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Ros McLaren
- 'The division of the municipality into two units with smaller councils to better serve the rural and urban communities more effectively and efficiently.' Select 'Yes' if you support dividing the municipality in this manner, or 'No' if you oppose the division.
No. This is an important issue. There are problems with council and how it functions. Part of these problems can be attributed to the urban-rural split. Part of these problems can be attributed to the leadership of council itself. I would like to examine different governance models before supporting one path over another.
- 'Tax reform that more closely aligns taxes with the actual cost of services delivered.'Select 'Yes' if you support reforming taxes in this manner, or select 'No' if you oppose.
Yes.
- 'More aggressive development of the Arts and Culture sector by committing a minimum of 1% of the annual municipal budget to this sector.' Select 'Yes' if you support committing a minimum of 1% of the annual municipal budget to the Arts and Culture sector, or 'No' if you oppose.
Yes. I support your goal of making Halifax a vibrant and livable city. In fact, my campaign slogan is "A livable city". To achieve that, we need a strong arts and culture community. Our artists and cultural representatives serve as ambassadors for our region and when traveling promote our region as effectively as a large-budget advertising campaign. They also add a vibrant element to the city. If elected, I would support a motion to commit a minimum of 1% of the annual municipal budget to the arts and culture sector.
- 'The creation of the position of Chief Sustainability Officer with the necessary authority and budget to ensure Halifax becomes the most sustainable city in Canada by 2020.' Select 'Yes' if you support creating the position of Chief Sustainability Officer as described in this statement, or 'No' if you oppose.
Yes. In principle I support the concept of a Chief Sustainability Officer. We need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and "green" our homes, our city, our province and our world. And the city's energy budget keeps going up, rising 60% in 5 years according to HRM's Community Energy Plan. However, the words "necessary authority" and "necessary ... budget" need to be defined and the concept needs to be fleshed out before I would vote in favour of this position. In the interim, we need to implement many of the measures contained in the Community Energy Plan, including the retrofitting of existing municipal buildings for energy efficiency purposes and we need to require "higher standards of energy efficiency and environmental design in new HRM buildings" to quote from the plan. I would also like HRM to look at innovative and cost-effective ways to support sustainability, including community gardens.
- 'The development of an integrated intercultural strategy to attract and retain immigrants and to better support disadvantaged groups within our community.' Select 'Yes' if you support developing an integrated intercultural strategy to attract and retain immigrants, and to better support disadvantaged groups within our community, or select 'No' if you oppose.
Yes. I support steps to attract and retain immigrants, and measures to support disadvantaged groups.
- 'The creation of a transportation authority to develop and implement a long-term comprehensive transportation strategy that integrates all modes of transportation.' Select 'Yes' if you support creating a transportation authority as described in this statement, or 'No' if you oppose.
Yes. I want a better transportation system, a system that encourages people to leave their cars at home. A system that connects to the airport, and our industrial parks. A system that works well outside of rush hour. If a transportation authority would help us build that system in a cost-effective manner, then I am prepared to vote in favour of a study into the pros and cons of a transportation authority.
- 'The adoption of a more transparent and streamlined development process as proposed by the HRM by Design initiative.' Do you support or oppose adopting a more transparent and streamlined development process in this manner?
Yes. I believe that we need more people living downtown. This
will help build a vibrant city and reduce our carbon footprint by taking people
out of cars - and reduce traffic through District 14. The problem with our
current rules is that they provide no certainty for heritage advocates or for
developers. So what happens is that every downtown development proposal turns
into a battle, typically between those two groups. This is unhealthy. If
elected, I will push for a streamlined development process that protects
heritage and allows developers to move ahead with new buildings in an orderly
manner. This process should include concrete and transparent rules.
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