Colleen James

Other priority not listed abovecandidate's own words

Coordinate growth decisions with the level of government that has planning authority and ensure infrastructure capacity is realistically aligned before commitments are made. Regional Council should use the tools within its authority to understand the long-term infrastructure, water, transportation and service costs associated with growth. However, there are limitations to what the Region can control, particularly where provincial legislation and planning decisions determine the direction and scale of growth. Where the Region has authority, I would support evidence-based infrastructure and lifecycle cost analysis, clear phasing tied to available capacity, and prioritizing existing infrastructure where practical. Where decisions are made at another level of government, the Region should clearly identify the financial and infrastructure implications and advocate for the resources and coordination needed to support that growth. Growth should not be treated as simply a land-use decision. It needs to be matched with the infrastructure, water capacity and financial resources required to support complete and sustainable communities.