Questions and Answers
1. Does the City/Region need more regulations for new and future businesses to protect groundwater?
Clive Smith: Yes, it is imperative that we insure our water supply. We must look at redevelopment and not over development.
Vince Morency: I am not as well versed in these regulations as I would like to be and as such do not believe I can make an informed judgement on the need for additional regulations. I believe that regulations will need to be constantly reviewed as new information and technology becomes available.
2. Do you support a bylaw restricting the non-essential, cosmetic use of pesticides (for lawn and garden care)?
Clive Smith: Yes, this topic has been around for years and we must stop poisoning the land and our ground water.
Vince Morency: I believe that pesticide use should be regulated, with a view toward eliminating use gradually over a three to five-year period. If we expect residents to support and comply with restrictions, we must first provide community-based education on the alternatives. Environmentally-friendly lawn-care seminars like those recently sponsored by the Laurelwood Neighbourhood Association in September and by my campaign in October should be repeated in all areas of the city. This type of community education can be accomplished at minimal cost.
3. The issue of a new Highway 7 between Kitchener and Guelph is still simmering. What is your preferred solution? (ie leave existing road as is? widen existing highway? put in commuter train between K/W and Guelph? build new highway, etc.)
Clive Smith: I support the widening of the existing Hwy 7 road to four lanes.
Vince Morency: I believe it is very important that we work co-operatively with the province to develop high-speed rail links with Toronto, Guelph and London, helping to reduce the number of vehicles on our roadways. I also believe that, even if we are successful in that effort, improvements to Highway 7 will be needed. Any expansion of Highway 7 needs to include plans that limit the effect it has on the environment and should include Carpool lots similar to those found for Highway 401.
4. What are your recommendations for alternate transportation (ie bike/hike trails, buses, LRT, GO train)
Clive Smith: We must improve the mass transit (GRT) within the tri-cities. We must work with the Province and Federal governments to enhance the train service between the Tri-cities, Toronto, Hamilton and London.
Vince Morency: I believe that the LRT is worth pursuing, but will not be viable in the next three to five years, given both current ridership levels and the lack of density in key areas. These two elements must be improved first in order to support the need for and future sustainability of a light rail system. We cannot assume that if we build it, riders will come. I believe that a more immediate focus should be placed on improved bus routes for under-serviced areas including RIM Park, and a greater number of express routes linking the tri-cities. I believe that as a community we must adopt a "Pedestrian Charter" in which safe pedestrian routes are included in all planning efforts.
5. What are your solutions for gridlock?
Clive Smith: We require a full review of development plans in the city. Over the last 10 years Waterloo has expanded faster then our transit system. We must improve the GRT bus system to make it easier to people to move around the cities and reduce the reliability on cars. All new roads should require bike lanes.
Vince Morency: Previously I responded to a question on the LRT and the Public Transportation System, which if implemented as I suggest, would help to reduce the vehicular traffic we currently face. Highway 8, the only real access into Waterloo from the 401, is used well beyond its design capacity and, as a result, daily traffic jams occur, needlessly dumping tons of pollutants into the air. I believe the City, Region and Province need to work together to build a road to bring traffic in on the East side of Kitchener and Waterloo. This road should be planned in conjunction with the new Highway 7 and expansion of Waterloo Regional Airport. If we can reduce the amount of time vehicles idle in traffic, the reduction in emissions would be substantial. The Region and Cities should promote a "Carpool" service through their respective websites to help commuter find partners to commute. I understand the liability concerns, however, I believe that if the municipalities state the importance of meeting with the potential commuting partner in a public place first to ensure their comfort level and that the municipalities do not assume any liability in the commuting partners selected, this will not be an issue.
6. Do you support defining an urban border that puts an end to urban sprawl to protect farmland and natural areas?
Clive Smith: Yes, as I said before we must look at redeveloping and not over development.
Vince Morency: We do need to balance the needs of the community as it continues to grow. I am in full support of protecting farmland and environmentally sensitive areas and I believe that we can do this by increasing density in key areas of the city.
7. Do you believe that our size should be limited to our carrying capacity (ie groundwater resources, geographical barriers, impact on natural environment)
Clive Smith: Yes, we must work within our limit. Groundwater and our impact on the environment must be considered. Our quality of life is directly related to the environment we live in.
Vince Morency: I would agree with this statement in principle but feel there needs to be a balance in our approach to policy implementation.
8. What measurable initiatives can you take to improve air quality locally?
Clive Smith: Once again the GRT is the key. If can make the GRT system easy use and affordable people will use the system. Have local business endorse the system and offer discounts to companies that promote GRT. Corporate challenge for on rider ship.
Vince Morency: I will strive to implement a Pedestrian Charter that encourages planning for the safety of pedestrians, particularly the youngest members of our community. If we hope to reduce the dependency on cars in our community, we must make it easier and safer for people to walk. This has not been the case in many areas of our city, and residents seeking safety improvements have faced stiff resistance in correcting problems brought before both city and regional council. As a city, we should consider adoption of a Pedestrian Charter similar to that which is now in place in Toronto, where the city's "walkability' is viewed as a measure of its health and vitality as a community. Such a Charter would improve the existing programs such as the Active and Safe Routes to School program to encourage children to walk or bike to school, rather than be driven by a parent. ASRTS is a wonderful program, but it cannot succeed unless the City, Region and school boards plan cooperatively to develop neighbourhoods that encourage students to walk. Again, improved mass transit, roads and commuter services would go a long way to reduce vehicular traffic and the resultant emissions. I also support further efforts on the "Reduce Idling" campaign.
9. How do you envision reaching zero waste?
Clive Smith: We need to work on full re-cycle program like they have in Rome. We should be leaders and go after Federal and Provincial Funding to pilot a full recycle program in Canada.
Vince Morency: As new technology is developed we must work with other levels of government to encourage producers to use more recyclable or bio-degradable packaging. We must also continue to expand the recycling program to include more materials for curb side pick up.
10. How do you see the City/Region 20 years from now?
Clive Smith: Waterloo will have a strong downtown core free of cars with a pedestrian mall and outdoor cafes'. The Region would be the model for the rest of Canada with a full recycle program.
Vince Morency: I see a community where all residents receive the full array of services without the need to drive across the city for access. I see a community with an abundance of tree-lined streets and parks that are home to the wildlife that once lived in the area. I see a City that has increased density in key areas while maintaining the park lands mentioned above - park lands that have been enhanced through tree plantings. I see a community with a thriving business community that will generate the economic benefits we need to pay for the projects and services we desire as a community. I see a community that encourages residents to get out of their cars and ride or walk to school or work because the city, region and school boards have co-operated to make it safe to do so. I see a community that draws tourists both because of the above-mentioned qualities and the events that will be held at the city facilities.
11. Should Cambridge fit into the Region's future? If yes, how?
Clive Smith: Yes, I believe we have strength in size and when we request funding for projects we are better off with three cities working together.
Vince Morency: Yes. All of the communities within Waterloo Region are important parts of the success of the whole region. Each, however, must be allowed to maintain its independent identity and ability to meet the needs of its citizens.
12. How do you propose to obtain the maximum level of forest coverage for this area?
Clive Smith: Stop developing the existing lands and insure plans for new development do not remove older trees.
Vince Morency: This can be achieved by continuing to support programs such as 10,000 Trees. I believe a number of streets throughout the region should have plantings. For example, I have been working with both the City and the Region on a proposal to plant trees along Bridge Street West between Chesapeake Drive North and Eastbridge Boulevard. I also believe that as a part of the pesticide reduction effort, we should consider ways to encourage residents to plant more trees on their own properties.
13. How can you best work with community groups and concerned citizens to achieve environmental sustainability?
Clive Smith: Education is essential for the community. A majority of the citizens in Waterloo do not understand the correlation of ground water and our drinking water. I believe we must work the schools to educate the children and bring this information home to the parents. Assist environmental groups in promoting educational trail walk and seminars.
Vince Morency: Open, honest communication between the city and community organizations on these and most other issues in the community, will provide the best solutions for all concerned. I have always been willing to work with any group - formal or informal - to help achieve community-based solutions.
14. How would you support and develop lifelong environmental education in the City/Region?
Clive Smith: The children are the future and we must work with the schools boards to ensure the environment is part of the school curriculum. We must assist environmental groups in building a foundation in a club like setting.
Vince Morency: