Metchosin council candidates had their say at an all-candidates forum hosted by the Association for the Protection of Rural Metchosin on Oct. 4.
Candidates answered three core questions on good governance, bylaw enforcement and farming. Here’s what they had to say:
Mayoral candidates:
Kyara Kahakauwila emphasized maintaining Metchosin’s rural lifestyle, a respectful work environment and policy planning communication as her key areas of focus.
Currently a councillor, Kahaukawila said she would do a better job of communicating about the outcome of in-camera meetings and bylaw enforcement. Kahakauwila said the district had reviewed its bylaw enforcement policy and could look at the cost of increasing service levels for bylaw officers, currently provided by the Capital Regional District. She also wants workshops with the provincial and federal ministries to help educate and advocate for Metchosin as a farming community.
Marie-Terese Little’s areas of focus were a rural Metchosin plan, accountable governance and supporting agriculture and local businesses. Also currently a councillor, Little said she’d avoid in-camera meetings unless absolutely necessary.
“I know it’s easier to do it behind camera and do it without community input, but it’s not the best way. It breaks trust, as we’ve seen these past four years.”
Little said she’d keep politicians out of bylaw decisions and report back to complainants on outcomes and would push forward an agricultural plan and market Metchosin as a farming community.
There were also questions from residents. Kahakauwila said she’d invited Sc’ianew (Beecher Bay) band council to the first meeting of the new district council in the hopes of boosting relationships with the Nation while Little emphasized listening to band members. Little backed plans for a new fire hall and called for it to be made seismically safe, while Kahaukawila said she would back it if a new fire hall was affordable for the district.
Both rejected the idea of expanding council from five to seven members and industrial zoning on Sooke Road.
Councillor candidates:
Mark Atherton split his focus between landscape and people, wanting more quality farm production and trust in council.
Atherton emphasized that he would limit in-camera meetings, focus bylaw enforcement on infractions that harm the environment and issues with industrial and building permits. He also wants more collaboration with farmers to hear their needs.
Tamara Ballard wants safe travel around Hans Helgesen Elementary School, to protect ecosystems and provide affordable housing for volunteer firefighters. Ballard wants more communication from council to ease confusion on issues, a bylaw survey of all residents, and have farmers meet with the whole council as opposed to an agriculture liaison. Ballard was the only candidate to back industrial zoning on Sooke Road.
Shelly Donaldson wants to support residents’ quality of life by preserving the environment and working collectively with community groups in committees.
She wants to hear different perspectives come forward, the district to simplify bylaws and educate the public on them, and suggested a community garden to help support farming.
Incumbent Sharie Epp emphasized the outstanding items for public works, pointing to the Metchosin School and the fire hall replacement. She called on residents to be nicer and warned against an “us versus them” mentality during meetings.
She wants input from residents on bylaw enforcement and to hold farmer workshops, potentially a year-round farmers’ market and work with Young Agrarians.
Steve Gray emphasized keeping Metchosin rural, financial sustainability and the need for a climate emergency plan. Gray emphasized his experience in provincial government as a means to address concerns about governance. Gray wants stiffer punishments for repeated bylaw violations. He also wants the district to produce a bylaw guidebook and an agricultural plan.
Jay Shukin said his focus would be on protecting the environment and Metchosin from outside development pressure.
Shukin emphasized his experience updating the Association for the Protection of Rural Metchosin’s constitution as a sign of his good governance capabilities. He wants a cost analysis done for a potential district-hired bylaw officer and a marketing plan to help boost the viability of local farm operations.
Eric White said he wanted to see the community come together more. He wants more education on municipal procedures, compassion, and understanding when it comes to bylaw enforcement and to allow for tiny homes on properties in Metchosin to keep families together and to help farm operations. He also suggested a community farm tool library.
Leslie Zinger wants more communication from council to get community members involved on moving forward with district planning. Zinger emphasized the importance of getting things done in her remarks on governance and wanted a review of bylaws so they are reasonable. She also called on the district to promote young farmers.
A full recording of the meeting can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=Yw4E7l8Nxck.
Advance voting started on Oct. 5 with advance polls also open Oct. 12 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the Metchosin municipal hall, 4450 Happy Valley Rd. General election day is Oct. 15 with polls open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Metchosin community hall, 4401 William Head Rd.
For more information on how to vote, go to metchosin.ca.
You can find election night results, and more coverage in the lead-up, under the election tab at goldstreamgazette.com.
Editor’s note: This file has been updated from its original version to correct an error. An earlier version incorrectly identified council candidate Tamara Ballard. We apologize for the error and any confusion it may have caused.