Occupation: Music producer, visual artist, educator
Where do you live? For how long? Powell River, 14 years
Email: [email protected]
Web: gregreid.website
What are your top priorities for the Sunshine Coast?
I prioritize direct democracy, giving all constituents the opportunity to vote on every piece of legislation, repeatedly. This is a brand-new initiative only available in our riding. Political parties will not give you this option, it reduces their power. If you like this idea you will have to elect me. The quality of life has been affected dramatically by government policies that are impoverishing lower income families and citizens. Simultaneously wealth is being concentrated in the hands of fewer and fewer. Tax structure favors corporations and stockholders. The party system and lobbies are the points of entry for this injustice.
Where do you stand on the shíshálh swiya dock management plan proposal?
Living in Powell River, I don’t always hear of important, more localized lower peninsula issues. I have read some of the available information at government websites as well as the official Nov. 23 draft. However, I do not have nuanced reports of public reaction. I’m not yet prepared to respond.
How would you address local safety and crime concerns?
I am concerned about safety for all citizens. This is primarily the jurisdiction of municipal governments and RCMP. If this is inadequate, I could look into the Municipal Act and see if there are any grants. Also, citizen initiatives like block watch can be very effective to bolster safety.
Does the Sunshine Coast need a new/improved highway?
Some say yes, some say no. Each community is different. Perhaps a strategy could be developed by each community through consensus. Funding for bike lanes may be all that is needed to dramatically improve the highway through the smaller off-road communities. Sechelt presents the greatest challenge and would benefit most.
Should the province be providing subsidized housing on the Sunshine Coast?
Yes, of course, but not under the current conditions. The Charter of Rights indicates that many citizens are currently being violated by individuals living at some of these projects. I have great solutions for this at gregreid.website.
What more can the province be doing to help the Coast with its water woes?
Our riding has abundant accessible fresh water. North of Powell River great inlets with lakes and rivers could provide the Coast and simultaneously generate a freshwater industry. Compare the price of bottled water to gasoline at gas stations –– roughly the same price. Perhaps we should get started ourselves...
What does reconciliation mean to you?
It is a good thing when a religion, jurisdiction, race, tribe, group or class of people make the effort and take the time to understand crimes and abuses that they’ve committed against another people and make reparations and apologies.
Why should Coasters vote for you?
I offer the voters direct democracy. Party candidates cannot do that because it gives political power to the electorate at the expense of the party. It is the best tool available for checking the power of government, it gives all constituents the opportunity to vote on every piece of legislation.
Read up on the other candidates: Chris Hergesheimer, BC Greens; Chris Moore, BC Conservatives; and Randene Neill, BC NDP
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