Carrie Smart
Website: www.carriesmart.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmartforOakBayCouncil
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SmartforOakBay
Instagram: smartforoakbay
Are you associated with or running as part of a slate? If so, which one?
No, I am running independently.
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 have lived in Oak Bay for 10 years.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I have worked in the field of architectural design for two decades, and am a registered architect focused on sustainable building design.
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience. (80-100 words)
I am an architect, community advocate and climate action leader. I design community buildings and public spaces. My leadership experience includes: member of the Oak Bay Advisory Planning Commission, member of the Oak Bay Climate Action Working Group and BC and Victoria Network Chair of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. I am currently on the Board of Directors for the non-profit Dance Victoria. I have successfully advocated to improve transit and safe routes to school including the Chandler-Gonzales Pathway and designed and implemented numerous public space projects including the EMJS Naturalized Playground and Cook Street Village Kitchen Garden.
Why are you running? What’s your motivation? (80-100 words)
I represent the many Oak Bay citizens who want our community to be inclusive, climate ready, and vibrant. Through my work and volunteer experience, I’ve proven I listen well and help groups take decisive action that reflects their shared community values. I am committed to processes that are rooted in principles of inclusion and reconciliation.
I believe I can ignite and lead Oak Bay’s commitment to housing diversity, climate-resilient neighbourhoods and the implementation of a vibrant village plan. My community advocacy, architectural background and ability to broker different perspectives will bring a smart, progressive and balanced voice to council.
What are your top three issues? (80-100 words)
Climate action, housing options and infrastructure renewal. I believe Oak Bay has the will and capacity to be a climate leader with sustainable building standards, cycling infrastructure and increased tree canopy. We need more housing to sustain and diversify our population, so that our seniors can age-in-place, our youth can choose to stay in their community, and our newcomers can find places to live and enrich our lives. Our infrastructure needs substantial improvement and I will work with my colleagues to ensure this work is carried out promptly, by leveraging grants and including much needed cycling infrastructure and park renewals.
What’s your vision for your community in 25 years? (100-125 words)
Our green spaces are as vibrant as our urban villages. Solar panels on roof tops tell the story of our sustainable community. Our streets are filled with planters and benches in place of the cars that were traded in. Small electric buses leave the transit hub at Spewhung, a popular gathering place designed with First Nations. Spewhung is filled with cafes, galleries, and a new centre for ecological learning. A network of bike paths wind their way through Oak Bay connecting urban villages, diverse and inclusive, with residents known for their flower filled balconies and roof top food gardens. Restored Bowker Creek is known as the longest and most beautiful park in Victoria and is a favourite destination to walk, cycle and share a picnic.
What’s one “big idea” you have for your community? (100-125 words)
Oak Bay can transform into a climate resilient, welcoming community by taking a climate forward approach to our buildings, housing, transit and green spaces. Inclusion must be at the heart of climate resilience. That means working effectively and quickly across governments to engage and support citizens in retrofitting their homes, creating diverse housing options, so young people can live among us, enhancing cycling infrastructure and transit, expanding tree canopy and green spaces, and replacing infrastructure with long-term climate-ready alternatives.
Oak Bay holds a reputation for exclusivity. But we are a welcoming and caring people. There is no bigger idea than electing a council that knows how to act boldly and effectively on the interwoven crises of climate and housing.
