The following is a Q&A that was distributed to all Gibsons candidates.
Candidate name
David Croal
Age
75
Occupation (s)
Retired, with a diverse background including, retail sales and marketing, property management, publishing and the hospitality industry, worked in film and TV for years.
Which position are you running for?
Councillor
Incumbent? If so how many years on council?
Yes
Live in Gibsons? For how long?
44 years
What are your priorities if elected?
Housing, the cornerstone of the domino effect facing us – without housing for workforce, first responders and caregivers – we can't meet community needs or support tourism. Climate crisis.
Should Gibsons facilitate creation of more affordable housing? How?
Gibsons is working with not for profit groups to create housing that is affordable, especially rental. We have supported the affordable housing society, and will continue to work to create opportunities to encourage the development of affordable rental properties.
What should council be doing to protect the Town’s water supply?
We have mapped the aquifer, and engaged with provincial ministries to protect the aquifer beyond our boundaries. The Source to Sea project has indicated clearly the areas of required protection.
Should Gibsons prepare for climate change? If so how?
Utilizing natural assets for infrastructure is key to mitigating climate change, we currently lead in this area and I will work to continue this initiative.
How can council mitigate the many upward pressures on property taxes?
With a zero tax increase attitude which prevailed for far too long – we are not paying the price – infrastructure and services need to be maintained and updated.
How would you balance pushback on development with need for housing?
Development needs to be encouraged that meets community needs, currently I'm working hard to encourage the creation of new rental housing in the community. In many cases this needs to be done through not for profit societies.
What do you wish we'd asked you?
Q: What have you accomplished in your term? A: Supportive Housing, youth engagement, budget to support seniors, Healing Forest, marine mapping and protection, affordable housing, active transportation work, hospice support.
Who else is running for Gibsons council? See profiles for Annemarie De Andrade, Desmond Delaney, Stafford Lumley, Blake MacLeod, Bob Morris, Greig Soohen, Christi Thompson, Leslie Thomson, Silas White and Phil Yeung.
