ENVIRONMENTAL • SOCIAL • CULTURAL • ECONOMIC • HEALTH
Teresa Durning
Responses
RESPONSES
Environment
Question 1 - When development is guided by an Official Community Plan that features smart growth principles, it results in lower taxes for residents, less gridlock, cleaner air and lower GHG emissions, more green space, more housing options and preserved farmlands. Following smart growth principles results in new, high-density housing being built in the downtown and specified neighbourhood cores, enabling more sustainable and cost-effective transportation options. How will you advocate for smart growth principles in the upcoming OCP planning process?
Teresa Durning
Advocating for the guiding principals of Smart Growth principals is currently included in the Vernon Climate Action. The City has also committed to integrating this plan into the OCP-
" As found on page 83 of the Climate Action Plan the City is committed to the following with the Vision seeing the future as Vernon being made of compact, complete, climate-ready neighbourhoods connected to low carbon transportation networks- The City will integrate the Climate Action Plan into the OCP to provide strategic direction for future planning and development. The City will build on the work already being done and our commitment to promote a compact, complete and walkable community. This includes updated policies related to land use and transportation, buildings, ecosystem health, agricultural land protection, food security, updating bylaws and adding new Development Permit Areas for wildfire protection and flooding. The City will continue to work towards the creation of neighbourhood centres, where each neighbourhood is climate-ready, low carbon and resilient to projected impacts, with walking access to as many amenities as possible (for example. groceries, schools, daycares, cafes, parks, playgrounds)." * https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/Sustainability/Climate-Action/210408_cap_full_final.pdf
I think its critical that everyone involved in the development of the updated OCP keep top of mind the agreement made by the City to implement smart growth principals in its OCP. I am committed to being well versed and oppose plans that do not align with our Climate Commitment. As well I look forward to participating in brainstorming ideas that assist the City in reaching our goals.
Question 2 - Vernon has created an ambitious new Climate Action Plan addressing both the reduction of GHG emissions and preparing the community for climate impacts, but unless Council backs it up with immediate, effective action, the goals of the plan won't be achieved. If elected, what aspects of this plan do you feel are most important and urgent, and how can you help to ensure that they are implemented as soon as possible?
Teresa Durning
The emission of green house gas caused by transportation is 63% of our total. Advocating for better use of active transportation and public transportation, car pooling and environmental friendly practices such as allowing idle reduction and trip mapping for efficiency need to be a priority for Vernon.
The implementation of a more on demand public transportation model might also be something Vernon could look at for the future.
If elected I will continue to vote yes on fleet purchases that are energy efficient and push City initiated public communication to educate the citizens of Vernon on transportation options and benefits for the climate.
Question 3 - What do you believe are the main risks to Vernon - its citizens, its infrastructure, its economy - from climate change impacts? What specific actions do you think the municipality should take to adapt to these risks and build a resilient community?
Teresa Durning
The climate change impact of wildfire create the biggest threat to all 3 items mentioned. - Our water source is in jeopardy due to the risk of wildfire and the lack of fuel reduction done in and around our water sources. We need to continue to advocate to the RDNO and other levels of government regarding this.
Question 4 - The largest proportion of Okanagan municipal greenhouse gas emissions comes from transportation (in particular, driving fossil-fuel powered vehicles), and the 2nd largest proportion comes from buildings. What do you see as the most effective ways of reducing the emissions in these two sectors?
Teresa Durning
Transportation mentioned above needs to be addressed through stronger advocacy from the City as well as mayor and council supporting transportation that is less harmful such as active and electric transportation. The BC Energy Step code will continue to improve green building initiatives and incentives should be given to developers that prioritise green building and owners that do energy efficient retrofits to existing buildings.
RESPONSES
SOCIAL
Question 1 - The RDNO has recently developed a North Okanagan Regional Housing Strategy. Which actions of this strategy would you prioritise, and how would you implement them?
Teresa Durning
The over arching message and single most significant challenge reflected in the study is housing shortage at all housing types across all demographics through out the region. As this is a Regional initiative the region should be responsible for finding solutions. I do see that there are areas in the region that are progressive and creative in trying to solve the problem and others that do not buy in and do nothing. It my perfect world we would each be responsible for bringing our share of housing to the area we represent based on population. I will continue to vote yes for appropriate housing in the city of Vernon and encourage our neighbours in the region to do the same.
Question 2 - Across Canada, First Nations and municipalities are strengthening their regions by collaborating on service agreements, land use planning and economic development. What efforts have you made in the past, and what efforts will you make to build powerful new relationships based on mutual respect, understanding and a common vision for mutual prosperity with the Okanagan Indian Band?
TERESA DURNING
I have had the opportunity to build a good relationship with the Chief and some council from OKIB through my community work, 55 Plus Games and BC Winter Games planning. I believe the City has made progress and we need to keep working with OKIB to build long lasting trust relationships that benefit future generations.
Question 3 - In August of 2020 Council unanimously passed the following motion: “THAT the City of Vernon, including Council and Administration, firmly rejects racist acts of all types, and supports each individual who chooses to make Vernon home, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, creed or socioeconomic condition." The motion did not indicate what this support might look like, especially for minority groups. How would you rectify this? Specifically, would you follow the lead of other communities in the Okanagan and vote to adopt the anti racism policy already drafted by City lawyers? More broadly what types of programs, initiatives, and actions would you endorse or be a part of to ensure that Vernon is a welcoming place for all “regardless of race, gender, sexuality, creed or socioeconomic condition”?
TERESA DURNING
Q1- City working in collaboration with community groups that support victims of discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, creed or socioeconomic condition is likely where that support would come from. Immigrant Services, Social Planning and Friendship Centre are good examples of community resources that have the ability to support in community. If the racism is employee within the Corporation of City of Vernon that would fall under the corporation itself. The future definition of "support" should be clarified by council.
Q2- Looking at the anti bullying and harassment policy and the anti racism policy I see there are very few items not covered in both documents. We may not need both policies and that is my understanding as to why council might not have adopted this item but was not on council when the decision was made.
Q3- The community culture is shifting in terms of acceptance and openness to diversity. Community members are now able, and encouraged, to celebrate exclusivity and more freely express who they are. The culture of the City is changing and I feel that we as community leaders need to encourage that and support individuals. I will continue to do my part to support community events and programs that assist in welcoming and accepting the diversity of our citizen.
RESPONSES
culturAL
Question 1 - What opportunities do you believe the municipality has to grow our art, culture and heritage sector?
Teresa Durning
The Cultural Centre is the number one opportunity Vernon has to grow the sector. Tourism has supported the arts and culture sector in a more meaningful way and as liaison for the Tourism Commission I will encourage continued support.
Question 2 - What do you think of the 2016 Greater Vernon Cultural Plan? What aspects would you prioritise and how would you implement them?
TERESA DURNING
I can honestly identify a gap in the support of the not for profit sector. I think the plan is outdated and many things have changed since its inception. We need a public art policy and a clear mandate for supporting events and activities for the sector. My involvement in Vernon Culture Days that is being planned currently shows me our City processes are long and tedious for organizations to wade thru. I will advocate for better support for these groups from the City moving forward.
Question 3 - How do you personally engage with arts, culture and heritage in Greater Vernon?
TERESA DURNING
Right up to my being elected I sat on the Art Gallery board. I currently am the assigned liaison for the Art Council North Okanagan. I attend and support most arts and culture events in the city. I enjoy the sector and will continue being an active participant and supporter.
RESPONSES
economic
Question 1 - Please provide examples of the ways you would support business retention and expansion in the City of Vernon.
Teresa Durning
Being user friendly as a municipality will assist us in retaining business and encouraging expansion across the spectrum. Business working well with City departments is critical. The City is working to streamline processes and I know this will make our city even more inviting. More work is needed to make Vernon's downtown attractive to business. Working with bylaw and community policing to keep making progress on this is important to me.
Question 2 - Over 40% of businesses in every sector are experiencing labour shortages. How should the City support businesses in meeting their workforce needs?
TERESA DURNING
Housing is a critical link to improve this situation. I will continue supporting housing initiatives that provide much needed housing for labour. At a recent lunch I took the opportunity to press the BC labour minister sitting beside me on solutions and educate him on how dire the situation was in our community.
Question 3 - How should the City support emerging and growing information technology, and manufacturing sectors including agriculture products processing?
TERESA DURNING
The City needs to continue to advocate with other levels of government on the value of these sectors. Encouraging business to set up shop here and being open to the growth creates a significant asset to the area and municipality.
Question 4 - How should the City assist businesses in the medium term (3-5 years) to become more resilient?
TERESA DURNING
With supply chain and labour issues being the most critical issues facing businesses the City will need to pay careful attention on how their processes & policies are impacting both. The economy over all is fragile coming out of the pandemic and we will need to all be paying attention to the macro picture.
RESPONSES
health
Question 1 - What would you do to protect the health of members of our community who have been made vulnerable to the effects of climate change?
Teresa Durning
Support organization and social programs that assist in protecting these individuals. The citizens welfare is all of our business.
Question 2 - What do you believe is the municipality's role in enabling and assisting ministries and non-profits as they address mental and physical health treatment issues and access, in populations affected by houselessness and the toxic drug supply? How might the municipality address the stigma that prevents people facing these challenges from seeking health services?
TERESA DURNING
The burden should not be on the citizens of Vernon alone. Assisting ministries and non profits takes all levels of government. We as a city need to lobby the province in providing support and wrap around care for citizens in crisis at all levels. Our healthcare system is a mess and even if there was no stigma there is very little in terms of help or health service for them.
Question 3 - How will you ensure that our Parks & Recreation facilities and programs meet the diverse needs of our population?
TERESA DURNING
We need to make sure processes and infrastructure is user friendly and available. We can only act on what we know from the citizens that use the facilities and how they use the current programs and facilities.