Kicking off 2016 from the Middle East! Looking forward to an amazing year ahead of me and thanks to everyone who made 2015 so incredible.‪

#‎NewYearsEveInTelAviv‬

Partisan politics can be incredibly divisive, but in a community the size of Victoria, those who are deeply involved in politics are a small group. This is never more apparent than during the holiday season.

I had the pleasure of being invited to, and attending, 4 partisan political Christmas parties this past month: The BC Greens, Federal Liberals, Federal Conservatives, and BC Liberals. At every event, even those for parties of which I am not a member, I was warmly welcomed and had great conversations talking shop with fellow Victoria politicos.

It is a reminder that no matter how vehemently we may disagree with other parties, everyone involved is well-intentioned and trying to do good for their communities.

I’ve been fairly vocal about my desire to see an increase in density in Victoria, so it would be hypocritical of me not to come out and support the development proposal at Cook & Oliphant in the Cook Street Village. Thank you to everyone who came up to shake my hand after I addressed the FGCA meeting last week.

I was mentioned in a Letter to the Editor on Thursday.

From Todd Litman’s “Comment: A welcoming manifesto for inclusiveness” in today’s Times Colonist, referencing my speech to the Fairfield Gonzales Community Association:

At that meeting, I was pleasantly surprised that about half the speakers supported the project in order to increase affordable-housing supply. The youngest speaker made the best argument. Andrew, a 23-year-old resident, pointed out that it is people who make a village, not buildings; accommodating more diverse residents creates a more vibrant village.

It’s time to recalibrate our thinking. The good people of Victoria can create more inclusive communities by changing our attitude about the types of housing we allow in our neighbourhoods. It’s time to say: “Yes in our backyard! We want diversity. We welcome new neighbours.”

Hanukkah begins at sundown this evening! I’ll be kicking things off at the Menorah Lighting at the Legislature! Looking forward to a great 8 days of family, friends, and latkes.

Chag sameach!