Hi Jamie:
Thanks for your message. Hope you are doing well. Here are my answers to the 5 questions you had asked.
Have a great weekend!
1. Food security, climate resilience and land-use rules
As a farmer, I understand how important food production is to our community and to the resilience of our region. Chilliwack has a strong agricultural identity, and our 2050 Official Community Plan continues to emphasize protecting agriculture and the Agricultural Land Reserve.
I would support a review of City plans, zoning and development requirements to identify unnecessary barriers to community gardens, food-producing landscaping and urban food production, particularly in multi-unit housing. Where there is legitimate safety, drainage, access or servicing concerns, those need to remain, but we should not create rules simply for the sake of rules.
During a four-year term, I would be willing to ask staff to identify where the City can make practical changes, bring forward amendments where appropriate, and work with residents, strata councils, housing providers and community organizations to expand opportunities for local food production.
At the same time, protecting Chilliwack’s working farmland must remain a priority. Urban food gardens are valuable, but they should complement, not compete with, the protection of the agricultural land that feeds our community.
2. The right to air-dry laundry
I think this is an area where we should look for reasonable solutions rather than unnecessary restrictions.
If a resident can safely use a freestanding drying rack or retractable line without creating a fire, structural, appearance or other legitimate safety concern, I would support the City examining whether there are barriers within our municipal authority.
Much of this issue, however, falls under provincial tenancy and strata legislation. The Province regulates the relationship between tenants, landlords and strata corporations, while strata bylaws and rules also play an important role.
I would be willing to ask City staff to identify what, if anything, the City can change and to advocate to the Province for reasonable “right to dry” protections, provided appropriate safety standards are maintained.
3. Recycling and organics in multi-unit buildings
Chilliwack already requires multi-family buildings to provide recycling, and provincial/regional requirements also address the separation of garbage, recyclables and compostables. The City has also been working with the FVRD to expand organics diversion in multi-family housing.
The question is making sure those systems actually work for residents.
During my term, I would support better communication, clearer signage and education, easier ways for residents to report problems, and stronger follow-up where buildings are not meeting existing requirements. I would also want staff to identify where access to organics and recycling is inadequate and what practical changes could improve participation.
We should make it easy for people to do the right thing. Good waste diversion is not just an environmental issue; it also makes good economic sense by keeping valuable material out of the landfill.
4. The drug poisoning crisis
This is a complex issue, and the City cannot solve it by itself. Health care, addiction treatment and many housing services are primarily provincial responsibilities. At the same time, the City has an important role in public safety, land use, partnerships and creating a community where people can access appropriate supports.
Chilliwack already works with the Province, BC Housing and local service providers, and the City has helped facilitate supportive housing, treatment and recovery beds through partnerships.
I support a continuum of care, prevention, treatment, recovery, supportive housing and appropriate long-term housing. People struggling with addiction deserve access to help when they are ready, while residents also deserve safe and orderly neighborhoods.
Over the next four years, I would support continuing municipal partnerships, Continue as I have to advocate strongly to senior governments for the treatment and recovery resources our community needs, making appropriate planning tools available where suitable, and maintaining a strong focus on
public safety.
We need solutions that help people move toward recovery while also recognizing the impact the crisis has on families, businesses and neighborhoods.
5. Wildfire smoke and indoor air quality
Wildfire smoke is an increasingly important concern in the Fraser Valley, and I support looking at practical measures that improve indoor air quality without unnecessarily driving up housing costs.
The BC Building Code establishes minimum standards for building safety, health and efficiency, so many of the broader requirements are provincial rather than municipal.
I would support asking City staff to examine what Chilliwack can reasonably require or encourage within its authority, particularly for new buildings where improved filtration and HVAC design can be incorporated at the outset.
I would also advocate to the Province for stronger building standards where the evidence supports them, along with incentives or funding programs to help older buildings improve filtration and ventilation.
During a four-year term, I would want to see this approached practically: identify the buildings and situations where improved indoor air quality will provide the greatest benefit, determine the cost, and focus on measures that are effective and achievable. Our response to climate risks needs to protect residents without making housing unnecessarily expensive.