Rob Douglas
for North Cowichan Mayor
Strong Local Economy
My vision for North Cowichan involves building a strong regional economy where local businesses can prosper and workers can find good paying jobs close to home. My priorities are to:
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Work with the Cowichan Valley Regional District to encourage a regional approach to economic development, concentrating on the manufacturing, value-added forestry, agricultural, tech, tourism and arts & culture sectors.
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Establish eco-industrial parks where businesses and the broader community can co-operate to reduce waste and pollution, efficiently share resources, and help achieve sustainable development.
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Continue to revitalize existing town centres in Chemainus, Crofton and near Duncan through infrastructure investments including enhanced streetscapes, public plazas & squares, and sea walks. ​
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Minimize the tax burden on local residents and businesses by restraining growth in municipal spending and generating new sources of revenue to lessen North Cowichan’s reliance on property taxes.
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Advocate for a Vancouver Island regional forests strategy to empower local communities in the management of our forests, with a focus on increasing employment, improving environmental sustainability, and partnering with First Nations.
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Lobby the federal and provincial governments to provide funding to restore rail service on Vancouver Island, providing passenger service between Victoria and Courtenay and freight operations on the entire system.​
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Implement a municipal Living Wage Policy for contracted work with the municipality, setting an example to business that will improve living conditions for workers while injecting consumer dollars into our local economy.
