I believe we can make that vision a reality by building on our work over the past four years and continuing to strengthen our local economy, address our housing needs, manage tax pressures responsibly while protecting core services, improve community safety and address homelessness, and protect our natural environment and rural character.

Strengthening our local economy means continuing to diversify our economy, attract investment, support high-paying jobs, and expand our tax base. It also means working with industry and the Province to support the redevelopment of the Crofton mill site and extend water servicing to unlock the development potential of industrial lands off Highway 18.

Addressing our housing needs means supporting new homes in already-serviced areas within our Urban Containment Boundary, while continuing the long-term infrastructure planning and investment needed to support growth. Over the past four years, we have done significant work to better understand our infrastructure needs and plan for the investments ahead.

Managing tax pressures responsibly means continuing to find efficiencies, expanding our industrial tax base, protecting the high-quality services residents rely on, and standing up against the downloading of costs and responsibilities from senior levels of government.

Improving community safety and addressing homelessness means recognizing that municipal governments cannot solve these challenges alone. I will continue advocating to the Province, Island Health and BC Housing for more treatment and recovery beds, secure facilities for people with severe mental illness and addictions, and supportive housing in appropriate locations.

Protecting our natural environment and rural character means upholding our Official Community Plan, listening to residents, and preventing urban sprawl into rural and environmentally sensitive lands.