The Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce asked all North Saanich byelection candidates to answer four business questions. The five who responded gave answers that provide insights into their views and intentions.
The Municipal byelection will take place Saturday, April 6, 2019, with advance voting held Wednesday, March 27 and Wednesday, April 3, 2019.
Key excerpts of the candidates’ written answers have been reproduced below.
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Del Elgersma
“I support the current policy that allows secondary suites throughout the district. I would support a reduction in the minimum lot size for carriage houses/garden cottages from .99 acre to perhaps .65 acre, and provided that the new accommodation is for long term housing and not short term vacation rentals. I also support higher density housing developments, both market and non-market, in the areas designated as ‘Areas 1 and 2’ in the Official Community Plan (Mctavish/East Saanich & Tsehum).”
Scott McEachern
“I would like to see it [mortgages] go up to the purchaser’s 65th birthday. So if you are 20 years old buying a piece of property, then you could qualify for a 45 year mortgage. If you are 27, then you qualify for a 38 year term.”
“We have 2 very large corporations in our District, BC Ferries and Victoria Airport Authority. I would put a $3 tariff on every passenger’s ticket that leaves Victoria and $ 1 that leaves Swartz Bay. This would generate about $10,000,000 in revenue that would help off set the taxes on business.”
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Dorothy Hartshorne
“Support North Saanich’s current affordable housing policy and encourage development applications that include affordable housing options. “
“Follow through on affordable housing initiatives, endeavour to lower industrial and commercial taxes to competitive rates, strike an economic development committee whose purpose was to look at what businesses we currently have, our commercial land base and map out a plan for economic development and improvement.”
Cam McLennan
“First off, if elected, I would submit a notice of motion to council directing staff to open negotiations with Plat-Form Properties to add affordable workforce housing in phases 2 & 3 of the Sandown commercial development.”
“Workforce housing needs to be addressed, followed by improved transportation throughout North Saanich and greater Victoria. Better amenities on the Saanich Peninsula to attract and retain employees. North Saanich historically has been known to be ‘Closed for Business,’ it’s time to change that!”
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Patricia Pearson
“The 2019 North Saanich business rate is 8.159%. While this rate is higher than Sidney and Central Saanich, it is average for the CRD. The current policy states: “It is the district’s intent on slowly reducing the commercial taxes to better reflect the commercial rates of neighbouring municipalities”. Developing a long-term taxation policy is also in the Strategic Plan for 2020. I support both.”
For more information and to read the full answers please check the District of North Saanich website at: northsaanich.ca/Elections.
nick.murray@peninsulanewsreview.com
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