Dean Murdock Saanich Councillor

We asked the Saanich mayor and council candidates to provide their thoughts and strategies on light-rail transit along the Douglas Street corridor.

Dean Murdock, council candidate:

The first of nine all-candidates meetings for Saanich council hopefuls is in the bag.

Hosted by the Victoria Real Estate Board Monday, councillor candidates had the opportunity to speak on such issues as legalizing secondary suites, light rail on Douglas Street and McKenzie Avenue and slow processing of building permits.

We know that other cities have seen incredible economic growth as a result of rail systems in their major corridors. We know that LRT can reduce emissions significantly and can do a lot to encourage new ridership — as much as double ridership -- bringing more convenience and lower car-dependence to thousands of individuals and families.

Here in our region, we need an independent review of the proposed regional LRT system to give the public and decision-makers the information we need to evaluate these extraordinary benefits and the estimated costs to build and operate the system.

Politicans join call for light rail transit in Greater Victoria
By Bill Cleverley, Times Colonist

Standing on a busy downtown sidewalk with transit buses rumbling by, politicians from three levels of government said the time has come for light rail transit in Greater Victoria.

Light rail transit "is the most cost effective form of transportation for our future in the region," said MP Denise Savoie (NDP-Victoria).

Saanich to MLAs, MPs: Show us the LRT money
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Times Colonist

Saanich council is pushing the provincial and federal governments for light rail transit funding.

Politicians voted unanimously in favour Monday night of Coun. Dean Murdock's motion to ask senior governments to pay their shares for a transit system from Douglas Street to the West Shore.

B.C. Transit, the Capital Regional District board, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission and the B.C.

Transit Board all support light rail transit.

Saanich council supports recommendation to request financial support for LRT project
Andrea Boyes, CFAX 1070

Saanich Council has unanimously supported a recommendation to write to senior levels of government requesting financial support for the region's light rail transit project.

The recommendation was brought forth by councillor Dean Murdock

Saanich councillors asked to lobby feds and province for LRT funds
Kyle Slavin, Saanich News

A lesson learned by councillors at a federal conference earlier this year is finally getting legs in Greater Victoria as municipal governments look for ways to fund light-rail transit.

Saanich Coun. Dean Murdock is expected to put forward a motion to council tonight to send a letter to the provincial and federal ministers of transportation, as well as our local MLAs and MPs, requesting financial support.

Social media shifting rules for local politicians
Kyle Slavin, Saanich News

Frank Leonard wants to be your friend.

The Saanich mayor – and many of his council colleagues – regularly use politically motivated tweets and Facebook wall posts to make their opinions known to their followers. The most lively issue of late? Light rail transit.

Leonard and Coun. Dean Murdock have been debating the issue with one another, along with public input, on Facebook.

Capital region councillors find light-rail inspiration at Halifax conference
Kyle Slavin, Saanich News

Municipal politicians are itching to get back to political action after spending the weekend rubbing elbows with their Canadian counterparts and, more importantly, bouncing ideas off them to see how Greater Victoria can capitalize on projects that have been done elsewhere in the country.

Public deserves say on $1 billion light rail plan, Saanich mayor says
Erin McCracken, Victoria News

Reaction to bring B.C. Transit’s recommendation to bring a $950-million electric light-rail transit system to the region was swift – and mixed.

"The issue right now is do our taxpayers have an opportunity to comment between now and when they want a decision on May 17?" asked Saanich Mayor Frank Loenard. "That's a pretty tight timeline on a $1-billion decision for taxpayers."