heart &
hard work

Courtenay is a great place to call home. Keeping it that way takes thoughtful decisions, responsible finances, and leadership that brings people together.

My priorities are to make life more affordable, manage growth with the infrastructure we need, build safer and more caring neighbourhoods, and strengthen our local economy.

I’ll bring preparation, independent thinking, and Heart & Hard Work to the decisions ahead—asking difficult questions, listening to different perspectives, and working with others to deliver practical results.

My priorities:

Affordability, Quality Services & Better Value

People are feeling the pressure of rising costs. Every City budget decision should consider what residents can afford, the services they depend on, and the long-term costs we are committing them to.

1. Review City operations,  find efficiencies & non-tax revenue

Taxes have gone up. Every family is looking at their budgets right now – I voted against the tax increase in 2026 because I felt, and still do feel that City hall should do the same thing. Complete a meaningful service-level and operations review to examine spending, identify efficiencies, and improve how the City delivers services. Explore non-tax revenue opportunities. Make the findings public so residents can understand the options and help inform decisions.

2. Plan responsibly for major infrastructure costs

Prioritization and sequencing of projects matters. Set clear priorities and realistic timelines for major projects. Explain costs, funding options, and trade-offs, including how decisions will affect household taxes and future budgets. Educate the public on the role of debt, reserves and taxation in financing projects.

3. Explore better options before asking residents to pay more

Examine alternative project designs, grants, partnerships, and revenue opportunities. Ask tough questions about scope and cost so we get good value from every public dollar.

5. Protect dependable services

Pursue savings thoughtfully while maintaining the infrastructure and services people rely on. Consider the long-term costs of delaying maintenance alongside the immediate pressures on taxpayers.

6. Make City finances easier to understand

Provide clear explanations of where tax dollars go, how projects are funded, and how borrowing, reserves, and ongoing operating costs affect future decisions.

7. Expand Public Engagement

Significant investment has gone into public engagement with thousands engaged over the last 4 years across multiple projects and annual regular engagement. Expand our current methods of engagement, and enhance existing practices by going to where people are – grocery stores, soccer pitch, parks and community centers. More townhalls, and better communication outside of social media. 

Balanced Growth

Courtenay needs homes that seniors, working people, young families, and young people can afford—so people can build a future here and remain in the community they call home.

Growth must also keep pace with the roads, utilities, parks, recreation, and transportation that make neighbourhoods work.

1. Build more truly affordable housing

Explore development tools such as inclusionary zoning and density bonusing, alongside the use of municipal land and partnerships with non-profit housing providers, to help deliver housing below market rates.

Push to rapidly advance the work of the Comox Valley Housing Authority, with a focus on turning planning and partnerships into truly affordable homes.

2. Support housing for different needs and stages of life

Support a wider range of homes, including affordable rentals, family housing, accessible homes for seniors and people with disabilities, and supportive housing. Help people find suitable housing as their needs change.

3. Ensure growth keeps pace with infrastructure

Plan housing alongside roads, water, sewer, parks, green spaces, playgrounds, recreation programming, and transportation options. Build connected neighbourhoods where people can access the services and amenities they need.

4. Balance community needs with housing feasibility

Ensure development contributes fairly to infrastructure and amenities while considering whether fees and requirements allow needed housing to move forward.

5. Make roads safer for everyone

Continue advancing safer school routes, traffic calming, appropriate speed limits, and connected walking and cycling routes. Work with the RCMP on traffic enforcement and regional partners on accessible, affordable public transit.

Road safety must consider everyone who uses our streets—people walking, cycling, using mobility devices, and driving.

Community Safety & Wellbeing – A Caring & Liveable City

Everyone deserves to feel safe in our downtown, parks, neighbourhoods, and homes. Building a safer community takes coordinated policing, timely support, prevention, and action on violence and discrimination. Continue to support CRCL, MICR, and proven community safety & wellbeing programs and services. 

Compassion and accountability belong together. We can support people who are struggling while addressing behaviours that cause harm.

1. Develop a regional Community Safety and Well-Being Plan

Work with neighbouring local governments, K’ómoks First Nation, police, health and community organizations, businesses, and residents on a shared regional approach to crime prevention, safety, and well-being.

Establish clear priorities, responsibilities, and measurable outcomes so our efforts work together and everyone knows who is responsible for delivering results.

2. Develop a long-term regional policing model

Work with regional partners and the RCMP to develop a sustainable policing model that responds to population growth and community needs, strengthens coordination, and provides effective service and accountability.

3. Advance RCMP detachment planning

Advance the RCMP and federally led detachment facility needs assessment and financial planning. Work with regional partners to clarify facility options, costs, funding responsibilities, and timelines so we can make informed decisions.

Secure dependable outreach services

Advocate for stable funding and better coordination of outreach services working alongside RCMP and bylaw officers.

Support clear roles and coordinated responses that connect people with housing, health care, and crisis support while addressing behaviours that affect community safety.

4. Expand opportunities for community restorative justice

Explore appropriate opportunities to use restorative justice to support accountability, address harm, and reduce repeat offending. Keep the needs and safety of victims and others affected central to this work.

5. Invest in prevention and belonging

Support initiatives that address conditions that can contribute to crime and harm, including poverty, housing insecurity, and social isolation.

Expand access to affordable housing and low-cost arts, culture, and recreation that bring joy, strengthen community connection, and give people places to belong.

6. Advocate for effective responses to repeat offending and gang violence

Press provincial and federal governments for coordinated policing and justice responses that protect the public, support victims, and reduce further harm. Advocate for effective prevention, rehabilitation, and accountability.

7. Help prevent intimate partner and domestic violence

Support survivor services and community partnerships that prevent violence and help people access safety.

Support programs that work with men to recognize and change abusive and controlling behaviours, take responsibility, and build healthy relationships. Keep survivor safety central to this work.

8. Keep pushing for medical detox, treatment, and second stage housing

Continue advocating for medical detox, addiction treatment, mental-health care, crisis response, shelter, and supportive housing.

Pursue practical opportunities to help bring these services to our community, including municipal land, housing partnerships, and collaboration with health authorities and the Hospital Board.

9. Make downtown and public spaces welcoming

Improve cleanliness, maintenance, lighting, and accessibility alongside a visible, coordinated response to safety concerns. Continue to support events, road closures for special gatherings and the Downtown Business Association. Work with businesses, residents, and service providers to make shared spaces welcoming and well cared for.

10. Address hate and discrimination

Support community efforts to prevent and respond to hate, strengthen relationships with K’ómoks First Nation and community partners, and advance safe, inclusive City facilities.

Speak clearly against discrimination so everyone can participate in community life with dignity.

Protect what makes Courtenay liveable

Integrate trees, green spaces, connected trails, and environmental resilience into growth planning. Keep investing in the parks, playgrounds, and recreation opportunities that support healthy neighbourhoods.

1. Affordable & Free Recreation

Support affordable and free programming, recreation access initiatives, upgraded and new playgrounds, connected trails, and opportunities for youth and seniors to stay active. 

Protect the low-income recreation passes. Expand free public transit to older youth (up to 25) and to seniors. 

Keep reducing barriers so more people can enjoy the amenities that make Courtenay a healthy, liveable community.

2. Expand access to parks and recreation

Updated playgrounds, new parks, enhanced trails and more water access. I commit to seeing through some very exciting projects underway: Pickleball courts, Skateboard Strategy, Billmore & Dogwood Park revitalization, Anderton Dike Remediation & Water Front Improvements, yearly playground renewals, Lewis Center & Park Master Plan 

3. Protect the air, water and forests

Continue to advance the work to update the Urban Tree Canopy Strategy, and the Tree Bylaw. Expand purple air monitors to support health during the rise of wildfire smoke. Advance planning for expanded ways to retain water through bulk buying of water reservoirs for personal use, while planning for our future needs in the watersheds across the Comox Valley. 

A Stronger Local Economy

Local small businesses and entrepreneurs create jobs, support families, and give Courtenay its character. I want City Hall to be an active partner in helping them start, stay, and grow, while attracting new businesses and industries that strengthen our economy.

1. Review the Business Licensing Bylaw for fairness

Initiate a review of business licensing fees and requirements to address fairness and proportionality.

Fees should reflect differences in business size, scale, and impact. A local small business should not face the same licensing burden as a major retailer such as Walmart or Costco.

2, Help new local businesses get started

Explore practical support for local small businesses, entrepreneurs, and home-based businesses as they launch.

Improve guidance and application processes, and work with partners to connect entrepreneurs with business advice, mentorship, and funding opportunities.

3. Remove avoidable barriers

Review licensing, permitting, and City processes to make requirements clearer, timelines more predictable, and City Hall easier to navigate. Listen to business owners about where processes create unnecessary costs or delays.

4. Recruit new businesses and industries

Work with regional partners to actively attract businesses, industries, investment, and good local jobs.

Identify the industrial and employment lands, infrastructure, and partnerships needed to support new opportunities and diversify our local economy.

5. Put regional economic development planning into action

Work with businesses, the Chamber, and regional partners on practical priorities, clear responsibilities, and measurable progress. Focus on actions that support existing businesses and create opportunities for new ones.

6. Support a vibrant downtown

Continue improving public spaces, accessibility, and community events that encourage residents and visitors to shop, eat, and spend time downtown.

Work with local businesses on the conditions they need to thrive, including safety, welcoming streets, and reliable City services.

Leadership That Delivers

Courtenay deserves competent, effective leadership that does the homework, understands the complexity of local government, and treats people with respect.

I bring extensive experience advocating for Courtenay’s priorities, with relationships across political parties and at both the provincial and federal levels. I’ll continue using those relationships to pursue funding, partnerships, and action on the issues our community cannot solve alone.

I’ll ask difficult questions, consider the evidence, and explain my decisions. I’ll listen to different perspectives, recognize that complex issues require thoughtful responses, and work collaboratively without giving up my independent judgment.

Our community deserves leadership that builds trust, brings people together, and delivers practical results.