More than two dozen candidates for 91原创 Township council took questions on development, crime, homelessness, and taxes Monday night at an all-candidates event at the LEC.

Organized by the Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce and the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, the meeting had a new format that saw councillors take questions in three groups of eight to 10 each. There are 28 candidates running, and almost all turned up for the debate.

Many of the questions were centered around 91原创鈥檚 status as one of the fastest-growing communities in B.C., including the first, which asked about the appropriate mix of home types for the Township.

Incumbent Petrina Arnason said the Township鈥檚 plans are somewhat dated and need an update.

鈥淭hey don鈥檛 consider the environment, they don鈥檛 consider homelessness,鈥� she said.

Scott Cameron noted the need for affordable housing, as he has friends who are leaving or can鈥檛 move back to 91原创.

鈥淭hey can鈥檛 find a place to live or rent,鈥� he said.

Tim Baillie warned against development that takes over manufactured home parks.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e an essential part of housing, especially for seniors,鈥� he said.

The scope of the growth was up to 6,000 or 7,000 people a year, noted Micheal Chang.

鈥淓ach project has to come with input from the voters and the people,鈥� he said.

A core review, protecting the tree canopy, and taking climate change into account was Rebecca Darnell鈥檚 answer.

鈥淲e鈥檝e already got enough towers, I don鈥檛 think we need another one at this time,鈥� she said.

On the speed of development and business permits, all candidates agree things move too slowly in the Township.

鈥淧ermits need to be faster,鈥� said Stephen Dinesen, noting Calgary turns around permits in a few days.

Brit Gardner wants to see the process modernized and digitized, and with some decisions made by staff, rather than the council itself.

Alex Joehl, a former Libertarian candidate at the federal and provincial level, suggested a Japanese-style development system, but also noted that 91原创 City is much faster at issuing permits than the Township.

A.J. Cheema brought personal experience to bear, noting it took him two and a half years to get a permit for his business from the Township.

On widening 208th Street in Willoughby, there was broad agreement that something needs to be done.

鈥淲e need five votes [on council] to get it fixed,鈥� said Steve Ferguson, who is running with Eric Woodward鈥檚 Contract with 91原创 slate.

Sukhman Gill, running with Rich Coleman鈥檚 Elevate 91原创, said the same thing 鈥� and that they also need five councillors elected.

The cost of widening the whole road was set at $60 to $80 million, noted incumbent Margaret Kunst, and said she thought it was not appropriate to borrow that much money to fix the problem.

Fixing 208th has to go along with finishing off connecting up 202nd Street, 204th, and 76th Avenue, said Michael Pratt.

Asked about expanding industrial lands into the ALR, all the candidates drew a firm line.

鈥淚 100 per cent don鈥檛 support moving into ALR lands,鈥� said Carey Poitras.

Karen Moraes agreed, saying there is lots of other property available.

鈥淲e need more density, and we need the services there,鈥� said Kam Respondek.

On policing, VPD officer Barb Martens said deployment is an issue for the 91原创 RCMP.

鈥淭hey are operating with over 20 vacancies,鈥� she noted.

With many new councillors coming 鈥� at least four of eight council seats will have new occupants 鈥� candidates were asked about why their voice is one 91原创 needs.

鈥淣ew voices are good,鈥� said incumbent Kim Richter. 鈥淲e also need to have a sense of organizational history, or institutional history.鈥�

Carlos Suarez Rubio said he wanted to bring hope.

鈥淧olitics is possible with integrity,鈥� he said.

Meanwhile, Navin Takhar said the current council was inefficient and fragmented, and said there are 鈥渟imple solutions鈥� to many problems.

On climate change, Theresa Townsley said she鈥檚 a farmer and a beekeeper.

鈥淲e see this every day on our farm,鈥� she said, speaking of the need for the Township to have a financial cushion against climate change.

Sustainable building, solar power, and protecting the tree canopy were important, said Gerald Wartak.

A holistic approach to energy, including solar, and upgrading the Township鈥檚 vehicle fleet with EVs, was part of the answer, said Tony Ward.

New rules committing 91原创 to building energy efficient homes in the future was a key, as well as upgrading municipal buildings, said Misty Van Popta.

A video of the full debate will be posted on the website of the Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce this week, said chamber CEO Cory Redekop.

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