Where I stand
Chilliwack doesn’t stop at its own boundaries. The housing that gets built here, the trails people use, the services that keep people well — none of it belongs to one government.
It works when the city, our Indigenous neighbours, the regional district and the province each carry their piece, and it stalls when we argue about who does what.
That’s what all three of these are about. And underneath: what does it cost, who pays for it, and what do we get?
An affordable Chilliwack that grows sustainably
This is about growth that works, and housing that people can afford.
Chilliwack is growing fast, and the province has told us to keep going. We should. We need the homes — and building them is a big part of how housing becomes affordable again.
The job isn’t to slow that down. It’s to plan the infrastructure properly so growth doesn’t arrive faster than the water, sewer and roads that serve it, and so the cost of getting it wrong doesn’t land on people who’ve been here for decades. That takes looking further ahead than one budget cycle.
It also means being honest about where growth is happening. A large share of new housing in this area is built on Indigenous land, and the city services much of that growth in partnership with our neighbours — but the province won’t count it toward the targets we’re measured against. Council has raised this two years running. There are consequences to not hitting the provincial targets which could involve the province forcing us to grow even faster than we sustainably able to do.
Trails, and the people who build them
I’m out on Chilliwack’s trails most weeks. What I’ve noticed is that almost none of them are one jurisdiction’s work. Qoqó:lem Trail runs to the city boundary and keeps going. The Cheam trail, one of Chilliwack’s favorite hikes, is maintained by the Fraser Valley Regional District on behalf of Recreation Sites and Trails BC. A volunteer crew built the section you’re running on, and somebody else maintains the next one.
Our trail network is one of the best things about living here. Not only do they bring visitors into town, but there is a trail for every ability level, and they are great for our physical and mental health. I will push to keep maximizing opportunities to create and build trails and parks in partnership with volunteers and other jurisdictions.
I’m thankful for the natural beauty all around us, from the agricultural land in the flats, to the rivers and their trails, to the mountains and forested areas.
Together we can protect, maintain, and continue to access the beauty all around us.
Working with the province, not around it
Chilliwack spends millions each year managing homelessness — security, bylaw, fire, cleanup. I don’t know anybody who thinks it’s a good long-term solution.
Quietly picking up the tab doesn’t get us anywhere. When a city funds something long enough, the province stops thinking about funding it at all.
I will be a voice on council to advocate for provincial funding that promotes recovery and prevention services. One request would be locally staffed, easily accessible, supervised detox beds to allow anyone who is ready to take the first step into recovery without a wait-list. Another request is continued funding for prevention programs. I know seniors who are one emergency payment away from losing their home, and I’ve met young people who are no longer welcome at home and falling through the cracks of our support systems.
This isn’t about spending more as a City. It’s about continuously advocating for resources that will go where they will benefit the residents and City of Chilliwack the most.
Think I’ve got something wrong?
I’m having coffee with anyone who asks between now and October 17. I’d rather hear it now than after the election.