Candidate's name
Nils Jensen
Running for which council or school district?
Oak Bay
If running for municipal seat, indicate position.
Mayor
Occupation
Crown prosecutor and adjunct Professor at University of Victoria, Faculty of Law
Community where you live
Oak Bay
Community where you work
Victoria
Political experience
15 years as a councilor in Oak Bay.
Chair, 2011 Budget Committee
Member, Climate Change Task Force
Chair, Secondary Suites Committee
Chair, Floor Area Ratio Committee
Chair, Regional Water Supply Commission (12 years)
Trustee, Greater Victoria Public Library Board
Vice-chair, CRD Emergency Service Telecommunications
Council Liaison, Emergency Planning Committee
Community involvement
Served as Group Commissioner of 12th Garry Oak Scouts
Coached Oak Bay Little League and served on its executive
Coached soccer for many years with Bays United
What are the top three issues?
1. I support a regional plan that will reduce the deer population. This is a problem that Oak Bay cannot solve alone, and I will work hard at the CRD regional table to ensure appropriate action is taken.
2. Regional policing is the subject of much discussion in greater Victoria. As a Crown prosecutor I have experience in this matter. I believe that a review of regional policing is necessary, but should not compromise successful models such as we have in Oak Bay. The Oak Bay model contracts for specialized services with Saanich, while core community policing services are provided locally.
3. Council will begin further discussions recommended by the Oak Bay Secondary Suites Review committee in the new year. Their survey indicated 52% favour secondary suites; 41% oppose. My experience has demonstrated that I can find common ground and build consensus on difficult issues.
Why should people vote for you?
I bring experience, proven leadership and integrity to serve the people of Oak Bay. I am fiscally prudent and cautious with financial resources. I am proud of my record of preserving local heritage, supporting active transportation infrastructure projects, initiating climate change measures, and supporting local business.
Increasingly Oak Bay will require a strong voice at the regional level on the many issues facing Greater Victoria municipalities. I have been working at the CRD level for many years -- as Chair of the CRD Regional Water Supply Commission since 1999, and on the governance committees of the Library Board and the emergency radio system. I am committed to representing our community interests at the regional tables.
What are the best things about your community?
Residents in Oak Bay have a strong sense of community identity, and this translates into a high level of volunteerism and citizen commitment to heritage, the environment, active transportation, and community 'character'. I am privileged to have worked with many fine residents and respect the energy and initiative they contribute.
Oak Bay has maintained its pleasing character through a strong commitment to heritage conservation and flexible zoning solutions.
We have a vibrant business community in several commercial pockets that put goods and services within easy walking distance of our residents.
Beaches, trails, UVic and the nearby hospital, all contribute to a high quality of life.
What are the most vexing things about your community?
Despite our many community attributes, there is still a need for continuous improvement in the municipality.
Our tax base is largely residential -- we don't have the same industrial base as our neighbouring municipalities of Victoria and Saanich. This puts extra pressure on the municipal budget to fund major infrastructure projects such as secondary sewage treatment required to meet provincially mandated environmental standards.
We must seek ways to enable aging residents to remain in the community by adopting a housing strategy that meets the needs of all ages.
And like other areas of the CRD, we need to reduce CO2 emissions that are primarily vehicle related by implementing an active transportation strategy.