Another candidate announces intent to run in the upcoming municipal election.
Andrew Stinson launches his second election campaign, the first being for an Oak Bay council seat four years ago – an experience he says was very rewarding.
He is a familiar face around council meetings both from consistently attending as a citizen, as well as participating as a member of the Heritage Conservation Area Working Group, the Advisory Planning Commission and the Environmental Advisory Committee.
“I believe I bring a lot of experience. I’ve attended council meetings for seven years and have a good sense of what’s going on,” said Stinson. “I think I can bring a different perspective that isn’t really on council.”
The only time the 25-year-old took a break from attending council meetings was while he was in London, England, completing his Master’s degree in comparative politics with a specialization in political economy at the London School of Economics.
He has returned to Oak Bay and is currently working in the BC Civil Service.
Stinson regularly spends time at Oak Bay High coaching Bays United soccer and the Debate Club.
In terms of policy, Stinson sees the affordability crisis as one of the big issues Oak Bay needs to tackle sooner rather than later.
“Young families and people with good government jobs aren’t going to be able to move here and seniors are going to be priced out. I think that diversity is what is great about our community. Dealing with the affordability crisis is one of my top priorities,” said Stinson.
The infrastructure budget is also high on the list. A middle ground needs to be found, he says, to balance the interests of current and future residents.
Heritage retention and environmental protection are also key topics.
“It’s not like the sky is falling right now, but if we continue to push things off to the future or move too slowly on these, it could degrade and hurt what we love about Oak Bay,” said Stinson.
Find out more on his website at electstinson.com.
