“RESPONSES TO GREENSPACE ALLIANCE SURVEY OF CANDIDATES
1. Support for a strong site alteration by-law, with emphasis on “strong.”
Communities have to manage top soil carefully, in order to facilitate the proper flow of natural cycles (water, nitrogen etc.), the retention of nutrients and the healthy growth of diverse vegetation.
I am aware of recent “tree massacres” and if this particular legislation (or absence of) is related to such actions, then we need to fulfill the policy requirement.
Thus, we can learn from other Ontario cities and emulate their practice for effective by-laws on this subject.
2. Renewed commitment to an annual allocation towards an environmental lands acquisition fund.
As a private citizen, I have lent support to NGOs to secure natural lands across Canada. Thus, I have strong empathy for ensuring that some natural lands remain in public hands. I would want to see the City form partnerships with the NCC and non-profit organizations to jointly acquire environmental lands. If different entities can pool resources, then we should achieve more towards this goal. Such a strategy does not preclude the City actually increasing its cash allocation, which I would consider. Given the scale of the Emerald Ash Borer invasion, I consider such a raid to have been an exceptional case.
3. Standing firm in support of the prohibition against future country lot subdivisions.
It is very important for the City to maintain the existing urban boundary and not allow it to encroach into rural areas. It is equally important to regulate any growth in rural areas, as per the Official Plan, and I support of concentrating such growth in “clusters” as designated by the Plan. Any updating of these clusters should take place when the Official Plan is revised as a whole, not on a basis equivalent to “spot zoning”.
4. The City’s Advisory Committees should be genuine bridges between the public and Council.
On my website [no longer online], I do make reference to the wealth of knowledge in the city. I agree that staff can consult the public through many ways, including online surveys, kiosks in public buildings, inserts in City mailings and social media. If elected, I would sponsor regular Ward consultations on particular issues. I agree that the City can obtain better public input if it circulates information earlier.
I want to see Council empower new “citizens’ commissions” to explore key topics worthy of study, such as bus routes remapping, ward boundaries or online voting. Citizens’ Commissions could generate ideas on select environmental issues such as which sensitive lands to protect first, or how to preserve natural space on surplus federal lands (e.g. LeBreton Flats or the Rockcliffe Air Base).
The Advisory Committees are not a prerequisite or substitute for City Council. Citizens should go directly to their elected representatives. Expert advisors should provide their knowledge and experience to Councillors and staff. Advisors should attend their respective Council Committee meetings and provide technical comments on public submissions and staff reports, as required.”