Jackie Bolen Candidate profile approved

"I’d like for Nanaimo to grow up, not out. Increased urban density, especially around transportation hubs can prevent high infrastructure costs, which leads to lower and more consistent taxes over time. It also protects green spaces and agricultural land at the edge of the city. "

"I hope to keep property tax increases lower than the rate of inflation during my time in office. I will never vote for raises for city employees (including the Mayor/council) above the rate of inflation. However, we must spend money on things like the urban tree canopy, sustainable buildings, and other environmentally-friendly infrastructure to prevent even higher costs down the road from heat waves, flooding, and other severe weather events. Climate change will cost more in the future, if we do nothing about it today."

"Access to health care is a basic human right. I want to partner with the provincial government to build more community health centers, as well as support existing health clinics to recruit more doctors and NPs. The Colwood Clinic in Victoria is one example of a city-run health clinic. Let's explore something similar in Nanaimo. I will advocate for Nanaimo to the provincial government to fund the additional hospital tower, promised by David Eby before the 2024 election. And I honestly will not stop until the shovels are in the ground."

"I'd like for Nanaimo to grow up, not out. Increased urban density, especially around transportation hubs can prevent high infrastructure costs, which leads to lower and more consistent taxes over time. It also protects green spaces and agricultural land at the edge of the city. Preventing urban sprawl leads to walkable, vibrant neighborhoods that are better for people, the Earth, and business. Let's remove the red tape for laneway housing and basement suites while we're at it! And let's talk about tiny home communities! This could be a solution to a whole host of density, infrastructure, and affordability issues. "

"I would like Nanaimo to grow up, not out. Increased urban density makes it easier to design transit routes that can serve the greatest number of people. Urban sprawl is an infrastructure nightmare on so many levels and will just result in higher taxes for people and businesses. Bus passes for kids—also a great idea! Let's keep that going. In general, I support active transportion, including bike lanes and sidewalks. Let's make it easier for people to get where they need to go without a car, safely."

"I'd like to explore the option of allowing tiny home communities within Nanaimo. This could solve many of the problems of affordable housing, as well as homelessness. "

"Housing is a basic human right. I want to expand the Heart and Hearth programs, operated by BC Housing to offer more shelter beds (and longer-term options). How can you focus on getting a job if you're living on the streets? How can you get clean and sober if you don't have a safe place to stay?"

"Economic growth is important, but it can't come at the cost of our Earth. I will work together with the Chamber of Commerce and other groups to attract top-quality employers and employees to Nanaimo that care about the environment and do minimal harm. Having worked in the film industry in Vancouver for many years, I know firsthand the number of jobs this industry can create. I will work to attract productions to Nanaimo. We have so many beautiful places to explore around Vancouver Island. I'd like to work together with Tourism Nanaimo to figure out how we can make Nanaimo more of a destination. Perhaps get people to stop here for a night or two on their way to other places like Tofino. Let's also talk about getting the promised hospital upgrades. This will bring a whole host of jobs during construction, as well as high-quality jobs for nurses, doctors and other hospital staff."

"I support a housing first approach. Clearing out encampments if folks have no place to go is a waste of time and resources. Police enforcement just shifts the problem to a slightly different location. How can you even think about getting a job or some further education if you don't have a safe place to live? Or, getting clean and sober when you're sleeping in a tent? Near impossible. I will push the provincial government for an expansion of BC Housing's Heart and Hearth programs to get people the support they need. "

"Let's get rid of those vacant lots, perhaps by increasing taxes on them year over year, such that it becomes prohibitively expensive to hold and not develop them. "

"Climate change will cost us more in the future, if we do nothing about it today. Let's protect our green spaces, build green buildings that include heat pumps, plant more trees (especially fruit and nut trees), start community gardens, and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. "

"I will not conduct business behind closed doors. Everything should be in person, on-camera for the public to see. "

"I am a proud member of the Nanaimo Queer community and will always support a diversity of voices, cultures, abilities, and backgrounds. I don't claim to know the ins and outs of what every resident needs, but I'm open to listening and being an advocate. My door is open! "

"The federal and provincial governments have failed us here in Nanaimo in multiple ways, particularly when it comes to the promised hospital upgrades, and enough shelter beds (and more medium to long-term supportive housing). I will advocate on behalf of Nanaimo to get the resources that we need to make sure everyone gets the proper healthcare, including mental health supports, as well as a safe place to sleep at night. "

"We live on the unceeded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nations people. I support meaningful consultation with them on all matters, especially with regard to land use rezoning of their ancient ancestral lands."

"More supportive housing and the promised hospital upgrades. "