Ken Armour
Are you associated with or running as part of a slate? If so, which one?
No
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 Esquimalt for eight years.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I have been a consultant for BC’s post-secondary system for two years. Prior to that, I held senior management positions in the BC Government and the Government of Canada for 25 years.
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
I have been an Esquimalt Councillor for four years. I was previously chair of Esquimalt’s Advisory Planning Commission, Vice President of Esquimalt’s Chamber of Commerce and Vice President of Esquimalt’s Community Arts Council. As a Councillor, I have successfully advocated for the development and implementation of Esquimalt’s Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plans, Esquimalt’s Business Investment Roadmap and an immuno-contraception strategy to humanely reduce Esquimalt’s deer population.
Why are you running? What’s your motivation?
I have always been committed to advancing government policies to make communities a better place for their residents, which is why I spent twenty-five years in senior leadership positions in the BC and federal governments. Four years ago, I decided to pursue an increased leadership role by running for Esquimalt Council in order to help make our community an even better place for Esquimalt residents. While much has been accomplished over the past four years, I look forward to the opportunity to provide further service for the wonderful community that is Esquimalt.
What are your top three issues?
I have three priorities for Esquimalt:
1. Density done right - support increased housing, including affordable housing, providing it’s consistent with Esquimalt’s Official Community Plan and doesn’t overwhelm our community neighbourhoods.
2. Climate action through the implementation and oversight of Esquimalt’s Climate Mitigation and Adaption Plans and Esquimalt’s Active Transportation Network Plan.
3. Business growth through continued implementation and oversight of our Business Investment Roadmap and Economic Development Strategy, with a particular focus on revitalizing and beautifying Esquimalt Road.
What’s your vision for your community in 25 years?
Esquimalt’s motto is that it is a great place to live, work, and play. Yet, while Esquimalt is a wonderful community and a great place to live, too often residents have to travel elsewhere for work and play. In 25 years, my vision for Esquimalt is that we will have effectively addressed our housing needs such that we can support increased business, recreation and cultural opportunities, enabling our residents to enjoy all aspects of life without having to leave our community. This will also be a vital step in helping Esquimalt to meet its climate targets of a 38% reduction in community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 2007 levels by 2030 and 100% reduction by 2050.
What’s one “big idea” you have for your community?
I want to explore the possibility of introducing online/electronic voting in Esquimalt for future municipal elections – as is being done in some municipalities in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Only 36 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot in BC’s 2018 municipal election – a figure largely unchanged from prior years. Online voting should help increase the number of people voting in Esquimalt and thus make our Council even more representative. There will be privacy and security issues that will need to be addressed but if we can do our banking online, then surely we can find secure ways to vote online.
