There are 10 people in the running to be a Comox councillor, while the mayor has been acclaimed to the position.
Nicole Minions is one of 11 mayors on Vancouver Island who were acclaimed to the role as they were the only ones to step forward to run for the position.
She is currently a councillor for Comox, and two councillors are not seeking re-election so there will be at least three new faces at the council table.
In addition to voting for councillors, voters will vote for a trustee in the Comox electoral area of the Comox Valley School District.
There are four advance voting opportunities:
- Oct. 5 at the Comox Community Centre from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Oct. 8 at the Genoa Sail Building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Oct. 10 at the Genoa Sail Building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Oct. 12 at the Comox Community Centre from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
General voting day on Oct. 15, voting will take place at the Comox Community Centre from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
There is also the option to vote by mail.
In the 2018 election, 4,392 people voted for a voter turnout of 40.4 per cent.
Steve Blacklock
Blacklock lives in central Comox with his spouse and nine-year-old daughter. He grew up in Comox and says it is his “forever home.” He has a bachelor of business administration from Simon Fraser University and post-graduated studies from UBC. He has a career as a property appraiser and land-use consultant.
If elected, his priorities are to upgrade the town’s infrastructure, support multi-modal transportation, and increase housing supply and addressing housing affordability.
In 2021, Blacklock ran in the byelection coming in second place with 807 votes.
Blacklock’s website can be found here.
Donald Davis
Davis was born and raised in Alberta then joined the R.C.A.F. in 1966. He served on a number of bases as military police and a construction engineer. He retired to Comox in 1990. He was elected councillor in 1998 and served on a number of committees including Harbour Commission, Heritage Committee, and Community Justice Society.
If elected, his main objectives are affordable housing, clean, sustainable environmental practices, and reconnect with citizens.
In 2018, Davis unsuccessfully ran for council, receiving 1,605 votes. He also ran in the 2021 byelection, coming in third with 111 votes.
Davis’ website can be found here.
Kealy Donaldson
CHEK News reached out to Donaldson asking for a bio, and her priorities if elected but did not hear back. The story will be updated with information if it is provided.
Donaldson’s Facebook page can be found here.
Peter Gibson
Gibson has lived in the Comox Valley since 1960 and has strong connections to Comox. He attended Comox Elementary and Robb Road schools. He has a bachelors in political science and teaching certificate from the University of British Columbia. He had a 41 career with Mount Washington and retired as the president and general manager.
If elected, his priorities include reviewing the Official Community Plan, looking at sustainable tax increases, addressing the town’s strategic priorities, working on environmental stewardship, non-vehicular transportation, and the KFN treaty.
Gibson’s website can be found here.
Ken Grant
Grant has lived in Comox for almost 50 years, having been on council for five terms. He works as a mortgage broker at Invis West Coast Mortgages. Some of his highlights on council include the revitalization of downtown, marina park upgrade including the splash park and the fitness studio at Comox Rec Centre.
If re-elected, he plans to work to keep Comox a safe, affordable and sustainable place to live. He would like to review the Official Community Plan and work to keep taxes affordable.
In 2018, Grant received the fifth most votes with 2,472.
Grant’s website can be found here.
Chris Haslett
CHEK News reached out to Haslett asking for a bio, his priorities if elected, and any links to a website or social media but did not hear back. The story will be updated with information if it is provided.
In 2018, Haslett unsuccessfully ran for council, coming in seventh place with 1,877 votes.
Jonathan Kerr
Kerr is a family physician in Comox and chair of the Comox Valley Physician Recruitment and Retention Task Force. He moved to Comox over eight years ago and is an avid biathlon coach and medal-winning athlete who competes at provincial and national events.
If elected, he plans to address three issues he has heard from residents are important concerns: affordable housing, finding a family doctor, and addressing climate change.
Kerr was elected in the 2021 byelection receiving 1,134 votes.
Kerr’s website can be found here.
Jenn Meilleur
Meilleur has a career built around the belief that people can and must work together towards creative solutions to challenging issues. She has worked in community and organizational development for over 20 years. She currently works in supporting First Nations and local governments recover from disasters like the atmospheric river in November 2021. She attended high school in Qualicum Beach and completed a university degree in Nanaimo before moving to the Lower Mainland. She moved back to Vancouver Island in 2019.
If elected, her priorities are to find creative local solutions to the housing crisis, and take urgent action on climate change.
Meilleur’s website can be found here.
Ruby Sidhu
CHEK News reached out to Sidhu asking for a bio, his priorities if elected, and any links to a website or social media but did not hear back. The story will be updated with information if it is provided.
Maureen Swift
Swift has been a resident of Comox for over 25 years. In her working career she was a professional educator and spent the majority of her 35 year career in Comox. After she left teaching, she took on the role of chair of the Comox Valley Hospice Society. She has served three terms on Comox council.
If re-elected, she would like to see the tax base diversified with development of the industrial lands, streamline and clarify the planning processes, and asset and fiscal management to balance wants and needs.
In 2018, Swift received the fourth most votes with 2,613.
Laura Brougham
