By Grant Warkentin
John Rice will be running again to serve as regional director for Area D, the region covering from Campbell River’s southern boundary south to the Oyster River.
He says he wants to build on what he has accomplished for the region during his current term, including building positive relationships with other levels of government and Area D’s neighbours.
“We don’t want to go backwards. Basically, my campaign slogan is, let’s build tomorrow together,” he said. “ I think that what I’ve been able to do in three and a half years really speaks to that, so let’s continue on, there’s been a lot of good work done, and hopefully we can expand on that.”
Rice pointed to several major projects completed in the region during his term as evidence he’s the best choice to get things done for the region, and making sure its needs are represented at the Strathcona Regional District.
One of the biggest was securing a $2.8 million provincial grant to fund universal water metering, allowing the project to be completed without requiring any additional local tax requisitions. Going forward, he says he wants to make sure the water utility can continue operating without a deficit, and at minimal cost to local taxpayers.
Rice was also key in advocating at the Strathcona Regional District for the last three years to update the funding model for Strathcona Gardens, to pay for the $122 million REC-REATE expansion currently underway. Rice was the originator of the 2023 motion which started the process to bring Quadra Island into the funding model for the Gardens, and was also instrumental in getting the issue put to a referendum this fall “to ensure those that use the facility finally pay their fair share.”
As Area D’s director, Rice also secured nearly $100,000 in provincial grants to build six transit shelters, and retained a $150,000 surplus for future work to improve transit stops at Shelter Bay and Engles Road. His work advocating to the province to improve Highway 19A through his region has also borne fruit, with construction and intersection improvements now underway just north of the Oyster River.
Rice says he is committed to balancing new development in the region in a way that balances growth and housing needs with protecting the environment and maintaining green spaces. He pointed to changes in the OCP during his term that give it more teeth to protect green spaces and riparian areas, while also encouraging new home construction.
“I look it as, development needs to coexist with our green spaces, and I think it can,” he said. “Area D has no desire to change its parks.”
He pointed to the new washrooms at Hagel Park and playground equipment at Mitlenatch Park as examples of meeting community needs in a growing area, while maintaining parks and services for all to enjoy.
“We are looking after the green spaces, it does take a lot of money. One of the other things is that we’ve really been trying to expand our trails for active transportation,” he said. “Whenever we see a subdivision go in, we try to get a right-of-way for a trail to extend the trails, so we are doing a lot of things.”
Rice has a background in IT and technology, and said it’s influenced how he views his role as a director making sure his constituents get the services they need.
“I treat every community issue like an open service ticket that demands a transparent resolution,” he said in his formal statement announcing his candidacy. “We have moved Area D away from the politics’ of the past and toward a stable, professional environment where decisions are based on data, not political theatre.”
So far no other candidates have yet announced they are seeking election in Area D during the October 17 election.
Candidate contact details
Rice can be contacted by his constituents via the following channels:
John.Rice@johnforaread.ca / phone : 250-203-1598 / website: http://www.johnforaread.ca
His campaign is authorized by Jacqueline Rice, Financial Agent, who can be reached at Jacqueline.Rice@johnforaread.ca
Leave a Reply