Nanaimo Mayor and Council candidates grilled in open forum

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Four candidates for Mayor (L-R): Anne Marie Dryden, Brunie Brunie, Leonard Krog and Sarah Lovegrove. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Nanaimo Mayor and Council candidates grilled in open forum

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Sarah Lovegrove, a former nurse-turned community advocate, countered by saying money spent on various initiatives hasn’t addressed many of the city’s major problems.

“Our taxpayers are currently paying millions of dollars per year for ineffective downstream interventions that do not demonstrate long-term results or solutions that serve to make our community healthier, safer, and more affordable for anyone. We need to be accountable for the money we are currently spending, marked by measurable improvements on health, safety, and economic sustainability.”

Also under the microscope were the candidate’s leadership styles and how they would lead a Council potentially divided on key issues.

Anne Marie Dryden said her experience as a financial planner and owner of a small business would influence her actions.

“I’m very skilled at bringing ideas to the table and creating a peaceful, respectful environment for discussion. I would like to say to the councillors that I’ll be working with, we need to take a long view. We are not just here for four years, we are here laying the foundation for those who will follow when we leave.”

Mayoral candidates were also questioned on how they would balance environmental protections for economic growth and development.

Brunie Brunie was steadfast in her belief, saying there was no compromise.

“There is no trade-off for environmental protection. We need to be able to breathe fresh, clean air. Half of Vancouver Island has already been logged, and we must save the trees. The trees are the most powerful weapon against climate change, and I, Brunie Brunie, will save all of our trees.”

Councillors were asked to indicate whether they agreed or disagreed with certain statements posed by the moderator. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Prospective councillors take the stage

Thirty-eight council candidates were on hand Tuesday night, with different questions directed to different candidates based on luck-of-the-draw.

The topic of downtown revitalization got by far the biggest response of the evening, with some Councillors assigned the question first, offering their viewpoints, followed by an open comment period from other candidates.

Incumbent councillor Sheryl Armstrong pointed to vacant land in the downtown core as a path toward revitalization.

“We should bring back the waterfront plan and work with Snuneymuxw First Nation to start getting our waterfront developed. We could make it a cultural hub, which will bring more people downtown because with our 15-minute concept city, we want to keep people close for their everyday stuff. This waterfront needs to get developed, it’s a gem of the city, and it’s just sitting there blank.”

Several councillors pointed to increased housing in the downtown as a way to create a more lively city centre.

Former Masset Mayor Andrew Merilees said the space is available.

“Invest and develop these underutilized lots downtown, create high-density housing, bring people into the downtown. People living downtown will make this a lively day-round community that we can look forward to having the people that will be able to support the small businesses in our downtown.

Downtown business owner Steven Johns said available space shouldn’t be limited to just housing.

“I would love to see Diana Krall Plaza used more. Food trucks down there, I would like to see more events, markets…whatever it may be, but I’d like to see us use that space more. I think downtown is a great place, and tourists agree with me.”

Prior to the questions and answers, an open forum was held where voters could speak directly with candidates in a casual setting. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Another topic which drew considerable comment was, just like the Mayoral question period, balancing costs to taxpayers with investment and improvements in the community.

Andrea Coutu said a complete financial picture is needed before any vote occurs.

“I want full business cases for major investments, full life cycle costs, and consequences of delaying work and service standards for city services and tracking of it. And a balanced prosperity scorecard to track whether we are improving things.”

Incumbent councillor Ben Geselbracht said Council must treat tax dollars with respect, saying the last four years saw Council address key priorities.

“We’ve had some big expenditures this last term. We had to hire 40 firefighters to keep this community safe and play catch-up, and we also had to put a lot of money back to get our 40 per cent for the new patient tower and cath lab, which we desperately need in this community. I think that we’re over the hump. Affordability is really important for me this next term.”

Jeff Annesley, who has attended a vast majority of Council meetings in recent years, said there is a lot of fat to trim in the City budget.

“I’ve seen the waste. Between $5 and $10 million a year goes to grants, over $200 million a year goes to government outlays to contractors and consultants. In Mayor McKay’s reign from 2014 to 2018, there was a plus two hiring. From 2019 to 2023, there’s been a plus 101 hiring. You give us a lot of money in taxes, we need to learn how to spend it and stop raising your taxes.”

Several councillors also said the City must do a better job providing certainty for business owners.

Richard Harlow said local businesses shouldn’t be overly saddled with municipal red tape.

“It shouldn’t take nine months to get your business up and running off the ground, paying rent for nine months while you’re just [waiting]. I think if we provide more transparency on when questions are getting answered and permits are being provided, that will give businesses the most amount of security that they need to run their business.”

Incumbent Erin Hemmens concurred.

“Businesses can work with clear rules, clear timelines, and clear expectations, but uncertainty makes investment difficult. The city needs to keep improving permitting and be clear about what’s required and how long the process is going to take.”

Candidates also spoke on improving public safety and overall well-being, creating additional housing in Nanaimo, and addressing environmental concerns.

Max MacKay and Anita Greer did not attend the forum.

The event was live-streamed by the Nanaimo & District Chamber of Commerce, with a full replay available here:

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