*Note: Brooklin Wallis has participated in FABWR meetings and was involved in our communal policy brainstorming and development process. She did not participate in the creation of the survey or in the process of reviewing responses.*
Debbie Chapman (Incumbent)
Alex Shevchenko
Matthew Robson
*Responses are posted unedited and have not been fact-checked*
Transportation: In regards to 3d: I'd prefer to use raised crosswalks over a simple "please drive slowly through intersections"
Housing: I believe we need to do whatever it takes to provide needed shelter and essential services to everyone who needs them immediately without reservation. I also believe me should govern our expenditure so most goes toward supporting initiatives that resolve the root causes of homelessness and housing insecurity as well as more permanent solutions for housing resources.
Public Safety: Better outreach and education to engage residents is needed to improve understanding of alternatives to policing and funding allocations.
Indigenous Sovereignty: I’d be interested in exploring these funding and representative options further, but can’t directly support them without more understanding. I do support an indigenous community hub, but I’m not convinced the Charles St hub is the right place.
Social Services: I support these statements in principal, but would need much better understanding of the specifics each might be implemented to decide my support on each action. I believe funding should be commensurate with need, rather than what is deemed as available budget.
Transportation: Reduced speed limits are not proven deterrents. People drive at the speed the space allows. Road infrastructure needs to take safety and usability into consideration at the design level. Transit, biking and walking needs to be the better choice in infrastructure design, especially in the cores in order to shift away from personal transport as the reigning option.
Other: I have ideas and opinions on social issues, but I’m primarily focused on representing our residents’ and neighbours’ views as an elected official. I appreciate the work of community groups in shaping the knowledge and convictions of resident to support more humane social support policies.
Public Safety: Decriminalization of drug use isn't an issue for municipal government. It would be a federal issue. I am a supporter of the legalization of cannabis. Some drugs, eg. Fentanyl, heroin and the like should not be decriminalized. However, I don't think it's fair to jail people with addiction. Go after those who are selling these drugs.
Indigenous Sovereignty: I am for creating an indigenous community however, I feel the GRT building should be used - at this time - to create transitional housing for the homeless until permanent, affordable housing can be built. We are about 5 years of being in the same position as Toronto regarding the homeless. Something needs to be done in a timely manner. No one deserves to be living like those on Roos Island.
Transportation: In theory I support overall, but in some cases I would need more information to make an informed decision
Other: I believe that the housing crisis is the biggest issue in the city/region at this time. More needs to be done to help. I have worked in and lived in cooperative housing. I know what some of these people are going through. Although I've never been homeless, I have been fearful of losing my housing in the past. It's a terrible position to be in and it could happen to anyone. To be clear, I do not live in RGI housing and have not for many years. However, affordable housing allowed me to "get ahead".