The Black Press News team sent a series of questions to mayors in Greater Victoria. These seven found the time to respond during the busy holiday season.
Metchosin Mayor John Ranns
Q: What is your New Year’s resolution this year?
A: To survive four more years.
Q: What do you want for Christmas? (municipality related)
A: An infrastructure grant for Metchosin school.
Q: What is your top priority for 2019?
A: Partner once again with Beecher Bay First Nation to explore the full potential of Mary Hill.
Q: Who is your vote for most influential politician living in Greater Victoria not named John Horgan?
A: Barb Desjardins
Q: If you could change/improve one thing about Greater Victoria as a whole, what would it be?
A: Make the CRD more accountable.
Colwood Mayor Rob Martin
Q: What is your New Year’s resolution this year?
A: My New Year’s resolution is to be more active and take advantage of all the amazing opportunities that West Shore Parks and Recreation has to offer right here in Colwood.
Q: What do you want for Christmas? (municipality related)
A: The best gift would be progress toward establishing a world-class seaside village at Royal Bay, with waterfront restaurants, boutique shopping, oceanside festivals and incredible walking and cycling connections.
Q: What is your top priority for 2019?
A: Traffic congestion. I want to work with the Ministry of Transportation, local municipalities, BC Transit, and other partners to make sure funding is allocated for the priorities already laid out in existing regional plans that will alleviate traffic congestion.
Q: Who is your vote for most influential politician living in Greater Victoria not named John Horgan?
A: The most influential politicians in Greater Victoria right now are those involved in the South Island Prosperity Project, which has a phenomenal chance of bringing $10 million dollars into our region for innovative transportation solutions.
Q: If you could change/improve one thing about Greater Victoria as a whole, what would it be?
A: Traffic congestion is affecting people’s quality of life. We need the determination to follow through on existing plans, the courage to invest in innovative solutions, and the foresight to plan for shifting technologies.
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps
Q: What is your New Year’s resolution this year?
A: Write a blog post every week at lisahelpsvictoria.ca.
Q: What do you want for Christmas? (municipality related)
A: A reinvigoration of the public sphere and civil society, a deeper dialogue on important issues and an increased sense of connection and belonging among people who hold differing points of view.
Q: What is your top priority for 2019?
A: Affordable housing. Climate action. Economic prosperity.
Q: Who is your vote for most influential politician living in Greater Victoria not named John Horgan?
A: Colin Plant, CRD chair, he has the potential to be very influential in 2019 if the rest of us support him and the work of the CRD board.
Q: If you could change/improve one thing about Greater Victoria as a whole, what would it be?
A: Transportation. We need an integrated multimodal transportation network that is convenient, green and affordable.
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins
Q: What is your New Year’s resolution this year?
A: To continue my fitness regime, explore all opportunities for Esquimalt, and stop and smell the roses daily.
Q: What do you want for Christmas? (municipality related)
A: A beautiful day so that everyone can get out a feel good no matter what else may be going on in their lives. This would also give those having to work, a slow day.
Q: What is your top priority for 2019?
A: Review and decide on projects under the $17 amenity funds and get more medical services in Esquimalt, there is a critical need for an emergency acute care center in Esquimalt.
Q: Who is your vote for most influential politician living in Greater Victoria not named John Horgan?
A: Carol James.
Q: If you could change/improve one thing about Greater Victoria as a whole, what would it be?
A: Have the E&N corridor being used to provide commuter service to alleviate congestion.
Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes
Q: What is your New Year’s resolution this year?
A: As mayor of Saanich, my resolution is to continue doing all I can to enable members of council and our staff to be as effective as possible in delivering the best outcomes for the residents of Saanich.
Q: What do you want for Christmas? (municipality related)
A: More housing, daycare, expanded commercial tax base and climate change mitigation.
Q: What is your top priority for 2019?
A: Continued improvements in high-quality Saanich services.
Q: Who is your vote for most influential politician living in Greater Victoria not named John Horgan?
A: Carol James.
Q: If you could change/improve one thing about Greater Victoria as a whole, what would it be?
A: Improved supply of housing.
Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch
Q: What is your New Year’s resolution this year?
A: Spend more time outdoors and with my family
Q: What do you want for Christmas? (municipality related)
A: Fewer deer.
Q: What is your top priority for 2019?
A: A budget that addresses our infrastructure and a housing plan that addresses our community needs.
Q: Who is your vote for most influential politician living in Greater Victoria not named John Horgan?
A: Andrew Weaver.
Q: If you could change/improve one thing about Greater Victoria as a whole, what would it be?
A: Events for all ages to build social connections and a sense of community.
View Royal Mayor David Screech
Q: What is your New Year’s resolution this year?
A: To see a regional transportation service/authority formed.
Q: What do you want for Christmas? (municipality related)
A: More affordable housing for our town and a train running again on the E&N.
Q: What is your top priority for 2019?
A: Housing and transportation.
Q: Who is your vote for most influential politician living in Greater Victoria not named John Horgan?
A: Elizabeth May.
Q: If you could change/improve one thing about Greater Victoria as a whole, what would it be?
A: Housing costs.
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