Bryan MacDonald
Candidate Q&A
Q1
What's your top priority, and what's your plan to achieve it?
I am running at large because of my perspective to view the City as a whole with the goal of bringing the most benefit to the most people through thoughtful decision making. If pressed to choose one discipline it would be Planning, Design and Building of our community. When we approve developments they will be with us for a long time and will contribute positively or negatively to the community, so give it some thought for the long term.
Q2
What is your plan to address homelessness in Moncton?
A municipality can only use the tools bestowed upon it by the Province. What "we" can do is help Non Profits, targeting specific segments of society, with the acquisition of land or buildings, which they can then develop and manage affordable housing for their constituency. The problem is ours to solve, perhaps a Municipal Housing Directorate could be established.
Q3
Moncton's policing budget has grown significantly in recent years, yet concern about public safety remains high — how would you approach public safety spending as an elected official?
We seem to have two streams of policing, the RCMP and Municipal By Law Officers. It needs to be made clear why these two agencies exist - what is the mandate of each. At what point does the Police not enforce municipal, provincial or federal laws. I believe the public is unclear what the answer is, so we must answer this question first.
Q4
How do you see Moncton growing over the next decade — where should we build, and how should people get around?
Promoting development of vacant and underutilized land that is already within the serviceable boundary should be a strategic focus. As a tie in to earlier questions, my premise is that "unused land brings unwanted uses". The community as a whole benefits from infilling vacant land.
Q5
Which major developments do you plan to support in the next four years?
What specific developments are you referring to and what is determined to be major? I am all for increasing accessibility to recreation for youth and seniors through neighbourhood services. Particularly, getting to and from recreation without the need of a car. Perhaps, discussion on a new Public Market, Convention Space, and Indoor Pool, should be encouraged.
Q6
How will you make life more affordable for Monctonians feeling financially squeezed?
The best thing Council can do is to make sure they are using the funds they collect in the most efficient way possible. Keeping property tax rates as low as possible is important.
Q7
Where do you think the city can generate new revenues or find cost savings?
No answer provided.
Q8
What's a decision Moncton council has made in the last four years that you disagreed with, and what would you have done differently?
Approving development outside the Serviceable Boundary, while land lies idle inside our City, is not something that should have been encouraged.
Q9
Outside of the issues above, what's one thing you'll be focused on that voters might not expect?
No answer provided.
Q10
Tell us something about yourself that voters wouldn't find on your campaign website.
I am somewhat of a reluctant politician, haven't met a camera that I do not "dislike".
Q11
Final word?
Will this decision improve the lives of the majority of citizens, without being a burden on others?