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B.C. Liberal leadership candidate profile: Michael Lee

A collaborative plan is needed to build healthy, sustainable cities
We need more density along transit line and to achieve that the provincial government should play mo
We need more density along transit line and to achieve that the provincial government should play more of a leadership role, says Michael Lee.

The Courier reached out to the six B.C. Liberal politicians vying to become leader of the party this week. Each candidate was asked the same questions for a short profile of their views on issues facing Vancouverites.

Transportation and housing need to be part of the same plan to address the pressures facing residents of the Lower Mainland, Michael Lee says.

“We have a lot of people who’d like to live here,” he says. “We need to ensure we continue to build the right supply and mix of housing.”

But housing on its own won’t work. There needs to be more co-ordination and long-term planning between all levels of government to ensure everyone’s on “the same page” when it comes to necessary infrastructure improvements.

“There’s a role the provincial government ought to play in regional planning and we can’t do it by referendum,” he says. “Nor can we have such vast differences amongst municipalities on their approach to rental housing, and getting units built.”

We need more density along transit line and, to achieve that “we should expect the provincial government to play more of a leadership role.”

“There has been a challenging relationship between the provincial government and municipal governments. We need to work on that and have a stronger, collaborative plan for healthy, sustainable cities.”

He supports the Christy Clark Liberal government’s plan to build a bridge over the Fraser River to replace the Massey tunnel, saying it was the best of all the alternatives to easing traffic congestion. There was a bid that could have been accepted but the NDP is now creating delays, he says.

“We need to continue to look at smart-city innovations,” he adds. “We have the tools and the technology for better traffic systems.”

He has doubts, however, about the mobility pricing being discussed as a way of paying for improved transportation infrastructure. “Be cautious of what’s being discussed,” he says, because it seems like just another form of taxation.

He wants to enhance the number of childcare options for families with young children. That includes pilot projects in each region for the introduction of junior kindergarten in addition to full-day senior kindergarten.

Working with school boards he would encourage better utilization and options for existing spaces. With developers, he’d incentivise the creation of more childcare spaces in new buildings.”

For parents he’d “take a look at thresholds for subsidies and tax breaks to lower the costs of childcare.”

Asked about the opioid crisis and number of people dying from drug overdoses, Lee says, “It’s certainly a concern for all of us in communities to ensure we continue to find the right approaches.”

He’d continue to invest in harm-reduction programs and expand primary care and mental health services. An opioid management system would especially help people who are on pain medications.

Part of his focus would be on strengthening services for young people. “We need to decrease the stigma of mental health and increase early identification to make sure they are not falling between the cracks.”

As to his campaign, he says he’s added the most new Liberal memberships compared to other candidates. “I believe I bring a fresh perspective from my 30 years of community and political involvement.”

With a 20-year career working for resource companies, he says he can address “the false choice” of the environment or the economy when it comes to tapping into our natural resources.

“I feel very strongly about the momentum I continue to build,” he says.