Richmond city councillor candidate Jenny Gonzales Mata said she would not raise taxes for more police officers and firefighters and provided answers on housing, transit and public consultation.
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Jenny Gonzales Mata is running for city councillor in Richmond under the We Are Richmond slate/affiliation.
Her home neighbourhood is listed as Central Richmond, and she is described as a financial professional.
Among her responses to the questionnaire, Mata said Richmond is a safe place to live, work and play by answering “No.”
She also said she would not increase taxes to pay for more police officers and firefighters, answering “No.”
On Cowichan Tribes related considerations, Mata said “Yes” to continuing the city’s appeal of the Cowichan Tribes ruling.
She said “Yes” to supporting increased reconciliation efforts with First Nations.
For small-scale multi-unit housing developments, Mata did not provide an answer.
On whether the city should lower fees for developers to support faster housing development, she answered “Yes.”
She said “No” to allowing more City of Richmond-owned land to be used for affordable housing.
Mata said she supports continuing temporary modular housing contracts, while stating it should be set up with defined KPIs so the transition and progress are monitored and reported.
She said “Yes” to adding more bike lanes in Richmond, adding that this should be done with clearer rules and accountability measurements.
On traffic and transit, Mata answered “Yes” to the need to reduce traffic congestion and “Yes” to the need for more buses in Richmond.
She said “Yes” to supporting lower property taxes and to more recreational facilities in Richmond.
Mata also answered “Yes” to increasing funding for arts programming and to having more taxpayer-funded free community events.
When asked whether Richmond receives enough support from higher levels of government for housing, health and transportation, she answered “No.”
She said “Yes” to reducing environmentally sensitive areas on private property and “Yes” to allowing retail cannabis stores in Richmond, while specifying they should not be within areas with heavy foot traffic for children such as schools, malls and community centres.
For industrial or commercial development along the Fraser River waterfront, Mata did not provide an answer.
She said “Yes” to creating more low-cost or subsidized commercial space for local entrepreneurs and startups.
Finally, Mata said “Yes” to Richmond holding more public consultations before major infrastructure decisions.
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