Jonathan Cote

1.Sustainability seems to be a common word these days, but its use is often ambiguous. How do you define the word “sustainability”, and how does it relate to the job of a City Councillor or Mayor?

A sustainable community is one that develops and operates in a way that supports a liveable community for generations to come. Local governments are on the front line of many sustainability issues. From waste collection to transportation, local governments can play a significant role in the creation of a more sustainable world. It is critical that elected officials not only make decision for today, but that they also consider future generations in their decision making processes.

2.Still on the subject of sustainability, what do you see as the major successes in New Westminster during the last council term, and what were the missed opportunities?

Successes:
1. Organic Waste Collection Program
2. LEED Gold Standards for municipal facilities
3. Environmental remediation of waterfront
4. Council not supporting the United Blvd expansion.

Area’s for improvement:
1. Improved recycling options for multifamily residence and commercial businesses
2. Better education programs to further engage local residents in environmental initiatives
3. The City of New Westminster adopted a Community Energy and Emissions Plan this year which calls for a reduction in community GHG emission by 15% by 2030. This plan outlines 35 actions the City needs to take to achieve these goals. I strongly support this plan and it is important that we have a council that remains committed to this plan and follows through with the recommendations required to meet our targets.

3.What do you see as the major opportunities and challenges for the upcoming Council term in regards to sustainability?

The City of New Westminster adopted a Community Energy and Emissions
Plan this year which calls for a reduction in community GHG emission
by 15% by 2030. This plan outlines 35 actions the City needs to take
to achieve these goals. I strongly support this plan and it is
important that we have a council that remains committed to this plan
and follows through with the recommendations required to meet our
targets.

4.The City will be developing a Master Transportation Plan within the next term, what would you like to see included in that plan?

Given that transportation is such a critical issue in New Westminster, the Master Transportation Plan will be one of the most important documents the upcoming council will be working on. I would like to see this plan focus on increasing the sustainable transportation (walking, cycling and public transportation) mode share in our community. I also feel that this plan needs to focus on improving the integration of land use and transportation planning.

5.Translink continues to mull a replacement for the Pattullo Bridge. Would you rather see the bridge repaired, replaced with a 4-lane structure, or replaced with a larger structure? Would you support tolling the bridge to pay for its replacement? If you don’t support replacement, would you support tolling the existing bridge?

If Translink moves ahead with the replacement of the Pattullo Bridge, I would only support a 4 lane structure. New Westminster’s road network is operating near capacity and cannot handle increased
traffic. The expansion of the Pattullo Bridge would only induce more traffic into our community and local neighbourhoods. Although I have some concerns about the un-coordinated road pricing system that exists in Metro Vancouver, I think it is reasonable that Translink pursue this as an option to finance this project.

6.Do you support a Tree Bylaw to regulate the removal of nuisance trees on private property?

I support the creation of a Tree Bylaw in New Westminster. It is important though that this policy be flexible and robust enough to allow private property owners to deal with problematic and dangerous trees. Many communities in Metro Vancouver have already adopted tree bylaws and I believe New Westminster can learn from the successes in other communities in our region.

7.Now that Metro Vancouver’s Solid Waste Management Plan is approved, would you support the location of a Waste-to-Energy plant in New Westminster?

I don’t believe New Westminster would be a good location for a Waste to Energy facility. Given the compact nature of our community it would be difficult to find a location that would not affect a residential neighbourhood. I also have concerns about the traffic impacts that such a facility would impose on our road network. The ultimate goal for our region has to continue to be zero waste. New Westminster is on track to have a 70% diversion rate by 2015 and it is important that our City and region aggressively move towards reducing the amount of waste our region produces.

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