COMOX VALLEY ELECTIONS 2022
For most people, it’s Comox Valley’s local governments that have the most direct impact. Local governments affect broad swaths of our lives, including the livability of our communities through land use and zoning, the water quality in our creeks and streams and they provide us with parks and recreation. It’s important to vote in local elections. On this page, you’ll find profiles of some candidates, election commentary, our endorsements and where-to-vote information.
LINKS TO LOCAL CANDIDATES
- City of Courtenay
- Town of Comox
- Village of Cumberland
- Comox Valley Regional District
- School District 71 candidates listed at each jurisdiction
CUMBERLAND: 2022 candidates answer our election questions
2022 Village of Cumberland candidates answer Decafnation’s three questions on public health orders, the RGS and climate change
THE WEEK: Busting the myth that council members come with a blank slate
The Old Guard faction of Comox Valley political activists has been trying for decades to create a cohesive voting block
Jonathan Kerr: He’s delivered on housing, environment and recruiting 13 new family doctors since elected
Dr. Jonathan Kerr stresses transparency and accountability as key councillor attributes and says it’s up to Comox voters whether he deserves to serve a full term on the Town Council
Three candidate forums for Oct. 15 Comox Valley elections
See and hear the candidates in person for this fall’s municipal elections. We list the three candidate forums
Jenn Meilleur: Active volunteer and advocate for community, collaboration and climate change
Jenn Meilleur is seeking a first term on the Comox Town Council to advocate for community development, environmental stewardship and a more collaborative decision-making process
Will Cole-Hamilton: Progressives can be strong financial managers
Will Cole-Hamilton is a collaborator by nature and a proponent of sound financial management. He is seeking a second term to continue his work on meeting the challenge of climate change, affordable housing and safe transportation options
The Week: Big Money wants its control back and a candidate wins 2022 Moronic award
We have some thoughts about the anonymous group Take Back Comox Valley that ran a series of objectionable attack ads on social media and also about how candidate Brennan Day got such a big foot in his mouth
Melanie McCollum: Finance background has created savings, new grant revenue for city
Seeking a second term on Courtenay City Council, Melanie McCollum will focus on housing issues and rolling out the updated OCP. She defends the city’s traffic improvements against a misinformation campaign spread by another candidate
Doug Hillian: A balanced view between big picture issues and those that affect daily lives
The recently retired two-time recipient of the Governor General’s Exemplary Service Medal adds traffic safety like the 17th Street improvements to his list of top priorities for another term on Courtenay City Council
David Frisch: Carrying forward the vision already underway and implementing the new OCP
Incumbent David Frisch is seeking a third term on Courtenay City Council to continue work on housing diversity, safe routes for kids to get to school and finding a strategy that maintains downtown as a pleasant place
Wendy Morin: Voters can trust she’ll deliver on promises like housing diversity, urban agriculture, the new OCP
Wendy Morin is seeking a second term on the Courtenay City Council where she has brought a more collaborative style to the table for middle of the road actions and decisions
Arzeena Hamir: implementing a bold new Ag plan and a new spirit of collaboration
After a successful four years in office, Incumbent Area B Director Arzeena Hamir will go into a second term wide-eyed and knowing the wisdom of collaboration as she addresses rural housing, child care and the promotion of farming and home-based businesses
Daniel Arbour: Focused on rural planning, making Union Bay area a cohesive community
The Electoral Area A incumbent has brought fibre optic cable and bus service to Denman and Hornby islands and looks ahead to rural planning for the large developments in the Union Bay area by K’omoks First Nation and Union Bay Estates
Nicole Minions: New Comox mayor relieved of campaigning, prepares for shifting role
Instead of campaigning for a council seat, Nicole Minions, the second-ever woman mayor of Comox, will spend the next several weeks shifting toward her new role as the person responsible for facilitating a functional seven-member council
The Week: One election is already over, candidates running in other towns and new shenanigans
General Voting Day is Saturday, Oct. 15. See the...
THE WEEK: Who’s running for mayor of Comox? And Elections BC issues fine
With just a week to file for public office in the Comox Valley’s municipal governments, there’s uncertainty about who will seek the mayoralty in Comox, which has ramifications for potential council candidates; and, Elections BC issues a monetary penalty to a local candidate
Comox Valley local government elections ramping up for Oct. 15 vote
Comox Valley voters will elect new councilors, mayors, regional district representatives, school board members and Island Trust reps on Oct. 15. Find out who’s running for what … and why. Decafnation returns to shine more light on local government issues and candidates