Hello Mission,

Our city is growing, and it’s easy to understand why. This is the best city in BC — and people know it. But a vibrant, growing city comes with real pressures, and meeting them takes focus, experience, and a willingness to have honest conversations. I bring to this role years of experience working alongside my council colleagues, neighbouring municipalities, regional committees, provincial agencies, and city staff — experience that carries forward into the next council and the next chapter for this city. That’s what I’ve worked to bring to council over the last two terms, and it’s why I’m asking for your vote again on October 17.

This term, Council added RCMP and bylaw resources, invested in parks and recreation—including the covered lacrosse box and fitness-room upgrades—and advanced road and pedestrian-safety improvements. Work on the 14th Avenue corridor and a future truck-bypass route will help protect neighbourhoods and improve how people move through Mission.

Parks & Recreation:
Mission is outgrowing its recreational infrastructure. There is need for greater aquatics capacity, enhanced and rubberized tracks, improved playing surfaces, and facilities built not just for the community we’ve become, but for the one we’re still becoming. These aren’t extras; they are essentials in a growing community. I’m proud to have been part of the initiative to build the new Emiry Park – with spray area, playground and sports court park, and I’m committed to making meaningful progress on aquatics and recreation within the next four years — not as a long-range aspiration, but as a concrete goal with a plan behind it.

Provincial Responsibilities:
Mission deserves a province that delivers on its responsibilities — properly resourced schools, investment in our roads – including bypass and overpass, a hospital equipped (and open) to serve our community, and paramedics performing the first-call medical response that is rightfully their role. I am deeply passionate about advocating for Mission at every level, and I will never stop pushing for our fair share.

Community Safety:
You deserve to feel safe in your neighbourhoods and our downtown business districts. Community safety isn’t just a policing issue — it requires proper resourcing of health, housing, and recovery supports that are ultimately the province’s responsibility to fund. I will advocate for Mission to have the tools and partnerships it needs to address Safety and Community Disorder in a way that works for our whole community.

Modern Government:
Trust in local government is earned, and in challenging times it can be fragile. Growing that trust means a modern, accessible council that meets you where you are — communicating through the channels you actually use today and engaging whether you attend in person or join a council meeting from your living room. It means a council where different perspectives, when honest and respectful, are a strength not a flaw. I have always been proud to say what I think, and where I stood when the vote was called.

Business & Development:
Economic times have rarely been more challenging for our local small businesses than today. Mission must do more to encourage and create an environment that allows our local small business community to flourish. From developing policies & programs to ensure our economic hubs are inviting and ready for business, to ensuring our permitting and process allow small business investors can go from selecting a location to serving their first customer as fast as possible. And the same applies to our development community – building on the existing fast-track process to expand its benefits.

Clear Priorities. Better Value.
Rising costs affect residents, businesses and the City itself. Mission must focus on core municipal responsibilities, set clear priorities and ensure every dollar delivers measurable value. That means maintaining essential infrastructure, improving public safety and community amenities, managing growth responsibly and explaining major spending decisions clearly.

When you go to the polls this October, remember that experience matters, professionalism matters, and good governance matters. I remain committed to delivering the best results for you – and for Mission as a whole – and am available to discuss your concerns and issues anytime.

All the best,
Mark Davies