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Byelection candidate Stephanie Hendy (Facebook)
BYELECTION CANDIDATE

Climate, equity and housing alternatives key points in Stephanie Hendy’s platform

Nov 17, 2021 | 6:00 AM

Editor’s note:
This is part of a series of profiles on the Vernon council candidates for the Dec. 4th byelection to elect one councillor.
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Stephanie Hendy is running in the City of Vernon byelection with a platform based on establishing and supporting programs that meet the needs of the community.

In a letter to Vernon Matters, Hendy states that, if elected in December, she would work to find ways to support the City’s Official Community Plan and the Climate Action Plan.

“To aid in supporting the above plans, I would like to price out a city-wide compost pick up service, and create a co-op car sharing program,” said Hendy.

“I will support BC Transit upgrades that were recommended following the community engagement which occurred over the summer. I would support extending the hours of the Downtown Primary Care Centre to include evenings and weekends.”

Hendy also noted that she would support identifying business that were LGBTQ+ friendly, BIPOC-owned, and accessible for people with all forms of disabilities.

Hendy went on to say that she would seek to enact parts of the Climate Action Plan that call for housing and infrastructure upgrades.

“This would include revitalizing greenfield land to provide more wildlife and fire protection, as well as recreational space for people with diverse needs, prioritizing new developments to be denser and utilize infill land for such projects, adding more Level 2 charging stations for electric vehicles in high-density housing complexes, and supporting buildings in using B.C.’s Energy Step Code.”

On the topic of housing, Hendy said she would push for more high density housing that doesn’t interrupt the skyline, advocate for construction of temporary modular housing, cooperative rental housing and a co-housing community.

She also noted that adopting a Housing First strategy and building high density temporary modular housing will support people, particularly those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with a safe place to live, adding that this could also help reduce local crime.

She also stated that she would support the call to decriminalize possession of small quantities of illicit drugs for personal use, and also would want to reduce direct spending on police.

“I believe that the funds would be better utilized to hire more community support nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and community mental health workers. I am not in favour of supporting a system that was created to subjugate Indigenous Peoples.”

Hendy added that she supports the province’s COVID-19 protocols but would like to see pro-active action taken rather than reactive measures. She stated that she supports masking and vaccinations for indoor spaces considered ‘optional,’ like restaurants and gyms.

She notes that she wants to support Vernonites and create an environment where they’re needs are met and where issues like housing and food insecurity, climate change, and public safety are addressed.

“All of my choices will be guided through a health lens, aimed at increasing the health and vitality of Vernonites,” said Hendy. “Our community health must be the top priority for all decision-makers in the city, and in the region.”

Born and raised in Vancouver, Hendy moved to Vernon four months ago. She’s a kinesiologist and clinical exercise physiologist, and she told Vernon Matters that she moved here to support her active outdoor lifestyle.

Hendy ran as a Green candidate for Vancouver-Langara in the 2020 provincial election, though she lost to the incumbent Liberal candidate.

Hendy has also been a vocal and successful advocate for people with type 1 diabetes and was “instrumental in having the age restriction removed for government-funded insulin pumps, and I advised advocates in their approach to have continuous glucose monitors covered in British Columbia.”

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