Over the past four years, I’ve had hundreds of conversations with people about what they value in Comox and what they hope we can do better. There are some themes that come up repeatedly.

For me, they are increasingly connected by an idea of stewardship for future generations. Caring well for what we have inherited, responding thoughtfully to change, and using our collective creativity and imagination to build a community that is resilient, connected and full of life. 
 

These are some of the areas where I see important opportunities for the next Council.

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Thoughtful growth and affordable housing

People want more housing choices, including housing that is genuinely affordable. Community members also care deeply about the qualities that make Comox feel like Comox.
 

During the OCP process, residents consistently shared the importance of human scale, trees and green spaces, openness, neighbourhood character and thoughtful transitions between different kinds of development.
 

I see an opportunity to build on that work through

• clearer human-scale design and massing standards that work for both the community and developers

• stronger transitions and dignified buffers between different forms of development, especially along the Town’s edges with Area B of the Regional District

• neighbourhood and local-area plans for parts of Comox experiencing significant change

• more co-op, cohousing and other housing options that give people more choices through different stages of life

• an affordable housing action plan that builds on the Town’s completed land inventory

• rejoining the regional housing service and supporting the work of the Comox Valley Regional District Housing Authority

 

Youth wellness and disability inclusion

One of my biggest disappointments this term is that we did not make enough progress on recreation and gathering spaces for young people. Youth facilities should not depend entirely on grant funding.

 

Youth wellbeing, recreation and belonging are core community infrastructure. That means continuing to strengthen youth voice while making real investment in places where young people can gather, move, create and simply spend time together.

 

I also want disability inclusion to become a much more deliberate part of municipal decision-making. That includes how we design public spaces, recreation, engagement, communications and services.

 

I see an opportunity to make Comox a community where young people and people with disabilities are more fully considered in the way we plan and invest.

Nature, climate and resilience

Comox has made important progress through the Climate Action and Risk Plan, Parks and Trails Master Plan, Urban Forest Management Strategy and the acquisition of Newson Family Nature Park.

 

I see an opportunity to strengthen tree protection, conserve more mature trees and natural areas, and limit any further greenfield development by focusing future growth within our existing developed footprint.
 

As we enter a world more than 1.5°C warmer, I believe we need to think differently about the infrastructure our community will depend on. Trees, forests, wetlands, shorelines and healthy ecosystems provide essential natural infrastructure, helping to cool our communities, hold and filter water, reduce flood risk, support biodiversity and make us more resilient to a changing climate. 

 

I would also like to connect our work on climate resilience more closely with biodiversity, food security and water stewardship. 

Trust, participation and local democracy

I’m hearing growing concern about polarization, trust in government, and whether people feel genuinely heard when important decisions are made.

 

I see an opportunity to create more ways for residents to participate early and meaningfully in decisions about the future of Comox. Local area planning is one tool. Citizen assemblies and other deliberative processes could also give people the time, information and support to work through complex questions together.

 

Accessibility matters here too. I want people to be able to talk with their elected representatives in ways that feel comfortable and approachable, whether that is through Council, a neighbourhood conversation, a coffee or a walk in the park.

 

I would like the next term to include a stronger focus on rebuilding trust between residents, Council and the Town.
 

Arts, culture and a vibrant Comox

Comox has a remarkable creative community. We have artists, galleries, musicians, choirs, festivals, a museum and cultural organizations that bring people together.

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I would love to see Comox develop its first arts and culture strategy, bringing together the people and organizations already doing this work around a shared vision.

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I see a real opportunity for arts and culture to strengthen community life, support our local economy, bring more people downtown and make Comox an even more creative and joyful place to live.
 

Food and water security

The Farmers’ Market and Food Policy Council work have helped strengthen the place of food security in local decision-making.

 

I see an opportunity to keep growing that work through neighbourhood planning, support for local growers and producers, and stronger consideration of food systems in development decisions.

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Water is closely connected. Regional water governance has historically focused heavily on the delivery of a utility. I would like to bring more attention to governance that will be inclusive of conservation, ecological health and climate resilience in regional water decision-making for all three watersheds.

 

Food and water security are fundamental parts of preparing our community for the future.

 

Financial Stewardship for Future Generations

I think about financial stewardship in terms of generations. We benefit every day from infrastructure and public assets built by the people who came before us, and we have a responsibility to care for them for the people who come after us.

 

This term, Council made financial sustainability a strategic priority, strengthening the Town’s finances while rebuilding staffing from critical levels. We are planning more proactively for the long-term renewal of the infrastructure our community depends on.

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I see healthy natural systems as infrastructure too. Trees, forests, shorelines and other ecosystems help protect us from heat, flooding and a changing climate. Through thoughtful investment, collaboration and creative thinking, we can care for both our built and natural assets and build a resilient Comox for generations to come.

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