Click here for the FINAL candidates for all Comox Valley races
Will Manno Theos win Courtenay in vote split? And are these candidates using AI?
What’s going on in this year’s local government elections? More candidates. More women candidates. Another possible vote split in Courtenay to favor the underdog. Many long-time veterans still hanging on. Fake social media posters and other trolls. And suspicions surfacing of plagiarism or AI use in candidate statements. Looks like a wild four-week ride. Buckle up!
Will Manno Theos win Courtenay in vote split? And are these candidates using AI?
What’s going on in this year’s local government elections? More candidates. More women candidates. Another possible vote split in Courtenay to favor the underdog. Many long-time veterans still hanging on. Fake social media posters and other trolls. And suspicions surfacing of plagiarism or AI use in candidate statements. Looks like a wild four-week ride. Buckle up!
ELECTION INFO
ELECTION DAY OCT. 17
Comox Valley voters will have opportunities to watch and listen to the candidates for the this year’s local government elections.
COMOX VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
– Cumberland candidates. 5:30 pm on Monday, Sept. 21 at the Cumberland Cultural Centre location.
– Comox candidates. 5:30 pm on Monday, Sept. 28 at the Comox Legion.
– Courtenay candidates. 5:30 pm on Thursday, Oct. 1 at the North Island College Stan Hagen Theatre.
COMOX VALLEY SOCIAL PLANNING SOCIETY
An all-candidates forum on the social determinants of health at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at the Westerly Best Western Hotel in Courtenay.
ADVANCE VOTING INFORMATION
Polls for the Oct. 17 election will open for advance voting on Oct. 7 and Oct. 14.
Post-war attempt to ‘Run cities like a business’ by allowing sprawl failed miserably
After WWII, municipalities across Canada tried a private sector trick to generate revenue, but expanding a city’s tax base by allowing urban sprawl merely traded small temporary cash gains for the ticking time bomb of unfunded infrastructure liabilities … and the tax bill is now overdue
The FINAL candidates for the 2026 local elections
A list of candidates for the 2026 municipal elections
Fact: Courtenay property tax burden equal or lower than most same-sized BC cities
New candidates trying unseat Courtenay City Council incumbents claim the city’s property taxes are too high. But province-wide data shows that the city’s tax burden is the same or lower than same-sized municipalities. And City Council is leading the province with innovative fiscal policies
Overwhelmed by so many candidates? Just vote for the ones you know and like
For many Valley residents, it’s difficult and time consuming to gather the necessary information to make thoughtful selections in municipal elections. And paid trolls and fake posters on social media pages make it even more difficult. Public candidate forums help, but there is a simple solution for frustrated voters
Retiring Courtenay City Councillors recap years of experience
Doug Hillian and Melanie McCollum will not be seeking re-election this for the Courtenay City Council. Hillian retired after 17 years on council. McCollum served for eight years.
THIS WEEK: Election signs are everywhere; MLA Day joins the Findlay ship jumpers
Candidates for the Oct. 17 municipal elections start making it official next week. But it’s been obvious that the “unofficial” campaigns began on social media a long time ago. And MLA Brennan Day announces he’s jumping BC Conservative Party’s ship — but it was no difficult decision
ARCHIVED REPORTING
“Liberal Rush” tricked voters in NDP ridings and exposed an electoral system flaw
Despite the positive big picture outcome, this election exposed a glaring vulnerability within our electoral system. And that vulnerability caused otherwise smart people to forget how our Canadian parliamentary system actually works. Namely: We do not have a proportional representation form of government. But there is a simple solution.
Battle of the North Island riding polls, does it really matter? A prediction
Progressives have found something new to squabble about: which poll of the North Island-Powell River (NIPR) riding is the accurate one? Some polls show the Liberals ahead of the NDP. Others show the NDP with an edge. But does it really matter if neither party can win?
For a Liberal government, vote for the NDP in the North Island-Powell River riding
If you want to help the Mark Carney Liberals form the next federal government, then DO NOT vote for them in the North Island-Powell River riding. That sounds counter-intuitive, but only a vote for the NDP can save this riding from swinging to the Conservatives in 2025. Why? Read on for the full article.
The Meaning of Life: Five notable Vancouver Islanders reflect on their life’s journey
Decafnation starts a new tradition this year by asking selected Comox Valley people to share their acquired knowledge that didn’t come from book-learning or academic studies. We begin today with the collective wisdom of five notable Vancouver Islanders rooted in the Comox Valley.
THE WEEK: As Puntledge River goes lower, Colorado drinking recycled wastewater
A serious fall drought has reduced flows in the Puntledge River, shutting down hydroelectric power generation for the first time in 55 years. Meanwhile, many states eye sending treated wastewater to kitchen taps
“Sexual deviancy in our schools!” says local disciple of right-wing Christian group
The Week: A Comox Valley school trustee candidate hands out leaflets that spread misinformation about a sexual health curriculum; Strategic voting; and, Is Ken Grant for or against the town’s tree retention bylaw?
New Comox Valley society hopes to preserve Bevan Trails forest along Puntledge River
The Bevan Trails, a popular Comox Valley recreation area on the Puntledge River, faces the threat of logging. But a newly formed local society hopes to preserve the Puntledge River forest in perpetuity
The Week: Comox has a hissy over CV Economic Development Society changes
Local governments are taking oversight seriously and pushing the CV Economic Development Society toward new directions that will benefit broader sectors of the community. Comox Town Council doesn’t like it.
Last two CVH pathologists resign angry and exasperated by Island Health tactics
Dr. Chris Bellamy practiced general pathology at Comox Valley hospitals for 31 years until he felt forced to resign by Island Health’s pressure to eliminate onsite clinical pathologist services on north Vancouver Island
CVRD commission takes “historic” step toward Comox Valley-wide wastewater system
The Courtenay-Comox Sewage Commission has taken the first step toward a Comox Valley-wide sewerage system by agreeing to receive and treat wastewater from the fast-growing Royston and Union Bay portions of Electoral Area A.
Survey shows Comox Valley’s economic development model the outlier on Vancouver Island
On Vancouver Island, every community except the Comox Valley handles economic development with municipal or regional district staff, and none of them mixes economic development with tourism marketing
How the Comox Valley formed an Economic Development Society and killed Comox Valley Tourism
A history of the Comox Valley Economic Development Society, including its takeover of Comox Valley Tourism, and what the staff and board members see as the society’s main accomplishments today
FEATURE
Contemplation in action — a friend remembers Father Charles Brandt
A reflection on Father Charles Brandt by Bruce Witzel, chair of the Brandt Oyster River Hermitage Society
HEALTH
Early-onset dementia, a heart-rendering disease that took Dales Judd in his prime
Because early-onset dementia afflicts people in their 50s, the symptoms are often misunderstood as a normal part of ageing, like needing glasses to read. But the disease progresses quickly, taking its victims in increments and leaving loved ones in a stressful caregiver role
Early-onset dementia, a heart-rendering disease that took Dales Judd in his prime
Because early-onset dementia afflicts people in their 50s, the symptoms are often misunderstood as a normal part of ageing, like needing glasses to read. But the disease progresses quickly, taking its victims in increments and leaving loved ones in a stressful caregiver role
Let’s vaccinate the whole world against the COVID-19 virus as we did with polio
Let’s vaccinate the world against the COVID-19 virus as we did with polio
Seniors advocates call for longer and more frequent visits to care homes
As seniors struggle with loneliness after nine months of COVID-related restrictions on visitation at most care homes, North Islanders told that Canada needs a National Seniors Strategy
Shirley and Paul Brown share how the CRH pathologist shortage impacted their lives
Shirley and Dr. Paul Brown share their story about how the shortage of pathologist services at Campbell River Hospital delayed a cancer diagnosis, causing unnecessary anxiety and altering the medical treatment plan
OPINION
Overwhelmed by so many candidates? Just vote for the ones you know and like
For many Valley residents, it’s difficult and time consuming to gather the necessary information to make thoughtful selections in municipal elections. And paid trolls and fake posters on social media pages make it even more difficult. Public candidate forums help, but there is a simple solution for frustrated voters
Overwhelmed by so many candidates? Just vote for the ones you know and like
For many Valley residents, it’s difficult and time consuming to gather the necessary information to make thoughtful selections in municipal elections. And paid trolls and fake posters on social media pages make it even more difficult. Public candidate forums help, but there is a simple solution for frustrated voters
“Liberal Rush” tricked voters in NDP ridings and exposed an electoral system flaw
Despite the positive big picture outcome, this election exposed a glaring vulnerability within our electoral system. And that vulnerability caused otherwise smart people to forget how our Canadian parliamentary system actually works. Namely: We do not have a proportional representation form of government. But there is a simple solution.
Battle of the North Island riding polls, does it really matter? A prediction
Progressives have found something new to squabble about: which poll of the North Island-Powell River (NIPR) riding is the accurate one? Some polls show the Liberals ahead of the NDP. Others show the NDP with an edge. But does it really matter if neither party can win?
Greens dropped ridings to avoid vote splitting … ???
Photo Caption omox Valley voters will have several opportunities to watch and listen to the candidates for the Oct. 17 local government election SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
ENVIRONMENT
On Merville groundwater extraction it’s deja vu all over again
Regional district staff recommend approving an amended application for groundwater extraction in Merville as a “home occupation,” but rural area directors want more clarity on its legal definition
On Merville groundwater extraction it’s deja vu all over again
Regional district staff recommend approving an amended application for groundwater extraction in Merville as a “home occupation,” but rural area directors want more clarity on its legal definition
Merville water bottling issue returns to the CVRD, highlights provincial water policies
The Comox Valley Electoral Areas Service Commission will consider on Monday an amended application for water bottling operations in Merville and draw attention to larger water policy issues in British Columbia
What’s dire: the lack of Comox subdivisions or climate change and gradual deforestation?
A Comox Valley developer is suing the Town of Comox because his permits to cut down trees and build more single-family homes haven’t been issued as fast as he’s wanted and because the town wants a wider walking trail through the property
Join the discussion Oct. 3 about food system security in the Comox Valley
The Watershed Sentinel magazine is hosting a zoom webinar Oct. 3 on food system security in the Comox Valley
POLITICS
Retiring Courtenay City Councillors recap years of experience
Doug Hillian and Melanie McCollum will not be seeking re-election this for the Courtenay City Council. Hillian retired after 17 years on council. McCollum served for eight years.
Retiring Courtenay City Councillors recap years of experience
Doug Hillian and Melanie McCollum will not be seeking re-election this for the Courtenay City Council. Hillian retired after 17 years on council. McCollum served for eight years.
The FINAL candidates for the 2026 local elections
A list of candidates for the 2026 municipal elections
THIS WEEK: Election signs are everywhere; MLA Day joins the Findlay ship jumpers
Candidates for the Oct. 17 municipal elections start making it official next week. But it’s been obvious that the “unofficial” campaigns began on social media a long time ago. And MLA Brennan Day announces he’s jumping BC Conservative Party’s ship — but it was no difficult decision
Battle of the North Island riding polls, does it really matter? A prediction
Progressives have found something new to squabble about: which poll of the North Island-Powell River (NIPR) riding is the accurate one? Some polls show the Liberals ahead of the NDP. Others show the NDP with an edge. But does it really matter if neither party can win?
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