Elect John Ruttan – Mayor of Nanaimo

Approachable…Accomplished…Accountable…

Leadership & Accountability
My interaction with business and community groups and all levels of government has prepared me for the challenge of rebuilding consensus at our City Hall.

I believe in strong leadership, without micro management.
I believe in being decisive yet respectful.
I believe in consensus, not conflict.
I believe in acting in the best interests of the community as a whole.

Local Economy
It is time for Nanaimo to be more proactive in growing key business sectors such as tourism, arts and culture, construction and real estate development, retail, scientific and technical services, education, healthcare and financial services.

I believe we need to be considerably more proactive to expand these industries in a fiscally, environmentally responsible manner that has long term benefits for the community.

I believe we need to actively draw alternate sources of taxation to Nanaimo, and encourage progressive new industries that reflect our city's values and direction.

Healthy & Active Environment
A community on the right path is one that continuously creates and improves those physical and social environments that allow people to maximize their full potential.

My goal will be to foster more active, healthy lifestyles and involvement in community life by encouraging awareness and cultivating progressive programs aimed at enhancing overall health and wellness.

As a society, our collective health is dependent on the state of our natural environment. As Mayor, I will foster the growth of local green initiatives and technology, and support a "buy local, think global" economy.

Number 1 Issue in this Election:

I believe the economy – locally, nationally and globally - has emerged as the most pressing issue for many Nanaimo voters. With that in mind, I feel that the taxpayers of our city deserve to have a Mayor and Council who will make prudent business decisions as they collectively run a $170 Million per year operating budget on behalf of the 80,000+ citizens of Nanaimo.

While there is a big wish list out there for projects, I feel that we need to stay acutely aware of both the risks and actual costs associated with some of the current mega projects being proposed. But as much as possible, I will seek to broaden the tax base, so that we continue to create employment opportunities, deal effectively with homelessness and draw alternate tax revenues to our city. Keeping property tax increases in check will be one of my top priorities.

Balancing Infrastructure with the Need to Keep Property Taxes Under Control:

The balancing act between providing the necessary municipal infrastructure and services, which all taxpayers expect, without increasing property taxes will be the challenge in a changing economy. Basically, it all comes back to being fiscally responsible as a City Council.

Successfully running a city the size of Nanaimo requires solid experience, sound judgment, innovative thinking and much public consultation. It also requires a team effort on the part of all the stakeholders to keep the ideas flowing and to establish viable solutions to financial challenges. With my particular background, I believe I can provide the leadership necessary to achieve that balance.

Nanaimo's Homelessness Problem:

I am very supportive of the initiatives that have been put forward in tackling the issue of homelessness and affordable housing by the citizens of Nanaimo. It is a major problem all across our country and one that will only find some resolution when all levels of government agree to fully participate. The financial obstacles are huge and well beyond the means of local government.

The problem is much larger than finding suitable accommodation for the homeless. It is largely impacted by those suffering from substance abuse, both alcohol and drugs, together with individuals with mental health issues. I am particularly pleased with the Balmoral Hotel project which will provide care and assistance to those suffering with mental issues. A number of promising initiatives have been undertaken and hopefully they will yield some positive results. The problem of locating suitable and affordable accommodation for people in need is extremely difficult with residents concerned about the provision of care facilities in their neighbourhood. We urgently need publicly supported local initiatives that will help stem the tide of poverty and give people who are truly struggling a chance for a better life. I will do all that I can to bring both federal and provincial resources to Nanaimo to help alleviate this serious community issue.

Managing Growth Sustainably Within City Limits

I feel that managing Nanaimo's growth sustainably is something that requires ongoing public consultation with the city's taxpayers. Unfortunately, this has been happening less often under the current leadership. Many concerned taxpayers are being left out of the process, and the insightful suggestions that they make are often not afforded any consideration whatsoever. They should in fact be encouraged to step forward with their ideas and suggestions and be made aware that their concerns are heard, and in particular those desires supported by the majority of their neighbourhoods that meet the guidelines of the Official Community Plan, subject to regulatory restrictions and ensuring that the necessary funding is in place in the existing budget.

Forestry Crisis and Wider Economic Slowdown

While the forestry sector in BC has been in crisis, it is still a viable and important contributor to local, regional and provincial economies. Although the issues can be extremely complex, I would urge the provincial government to develop technologies that would possibly eliminate the need to ship raw logs, (and jobs), out of BC. A viable alternative to shipping these logs may be to better develop niche markets within the fibre industry. Secondary manufacturing, such as fine furniture and finished wood products, should be encouraged and other re-manufacturing ideas should be actively pursued. The current drop in the Canadian dollar will undoubtedly help the manufacturing sector and foreign exports of wood worldwide in the short term. New technologies should be embraced and high-tech industries, particularly those with little or no environmental impact, should be sourced and encouraged to relocate in this community. As the economic slowdown widens, we must be vigilant of our costs and those initiatives requiring substantial capital investment, with taxpayers' money, must be downsized, and if necessary, postponed to a later date. We cannot draw down large amounts of our accumulated reserves without risking a serious financial impact in the event of a catastrophic occurrence.


If you are interested in helping with John's campaign please call 250-739-3040 or send us an email at john@johnruttan.com.