Bonnie Cleland

Candidate for City Councillor

Contact Information

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Personal Information

Resident of: Aberdeen
Age: 35
Current Occupation: Dance Teacher and Sports Coach

New Candidate

Political Experience:

This is my first major political campaign. I have worked with Elections Canada in past elections, as a Deputy Electoral Officer for my university elections at UVic and participate in student council through out my education. I have also been a union rep with the Steel Workers during previous employment.

Biography

Life Experiences that make me a great candidate:
Grew up in Kamloops: I know what makes it a great place to live, and how we can maximize its potential.
Have lived in 4 countries: I know what it is like to live in a foreign country and not speak the language.
My younger brother has special needs: I am aware of the specific barriers to community inclusion that need to be addressed.
New Mom: I know first hand the challenges facing young families with regards to housing and childcare.

Fun facts about me: I have traveled the world, am an avid board game player, enjoy extreme sports, and am a lover of pets.


External Page Links

KTW Posted: September 22, 2022
Cleland wants to help tackle the issues
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Answers to Questions from the Public

Many communities are facing drug addiction challenges, homelessness and have seen increase in crime and property crimes. How would advocate for our disadvantaged community members and what solutions would you propose?

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
Bonnie Cleland Answered

These issues are complex, multifaceted and don't have a quick easy solution, or a 5 point attainable action plan. When we are discussing options I think it is important to take a dignity for all approach as well as focusing on harm reduction. Support for the organizations that work closely with these individuals is paramount, as many people have strong opinions, but not all ideas produce the results that we want (less crime, less addiction, less homelessness, less danger). It is important for Council members to handle the high emotions that come with discussing these issues, and to put forward ideas and policies that produce results and don't just feel true / right. We need to look at what actually works according to evidence from within and around our community and double down on those strategies.

Many municipalities are facing ongoing problems and are dealing with staffing issues as part of the current health care crisis. Describe from a local government perspective how would you plan to recruit workers to our community?

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
Bonnie Cleland Answered

This is such an important issue and I think is too broad to be addressed in a few paragraphs and by one person. We have been applying various bandages to our healthcare system for years now and the pandemic pushed all those issues to the forefront. It is important to recruit more workers, but if we don't address issues surrounding the burn out we will just continue to cycle through staff and we won't be able to retain anyone. I think that solving this issue will require conversations with many stakeholders (front line workers, medical professionals, administrators, unions and council) and is a very complex issue. I am prepared to have those conversations, listen and propose ideas with the goal of having skilled workers who can do their jobs safely.

Describe how you would prioritize fire and flood management and other infrastructure issues such as poor roads and services in our community. Are you prepared to raise taxes to pay for improved infrastructure?

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
Bonnie Cleland Answered

I am in favour of maintenance and prevention over response to emergencies. We know that flood, fire and landslide are our biggest natural disaster risks and I think we should improve our development and building strategies to take this into account. Taxes are that topic that no one wants to talk about raising and yet we want to have development in all areas. I would work within the city budget to insure safety is a top priority. There are other methods of generating funding for projects that can be looked at (provincial and federal grants for example). Taxes are just one way funding projects.

Millions of jobs were lost during the pandemic. Describe how you will advocate for replacing those lost jobs with good union jobs.

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
Bonnie Cleland Answered

I see a rise in unionization following the pandemic. The labeling of "essential workers" has given power to the language and there is much more organizing opportunity. More people benefit when unions are strong as it shrinks the wealth gap and strengthens the middle class. I think council can facilitate between businesses and unions to work together to strengthen and lift up the community. My best answer for advocating always starts with listening to the stakeholders and gathering as many perspectives as possible. This is what I promise to do as Councillor.

Define Fiduciary Responsibility and how would you personally apply this to an elected role in Council or the TNRD.

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
Bonnie Cleland Answered

A fiduciary is someone who is acting in your best interests. The term is often used in relation to financial management. For example, if I were a financial advisor I would advise you on how to invest your money in a way that will grow it for you, not because it offers me a kickback.

As a Councillor, I would apply this daily in all decision making by asking specific questions during decision making. Who does this benefit the most? Does anyone gain financially from this decision, and if not would that change the decision? Does one group benefit more than the other? Is anyone left out?

By asking these questions we can identify any potential conflicts, address them and move forward with good strategic thinking.

What steps will you take to work towards action on Truth and Reconciliation?

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
Bonnie Cleland Answered

The best answer I have is to promise to listen. To listen to hear, not to respond. To listen to understand. To listen to empower. As someone who was not directly impacted and yet benefits from enormous privilege it is important that I am an ally and take direction from those hurting the most. Creating space to bring stories to the forefront and pushing for accountability, acknowledgement and apology are of utmost importance in order to begin to move forward.

What steps would you take to ensure your local government hiring practices reflect the community’s population diversity? Are you aware of any existing Employment Equity policies in your community or other communities?

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
Bonnie Cleland Answered

Step one is to have a council that in itself represents and speaks for the population. More diversity is better, as more perspectives are used to come to solutions. I would encourage education in diverse hiring practices, and to make sure job opportunities are offered in accessible ways (in person and online, with translations, different ways to apply etc) and I would want the hiring process to reflect the diversity of the applicants (allowing for recognition and acknowledgement of cultural bias etc.

Describe how you will address housing needs and housing that people can afford in your community?

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
Bonnie Cleland Answered

There are many factors influencing the rising cost of housing and we will need multiple strategies to address them. What I will do as Councillor is look throughout BC, Canada and the greater global community for what is working and replicate them here. For example, one of the factors is the increased cost of materials impacting the construction industry. Let’s look to other building methods for sustainable and cost effective structures (rammed earth, 3D printing, earthships, cob, tiny houses etc) and analyze their feasibility for our community.
The zoning, red tape, build code requirements and regulations involved in building safe structures are cumbersome, difficult to navigate for new structures and cause us to do the same old, dame old. With families today being more diverse than the nuclear family, we need more diverse housing options so that everyone can have safe shelter that is within their budget.
Another example I would look into expanding are housing co-ops, which allow for families to come together and share resources and live well within the community. Current wait-lists are over 2 years for this type of housing. Housing co-ops can be designed for multi-generational living, where neighbours are encouraged to live closer together and build up the connection that has been lost in the past two years.

What can local governments do to attract and create green jobs and businesses in their community?

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
Bonnie Cleland Answered

In order to attract opportunities to our community we need to make it accessible, cost effective and easy to adopt. I would support policies that incentivize green initiatives. I would also want to ensure a minimum standard as to what a "green" job is so that the jobs being created are truly positively impactful for our community and not just fancy marketing.

What steps would you take to ensure a Pay Equity policy is in place and that the policy is applied to all staff employed by the local government?

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
Bonnie Cleland Answered

One of the great things about a unionized workforce is the bargaining power to ensure pay equity. Having worked in both union and non union employers, I have experienced the difference first hand. A pay equity policy is a key part of the collective agreement, and I would ensure that it is upheld.

Do you support the Living Wage for Families Campaign? Please explain why or why not.

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor, School Trustee 73 - TEA1 Candidates
Bonnie Cleland Answered

I 100% support the living wage campaign. If we want security and dignity for all, fair pay for work needs to be a part of it. If the wage is unlivable, how is that fair? Too many people are 1 disaster away from homelessness and this is extremely important to address. A living wage is one step in the right direction.

Describe your position on Contracting Out and Public Private Partnerships and how they effect existing jobs.

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor, School Trustee 73 - TEA1 Candidates
Bonnie Cleland Answered

There are many skilled workers in town that are not employed in their trade. Before companies look to fill jobs outside, it is essential that they look locally. It could come to pass that a job requires such specialization that is not available within the existing workforce. Only then should we be bringing in an outside work force. PPP's need to be used to fill the gap, not replace existing jobs.

What are the top three critical issues facing your community?

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
Bonnie Cleland Answered

I believe that housing is the issue that is impacting the most citizens in Kamloops. Access to safe shelter is fundamental, and is intertwined with community safety which I believe is the second most pressing issue. The third issue I personally find important to address is inclusion. As a sibling of a special needs adult, I know first hand the barriers and challenges he faces towards employment and participation in the community. These three issues will be a top priority for me as a city Councillor.

Have you ever been a candidate or volunteered in a previous civic, provincial, or federal election? If so, please give details.

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor, School Trustee 73 - TEA1 Candidates
Bonnie Cleland Answered

This is my first time! So far it is exciting, busy and I am learning a lot.