One of the biggest challenges for voters in a civic election with 45 different candidates (the majority of whom most of us have never heard of) seven slates (some of which only formed in the last month) is knowing how candidates would actually vote on key issues.
To that end, the Richmond News asked all council and mayoral candidates to answer “yes” or “no” to questions we posed to them regarding everything from housing, to development, to the arts.
We also gave candidates the opportunity to answer one question in a longer format. See below for their answers (not all candidates chose to give long-form answers; some candidates sent several long-form answers but didn’t indicate which one they wanted posted online).
We hope this helps you narrow down the selection and find the candidates that best reflect the direction you want to see Richmond city council take in the next four years.
For more election news look online at https://www.richmond-news.com/2022-civic-election
- Richmond News staff
Chak Au
Should city council impose reduced house size limits in residential neighbourhoods?
It is better to have different housing types and sizes in a neighbourhood as long as they fit its character. It is more important to control the building height, setback, massing, and shadowing to minimize the impact on the neighbours.
Malcolm Brodie
The city currently requires 15 per cent affordable rentals in new developments in City Centre and 10 per cent in the rest of the city. Is that enough?
NO: The Affordable rental provision must be analyzed together with the mandatory 15% market rental requirement. Council has worked with development to provide many types of rental homes to increase affordability through a range of housing. This gives different housing options to people with varying incomes and family situations.
Carol Day
Should there be more public art in Richmond?
YES: We need public art that reflects our city's character and I feel that whenever possible we should hire local artists. When developers choose the art it is often not compatible or practical so when necessary we need the ability to say no thanks we will take the cash instead, this will motivate them to create public art that will work for the city both visually and maintenance wise.
Jerome Dickey
An average residential property in Richmond is paying $3,241 in property taxes and for utilities in 2022. Is this an appropriate amount for the services the city provides?
NO: Taxpayers need to decide if they feel they are receiving value for services provided. City operations can be more efficient and effective. We need zero-based budgeting and no automatic one-per-cent tax increase. We also can't justify spending $5 million for a Lawn Bowling Clubhouse!
Evan Dunfee
Do you think allowing developers to build more market housing will increase the supply of affordable housing?
YES. New *multi-family* buildings require affordable rentals or cash-in-lieu and collectively pay millions each year towards amenities contributions. New detached homes currently provide no contributions to the affordable housing stock. That said, there is much more the city can do to deliver more affordable housing, in every neighbourhood.
Laura Gillanders
Do you think allowing developers to build more market housing will increase the supply of affordable housing?
YES: Technically because “affordable housing” is required in new developments, increasing market housing does increase units of affordable housing that may be available years down the road when the project is done. However, this isn’t nearly good enough because we need affordable housing now and in priority before market condo housing.
Kash Heed
The City of Richmond employs 306 police officers (including 30 at YVR) with a total RCMP budget of $64 million. Is this sufficient to keep residents safe?
YES: However, other areas of protective services need to be considered and developed so the system can be more comprehensive, efficient, and effective in dealing with public safety, not just the RCMP. Each contributor needs to be held to account.
Mark Lee
Do you think city hall should reduce red tape to allow developers to build housing faster?
YES: Any development that meets our needs - which should be clearly outlined in the OCP - should be eligible for a streamlined application process
Alex Loo
Would you increase the city’s budget to add to Richmond’s sports and recreation facilities?
YES: Our sports and rec facilities build community which fights discrimination, supports health, which saves us in the long run.
Keefer Pelech
Do you think allowing developers to build more market housing will increase the supply of affordable housing?
NO: More market housing is definitely necessary, but it will not solely provide the level of affordable housing we need in general, nor will it directly create housing for specific needs such as dedicated units for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families.
Jasmine Piao
Do you think the municipal government should implement programs to fight climate change, even if it means raising taxes?
NO: Focus should be on mobilizing local, community-oriented initiatives in environmental stewardship, not increasing the cost of living for Richmond residents through additional taxes.
John Roston
The road infrastructure budget in Richmond for the next five years is about $91 million, of which $21 million is earmarked for cycling infrastructure. Do you think the city is investing enough in cycling infrastructure?
While Richmond has many bike lanes, only two per cent of them are segregated bike lanes which protect both cyclists and drivers, unlike the dangerous “share the road” bike lanes common in Richmond. Segregated bike lanes are expensive and require an increased overall budget, not a reduction in the budget for roads.
Sheldon Starrett
Should city council impose reduced house size limits in residential neighbourhoods?
YES: House heights should be reduced so as to not cast shadows on neighbours. But I don’t think there should be any restriction on square footage to maximize the efficiency of space, and neighbourhood consistency. It is important homes have garden space and trees, for soil and environmental reasons.
Michael Wolfe
Do you support tougher environmental protection bylaws?
YES: Citywide, environmentally sensitive and riparian management areas are too often abused to the point of no return. Tree protection is littered with loopholes. Invasive plant species are destroying our last few natural places. Pesticides are still used in excess. We need bylaw officers for pollution prevention from all land uses.
