Brian Branch

My top priority is to listen to residents and business owners in Ward 1, and to work diligently to make decisions that are in the best interest of all Monctonians. I do not believe focusing on a single priority is the best approach, because many of the issues we face are interconnected. The lack of affordable housing, and the many challenges that come with it, appears to be one of the concerns residents raise most often. That is why data-driven solutions, along with input from experts and people…

I'm a strong supporter of a Housing First approach. The city must work more closely than ever with our provincial, federal, and NGO partners to help make that approach work. We need more affordable housing, and the city has an important role to play through land use and zoning. We should also encourage the development of vacant lots and empty buildings in the downtown, while exploring affordable housing minimums in new developments.

We need to reconsider how policing should work in this city, and who is best placed to provide those services. Many options and potential partnerships will be on the table. As a city, we need to have greater control over these issues when we're paying for these services.

Growth is a good thing. In fact, we need it if we want to continue providing even basic services to an aging population over the next 50 years. We are lucky to be experiencing that growth. But it needs to happen within Moncton's existing service boundaries. For too long, we have been told that the only way to fight costly sprawl is to build upward. That model may work well for developers, but it does not always work as well for the community. We need to design denser neighbourhoods where people…

I want to see Moncton's active transportation plan fully implemented. It's cheaper to invest in that infrastructure now than it will be in 10 years. Build it and they will come. I also want to see the redevelopment of St. George Street and the waterfront move forward, along with a serious discussion about whether Moncton needs a convention centre. I also believe Moncton High School should be used as a school, as it was always meant to be.

It's a tough one. Municipal taxes have not gone up for quite some time - which is good for residents. We need to consider every major expense carefully, as municipalities are not allowed to run deficits, and keep our provincial and federal counterparts accountable when it comes to the taxes they collect from Moncton residents. They need to invest in municipalities as well.

Tax empty lots and vacant buildings. If the city is in the storage business, it should charge market-rate parking. Invest in active transportation: when someone spends $1 on cycling, society pays about $0.10. When a driver spends $1 on a car, society pays about $10.

The expansion of the municipal boundaries to accommodate the plans of a developer on the outskirts. Especially when it goes against our municipal plan.

Working hard at making residents fall in love with their city. For the first time, or for a second time.

My campaign website will not mention I designed Dieppe's logo.

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