Many thanks for your contributions to my platform!
Over the last year, I’ve basically co-developed it with input and feedback from Victorians – in my open-to-the-public coffee chats (over 45 held this term), on the doorstep, through phone calls and emails, social media and media, and the City’s annual budget surveys.
Much appreciated!
Below is a copy of a letter I shared with many people at the door and electronically over the last several months. I evolved it and updated it here in real time. The most recent changes have gone directly into my platform. And I continue to welcome your ideas.
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Hi fellow residents of Victoria,
What are your priorities for the City and the Region?
I’m standing for re-election to Victoria City Council and the CRD Board on October 17, and I’m putting together my platform. Your ideas are important to me, and I want to hear them.
My platform will be based on the views of Victoria residents, including from:
- statistically valid surveys the City has commissioned this term
- my open-to-the-public coffee chats (more than 45 held so far)
- emails, phone calls, conversations and community events
- monthly meetings with residents, businesses, and service providers.
From what I’ve heard so far, here are some preliminary priorities:
- Housing – all sorts of homes for all sorts of people. Victoria needs more homes, and more variety – both affordable homes and regular homes – for families, seniors, people with disabilities, workers, and people of all incomes. Housing is key to a healthy community.
- Homelessness and mental health and addiction. We need to work with the province and other partners to expand compassionate care and improve the social and health care systems throughout the region.
- Safer streets. Whether in your neighbourhood or elsewhere in Victoria and the region, you and your family and friends should be safe and feel safe – walking, using a mobility device, cycling, taking transit, or driving.
- Climate action, more trees, and a clean environment. Building a greener, climate-smart Victoria means more street trees and tree canopy, more green spaces, and continuing to replace polluting fossil fuels with clean electricity.
- Vibrant city; vibrant economy. A clean, vibrant downtown and neighbourhoods; thriving local businesses; investment in parks, events, arts and cultural communities that make Victoria a better place to live.
- Responsible governance. An overarching value, good governance means listening to people; working collaboratively to get things done; furthering our respectful work with the First Nations; making evidence-based decisions; and being focussed, efficient and cost-effective.
And of course, I want to hear from you. What are your priorities? What should be on my platform? What do you want the City Council and the Regional Board to take on?
While I read and listen to your ideas, and refine my platform, I’m continuing to do the work for the rest of this term – bringing forward initiatives to make life better in our City and region. You can see more about that at my website and blog www.davethompsonvictoria.ca.
Please feel free to send your thoughts to dave@davethompsonvictoria.ca. Every message gets read.
I look forward to hearing from you.