Marg's Voting Record

A Consistent, Principled Voice

Over the past 3½ years I have taken firm positions on illicit drug use, public safety, housing, and on the need to listen more to our residents and businesses.

Public Safety

I sought the closure of The Harbour (consumption site on Pandora), and for exempting supportive housing from the Residential Tenancy Act so the operators of these facilities can evict residents who threaten or harm tenants who are vulnerable.

Through my votes, VicPD knows my position: that I value their service and support them. I voted for the police budget in all budgets from 2023 to 2026. I was successful in my motion to support the re-introduction of the Police School Liaison Officer program into schools.

I have stood in support of the Fire Chief Association's position against the province's plan to increase the density of housing by eliminating the requirement for two stairwells in multi storey buildings. This policy endangers residents in the case of fires.

“There were times my vote stood alone. In spite of the many supportive items in the Mayor's Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, I voted in opposition for two reasons: the creation of new city shelters, and the implicit support of illicit drugs.”

— Marg Gardiner

Housing

My votes on the housing file were clear. My votes reflected my assessment of proposals — not on who sponsored a development. I did not support the City's approach to Missing Middle Housing or the placement of new shelters or supportive housing next to family housing, nor the extraordinary density sought in the Official Community Plan inviting blanket 4 to 6 storey housing complexes in traditional housing areas throughout the city.

Fiscal Responsibility

The City needs to apply a zero-based budgeting lens to its annual financial planning process. Decisions made years ago, supporting city and community programs through operating budgets, tax exemptions, and grants, should be examined with fresh eyes.

Council's approach, over the past dozen years, has been to use taxpayer funding to forward programs of special interest groups, and ideologically-driven projects. I believe Council should focus on the responsibilities of the City, and not try to prove to other levels of government that Victoria knows better.

Open Governance

Over the past 3½ years there has been a silencing of voices. Policies and bylaws have been altered to remove, discount, and often prohibit, public discussion of decisions which affect the lives of residents. Special interest groups, advocates and lobbyists, are given preferential access to city processes.

I stood alone opposed to the adoption of the Delegation Bylaw which places most housing decisions — including the creation of consumption or shelter sites — out of public view, and even out of Council view.

I believe that Council should focus on the responsibilities of the City, not trying to prove to other levels of government that Victoria knows better.