Green spaces give families places to gather, children room to play and residents opportunities to walk, exercise and enjoy nature. But people will not use these spaces if they do not feel safe. Parks and trails need regular maintenance, good visibility, appropriate lighting, accessible pathways and timely responses when problems are reported. As Abbotsford grows, we must protect the green spaces we already have, include them in new neighbourhood planning and ensure they remain places everyone can enjoy with confidence.

Most Abbotsford residents still depend on private vehicles to get to work, shop, attend appointments and take their children to activities. When developments, businesses or community facilities do not provide enough parking, vehicles spill into surrounding residential streets, block driveways and create frustration and safety concerns for neighbours. Until transit provides a reliable alternative, we cannot reduce parking requirements without considering the real consequences. New developments, downtown projects and recreation facilities need parking based on how they will actually be used, including accessible spaces and safe drop-off areas. Parking decisions should consider the location, nearby residents, business needs, available transit and actual demand and not rely on a one-size-fits-all approach.

People should be able to walk or cycle without being placed at unnecessary risk. That means addressing missing sidewalks, unsafe crossings, poor lighting and bike routes that suddenly end or leave cyclists competing with heavy traffic. Improvements should connect people to schools, transit stops, businesses, parks and recreation and not be built in isolation. Decisions must be based on safety, actual use and responsible spending while recognizing that walking and cycling are important parts of a complete transportation system.

Zoning may sound technical, but it shapes how people experience their city every day. It affects whether a business can open or expand, whether people can work closer to home and whether growing neighbourhoods have space for recreation, parks and community services. We need to plan ahead and identify land for future facilities before every available property is developed. We must also protect appropriate employment and industrial land so businesses that provide good-paying jobs can locate and grow here. At the same time, zoning and rezoning processes should be clear, timely and predictable. Good planning should protect neighbourhoods while making it easier, not harder, to invest in Abbotsford.

Zoning may sound technical, but it shapes how people experience their city every day. It affects whether a business can open or expand, whether people can work closer to home and whether growing neighbourhoods have space for recreation, parks and community services. We need to plan ahead and identify land for future facilities before every available property is developed. We must also protect appropriate employment and industrial land so businesses that provide good-paying jobs can locate and grow here. At the same time, zoning and rezoning processes should be clear, timely and predictable. Good planning should protect neighbourhoods while making it easier, not harder, to invest in Abbotsford.

I will review budget proposals carefully and ask whether spending is necessary, effective and aligned with the priorities of Abbotsford residents. This does not mean automatically cutting services or rejecting worthwhile investments. Responsible budgeting means understanding the full cost of decisions, including long-term operating and maintenance expenses, while ensuring essential services are protected. I will ask for clear information, measurable outcomes and transparent reporting so residents can understand how their money is being used. As one member of Council, I cannot make budget decisions alone, but I can come prepared, ask difficult questions and advocate for every taxpayer dollar to be spent responsibly.

Good governance means residents should be able to understand how decisions are made, receive clear answers from City Hall and know who is accountable for results. I will listen to different perspectives, review the facts, challenge assumptions and explain the reasoning behind my decisions. I will advocate for clear processes, reasonable timelines and regular reporting on whether approved plans are delivering what was promised. My goal is a City Hall that treats residents and businesses with respect, communicates openly and turns good decisions into meaningful action.

I am already listening to and engaging with residents, businesses, City workers and community organizations to better understand what is working and where change is needed. I will continue those conversations, consider a range of perspectives and use what I learn alongside the facts when making decisions. I will communicate clearly and explain why I support or oppose important proposals. Residents may not always agree with my decisions, but they deserve to know that their concerns were heard and taken seriously.

Some enthusiastic young people have joined my campaign, and their involvement has reminded me how important it is to hear directly from the generation that will live longest with the decisions we make today. I want to better understand what would encourage young people to build their lives in Abbotsford, including affordable housing, good-paying jobs, transportation, recreation and community spaces. I will look for practical ways to connect with youth, listen to their ideas and ensure their perspectives are part of my decision-making.

Public safety involves more than policing. Well-lit streets, reliable transportation, safe parks, accessible recreation, mental health and addiction supports, and strong neighbourhood connections can help prevent problems before they become emergencies. I will support programs such as Citizens Patrol and Block Watch and explore opportunities to strengthen their presence in our community. These approaches should complement effective policing while addressing the conditions that contribute to crime, disorder and people feeling unsafe.

Effective policing requires adequate staffing, training, equipment and community resources. Funding decisions should consider population growth, crime trends, response demands and the pressures facing frontline officers. I will listen to the Police Board and police leadership, review the evidence behind budget requests and ask how proposed spending will improve public safety. My goal is to ensure AbbyPD has the resources needed to serve our growing community while maintaining transparency and accountability for taxpayer dollars.

If someone raises a concern about police conduct, they deserve to be listened to and told clearly where to take their complaint. I will not dismiss a concern because it is uncomfortable, but I will also not make assumptions before the facts are known. I will ask questions, support a proper review and expect clear accountability if wrongdoing is found. Public trust depends on complaints being handled fairly, openly and seriously.

Police are often called after a problem has already reached a crisis point. We also need to look at what is contributing to those problems in the first place. Addiction, untreated mental-health concerns, homelessness, unemployment and a lack of positive opportunities for young people can all affect community safety. The City cannot solve these issues alone, but it can work with the Province, police, service providers and community organizations to support practical solutions. Prevention will not replace policing, but it can reduce pressure on police and help make our community safer over the long term.

Abbotsford has grown, but our recreation facilities have not kept pace. I raised four children who were heavily involved in sports, so I know firsthand how arenas, pools, fields and community centres bring families together and give young people a place to belong. We need to stop planning only for today and make responsible investments that will serve our community for decades. That means choosing accessible locations, addressing underserved areas such as West Abbotsford, and building flexible, multipurpose facilities that can support many activities—not facilities designed around one limited use. I will push for clear priorities, realistic timelines, funding partnerships and recreation investments that provide lasting value for taxpayers.

Green spaces give families places to gather, children room to play and residents opportunities to walk, exercise and enjoy nature. But people will not use these spaces if they do not feel safe. Parks and trails need regular maintenance, good visibility, appropriate lighting, accessible pathways and timely responses when problems are reported. As Abbotsford grows, we must protect the green spaces we already have, include them in new neighbourhood planning and ensure they remain places everyone can enjoy with confidence.

Abbotsford is growing quickly, but our health infrastructure is not keeping up. Residents struggle to find family doctors or timely care, which puts even more pressure on an already overcrowded emergency room. Our healthcare workers are doing their best, but they cannot make up for a shortage of beds, clinics, treatment spaces and community-based services. People should not be waiting in hallways because there is nowhere else for them to go. Although healthcare is a provincial responsibility, the effects are felt right here in Abbotsford. I will keep this issue in front of the Province and Fraser Health and push for a plan that addresses both today’s pressures and the needs of our growing community. The City must also be ready with appropriate land, infrastructure and timely approvals when new health facilities are proposed.

Public washrooms are a basic service, but simply building more of them is not enough. When facilities are damaged, poorly maintained or used for drug activity, families, seniors and other residents may no longer feel safe using them. We need to consider location, design, lighting, regular cleaning, appropriate staffing and timely responses when problems occur. This may also require cooperation among City workers, police, outreach services and community organizations. Public washrooms should remain available to the people who need them, but they must be managed in a way that protects both public access and public safety.

Residents should be able to walk or cycle safely in their neighbourhoods, but improvements need to be based on actual need, safety and responsible use of public funds. I would prioritize dangerous areas, missing sidewalk connections and routes that people will use to reach important destinations. Bike routes should form useful connections rather than being added in isolation. These investments must also be balanced with other transportation needs, including reliable public transit and maintaining the roads and sidewalks we already have.

Zoning may sound technical, but it shapes how people experience their city every day. It affects whether a business can open or expand, whether people can work closer to home and whether growing neighbourhoods have space for recreation, parks and community services. We need to plan ahead and identify land for future facilities before every available property is developed. We must also protect appropriate employment and industrial land so businesses that provide good-paying jobs can locate and grow here. At the same time, zoning and rezoning processes should be clear, timely and predictable. Good planning should protect neighbourhoods while making it easier, not harder, to invest in Abbotsford.

Most Abbotsford residents still depend on private vehicles to get to work, shop, attend appointments and take their children to activities. When developments, businesses or community facilities do not provide enough parking, vehicles spill into surrounding residential streets, block driveways and create frustration and safety concerns for neighbours. Until transit provides a reliable alternative, we cannot reduce parking requirements without considering the real consequences. New developments, downtown projects and recreation facilities need parking based on how they will actually be used, including accessible spaces and safe drop-off areas. Parking decisions should consider the location, nearby residents, business needs, available transit and actual demand and not rely on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Residents should be able to walk or cycle safely in their neighbourhoods, but improvements need to be based on actual need, safety and responsible use of public funds. I would prioritize dangerous areas, missing sidewalk connections and routes that people will use to reach important destinations. Bike routes should form useful connections rather than being added in isolation. These investments must also be balanced with other transportation needs, including reliable public transit and maintaining the roads and sidewalks we already have.

Transit is not useful if the bus does not go where people need it, runs too infrequently or stops before their workday ends. I have heard from residents who have been left walking long distances, sometimes after dark, because no practical bus service was available. That is not good enough for a growing city.

Transit planning must connect neighbourhoods with major employment areas, schools, healthcare, shopping and recreation. It must also consider shift workers and people who do not work traditional hours. I will support projects based on actual ridership needs, service gaps and clear results, not simply adding routes that look good on a map. Better transit also supports our economy by helping businesses attract workers and allowing more residents to live and work in Abbotsford. I will advocate with BC Transit for better routes, more frequent service and hours that reflect how people actually live and work.

People should be able to walk or cycle without being placed at unnecessary risk. That means addressing missing sidewalks, unsafe crossings, poor lighting and bike routes that suddenly end or leave cyclists competing with heavy traffic. Improvements should connect people to schools, transit stops, businesses, parks and recreation and not be built in isolation. Decisions must be based on safety, actual use and responsible spending while recognizing that walking and cycling are important parts of a complete transportation system.