Community Questions

 I would like to know more about your vision for the city and our ward regarding transportation, transit, and traffic congestion. 

Transportation in our city can definitely use improvement.  Anyone who uses the road in London can agree that between May and November it can be a logistical challenge and trying at best. When I came to London, Oxford Street was a two lane road as was Hyde Park Rd, so there have already been some big changes for our ward, and now they will be making Oxford between Sanatorium Rd and Westdel Bourne a 4 lane road. 

That being said, I feel that more can be done to improve traffic flow. Take Hyde Park Rd and Oxford. At every bus stop, traffic needs to move around the bus when it stops to pickup and drop off passengers.  Why? There is clearly extra space to create a pullout for the bus, so why not do that. It would allow traffic to continue moving safely, and also increase safety for the bus and passengers.  Why did we not add a right hand turn lane on Hyde Park northbound at Oxford, or into the Remark plaza when they redid the road. Why has it taken three years to fix the bridge for the creek on Oxford Road near Fleetway. Why are we not building the road upfront for the capacity we know it will hold the firs time, so it doesn't inconvenience everyone 10 years down the road. Why are there no traffic lights on Sarnia Rd for people to safely cross the street or make left turns. 

These types of planning oversight are things that I would like to address if elected. I want clear timelines for projects that are met. I want projects that are not overlapping on parallel roads (removing alternate routes).  I also want to see proper bike lanes made on all major roads and streets. I want roads planned with the future in mind. A do it once and do it right approach (update all infrastructure at the time the road is being done for the capacity it will hold).

For public transportation, I am unable to alter the rapid transit plan, but can weigh in on extensions. I would like some direct route buses for seniors to senior centers. I would like to see a bus route that goes from our ward to the University.  I also would like to have central hubs where people can leave their car and ride the bus to events like Knights games, concerts and festivals.  Lastly, I want to review the bus routes to make sure they follow the way people need to move around. (For example, a bus should go through all the Oakridge neighborhoods and take people to the shopping plaza on Hyde Park Rd. A bus should run all of Wonderland so that if you take the Oxford bus, you can switch and get on to go to the movie theater or the shopping plaza by the Home Depot, a bus that runs Oakridge to downtown). 

E-Bikes and Scooters

I think the implementation of rental electric bikes throughout the city would provide transportation alternatives.

I would like to see better enforcement of E-bike and Scooter drivers so that they are following the rules of traffic, and to ensure that children are not using them. 

I also don't want to see them using schools and public parks as dirt bike course damaging the fields and disturbing neighbours.

Public Safety, (Pedestrians & Cyclists)

Enforcement of drivers would also be emphasized as there are countless driving infractions, beyond the speeding. 

I would like to see some more pedestrian crosswalks to help people safely cross the street. There are so many places where these are important,  especially when the light is far away from the bus stops.

Proper Bike lanes should be made on all major roads when streets are being redone. Ideally, not on the road with cars, but near the sidewalk for safety. 

What is your stance on the city of London's "safe supply " that it employs? 

I do not agree with the current safe supply structure. I feel that it is being run as more of a dispensary rather than helping people. Since it has been started, I have seen an increase in the number of people who are on the streets struggling with addiction.  Their issue has been made worse as they can feed the addiction. Police enforcement of open drug use also was relaxed. People with addiction issues need help not more drugs. 

Are you aware of the United Nations(UN) involvement in Canadian cities and municipal politics/affairs?

The UN has no authority on municipal politics. However, their programs do indirectly influence ours. 

I think we can both agree that the need for housing, food and Healthcare, is a universal issue and a fundamental human right. Our social construct and capitalism creates an environment where not everyone can have a home or food, regardless of if they are working or not. Those who need mental health services, are often unable to access those services.  This is an issue that I hope to address if elected. 

 What do you think about the strong mayor powers? Do cities need them to build housing?

Our mayor has used his mayoral powers in opposition to council when it came to allowing builders to build up to 4 story stacked townhouses on any major through way (any main road that runs through a neighbourhood). This decision went against the will of the people and directly into the hands of the developers. 

The problem with these mayoral power is that the voice of council (who represent the people) is silenced leading to an autocratic system. This is in direct contradiction to the structure of our Canadian political system. 

Mayoral powers should not be needed to build housing. Modifications to existing neighbourhoods have a direct impact on those living there, and therefore the people should have a say in what happens through their councilor.  It affects their property values, privacy, noise, density, traffic, and the esthetics of the neighbourhood. 

Do you support a Vacancy Tax on both commercial and residential properties?

 Yes. I support a vacancy tax on both homes and commercial property.