By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Lloyd Macilquham

Oct 9, 2018 | 2:28 PM

NanaimoNewsNOW reached out to every municipal candidate to present an easy-to-read and informative guide for our readers to help with the upcoming municipal election. All candidates were asked the same four questions, which are presented here without being edited. 

Biography: I am a family man with 2 great teenage sons who have grown up here in Nanaimo. I have been very active in our Community since coming here from Toronto in 2002. February 2nd will be our 12th Annual Robbie Burns – Chinese New Years Celebration. My wife and I have, as volunteers, a radio show, SinoNaimo News, for almost 7 years now where we have melded both Western and the Chinese cultures in English and Mandarin reaching out to the Community to high-light culture, people and events. Before coming here, I had considerable experience in politics working for candidates at all level of government, especially women who have gone on to become Cabinet Ministers. I have been practising law for 29 years, 27 Immigration law. I have a Masters of Science in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Science in Math & Physics.

Question 1: Describe, in detail, what you view as the most important duties associated with the role of being councillor/mayor?

 I feel that one of the most important duties for the new Council will be restoring confidence, “bring City Hall Back to the People”.

It is every Councillor’s duty to represent all the people. This is not party politics and each Councillor’s constituency is all of Nanaimo, not some sub-region.

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So, Councillors ought not to be bound by ideologies but formulate their actions considering the needs of everyone based on the good of all.

Council must identify issues of concern, whether it directly affects everyone or a segment of the people, and applying the City’s resources to address the matter.

The Council must do this with transparency; not putting narrow or special interests ahead of the interests of all; facilitating meaningful dissemination and input to and from everyone both individuals and stakeholders; and, by building a prosperous, safe and sustainable and diverse economy, affording everyone the opportunity to realize their dream. Most fundamentally, each Councillor must ‘Serve the Will of the People” and I feel, as can be seen from all these responses, I am uniquely suited to so do.

Question 2: Describe your vision for Nanaimo beyond the next four years

I would like to see for the Future of Nanaimo a City where people are choosing Nanaimo to live, right from young families choosing to live, build a home, find fulfilling work, raise their children, and realize their dreams, hand in hand with everyone else, to, and including, those choosing to retire.

I would like to see a City where people can find an affordable place to live, with availability of rents within their means; and, where new businesses are encouraged and can thrive, maintaining a competitive local market ensuring the ready access to essential goods and services.

I would also like to see a Nanaimo that promotes and facilitates public cultural activities of all kinds and all year round.

I would also like to see a well developed transit system which caters to the needs of the people, and is affordable for those needing the transit, including, getting to work, school, children’s activities and other essentials.

I would like to see a Nanaimo that understands the problems of its people, especially those in need, and that has the ability to reach out, providing relief and good, even enlightened, solutions.

And, do so with fiscal responsibility.

Question 3: If you were making a list of your top three strategic priorities for the incoming Council to focus on over the next four years, what would they be and why?

Nanaimo has a “Strategic Plan”, at:

https://www.nanaimo.ca/your-government/city-council/council-initiatives/strategic-plan-2016-2019

At p. 2, it states:

“with the 2012-2015 Strategic Plan, the update restates the City’s commitment to the four values of sustainability: economic health, environmental responsibility, social equity and cultural vitality, as well as adds a fifth value for healthy lifestyle.

These strategies fit into what my vision of the Future of Nanaimo.

e.g., p. 6:

“Being socially equitable includes:

• empowering citizens to realize their aspirations and meet their needs
• treating our most vulnerable with dignity and acceptance
• providing fair access to livelihood, education, and resources
• encouraging full participation in all aspects of community life

It is not good enough to simply have a “Strategic Plan”, it requires a Council that will lead in its implementation in a fair, transparent and just manner, absent of narrow or special interests, taking into account all important considerations, that ‘Serve the Will of the People’.

My long experience both in life generally and a longtime lawyer, considerable community involvement and educational achievements make me uniquely suited to approaching these most difficult community problems critically, objectively, viewing all side, getting to the heart of the problem.

Question 4: What is your strategy for dealing with the intense pressure and scrutiny placed upon elected officials, especially from those who may not agree with your decisions or viewpoints?

I will welcome scrutiny, from everyone, especially those that may disagree, even strongly, with my decisions and view points. I will deal with fairness, transparency, even temperament, respect for others and their positions, integrity, without narrow, special interest and representing all the people.

I am a lawyer (29 years), the last 27 practising Immigration. I deal with important, complex people issues that are vital to those I represent. I must work towards their best interests, despite what can be considerable opposition by officials who can place intense scrutiny on what is presented to them. You must approach your work with level temperament, on an even and persuasive basis, building a case that is prepared critically, objectively and getting to the heart of the problem, based on the evidence.

I also have a M.Sc.(Mathematics) and B.Sc.(Math&Physics) and have been very active in our Community for many years – this February 2nd will be our 12th Annual Robbie Burns – Chinese New years Celebration and my wife and I have a radio show (volunteers) in our 7th year, SinoNaimo News, which reaches out to the Community culturally.

All this, has uniquely prepared me for Councillor.

For respective financial information, click here.