Miyashiro

Page 1


Supervised Consumption Sites and Public Health

What is your position on the role of supervised consumption sites in addressing addiction and public health concerns? How would you balance the need for harm reduction services with the concerns of downtown business owners and residents about public safety?

Harm reduction is part of a comprehensive health care approach to addiction, but it must be supported by robust wraparound services. Social disorder has only gotten worse under the UCP over the last five years, and the needs in our community are greater than ever. We must address the issues faced by downtown businesses and residents who have been disproportionately burdened by the vacuum created by the UCP. Long-term addictions treatment, stable jobs, and affordable housing are all ways we can address this issue without negatively impacting public safety.

Addressing Open Drug Use and Public Spaces

What measures would you advocate for at the provincial level to address open drug use in public spaces while ensuring access to addiction recovery services and mental health supports?

We know what we need to do to support our neighbours struggling with addictions: increase access to health care, expand access to recovery services, increase affordable housing, keep skyrocketing rent under control, and create better jobs. Ensuring we have more social supports means fewer people on the streets, a stronger economy, and a better Lethbridge.

Crime and Lawlessness in the Downtown Core

Downtown businesses are increasingly concerned about crime and lawlessness. What specific policies or initiatives would you implement to enhance public safety and support local law enforcement in Lethbridge’s downtown area?

There are many ways we can increase safety and decrease lawlessness.

Specific ways we can do this are:

- Ensuring quick police response times and proper investigation.

- Cracking down on repeat offenders.

- Ensuring thorough investigations of gender-based violence.

- Supporting local businesses with practical solutions for theft prevention.

- Working with communities to address crime hotspots.

- Properly investigating crimes, not just assigning a file number.

- Supporting Albertans impacted by the concerning rise in hate crimes.

In addition, we're committed to:

- Investing in mental health and addiction services.

- Supporting programs that prevent youth from entering a life of crime.

- Addressing poverty and homelessness as key factors in community safety.

- Promoting job creation and economic opportunities to reduce motivations for crime.

Supporting Local Businesses and Economic Growth

How would your policies support downtown revitalization and economic growth in Lethbridge? What strategies would you implement to attract more businesses and visitors to the downtown core?

Everyone deserves a safe place to live and work. Making our downtown area safer will mean increased foot traffic, more businesses opening shop, and a stronger economy. When I was on City Council, I supported downtown-building initiatives like Festival Square, which hosts community events all year long. Supporting and funding the incredible arts and culture scene here in Lethbridge would also have strong positive effects. Bringing people downtown, and helping them feel safe, is vital to our economic growth.

Provincial and Municipal Collaboration

How would you work with municipal governments, local organizations, and law enforcement to ensure that downtown Lethbridge remains a vibrant, safe, and welcoming area for businesses, residents, and visitors?

Collaboration between all levels of government is essential for creating a safe, vibrant and thriving downtown. Rather than picking fights with and underfunding municipalities, I would advocate for working together to create real solutions to the problems we’re facing.

Across both my terms as a City Councillor, I pushed for effective collaboration between the City and the provincial government of the day. Part of the reason I’m running for Alberta’s New Democrats is because they listened to what we needed and worked with us to get it. The Alberta NDP have a reliable record of being excellent partners with municipalities across the province, but for Lethbridge in particular. I look forward to being a positive, strong voice for Lethbridge in the legislature and continuing my work to make downtown Lethbridge the heart of our city.

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.