Doug Kobayashi
Are you associated with or running as part of a slate? If so, which one?
No, I am not part of a slate.
Do you live in the municipality where you are running, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to that community?
Yes, I live in Colwood. I grew up here, graduated from Belmont High School and attended Royal Roads Military College. I decided to come home and volunteer my time to give back to the community I love.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I have been a leader all my life … a senior leader in the Royal Canadian Air Force, a CEO in the international aviation field, a small business owner in Colwood, and I am currently a part-time management consultant specializing in strategic planning, business diagnostics, product development, and performance management.
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
It has been my pleasure to serve the residents of Colwood as a City Councillor for the past four years. My community volunteer experience includes Pacific Centre Families Services Association, Westshore Literacy Committee, Board of Directors of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, Board of Governors of Royal Roads University (RRU), Chair of the RRU Business School Advisory Council, President of the Westshore Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Westshore Rebels Football Club. Currently a Trustee with the Greater Victoria Public Library and on the Board of Directors of the BC Aviation Museum.
Why are you running? What’s your motivation?
I’m running because I value community service and public input. Many residents and property owners say we have lost our way between an award-winning Official Community Plan (OCP) in 2008 and today’s OCP slated for review in 2023. Missing are key components of what makes communities great – increased opportunities for children, youth, and families, a place for seniors who want to stay and age in place, and a welcoming place for frontline medical professionals. We also need to attract more businesses and create more commercial space to diversify our tax base and lessen the property tax burden on residential owners.
What are your top three issues?
My priorities are clear and connected, with a mission to lead the delivery of a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable Colwood:
• Provide good (transparent and accountable) governance
• Provide for services, bylaws, and other community benefits/amenities
• Provide stewardship of the community’s public assets (financial, built, natural, and cultural)
• Foster community economic, social, and environmental well-being
What’s your vision for your community in 25 years?
My long-term vision for Colwood is to have a healthy, vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community where facilities, programs, and services for children, youth, families, and seniors are readily available. A city with well managed core services and the provision of infrastructure that keeps pace with development. I remain committed to stewarding the environment for future generations so that our children and grandchildren can afford to live, work, and play in a healthy natural environment.
What’s one “big idea” you have for your community?
I’m a passionate foodie and support increased food security where all people have sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for an active and healthy life. Vertical farming is the practice of growing plants in vertically stacked layers, and a delicious way to take climate action! This method of horticulture seeks to maximize plant space utilization and production by scaling up off the ground, allowing more plants to be grown in the same area. Crops are grown inside, under lights, one on top of the other. The advantages are numerous: higher productivity in a much smaller area; shorter growing times; lower water use; fresh produce grown much closer to where it’s eaten; and, some say, even improved food taste.
