Elect Collicutt for Council

Municipalities across the Province are dealing with challenging matters as they work to address housing affordability, homelessness and addictions, while at the same time, keeping communities safe for all. There is a lot of compassion in this community and this work will continue. However, compassion without controls presents challenges to public safety in the face of expanded programs that increasingly impact emergency services and increase costs, at a time when City revenues are limited.  A new Council needs to balance the public interest and enhance public safety measures for all; more consideration and strategic support is needed.

When elected, my pledge is to:

• consider social challenges with compassion and hope, and recognize local service providers are working hard to develop and manage programs in our community to take care of vulnerable citizens caught in the cycle of poverty and addictions
• continue to build partnerships with housing service providers to improve housing continuum of care and affordability for all ages and needs; vulnerable populations, disabled, seniors and low-income, homeless, mental health, addictions and recovery
• work with service providers on partnerships that establish clear accountability standards to address the social impacts of mental illness, addictions and homelessness, and that keep our public safe
• work with service providers to ensure shelters are used effectively and meet the needs of citizens using the facilities
• if required, consider encampment area on suitable City land and implement controls, including no open burning nor permission to locate in key sensitive areas, such as forested parks, playgrounds, sports fields, trails, wetlands, creeks and streams
• support City emergency services to monitor adequate controls that provide enhanced public safety measures for our community
• advocate to service providers and the Province to deliver programs that move away from enabling harm and addiction towards recovery and rehabilitation