Candidate Q&A

CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER

2022 civic election

Linda Buchanan

mayor previously, public health nurse for 30 years on North Shore incumbent

finance consultant

Guy Heywood

DISTRICT OF NORTH VANCOUVER

Mayor for four years, seven years as a councillor, three years on the Board of Education; currently on the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation and vice chair of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors; Ridgeway Heritage Committee.

Two terms on city council; three terms as school board trustee; seven years, North Vancouver Rec Commission; member of many boards: North Shore Neighbourhood House, North Van Arts, Vancouver Food Bank; volunteer income tax prep; St Andrews community kitchen

Delivering housing options. Creating new child care spaces Protecting our natural environment Delivering transportation solutions Delivering Harry Jerome and NSNH Supporting the business community and attracting investments.

Management of development Control/reduce cost of government. Transparent, humble leadership.

Mathew Bond

councillor, engineer incumbent (councillor)

Elected to council in 2014; committee experience includes Metro Vancouver housing, finance, heritage, major infrastructure and recreation; treasurer of Lynn Valley Preschool and president of North Shore Mountain Bike Association

To rise to the complex challenges of our time, with the leadership and long term vision to implement 21st century solutions that fix what’s broken and ensure a sustainable community now and for generations to come

Mike Little

mayor incumbent

Mayor, 2018 to present; councillor, 2005 2014.

Transportation is still our top issue. We must also address housing costs with a variety of housing options

DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER Mary Ann Booth

Teresa De Cotiis

mayor, retired lawyer incumbent

real estate

West Vancouver School Board trustee and board chair, 2005 2011; West Vancouver councillor, 2011 2018; West Vancouver mayor, 2018 2022.

Expand housing options for families, downsizers, and seniors. Protect environment and address climate change. Restore charm and vitality to commercial villages Improve mobility and reduce congestion Build a path to reconciliation

lawyer

incumbent (councillor)

During the 1980s, I worked in public sector, federal and provincial government, superintendent of real estate and financial institutions, and other public sector government offices.

I have served our community as the mayor, a councillor, school trustee, board chair, police board chair, vice chair of Metro Vancouver, secretary/director of Ambleside Dundarave Business Improvement Association, West Van Citizen of the Year

WV Police Board, B C and Canadian associations of police boards, WV Track and Field Club, B C Athletics, WV Sports Alliance, Impact North Shore, Salvation Army, Canadian International Council (Vancouver), Pacific Baroque Orchestra, BC Luge, Young Life North Shore.

Improve traffic problems, and improve roads, street lighting, lower taxes, offer seniors free bus service

CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER

councillor

City councillor since 2014, civic naming committee, finance committee, policing committee, recreation and culture committee.

Improve council and community relationships, ensure we are getting value for our tax dollars and work to reduce in areas of excess, improve transportation and create a micro bus system to add to our Blue Buses

Reform: execute a fiscal, organizational and governance overhaul; redress: stop council’s constant ad hoc decision making; resolve: champion West Vancouver’s urgent transportation needs.

Accessible mental health resources, LGBTQ+ friendly initiatives, completion of Harry Jerome, Silver Harbour, North Shore Neighbourhood House, continue work on affordable housing and traffic management

Mark Sager

Marcus Wong

councillor

councillor incumbent

CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER Don Bell

Education program co ordinator, research and municipal policy developer.

Anna Boltenko

writer/editor/broadcaster

Former alderman/councillor and mayor for District of North Vancouver; former North Van school board trustee and board chair; former vice chair of GVRD; former North Vancouver Member of Parliament; currently, City of North Van councillor for three terms

CNV Social Planning Advisory Committee member; North Shore Young Civic Forum mentor and co facilitator; Neighbourhood Small Grants North Vancouver committee member; CEO North Vancouver Federal Green Party EDA

Community broadcaster (The North Shore with Jeremy Cato) Little league coach

Slow development to ensure needed infrastructure and services; traffic congestion and parking; better transit; truly affordable housing; improve parks, sport fields; tree protection; climate change; better public consultation

A genuine green city; people centred planning and decisions making; a robust and strong local economy; practical transportation solutions; a complete and resilient city; real affordable housing

Smart development management Currently, we have development chaos in CNV Fight for our fair share of transit billions. Government transparency. Green spaces Safety and well being of everyone

Angela Girard

city councillor / contract investigator / contract administrator incumbent

insurance advisor, business owner

Me-An Laceste

lifeguard / instructor

CNV4Me Child & Youth Task Force, CNV’s social planning advisory committee, CNV’s advisory design panel, commissioner North Vancouver Recreation & Culture Commission, alternate director Board of Metro Vancouver, board member LGV Housing Society.

The Singing Nannies (North Shore Christmas Bureau); The Cooking Nannies (Children’s Organ Transplant Society of BC) and Zumba (Pathways Serious Mental Illness Society); volunteer for BC Thanksgiving Food Drive, poetry writing, social connection events.

DNV community service advisory committee (2019 2021); CNV integrated transportation committee (2020 present); volunteered for federal NDP as research analyst for Justine Bell (2019) and Tammy Bentz (2021).

Maxwell L. Lai

group facilitator

Team member that guided a co-housing project through all city processes to successful completion

Expand transit and mobility options to reduce traffic. Build affordable housing targeted for those who need it Establish actions to reduce carbon to net zero and build climate resiliency Create more child care spaces.

Address safety concerns of some neighbourhoods, for example, street lighting in dimly lit areas, speed bumps that truly slows motorists, and community policing to hinder car break ins, speeders, and minor offences

Ensure adequate, affordable housing inventory for all, proactive transportation solutions to deal with traffic, recreation services serving both current and future needs, enhance business community communication

My priorities: non market housing for rental and ownership; transportation choices; decisions through a climate lens; further connection with the Squamish Nation; supporting small business; green space; and child care needs

councillor incumbent

self-employed

One term councillor, including the roles on city library board of trustee, North Van Arts board, Metro Vancouver climate action committee, Lower Mainland Local Government Association executive, and BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council

Parks and environment committee; coach house committee; mayor and council remuneration committee; early public input committee; Mosquito Creek Stewardship Society; various animal rescue groups on the North Shore.

Langara College business and project management instructor

Chair and trustee, City Library Board (2010 2016); chair and commissioner, Museum & Archives Commission (2002 2009); author, North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Neighbourhood (2009). I have lived in North Vancouver for 38 years

Complete the climate and environment strategy, plans to support the development of compact, complete communities with diverse housing and mobility options, and increase equitable and accessible public spaces and services.

A park on city-owned lands on 100 block East First Street Match growth with infrastructure, hospital and school capacities Work with DNV on animal shelter

Reduce traffic and pollution by prioritizing workforce affordable housing, increase transit, increase the number of doctors and long term care facilities, support displaced renters.

director of risk

I am currently a councillor in the City of North Vancouver, have served as acting mayor and helped on seven council related and 10 civic committees over the past 12 years

Valente

I will prioritize housing diversity, transportation options, and great public spaces all while acting to address the climate crisis that lies before us.

Jeremy Cato

Kathy McGrenera

Jessica McIlroy

Ron Polly

Shervin Shahriari

DISTRICT OF NORTH VANCOUVER

Jordan Back

councillor and advertising account manager incumbent

director of school age programs, child care

Served on DNV council since 2018, council representative on the DNV library board, North Vancouver Chamber, and the North Vancouver Museum and Archives Commission Also served on Metro Vancouver’s industrial lands strategy task force.

Board member and vice president of Parkgate Community Services Society.

Creating housing diversity, active transportation investments, climate action, supporting small businesses, building stronger relationships with First Nations, involving younger people in local government.

Housing affordability, families, improving transportation, making the district a better place for walkers/bikers, climate change adaptation and preserving green space/expanding our parks system

Betty Forbes

councillor and accountant incumbent

DNV finance and audit committee; DNV commissioner, North Vancouver Museum and Archives (MONOVA); commissioner, North Vancouver Recreation and Culture; DNV advisory oversight committee; DNV property tax parcel roll; OCP implementation.

Transportation; infrastructure; housing and development; fiscal and environmental sustainability

Jim Hanson

lawyer incumbent

Blueridge Community Association Twice elected to North Vancouver District council, 2014 and 2018.

Rapid transit to the North Shore, cycling and pedestrian routes, green space protection and affordable housing.

climate organizer and tutor As climate organizer, worked with a number of municipalities on their climate action plans; ran to represent North Vancouver Seymour in the 2020 provincial election; volunteered with climate, youth and community groups.

BC Housing real estate asset manager

Herman Mah

constituency assistant to MLA Susie Chant

Pemberton Heights community association, vice president; North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission, vice chair; community services advisory committee; North Vancouver Community Associations Network; Downtown Vancouver Association board

Member of the community services advisory committee, past member of the rental, social and affordable housing task force

Climate action, increasing access to truly affordable housing options, and improving public and active transportation infrastructure

mother; municipal councillor; board and committee member, Metro Vancouver incumbent

communications consultant and former journalist

26 years on council, District of North Vancouver; 40 years, community activist.

Family and community: keep district a great place to live and work. Rapid transit and active transportation improvements Affordable and senior housing Advocate for businesses and industries so they can create opportunities

To build complete communities This means focused affordable developments, proactive transit options, and accessible recreation and health care My main focus will be on housing to ensure people who work here can live here.

Addressing neighbourhood transportation impacts, sustainability and livability assessment, low income and social housing, broad communication and engagement review, increased planning/maintenance of trail/park systems, prioritization of tax dollars

Extensive experience reporting on municipal affairs during two decades with Global TV; longtime volunteer and advocate for vulnerable youth and children; served on Braemar PAC and volunteered for 2020 North Vancouver homeless count.

Affordable housing Streamlining zoning and approval processes for developments Improving traffic flow Relationship building with Tsleil Waututh and Squamish First Nations.

executive director

Board member, Lookout Housing + Health Society; board chair, Lookout Housing + Health Foundation; volunteer, Lynn Valley Community Association; volunteer, Greater Vancouver Community Services Society; Track building, NSBMX

More flexibility in types of housing with easier approvals, safer routes for bikes and pedestrians, increased resilience in the face of climate change, and more support for local, independent businesses

Trey Bell

Harrison Johnston

Ellison Mallin

Lisa Muri

Catherine Pope

Greg Robins

DISTRICT OF NORTH VANCOUVER Peter Teevan

semi retired process change manager

Five years attending nearly every DNV council meeting, Seymour Community Association, vice president, North Vancouver Community Associations Network

immigration consultant and business owner

Volunteer as director member of West Vancouver Foundation board. Policy committee member and also an admin of a Facebook community group with 32,000 members

Solve traffic gridlock. Protect DNV from becoming like downtown Vancouver Bring common sense to DNV council decision making

Traffic, clean environment with increasing the EV stations, affordable housing with decreasing the tax and end to “no pets” in rentals.

project manager

former Lynnmour elementary PAC treasurer

Decentralize decision making regarding the development, character and amenities in neighbourhoods, allowing citizens (instead of planners on staff) to realize their visions through voluntary neighbourhood associations.

DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER Amir Alavi

master of public policy and global affairs student at UBC

first time civic candidate more than 10 years of volunteering in a Persian community centre

Affordable housing, taking action on traffic, boost up business activity, meaningful relationship with Squamish Nation, restore demographic imbalance

businessman no answer provided

engineering firm CEO/CFO, researcher, nurse, educator, writer

Eileen Buchanan

retired from 38 years in investment industry

mother of four, VP PAC, strata treasurer, volunteer

Transit, transportation, traffic Seniors housing Financial innovation and budget control

disability and inclusion consultant, speaker and writer

Director, West Van library board, 2001 2003; West Van municipal councillor, 2014 2018; Ambleside and Dundarave Ratepayers Association, 2012 2014; Ambleside and Dundarave Residents Association, 2019 2022; council liaison to district committees

Vice chair, West Vancouver and North Vancouver municipal government advisory committee on disability issues, 2015 present; District of North Vancouver advisory design panel, 2021 present

It’s no longer a matter of priorities. Everything must be done together, benefiting everyone, in a way that contributes globally, commensurate with our privilege

Reduce spending, complete local area plans for Ambleside and Taylor Way corridor, traffic and transportation, housing, environment.

councillor, small business owner, mom, former lawyer, teacher, management exec incumbent

retired business owner with 400 employees

West Vancouver municipal councillor for 11 years; volunteered on municipal and community committees for 35 years, including Scouts, Streamkeepers, parent advisory committee (Sentinel), as well as Metro Regional Planning and Utilities

Founding director of the Canadian Constitution Foundation; $25,000 donation to West Vancouver Place for Sports Fund; volunteer, West Vancouver Community Day, for 12 years; president of CiviX WestVan Elector Society.

Address our transportation needs, the lack of diversity in our housing stock, protect our natural environment and advance plans for climate adaptation, as well as supporting art and culture, businesses, our youth and more.

Support all forms of relevant action on climate change Approve new, diverse and more affordable housing. Advocate for better public transit. Fund active transportation improvements Carefully control spending and budgets

Personally survey West Vancouver residents about any significant community decisions and vote accordingly Reduce property taxes and utility fees Reduce traffic by limiting new construction

Thomas Tofigh

Clayton Welwood

Tyler Blair

Christine Cassidy

Alexis Chicoine

Nora Gambioli

Claus Jensen

DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER

architect, planner, municipal councillor

Councillor, District of West Vancouver; past chair, community engagement committee; trustee, West Vancouver Memorial Library; council liaison, neighbourhood character working group

Peter Lambur

incumbent

banker, investor I vote at every election Volunteer, BC Children’s Hospital, HSBC sponsored First Nations youth rugby clinic, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation; maintain hiking trails through BC Mountain Club and BC Mountain Foundation

interior designer

Vancouver Heritage Foundation board member, volunteer for numerous sports and animal groups, working with many cities as part of my job

Local area plans for Ambleside and Taylor Way, climate action plan, “made in West Van” transit solutions, reduce traffic congestion and n’hood impacts, more assisted living and long term care facilities, better community engagement.

Respectful discourse with elected members, municipal staff and the community. This is a fundamental building block in approaching transportation, housing, climate change and municipal finance issues

Fiscal accountability, creation of long term affordable housing, accessibility and maintenance of trails and parks, investigating the possibility for rapid transit

retired Mayoralty campaign chair, financing agent, riding association president in Coquitlam, former Rotary Club president, treasurer, etc., member of Chamber of Commerce

David McCosh

vice president, philanthropy and partnerships, West Vancouver Foundation (on leave during campaign)

Elaine McHarg

store manager

Ken Schultze

mediator

West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, chair; District of West Vancouver community engagement committee, co chair; District of West Vancouver arts facility advisory committee, member; mayor’s economic recovery council; various parent groups.

West Vancouver Place for Sport fundraising committee, North Shore Young Civic Forum volunteer member.

Implementing solutions for traffic congestion, increasing inventory of affordable housing, improve villages business environment, prioritize environmental needs

A livable, inclusive community with a collaborative, thoughtful and forward focused council Priorities are housing choices, climate, transportation, vibrant economy and neighbourhoods, improved services for residents.

Promoting housing choices for all households and families, laying foundations for transportation solutions, and taking action on climate change. This can be accomplished in fiscally responsible ways

Linda Watt

councillor and retiree incumbent

councillor incumbent

North American account executive, Rekord Marine Entertainment/Gul Watersports

Being an engaged citizen looking to improve our community

Ensuring our tax dollars are being prudently spent, reduce red tape at city hall, offer better transportation solutions and take care of our aging infrastructure, roads and sidewalks.

Design review committee; coastal marine management; community engagement committee; Gleneagles advisory committee; Metro regional parks; arts facility advisory; audit committee; Coho Festival director; senior advisory committee, and more

One term (four years) district councillor; seven years as provincial constituency assistant; lead: Caulfeild Park Conservation Society; boards: Enhance West Vancouver, West Vancouver library; committees: finance, community engagement, design review and more.

Director, Western Residents Association, 2013 2020; Blockwatch captain, 2010 2020; BC Ferries liaison committee, 2010; Mary Bayes Rain Garden committee member/fundraiser, 2018 2019; Cypress Mountain volunteer ski instructor (kids camp), 2007 2009

Housing, transportation, environment, finance.

Fiscal responsibility/accountability Improve access to and through community Support townhouse/duplex proposals and other housing alternatives respectful of neighbourhood character. Revitalization village centres Reinstate dignity and decorum of council

Ensure public engagement before wasting tax dollars on studies for projects that will never be approved Focus on infrastructure, garbage, reduction of red tape to encourage investment in commercial zones

Keen Lau

Rima Martinez

Scott Snider

Bill Soprovich

Sharon Thompson

secondary school teacher

CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER - SD44 Daniel Anderson

Infrastructure maintenance and development, providing programs aimed at post graduation goals, consulting stakeholders in the board’s decision making and finding ways to best support in class learning at schools.

The budget. Drop off in international student enrolment during COVID combined with inflationary pressures have stretched our capacity to fund important programs Consideration of where funds will have the greatest impact on welfare and learning.

culture and development strategist, actor, improvisor, instructor

Like all trustees, my primary responsibilities will be good governance, financial stewardship, and supporting student achievement. The health and well being of students is of particular priority for me

registered nurse Safety in the school, teachers shortage, lessons from the pandemic, the decisions that are made, did it serve the students well? After school programs, do we have enough programs after school that can help the students?

Pace and localization of development in North Vancouver continues to present challenges for the school district. Forecasting the management of capital assets will be key Lailani Tumaneng

business owner

Antje Wilson

To ensure our school board works together, listens to the community and prioritizes enriching and supporting our students to see them achieve their goals.

Before the pandemic we are preoccupied with social media Violence in school is on the rise, shortage of teachers and support staff We need to go back to basics, listen and communicate, work together to give students a safe place to learn and grow.

The need to balance the needs of diverse learners in a classroom is a big challenge in our public school system. The school board should continue to support our educators and student body with programs that help positive student learning outcomes

DISTRICT OF NORTH VANCOUVER - SD44 Jennifer Branston

Linda Munro

full time volunteer

Diversity, equity and inclusion; truth and reconciliation; equitable access to education, social, emotional, mental health resources and training; transparency and accountability; environmental sustainability; outdoor learning

Equity and equality It is vital to understand the difference between the two and how we can meaningfully achieve this. I would like to see an equity audit occur to inform SD44 in their decision making processes

school trustee incumbent

school trustee and North Shore Safety Council communications co ordinator incumbent

communications at Capilano University and school trustee incumbent

I will continue my work to create improved policies to combat racism, sexism, and ableism; to break down the barriers surrounding mental health; increase focus on the safety of students and staff, and ensure transparency

My priorities are to create an inclusive, diverse and equitable school district where everyone has a sense of place. To respectfully collaborate, build relationships and ensure well being for all in NVSD as a team player.

To see NVSD offer exceptional learning opportunities, foster a sense of belonging in schools, support mental health and well being, assist complex learners to succeed and further reconciliation through education

full time student Focus on developing practical life skills for students (critical thinking, financial literacy) Creating opportunities for talented students to excel, improving procedures on bullying, updating sex and drug education

law librarian (head, UBC Law Library), adjunct professor (Peter A Allard School of Law) and school trustee incumbent

Increase student and staff wellness; advance inclusivity; support diverse learners; advance truth and reconciliation; enhance learning with innovation and technology; professional development; good governance; sustainability.

Mental health stigma, ableism and racism. These areas directly impact learning outcomes for students and negatively affect morale and employee retention Highlight specific challenges needing to be addressed and create space for dialogue for change.

Healing and getting back to normalcy in our schools

Funding is always an issue as there are lots of priorities but limited funds that we decide how are allocated. Be transparent, balance the budget and advocate to ministry on behalf of NVSD

Following two years of COVID 19 restrictions, we know some students thrived learning independently, but many did not Focus on creating environments and school cultures that promote well being Be intentional about building community in classrooms.

An education system that doesn’t teach students the core skills they need to succeed in the 21st century Classes focus on learning information, but rarely on how to use or understand it At school board level, critical thinking can be emphasized

As we continue to live with COVID 19, mental health and wellness is a key priority We must increase mental health awareness and reduce stigma by promoting and resourcing mental, physical, and emotional health strategies, incl. early interventions.

Jullian Kolstee

Cyndi Gerlach

Kulvir Mann

Layne North

George Tsiakos

TRUSTEE Occupation

DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER - SD45

Lynne Block

school trustee and educator (B A , masters in edu admin, Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence) incumbent

Build a brighter future for our children and grandchildren, by driving excellence in education, improving student outcomes, and working together to create a healthy, safe and positive school district for all

The budget Unfunded cost increases, inflation, and budgeting for increased cleaning and teachers teaching on call costs, while having one of the lowest funding allocations in the province, all combine for increased strains on budget and contingency

Carolyn Broady

school trustee and president of BC School Trustees Association incumbent

school trustee incumbent

To continue to ensure every student reaches their full potential We must refocus on the learning agenda, ensuring students leave our schools with the skills to successfully transition to post secondary, or a rewarding career

Champion innovative programming and support vibrant school communities that students and families are proud to belong to Push for solutions to the long standing issue of inadequate funds for technology

With rising inflation and unfunded cost increases, the board will find it challenging to balance the 2023 24 budget Advocate to government for adequate, stable and predictable funding while ensuring the board carefully considers every option

Provincial funding realities and reduced size of the international program will be challenging Tough choices to balance the budget may be required to keep the essential work that has led to positive outcomes and top graduation rates for students.

Sheelah Donahue

school trustee incumbent

school trustee and college administrator incumbent

Centring student achievement within a culture of innovation and excellence that includes supports for all students and staff

Fiscal. We passed a budget that maintains teacher librarians, music programs, and daytime custodians no easy task and few districts have been able to do this Spend responsibly, increase locally generated revenue streams, advocate for increased funding.

Continue to raise student achievement, recruit the best staff, continue to use every taxpayer dollar wisely, manage the effectiveness of all school district programs, and find additional revenue to support the school district

Well being of our students and staff Shifts around assessment and reporting to better address the educational outcome. Inclusion.

Supporting best education practices, improving student achievement, protecting funding for classroom and core services, skilfully managing budget, listening to community, advocating to Victoria, finding new staff and supporting senior staff

Attracting and keeping qualified educators It would also be my hope that we can reach successful negotiations with teachers in the upcoming collective agreement discussions

Nicole Brown

Dave Stevenson

Felicia Zhu

educator