About 200 people turned out for an all-candidates meeting held at the Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre on Thursday evening. Five candidates are in the running for a seat on North Cowichan council.[/caption]
Taxes, housing and growth dominated the discussion at an all-candidates meeting held in Chemainus on Thursday evening.
All five candidates in the running to replace former councillor Debra Toporowski took a run at the hot issues during the meeting attended by about 200 people.
In response to a question from Fuller Lake resident Jamie Stephen regarding property taxation, David Belles, acknowledged that rising taxes is “a huge problem” that needs to be addressed with a creative approach.
“Eight per cent (increases) is going to be the norm for the foreseeable future,” Belles suggested. “That is not sustainable, and we need to hold town hall meetings to look for solutions,” he said, adding increasing the industrial tax base is important.
Candidate Joanna Lord agreed attracting more industry to North Cowichan and preserving the existing industrial base is vital.
“We have to do everything we can to maintain the Crofton mill so that local workers can maintain their good union jobs there,” Lord said.
Becky Hogg said a lack of tourism was hurting the municipality.
“We’re not bringing anyone into our community,” she said. “People don’t have places to stay. We have a (former) high school that is going to be sold off. My vision is a convention centre and a hotel.”
Hogg said using the former school property for a development that would include a hotel makes sense given its close proximity to recreational amenities.
The meeting was organized by the Chemainus Residents Association. Moderator Mark Saunders encouraged the five candidates to outline what challenges they would champion in Chemainus.
Johanne Kemmler said the fact that Chemainus and its mural collection is off the highway and isn’t visible to many people driving through on the highway needs attention.
“Another challenge is that children seem to get up and leave; that’s a unique challenge, maintaining and keeping our kids,” Kemmler said.
Raymon Farmere said there is a need for more jobs and businesses in Chemainus.
“We should allow more in-home businesses,” he suggested, adding “murals are a big thing, and I would work with the (Chemainus Residents Association) to get murals going again.”
The candidates expressed support for North Cowichan’s Official Community Plan that has been challenged recently by the emergence of at least two development proposals that contravene the OCP.
“The OCP needs to be followed as closely as possible,” Bellis said. “When is enough enough? We are not attracting working families. Should we have a population cap? Is that a reasonable thing to have? We have to look at what we can support.”
In response to a question from former North Cowichan council candidate and journalist Peter Rusland, Lord said she supports limiting growth in North Cowichan.
“if we follow the OCP, we will have carefully managed, thoughtful and smart growth. It will limit unsightly and costly sprawl.
“We don’t want to be another Langford in North Cowichan,” Lord concluded.
The by-election was necessary when Coun. Debra Toporowski resigned after winning a seat as an NDP candidate in the Oct. 2024 provincial election.
Advance voting for the by-election will be held April 2 and 8. On April 12, Chemainus residents will cast their ballots at the firehall.
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