3 Q’s: West Van candidates answer
West Vancouver Sea to Sky Candidates: Jeremy Valeriote, Jen Ford and Yuri Fulmer. Yuri Fulmer did not respond to our questions.
West Vancouver Sea to Sky
Jen Ford - NDP
TRANSPORTATION
What solutions do you propose to reduce traffic congestion in West Vancouver?
Traffic and congestion are not only frustrating, it causes undue delays, there needs to be investment in appropriate transit, parking availability and housing that is built and focused on areas where the services, transit, and employment opportunities are critical.
HOUSING
How can you ensure that there will be an ongoing supply of housing options in our riding while keeping an eye on true affordability among these options?
It has been my position for 12 years as the Chair of the Whistler Housing Authority that we need to invest in the types, forms, and sizes of homes that people need. We have built six rental and ownership housing buildings. We need to keep doing that work that respects the local government while also acknowledge the size and massing can fundamentally change.
CLIMATE CHANGE
In practical terms, what specifically do you think should be done in West Vancouver to mitigate the effects of climate change?
We all have to do our part. I need you to continue supporting the candidate who has a long Public record of delivering services and good advocacy on behalf of the community. We cannot afford to elect Rustad, who will tear up Clean BC. We will deliver big investments in forestry, in transit, and in Coastal Marine Stategy
West Vancouver Sea to Sky
Jeremy Valeriote - Green
TRANSPORTATION
What solutions do you propose to reduce traffic congestion in West Vancouver?
The traffic congestion affecting West Van and the North Shore reflects the inability of successive governments to address housing unaffordability in Metro Vancouver. This has resulted in the displacement of many people from the Lower Mainland to Squamish. As these communities have grown, the province has failed to respond to longstanding demands for regional transit, and so we have gridlock on the upper levels, and across the bridges.
I’ve long advocated for public, regional transit from Vancouver up the Sea to Sky highway to Pemberton. Regional transit solves many problems: safety, affordability, equity, economic development, highway congestion, and climate pollution, and it should have happened by now. We could also do with a better bus network around West Van. So for instance there’s no connection between the lower areas (Eagle Harbour, Gleneagles, Lower Caulfeild) and Rockridge School/ Caulfeild Village. This means there’s far more traffic in the area (including the school run) than there should be.
HOUSING
How can you ensure that there will be an ongoing supply of housing options in our riding while keeping an eye on true affordability among these options?
The market has failed to deliver sufficient housing - especially ‘missing middle’ homes - despite rapidly increasing demand. At the same time, a growing share of our housing stock has been snapped up by investors keen to capitalize on housing price inflation., All levels of government should be challenging this financialization of housing and treating housing as a fundamental human right, particularly for downsizing seniors, young adults, and families - particularly in West Van.
The most vulnerable in our housing crisis - renters - have been the most neglected. Families, seniors, and workers who serve our community make up 30% of the households in our riding. Many parts of our riding have the highest rents, the lowest vacancy rates, and the worst no-fault eviction rates in Canada. That’s why BC Greens would introduce vacancy control measures to prevent landlords from dramatically increasing rents between tenancies.
Having done nothing to address the housing crisis for seven years, the NDP has tried to push through a blizzard of new laws, in the months leading up to the election. There’s no evidence that quadrupling the number of units on single-family home lots will make any difference in affordability. BC Greens would focus on protecting our existing affordable housing stock and investing in 26,000 new non-market rental units, every year, for 10 years. Nonprofits like Kiwanis North Shore, and their 2195 Gordon Ave building in West Van, are exactly the kind of project we should be funding.
CLIMATE CHANGE
In practical terms, what specifically do you think should be done in West Vancouver to mitigate the effects of climate change?
West Van - and many other communities across our riding - are particularly vulnerable to climate change-related risks: wildfires; landslides; sea level rise, etc. These are not theoretical risks - the heat dome and flooding in 2021 led directly to close to 700 deaths and as much as $17bn worth of damage to property and infrastructure.
I am the only candidate in this riding opposing the Woodfibre LNG project, because:
The terminal threatens Howe Sound and its marine ecosystem - recently designated a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, after recovering from a century of pollution. Nobody wants to see dozens of LNG tankers join the many bitumen tankers in Burrard Inlet, with all the risks that they pose.
It’s going to cost taxpayers $2bn in subsidies, with very little benefit to our local economy;
Flaring of excess gas in close proximity to a population centre has been shown to cause adverse health impacts including asthma and pre-term births;
BC Greens strongly support expanding transit, active transportation, and electrification. And we also strongly support home retrofits to increase energy efficiency and incentives to move away from fossil gas to heat pumps, plus solar panels and other green initiatives. These investments create jobs, reduce bills, and improve resilience.
West Vancouver Capilano Candidates: Lynne Block, Sara Eftakhar, Archie Karios, Karin Kirkpatrick. Lynne Block did not respond to our questions.
West Vancouver Capilano
Sara Eftakhar - NDP
TRANSPORTATION
What solutions do you propose to reduce traffic congestion in West Vancouver?
As our community grows, transportation infrastructure needs to keep pace. The BC NDP are taking action by delivering a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor from Park Royal to Metrotown, which will alleviate congestion on our bridges and roads. This will not only get cars off the road but will also reduce gridlock, allowing residents to reach their destinations more quickly and spend more time with their families. Additionally, improvements to existing bus services, like extending the R2 RapidBus to Metrotown, will provide more immediate relief to congestion, easing traffic for both transit users and drivers. Our goal is to keep improving transit options so that fewer people rely on cars, ultimately reducing traffic across West Vancouver. John Rustad would cut public transit, fuel congestion and leave people stuck in traffic - no matter if you drive or ride the bus. He has promised to fund transit projects before, like the Surrey SkyTrain expansion - and then didn’t get it done. It took a BC NDP government to fund these projects.
HOUSING
How can you ensure that there will be an ongoing supply of housing options in our riding while keeping an eye on true affordability among these options?
Housing affordability is a top priority, and the BC NDP are committed to creating more housing options in our community. We are already working on policies that will result in the construction of 300,000 additional middle-class homes over the next decade. By cutting red tape and encouraging the development of multi-unit housing such as townhouses, duplexes, and triplexes, we will create more options for families in West Vancouver. Moreover, by taking on real estate speculators and restricting short-term rentals like AirBnBs, we are turning more properties into long-term homes. These efforts ensure that we can maintain a supply of housing that is both affordable and accessible to the people of our community. John Rustad is promising to cancel our Housing Action Plan - axing those 300,000 new middle-class homes before they’re built, driving costs even higher. Rustad was part of a government that ignored the growing housing crisis as prices spiralled out of reach for people.
CLIMATE CHANGE
In practical terms, what specifically do you think should be done in West Vancouver to mitigate the effects of climate change?
To tackle climate change, the BC NDP are implementing one of the most ambitious climate action plans in Canada—CleanBC. This includes measures like introducing an emissions cap for the oil and gas industry, offering rebates for electric vehicles and heat pumps, and supporting home efficiency upgrades. These actions will help reduce emissions while creating jobs in the clean energy sector. Locally, we are committed to preserving our beautiful environment for future generations by supporting clean technologies and encouraging residents to reduce their carbon footprint through practical, sustainable choices
like opting for public transit over car use. Additionally, we are focused on safeguarding against extreme weather events like wildfires and floods, which have become more frequent due to climate change. This means investing in climate-resilient infrastructure and promoting community awareness. John Rustad has called climate science “a lie” and says, “we should not be trying to fight climate change.” He’ll leave us with increasing emissions, dirtier air, and more at risk of extreme flooding and forest fires.
West Vancouver Capilano
Archie Karios - Green
TRANSPORTATION
What solutions do you propose to reduce traffic congestion in West Vancouver?
For every year that they postpone connecting the north shore to the city by rapid transit the costs rise. You keep electing governments afraid to take this first step and it will just get worse. A green government will take the concrete first steps needed to undertake this.
There is a railroad right-of-way that runs from Squamish right down to the North shore waterfront that can be used to run rapid transit down the entire corridor. A government dedicated to a clean future will begin community consultation and preliminary planning to bring this into reality.
HOUSING
How can you ensure that there will be an ongoing supply of housing options in our riding while keeping an eye on true affordability among these options?
This horse has been out of the barn for a long time. One solution will be to change zoning bylaws to permit more higher-density land use and create developer incentives to ensure that first responders who work here can also live here.
CLIMATE CHANGE
In practical terms, what specifically do you think should be done in West Vancouver to mitigate the effects of climate change?
Given that this is a relatively prosperous community, the BC Greens will strongly encourage city hall to join Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal who have all made the pledge as part of the World Green Building Council Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment. and recruit every resident to pledge to do their part to reach this goal
The commitment also involves ensuring all buildings in the cities, old or new, will meet net-zero carbon standards by 2050.
The WorldGBC's definition of a net-zero carbon building is a building that is highly energy- efficient and fully powered from on-site and/or off-site renewable energy sources. The WorldGBC says in a release announcing the initiative such “bold commitments” are essential steps in delivering on the goals of the Paris Agreement and keeping the global temperature rise below 1.5 Celsius degrees.
West Vancouver Capilano
Karin Kirkpatrick - Independent
TRANSPORTATION
What solutions do you propose to reduce traffic congestion in West Vancouver?
The North Shore has the most substantial traffic challenges in the Lower Mainland. I will push for the prioritization of Skytrain expansion to the North Shore while pressing for improved local transit frequency and a rapid bus line along the Metrotown to Park Royal corridor. Additionally, improving housing availability for those who work on the North Shore will help alleviate the severity of rush hour bridge traffic.
HOUSING
How can you ensure that there will be an ongoing supply of housing options in our riding while keeping an eye on true affordability among these options?
I want to see a community where housing is affordable and attainable.
Municipalities must be incented to approve more units, this includes securing provincial and federal funding for housing-enabling infrastructure like sewers, transportation, schools and healthcare facilities. I support the elimination of both the property transfer tax for first-time buyers and the PST on housing construction costs.
We need a mix of market, below-market, non-market, and workforce housing throughout the Lower Mainland to fully meet the housing needs of both today and tomorrow. Any effective long-term approach to housing affordability must include a region-wide conversation.
CLIMATE CHANGE
In practical terms, what specifically do you think should be done in West Vancouver to mitigate the effects of climate change?
Tackling climate change will require a range of actions—from reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to preparing for the impact that extreme weather events could bring to the North Shore.
By making transit a more viable option and bringing people closer to the places they work through adequate housing supply and availability, we can take meaningful steps towards reducing local emissions. Additionally, I support continuing efforts to electrify BC's energy supply in a sensible manner.
As a result of rising sea levels due to climate change, coastal areas - including West Vancouver’s waterfront - are vulnerable to storm surges, flooding and coastal erosion from extreme weather. Low-lying areas will become increasingly more exposed over time. In terms of adaptation, the provincial government must be a partner with the District in providing funding support for protecting built infrastructure, parks, and natural assets in waterfront areas.
