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ELECTION 2024: Meet the candidates for the Mid Island-Pacific Rim riding

Three candidates are running to represent Port Alberni in the B.C. Legislature

The candidates have been finalized for the Oct. 19 provincial election, including the three candidates running in Mid Island-Pacific Rim. 

The Alberni Valley News asked each of these candidates to introduce themselves to readers. Here are their responses. Candidates are listed alphabetically.

Adam Hayduk — B.C. Conservatives

Hayduk was born and raised in B.C. and has more than 20 years of experience in non-profit youth sport organizations, operations and administration, according to his bio on the Conservative Party of B.C. website.

His career in youth sports includes time as the executive director of one of BC's largest minor hockey associations, and later the roles of assistant coach and assistant general manager of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the BCHL.

Community involvement is important to Hayduk, who collaborated with the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District staff to develop and implement a recycling curriculum in elementary schools.

Hayduk hopes to improve outcomes related to the drug crisis and mental health, improve the cost of living and better support for healthcare professionals, teachers and law enforcement officers.

Josie Osborne — B.C. NDP

I’ve lived and worked in Tofino for over 25 years and I’ve been fortunate to build a good life here. British Columbia is an incredible place to live, but things are tough for too many people these days. I entered politics — first as mayor of Tofino for almost eight years, then as your MLA for the past four years — to help make life better for people. And I’ve been committed since Day 1 to bringing my collaborative, approachable and forward-thinking leadership to government, and working hard to build bridges, bring people together and tackle the tough challenges our communities face. 

I’m proud of my record of delivering results for people here in the Alberni Valley, including hundreds of new childcare spaces and new affordable homes — the biggest investments ever seen in the Valley — over $3.2 million into three local mills and manufacturing facilities to create and protect jobs, and an expanded Emergency Department at West Coast General Hospital. But there is so much more work to do. 

Reliable highways are essential for people and our region’s economy. I’ll continue working with local leaders to push hard so we get the secure emergency secondary access we need in place, year round. We need to stay focused on recruiting more health care professionals and ensuring access for everyone in our public health care system. And we need to keep expanding access to treatment for people struggling with addictions.

There’s a lot at stake in this election. John Rustad will take us backwards, with cuts to healthcare and education. We need an experienced MLA with the relationships and a proven track record to help our communities take on the tough challenges we face. I’m proud to be running with David Eby and the BC NDP, and I promise to keep working hard for you each and every day.

Ross Reid — B.C. Green Party

Through my experience working in watershed restoration to rehabilitate forests and rivers damaged by historical logging, as well as background in environmental education, I'd like to share a vision for the future of Port Alberni that revitalizes the town and allows communities to thrive amongst healthy lands and waters that we all share.  

Once boasting the highest income per capita in B.C., Port Alberni has suffered a fall from grace following the over-harvest and mismanagement of the forests its economy depends on.  This created various ecological problems from increased susceptibility to fires and droughts, to landslides and sedimentation of salmon habitat which impacts fisheries, to the social impacts of an economic downturn that manifests as job loss, drug abuse and crime.  This social inequality is highlighted by the fact that millions of dollars still flow through our communities today, yet leave to pay CEOs six-digit salaries and shareholders abroad.

It's time we change the way we operate to do better for our communities by keeping opportunities and the wealth they create local.  Redistributing tenures and redirecting subsidies from the big logging conglomerates towards Indigenous-led and community forest operations, entrepreneurs and small family-run businesses would create jobs from skilled fallers and mill-workers to biologists and ecologists, which in turn would create meaning, direction and opportunity for our towns.

With carbon and climate funding we would create jobs investing in the restoration of surrounding second growth forests to create healthier, diverse forests resilient to fire that store more water and help our struggling salmon populations, while creating more tourism, recreational and cultural opportunities.

Through restoring the vibrancy and health of our lands we can create opportunity, jobs and a sustainable economy for both our Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to ensure a brighter future for us all here today, and those who follow.

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About the Author: Alberni Valley News Staff

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