Comox Valley Election 2026

Trish McPhail Responded:


Bob Wells Responded:

Trish McPhail Responded:


Bob Wells Responded:

Trish McPhail Responded:


Bob Wells Responded:

Bob Wells Responded:
At the City of Courtenay we implemented Anti-Racism training for staff and elected officials. In
addition, when made aware of racism or hate acts, I report them to the Community Justice
Centre.

Bob Wells Responded:
Yes. This years events were amazing and a true reflection of how the majority of our community
welcomes and supports 2SLGBQTQIA+.

Bob Wells Responded:
I have and will continue to support K’omoks First Nation as they finalize their treaty. I have
always looked for opportunities to work with KFN towards reconciliation with the Water
Treatment Project and kus kus sum as two examples

Phil Adams Responded:


Vasil Beaton Responded:
Yes. I believe every person deserves dignity, respect, and the right to make informed decisions about their own body and health care.

Decisions about reproductive health, contraception, gender-affirming care, and other medical needs should be made by individuals in consultation with qualified health care professionals, free from discrimination or unnecessary barriers.

As a City of Courtenay councillor, I would respect the diversity of our community and support an environment where everyone feels safe, included, and treated fairly. While these medical decisions are outside the direct authority of municipal council, we can still help build a community where people are respected, local services are accessible, and no one feels excluded because of who they are or their personal health care needs.

Putting Residents First means respecting every resident’s dignity, protecting their ability to access appropriate care, and treating everyone with fairness and compassion.

Guan-Carlo (Benny) Benvenuti Responded:


Rosanna Chamberlin Responded:


Dick Clancy Responded:


John Dacombe Responded:
Absolutely. This is a fundamental right that is still under threat and must be protected.

Erik Eriksson Responded:
Yes.

David Frisch Responded:


Evan Jolicoeur Responded:
Yes. Full stop.

Jessie Lightburn Responded:


Jin Lin Responded:


Kelly Matthews Responded:


Thomas McDevitt Responded:


Dave Mellin Responded:


Wendy Morin Responded:


Kitty Pitt Responded:


Davina Singh Responded:
Yes, absolutely. Bodily autonomy is a fundamental right that should be protected for all people.

Kam Singhania Responded:


Darin Tufts Responded:

Phil Adams Responded:


Vasil Beaton Responded:
British Columbia already has important protections under the Human Rights Code against discrimination in employment, housing, public services, and certain public communications, including discriminatory or hateful signage. The City of Courtenay and the Comox Valley Regional District also have responsibilities to maintain respectful environments within their own workplaces and services. However, having protections on paper is only part of the solution.

If elected to Courtenay City Council, I will support practical steps to help ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, Indigenous identity, religion, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or background.

I would support reviewing municipal policies and complaint procedures, making reporting options easier to understand, and ensuring that concerns involving harassment, discrimination, or threatening behaviour are taken seriously and directed to the appropriate authorities. I would also support education, respectful community dialogue, and partnerships with local organizations to help prevent discrimination before it escalates.

Where gaps are identified, I would work with staff, community groups, and regional partners to determine what improvements are legally possible and financially responsible. This could include strengthening staff training, reviewing policies for municipal facilities and services, and ensuring that public spaces are welcoming and accessible.

I also believe we must distinguish between lawful expression and conduct that crosses legal boundaries. Protecting people from discrimination and hate must be balanced with respect for freedom of expression and the rule of law.

As a councillor, I would focus on the responsibilities within the City’s authority, advocate for cooperation across the Comox Valley, and hold myself to the same standard of respect I expect from others. Everyone should be able to live, work, access services, and participate in community life without being targeted or excluded because of who they are.

Guan-Carlo (Benny) Benvenuti Responded:


Rosanna Chamberlin Responded:


Dick Clancy Responded:


John Dacombe Responded:
Current language in City policies on use of public facilities is strong, but could be stronger. We had a case a few months ago where a pro-BC independence group that promotes racism and bigotry tried to rent a City hall, and was only stopped by invoking a police requirement for a safety plan. We need a clearer policy that says any organisation allowing racism or bigotry cannot use City facilities under any circumstances, full stop.

Erik Eriksson Responded:
I looked this up on the internet. The City of Courtenay has stringent policies regarding this matter.

David Frisch Responded:


Evan Jolicoeur Responded:
Code of Conduct for elected officials; we lack guidance to staff when groups want to book out our parks/facilities – and thats why I successfully brought forward the Safe & Inclusive Space policy; I would want to understand more how and if there are other limiting issues around business practices that we could address; I would support the use of pronouns and clarifying the role of signage in public spaces. Currently we have a lack of universal washrooms, we could also do even more training – specifically around intersectionality of queer ness and other identifying characteristics and also the role of stigma, transphobia and heteronormativity in the workplace and in our communication tools/assets (eg city owned social media, newsletters etc)

Jessie Lightburn Responded:


Jin Lin Responded:


Kelly Matthews Responded:


Thomas McDevitt Responded:


Dave Mellin Responded:


Wendy Morin Responded:


Kitty Pitt Responded:


Davina Singh Responded:
The city currently has the ability to choose not to approve the use of city facilities or spaces for events that include harmful, exclusionary or hateful behaviours, language, business practices and signage.

I do feel that there are gaps in the municipality. I think having policy that clarifies what is not acceptable in our city would help strengthen any position against a group with hateful behaviour wanting to establish themselves in the city.

Kam Singhania Responded:


Darin Tufts Responded:

Phil Adams Responded:


Vasil Beaton Responded:
I believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness, regardless of their background, identity, gender, or beliefs. If I witness racism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, misandry, or any other form of discrimination or hateful behaviour, I will speak up respectfully but firmly. I will make it clear that this behaviour is unacceptable and that everyone deserves to feel safe, welcome, and included in our community.

As a City Councillor, I would lead by example, listen to those affected, take concerns seriously, and support appropriate action within the City’s authority. I would also encourage education, respectful dialogue, and accountability rather than allowing harmful behaviour to go unchallenged.

Putting Residents First means standing up for all residents, especially those who may feel vulnerable or unheard. We may not always agree with one another, but disagreement should never be an excuse for hatred, intimidation, or discrimination. I want Courtenay to be a community where everyone can live with dignity, feel safe in public spaces, and know that their voice matters.

Guan-Carlo (Benny) Benvenuti Responded:


Rosanna Chamberlin Responded:


Dick Clancy Responded:


John Dacombe Responded:
I have been very vocal in defence of minority rights for decades. In my younger, military days, that led to a few cases of fisticuffs. Now that I’m older and wiser, I limit myself to being very vocal in calling out all racism and bigotry, including during the last municipal elections here in 2022 and the Action4Canada incident in 2023.

Erik Eriksson Responded:
I would say “You are out of line. I don’t want you to talk like when I’m around. You should stop taliking like altogether. People don’t do that anymore.”

David Frisch Responded:


Evan Jolicoeur Responded:
Depends on the situation, I have noticed that as people with these beliefs become more emboldened, their confidence, intensity and communication styles have often left me fawning/disassociated or personally disconnected. When I am grounded in my truth and reminded of the power of unity and strength of my allies and community, I speak out directly to the person – informing them that that behaviour/words is unacceptable, hurtful and discriminatory.

I have done this many times personally, and professionally in many different roles, more specifically when a local church led the anti-trans protests, I did my research and found out they were receiving a tax-exemption, I moved a motion supported by my colleagues to remove them from the list. Hate is hate. We can not condone this and especially can not be seen to support or fund this behaviour.

Jessie Lightburn Responded:


Jin Lin Responded:


Kelly Matthews Responded:


Thomas McDevitt Responded:


Dave Mellin Responded:


Wendy Morin Responded:


Kitty Pitt Responded:


Davina Singh Responded:
I’ve dealt with my share of hateful and discriminatory behaviour in my life. I take a strong stance against hate that is targeted at any group. From a young age I have had no issue speaking up against those who are louder, stronger, larger and more powerful than me. I think it’s important to call out hateful behaviour every time it’s encountered and make it clear that it’s not acceptable and I have no fear in doing so. I’ll continue to do this whether or not I am elected as a city councillor.

Kam Singhania Responded:


Darin Tufts Responded:

Phil Adams Responded:
Everyone deserves equal treatment from their local government, regardless of race,
background or other personal characteristics. Where criminal hate or violence occurs,
those matters should be dealt with through our police and justice system. As a
councillor, my responsibility would be to ensure municipal decisions and services are
administered fairly and according to law.

John Dacombe Responded:
We cannot stop racism and bigotry, but we can stop funding it.
Any organization which promotes bigotry, racism or conspiracy theories does not deserve a
permissive tax exemption from the City, one that increases the tax burden on other residents.
That goes double for houses of worship and schools, who already get multiple mandatory tax
exemptions. So, if any house of worship in the City of Courtenay promotes bigotry, racism and
conspiracy theories – liked happened right here in the CV back in 2023 – and encourages people
to harass nurses, teachers and gay kids, they do not deserve your tax dollars.
To be clear, everyone is entitled to believe whatever they want. But everyone is not entitled to
taxpayer-funded tax breaks if they are actively trying to divide this community and country.
https://johndacombe.ca/more-on-tax-exemptions .

David Frisch Responded:
We have resolved to becoming and anti-racist city. For example, we actively work to remove
oppressive symbols and work in collaboration with KFN on opportunities to for renaming. We
also work to make all city facilities safe spaces for everyone and defend marginalized groups.

Evan Jolicoeur Responded:
I would push to advance my resolution on Safe & Inclusive Spaces. This work is crucial to protect
those who use City facilities, this would look like advocating for practical implementation of safe
and inclusive municipal spaces policies, supported by staff education and clear ways to report
and respond to discrimination.
Council must also demonstrate leadership by speaking clearly against racism and hate.

Kelly Matthews Responded:
I have a heartfelt respect for Restorative Justice principles and action. Though I only know it
through academic study, I truly believe in its ability to heal people and community. My goal
would be to make anti-racism and restorative justice as a baseline principle of how Council
makes decisions and responds to community harm.

Thomas McDevitt Responded:
To create an environment of inclusion where everybody regardless of who they are is welcome
and valued as an equal voice and contributor. To work towards building consensus when there
are contentious issues around the council table.

Wendy Morin Responded:
I am somewhat repeating the response to an Immigrant Welcome Centre question here. This is
an area I have championed on Courtenay Council. In July 2022, Council approved two resolutions
I introduced: Anti-Discrimination and Response to Act of Hate, and Moving from Inclusive to
Anti-Racist – a Path Forward. These resolutions were in response to increased incidents I was
hearing about in the community. Unfortunately, due to residential school denialism, recent land
conflicts, and disinformation campaigns, I see these incidents increasing. So I believe it’s more
important than ever to have these frameworks in place.
Over the past 4 years the City has been embedding anti-discrimination and inclusivity into
policies and practices. I was disappointed that the proposed Anti-Racism Strategy was not
completed this term, and if re-elected I will push for this to be prioritized.

Davina Singh Responded:
I believe restorative justice principles are applicable in everyday life. From a council perspective I
think it’s incredibly important that anti-racist and anti hate principles are applied in all
circumstances. There should be no room for hate and intolerance in our community.
I would like to see restorative justice principles being used when dealing with bylaw enforcement
and policing in our city, especially in cases that relate to our unhoused community.

Darin Tufts Responded:
Having a positive attitude towards every living being I’ve had the opportunity to work with on
council or committee.

Phil Adams Responded:
I am not prepared to commit to annual funding for an organization before seeing the
City’s budget and the funding request.
I generally believe non-profits should make reasonable efforts to fundraise rather than
automatically relying on municipal taxpayers. I would personally be happy to help with
community fundraising toward the proposed $3,000.

John Dacombe Responded:
Yes, absolutely. $3K is a literal rounding error in the City of Courtenay’s grants budget.

David Frisch Responded:
I will continue to support Courtenay’s grant program partnership with the Community
Foundation, which gave $7860 of taxpayer money to the Pride Society as well as the $10000 of
in-kind support for pride it the park.

Evan Jolicoeur Responded:
Yes

Kelly Matthews Responded:
Supporting events like Pride in the Park is a valuable way to activity show inclusiveness to all of
our citizens.

Thomas McDevitt Responded:
So you’re asking for $3000 between Cumberland, Courtney, and Comox? I think in a city budget
that is a drop in the bucket. This is a very achievable goal.

Wendy Morin Responded:
The City of Courtenay supported this funding this year, which was outside of our Grant-in-Aid
process. Although I supported the funding request, I think we need to look at better
communication with community groups to ensure they are aware of the Grant-in-Aid program.
The program was designed to be more equitable, so that Council was not making decisions on a
case-by-case basis. Having said that, I fully support the Pride in the Park event.

Davina Singh Responded:
Yes, I believe community events such as Pride in the Park, that promote inclusivity, tolerance and
understanding should be supported by local government.

Darin Tufts Responded:
If the mandate is already in place, why change a good thing.

Phil Adams Responded:
I would need considerably more information before making a commitment on this
question. I understand the importance of the City’s relationship with K’ómoks First
Nation, but I would want to understand specifically what actions are being proposed and
which of them fall within the authority of Courtenay City Council. I don’t want to make
commitments on matters outside municipal jurisdiction or pretend to have expertise that
I don’t have.

John Dacombe Responded:
Our most important relationship with indigenous peoples in the Comox Valley is with the
K’omoks First Nation. My platform addresses that here: https://johndacombe.ca/reconciliation .

David Frisch Responded:
The City is actively facilitating the transfer of Kuskussum back to KFN ownership and
managemtent. Our work to preserve our watershed and local rivers, directly affects traditional
hunting and fishing. Our OCP has reconciliation engrained as one of four cardinal directions and
we support KFN’s treaty process.

Evan Jolicoeur Responded:
My Indigenous relations experience has taught me that respectful partnership begins with
recognizing Indigenous rights, jurisdiction and priorities. And as a leader the importance of
allyship and speaking out and against the rise in Anti-Indigenous hate and rhetoric. The city has
partnered in dozens of initiatives, land based, community events, educational opportunities,
service agreements and others with KFN.
I would continue to support working with K’ómoks First Nation early in relevant land-use,
watershed and food-system decisions. This includes pursuing opportunities, identified by the
Nation, to protect culturally important places and support access to traditional foods and
stewardship. At the City we need to continue to advocate for funding for DRIPA implementation
and government to government relations. This work cannot occur without Indigenous partners,
and it must respect applicable agreements and avoid treating Indigenous participation as an
afterthought. We have come a long way at the City and now have a monthly with KFN Chief &
Council, and are advancing a Reconciliation Strategy. There is an important role in
understanding the exciting components of Treaty that the City could work alongside KFN.
Lastly, it is important that the City advance relationships with Urban Indigenous individuals and
the local Metis charter community to support those unique perspectives in city initiatives,
activities and events.

Kelly Matthews Responded:
For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have managed ecosystems through sustainable
stewardship. True implementation of UNDRIP requires collaboration with local First Nations as
equal partners and healers of the land.
I will support integrating traditional ecological knowledge into regional land-use, watershed
management, and agricultural planning. I will advocate for increased access to traditional
harvesting, foraging, and food-gathering areas on public lands, protecting native biodiversity
and medicinal plants. I would love to see indigenous land stewardship techniques combined with
modern permaculture to restore soil health, protect wild salmon runs, and phase out destructive
industrial practices.
By respecting Indigenous rights and prioritizing ecosystem health over extraction, local
government can help restore our shared relationship with nature and ensure long-term
resilience and food security for our region.

Thomas McDevitt Responded:
Articles 23 and 32 of UNDRIP are particularly relevant to this conversation because they speak
to Indigenous peoples having a meaningful role in setting their own priorities and in decisions
affecting lands, resources and development.
A lot of UNDRIP is outside the legislative authority of a municipality, and I think it’s important to
be honest about that. But where municipalities do have a role — land use, development, food
systems and stewardship — I think the approach has to be based on partnership. To me, this is
not something that should be done from the top down. It has to be a conversation between local
government and First Nations about shared priorities and shared challenges. Implementation
has to be based on respect, practical cooperation and ongoing dialogue with K’ómoks First
Nation. I would approach that relationship as a partnership, not as a box to be checked.

Wendy Morin Responded:
Courtenay acknowledges the importance of food sovereignty, land, and resource stewardship in
its OCP, and commits to Reconciliation in a variety of ways. We respect Indigenous rights to
harvest food in our forests and waterways. When considering development proposals, I have
often brought up the importance of protecting food and traditional medicine gathering in our
natural spaces. When updating the OCP, Council adopted UNDRIP as a framework for decision-
making. The city is also developing a Reconciliation Framework. All this important work will help
inform policy that further advances UNDRIP at the local level.

Davina Singh Responded:
I think the best way I could support UNDRIP if elected is by ensuring that we are always
involving K’omoks First Nations in decisions that impact land use, resources and food
sovereignty. I think it would be useful and informative to develop local policy on how this is to
be implemented within the Comox Valley.


Darin Tufts Responded:
As a former United Nations employee, I would find it an honour to work directly with the
indigenous people on their rights and resources.

Steve Blacklock Responded:


Lisa C Bourgeois Responded:
Yes. I believe people have the right to make informed decisions about their own bodies and healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, contraception and gender-affirming care, in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals.

Vivian Chislett Responded:


Ken J Grant Responded:


Christopher T Haslett Responded:


Dr. Jonathan R Kerr Responded:
Yes, as a family doctor in Comox, I adhere to person-centred care and believe in autonomy over one’s own body and health care decisions. I have numerous patients who belong to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or are receiving gender-affirming care.

Neil A Ladell Responded:


Jenn Meilleur Responded:


Ruby Sidhu Responded:


Maureen Swift Responded:


Jessica A Wegg Responded:

Steve Blacklock Responded:


Lisa C Bourgeois Responded:
The BC Human Rights Code and Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms provide protections against discrimination. Municipalities also have a role through their policies, public facilities and standards of conduct. I’d want to review the Town’s existing policies and hear from affected residents before identifying specific gaps. Where improvements are needed and within municipal authority, I’d support those changes.

Vivian Chislett Responded:


Ken J Grant Responded:


Christopher T Haslett Responded:


Dr. Jonathan R Kerr Responded:
We have a workplace code of conduct at the Town of Comox.
Discrimination and harassment of any kind is not tolerated.
I would look to ensure these policies are up to date.

Neil A Ladell Responded:


Jenn Meilleur Responded:


Ruby Sidhu Responded:


Maureen Swift Responded:


Jessica A Wegg Responded:

Steve Blacklock Responded:


Lisa C Bourgeois Responded:
I don’t believe in ignoring discriminatory or hateful behaviour. I’d address it respectfully but directly, make it clear why it’s inappropriate and support anyone affected. I also believe in creating opportunities for education and understanding, while recognizing that respectful disagreement should never come at the expense of someone’s dignity or safety.

Vivian Chislett Responded:


Ken J Grant Responded:


Christopher T Haslett Responded:


Dr. Jonathan R Kerr Responded:
I take these things incidents very seriously and address them in the most appropriate way given the setting, aiming to “call in” the offender and offer a chance for understanding and learning, while also ensuring the behaviour/words are challenged and stopped.

Neil A Ladell Responded:


Jenn Meilleur Responded:


Ruby Sidhu Responded:


Maureen Swift Responded:


Jessica A Wegg Responded:

Lisa C Bourgeois Responded:
I’d start by learning how racism and hate show up in our community and listening to people
affected. From there, I’d support raising awareness and working with the Community Justice
Centre to understand what Council can do to help address it. I’d also want to learn how
restorative justice can help us respond to harm, encourage accountability and repair
relationships.

Dr. Jonathan R Kerr Responded:
I support implementing recommendations from Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2024-2028 (i.e.
Changing Systems, Transforming Lives).
For example, it is important for elected officials to stand up and be visible supporting diversity,
inclusion, and anti-racism in our community.
I have been an ardent supporter of the K’ómoks First Nation and their role in local decision
making and their journey towards Treaty ratification. I was honoured to be invited earlier this
year to stand as a witness during the first reading of the Treaty Act in the legislature in Victoria.

Neil A Ladell Responded:
I’m certainly open to suggestions. Ensuring anti-racism bylaws (e.g., ensuring racist
organizations cannot book events at Town buildings or anywhere the Town has authority to
enforce; bylaws for racist graffiti removal) and policies are in place and Town staff
training/workshops are starting places.

Jenn Meilleur Responded:
The provincial government is introducing a provincewide, mandatory code of conduct for
municipal and regional district elected officials. While this will be standardized to a degree, we
could ensure that our local version includes anti-racist/hate principles as well as Restorative
Justice principles. When we find ourselves in difficult situations, we could then reach out to
Comox Valley Community Justice Centre for guidance and support to ensure that we’re
embodying anti-racist/hate and Restorative Justice principles. Council should model those
principles in its own conduct and decision-making and draw on the CJC’s expertise.

Jessica A Wegg Responded:
I would support educational programs/training for Comox Council and staff related to anti-
racism and the harms caused by hatred in our communities.

Lisa C Bourgeois Responded:
I’m open to supporting Comox’s share of the proposed $3,000 annual contribution. Pride in the
Park helps people connect and feel welcome in our community. I’d want to understand the
funding arrangement and consider it alongside other community funding requests through
Council’s budget process.

Dr. Jonathan R Kerr Responded:
Yes! I am an annual Pride Parade participant, walking with the Comox Valley Division of Family
Practice’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Doctors and Allies group. It has been impressive to see the growth of the
Pride in the Park even, both in terms of the crowd size and number of booths (over 60 this year!).

Neil A Ladell Responded:
Yes

Jenn Meilleur Responded:
Yes. I had the privilege of participating in Pride in the Park with a gender-queer family member
and witnessed first-hand the positive impact through an increased sense of connection and
belonging.

Jessica A Wegg Responded:
Yes, this is a very important event that should be adequately supported.

Lisa C Bourgeois Responded:
I’d support working respectfully with K’ómoks First Nation early in decisions affecting land, water
and food systems. That means listening to the Nation’s priorities and respecting its rights,
knowledge and leadership. I’d want municipal planning and partnerships to support that
relationship with clear actions and follow-through.

Dr. Jonathan R Kerr Responded:
I have been an ardent supporter of the K’ómoks First Nation and their role in local decision
making and their journey towards Treaty ratification. I was honoured to be invited earlier this
year to stand as a witness during the first reading of the Treaty Act in the legislature in Victoria.
I fully support the implementation of UNDRIP and respect the K’ómoks First Nation’s rights to
food sovereignty, land access, and resource stewardship.
As Vice-Chair of the Comox Valley Regional District, I look forward to welcoming the K’ómoks
First Nation to more decision-making tables and honouring their perspectives and traditions.

Neil A Ladell Responded:
I’m supportive of UNDRIP and would be open to meeting with K’omoks First Nation and the CV
Food Policy Council to discuss these issues.

Jenn Meilleur Responded:
Reconciliation was a priority for Council this term, and we made meaningful progress in
strengthening our relationship with K’ómoks First Nation.
I support UNDRIP and Indigenous rights, self-determination and governance. I hope the Town of
Comox will continue to strengthen our relationship with K’ómoks First Nation while recognizing
hereditary leadership and Indigenous people from other Nations who live here.
To support Indigenous food sovereignty, I would support continued collaboration on watershed
and ecosystem health, land and marine stewardship, climate resilience and access to traditional
foods.

Jessica A Wegg Responded:
To the best of my ability.

Zanoni Agnew Responded:


Ellian Bell Responded:


Neil Borecky Responded:


Kevin Snaden Responded:
Yes.

Your body, your needs, your choice. Not mine.

People should be able to make their own lawful health-care decisions with qualified health-care professionals, including reproductive health, contraception and gender-affirming care.

Sean Sullivan Responded:


Troy Therrien Responded:
100% YES!

Nick Ward (Nicholas Ward) Responded:
Yes

Zanoni Agnew Responded:


Ellian Bell Responded:


Neil Borecky Responded:


Kevin Snaden Responded:
Cumberland has also been doing work on accessibility, inclusion and online harms. The Village hosted a Strong Cities workshop at the Cumberland Library on countering online harms. I attended, and it was great to meet members of Queer Centre Comox Valley there.

I think there is a difference between disagreement and discrimination, harassment, threats or hate. Where there is a real gap within municipal authority, I would support addressing it with rules that are clear, lawful and enforceable.

Sean Sullivan Responded:


Troy Therrien Responded:
We have been working hard to eliminate these gaps, and I support all efforts to do so.

Nick Ward (Nicholas Ward) Responded:
We have policies within the VIllage organisation to protect staff from harm, and we lead by example. Most legal protections for community members are in the realm of the provincial and federal governments. I have and will continue to support education, policies and actions that demonstrate allyship and speak against hate.

Zanoni Agnew Responded:


Ellian Bell Responded:


Neil Borecky Responded:


Kevin Snaden Responded:
Be an upstander, not a bystander.

Speak up. Call it out. Make it clear that treating somebody that way isn’t okay.

That doesn’t always mean attacking the person who said it. Sometimes you can explain why something is hurtful or discriminatory and offer a better way of expressing the underlying idea without insulting the person in return.

But if someone is being targeted or harassed, I would rather speak up than stand there quietly and leave them to deal with it alone.

Sean Sullivan Responded:


Troy Therrien Responded:
I believe in being a good ally and that means calling out bigotry when it happens.

Nick Ward (Nicholas Ward) Responded:
My answer is highly dependent on context and safety. As a straight white male, I have a degree of privilege that allows me to stand up for vulnerable communities, and I won’t hesitate to do so if safe. I will also attempt to act with regard for the speaker’s circumstance and try to choose the response that is most likely to generate a shift in understanding or behaviour. If the speech is directed towards an individual, my priority is for that person’s safety, and I may choose to ignore, deflect, or, if they are there, extract us from the situation rather than challenge. I won’t speak for them without their prior consent.

Troy Therrien Responded:
There is no room for racism or hate at the council table or anywhere at all for that matter.
Making sure that council and the Village of Cumberland are accountable for their policies and
practices, and eliminating discriminatory practices is key.

Troy Therrien Responded:
I would like to support Pride in the Park, and I suggest that the Pride Comox Valley group appear
as a delegation if they wish us to contribute to Pride in the Park.

Troy Therrien Responded:
I support the treaty process and Komox’s right to self determination.

Shannon Aldinger Responded:


Kendall Packham Responded:
SOGI to me means – Inclusion, dignity and respect are not optional. There should be no place in our schools for discrimination or exclusion. Every student deserves to walk through the doors of their school knowing that they belong, that the adults around them will stand up for their safety and dignity, and that they will be valued for exactly who they are.

Maria Sanchez has not responded.

Shannon Aldinger Responded:


Kendall Packham Responded:
No! Reading and learning material across all genre’s and topics is important to teaching our students choice of material, topic and encourages open mindedness and critical thinking etc …

Maria Sanchez has not responded.

Shannon Aldinger Responded:


Kendall Packham Responded:
Schools have a fundamental responsibility to ensure every student feels safe, respected, included, and able to learn without fear of bullying, harassment, discrimination, or exclusion.

As a trustee, I will strongly support policies and practices that protect 2SLGBTQIA+ students, including continued implementation of SOGI 123, meaningful staff education and training, clear and consistently enforced anti-bullying and anti-discrimination policies, and access to safe, affirming supports for students who need them.

I believe trustees must also listen to the voices and lived experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ students and staff when making decisions that affect them. Inclusion is not optional, and every student deserves to know that they belong, that their identity will be respected, and that the adults within their school system will stand up for their safety and dignity.

Maria Sanchez has not responded.

Arzeena Hamir Responded:


Rich Hardy Responded:

Arzeena Hamir Responded:


Rich Hardy Responded:

Arzeena Hamir Responded:


Rich Hardy Responded:

Arzeena Hamir Responded:
1. I understand the Board has a Code of Conduct which I would want to review to ensure it
identifies all forms of hateful behaviour and provides clear repercussions if Directors transgress
this Code.

2. Within the organization, a similar policy of safe and welcoming workplace, if not in place,
needs to created and resourced so that staff feel comfortable bringing forward transgression. I
would love to work with CUPE 556 to identify if there are any gaps currently and how we can
amend if needed.

3. We can continue to financially support CJC and use the Regional District’s communications
arm to help deliver the message of available resources for community members.

Arzeena Hamir Responded:
I think Pride in the Park is a fantastic community-driven initiative and could be funded through
the Community Grants of the CVRD.

Arzeena Hamir Responded:
Indigenous Food Sovereignty must be Indigenous led. I commit to supporting any projects
through funding, volunteering, and providing technical support if it’s needed. We have so much
to learn from Indigenous food systems that evolved in this place, without outside inputs.

Gillian Anderson Responded:


Ariel Becherer Responded:


Norm McPhail Responded:
Healthcare delivery, medical procedures, and provincial health insurance are managed at the provincial level by the Ministry of Health and Island Health, rather than by local or regional district governments. At the local government level, our core statutory mandate focuses on regional infrastructure, land-use planning, and community services. While I respect personal freedoms and provincial healthcare frameworks, my focus as a CVRD candidate is on delivering efficient, inclusive local services and infrastructure that support the overall quality of life for all Comox Valley residents

Gillian Anderson Responded:


Ariel Becherer Responded:


Norm McPhail Responded:
The CVRD operates under established regional bylaws, respectful workplace policies, and provincial statutes that govern public conduct and facility rules. If elected, I would support reviewing existing regional policies and facility codes of conduct to ensure they remain robust, clear, and effectively enforced, ensuring all regional district spaces remain safe, respectful, and free from harassment

Gillian Anderson Responded:


Ariel Becherer Responded:


Norm McPhail Responded:
Elected officials are held to a high standard of personal conduct and leadership. Whenever I encounter discriminatory, hateful, or disrespectful behavior, I do not remain silent. I believe in standing up against discrimination, treating every individual with basic human dignity, and encouraging a culture of mutual respect in public life and everyday interactions.

Gillian Anderson Responded:
I would like to see, if it is not already in place, ecological placements for vandalism to trees and
natural areas – ie., cleaning waterways, replanting trees, etc. .

Ariel Becherer Responded:
Restorative justice has repair as its goal, by encourage responsibility, voluntary participation,
empowerment, inclusion, safety, and respect.
Last election, a minority of people participated in the regional district election. And this has been
a trend for some years. People do not feel heard by the CVRD, and do not choose to engage in
this democratic process. If elected to the CVRD, there is a lot of repair work to be done, for the
people to feel like the government belongs to them, and works for them. This starts with
improving listening and communications.
For example, most people I speak to, do not know that, depending on the fire protection area,
20-30% of area C residents’ property taxes go to their local fire service.
If I say, “CVRD” they feel building permitting processes closing in around them, instead of
thinking of: the fire departments, Nymph Falls Park, Tsolum Spirit Park, the track, the library, the
buses, Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds.
The days, billionaires are getting richer and richer, and our food prices, our rent, our gas prices
keep going up. Racism (among other things), is a convenient divide-and-conquer tool of the
billionaires to keep working people divided, and focused on hating each other, instead of uniting
to build affordable lives for all.
If elected I will constantly work for unifying common-sense projects around basic needs: water,
food, housing, to ensure the essentials are there to enable others to have the capacity to do
equity-seeking work. If elected, I will balance addressing the needs of the overwhelming
majority and the needs of those in the worst circumstance due to intersecting systems of
oppression and exploitation. By focusing on unifying projects around shared needs, I will remove
fuel from the fire of racism. We can build enough power to win affordable lives for all, both by
making things more fair for all, and by identifying which achievable work will improve life for the
overwhelming majority.

Norm McPhail Responded:
I bring more than three decades of public safety experience, including work as a Restorative
Justice Facilitator and Trainer and participation in First Nations restorative circles. That
experience has reinforced the importance of listening, respect, and addressing harm with
the people and communities affected. As a member of the CVRD Board, I would:
Speak against racism, hate, and discrimination, and support inclusive CVRD services and
public engagement.
Promote respectful discussion and constructive ways to resolve
disagreements.
Support community-led restorative justice initiatives where they fall within the CVRD’s
role.

Gillian Anderson Responded:
Yes.

Ariel Becherer Responded:
Yes. Area C is ~12.6% of the valley. So that is ~$379 total, and less than $0.04 per person. A tiny
price to pay for an event to make queer and trans folks in the Valley feel safer and welcome.

Norm McPhail Responded:
I support CVRD funding for events such as Pride in the Park when they meet the applicable
criteria. These events bring people together and help residents feel welcome across the Comox
Valley. I would apply the same funding criteria used for other events, while considering their
community benefit and accessibility for Area C residents.

Gillian Anderson Responded:
Salmon is one of the cornerstones of food security for BC’s First Nations, and is grounded in a
cultural connection to this fundamental BC species. That rightful harvest is increasingly being
constrained by the diminishing spawning returns due to climate change, habitat loss and
repercussions from historical commercial overharvesting. The ramifications of a missing salmon
harvest are profound, especially in lower-income communities where this historic harvest was
critical for communal sharing that supported more vulnerable family members.
One of the most fundamental long-term things we can do to support indigenous food security is
to protect and restore salmon habitat. This will involve conserving what is left of existing habitat
and restoring areas where poor logging practices have impacted waterways and replenishment
of the aquifer. We need to husband and manage the water sources intelligently to ensure fish
can spawn. The CVRD can play a significant role in these actions by encouraging stakeholders to
meet and co-operate on regional water planning.
I would also support the limited closure of parks, etc., for indigenous harvesting and cultural
activities: imparting such knowledge to young indigenous people supports community cultural
foundations.

Ariel Becherer Responded:
Panic and fear have been stoked around UNDRIP. That panic and fear is likely heightened as part
of a divide and conquer strategy. The billionaires keep getting richer at our expense, and it’s
convenient if working class settlers and Indigenous people are blaming each other, instead of
organizing together to improve our lives.
I encourage folks, anytime you feel fear or anger towards your neighbour or community
member, take a breath, ask yourself what you have in common with them, what you might be
able to do together, and who benefits if the two of you are divided?
Now we are in a situation where people hear UNDRIP and think Indigenous peoples are coming
for their houses, and that idea has to be dissuaded. The K’ómoks have stated repeatedly that
they’re not coming for people’s homes. The K’ómoks First Nation numbers under 400 people,
and they’ve just gotten a chunk of land and money that they have to figure out what to do with,
on their own terms, for housing and food security. They have better things to do, and they do not
have the resources to come for anyone’s home.
The first responsibility of any CVRD director on UNDRIP is to deal with the panic around it,
through education, and by focusing on unifying projects: better water storage planning, getting
more affordable food and housing, and making sure we’re ready for extreme weather events.
The CVRD must deal with fear around UNDRIP, and consult and collaborate with the KFN on
unifying economic projects.

Norm McPhail Responded:
I support a respectful government-to-government relationship between the CVRD and K’ómoks
First Nation. I would listen to the Nation’s priorities and support working together on CVRD
decisions that affect local food systems, watersheds, and the environment, while respecting
K’ómoks rights and responsibilities.