Voters can bring about a generational shift to Saanich council, at least thatB次元官网网址檚 the hope of the youngest candidate in next monthB次元官网网址檚 municipal byelection.
Ned Taylor, 18, says an injection of youth is exactly whatB次元官网网址檚 needed on Saanich council.
B次元官网网址淚 think a young voice could bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the table, for sure,B次元官网网址� said Taylor, who graduated from Reynolds secondary in June.
Saanich voters will be facing a crowded ballot as seven candidates have now announced their intentions to seek a spot on council in the . Taylor joins , , y, , and as candidates who have declared in the byelection to fill the vacancy created by the in March.
Taylor, who has already established a website for his campaign at , has developed a platform based on people-centred decision-making, environmental stewardship, creating a thriving community and engaging our youth.
B次元官网网址淚 will definitely try and really move us forward on our environmental work and try and lead the fight against climate change,B次元官网网址� he said, adding with DermanB次元官网网址檚 loss B次元官网网址淚 think an environmentalist filling that seat is exactly whatB次元官网网址檚 needed.B次元官网网址�
The lifelong Saanichite says too many residents are being left out of decisions affecting their neighbourhood.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e heard too many stories of people feeling ignored. Whether itB次元官网网址檚 Saanich pushing through a project without public discussion, or councillors lacking responsiveness to emails and letters, itB次元官网网址檚 not OK. I want to create an inclusive city council, where working together as a community is our foundation for moving forward.B次元官网网址�
Some of TaylorB次元官网网址檚 other ideas include creating a searchable database for council voting records on the , scheduling some council meetings on weekends to make them more accessible, banning single-use plastic bags and water bottles, a foreign buyers tax on Saanich real estate, and allowing skateboarders and longboarders to use bike lanes.
Taylor became interested in politics after starting a petition campaign to ban the cages used for egg-laying hens, gaining over 33,000 signatures.
B次元官网网址淪ince that IB次元官网网址檝e been really inspired to start a movement and bring my ideas forward to make a difference for the better.B次元官网网址�
And Taylor has already made some powerful political allies. His petition will be presented to the B.C. Legislature by Green Party leader Andrew Weaver and has drawn the support of Saanich South MLA Lana Popham. A similar petition will be introduced in Parliament by Victoria MP Murray Rankin.
Taylor says more should be done to engage youth in municipal politics, and he discounts any suggestions he lacks the experience necessary to serve on council.
B次元官网网址淲e need people at both ends of the spectrum B次元官网网址� people who are young, people who are old, middle-aged, of all different walks of life. ThatB次元官网网址檚 how you can get real progression on council and thatB次元官网网址檚 the kind of change I want to provide.B次元官网网址�
