Economics

People inherently understand economics more than they give themselves credit for. Our current system is not quite right, but how do every day Canadians articulate that disparity?  The intentional grey areas of the economy do their job of creating a shield against understanding what is really happening. 

For the past 40+ years we were told to put our trust in a system; that deregulation, decentralization and trust in the market create more economic opportunities for growth and that profits from private sector investments trickle down to every day citizens.  This is not our reality.  There is a growing awareness of the economic, social and ecological systems that are failing.  Increasing economic competency, building resilient communities and harnessing collective strength, is a way to tip the power scales back to favour a more equitable system. Prioritizing public ownership over private interest ensures that resources are safeguarded for the benefit of everyone in the community. 

We have concrete examples of current failures in our food systems.  We know that large grocery chains price fix, mislabel cost per weight on certain foods and create a monopolized system leading to a lack of competition.  These practices are documented widely.  Our federal government just approved 'surveillance pricing' which allows companies to sell the same products at different price points to people shopping in the same location. Do we accept this reality or do we, collectively, fight back?

What can we do at the local level to stand up against unequitable practices? We can create governance structures that penalize predatory business methods. We can support and promote local businesses that invest directly into our local economy while ensuring that workers are not exploited nor put in danger in the race for profits. 

Environment

Climate change is a known reality. The science cannot be disputed. Climate justice is a method to recognize the unequal effects of climate related damage and mitigate those harms in our communities. 

We can facilitate the means to enable vulnerable residents to access cooling mechanisms in their homes or shared spaces. We can ensure that we are protecting our green spaces and increasing shade canopies to make outside spaces refuges from our warming climate. As a city we can recognize how the detrimental affects of climate change affect some individuals disproportionately more than others.  

Victoria is a city of interconnected walkable pathways, bike paths, bus routes and slower roads.  This is positive feature of our city. 

I support bike lanes.

I use bike lanes to safely navigate the city. I have been knocked off my bike more than once by negligent drivers, once while I was pregnant. I can wear reflective gear, use lights and be a well educated cyclist and still I am vulnerable to distracted drivers.

We must continue to make the means of moving through our city more equitable for our youth, seniors and more vulnerable members of our society to allow greater participation in civic life. 

I support community gardens and the sharing of natural resources. Our community centres are natural food hubs and connectors of people. The network of volunteers and community groups who are dedicated to sharing healthy food in Victoria is a demonstration of neighbourhood resilience at its best, collective care is at the heart of our city. The South Island is supported by a myriad of local farms that bring a wealth of fresh food to our table. Climate change is causing havoc to the stability of global food systems. It is not too late to protect our food systems.

I will stand up against AI data centres. Despite the novelty of our new technologies we as a society need to ensure that our water is protected. Let's put safeguards in place before we not only add to the further degradation of our natural world but acknowledge the precarity of AI technology on employment and the loss of workers' livelihoods.

Housing

"Housing is a right, not a commodity"

Stating that housing is a right should not be a controversial statement.  Everyone deserves a home to call their own, and space to rest.  Housing is critical to mental and physical health. Much can be done to support the housing needs of Victoria residents, alongside provincial responsibilities.  Housing ties in both economic and environmental factors.  Many are experiencing a poly crisis of housing needs, affordability and a rapidly changing world.  As a city we can continue to work with the province to support social housing and cooperative living spaces. 

For private rentals, the dissonance between what is considered basic living needs and the reality of what renters face needs to be addressed. Tenancy reforms are not an attack on home owners purchasing of rental property.  Creating tenancy laws that set a standard for the health and safety of tenants can weed out those investors only looking for profits at the expense of basic tenancy rights.  Ensuring tenants have safeguards against negligent landlords is crucial to allow people to live and work in our city. 

As a renter for almost 30 years I always feared our home being sold or renovicted.  After I lost my first real home when it was sold just after I married, we maintained our next home more than we should have to stay under the radar of our landlord.  I remember having heated discussions with my dad when asking for help to fix things ourselves rather than asking our landlord. He didn't understand the precarity of renting that my growing family experienced.  

In a neighbouring municipality a senior is too terrified to report the black mold that continues to grow in her tiny basement apartment because she fears eviction.  She has been on a list for better housing for over five years but because she has a roof over her head currently, she is at the bottom, despite the damage to her health.  She is crammed into a house that has been subdivided into too many suites without proper ventilation.  She is not located in Victoria, but I know her story. 

As a census worker five years ago I walked the streets in many neighbourhoods of Victoria tabulating residential addresses and witnessed first hand the creative definition of housing.  Talking to residents and hearing their stories opened my eyes to whom I share my city with.  The experience left an indelible impression on how I perceive my city.