Mark's Views
Check out Mark's candidate profile on the Waterloo Chronicle's Waterloo Chronicle's Why Vote for Me series!
Countryside Line Questionnaire
The Region of Waterloo’s Countryside Line is a boundary that protects the cultural, economic, and environmental heritage of our rural lands from the pressures of urban sprawl.
The Countryside Line protects the distinctiveness rural communities and safeguards farms and other lands of vital importance to our Region at a time when other Ontario cities and regions are annexing rural areas for suburban expansion (and kilometres upon kilometres of cold concrete and cement).
Will you defend the countryside line against amendments and updates to the Official Plan that threaten to weaken its protections?
My political career began 15 years ago as one of the front line activists against paving the Wilmot Line in Waterloo. Since those days of passionate lobbying I have been a ceaseless advocate for the protection of this section of the Countryside Line as a long time elected official. Wilmot Line remains under constant threat from the burgeoning City of Waterloo spilling across the fragile road and into neighbouring farmland. My voice on Council is now needed more than ever.
How will you work to protect prime agricultural areas, the Waterloo moraine, and drinking water?
My record over the past 15 years has reflected support of the environment. As one of two political founders of the Environmentally Sustainable Lands (ESL) the idea germinated in north Waterloo to eventually include surrounding townships and the Region in a legacy project that will be a shining example for generations. While this early visioning and support will be lost in time the ESL will continue to grow and prosper.
As our population grows, how should Waterloo Region plan for new development?
I was a part of the original politicians who voted for the "nodes and corridors" model that forever changed the direction of growth in Waterloo. Instead of expansion into green fields around the perimeter of Waterloo, growth has been directed inward toward the core where density has concentrated. My 15 year legacy of support for intensification has made Waterloo a model for other communities who wish to protect green spaces surrounding urban population centers.
Tri-Cities Transport Action Group Questionnaire
Have you signed the #CycleWR "I Bike I Vote" pledge?
Yes.
What will you do to ensure sidewalks are accessible and consistently cleared of snow in winter?
Waterloo's bylaws are specific, "snow shall be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours." The problem is enforcement is only carried out when there is a complaint and only then, after a several day process of contact protocal. Ensuring accessible sidewalks will require a proactive approach to enforcement. I support such a change as the incumbant politician
Few gaps in the sidewalk network were closed between 2014-18. What will you do to expedite sidewalk infill on streets that lack sidewalks on both sides?
Waterloo Council has a policy, (which I supported,) of having at least one sidewalk on every street. This is mandatory on any new development projects. We have created a triaged list of those current gaps in sidewalk infrastructure and are working to fill in the spaces over time.
What will you do to ensure new development helps to build walkable communities, encouraging walking, cycling, and taking transit to schools, jobs, and amenities?
Waterloo has created policy, (which I helped to enact,) that new development has specific criteria around providing sidewalk, parkland and cycling infrastructure as part of the approval process. We are a leading city in cycling infrastructure development having recently achieved the gold standard by the international share the road cycling coalition. We are the only municipality in Canada to adopt multi modal transportation as the main tenant of our strategic plan. I have been excited to be a part of the visioning for this important shift in thinking away from car dependant living.
Will you reduce or eliminate parking minimums from zoning bylaws and Official Plans?
Waterloo has drastically reduced parking requirements as -part of its new zoning bylaw, enacted in September 2108. I voted in favour of such a change. In recent months development applications have come forward with site specific request for even further reduction in parking. I have voted in favour of these plans. My actions and leadership, over several terms of council, have helped Waterloo be a leader in creating an environment where multi modal transportation flourishes in our city
Will you change street and intersection design to prioritize a reduction in the number of traffic deaths? If so, how will you accomplish this?
What I have done in a leadership role this year to reduce injuries and deaths from traffic collisions is to meet the CAO's of both Kitchener and Waterloo to begin a joint study to reduce speeds to 40 kilometers per hour on all twin city streets with a further reduction to 30KPH in school zones. I am happy to report that the joint study is now underway with a report likely in the new year. Statistical data has consistently proven that such a step significantly reduces injuries and death in collisions. Such a change can only go in to effect through political will. I have been delighted to be in the forefront of such a change.