grows, we need to protect that long-term vision. New housing is necessary, but simply adding density does not build a complete community. Growth should follow thoughtful neighbourhood planning so that housing, roads, parks, infrastructure, transportation and amenities grow together.

Chilliwack is in an unusual position because although a significant amount of housing is being built by neighbouring First Nations communities, they are not counted toward Chilliwack’s provincial Housing Target Order.  Those homes contribute to the same regional housing supply and rely on many of the same roads, utilities and community services. I support continuing to press the Province to recognize those homes while allowing Chilliwack to pursue growth through the comprehensive neighbourhood planning our community has already undertaken.

When Chilliwack decided to build the Chilliwack Cultural Centre—and, before that, major facilities such as the Coliseum and Leisure Centre—there was understandable debate about whether these were prudent investments. The public was consulted, and community feedback helped confirm that these were facilities Chilliwack was growing into and would need. These projects were then planned years in advance, and the City maintained the financial discipline to build them without borrowing.

Major infrastructure should not be driven by the loudest voices or the appeal of the next exciting project. We need long-term infrastructure planning based on community feedback, clear priorities, and the financial discipline to see those plans through.

Having served as co-chair of Chilliwack Healthier Community for more than seven years, I have seen firsthand how important it is for our community to support people who are struggling, prevent them from falling through the cracks, and connect them with the services that can help improve, or indeed save, their lives.

Chilliwack has put significant effort into developing services and supports for vulnerable residents, and I am proud of the work our City and community partners have done. But these challenges do not stop at municipal boundaries, and Chilliwack cannot be expected to carry a disproportionate share of the regional response.

When neighbouring communities do not provide comparable access to services, people naturally travel to communities where help is available. Over time, that places increasing pressure on Chilliwack’s service providers, emergency response, public spaces and taxpayers.

This is not about turning people away. It is about making sure people can access appropriate help closer to where they live and ensuring that every community in our region contributes fairly to that effort.

I will push for stronger regional cooperation, shared planning and meaningful commitments from neighbouring municipalities and provincial agencies. Chilliwack should continue doing its part—but we should not be expected to do the region’s work alone.

As the cost of living continues to rise, owning and operating a vehicle has become increasingly difficult for many people. Insurance, fuel, maintenance and the cost of purchasing a vehicle can put reliable transportation out of reach for seniors, young adults, teenagers, single-parent families and others living on limited incomes.

Transportation is not a luxury. People need reliable ways to get to work, medical appointments, grocery stores, community services and school. When those options do not exist, the people who can least afford additional barriers are often the ones who face them.

We should not have seniors walking long distances because that is the only way they can reach affordable food, community programs or essential services. Nor should a young person’s ability to accept a job depend on whether they have access to a car or a parent who can drive them.

As Chilliwack grows, we need transportation options that are safe, practical and affordable. That means looking seriously at transit frequency and coverage, connections between neighbourhoods, accessible transportation for seniors and people with mobility challenges, and innovative options that can fill gaps where traditional fixed-route transit does not make sense.

Good transportation planning creates opportunity. It allows people to work, participate in their community, access the services they need and maintain their independence. Our transportation system should help connect people to those opportunities, regardless of whether they own a vehicle.

Public service requires people with different perspectives to work together. Disagreement is inevitable—and often healthy—but personal attacks, political gamesmanship and toxic behaviour make it harder to do the work residents elected us to do.

If elected to Council, I will work to foster a culture of professionalism, respect and civility—not only around the Council table, but throughout the organization. If problems with workplace culture exist, I believe they need to be addressed directly and early. Residents deserve a City Hall where people can disagree, challenge ideas and make difficult decisions without creating a toxic environment.