Burlington Ward 1

1. Q1. What do you use to get around?

   I currently work in a different community and am required to have a vehicle for my job a requirement, so I drive (commute).

2. Q2. Transit ridership is increasing, and is going to play a key role in how we move around Burlington and Halton Region. How do you envision transit expanding in the future, and what specifically would you look to improve? What will you do to improve transit rider experience and accessibility?

   Transit needs to be reliable and accessible to people so they can get across the city and to neighbouring communities with ease and efficiency. Working with communities on each side to have seamless transfers and connections. Working with the transit staff to use data and ridership to understand routes, number of users during operating hours and fluctuations in needs (older adult, students, commuter’s), accessibility of stops and pickup/ drop off locations, and the needs of people using the transit services.

3. Q3. Vision zero sets to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. How much progress do you believe that Burlington has made towards achieving vision zero, and if elected, what type of action or measures would you implement to achieve vision zero? Feel free to provide any places that have implemented things successfully.

   The Vision Zero program that was designed to set out strategies, tools, and city measures to prevent collisions resulting in death or injury can been noted in some a areas that have seen new traffic calming turning lanes/corners to manage excessive speed. There have been the start of the cycling network through the city beginning in the west end. Realizing the Integrated system timeline for 30 years, there is much that still needs to be accomplished. Action that can be more immediate to have positive impact would be to review traffic signal controls to slow traffic down or move it ore efficiently by using data to understand the traffic timing, day use, highway overflow, or even construction needs. Looking at other communities (Hamilton) that have implemented advanced pedestrian crossing before vehicle traffic flows to see how it has lowered pedestrian-vehicle incidents and giving more time to allow accessible crossing. And review of effective traffic calming measures such as road calming tools, traffic circles, reduced speeds, visual signage, roadway design, and enforcement.

4. Q4. Historically, we have prioritized investment on the movement of cars. If elected, how will you vote on future transportation investments? Are you prepared to vote in favour of spending that will improve the safety of those travelling within the city?

   Safety will always be a priority for any transportation spending.

5. Q5. Providing a comfortable and accessible experience for street users is important for getting people to walk and cycle more. How will you improve the experience of those walking and cycling on our streets and trails? How will you address barriers such as provincial highways?

   Comfort and accessibility are important to people walking and cycling in our community, however, so is efficiency, safety, speed and convenience. Without multi-use trails, proper lighting, reduced risk, change remains challenging. Partnerships, funding and planned budgeting for future investment toward barriers.

6. Q6. Bicycle infrastructure (e.g. protected bike lanes, slower roads, protected intersections) has been shown to improve the safety of cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. Do you support the expansion of this infrastructure?

   I support strategy/planning that improves safety and utilizes funds responsibly for the community.

7. Q7. How do you see transportation’s effect on people’s health and the environment (local and global)?

   Transportation has large impact on our health and the environment. Using locally sourced products and services not only financially supports our community, but it lessens the environmental impact from pollution (burning fossil fuels and carbon monoxide), traffic accidents, construction and road maintenance, noise and stress on the environment. All of these negative impacts have direct implications for individual health, including sleep quality (noise), respiratory and cardiovascular systems (pollution and sedentary lifestyles).

8. Q8. Historically, our land-use patterns have made it more difficult for people to get around without a car. Are there any land-use policy changes that you would make to remedy this issue?

   We have introduced new strategies and tools to work toward a shift in land-use patterns. Policy change needs to be reflective of our community and supporting the current need while planning for the future.

We sent this candidate our survey. We did not receive a response. If one arrives, we’ll add it here.

1. Q1. What do you use to get around?

   I use several things to get around. I do drive a pick up truck as I tow trailers, boats and plow the snow at my business so it really is a work vehicle for me and my family. My wife drives a Hybrid van.

   When not driving, I have campaigned my last 2 elections on roller blades and now using a basic scooter. I am also fortunate enough to live a few blocks from the business that I own and frequently walk to work.

2. Q2. Transit ridership is increasing, and is going to play a key role in how we move around Burlington and Halton Region. How do you envision transit expanding in the future, and what specifically would you look to improve? What will you do to improve transit rider experience and accessibility?

   I have been an advocate for transit since elected and supported both the free transit for seniors and students. I would like to see transit expanded in our future to fully service our Go Stations. We need to fill the last mile traveled with efficient transit service so that people are less reliant on their vehicles and parking is not required at our go stations. All of our large buses should be accessible with ramps and spaces for wheelchairs. Front racks for bicycles as well.

3. Q3. Vision zero sets to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. How much progress do you believe that Burlington has made towards achieving vision zero, and if elected, what type of action or measures would you implement to achieve vision zero? Feel free to provide any places that have implemented things successfully.

   I do think Burlington has made progress towards vision zero and a great example is the off road bike lanes that were implemented on Plains Road in Aldershot and now safer bike lanes on Prospect street. I will continue to support the completion of the main cycling spine network through our city which is the Plains road and Fairview corridor. The next phase on Plains road starts next year running from Waterdown road to Shadeland.

   I would also like to see more overhead crosswalks throughout our city. I think that crossing guards do not feel entirely safe and should be supported and busy crossings with overhead flashing lights. We just had one of these implemented on King road at Cherrywood drive.

4. Q4. Historically, we have prioritized investment on the movement of cars. If elected, how will you vote on future transportation investments? Are you prepared to vote in favour of spending that will improve the safety of those travelling within the city?

   I would not support any further investment in road widening within our city. This is a recipe for inviting more vehicles into our city when they should remain on the highways. I will support new investments in cycling infrastructure and walking paths. After visiting Calgary this summer and observing an entire network of cycling and walking paths, Burlington can do better. We have a new walking path in Tyandaga that I supported that connects walkers from the Golf course to City View park. These types of paths are essential for local residents to exercise and enjoy the outdoors in our city.

5. Q5. Providing a comfortable and accessible experience for street users is important for getting people to walk and cycle more. How will you improve the experience of those walking and cycling on our streets and trails? How will you address barriers such as provincial highways?

   I believe people would enjoy cycling more if they felt safe. The off-road bike lanes are essential to this endeavour. After visiting the Netherlands last year, I observed clearly defined lanes for cycling beside walking lanes. They also had many parking spaces for bikes at all train stations and local businesses. I believe we need more visible parking solutions for bikes to that usage is visible and encouraged.

   With regards to our Provincial highway crossings, I have long supported and anticipated a bridge crossing that is in our long term plans for the Brant street area. We are investing in our east/west bike lanes but also need to consider north/south for the network to really work. Under bridge crossings need to feel safe moving forward.

6. Q6. Bicycle infrastructure (e.g. protected bike lanes, slower roads, protected intersections) has been shown to improve the safety of cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. Do you support the expansion of this infrastructure?

   I have answered this for the most part above but yes I fully support additional investments in our cycling infrastructure.

7. Q7. How do you see transportation’s effect on people’s health and the environment (local and global)?

   I do find that people that spend too much time in travel and traffic situations are not as happy as those that do not. A changing work environment and work from home abilities have helped people depend less on long commutes to work. In my role of Deputy Mayor of Business, and board work with Economic Development, we aim to bring more business and jobs to our local economy so that we have more opportunities for local residents to work. Living and working in the same community is a dream of many and should be prioritized.

8. Q8. Historically, our land-use patterns have made it more difficult for people to get around without a car. Are there any land-use policy changes that you would make to remedy this issue?

   I am fully supportive of building intensified communities around our train stations. This change in land use policy for Ontario started 10 years ago but we haven’t seen the benefits yet as the building industry is currently slumping due to market conditions. Much of the world has residents living close to train stations to avoid auto dependence. We in North America are only recently moving in this direction and it will be welcomed. We cannot expand our roads much further to accommodate more vehicles. This only places stress on local streets, parking infrastructure and pollution.

   We need to stop building communities that sprawl onto green spaces and create car dependency. Intensifying from within our cities is the path that I would support moving forward.