Tom Duncan is running for a fifth term as a Duncan city councillor.
He said he wants to use his long experience to continue serving the city.
“Our community has seen unprecedented challenges; an ongoing pandemic, population growth which resulted in additional policing costs, community homelessness and addictions and mental health issues,” Duncan said.
“Our regional and local governments must advocate for support services and funding. Our city council has limited authority and funding. The B.C. Housing Corp. has worked with the city and North Cowichan and we can use the experience we gained to benefit future projects and partnerships.”
Duncan said mental illness services, which are the responsibility of the province, need a long-term solution and Island Health and the province have to provide a plan for service.
“Our council will continue to work with other levels of government for the mental illness services we need in the Valley,” Duncan said.
Duncan said a review of the official community plan was completed and is now coming to council for adoption, and the transportation and mobility strategy has been completed as well and now these plans need to be implemented.
Duncan said he has been a member of several committees in his many years on council, including the Cowichan Community Centre Commission, the summer festival committee and he is the city’s liaison with the Island Corridor Foundation.
He has also served as an alternate to the Municipal Insurance Association of BC and is the city’s alternate director on the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board, as well as chairing the tourism committee.
“We have one of the best year-round farmers markets, and our downtown has many unique stores and services,” he said.
“The 39 Days of July music festival was a great success bringing many people into downtown, and our tourism committee is planning a renewal of the marketing strategy. It was great to hear from the DDBIA at our last council meeting that they have a new marketing plan and if re-elected, I look forward to working with the DDBIA.”
Duncan can be reached at 250-709-4843 or by email at tomduncan56@telus.net.