Fredericton City Council provides leadership on a number of key areas through its Standing Committees.

The purpose of these committees is to provide advice to City Council and staff on specifically mandated areas of interest and contribute to the development of policies, programs and initiatives.

Below are my thoughts on the importance of each of these areas and some insight into how I envision building on the great work Council and staff are already doing in these areas.

Economic vitality

In order for a community to thrive it needs the environment, culture and infrastructure for businesses to succeed. By having this, there will not only be economic growth in terms of business growth and development within the community, but there will also be increased opportunities for citizens to prosper.

Environmental stewardship

Each year seems to bring new challenges. It is important for our City to operate with our natural environment in mind. This could be anything from a recycling program to flood mitigation activities. A change for the better can come in any size. While changes that come at the municipal level may not seem as important as those at the provincial or federal level, every change that considers the impact on the environment is a step in the right direction. Leadership on this issue comes from every level and no change is too small.

Finance and administration

Governments need to ensure that the tax burden on their citizens remains manageable, while at the same time ensuring that they have sufficient funds to provide responsive services and sustainable infrastructure as these are the essential underpinnings of a strong community.

Whether we are talking about property taxes or water and sewer rates, municipal governments need to provide services in a manner that gets the best value for their taxpayers’ dollars. Community engagement is vital in helping shape Council’s priorities, while efficiency and effectiveness are key to achieving strong outcomes against the desired deliverables.

Governance and civic engagement

It is important for a city council to help ensure citizens are informed about the issues facing their community and actively seek increased citizen engagement. While all levels of government play important roles in our society, local government (i.e. municipal) is uniquely situated to be able to address citizen concerns and represent their voice at the community level, allowing them to impact positive change that can be seen on a day-to-day basis.

The more engaged citizens are, the more effective a government can be in terms of shaping its priorities and being responsive to concerns.

Voter turnout for municipal elections generally tends to be low. In the 2016 municipal elections, Fredericton’s turnout was roughly 37%. I believe this is in large part due to the fact that, in many elections, voters need to put in significant effort to become informed.

As your councillor for Ward 2, one of my top priorities will be to work on building community engagement and involvement in municipal affairs. I believe this will help on a few different levels. It will ensure the views and issues of Ward 2 are represented at the Council level and it will help build stronger relationships within the community, street by street and neighbourhood by neighbourhood.

Livable community

I believe a livable community requires strong civic engagement, good roads and streets, snow-clearing services, recreation offerings and a sense of belonging. Whether it is welcoming a new neighbour or supporting a local business, a strong city begins with strong neighbourhoods that are built one relationship at a time.

Additionally, a livable community should be known for its cultural enrichment. That, to me, includes showcasing our heritage through the protection of historical properties, having a strong arts and culture scene and embracing the diversity that comes through immigration. Our differences make us unique; embracing these differences as a community is what makes us thrive.

Mobility

Public transit, ride-share companies, bike lanes, trail systems, sidewalks-mobility means different things to different people and the preferred method will often vary by demographic. One thing for certain though is that mobility is an important issue to everyone.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Affordable public transit, alternatives to traditional taxi cabs, dedicated bike lanes and clear sidewalks are all things citizens should expect to have in their community. The challenge comes in balancing the needs of all citizens.

Ensuring that citizens have options for safe, affordable and accessible means of transportation is what matters.

Public safety

One of the key responsibilities of municipalities is to keep their citizens safe and secure through public safety measures.

With Fredericton’s population being projected to increase to between 81,000 and 93,600 by 2041, it is important that our public safety operations are able to provide a timely and sufficient response. Whether in high-density areas in the city centre or in suburban developments near Fredericton’s boundaries, all citizens are entitled to have access to safe and efficient police and fire services. To that end, it is critical that these services receive the proper resources be it financial, human, capital or operational to meet the needs of the citizens they serve.