…it is “the necessity for everybody to have a decent dwelling; not to make all homes mansions, but to ensure that none of them will be hovels. It is only a very rare soul that can expand in a hovel. This objective of decent housing simply has to be achieved in our democratic society.”

 

More than four decades later – I couldn’t agree more…

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The secondary suite initiative is another example of what the City is doing - partnering with home owners to create housing

 

We can invest a small amount of money and see big returns

 

(pause)

 

We are investing in housing because it is the right thing to do

 

And because it is about keeping our citizens and our communities healthy and safe

 

(pause)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So - how can the city be your partner in making Victoria Canada’s best city to work and play?

 

We sponsor events, like the coming launch of the Olympic Torch Relay in an effort to bring more people to our stunning region

 

We foster a city that is attractive to families and people seeking a high quality of life

 

And we try to maintain a taxation system that is fair, and balances the provision of high quality core services while meeting the constant demand for new services.

 

For this year the City of Victoria have just announced an overall tax increase of 4.84%

 

But we also adjusted the tax ratios this year

 

First thing we did, was to lower the industrial tax ratio to match the business ratio

 

This adjustment represents a 15% reduction for the light industrial and a 30% reduction for major industrial class.

 

This move brings Victoria in line with the many municipalities that no longer differentiate between business, light industrial and major industrial

 

It is an important step to creating a level playing field

 

Further, we lowered the business tax ratio slightly

 

Now - I know that for some businesses the drop represents only a few hundred dollars in savings

 

But without the conscious choice to address that ratio, it tends to creep upward

 

And we don’t want it to creep up – but instead to track downward

 

I think of our tax dollars as an investment in our city that in turn creates the conditions for successful businesses

 

My commitment as your mayor is to find the right balance

 

Because that balance is vital as we improve services and prioritize competing needs

 

(Pause)

 

Needs -

 

One of the needs is the much spoken about “infrastructure deficit” facing this region and municipalities across the country

 

From bridges to pools, to sewers to lamp posts – from ships to planes – we have a lot of work to do.

 

But we have a strong capital plan to address these needs – and thanks to the outstanding work and planning of our staff we are keeping up with that plan

 

Now – we have a big project ahead of us – the replacement of Big Blue

 

Just a few weeks ago Council moved forward in principal on the replacement of the Johnson Street Bridge

 

Knowing the state of the current bridge, the ballpark costs of rehab or replacement, and the shifting needs of our residents and the region

 

Council decided replacement is the best option –

 

Included in that is the realignment of the approaches to the bridge

 

And for any new structure to be architecturally significant

 

and to include the rail line, and safe bike lanes and pedestrian crossings

 

Because we need to think about how future generations may travel in and out of the downtown

 

With those considerations in mind - we have just submitted our grant request to the federal government

 

– and we are lobbying hard to ensure that the provincial and federal governments will partner with us

 

And I think they will –

 

because one thing that we are stressing is that while this project is “shovel ready” - more importantly, it is “shovel worthy”

 

 

The replacement of the Blue Bridge is vital for the safety of our citizens and the needs of a growing and thriving region.

 

I want to be clear – the Blue Bridge is our number one infrastructure project – it is shovel worthy!

 

Municipalities across the country have been starved for partnership dollars for years – and Victoria is certainly not alone is trying to take full advantage of the money starting to flow from Ottawa

 

Big projects and big dollars requests are coming in from all over the country –

 

So all of us need to work to make sure this region is on the radar

 

We all have projects in the queue

 

We all have top priorities

 

And we can work to make sure this region is not left out

 

Again – at the end of the day what is good for the region is good for the city of Victoria

 

This region has a wealth of talent, strong leadership, and opportunity

 

And by working together we will realize that potential

 

I have been truly honoured to work with my counter parts across the region – their commitment to their constituents is undeniable

 

We have one common understanding – that none of our constituents are solely our own –

 

They are all traveling between municipalities on a daily basis

 

Accessing services, playing in parks, shopping and visiting friends and family

 

We have an obligation to support each other, because that is how we can best support our citizens

 

We might be on an island, but we do not exist in isolation from one another

(pause)

 

 

There are opportunities all around us - we are on the brink of moving from a provincial capital to a world-class city

 

I want to stress that this has been an amazing few months for me as Mayor.

 

I have a great team of Councilors and Directors at the table with me – and I count myself lucky to work with them every day

 

I am having fun,

 

learning a lot,

 

and we are moving forward on key priorities that will make our communities, our downtown, our City and our region better.