Dallas Henault

Candidate Profile

I am excited about our future in British Columbia because with our province leading the way on important issues like the economy and the environment, we can all be proud to call BC home. Thanks to the past eight years of strong vision and sound economic management BC is well positioned to weather this global economic downturn and emerge stronger.

That is why I want to join Premier Gordon Campbell’s team, seeking election with the BC Liberal Party in the riding of Victoria-Beacon Hill. I feel incredibly fortunate to have lived, worked and earned my degree in such an incredible city.

This city and this province have been very good to me and I would welcome the opportunity to give back.Victoria-Beacon Hill deserves a representative that puts the community’s interests first and works hard to bring people together and keep BC strong.

This election is about our future. Let’s work together to make sure BC maintains its position of economic and environmental leadership. These are uncertain times but I know that with the strong and experienced leadership of Premier Gordon Campbell and the BC Liberals, our best days lay ahead of us.

Questions

1. Please identify what you believe to be the most important issue in your riding and your plan to address that issue.
   

   Homelessness is a major issue for the people in Victoria. Here is what Victoria residents can expect from a BC Liberal government. Our goal will be to continue to provide record investment in housing and rental subsidies to ensure that low income British Columbian's have access to affordable housing. So what does that mean for people in British Columbia and in particular Victoria? Well we will spend $469 million on housing programs in 2009/10 fiscal year – four times the spending in 2000 ($112 M) – to create affordable housing and shelters and help more than 85,000 individuals and families.
    
   We recently spent $130 million to purchase 45 single room occupancy and affordable housing buildings, protecting more than 1400 units as affordable housing across the province. We’re spending an additional $90 million to upgrade and renovate those units. For results locally you don’t have to look very far.
    
   In Victoria we have two new projects designed to help address the problems around homelessness. A new development at 525 Ellice Street will provide 83 shelter beds, 20 extreme weather response beds, 23 transitional housing units and two emergency family shelter units as well as integrating support services into the facility. 
    
   The second development will be located at 950 Humboldt Street. This facility will provide 43 housing units with integrated support services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. These two projects represent an investment of $27.4 million and will give an added benefit of 272 new construction jobs.
    
   One way to ensure that we protect people from homelessness is by creating jobs and having a strong and vibrant economy. During the BC Liberals time in office we have created 360,000 jobs across the province. To respond to the challenges to the world economic downturn we will continue to invest in expanding our infrastructure needs as a way to create jobs during this challenging time.