Safety is a key issue and it encompasses so many aspects. Safety on the street is impacted by homelessness, mental health, lack of affordable housing, a justice system that makes effective policing a challenge, poverty and fear. During this term I’ve been active alongside my colleagues to address these issues. That work must continue. It means continuing to lobby the province to work with municipalities to find solutions. Unfortunately, municipal councils need answers more quickly than the provincial government provides them.

Inclusion is another issue to be addressed. It also covers many aspects from accessibility to listening to the public. I campaigned in 2018 to improve the public’s voice at City Hall and successfully saw all neighbourhood associations given a voice to our safe and secure Kamloops engagement group. I also successfully saw council’s procedural bylaw amended to provide caregiver and parental leave from physically attending council meetings, a small step that hopefully might make it easier for people to run for council who have those concerns. I also was successful in seeing council and staff address the childcare crisis in the city, a significant economic impact that needed to be addressed.