Trey Bell for
North Vancouver District Council
A Vote for Families & The Environment
Why I'm Running
I grew up in the Edgemont area, and have lived in North Vancouver almost my entire life. My career has been spent working with families, children and youth of North Vancouver. I am currently employed as the Director of School Age Care Programs for a large childcare provider called Bee Haven, and serve as Vice President of Parkgate Society in a voluntary role. I have gained a deep respect for our community’s educators, social workers, and caregivers, as these workers make up a strong part of the fabric of North Vancouver. As a councillor I will fight for the rights of families to get childcare, and for seniors to have free or low cost programs by strongly supporting more community organizations, like the not for profit Parkgate Society. I completed a BA from Acadia University in Political Science, with a focus on international relations, and an Associate Certificate in Public Relations with Distinction from BCIT.
If elected, I am committed to getting the most out of every tax dollar for the people of the District of North Vancouver, preserving our community’s unique natural splendor, and working with developers to achieve the greatest benefits for the people who live here. For too long the current council, despite some good intentions, has been a dysfunctional group with some members even looking out for their own interests. There is so much work that needs to be done to improve the way we deal with traffic, transportation, taxes, our environment, and development, I feel it is essential that council is only beholden to the interests of the people of North Vancouver.
I have come to the conclusion that local politics has a special place on the political spectrum. I believe it is where people of any political stripe can sit down with the shared interest of making our community better, rather than voting strictly along ideological lines. For me this means consensus building, and that is the overarching goal I want to bring to District Council if elected.
Supporting Families
Creating More Childcare Spaces & Recreation Opportunities
Maintain Low Tax Rates
Study an Empty Homes Tax
Preserving Natural Green Space & Climate Action
Conserve what makes North Vancouver unique & amazing, including expanding the municipal parks system
Smart Developments, Not All Developments
When transit infrastructure is in place, consider well planned developments
Improve Transportation and Traffic Congestion
More community shuttle buses, a skytrain link and biking infrastructure
Reconciliation
Municipalities should work to build trusting relationships with First Nations. I support First Nations land rights, and their right to develop for the best interests of their people.
Endorsements
"I have known Trey for many years, I believe he will bring a balanced and creative approach to the many challenges facing council. I wish him well"
Janice Harris,
Former Mayor & Councillor,
North Vancouver District Council
"I’ve known Trey his entire life; his family longer. I’ve been working in - and with - local governments and First Nations for over 30 years. If it’s honesty and integrity you seek in a candidate this Bell resonates!"
Barry J. Janyk,
Former Mayor
Town of Gibsons 1999-2011
The District will benefit from the youthful committed voice of Trey Bell.
Your vote for Trey will ensure an engaged, independent voice around the Council table to act on local issues. Through his experience with community, business, and non-profit organizations he has demonstrated that he cares about the social, economic and environmental well being of North Vancouver, and will listen to all constituents in planning for a healthier community.
Terry Hood,
Principal, North Shore Project Leadership
& Former Commissioner, North Vancouver Museum & Archives
Preserving Natural Green Space & Climate Action
Conserve what makes North Vancouver unique & amazing
I understand the value of having Councillors who not only talk big about the environment but also act on it. Having travelled the world and seen many different types of communities, I have come to realize and appreciate the value of our North Shore’s natural environment. I want to be part of protecting that heritage and helping families and the next generation be able enjoy it.
My father Kevin Bell was involved in the early efforts to save the ecologically sensitive Maplewood Conservation Area from being turned into a strip mall and marina in the 1970s and 80’s. As a child I grew up observing local citizens rally together and, under almost impossible odds, save the area for wildlife and future generations. Janice Harris and Ernie Crist were two of the councillors who worked proactively to save the area.
We are truly lucky to live in a community where we are book-ended by nature, and as a councillor one of my core commitments will be to maintain the unique natural places in the district. I am dedicated to keeping large trees standing in the district and naturally forested areas off limits to developments. An area that needs more formal protection is the forested area surrounding Maplewood Park, to the west of the new site of the North Vancouver Fire Department's training centre (see picture below). I will fight for this area to be designated a municipal park, with accessible walking trails installed.
Protecting our environment should include measures to reduce or eliminate the use of toxic chemicals. I want to make sure the district stops using any pesticides which have been linked to cancers and death in humans and wildlife, such as Roundup and Rodenticide. It’s sickening that our local government would be using these chemicals when other safer options are available.
Climate change is already affecting all our lives. The district needs to take a proactive role in planning and preparing for these changes. We should be further studying what mitigation and adaptive measures can be taken to address the challenge. The District can be a leader by providing green infrastructure such as charging stations for electric vehicles, and investing in local solutions towards long term climate resilience.
Supporting Families
Creating More Childcare Spaces & Recreation Opportunities
There is still a shortage of quality affordable childcare in the District of North Vancouver and the municipality can help by streamlining permitting processes and working with childcare providers to build necessary infrastructure and provide more spaces. As a resident of North Vancouver, I have benefited from our fantastic emergency services. I know the value of giving these hard-working people the ability to live in the community and find childcare. As a councillor I would promote the idea of starting a pilot project partnering with childcare providers to offer first responders and shift workers childcare at off peak times.
I have played sports all my life, including golf, tennis, baseball, football, and skiing. I am committed to sports and athletics in North Vancouver and would be in favour of creative measures to expand access to fields, and sports for all ages. Children and youth playing sports keeps our community vibrant and healthy, so I would be a champion for local sports and local organizations promoting these ideals.
Maintain Low Tax Rates
Study an Empty Homes Tax
Through experience as Vice President of the Parkgate Society Board of Directors and my experience in the private business world, I have overseen numerous budgets. It's from this experience I know how important it is to balance competing factors, and with District finances I would always put the taxpayer's interests first and vote to keep taxes increases low. I am in favour of only increasing taxes to cover inflation in the operating budget and replacement of aging infrastructure.
I would be in favour of studying the effects an empty homes tax would have in the District. By following closely the model that the City of Vancouver uses, with exemptions made for retirees who have second homes elsewhere. The City of Vancouver’s model takes the funds raised through the tax and puts the money towards low cost housing in the community. If studies specific to the District deemed that this tax would have a positive benefit and it was allowed under municipal laws, I would be in favour of an empty homes tax for those who own investment properties but do not rent them out.
Improve Transportation and Traffic Congestion
More community shuttle buses, a skytrain link and biking infrastructure
Issues around transit and transportation have plagued North Vancouver for many years. We’ve had enough studies to know that in the past too many large developments were approved without proper consideration of their impact on our transportation systems.
If elected, I will fight for more buses and a SkyTrain or light rail link to North Vancouver. The Phibbs Exchange upgrades are a good starting point for improving transportation infrastructure, but more needs to be done. I would fight for a bridged SkyTrain or light rail link to at least Phibbs Exchange and potentially reaching further along Main St./Marine Dr. Such a link would connect North Vancouver to the broader SkyTrain network. This could potentially be done in conjunction with a newly built rail bridge beside the Second Narrows or a newly built Second Narrows Bridge itself. Both bridges are nearing end of life and should be re-built soon. As we have seen in other outlying communities, giving people a realistic, fast transportation option is what really gets people out of their cars when commuting.
I would like to see funding coming to North Vancouver for more community shuttle buses (24 passenger buses), and more frequency at peak times. As a municipality we need to see more action on traffic congestion, and not just another study that kicks the can down the road. The previous councils of the past 15 years have been approving large developments at a breakneck speed without having the supporting transit and traffic infrastructure.
A growing part of our transportation infrastructure is biking. We need to work toward creating a better network of bike lanes across the district. The City of North Vancouver’s Green Necklace is a good example of how the district could be working to make the biking network safe, connected, and holistic. I would be an ally to the biking community. I would also work with the mountain biking community to help them continue their path of sustainability.
Smart Developments, Not All Developments
When transit infrastructure is in place, consider well planned developments
I don’t subscribe to the mantra that we can build our way out of the affordability problem. Instead, I believe that we can work with developers to gain community benefits such as rent to own programs (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/rent-to-own-housing-affordability-mortgage-developer-home-ownership-canada-1.6570642), affordable rental units, and more housing diversity. The district’s website should make public comments easier, and interactive on its pending developments section. So anyone can go on and see what is proposed and be afforded a user-friendly way to provide instant input. In other words, we need to involve the community more in these decisions. Vaguely worded notices in the North Shore News are insufficient for this purpose.
We need smart development, and not all developments are smart or work in the District. Well planned developments should only be considered when the necessary transit infrastructure is in place. In line with my view that no more green space should be lost to new developments, I am in favour of developing land, which is already disturbed, i.e. in-filling. New development proposals are of course a divisive issue in North Vancouver, and I believe we as a community should endorse those proposals that increase affordable, rental, seniors, and social housing. With strong, unbiased leadership I believe we can have moderate development where it fits into the community without sacrificing our greatest asset – the very environment that makes North Vancouver such a unique place to live.
The provincial government has announced new laws (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/eby-housing-plans-1.6658827) will be put into place that "required municipalities and regional governments to provide housing needs reports to the province by April 2022 and every five years moving forward. The plan is to have those reports reviewed by the provincial housing ministry, which will determine if a housing target should be set for a particular municipality and then work with local government leaders to set that target number".
In other words, development quotas are on their way! The rationale for such a law is that it will prevent NIMBYism, but that term is used far too frequently, and can be due to rightful concerns of local residents. If such a law had been in effect during the citizens’ campaign to save the Cove and Mountain forests in Deep Cove in the 1990s, Victoria may well have rammed through an unwanted and environmentally damaging development to the dismay of local residents, and many others in North Vancouver. We need to have councillors in the District of North Vancouver who will stand up for the environment and not just kowtow to bureaucrats and politicians in Victoria.
Reconciliation with First Nations
Municipalities should work to build trusting relationships with First Nations
The district has an important role to play in reconciliation. Working with and supporting the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Squamish Nation on land rights should be an utmost priority. I fully support the Union of BC Municipalities declaration that, "Relationships are central to reconciliation". Municipalities should work to recognize and support these relationships with First Nations and Indigenous communities. As a councillor I would work with these communities to address historical inaccuracies and progress forward together. I would ensure an open and collaborative dialogue to ensure the district is assisting and helping with economic, social and cultural development in any ways possible. In regards to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action, I would take actions in the district, such as implementing Jordan’s Principle to ensure First Nations children are not denied or delayed in accessing essential public services. Also the district could create educational resource materials for residents new and existing, to highlight the history and culture of North Vancouver's First Nations, and it could be made available in multiple languages. I would also want to review internal training at the district to ensure that intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism programs are instituted.
Endorsements
"I have known Trey for many years, I believe he will bring a balanced and creative approach to the many challenges facing council. I wish him well"
Janice Harris,
Former Mayor & Councillor,
North Vancouver District Council
"I’ve known Trey his entire life; his family longer. I’ve been working in - and with - local governments and First Nations for over 30 years. If it’s honesty and integrity you seek in a candidate this Bell resonates!"
Barry J. Janyk,
Former Mayor
Town of Gibsons 1999-2011
The District will benefit from the youthful committed voice of Trey Bell.
Your vote for Trey will ensure an engaged, independent voice around the Council table to act on local issues. Through his experience with community, business, and non-profit organizations he has demonstrated that he cares about the social, economic and environmental well being of North Vancouver, and will listen to all constituents in planning for a healthier community.
Terry Hood,
Principal, North Shore Project Leadership
& Former Commissioner, North Vancouver Museum & Archives