Questions To Nanaimo Provincial Candidates

Follows are questions I have posed to Nanaimo provincial election candidates, with candidates answers to follow. These questions are specific to Nanaimo and not necessarily the 'big picture' issues of how to run the province but what their opinions are about local matters.

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1. What do you see as the one most pressing problem facing Nanaimo?

2. What do you see as the most promising opportunity facing Nanaimo?

3. In your opinion is the Nanaimo median household income good, bad or of no consequence?

4. Do you feel the Nanaimo harbour should be leased to a private company?

5. What is your opinion on the standard that the dam safety branch is applying to the Colliery Dams?

6. Do you feel the province, municipalities, regional districts and private owners/operators can afford the costs to meet this standard?

7. Can the province provide any stimulus that could improve the employment opportunities for young people wishing to make Nanaimo their home?

8. Does the current basic housing allowance for those on social assistance provide adequate housing for those in need of this service in Nanaimo?

9. Does the basic allowance to those on social assistance provide adequate resources to meet the necessities of life in Nanaimo?

10. Is there anything you can do to facilitate a more robust use of the Nanaimo cruise ship terminal?

11. Is there anything you can do to facilitate the establishment of a downtown to downtown ferry service.

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 Leonard Krog NDP

1. Unemployment and poverty, which affect so many families.
2. The possibility of increasing employment in a revitalized forest industry.
3. The median household income is obviously very low and significant social consequences flow from a lack of income.
4. My view is it should remain under public control for general public benefit.
5. The standard may in fact be high but I await all of the experts reports and any decision must be based on public safety with broad community consultation.
6. This is not a question I can answer with any clarity and would require a lot more information. An opinion without information and facts is not useful for anyone.
7. Certainly the province can but given economic pressures, it would not be as substantial as I would like.
8. The basic housing allowance is thoroughly inadequate as it is everywhere in the province.
9. No it certainly does not.
10. Work with a revitalized Tourism BC and existing agencies/groups to lure even more cruise ships to our underutilized facility.
11. It appears there may be a service in the wings and if not I will work with and support any initiative private or public that will see a downtown foot passenger service.