Jeyas Balaskanthan

Please describe one concrete policy, program, or decision you would support to address both encampments and permanent housing.candidate's own words

I would support the prioritization of outreach and addiction supports in alignment with the Region’s Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. This plan integrates a human rights and housing-first based approach to addressing homelessness that we should continually be monitoring to ensure that it achieves its goals. We must continue to advocate to the provincial and federal governments for sustainable funding to operationalize the plans already developed by and with the community.

Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on housing?candidate's own words

Municipalities can play small roles in addressing deeply affordable housing and supportive housing, but cannot do it at the scale we need to address the problem. As a mayor, I would focus on ensuring that we are directly supporting affordable housing development where we can. The most important thing we can do is create the conditions that make it easy for affordable housing to get built: responsive permitting and approvals; allowing enough density to ensure projects are viable; and flexible land use rules (e.g. reduced parking minimums) that make non-profit and public housing development cheaper to build.

• Adjust signal timing, curb use, or intersection design
• Prioritize active transportation improvements during routine resurfacing

Yes, sidewalks should be cleared alongside roads as part of regular winter maintenance

Improve existing subsidies and discounts, but maintain fares for most riders

Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on transportation?candidate's own words

Equitable access to transit is vital, but we must balance equitable fares for those who need it with building a high quality transit network. Reasonable fares help ensure that we have a financially sustainable transit system that can continue to improve on frequency and quality.

Please describe one criterion or principle that should not be compromised when making transit investment decisions.candidate's own words

We must ensure that equity of access is prioritized. People with disabilities, seniors, children, and students should have the same high quality experience whenever they use transit. As the system deals with financial sustainability pressure, we will need to consult these communities to ensure we make decisions in an equitable manner.

Describe one concrete policy, incentive, or decision you would prioritize to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Where possible, explain how it balances environmental goals with fiscal responsibility.candidate's own words

As Mayor, I would support land use reforms and other rules that make building walkable neighbourhoods easier, which would be the one of the most impactful long-term changes we can make.

Describe one concrete zoning, planning, or development decision you would support (or oppose) that reflects how you would balance these priorities.candidate's own words

As Mayor, I would support the examination of expanded as-of-right permissions for missing-middle housing within established neighbourhoods. For too long we have pushed higher levels of density onto arterial roads and busy intersections that expose renters and new homeowners to high levels of noise and air pollution. Increasing the missing middle doesn’t mean instant change overnight - it means incrementally growing within our city in a way that balances the needs of those who don’t have adequate housing with existing communities.

It should be more transparent and accessible

If you chose "It should be more transparent and accessible", please describe how.candidate's own words

The budget process is transparent, but requires greater ease of access. We need to make greater use of our communications resources to translate how our budgets work for the general public in language that is easy to understand.