Abbotsford voters go to the polls on Saturday, Sept. 25 for a byelection taking place to fill the vacancy left by Bruce Banman after he was elected the MLA for Abbotsford South in the October 2020 provincial election. Nine candidates are vying for the councillor position. These are their responses to three questions (each with a 100-word limit) posed by The Abbotsford News.
1. Why are you running to be a member of city council?
I’m running because I’m passionate about making Abbotsford a better place. I was born here, I was brought up here, and I’m raising my daughter here. I want to make sure we are moving Abbotsford forward for both this generation and the next. I strongly believe that if we work together, we can grow as a community. I also believe it’s time for young families to be represented at city council. We need diverse perspectives to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.
2. What skills and attributes do you have that would make you a good councillor?
I am accessible, accountable and I act. I like getting out into the community, meeting people, and listening to the things that Abbotsford is doing well and where we need to make improvements. And I like helping people, whether their issues are big or small: from crosswalks and speed bumps to helping new Canadians and business owners alike navigate city hall. I believe in action. I plan on working hard to make Abbotsford a better place. I am running to get things done and I want voters to hold me accountable on that.
3. What do you believe are the two biggest issues in Abbotsford and how do you think they should be addressed?
Housing affordability is the number-one issue affecting young families. From community partnerships and encouraging creative housing solutions to reducing red tape and increasing supply, we need to be doing everything we can to help make renting and owning a home more affordable for families. Improving our parks and recreation is also a key priority of mine. If elected, I plan to put forward proposals to enhance our local fields and sports facilities and to improve our park amenities by adding more benches, shelters, washrooms and dog-friendly spaces.
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