Housing: I am hesitant for sanctioning current campsites because some of them are on private properties and on regional lands designated for development. I do not believe that it would be prudent or financially responsible to sanction campsites in the event of necessary relocation and the resulting legal battle. The funds spent on legal action would be better used to provide housing and services. If there were lands designated for campsites that would not result in future legal issues, this would be ideal.

Public Safety: Building community and treating people with dignity is critical for crime reduction. I believe that financially, continuously increasing the police budget is unsustainable. Looking into more supports and services would be better for the community and the budget.

Indigenous Sovereignty: I would want to consult with Indigenous peoples to determine a site that is appropriate. I would not want to assume that the old terminal is a location that would be suitable. I don't know if I would support a paid position on council as that is an elected position. I would support a paid committee position, a paid regional and city staff position, a paid school board staff position, or a paid consultant position through the region. My reasoning is that we are a very diverse community and appointed and elected positions are very different. We could have a fund that would help more Indigenous people run and cover campaign costs as well that could be implemented by the city.

Social Services: Washrooms are a big issue when thinking about accessibility as well. There are many people with digestive disorders that need more access. Water refill stations would also encourage people to use reusable bottles. I'm not clear on the intention of question 3, so I am leaving it blank. It is still a contentious issue and I think that we should have evidence-based information available and guidelines from public health available for businesses to access.

Transportation: I left lowering speed limits blank because it depends on the area. There have been quite a few issues with people disobeying and passing people following the 30 Kmph speed limits in some of the new school zones. I support lowering speed limits in areas like school zones and major pedestrian crossing areas, but in other areas, it may not make sense and may cause issues and delays which contributes to idling. I would love to see free, or deeply affordable transit that is more connected and efficient to appeal to more residents.

Other: I would love to see more public engagement at the regional level. There are many people that don't have access to the internet or they have mobility issues and it is hard to get to some of the engagement opportunities available.

Housing: "I believe that housing is a human right. I support sanctioned encampments however, I do believe that the encampment at Victoria and Weber would need safety measures in place for me to be okay with sanctioning them. I am worried about the safety of everyone involved.

I am worried for the safety of the residents there.

This also would involve collaboration with the city as I believe the city would need to change zoning to allow encampments in designated locations. The caveat with this is that there would need to some sort of measures in place to manage the operation and size - these are the wrap around supports that are required and involves service partners and resources.

I fully support A Better Tent City model and to believe that the Region should be investing in further expansion of this model. There is also work that the House of Friendship is undergoing to expand their services. In collaboration with House of Friendship there is another working model to help stabilize the unhoused population. I also believe that we need to redefine what affordable housing is. There will also need to be collaboration and partnership with all levels of government and parties to address housing the unhoused and our housing crisis as this is an everybody responsibility."

Other: There were some answers that I left blank because of the nuance and require more detailed discussions. I do believe the Region can do more to address the areas of interest. There is also policy action that requires federal and provincial involvement.

Housing: Ques.1 - The Region could sanction encampments that are on its property but I don't believe the Region has the authority to sanction encampments that are located on City owned or private property. I would encourage the Region to work with the Cities and private developers to find land for more sanctioned encampments. I believe that we need to find manageable spaces. More spaces with a manageable number of campers. Much like the Working Centre model where they have several homes in the area with a limited number of beds at each location.

Ques. 2 - The Region is one part of the planning process. The Region would need to work with the Cities to develop a policy and create the environment to allow more housing types in neighbourhoods. While we have a housing and rental crisis, I don't support an uncontrolled right to development in all neighbourhoods. I believe we need to work on the regulatory environment to make it easier to build more homes, and affordable housing. I believe in building as many as we can, as quick as we can, by all means possible. But that does not include "as-of-right in all neighbourhoods."

Ques. 3a, b, c - I support fully funding where our ability permits. We are in the midst of very turbulent economic times with rising inflation, including construction costs. I want the Region to be able to continue to provide important social supports in the community. The Region doing its part, through fully funding where capable, is part of an overall coordinated approach that needs to be undertaken. The Region should be leading the effort that includes the cities, community and social agencies and the private sector.

Public Safety: Vision statement - I have to qualify one aspect of my support for the vision you outline. I agree with the compassionate philosophy. However I am not a frontline police officer and do not have experience in the day to day operations and the wide array of matters that the WRPS deals with in our community. I support efforts to invest in upstream services to deliver public safety in a manner other than relying on police services, where appropriate. You cite violent crime as one example. Based on my observations and life experiences, I don't believe it is possible to build a police-free community.

Ques. 3 - I support increased funding for upstream social services. I am not sure that it has to be the same level as police funding. I would want to know what upstream social services are being recommended and the service the group would perform in the community, as part of our overall goal of a safer community for all. As our community is projected to grow by upwards of 300,000 additional people by the end of the decade, I don't believe it is possible to keep the WRPS budget at its current amount. There will be mandated wage increases; there will be a need for more police to service our growing community. If we continue to see spikes in areas like human trafficking, cyber crime and violent crime, for example, we will need more police to deal with these issues and service a wider geographic area, and areas that will see significant population intensification. The Region is capable of investing in upstream social services, to improve the delivery of safety services in our community, and support an increase in the police budget as we see our population base grow significantly. I don't believe that we have seen adequate progress from the Region on the use of upstream social services to deliver alternatives to police response, like mental health calls for example. We also need to continue to lobby at the Federal and Provincial levels of government for more secure, permanent funding to support upstream social services.

Indigenous Sovereignty: Ques 4. I am not familiar with this type of request. It seems like the suggestion is that while we have elected representatives on council, you are suggesting that there would be two people on council who are entitled to vote, and would be paid. I am assuming that they would be appointed and not elected, perhaps. I believe that we can do a much better job of consulting with members of indigenous communities on a wide variety of policies before consideration of the policies by council. I don't believe that we have to create these paid positions.

Ques. 5 The management of property taxes is the responsibility of council. I am not familiar with a voluntary fund that would be supported by property taxes, or how that would be implemented. I would need a lot more information about such a Fund before I could provide support. There are certainly steps that can be taken at the municipal level, particularly with respect to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. The Region recently appointed its first Truth and Reconciliation Director, which is a positive step. Before the consideration of any such fund, I would need more information from staff, and in particular the new director, to determine the feasibility of such a fund and what role and purpose such a fund would play in the overall steps towards reconciliation. The Federal and Provincial governments will have a significant role to play regarding financial contributions.

Social Services: Ques. 3 - I am concerned about the recent rise in deaths attributed to Covid. The deaths have been predominantly among seniors 70+. I believe that the spike will continue and I am concerned that we have abandoned any effective monitoring of conditions. We seem to be relying mainly on wastewater monitoring. I believe that leaves our community vulnerable and at risk of missing the occurrence of a spike in cases, and responding late to the next wave. I am not a medical expert, and will have to relying on our medical officer. We need better monitoring, we need better data, to allow us to make effective and safe public health decisions.

Transportation: Ques. 1 - I am very concerned about the upcoming budget and the existing budgetary pressures brought about by inflation including labour costs, supply chain pressures and rising gas costs. I would like to see what the overall impact of such a policy would be. I would support free public transit policies that are targeted, and overtime expanded as circumstances permit. Or alternatively lowered fees that are progressively reduced over time. I recognize that transit plays a very significant role in our community and I am aware that transit is predominantly relied upon by those with difficult economic circumstances for many reasons including getting to school, both during the day and at night, work, volunteer activities and visiting family within the Region. I would like to see the Region continue to lobby the Provincial and Federal governments for funding as well to support a free public transit initiative. Anything we can do to increase transit use, and take cars off roads, has multiple positive impacts in our community such as safer roads and improved climate.

Housing: "While I support sanctioning existing encampments as an interim measure, I will prioritize early on working under a housing-first lens with residents at any new encampment to find appropriate supports, services, and housing before encampments reach a critical mass. As learned from the organizers of A Better Tent City, wrap around services can be best provided in smaller numbers. I will also work with new community partners looking to replicate the successes of A Better Tent City elsewhere in the Region.

Every dollar spent on housing and supports for those who are chronically homeless translates to over $2 in savings related to health care, the justice system, shelters, and other supports that the Region supports or provides. I will prioritize continued investments in support of the Region’s goal to build 500 units of affordable housing each year.

In the immediate term, I believe the Region should retract its lawsuit to evict the residents of the Victoria & Weber St. encampment. On the contrary, we must recognize that encampment support on Regional lands (washrooms, waste collection, water access) is a necessary form of harm reduction while we work quickly to improve access to shelter and housing options.

I know that new housing doesn’t get built overnight. As we increase the supply of affordable housing, the Region should expand its rent supplement program to get people housed immediately in the private market.

It is crucial that as the Region reviews development applications and local Official Plans, such plans should pursue all opportunities to create the conditions that encourage a broad range of market-affordable and core affordable housing options, including not-for-profit and co-operative models. I will advocate for housing that supports gender equity, including housing that meets the needs of families with children, including the availability of family sized units, spaces to play, shared communal spaces within buildings, space for strollers and bike parking."

Public Safety: I whole heartedly support the upstream funding program recently launched by the Region and will look to expand it further once we understand preliminary results and lessons learned from this initial role out. I firmly believe that if Regional Council is being asked to be careful with spending increases in 2023, at a minimum the same should apply to the WRPS, unlike 2022. I will push for a multi-year plan to increase funding to police-free upstream initiatives.

Indigenous Sovereignty: I support the creation of an Indigenous Community Hub at the Charles Street Terminal, and also recognize that other Indigenous groups and organizations across the Region have unique interests and priorities for gathering spaces in the community (e.g., outdoor spaces). I will commit to listen broadly to all groups across the Region to ensure land and spaces are provided. I also see the opportunity to meaningfully address the housing crisis on the Charles Street Terminal lands and will look to ensure that deeply affordable housing is included as part of any redevelopment plans led by the Region or others.

Social Services: I support a multi-layered approach to keeping our schools, businesses, and venues open, including encouraging people to use masks, keep their vaccines up-to-date, and improve ventilation and air quality monitoring in indoor spaces. Municipal facilities and schools can show leadership by making these upgrades and making small businesses aware of federal tax rebates that are available for ventilation improvement. As we monitor the severity and spread of new variants, I will look to our medical officer of health and the public health scientists who are closest to the data to inform my decisions about introducing any new public health rules.

Transportation: "I fully support items 2 and 3a-e under the Transportation vision. With respect to item 1, while I support the concept of free transit, I would like to understand the Waterloo Region-specific implications of this program based on our current fare structure, urban vs. rural service expansion plans, and farebox recovery ratio. In the meantime, I fully support increasing the free fare age to 12 years old, eliminating the Affordable Transit Program waiting list, increasing MobilityPlus service across the Region, and reaching a UPass agreement with Conestoga College students.

I will ensure that active transportation is a foundational consideration in all road reconstruction projects and will push for an annual capital program to address critical cycling network gaps and barriers.

Further, I will push to reconsider major road expansion and widening projects through a climate-forward lens, in favour of enhanced transit and active transportation routes."

Other: With experience as an urban planner working across Ontario, I understand what it takes to plan a great Region and understand the driving legislative frameworks. Further, I regularly facilitate public and stakeholder consultation sessions which engage those typically left out of the decision-making process.

I deeply know our local decision making process and two-tier municipal government structure, have actively followed decisions over the last four years, and regularly delegate and advocate to local and Regional Councils on a wide range of issues. I am ready to get to work from day one.

Housing: I believe that we need to make housing more affordable. We need to look at other alternatives to regular building models. For example shipping container homes. If we continue to build housing like Better Tent Cities we are not giving people long term solutions. We need to help get people back on their feet and help them integrate back into society. We need to pressure the provincial and federal governments to fund these initiatives. If we continue to invest in free housing we are just moving the problem from one place to the next. We need a long term plan so that we can phase out the need for shelters and such.

Public Safety: We need to invest in services that will help not hurt. If we continue to arrest people all we are doing is removing the problem until they are back on the street. We need long term solutions.

Indigenous Sovereignty: Question 3 is a two different part answer. I do not agree to remove monuments as they are our history but we can educate people on what parts they played in respect to our Indigenous peoples. We should include monuments of historic indigenous people as well.

Housing: As a current Board member of Kitchener Housing and a former Board member of Habitat for Humanity WR I understand the need for shelter and affordable housing. Government Funding is limited at all levels and while it funding needs to increase that won't solve the problem. In my view coming up with solutions that can meet the real short term needs, as well as the medium and long term goals that work towards achieving five key pillars FABWR is required. This situation did not happen overnight and won't be solved overnight. WR needs to find creative housing solutions. I believe I have a good understanding of this situation and I'm committed to working with anyone who can contribute to improving our Housing crisis.

Public Safety: "Policing should be seen as the very last result: a temporary tool to address issues of violent crime. We need to acknowledge that if the upstream investments are successful, it is possible to build a police-free community." While I support the sentiment Policing is so much more than Violent crime. The world is changing quickly and Policing needs to change to meet the needs of our community and changing world.

To cap the police budget when our community continues to grow rapidly is unrealistic. Sky high Inflation means higher wages and overall costs and on that basis alone the Policing budget will increase.

Indigenous Sovereignty: Questions 3&4 are both worthy of public consideration. I support discussion and most importantly the views of the Indigenous community on both of these questions.

Transportation: I'm supportive of Free and/or subsidized public transit for those under 18. Subsides for Seniors and those on social assistance or limited incomes as well. Revenue is required for Public Transit as the money to improve, maintain and increase public transit needs to come from somewhere.

Housing: The housing crisis here in the region is something that requires the participation of ALL levels of government and is something we have neglected for a long time. We need to think creatively and look to other countries for solutions. We need to look at our current by-laws, our way of living, and work at this issue from a ground up perspective. We need to be working with those who are living rough to see what services they need and how we can be instrumental in providing them. The reason I hesitate to respond favourably to funding a better tent city is because I do not want this to be the standard and job done. Winter is coming soon and we know the survivability rate during the winter. I would like to see more long term concrete solutions.

Social Services: I do not believe these issues are black and white and can simply be answered in a yes/no fashion. Further planning, partnering with the groups affected is needed to create a plan for all.

Transportation: These questions cannot be answered with a simple yes/no approach, I would need to see the studies and impact to be able to answer appropriately. I do however, wholeheartedly support increased modes of transportation for the public.

Housing: There are some caveats:

Support sanctioned encampments but prefer 'managing' sites for the improvements they bring to residents and neigbourhoods. I am not supportive of RMOW managing sites as the outcomes are not likely to be as effective vs community-led, region-informed efforts - and not as cost-effective. Think risk management for e.g. - it's a barrier to better for big institutions. Let community lead. Think decriminalized MCC/MSF/Red Cross style operations at different scales in suitable locations as an immediate measure. There is more than 6300 acres of vacant community land across WR, plus massive parking lots and empty buildings.

Unclear about the question - sanction existing sites or sanction more generally. The latter, yes. The former, we can do way better than some of the sites that exist across WR now. Way better, for everyone's health and safety.

Fully fund appears frequently. Support the goal, but cautious about the RMOW fully funding everything. Highly supportive of advocating in new ways to the Province and Feds to step up to help fund our way out of the humanitarian disaster this now is. I am deeply concerned now that the CV-19 funding is disappearing - the Feds and Province chipped in $10.4m for 2022 - almost 1/3 of the entire 2022 homeless operating budget. Compelled to point out that with RMOW funding, strings are attached - and not always strings in the best interests of shelter patron, service providers or the community. On the inverse, RMOW's absence of support, for example, for UPHNS OPS services 2.5yrs after they were made available by Feds is a good example of how actively opposing and not funding something leads to death, injuries, trauma and victimization for patrons, staff and neighbourhoods.

I hear the term wrap-around services so often and I struggle with it's meaning, especially for people without stable, safe shelter. They are not asking for counselling or resume preparation for e.g., they want good shelter, sometimes any shelter. When I interviewed people who use unregulated drugs and who lacked stable shelter, 'wrap-around' services just didn't/doesn't come up a lot. Shelter availability and shelter safety did. Safe supply did. Decriminalized shelter space did. I am cautious that 'wrap-around' is overused and devoid of meaning amongst people who do not lack stable, safe shelter. Medical care didn't come up in that research either but my personal experience is there is value for people in some kinds of services, plus the basic necessities of life. And good outreach workers who know their craft and have years of experience. Wrap-rounding without housing is not even a half hug, let alone wrap-around.

Public Safety: My overarching priority is rooted in equity. It is neither ethical nor equitable nor evidence-based to avoid prevention investments - the farther upstream the better - for both present and future generations.

Full disclaimer: I used to work at WRCPC before it was dismembered, defunded and destroyed by RMOW with full WRPS support.

Indigenous Sovereignty: I left three blank, even though generally supportive. I think you are asking throughout this survey what I would do if elected, and the colonial governance model has some jurisdictional limitations. I am not going to be the guy that overpromises and under-delivers. Sometimes that is called lying and I won't do it, even if others do.

I support establishing an Indigenous Community Hub where Indigenous people want it, generally speaking. Lots of support for Charles St. obviously. I am supportive of operationalizing UN DRIP and municipal aspects of TRC - so that process, if Council colleagues are supportive and Indigenous peoples wish it, ought to guide representation on Council. Mashing those two (well, more than two really) systems together will be... could be...um, interesting. I am not sure of the RMOW role, if any, in statutes and officially renaming Victoria Park, so I have left it blank. I like the voluntary RC fund for property owners and if elected, would like to investigate the option; it might not work, or it might, or it might but leave RMOW open to legal challenges.

Social Services: "Generally agree with overarching vision but generally the farther upstream funding moves, the less it is about services and programs. Super supportive of moving upstream, including the structural determinants of health - and beyond. There are other layers of upstream beyond SDOH.

Q2 is more nuanced, so I answered no. Of course I support consumption sites and safe supply - I was an early advocate and instigator on both, at great personal cost. With CTS, there are other, less medicalized and less bureaucratic and less divisive and far, far less expensive options that meet people where they are at. And they are legal. And they could include inhalation services -the leading modality contributing to drug poisoning fatalities -, unlike CTS. But the RMOW has not, to date, been supportive and sometimes been obstructive. I am 100% supportive of safe supply for all of the benefits to individuals and community residents and businesses and public budgets. The RMOW could be more supportive given the massive scale of the crisis.

Q3. If elected, I am one vote at Board of Health, one vote at RC. I am onside with following the evidence but am in no position, even if elected, to immediately implement. Not going to overpromise here.

Q4. Child care is so so important, for so so many reasons. I support full access to quality child care and we are not there. Especially for communities who are underserved, if served at all. I also support decent wages for child care staff, many if not most of whom are very underpaid - and that has huge implications for the 'quality' part."

Transportation: I think you are talking about Regional jurisdiction only here, and of that I am generally supportive. I worked hard to advance some of these initiatives before they became/approached the mainstream discourse today.