Over the last several years, Vancouver has seen alarming increases in crime and homelessness, along with higher costs of living. Human trafficking is up more than 66 percent, drug and narcotic violations have risen 175 percent, homicides are up 57 percent — and homelessness has grown by 43 percent. All of this is happening despite a massive increase in the city budget in the last several years. When spending goes up but problems get worse, it signifies a failure of leadership, misplaced priorities, and a lack of accountability.

My approach is different. It means budgeting the same way families do at their kitchen tables: prioritizing needs, planning ahead, and sticking to a plan. It means public safety that is stable and dependable — supporting police, fire, and paramedics while also investing in prevention programs that keep kids engaged, reduce crime, and ease the burden on first responders. We must lead with prevention, not crisis, because waiting until problems boil over only costs more and hurts families the most. That prevention must also begin at the school level — by supporting after-school programs, mentorship, and skills training that give young people opportunities, keep them on a positive path, and help prevent cycles of homelessness and crime before they start.

A balanced approach also means protecting our environment with practical, common sense solutions — safeguarding shorelines, ensuring clean drinking water, and planning for a resilient future. And it means pursuing justice reform that supports victims, holds offenders accountable, and creates programs that actually work.

Vancouver doesn’t need more of the same. It needs people-first leadership and a common sense, balanced approach that prioritizes stability, safety, and opportunity for everyone who calls our city home.