MOOSE JAW — Resident Carla Delaurier has announced that she is running in the Nov. 13 municipal election. Presented below are Delaurier’s answers to questions from the Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com. Some answers have been edited for length.
Why are you running/what prompted you to run?
I believe in the power of local government to effect meaningful change. Moose Jaw deserves a balanced approach to leadership, one that values economic progress and strong social support.
As your councillor, I will focus on what matters to you: protecting businesses, addressing housing affordability, and ensuring our neighbourhoods are safe. I am committed to responsible governance, especially with avoiding tax increases and levies that hit lower-income residents and businesses the hardest. Instead, I will work to maximize the resources we have.
I have been increasingly concerned with the lack of leadership and structured decision making from city hall. Each decision appears to be made independent of further study and does not consider the long-term ramifications.
SAMA’s assessment model is not fair or user friendly and it needs to go; the sale of Timothy Eaton Gardens was problematic; the continued expansion of the agri-food industrial park even without tenants; approving a budget that includes millions of dollars of grant money that we did not receive; the denial of a $50-millilon, 200-unit housing project; and the lack of leadership with sound bylaws and supports to address the downtown homeless issue and criminal behaviours that directly affecting our citizens and tourists.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
I am passionate about creating advisory committees for economic development, social issues, and property tax oversight. These committees would bring together citizens and experts to address the challenges and provide council with grounded, practical advice. This approach is not about gathering ideas; it is about giving you a seat at the table to shape Moose Jaw’s future.
I plan to update our bylaws to reflect Moose Jaw’s current needs; they need to be fair and enforceable. I plan to have all development and property projects vetted to ensure they are in the best interests of Moose Jaw.
What would be your top area(s) of focus?
Funding the Crescent View Lift Station, restructuring the city’s property tax assessment model, updating our bylaws to reflect our current needs, creating an advisory committees for economic development, social issues, and property tax oversight; and making city hall more accessible to the citizens, from office hours to attending and participating in council meetings.
What issues do you think need to be addressed in Moose Jaw?
We need to find $66 million for the Crescent View Lift Station. When the lift station can no longer service our community, it will affect every home and business.
A rigorous review of all spending in every department must be completed and cuts must be made.
I want to renegotiate SAMA’s assessment model, fix it or return to an in-house assessment model that works for all citizens.
Moose Jaw must bolster its bylaws and processes to keep up with today’s issues.
Moose Jaw needs a rigorous process to vet all economic development and city-owned property sales.
How would you make life more affordable for residents?
I want to renegotiate or withdraw from SAMA’s assessment model in our city. Amend SAMA or return to an in-house assessment model that works for all citizens.
How would you reign in excessive and/or unnecessary spending? Would you consider cutting taxes or reducing projects?
Each city department needs to carefully look at how it can make cuts to their budget. The 2025 budget will be rigorously scrutinized for savings.
All projects that are not directly supporting our city financially or locked in a contract need to be shelved until the lift station is funded. The agri-food industrial park expansion needs to be carefully reviewed, with spending restricted to the preparation of the next tenant. Build it and they will come did not work well for the Grayson Industrial Park.
Would you approve of using taxpayers’ money to support the Hilton Hotel project and/or a related parkade?
No. Let a developer come in and assist the developer with a smooth transparent process for permits. The city needs to spend more time managing infrastructure, like our fire hydrants and not competing with developers who have more experience, expertise and funding.
How would you address the issues facing the community’s impoverished and homeless residents?
Moose Jaw will soon have 24-hour services including meal services with Hope Ministries. This is a great step. Having a place that provides meals is needed for the housed and unhoused. Having washrooms available will help with some issues plaguing our downtown core.
I support emergency food and housing and wrap-around support that includes addictions, mental health, and skill development. I also think that those supports need not be in the centre of our tourism sector, based on results from Canadian peer-reviewed studies.
How would you enhance security or safety in the community?
I would hire bylaw officers to patrol parks and downtown. Bylaw officers are less expensive than regular police officers but still have a valuable presence. I would also have rotating cameras throughout the alleys and park entrances.
We need to address unwanted and criminal behaviours through our bylaws. They need to be fair, compassionate, and enforceable. Those that sleep in public shared spaces should be directed to shelters, or given a hotel voucher from social services. Our public shared spaces are for community recreation.
Tagging buildings with graffiti should have a stiff fine and a work element. Taggers should clean the damage they have made. Bylaw officers may also be used to supervise graffiti cleanup.
Panhandling, public urination/defecation, littering, excessive noise, damaging public property, and scavenging in garbage will not be tolerated. Fines and work orders for remediation followed up with restricted access to the location of the offence need to be implemented.
We cannot blame our homeless community for all the unwanted behaviour downtown and in our parks as some offenders are housed and receiving addiction/mental health support. We need to hold people accountable for their actions and care for those in need.
What steps would you take to increase economic growth or encourage businesses to move here?
I want to lower property taxes by renegotiating SAMA’s assessment model, amend it or return to an in-house assessment model that works for all citizens.
I would create an entry-level housing plan to expand available housing and spur job creation.
I would partner with businesses by offering a “client-centered” approach to service delivery. City hall should be partnering with businesses with collaboration and problem-solving solutions. Maintain our downtown community by attracting tourists and expanding our tourism sector.
Would you halt spending money on the agri-food industrial park until an anchor tenant is found?
Yes. My economic development advisory committee would carefully vet any new development or expansion. All city expansion will follow a detailed plan ensures that any future development will benefit the citizens financially.
What is your long-term vision for the community 10 to 20 years down the road? How would you bring that to fruition?
I trust it doesn’t take 10 years, but Moose Jaw will have fair taxation and modest growth with developers being supported through streamlined processes and quick permit approval. Our downtown and public spaces will be serviced with additional bylaw officers to ensure public safety.
Moose Jaw will have a much-improved infrastructure rehabilitation plan that does not cause unnecessary financial hardship to property owners. Our roads, sidewalks, and water/sewer repairs will be current with nominal seasonal maintenance. Moose Jaw will have more entry-level homes available to bolster job creation and expansion.
Fewer students and workers will commute from Regina as they will have found their home here. Moose Jaw will be using our geothermal energy for direct use and district heating systems, and industrial applications like food dehydration and milk pasteurizing. Moose Jaw will subsidize property taxes and social programs with revenue from our geothermal projects.
Why are you the best person for this role?
I think outside the box but with financial accountability and a solution-focused mindset. I believe city hall is to serve its citizens. I believe that each person has intrinsic value and has a place in our city. Those citizens who struggle with socially unacceptable behaviours will be held accountable for their infractions. Fines can be mitigated through active participation with the appropriate community agencies.
What are your top skills/qualities/attributes?
As a former business owner and REALTOR ®, I have first-hand knowledge of our city's economic landscape. This understanding helps me make informed decisions about policies that affect businesses and property owners. I can better anticipate how council decisions might impact our business community and real estate market.
My experience in commercial and residential real estate gives me a comprehensive understanding of property values, zoning issues, and development trends. This knowledge is crucial when considering city planning, zoning changes, or development proposals.
In real estate, I often navigate between different parties' interests. This skill translates well to city council work, where balancing the needs of various stakeholders is crucial. I can help find common ground between residents, businesses, and city objectives.
Running a business has honed my financial management skills. I can apply this expertise to city budgeting, ensuring fiscal responsibility and efficient use of taxpayer money.
Both business ownership and real estate work have taught me the importance of excellent customer service. I will bring this citizen-focused approach to my role on the council, ensuring that residents' concerns are heard and addressed.
I'm experienced in advocating for vulnerable populations. On the council, I'll make sure we consider the needs of all residents, especially those who might otherwise be overlooked.
My expertise in conducting needs assessments will help us make evidence-based decisions that truly address our city's challenges.
I've mediated numerous conflicts in my social work and real estate careers.
I'll push for solutions that consider all aspects of community life. I'll promote collaboration between city departments and community partners. I'll advocate for tailoring city services to meet the unique needs of different neighbourhoods and demographic groups.
Instead of just focusing on problems, I'll emphasize leveraging our community's existing strengths and assets to develop effective solutions.
Why should people vote for you?
My vision includes innovative solutions for economic growth, fast-tracked infrastructure improvement, mindful spending, and bylaw creation. I pledge to maintain open communication with constituents and ensure that the decision-making process at city hall is transparent. My goal is to rebuild trust between the community and local government by being accessible, honest, and accountable in all my actions as a councillor.
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