Robin Adair

Candidate Profile

Robin was born and raised in Mission, B.C. and first moved to Vancouver Island in 1974 to attend the University of Victoria. He later transferred to BCIT where he graduated with a Diploma of Technology in Broadcasting and entered a 23 year career that brought him to CHEK TV in 1980.

During his 17 years in television, Robin served first as a sportscaster then later as news anchor and finally took on the role of legislative reporter between 1990 and 1997. He also hosted a provincial political affairs program called “Government Street” for three years. During his time at CHEK, he met his wife (Marisa) and raised two children (Bryan and Megan).

In 2000, Robin started his own consulting business (Adair Communications Group Ltd.) and has worked as a communications and government relations consultant for the past eight years. Adair Communications Group projects have included media training, corporate video development and strategic public affairs services.

As a communications consultant, Robin provided services for a wide variety of corporations, associations and non-profit organizations. In 2001, he began work as a contractor with WCG International Ltd., a Victoria-based human resources company that has helped put over 65 thousand people on Income Assistance back into the work force in partnership with the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce (JobWave). As his responsibilities grew with WCG, he eventually became Vice President responsible for Communications and Government relations which included marketing, promotions and media relations services. He left WCG in October 2008.

Robin Adair also was a founding partner of Seismic Events Ltd. (2002-2008), an events and conference company. Seismic events staged energy and construction job fairs across the province and hosted several major conferences on alternative energy, transportation and oil and gas which were all sponsored by the BC Chamber of Commerce.

Robin has been very active in volunteer activities. In 2002, he became the Co-Chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Downtown Street Issues Committee. He took on this challenge because he strongly believes that the most vulnerable people in society require our compassion and attention through housing, training, jobs and supporting services.
Between 2003 and 2005, Robin served as the Chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee, and, in 2006 he was named Chair of the Board of Directors. During his tenure as Chamber Chair, he worked closely with the Mayors of Saanich and Victoria to help create the new Greater Victoria Development Agency. Today, the GVDA is the economic development agency for southern Vancouver Island.


In 2007, Robin Adair became a member of the Board of Governors of Camosun College and was named as the Board’s Chair in 2008.

Questions

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

   The most important issue in Saanich South is the economy and job creation. We are in a time of huge economic challenge. The BC Liberals have an excellent track record on the economy. We’ve created nearly 350,000 new jobs since 2001, we have the lowest income tax rates in Canada, we have attracted a record amount of investment because of our sound fiscal management. With the Olympics around the corner, BC is in a better position than other provinces to rebound when the turnaround begins.
   
   
   
   The plan for moving forward focuses on some key elements:
   
   Infrastructure - The BC Liberals have a comprehensive $14 billion plan with Ottawa to build infrastructure, creating up to 88,000 direct new jobs. In the last few months alone, we have announced $2 billion in projects creating nearly 20,000 new jobs. About 2,000 of those jobs are here on Vancouver Island. In the Victoria area, funding went to expansion projects at Camosun College, U-Vic, Royal Roads. Funds went to creating affordable housing at the Ellice St project. I want to be a strong voice for Saanich South in the legislature, so that our community benefits from these infrastructure funds. We have transportation projects in Saanich South that have been overlooked for the last 4 years. I will make a new overpass at McKenzie and the Island Highway a priority/ This kind of construction will not only create much-needed jobs, but will also allow smoother travel for residents, less idling and an improved quality of life of local residents who face congestion and smog in their neighbourhoods.
   
   Low tax rates - British Columbians pay the lowest income tax rates in B.C. – that’s more money in their pockets for their families and to put back into the local economy. Recently, the Premier announced that small business taxes see further reductions – so that small business in B.C. will see the lowest tax rates in the country by 2012. We’ve reduced (eliminated?) the corporate sales tax. All of these help small business to meet the challenges of these challenging times, so that small business ownerscan continue to provide for their families and employ local residents.
   
   Growth in the knowledge-based economy - This is really critical for our area, and Saanich South in particular. At the Vancouver Island Technology Park, also known as Silicon North, we can grow “green” jobs. Throughout our region we are attracting jobs in technology which are sustainable and high paying. We are also intent on expanding our technology training at Camosun College and I support plans for a new health training facility, new library and a new student residence at our Interurban campus.
   
   Stability - We have a good track record; the world and the economy community know it, and we will continue to build on it. This is not the time to change tactics.