Nicholas Chernen started out as a reluctant politician. He began his entry into this race as simply a frustrated citizen, watching our city rapidly change under the influence of developers and without the inclusion of a neighbourhood voice.
The more townhalls and community events Nicholas has attended, the more Vancouverites he has encountered who share his concerns, one by one telling him their stories: seniors on fixed incomes being renovicted from their homes, young families trying to stay in Vancouver but struggling with increasing rental costs, men and women struggling with housing issues in the Downtown Eastside and lacking a voice in their own solutions, single parents balancing work demands and childcare costs, small business owners who run up against zoning and bylaw restrictions, teachers who must make-do with deficiencies in resources, and neighbourhood advocates straining to be heard at a civic level. These citizens need to be acknowledged. These citizens need to be the influencers.
It is time to change the way we do things and the only way we can guarantee that the city gets back to listening to neighborhoods is to get some new faces into city hall who are actually willing to listen and to advocate for Vancouver’s vibrant communities. After all, it is communities, not city officials, who should be the policymakers. Our elected officials should act as the facilitators to take the citizens’ recommendations to the city departments who then craft and implement those ideas into a reality.
It is time to address housing affordability in Vancouver. There may be a shortage of rental units but the real issue lies in defining what “affordable” is. There is no point in giving developers breaks for including “affordable” rental units in their towers when that means a 600-square-foot one-bedroom unit rents for $1700 a month.
It is time for clarity in the calculation and assessment of levies and fees paid by the development industry for their impact on neighbourhood infrastructure and amenities.
We need to strengthen our neighbourhoods and utilize as much potential rental stock as possible by encouraging investors to either put down roots and live in their homes or place renters in them, therefore reducing the negative effect empty homes have on communities. The time has come for a property tax/rebate or levy on vacant properties as done in other jurisdictions around the world.
By imposing limits on political donations we can prevent inappropriate influence by heavily financed special interest groups over individuals who hold positions of power—political or administrative.
Nicholas has tremendous respect for many of his political colleagues in other parties across the city. He strongly supports the idea of a non-majority council, and encourages voters to vote for a MIXED SLATE of candidates. This outcome would achieve a state of true democracy, where individuals do not work solely for a party but for all of Vancouver. Nicholas is committed to work across party lines to find the best solutions for Vancouver from a community perspective, not a party perspective.
Facebook: facebook.com/nchernen?ref=hl
Twitter: twitter.com/nicholaschernen
Website: cedarparty.ca/about/cedar-candidates/nicholas-chernen/
