BC Green Party Candidate Carrie McLaren Shares Policy Goals for Burnaby South-Metrotown

With the provincial election scheduled for October 19, 2024, the residents of Burnaby South-Metrotown are set to evaluate their candidates. Carrie McLaren, the BC Green Party candidate, has highlighted her priorities and experience to help voters make an informed decision.

Currently, McLaren works as a Senior Coordinator in Cooperative Housing Management. She has amassed significant experience over her six-year tenure as a Director for a non-profit housing organization in Burnaby. McLaren’s commitment to facilitating safe, stable, and affordable housing for individuals with complex needs has driven her political vision. She holds a business degree from Capilano University.

McLaren expressed her motivation for running for office, citing insufficient government planning to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. “Fires, heat domes, flooding, and other disasters cause hardship and homelessness,” McLaren noted. She stresses the importance of long-term planning, emphasizing improvements in healthcare, education, and social support systems.

Identifying housing, healthcare, and a standard of living as top issues for Burnaby, McLaren proposes implementing vacancy controls and strengthening tenant protections. She calls for collaboration with various government levels to enhance housing infrastructure.

In healthcare, she points out the lack of doctors, with one in five individuals without access to care. To address this, McLaren suggests streamlining the system and investing in the workforce.

On improving living standards, McLaren advocates for a universal basic income and reforms to current social support systems. She seeks to create a stable environment conducive to business growth to aid local employment and industry.

McLaren has resided in cooperative housing for nearly two decades, highlighting its affordability and communal management approach. She emphasizes the need for similar models to enhance housing accessibility.