Jerry Hong - City Council

Top four priorities: tourism, managing taxes efficiently, infrastructure and inspiring and advocating for your adults.

 Tourism – We need to continue to support and promote tourism in Nanaimo and invest in destination development that attracts businesses to Nanaimo. To do this I will work to: Create festivals and host of activities, ensure downtown is a safe and vibrant place for all to enjoy, support viable parking that will not hurt business growth.

Managing Taxes Efficiently – Healthy business will lead to healthy employment. I am committed to serving the needs of residents and making long-term decisions that will benefit the members of our business community today, tomorrow, and for years to come. To do this I will work to:

 • Eliminate careless spending and reduce the amount of tax dollars required to maintain our municipal government,
• Keep commercial and business taxes below the level of inflation and at reasonable levels. Nanaimo’s business tax is approximately 3x the residential tax rate (Kelowna’s business tax rate is one of the lowest in BC with 2.09x),
• Explore tax innovations and ways to establish “competitive tax rates” for business and cut red tape,
• Make thoughtful decisions based on the best available information and research.

Infrastructure –Building a strong infrastructure is important to our growth but should also be practical, innovative and balanced with the city’s history, lifestyle and local values. To do this I will work to support practical infrastructure, renewal and innovation, support community-minded ideas and public consultation. I will take a common-sense approach to decision making, leadership skills and willingness to listen to all sides before forming an opinion.

Inspiring & Advocacy for Young Adults – We need to support young people who are looking for good, sustainable jobs. A healthy community must include a variety of employment opportunities. To do this I will work to keep people here and reduce the need for families to relocate or commute to Alberta (and further abroad) for a family-sustaining income. I will inspire young adults to get involved in their community, support local businesses and instil pride for their communities.