Sustainability

If elected as Ward 6 City Councillor, I’d like to 

• build a stronger recycling program, including more bins for recyclable materials around city and especially downtown;
• encourage residents to reduce garbage by increasing participation in recycling and composting through incentives;
• prioritize the rezoning of Sunset U-pick to Open Green Space/Agriculture, and investigate more opportunities for maintaining green spaces (these spaces are NOT undeveloped);
• help design a Fredericton that is more pedestrian-friendly;
• strengthen our trail network and bike lanes;
• encourage sustainability by initiating incentive programs, such as tax credits, to install low flush toilets or to buy bus passes;
• support more community gardens;
• improve the transit system to better serve the public;
• investigate the possibility of partnering community gardens with the food bank and with shelters.

I am committed to making Fredericton more green and more sustainable. Some say we already have one of the greenest cities in Canada. I say we can still do better. The solutions are out there, and implementation can save us money in the long run. 

One major issue for many residents of the city is the provincial government's plan to go forward with shale gas development. Like many, I am concerned. I am not against development. But my thorough research does not convince me it is safe. And even if it is, the price we would get in return is at an all time low. It makes sense to wait for both these reasons. Though this is a provincial matter, I would support a resolution that calls for Fredericton to cooperate with other municipalities to protect our water by calling on the province to place a moratorium on development. 

Please check back over the next few days for more commitments under other themes of my campaign: support for local business and arts, and my long-term vision for Fredericton. And please contact me if you have any questions or ideas!

- Ian