City Council Candidate - CAMPBELL WATT

If the Pet-Friendly Penticton project has made one thing clear, it's that this community is passionate about their pets – Pets are family!

Do you share that passion? Tell us about the pets in your life!
If you don't have pets at home, let us know how animals have been important in your life.

  Of course I share that passion. I have 1 dog and she is part of our family. I think the fact we call her family explains how important she has been in our life.

Penticton's pet-amenities are a regular point of contention due to issues around
maintenance, safety, and design/materials. Many Penticton residents regularly travel to surrounding communities across the Okanagan Valley for their dog parks and beaches rather than going to our local places due to these issues.

If elected, what solutions might you propose to address the concerns of residents local pet-amenities?

  I would look to create a task force to look deeper into the issues and to solutions to be implemented.

What are your thoughts on the economic impact of non-use on our local pet-amenities and residents regularly commuting for preferable options?

  I don’t think Penticton should ever lack in amenities provided for our residents and I would hope to help create more opportunities for pet owner like myself

Ontario's Residential Tenancy Act, Section 14, states that a Landlord cannot prevent a tenant from owning pets. Meanwhile, pets are being surrendered daily, all over BC, because their owners cannot find pet-friendly housing. Penticton faces additional pressure for housing as we have some of the highest rent rates in Canada, and a severe shortage on long-term and year-round rentals of any variety.
While a change to the Residential Tenancy Act is a provincial government matter, municipal government can still move to include/promote similar clauses on a local scale, and has the ability to push in support of such a change if a Bill were proposed.

What are your thoughts on revising the Residential Tenancy Act in BC, to be like that of Ontario, in regards to pets and rentals?

  The unfortunate truth is that the Provincial Government is who can change the Act and Strata’s make their own decisions with regards to pets, age and rentals which I am cautious to force regulations on without full community input.

Penticton doesn't have an emergency veterinary clinic!

If something happens and an animal needs to see a vet in the evenings, on weekends or on holidays, residents need to drive an hour out of Penticton in order to reach help.  Many pets do not make it, and many more don't because their human doesn't have access to transportation.

Were you aware of this situation?

  I was aware and have spoken along with Councillor Sentes as to it’s importance so we can hopefully resolve the situation.

When vital and time sensitive services are missing from a community, what do you feel are a City Council's responsibilities in regards to communication and/or action?

  It really depends on the service that’s missing but Council can play a role in creating the most appropriate incentive or at very least advocate to the appropriate level of Government for support.

Pet-Friendly Penticton is a non-partisan organization and will not provide any incentive, preference, or endorsement for any candidate(s) to members of the public toward deciding where to cast their votes. We simply hope to encourage as many potential voters as possible to take an active role in our community and the election process.

Each candidate will be given opportunity to respond to the Questionnaire, however, the choice to provide a response and how to respond is up to the candidate. Responses posted are original and unedited with the exception of formatting.