The following is a Q&A that was distributed to all Gibsons candidates.
Candidate name
Blake MacLeod
Age
62
Occupation (s)
Renovations I am a building contractor, commercial property owner, property manager and entrepreneur.
Which position are you running for?
Councillor
If not incumbent, list related municipal committee / civic group experience.
Vancouver & Gibsons, committee, advisory council, residents & neighbourhood association volunteering on affordable housing.
Live in Gibsons? For how long?
6 years
What are your priorities if elected?
Progressive housing policy; Meaningful environmental stewardship; A focus on community building; and consistent support for the arts. Enhance & protect our natural assets.
Should Gibsons facilitate creation of more affordable housing? How?
Study, and revise bylaws & regulations as needed to clear a pathway to building affordable housing options; and Invite the design & development community, business leaders, property owners and resident groups to submit bold proposals with innovative solutions.
What should council be doing to protect the Town’s water supply?
Use existing, sophisticated monitoring equipment to keep our water safe & available. Implore the SCRD to reduce its dependency on Gibsons water. Enforce aquifer protection bylaws.
Should Gibsons prepare for climate change? If so how?
New development proposals must meet the high standards for meeting Canada’s commitment to achieving net-zero energy use by 2050; Include active/passive cooling technologies in private & public projects; and Plan for a 3m sea level flood threat.
How can council mitigate the many upward pressures on property taxes?
Support staff so their best work is made possible, more efficiently; Leverage the enhanced working environment & savings to attract new talent; and Focus on succession planning.
How would you balance pushback on development with need for housing?
Educate residents on the benefits of adding infill housing, leveraging existing infrastructure, adding density on existing single family lots; and Educate on the advantages of building vertical density around transportation hubs to reduce carbon footprint and energy use.
What do you wish we'd asked you?
What can be done to inspire the community to action on the most pressing issues of our time? Work hard, and ask for help.
Blake MacLeod (Gibsons)
Who else is running for Gibsons council? See profiles for David Croal, Annemarie De Andrade, Desmond Delaney, Stafford Lumley, Bob Morris, Greig Soohen, Christi Thompson, Leslie Thomson, Silas White and Phil Yeung.
