Vanessa Craig, area B director from Gabriola Island, is the first ever Board chair in RDN's 55-year history. (Submitted/RDN)

By Jordan Davidson

historic moment

‘It’s an honour:’ RDN elects first-ever female board chair

Nov 10, 2022 | 1:02 PM

NANAIMO — The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) announced their official Board of Directors this week, which features the first woman to head the Board in RDN history.

Electoral Area B Director Vanessa Craig was elected as Board chair during their inaugural Nov. 8 meeting.

Craig said it’s promising to see an increase in women in politics at all levels across the province.

“If we look at the record of women participating in local government politics, there’s always been strong female leaders including from Gabriola who represented the board at the RDN, and there are quite a few now… I’m privileged to be the first woman chair, I’m surprised it’s taken so long, but it’s an honour.”

While she said there is still work to do in further diversifying local councils and boards, increasing the number of unique and diverse opinions is an improvement.

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“We still got a ways to go, but what I’m seeing on the board in just even in the last three terms. There are more women, more younger people. We still have other areas of diversity to improve on, but I think it is a step forward.”

According to the 2021 census data, out of 170,365 citizens residing with the RDN, 82,385 (48.3 per cent) identified as male, while 87,980 (51.6 per cent) identified as female.

With women making up five out of the seven electoral area directors this year, Craig said it’s a big difference from when she initially decided to run when only one out of the seven spots was a woman.

“Of course, that (number) will fluctuate over time, but I’m quite heartened to see this increase in diversity at the board, both in terms of age and gender.”

She said she was honoured the Board showed its confidence in her by voting her as chair. She gave them her thanks, along with a special shout-out to Vice-Chair Tyler Brown, whom she has worked closely with over the last few years.

“I have been the vice-chair for the last three years, so I’ve been fortunate to work with two previous Board chairs and they were really great about including me in meetings. I feel like I’ve developed the relationship and the skills that will help me step into the role hopefully without too much of a steep learning curve.”

Brown was elected as Vice-Chair by acclamation, and both the Chair and Vice-Chair positions are held for a one-year term.

A total of nineteen elected officials, who represent RDN’s seven electrical areas and four municipalities, were sworn in for four-year terms.

Back row, L-R: Directors Janice Perrino, Sheryl Armstrong, Sean Wood, Stuart McLean, Leonard Krog, Tyler Brown, Doug O’Brien, Paul Manly, Teunis Westbroek, Vanessa Crag. Front Row, L-R: Directors Bob Rogers, Leanne Salter, Ian Thorpe, Jessica Stanley, Lehann Wallace, Lauren Melanson, Mark Swain. (Submitted/RDN)

Director Ian Thorpe was elected as Chair of the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District (NRHD) by acclamation for a four-year term, while Director Janice Perrino was elected as Acting Chair by acclamation.

Thorpe said he appreciates the opportunity to lead the NRHB in advocating for improved regional healthcare.

“The NRHD Board recently identified priority projects to improve healthcare access in our region; we remain committed to supporting these projects and achieving these goals.”

Full election results for RDN and the entire mid-Island can be found here.

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