By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Erin Hemmins

Oct 12, 2018 | 5:01 PM

NanaimoNewsNOW reached out to every municipal candidate to present an easy-to-read and informative guide for our readers to help with the upcoming municipal election. All candidates were asked the same four questions, which are presented here without being edited. 

Biography: 

My name is Erin Hemmens, I am 40 years old. I grew up in Surrey, and lived my adult life divided between Vancouver and Halifax. I hold a Master’s degree in Anthropology and am a trained facilitator and project manager.

I currently serve Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Parksville and Qualicum as a coroner with the BC Coroners Service. Prior to my work as a coroner, I managed community based health and research projects for Dalhousie University, the Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health, the IWK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, the Capital Regional District Health Authority (Halifax), the Nova Scotia Department of Health, Doctors of BC and the Nanaimo Division of Family Practice.

I served five years on the Board of the Midwifery Coalition of Nova Scotia, including two terms as co-chair. I am a member of two city committees: Community Vitality and the Community Engagement Task Force.

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Question 1: Describe, in detail, what you view as the most important duties associated with the role of being a councillor/mayor?

• Developing and maintaining strong ties to the community. Councillors are elected to represent the best interests of the community in all decisions. In order to do this well, one must develop and nurture ongoing relationships with individuals, as well as groups, organizations and agencies representing a diverse ranges of citizens. Connection to and a solid understanding of the community is the first step in successfully representing that community.
• Making informed decisions. Councillors must be prepared for all meetings, and apply critical thinking and evidence based decision making in all deliberations. They must balance the information they receive from staff and the public with their own research and understanding of community needs and priorities. Making informed decisions requires being open to learning and asking questions.
• Being a leader. A leader is someone who models professional behaviour, can explain their decision making, can make difficult, unpopular decisions, is open to learning, can politely and effectively handle critique, can work well in a team environment with people they disagree with and represent the community well with partners and other governments. Being a councillor is an honour and a privilege, and it should be treated as such.

Question 2: Describe your vision for Nanaimo beyond the next four years

My vision for Nanaimo beyond 2022 is a thriving, healthy community that celebrates diversity, creates opportunity and nurtures the wellbeing of all. It has a bustling downtown with a vibrant central square, a weekly market showcasing local food and art, a busy convention centre and new housing developments which attract students, families and seniors. In 2022, Nanaimo is moving ahead with the exciting development of the downtown waterfront, continuing to foster strong relationships with partners, improving transit services and increasing our active transportation infrastructure. In 2022, Nanaimo is reaping the benefits of having a strong network of neighbourhood associations and a vibrant arts and culture community. Significant advances have been made in housing and homelessness and our social service providers feel well supported. Our economy has been strengthened by the work of the Mid Island Business Initiative, the Chamber of Commerce and an increase in city staff devoted to our economic growth. Most importantly, Nanaimo in 2022 has an engaged citizenry that feels truly valued and represented by its leaders. It is a city that has embraced its full potential and a place we’re all proud to call home.

Question 3: If you were making a list of your top three strategic priorities for the incoming Council to focus on over the next four years, what would they be and why?

• Community Engagement: Community engagement isn’t about a program or a special meeting, it’s about creating a culture where residents feel valued and inspired to participate. This requires a Council that actively listens to citizens and brings the information they receive to bear on their decision making. Effective and empowering committees, where residents come together with Council and staff to work on specific issues, is a key element of a robust community engagement culture and an examination of the current structure needs to be a priority.
• Restoring strong, steady leadership: Steady leadership means making decisions which make sense to people, which align with plans and strategies and which can be easily explained to the public. Strong leadership means setting a tone of respect from the top, rebuilding staff relationships and working to restore a full workforce. Strong leadership also involves working respectfully and effectively with our various partners towards our common interests.
• Housing: Council is well positioned to act with a motivated provincial government, an engaged non-profit community and 2 newly adopted plans for addressing housing affordability and accessibility in Nanaimo. Moving the dial on housing will require all of these resources, plus time and a strong, steady commitment from Council.

Question 4: What is your strategy for dealing with the intense pressure and scrutiny placed upon elected officials, especially from those who may not agree with your decisions or viewpoints?

I am currently in a professional role which requires fortitude, clear communication, diplomacy and strength in decision making. I manage the pressure of my work through connection with my family and friends, as well as having reliable outlets, like bike riding and yoga, to alleviate stress. I currently rely on my colleagues to help navigate and problem solve where appropriate: if elected, I imagine this will continue with Council colleagues, people I have built trusting relationships with over the past 9 months. I am well practiced at remaining calm, respecting diverse opinions and showing leadership in difficult circumstances – I know these attributes will serve me well on Council.

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