Mid-Island candidates tout education, life experience they’d utilize as MLA

Kathleen Jones (Liberals)

I was a single mother, raised two children and now am retired from a career in Social Services. My BA (psychology & sociology) from UVIC started my career as a Social Worker with the Province of British Columbia and Washington State working with children, families, Seniors and vulnerable adults. I Volunteered as Director on the Board of John Howard Society, Campbell River, sat on Community Accountability Board/Youth Services and now volunteer with RCMP Nanaimo Community Policing and BlockWatch.

I have extensive trainings & education in Restorative Justice, Reconciliation, Risk Assessment, Childhood Bullying, Substance Abuse, Conflict Resolution, Family Systems, Advanced Investigative Training, Sexual Assault & Traumatic Stress, Domestic Violence, Grief, Loss, Chemical Dependency, Addictions, Management & Supervision and Human Trafficking of youth in Pacific Northwest as well as 25 yrs working with Diverse populations and First Nations in BC and Washington State. The education & life experiences I bring are identifying concerns & issues, listening, interviewing, assessing, evaluating, reviewing & research followed by solution focused action.

Sheila Malcolmson (NDP)

Diverse jobs and life experiences have shaped me and the values I hold.

Kayak guiding along BC’s wild coastlines, I learned the power of wilderness and how coastal economies rely on a pollution-free coast.

Managing Vancouver Island small businesses taught me resiliency and innovation.

Using my degree in Environmental & Resource Studies, from courtrooms to rallies, I worked to stop megaprojects and protect the Salish Sea from oil spills and pipelines.

Standing up against ferry fare hikes and service cuts, I’ve partnered with labour, coastal communities, and every regional district on BC’s coast to help protect our coastal economy.

I’ve worked with dozens of environmental and industry groups across Canada to use economic instruments for environmental protection and build up renewable energy.

12 years elected to local government taught me to hear all sides and serve constituents. As chair of the Island Trust Conservancy, we increased land donations and conservation covenants by 50%. I know how to work together and get results.

Raised by my family of ecologists, mental health, social work, and justice workers, and now supported by my salmon biologist spouse Howard, I’m grateful to be surrounded by people committed to working for a better world.

Lia Versaevel (Greens)

My work with marginalized and disadvantaged people as a Poverty Law Advocate. My adult basic education experience, working as a teacher at Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre in Nanaimo until March of 2019.

My work as an EA and Substitute Teacher in Nanaimo and throughout the Cowichan Valley, and from pre-K through 16 (in Nevada), particularly with kids who have disabilities.

My work as a Mediator and with the Ministry of the Attorney General from 1980 to 2004, in Australia as a Probation Officer, and in Nevada as a Mediator.

My BA in Sociology and a Diploma in Public Sector Management from the University of Victoria, and my MA in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University in 2007.

My volunteer work with Lions Clubs International for the past 20 years, raising service dog puppies, going on distribution trips to several countries including Mexico, Thailand, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Benin, taking prescription glasses and helping with eye exams.

My support of my now 92-year-old mother for the past six years, and courses I have taken about ageing and dementia. My parenting of three kids and countless foster children as well as my role now as a grandparent.

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Chris Istace (Greens)

My work as small business owner, and community advocate has allowed me insight into the challenges that my neighbours and fellow business owners encounter. I spent twenty years working in the resource sector and understand the value of stable resource based jobs. Both small businesses and those local resource jobs help feed our families and communities.

My advocacy work as a mountaineer, trail steward, and outdoor photographer gives me opportunity to make a positive impact to local decisions on long-term sustainability and public access to our beautiful corner of Vancouver Island.

I have come to understand that the most important problems we need to fix are ultimately in the hands of the provincial government. I am inspired to approach the job of MLA in the same way I approach any journey. By researching, planning, and checking in with my community regularly, I bring my diverse experience to advocate and work for the community I love.

Duck Paterson (Liberals)

Community involvement through volunteering is something I’ve enjoyed for 45 years in Ladysmith and area. It’s the kind of fun that puts you into direct contact with people and projects at the grassroots level and gets things done. It’s hands-on action, not talk.

Projects I’m proud of include the main fund-raiser for the Transfer Beach spray park, as well as the new Transfer Beach playground, the fund-raiser for the new Brown Drive / Kinsmen Park playground and a skateboard park. I have also been parade organizer for the summer and winter parades, as well as a 30-year member of the Festival of Lights.

Throughout, I have promoted economic activity in Ladysmith, not just Light Up, Arts on the Avenue, but also movie and television filming and the Ladysmith Maritime Society,

which provides marina services for hundreds of visiting boaters each year. I am a huge supporter of community events and supports that attract thousands of visitors every year, people who stay for a day or a few and bring economic benefits to local business.

Doug Routley (NDP)

My work experience prior to being elected as MLA is diverse and has helped provide me with a broad understanding of the lives of the people of Nanaimo-North Cowichan area and the challenges they face. I have worked in construction, logging, sawmill operations, as a tree planter and taught English in Japan for one year.

After living and teaching in Japan, I returned to create a bicycle importing, manufacturing and retail business I distributed my products across Canada and the US, with outlets in Vancouver, Ontario and California.

I also worked as a school custodian and served as a school trustee in the Cowichan Valley. It was during my time serving as a trustee that the previous government started making drastic cuts to education funding and closing school. This is when I decided to run for the position of MLA to be able to better effect change at a provincial level.

My diverse background in industry, business, labour and politics has taught me that working together cooperatively is the key to success.

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Robert Lyon (Greens)

I am a retired software engineer of 38 years. I have a Masters of Business Administration with a specialty in Digital Technologies. I served youth in the scouting program for 25 years introducing them to our environment. I am a foster parent of 10 years providing a safe loving home for over 50 children who suffered from abuse or neglect. I volunteered for the BC Thanksgiving Food Drive for the last 10 years, this year as Chairman for the Cowichan Valley efforts where we organized 150 volunteers who collected 13,400 lbs of food. In Parksville Qualicum 9,897 lbs were collected. Being a volunteer and working to strengthen our society is something I have been active in my entire life. As a businessman I operate a construction company focused entirely on the building of homes to the Passive House Standard. I understand RISK, the regulatory environment, ROI, the trades, employment issues, urgency, the rising costs of building material and affordability, cashflow, taxes, and many more concerns of the business community. As you can see I am not a politician. I am an accomplished public speaker and a man of action and passion for what I believe in. I’M LISTENING.

Don Purdey (Conservatives)

We have been married 51 years, raised two children, have three grand children and one great grandson. I have taken many night school courses and the Dale Carnegie Course in Effective Speaking and Human Relations.

John St. John (Independent)

Well, for me I’ve done that, been there, got the T-Shirt and wrote the book! (a book exposing government corruption)

My life experiences were gained not from the education system, but from the school of hard knocks with one adventure, or miss-adventure after another, witnessing events and situations that most people could only ever dream about, involving hundreds of Celebrities, Sports Stars, British and Canadian Governments, Foreign Ambassadors, CEO’s, Corporate Executives and Royalty.

Michelle Stilwell (Liberals)

My approach to politics has been shaped by my life experiences as a Paralympic athlete, a mother to child on the autism spectrum, a small business owner, and a community advocate. I have overcome personal challenges in my own life. These have taught me perseverance, grit, and determination, but also empathy.

Politics is about making life better for your constituents. This means not just understanding what the needs are, but also knowing how to deliver through meaningful government action. This is what I have done even before being elected in 2013. Through my advocacy work, I’ve been able to gain valuable experience working with local, national, and international organizations. I’ve learned how to work across party lines, with people from all walks of life.

I hope to have the opportunity to continue putting this experience to work on behalf of the Mid-Vancouver Island communities.

Adam Walker (NDP)

I’m incredibly proud to have been born and raised in this community, and it’s the connections we have to our home and to each other that helps us build resilience. As a small business owner for over 15 years, I understand the importance of hard work, accountability, and communication. I also operate a small farm, where we produce eggs and pork. I have worked closely with other farms to learn, develop markets, adapt to challenges, and find synergies. Farming has taught me that teamwork, planning ahead, and being adaptable are critical to succeeding.

by NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Mid-Island candidates tout education, life experience they’d utilize as MLA

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