Running for Mayor: Todd McLeod

Sep 21, 2017 | 5:16 PM

KAMLOOPS — With the civic by-election just over a week away, we bring you the sixth and final mayoral profile.

Todd McLeod worked overseas as a TV producer for close to a decade before taking to the skies as an air ambulance paramedic.

Now the Kamloops resident is trying his hand at politics.

He says his experience working in various industries will be a benefit to City Hall, with jobs and affordable housing among the top priorities he would tackle if elected mayor.

Todd McLeod is a bit of an adrenalin junkie.

He works two weeks out of the month as an air ambulance paramedic in Manitoba.

“I’m very, very busy,” said McLeod. “We fly three or four patients a day, working 14 to 16 hours a day is normal for me.”

When he’s not working, he’s hitting the Harley in his home city of Kamloops.

“Myself and my wife, we love riding our motorcycles,” said McLeod. “It’s my way to relax and escape from reality I suppose.”

Seeking another adventure, the father of four is one of six candidates running to become mayor in this fall’s by-election.

He says creating more jobs would be a top priority if elected.

“We don’t have the time to wait for other industries to develop like the craft beer industry or tech industry. Those take time. We need jobs like yesterday.”

McLeod supports the proposed Ajax Mine and Trans Mountain Pipeline coming to Kamloops, adding they will stimulate the job sector and keep younger workers from leaving.

“I know there’s some concerns but having worked in the oil patch I know a lot of those concerns can be mitigated.”

If awarded the mayor’s chair, he says he would also create a secondary suite incentive program that would boost home values and provide more affordable housing.

“The average price to build a secondary suite is $20 to $30-thousand,” said McLeod. “I’m willing to offer a five-thousand dollar tax credit spread out over a couple years for the construction of a secondary suite. Once it has a permit, the value of the property goes up 10 to 20 percent. It’s kind of a no brainer.”

Finally, there’s reducing city council positions from eight to six.

“I’ve done the research and studies show you don’t need eight councillors until you reach 120-thousand people in a city which is another 20 years from now.”

Whether he wins or not, McLeod’s election ride is yet another adventure he can add to the list.