October 5, 2022

Election 2022

Waterfront

The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce organized three successive evenings for the candidates seeking election as a School Trustee (SD70), Alberni Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) and the city of Port Alberni in positions of Councillor / Mayor. The sessions were held at Rim Rock on each of October 4th, 5th, 6th. The Chamber wishes to acknowledge that these sessions were held on the traditional territories of the Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations, and were supported financially by the San Group. Video's produced by Keelan Bourdon of Northedge Creative - a new to Port Alberni business.

The Chamber wishes to thank all those who have submitted their names for any of the available positions. We also remind the public to do your homework before voting on October 15th. Watch the video's, look to see if the candidates are speaking to to a multitude of topics, or just one. It is imperative for the health of our community, and for its future that we the public, vote for people with passion, talent, experience, commitment, and the ability to listen.

SPECIAL STATEMENT FROM THE CHAMBER.

The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce has hosted countless All-Candidates Forums covering all levels of government. It remains our goal to be seen by the public and the candidates as an impartial organization that recognizes the value of hosting such events. The events held over the past three days (Oct 4, 5, 6) have caused some in the community to question the objectivity of the Chamber and the All-Candidates forum.

Bill Collette the CEO of the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce offered these comments. "While serving as organizer, and moderator at the All-Candidates Forum I did not conduct myself in the unbiased manner expected of the role. My demeanour at times over the three evenings demonstrated a biased position evidenced by how I chose to introduce candidates, especially those that I am familiar with. That was not intentional. In fact, my normal style at events that I host often includes a welcome aimed at honouring the person who is about to approach. In hindsight I erred in how I made such introductions. I apologize to the candidates and audience members who put their trust and faith in the Chamber, and in me, to provide a level playing field. Further, my engagement with one of the mayoral candidates was unfair. Although hard questions can and should be asked, especially of the mayoral candidates they must be balanced and delivered in a fair means. I did reach out to the candidate earlier today to offer my apologies for demonstrating a biased approach. We talked for close to 50 minutes and while he did not accept the apology we did part with an understanding. I assure all that should I be involved in any future such event that I will learn from these errors and conduct myself in a manner expected by all."

The Chamber apologies to any candidate who felt disrespected or less welcome than others. Our board of directors will ensure that subsequent events have a plan in place, hopefully with other local partners, so as to execute an event that all expect of us.

ALBERNI VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Enjoy the videos:

School Board Trustee Candidates

John Bennie is running for a position with SD70 as a School Board Trustee
Cherilyn Bray is running for a position with SD70.
Rosemarie Buchanan is running for a position with SD70 as a School Board Trustee
Pam Craig is running for a position with SD70 as a School Board Trustee
Janis Joseph is running for a position with SD70 as a School Board Trustee
Jen Smith is a candidate for School Board Trustee SD70
Christine Washington is running for a position with SD70
Helen Zanette is running for a position with SD70 as as School Board Trustee

ACRD Director Candidates

Derek Appleton is running for the Director position with the ACRD as Sproat Lake representative
Fred Boyko is the acclaimed Director for the Beauforts - ACRD
Penny Cote is running for the Director position representing Sproat Lake for the ACRD
Darren DeLuca is running for the position of Director for Cherry Creek with the ACRD
Heather Powell is running for the Director position representing Sproat Lake for the ACRD
Susan Roth is running for a Director position representing Beaver Creek in the ACRD
Cindy Solda is running for a position with the ACRD - Beaver Creek
Mike Sparrow is running for a Director position representing Cherry Creek for the ACRD
This Video runs for about 20 minutes featuring many of the candidates through the Q/A period. Questions came from the public onsite and were randomly selected

Council Candidates

Dustin Dame is running for a seat on Council
Terry Deakin is running for a seat on Council
Jim Del Rio is running for a seat on Council
Seva Dhaliwal is running for a seat on Council
John Douglas is running for a seat on Council
Debbie Haggard is running for a seat on Council
Graham Hughes is running for a seat on Council
Richard Huneault is running for a seat on Council
Wendy Lee Kerr is running for a seat on Council
Sukhdev Krishan is running for a seat on Council
Charles Mealey is running for a seat on Council
Q/A from the first night with Council candidates.
Sandy McRuer is running for a position on council
Joshua Dahling is running for a position on council
Todd Patola is running for a position on council
Charlene Patterson is running for a position on council
Ron Paulson is running for a position on council
Peter Rueschmann is running for a position on council
Cindy Solda is running for a position on council
Dan Washington is running for a position on council
Carol-Anne Zanette is running for a position on council

Mayoral Candidates

Sharie Minions is running for re-election as mayor
Tom Verbrugge is running for mayor
This video includes the Q/A for the final evening. It is approximately 30 minutes in duration.