Top Priorities
At the heart of any local government's mandate is the cost-effective delivery of programs and services. This is arguably the top issue for taxpayers in every election cycle. To this end, the District completed an organizational review in 2025 and is acting on the consultant recommendations to realign staff resources with industry best practices and Strategic Plan objectives. This is a multi-year effort that in its first year yielded over $1.5 million in labour cost savings. Going forward, it is my intention to work with the office of the Municipal Manager to continue to right-size staff resources to most efficiently support the services delivered to residents every day.
In addition to the over-arching issues related to taxation and fiscal sustainability, there are some issues that have gained profile during this Council term that I will commit to addressing over the next four years:
New Provincial Housing Legislation
The undersupply of affordable housing and the high cost of housing in general remain chronic problems without immediate solution. But in an effort to address the ongoing housing crisis, the Province has ventured into territory that has historically been the purview of local government.
Questionable housing targets and blanket rezoning legislation threaten to disrupt our mature residential neighbourhoods and overload the infrastructure already in place to serve them.
Provincial interference in local land use planning decisions combined with limitations on public engagement is one of the most impactful issues facing our community today. In response, I will continue to advocate for 'neighbourhoods first' and sustainable 'made-in-West Vancouver' solutions for growing our community in a way that protects and enhances the distinctive character of our residential neighbourhoods.
The Silver Tsunami: West Van's growing seniors population
We have the highest proportion of residents over 65 years old in the Lower Mainland. We've outgrown our current Seniors Centre and need more supports for aging-in-place in West Van.
To this issue I commit to working with community stakeholders to develop a seniors strategy that will also engage senior levels of government to support programs and services for our 65+ population.
Community Engagement / Transparency
Public perception of decision-making at the Council table often defaults to distrust in a process that is seen to be absent meaningful community engagement.
Opportunities for public dialogue on matters of public interest have been limited by Provincial legislation eliminating the requirement for Public Hearings under certain circumstances (in the interest of expediting lengthy and expensive new housing project approvals). And closed meeting agendas sometimes include items that should be discussed in regular open-to-the-public Council meetings.
We can do better and I pledge to work towards restoring fulsome community engagement to the civic decision-making process as a priority in the next Council term.
North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant
The extraordinary tax burden placed on homeowners for West Van's share of the cost of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant (NSWWTP) is unprecedented and unacceptable. Together with the City and District of North Vancouver, West Van District has formally objected to the cost allocation and requested additional senior government funding.
At the July 20, 2026 regular Council meeting, I seconded a motion calling for a public enquiry into the NSWWTP under Section 765 of the Local Government Act asking the Inspector of Municipalities to examine the factors contributing to the project's significant cost increases and delays. I will continue to monitor progress on this matter in the months to come and advocate for cost relief wherever opportunities may be found.