Bruce Findlay
Website: www.brucefindlay.com
Facebook: facebook.com/BRUCEFINDLAY
Instagram: brucefindlay.com
Are you associated with or running as part of a slate? If so, which one?
NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANYONE, COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT.
Do you live in the municipality where you are running, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to that community?
I HAVE LIVED IN NORTH COWICHAN SINCE 2005.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I AM A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER & A PUBLICAN (I.E. I OWN A PUB)
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
THIS IS MY FIRST FORAY INTO POLITICS. AS A PUB OWNER, I THRIVE ON COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, THROUGH OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HOT-LUNCH PROGRAM, SUPPORTING JUNIOR SPORTS, FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES (BURGER & BEER EVENTS, DONATIONS TO AUCTIONS, ETC.), PARTICIPATING IN OUR WORLD FAMOUS MAPLE BAY CANADA DAY PARADE, ETC.
Why are you running? What’s your motivation?
I AM FRUSTRATED WITH OUR CURRENT COUNCIL’S INABILITY TO PROVIDE DEVELOPMENT APPROVALS FOR HOUSING OPTIONS, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE CRISIS AT HAND. AS A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, I HAVE IDEAS THAT I BELIEVE CAN ALLEVIATE THE CRISIS & GET ROOFS OVER PEOPLES’ HEADS WHO DESIRE THEM. I BELIEVE IN STRONG FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP, ENSURING OUR RESIDENTS’ TAX DOLLARS ARE SPENT EFFICIENTLY WITHOUT WASTE. I BELIEVE IN SAFE STREETS & NEIGHBOURHOODS, WHERE KIDS CAN BE FREE TO WALK TO SCHOOL WITHOUT WORRY.
What are your top three issues?
HOUSING: IN ORDER TO MEET OUR EXCESSIVE HOUSING DEMAND, WE NEED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN HOUSING SUPPLY, OF ALL TYPES. ECONOMICS 101 - SUPPLY & DEMAND.
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP: I BELIEVE OUR PROPERTY TAXES ARE TOO HIGH & A FULL REVIEW SHOULD BE DONE TO FIND SAVINGS OR EFFICIENCIES. WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT BUDGET WITH SIGNIFICANT EXPENDITURES, AND EVERY LINE ITEM IN OUR BUDGET SHOULD BE REVIEWED IN DETAIL.
COMMUNITY SAFETY: WE HAVE AN OPIOID EPIDEMIC, THAT IS PLAIN TO SEE. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEND OUR KIDS WALKING TO SCHOOL WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT WHETHER THEY’LL MAKE IT THERE, OR WHETHER THEY’LL SEE SOMETHING THEY SHOULDN’T AT THAT AGE.
What’s your vision for your community in 25 years?
A SAFE COMMUNITY, PROVIDING HOUSING OPTIONS FOR ALL (OWNING & RENTING), WITH ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES & A SUPPORTIVE, OPEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT ASSISTS ITS RESIDENTS IN THEIR GOALS. I WANT TO SEE ACCESSIBILITY BEING A STRONG FOCUS ON EACH INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT WE TAKE ON. I WANT NORTH COWICHAN TO BE THE COMMUNITY PEOPLE THINK OF WHEN SOMEONE ASKS “WHICH COMMUNITY ON VANCOUVER ISLAND SHOULD I INVEST IN?” AND “WHICH COMMUNITY ON VANCOUVER ISLAND WOULD I LIKE TO RAISE MY KIDS IN?”.
What’s one “big idea” you have for your community?
I DON’T THINK A “BIG IDEA” IS THE RIGHT FOCUS. LITTLE CHANGES THAT HELP OUR RESIDENTS, IS THE KEY TO MY DEFINITION OF “SUCCESS” AS A COUNCILLOR. THE IDEA OF MAKING OUR COMMUNITY SAFER, ACCESSIBLE AND FINANCIALLY RESILIENT, WITH HOUSING OPTIONS FOR ALL, IS WHERE I WOULD LIKE TO HANG MY HAT.
