Town of Comox Candidates 2026

During my two decade career in non-profit organization, small business and local government; I have collected a diverse set of skill sets and a high resiliency to be able to work under pressure. I enjoy each aspect of leadership whether it is setting strategic goals with a team, reviewing financial projects and budgeting or working through challenges that are part of the realm in these roles. The top skill that I am proud of is being a connector and collaborator with the goal of achieving an action and a solution on any given municipal directive. My desire to contribute to living in a safe, healthy, vibrant and inclusive community.

– More than 20 years of leadership experience in business, operations, customer
experience and organizational change.
– Served as Deputy Corporate Officer with the City of Courtenay, supporting Council processes and municipal governance.
– Served as Manager of Change Management in Development Services, gaining
experience with housing, development, permitting, infrastructure and Development Cost Charges.
– Certified Change Management Practitioner
– Completed executive education in AI and Business Transformation through
Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
– Experienced in solving complex problems, improving communication and implementing Change.

As a family doctor, I listen. Prior to running for Council, I undertook a “listening campaign” to learn what issues mattered most to Comox residents. Since elected, I have worked to address these issues. I championed the creation of a regional Housing Authority, designed to increase the number of below-market rental units in the Valley. We have recruited over 50 family doctors and nurse practitioners, and have
attached 23,000 people to care. Comox now has a Climate Action Plan and a Tree Protection bylaw. I listen to Comox residents, and then I take action to get results for our community.

I’ve built a career focused on engaging with people, businesses, governments, and non-profit groups. As a regional manager in the federal public service, I have a depth of experience working in government on complex operational, policy, and regulatory issues, as well as running funding programs. I am committed to engagement strategies that ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate and all voices are treated fairly. I have collaborated across federal departments and with local, provincial, and First Nation governments. I am a critical thinker with a PhD in Resource and Environmental Management from Simon Fraser University.

I bring more than 25 years of experience in local, regional and provincial government, non-profits and community organizations. My background includes senior leadership, strategic planning, governance, community economic development, sustainability, community disaster recovery and resilience, public engagement and organizational change. I’ve worked inside local government on infrastructure, sustainability and community programs, and I currently provide strategic leadership as Director of Programs and Impact at Ecotrust Canada. Combined with four years on Council, this gives me a strong understanding of how governments and organizations work, how to build effective partnerships, and how to turn complex challenges into practical action.

 I served on several boards and committees during my career as an educator. I have the ability to work with many different individuals and I am interested in finding solutions in a collaborative and evidence based way.

I have my MA in Clinical Psychology and my law degree. I have been a practicing lawyer since graduating in 2009. I am a skilled researcher, have a keen attention to detail, am a trained mediator, and also understand the cognitive errors that can lead to poor decision-making. Having a lawyer on Council will expand the questions and considerations related to the issues that come up in the work that is done.

Committed, collaborative, respectful, open to listen to all opinions, able to make challenging decisions, growth oriented and a clear communicator.

I listen carefully and ask questions before reaching conclusions.
I am comfortable hearing different perspectives and respectfully challenging ideas.
I consider costs, community impacts, implementation and long-term consequences.
I value clear communication, accountability and respectful debate.
I work collaboratively and focus on reaching decisions that can be implemented.
I do not believe effective Council members need to agree on everything. They need to understand the issues, debate them respectfully and work together once decisions are made.

Integrity – Kindness – Active listening – Community focus – Intelligence – Hard work – Care and compassion for others – Respect for diversity – Belief in the democratic process – Speaking up for those that don’t have a voice – Focus on health and wellness – Attention to sustainability and environmental protections –
Verbal and written communication skills – Commitment to non-violence – Collaborative – Pragmatic – Systems-thinking – Enjoy solving challenging problems

In my career, I have been recognized for strategic thinking, team leadership, and policy excellence. I’m committed to demonstrating integrity and respect in my work with others.

I’m curious, collaborative and willing to do the homework. I listen carefully, ask questions and try to understand different perspectives before reaching conclusions.
My background in facilitation, dialogue and conflict resolution helps me work constructively through disagreement and complexity. I’m comfortable asking difficult questions while maintaining respectful relationships.
I also bring creativity, compassion, persistence and a strong sense of responsibility for the long-term consequences of our decisions. Four years on Council has strengthened my patience and my understanding that meaningful change often requires both courage and sustained collaboration.

I am open-minded, thoughtful and a critical thinker.

I am a good listener, and work very well collaboratively. I enjoy coming up with creative solutions to difficult problems. I work hard to help others feel seen and heard. I am compassionate and community-oriented. And I am a parent – I am constantly thinking about how decisions I make will affect the future world for my children.

I have had the pleasure of working on a variety of volunteer boards and committees prior to becoming an elected official from Public Relations to Secretary roles.  It has been a pleasure to work with boards or community groups such as SOS Children’s Village BC, Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock, Cloverdale Rotary Club and Young Professionals. I grew up in a home with my parents being very involved in volunteering with a variety of groups from our local food bank to the Special Olympics. They instilled in me a sense of giving back to the community with either time or other resources when I / we as a family have the capacity to do so.

My strongest governance experience comes from working directly in municipal government.
As Deputy Corporate Officer with the City of Courtenay, I supported Council processes and learned how decisions are brought forward, documented and implemented.
I understand the distinction between Council and staff. Council sets direction and policy. Staff provide professional advice and deliver services.
Throughout my career, I have also worked with senior leadership teams on strategic planning, organizational decisions and initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.

Vice-Chair – Comox Valley Regional District
Director – Comox Valley Regional District
Director – Recreation Commission
Director – Sewer Commission
Director – Water Committee
Director – Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital District board
Director – Comox Strathcona Waste Management board
Chair – Family Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee
Lead Physician – Comox Valley Primary Care Network
Lead Physician – Sea Cove Medical Clinic
Comox rep – Coalition to End Homelessness
Comox rep – Comox Valley Social Planning Society
Vice President – Vancouver Island Biathlon Club
Coach – Biathlon BC Provincial Development and Talent Squads
Past board member – Dawn to Dawn Action on Homelessness
Past Director – Vancouver Island Regional Library board

As a federal public servant, I’ve been doing governance work for nine years. For example, I’ve worked in: (1) collaborative governance planning processes between federal, provincial, and Indigenous governments, and (2) a secretariat for an inter-departmental task force that brought together over a dozen federal departments and agencies for consultation, policy, and planning. My PhD also focused on Indigenous fisheries governance.

I bring governance experience from several perspectives. I’ve served four years on Comox Council and on regional and community committees, including Regional Parks and Trails and the Food Policy Council.
I previously served as Board Co-Chair of LUSH Valley Food Action Society, Board President of Fresh Air Learning (connecting children to nature through play and hands-on learning), and a board director with the Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative and Inter-River Community Association.
Professionally, I’ve supported governance development, advisory bodies and organizational change, and worked extensively with boards, governments, First Nations and multi-sector partnerships.

I was on the CVHospice Board and was instrumental in having a facility built in the valley. I have been on the Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park Society board and was part of the process of moving the board from a working board to a governance board. I have had a role as a Director at the Regional District, the Sewage Commission, the Regional Hospital Board and the Comox Strathcona Solid Waste Board. I was on the Liquid Waste Management Planning Committee that has just completed the work that has been submitted to the Province for approval.

I am a member-at-large of the Electoral District Association for the Green Party of Canada for the North Island-Powell River (I ran as the candidate in the previous two federal elections). I was the Chair of the PAC at Brooklyn Elementary for a year (prior to that, I had been in the vice-chair and secretary roles).

– In 2018 when first elected my focus was on meeting one-on-one with elected officials in the Town of Comox and attending meetings
– The goal was to learn about what the roles and responsibilities of a Council member was from important skills to learn or grow; to understanding what a municipal government is responsible for.
– Continuing to learn about being an active listener and communicator
– One lesson in leadership has been that you will never be able to make everyone happy, it is just not possible. Depending on the issue and level of community engagement, it is important for a decision to be made and the rationale conveyed to do the work that a municipality does.

Worked directly in municipal government in governance and Development Services.
Gained experience with housing, development, infrastructure, permitting, community planning and municipal decision-making.
Followed Comox Council decisions, planning issues, municipal finances and major community priorities.
Met with local government leaders, residents, businesses and community members to understand different perspectives.
Reviewed issues affecting Comox, including growth, infrastructure, economic development, parks and regional services.
My approach is to understand the issue, ask questions, review the evidence and listen to the people affected before making decisions.

I strive to take care of my own physical and mental health through regular exercise, meditation, yoga, eating well, and connecting with friends. This allows be to be at my best for my community. I actively listen to our community, to find out what issues are arising, and to determine how I can best serve them and our Town. In sports or academics, I always attempted to out-work everyone else. On Council, I inform myself thoroughly about each issue, and I vote with a clear understanding of what is in the best interest of Comox residents.

In general, I like to follow Town politics, submit feedback to Town surveys, attend/watch public consultations, information sessions, and council meetings. Recently, to better prepare myself for office, I’ve been re-watching Council meetings, attending candidate workshops put on by the Town, reading council material and legislation, and speaking with community members.

 I am current in all the recent studies and I am aware of the affordability challenges for families, seniors and businesses.

I have been learning more about what Council does and what sorts of things Council cannot do. I have been listening to community groups and members (some of whom are not Comox voters, but they still are impacted by Comox decisions), and am hearing things that Council is doing well and should keep doing, and things that are not going as well as they could, and taking that “room for improvement” category seriously.

Raising my sons and wanting to model participating in a field that you are passionate about. Seeing some level of dysfunction in politics and wanting to be a part of solution. More intention and care for the environment and the type of landscape we are leaving for the generations to come

Comox’s future: I want growth, housing and infrastructure planned carefully while protecting the character and natural environment that make Comox special.
Communication and engagement: Residents should understand what Council is considering, why it matters and how they can provide input before major decisions are made.
Contributing my experience: I have spent my career managing change, solving problems and implementing decisions. I want to bring that experience, along with my municipal background, to the community where I live.

I have always viewed my role as a family doctor as a way to serve my patients and their families throughout their lives and health journey. Similarly, being a municipal Councillor gives me the opportunity to serve the residents of Comox and foster a Healthy Community, Healthy People, and a Healthy Environment.

Recently, it feels like there’s tension in the town around the types and locations of development. I believe that we need to bring community members, planners, developers, and others together to work through some of these views. We need development, but it needs to be done in a way that respects the community’s character and ecosystem, and doesn’t strain Town infrastructure unnecessarily.
I want to make sure that Town Council improves its communication strategy, including but not limited to accessible/plain language summaries of council agendas and decisions, and early and often communication about public engagement opportunities on these issues.

– Helping Comox grow thoughtfully, with more affordable housing and well-placed density while caring for the qualities people value about our community.
– Creating a community where young people can thrive, with more opportunities, welcoming public spaces, and greater investment in arts and culture as part of a vibrant, connected Comox.
– Strengthening local democracy by creating more meaningful ways for people to participate in decisions, work through differences and help shape the future of their community.

I am interested in being part of the processes that maintain the quality of life for citizens as well as shaping the future of the community.

I see Comox as being at an important turning point in its evolution as a town – I wanted to be a part of the team that, with community input and participation, guides where we go next. I have also been concerned about how some decisions the past Council has made seem to have ignored, or paid only lip service, to very real and legitimate concerns from our community, and I want to work to show that we can do better by our neighbours than that. 

– To chair Comox Council meetings with intention for this next four-year term and foster a functional, respectful, community-engaged and learning oriented culture
– To sit at the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) board with the knowledge, skills and experience gained in past eight years
– To advocate for Comox community concerns to the Provincial and Federal governments

Manage growth and housing responsibly: Review development in the context of infrastructure capacity, neighbourhood impacts, housing needs and long-term costs.
Improve communication and engagement: Provide clearer information, earlier public engagement and better explanations of Council decisions.
Strengthen financial stewardship: Review spending carefully, prioritize essential infrastructure and consider long-term operating and maintenance costs before committing public funds.
I would achieve these objectives by asking detailed questions, reviewing evidence, listening to residents, working with staff and collaborating with other Council members.

I would propose that Comox re-enters the regional Affordable Housing service, to ensure everyone in Comox and the Valley has an affordable place to live.

I would strive to keep Comox residents’ taxes as low as possible, despite the prevailing headwinds of inflation and increasing RCMP costs.

I would vote for more recreation facilities. Our pre-teens and teenagers need safe, fun recreational opportunities in Town. Also, our active retiree population needs more recreation facilities such as pickleball courts and an expansion of our Community Centre.

With financial demands from the RCMP, road repair and upgrades (over 50% of our roads are over 30 years old), and other infrastructure upgrades, the upcoming council will need to make closing the revenue gap a priority. To avoid excessive property tax increases on residents, the Town will need to be bold in advocating our needs to the province and federal government.
Improve Council’s engagement strategy with community members on key issues. See examples in response to previous question.
I’m concerned that the Province’s Bill-44 took away a considerable amount of local governments’ powers to ensure the development projects are locally suitable and to hear from affected community members.

I would like to expand the tax base by having the industrial lands in northeast Comox (by the airport) utilised. I would continue to work with developers, the airport commission, and CFB Comox to attract development. I would like to see more recreation for youth and would continue to work with service clubs, business sponsors and seek grants to expand opportunities. I would like to maintain the high level of service our citizens currently receive by remaining within the mandate of local government and not accommodating downloading from other levels of government.

Infrastructure for youth – ask anyone in Comox what we have for teenagers around here, and they will probably reply, “nothing.” This is a problem. As the parent of a teen and as a previous PAC chair, I know there are lots of ideas about what we could do and where we could do it, but the Council needs to get behind the projects to help with logistics, funding, advocacy for grants, etc.

Climate resiliency and environmental stewardship – Council needs to be alive to the fact that the climate has changed, is continuing to do so at an alarming rate, and that there are very real risks facing us as a result. We can anticipate these risks, including wildfires and smoke, droughts, excessive heat, water shortages, and take steps now to make sure we are as ready to face them as possible.

Thoughtful and transparent spending

N/A

My concerns have focused on how housing and development decisions affect existing neighbourhoods. I support adding housing, but growth should consider infrastructure capacity, traffic, neighbourhood character and long-term costs.
Residents should receive clear information about proposed changes and have meaningful opportunities to provide input. I would support earlier neighbourhood engagement and clearer explanations of the options, impacts and trade-offs before major decisions are made. Growth is necessary. The question is how and where it occurs, and whether infrastructure and services keep pace.

I vehemently disagreed, and voted against, the current version of the Official Community Plan (OCP), because it did not align with the multitude of feedback provided to the Town. Comox residents overwhelming told Council that they did not want 6 stories downtown, and my vote reflected this community consensus. I also disagreed with the majority of Council that voted to withdraw Comox from the regional Affordable Housing program. We can do more together regionally than by ourselves, and individuals in our community affected by precarious housing situations deserve their Council to stand up for them and contribute to the solution.

I want to be respectful of the recent Council’s work. I know they had some difficult decisions and lively debate amongst the members. I do believe that there was more opportunity to engage with community members, hear their concerns, and demonstrate that different views were treated fairly. Particularly, there have been tensions around the Official Community Plan and some recent rezoning applications. I often wonder what a unanimously passed OCP would’ve looked like. It’s community members that elect Council and, if elected, I am committed to representing their interests and improving opportunities for engagement.

Currently being a member of Council, I have been part of the decision making and will support the decisions that were made at the table.

I have disagreed with a few real estate development projects that made their way through various stages during the previous term. I am not against development, but I am against development that doesn’t work for our community. I am thinking specifically of Aspen Road and Lazo. These are Town of Comox properties that abut Area B land, and it seems that decisions were made without truly listening to the concerns of the people who will be most affected. We do not live in a vacuum, and we cannot pretend that we do when it’s convenient to us. I would have tried to be a better neighbour than that.