Austin Seng on Facebook 
Austin Seng
Independent for Nanaimo Council
At the core of my platform is an emphasis on the importance of strong, interconnected communities to reach shared goals. From collaboration between specific groups, ensuring diverse representation in city decisions, and general support of all the people that make Nanaimo great.
Businesses & Jobs
Economic Growth
Focus on accountability and transparency through in-depth reviews to find and fill all holes, gaps and pits in all areas of spending and investments.
Reduce vacant commercial spaces by encouraging property owners to offer temporary usage or short-term leases to renters.
Small Businesses
Collaborate with small businesses and local business organizations promote core business districts through improved marketing campaigns.
Creation of an annual grant to help fund and inspire young entrepreneurs, providing more opportunity for innovative and diverse local businesses.
Tourism
Showcase Nanaimo's local talent and unique character through markets, community events and activities.
Expand on existing cultural heritage education and related tourism opportunities.
Climate Change, Heat, Fires, & the Environment
Green Space
Encourage and support development of urban green spaces and multi-use third spaces based on community input.
Walking & Cycling
Improved accessibility through continued upgrades to pedestrian, cycling and public transit infrastructure, including expanded transit routes to rural areas.
Zoning
Fair zoning that prioritizes the protection of invaluable local ecosystems from development.
Community Centres, Libraries, Parks, and Other Public Spaces
After-School Programs
More supportive pathways for at-risk youth, including through better access to extra-curricular programs, workshops and volunteer opportunities.
Green Space
Encourage and support development of urban green spaces and multi-use third spaces based on community input.
Pedestrian Spaces
Improved accessibility through continued upgrades to pedestrian, cycling and public transit infrastructure, including expanded transit routes to rural areas.
Sidewalks & Bike Paths
Improved accessibility through continued upgrades to pedestrian, cycling and public transit infrastructure, including expanded transit routes to rural areas.
Zoning
Fair zoning that prioritizes the protection of invaluable local ecosystems from development.
Culture & Events
Cultural Spaces & Venues
Strengthen relationships with local arts and cultural groups to promote diverse opportunities for community engagement, education and mentorship.
Encourage and support development of urban green spaces and multi-use third spaces based on community input.
Preservation and restoration of foundational historic and cultural sites, including fair reviews of the goals and scope of prospective projects.
Festivals & Events
Showcase Nanaimo's local talent and unique character through markets, community events and activities.
Monuments and Landmarks
Preservation and restoration of foundational historic and cultural sites, including fair reviews of the goals and scope of prospective projects.
Tourism
Showcase Nanaimo's local talent and unique character through markets, community events and activities.
Expand on existing cultural heritage education and related tourism opportunities.
Housing & Homelessness
Homelessness
Increased collaboration and development efforts between social outreach teams, Community Safety Officers, RCMP, SFN, block watches and third party contractors to monitor and respond to health and safety issues.
More supportive pathways for at-risk youth, including through better access to extra-curricular programs, workshops and volunteer opportunities.
Zoning
Fair zoning that prioritizes the protection of invaluable local ecosystems from development.
Human Rights
Local Government, Planning, & Democracy
Budgeting
Focus on accountability and transparency through in-depth reviews to find and fill all holes, gaps and pits in all areas of spending and investments.
Public Engagement
A more personal and individualized approach to communication between city council and the public.
Lead initiatives to connect with underrepresented and marginalized groups, supporting meaningful participation from everyone affected by important issues - no voice above another.
Strengthen relationships with local arts and cultural groups to promote diverse opportunities for community engagement, education and mentorship.
Mental Health, Drugs, & Addiction
Mental Health Crisis Response
Increased collaboration and development efforts between social outreach teams, Community Safety Officers, RCMP, SFN, block watches and third party contractors to monitor and respond to health and safety issues.
Overdoses & the Contaminated Drug Supply
Increased awareness and access to first aid and overdose response training and supplies. Allocating funds for interested parties to receive training when necessary.
Public Safety & Policing
Non-Police-Based Public Safety
Increased collaboration between social outreach teams, Community Safety Officers, SFN, block watches, third party contractors and local business owners to monitor and respond to health and safety issues.
Increased awareness and access to first aid and overdose response training and supplies. Allocating funds for interested parties to receive training when necessary.
Public Services
Reconciliation & Indigenous Nations
Roads, Transit, & Getting Around
Sidewalks & Bike Paths
Improved accessibility through continued upgrades to pedestrian, cycling and public transit infrastructure, including expanded transit routes to rural areas.
Transit Projects
Support of the Island Corridor Foundation's proposed and current development efforts.
Walking & Cycling
Improved accessibility through continued upgrades to pedestrian, cycling and public transit infrastructure, including expanded transit routes to rural areas.
Biography
submitted by the candidate or their team
As a lifelong Nanaimo resident, I'm dedicated to creating a safer, stronger future through improved public health and safety measures, economic sustainability, community connection and preservation of local heritage and natural spaces.
I'm Austin Seng, a lifelong Harewood kid who has proudly called Nanaimo home for 35 years. I've seen the ups, downs and all iterations in between and have personal connections to many of the issues we face today.
I owe my work ethic to my immigrant parents, who through immense hardships and perseverance taught me the value of never giving up. With over a decade of experience in various levels of business development and management, I decided to move in a direction that is better aligned with my values and desire to make a positive impact. I now own and operate A. Seng & Co., a vintage general store and photography studio in the heart of downtown Nanaimo. I'm actively involved in downtown revitalization efforts and excited to continue seeing real progress being made here.
Through my work and engagement with the community, I've developed a deep appreciation for the people, businesses and places that make this city special. I'm passionate about preserving our cultural heritage and natural beauty while helping build a strong future for everyone who gets to call Nanaimo home.
Promises
See all 19 promises
Small Businesses
Collaborate with small businesses and local business organizations promote core business districts through improved marketing campaigns.
Homelessness, Mental Health Crisis Response
Increased collaboration and development efforts between social outreach teams, Community Safety Officers, RCMP, SFN, block watches and third party contractors to monitor and respond to health and safety issues.
Recent Immigrants, Indigenous Languages, Public Engagement
Lead initiatives to connect with underrepresented and marginalized groups, supporting meaningful participation from everyone affected by important issues - no voice above another.
aseng.co/nanaimocitycouncil www.aseng.co/nanaimocitycouncil