Hazel Braithwaite
Website: www.hazelbraithwaite.ca
Facebook: Hazel Braithwaite
Twitter: @hazeloakbay
Instagram: hazelsbraithwaite
Are you associated with or running as part of a slate? If so, which one?
No – I am not running as part of any slate – I am and always have been an independent candidate.
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?
Yes – I live in Oak Bay and I have lived here since 1989.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I am the Director of Philanthropy for the United Way Southern Vancouver Island, since 2016.
Please include the URLs for any websites/social media you are using for your campaign.
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
I have had the honor of serving on the Oak Bay council for 14 years (2005 – 2011 and 2014 – 2022). If elected, this will be my fifth term. I also volunteer on numerous community boards & organizations including, but not limited to: Vice-Chair Kiwanis Pavilion; Sovereign Order of St. John; South Island Film Commission; Chair, Young Exceptional Star (YES) Awards and I am also a Director of the Oak Bay Tea Party Society.
Why are you running? What’s your motivation?
Oak Bay is a great community. We are so fortunate to live here. I have many ideas about how we make it even better and more inclusive. Among the things I would like to see move forward are - developing plans for our Village areas, improving housing options and livability, and implementing the Carnarvon Park Master plan – it’s time to start fixing up that area and making it a better outdoor space for our residents.
What are your top three issues?
My top three issues are Appropriate Housing and Transportation, Village Planning and, Enhanced Livability.
Appropriate Housing - I want to ensure the Housing Infill Strategy is implemented swiftly. I also want to expand the Heritage Foundation’s role in providing grants for the rehabilitation and preservation of historic assets.
Village Planning – Our businesses are an essential part of Oak Bay. I want to increase usage and ensure our village areas thrive by providing more walkable, ridable, and accessible areas.
Enhanced Livability – I strongly support the process of revitalization and improvement of our playgrounds, parks, and public beaches.
What’s your vision for your community in 25 years?
The special residential quality of Oak Bay has not occurred by accident. I embrace what has made our municipality a successful community and such an attractive place to live. Preserving Oak Bay’s heritage and environment is important, but we also need to support thoughtful change that will keep our community desirable a place where people want to put down roots and raise a family or retire. I want Oak Bay to be a neighbourhood where seniors can age in place, yet have the amenities that will bring families in to help keep our community vibrant for years to come.
What’s one “big idea” you have for your community?
Enhanced livability. We need a balance of those things, that when combined, make a vibrant community. For instance, aging in place is important to many, and yet we also need to have public spaces that work for families. Our Village planning should include more walkable, ridable, and accessible areas. Our neighbourhoods will benefit when we implement different types of housing, which will contribute to enhanced livability, and I believe Oak Bay council should always be guided by that goal when it makes its decisions.
