Bill McKay Candidate profile approved

"Nanaimo must keep pace with housing demand while ensuring qualified buyers can afford the homes being built. As the community grows and attracts new residents, the City should explore new ways to maintain an adequate supply of affordable housing. The City and Council should streamline development approvals so rezoning applications take months, not years. They should also review fees, charges, and procedures to help affordable housing projects move forward quickly and at a reasonable cost. More work is needed to ensure growth and development are well planned. Before approving a project, the City should determine whether existing infrastructure and transportation systems can support it, assess its environmental impact, and confirm that it is located within a neighbourhood node or a complete community where people can live, work, and play close to home. "

"Budget Discipline. Council sets property taxes and must remain mindful of that responsibility. After property assessments are issued, Council has sufficient time to determine the revenue needed to fund the budget. The budget should therefore be set within the revenue realistically available—a decision Council is responsible for making. Understanding Nanaimo’s Tax Burden. Residents have repeatedly told me that Nanaimo’s property taxes are too high compared with those in other Vancouver Island communities. Although our taxes exceed those in many other cities, Nanaimo also covers an unusually large geographic area, which increases infrastructure costs. Expanding the Tax Base. To reduce the tax burden, the City should: • encourage commercial and industrial development; • support greater density when existing buildings are replaced; and • prioritize renewal in already developed areas. As more taxpayers are added, the tax cost per $100,000 of assessed property value can gradually decline. "

"Hospital Infrastructure and Cardiac Care. The Province continues to delay a catheterization lab and new patient tower at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. Through the Regional District of Nanaimo, the City is responsible for 40% of the capital cost and has been setting aside funds. The Province must now provide its share and authorize the projects to proceed. NRGH is a tertiary hospital, it serves approximately 500,000 people north of the Malahat. Nanaimo is the only community of this size in British Columbia without the equipment and services needed to deliver life-saving cardiac care. Transfers to Victoria take valuable time and can affect patient outcomes. Improving Access to Primary Care. Although operating a medical clinic may seem beyond the City’s traditional role, other Vancouver Island communities have demonstrated that this approach can succeed. I strongly support providing municipal seed funding to establish a public health clinic in Nanaimo. A community clinic would give residents better access to essential primary care while reducing pressure and wait times in NRGH’s emergency department. "

"Planning for Sustainable Growth. Nanaimo’s comprehensive community plan provides a strong framework for decisions about zoning, density, and long-term growth. As development proceeds, the City must ensure that essential infrastructure—including water, sewer, and transportation systems—can support added density without becoming overburdened. Complete Communities. I strongly support creating neighbourhoods where people can live, work, and play, with essential services and amenities available close to home. "

"Focus Local Transit on Local Needs. Nanaimo’s transit system should concentrate on delivering reliable service within the community, using appropriately sized vehicles and schedules that meet riders’ needs. Costly, heavily subsidized routes to other communities can reduce the resources available for local service. A separate regional entity could instead invite private operators to provide intercity bus connections. Make Active Transportation Safer and More Accessible. As driving costs rise, more residents want to travel by bicycle or on foot, but many consider Nanaimo’s roads unsafe for cycling. As budgets allow, the City should continue investing in safe active-transportation infrastructure and give walking, cycling, transit, and driving equal consideration in transportation decisions. Nanaimo should also actively pursue provincial and federal funding to expand this infrastructure so there are more safe routes throughout the City. "

"Streamline Approvals for Non-Market Housing. Nanaimo has many local non-profit organizations with expertise in providing non-market housing. Yet one project has remained under rezoning review for more than a year. The City should comprehensively review its approval process and consider dedicated review streams, with specialized teams fast-tracking projects that offer the greatest community benefit while other applications follow the standard process. Address the Missing Middle. Although the Province has invested significant effort and resources in housing people with the greatest needs, Nanaimo must also expand options for residents who are being priced out of suitable homes, including: • single parents earning minimum wage; • seniors on fixed incomes who lose their homes through renovation-related evictions; • newcomer families who can afford only an undersized apartment; and • young families who need attainable alternatives to a single-family home. Create More Attainable Housing Choices. As a community, we must develop practical, innovative housing options that reflect a wider range of needs and incomes. We should welcome every credible opportunity to help residents find safe, comfortable homes they can afford and thrive in. "

"Explore a Range of Housing Models. A major challenge in addressing homelessness is the level of resources required by the single model currently under consideration. Successful approaches used elsewhere in Canada and the United States may offer effective alternatives and should be carefully evaluated. Provide Individualized Paths to Recovery. Too many people have become trapped in cycles of addiction and need meaningful support to move forward. Because needs and circumstances vary, no single solution will work for everyone. Coordinate All Levels of Government. Effective support requires municipal, provincial, and federal governments to work collaboratively toward one shared goal: helping community members recover and improve their well-being. I am committed to working with senior governments to address these complex challenges. "

"Create a Welcoming Investment Climate. The City’s most important role in supporting jobs, businesses, and economic development is to make Nanaimo a place where investment is welcomed and businesses can prosper. Complex regulations and lengthy development processes can discourage investment and drive opportunities to other communities. Nanaimo should adopt a solutions-focused approach that helps worthwhile projects move forward. Support Businesses at Every Stage. When new industries consider Nanaimo, the City should ask focused questions about their operations, workforce, and requirements for success. After a project is completed, City staff should follow up with the business to assess its experience and identify ways to improve municipal support. "

"Provincial Decisions and Local Impacts. Many of the public-safety measures the City has had to introduce stem directly from provincial decisions. For example, low-barrier housing can create unintended challenges in surrounding areas, including public drug use, theft, and disorder. BC Housing has stated that providing security around these provincially supported facilities is not its responsibility, leaving municipalities to bear the cost. This approach is neither reasonable nor fair to Nanaimo taxpayers. Shared Responsibility for Community Safety. The City must protect residents while pressing the Province to take responsibility for security in the areas surrounding its facilities. "

"Learn from Successful Downtowns. Nanaimo faces many of the same downtown challenges as communities across North America. We should study proven approaches, learn from municipal leaders who have achieved results, and adapt successful ideas to Nanaimo’s needs. By creating conditions in which businesses and residents can thrive, we can attract new investment, activity, and people downtown. Activate Streets to Improve Safety. A busier downtown, with more people using and informally monitoring public spaces, can help discourage crime and create a safer, more welcoming environment for people of all ages. Use Available Expertise and Resources. Nanaimo can draw on existing knowledge, partnerships, and resources; the City must actively seek them out and put them to work. "

" Learn from Climate-Resilience Research. Universities and insurance companies have conducted extensive research on how climate change affects cities. Dr. Blair Feltmate, of the University of Waterloo, is a leading expert in climate-resilient construction and has worked with municipalities and insurers to develop practical measures that reduce climate-related risks. Turn Expertise into Action. Nanaimo should draw on this research, listen carefully to experts, and apply proven resilience strategies that reflect local needs. "

"Open and Transparent Decision-Making. The Community Charter clearly defines a municipality’s duty to conduct public business openly and transparently. Only limited circumstances require Council to make decisions in closed meetings. Clear, Consistent Public Communication. Effective government depends on keeping residents informed about future plans, current challenges, and community successes. Because today’s media landscape is fragmented, the City should expand its communication channels by holding public information sessions twice a year and publishing a quarterly newsletter. Accessible Information. The City is responsible for sharing key information regularly in a format that is easy to understand. Residents have busy lives and need communication that is accurate, relevant, and concise. "

"Make City Facilities and Services Accessible. Nanaimo’s Accessibility Advisory Committee provides an important foundation, but more work is needed to ensure that parks, buildings, public spaces, and services are inclusive and accessible to everyone. Disabilities take many forms, including those that are not visible, so the City should assess its facilities against clear, comprehensive accessibility standards, not just physical barriers. For example, where hearing-loop systems are appropriate, they should be installed consistently in City buildings. Strengthen Accessibility Through Community Input. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Accessibility Advisory Committee. Continued collaboration is essential to better accommodate residents and visitors with diverse accessibility needs. Lead Through Inclusion. Council must set the standard for an inclusive community. Nanaimo has made meaningful progress as a welcoming city, but continued leadership, awareness, and accountability are necessary to ensure everyone can participate fully in community life. "

"Strengthen Regional Coordination. The partnership between the City and the Regional District demonstrates how governments can work effectively together. Decisions made by Regional District board members directly affect Nanaimo residents, particularly through taxation. Respect the Taxpayer. Regardless of which level of government collects or spends public funds, the money comes from the same taxpayer. Elected officials must keep that shared responsibility in mind when making decisions. Build Strong Indigenous Partnerships. As First Nations continue to grow, their governments must be meaningfully included in decisions that affect our communities. The City should work closely with First Nations and with provincial and federal partners on shared priorities. Defend Local Responsibilities. Nanaimo must also advocate firmly when provincial or federal governments shift their responsibilities or costs onto the City. "

"Build on a Strong Relationship. The current Council has worked effectively with Snuneymuxw First Nation, helping both governments develop mutual trust and respect. Pursue Shared Opportunities. We should continue strengthening this government-to-government relationship and seek opportunities that benefit both governments, their respective citizens, and the wider community. "

"Provincial Support for Housing and Community Safety. The City should continue seeking provincial resources to house people experiencing homelessness. The Province must also address safety concerns around the housing projects it supports rather than transferring those responsibilities and costs to the City. Stronger Federal Advocacy and Project Readiness. Nanaimo should strengthen its communication with the federal government and prepare future project proposals in advance. Being ready when funding becomes available will allow the City to respond quickly and improve its prospects for approval. Access Housing Programs and Funding. The City should encourage the federal government to advance the Canada Builds initiative. Nanaimo should also determine how it can participate and position itself to secure funding as new housing opportunities arise. "

"Prepare Students for a Changing Workforce. Schools should equip young people with practical skills for today’s workplace while helping them anticipate how employment may change over the next five to ten years. Many industries urgently need new workers, and students should understand the wide range of opportunities available across different skill sets. They must also be prepared to adapt as new challenges emerge and careers evolve. Coordinate Growth Planning. The School Board is responsible for planning for changes in enrolment, staffing, and facility needs. It should share these plans with Council so both bodies can respond effectively as Nanaimo continues to grow. "

"Recognize the Growing Need for Childcare. Governments understand the financial pressures families face. As housing, food, transportation, and municipal services become more expensive, many households require both parents to work, making accessible childcare more important than ever. Provide Income-Based Support. The provincial government should help families according to their income, including access to subsidized childcare programs such as $10-a-day care. "