In Courtenay, there are three people seeking to be the next mayor and 15 to be councillors.
The entire council is seeking to be re-elected to their positions.
In addition to voting for mayor and councillors, voters will also be voting on school district trustees in the Courtenay electoral area for the Comox Valley School District.
There will be three voting days, advance voting on Oct. 5 and 12, and general voting day on Oct. 15. All voting locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On Oct. 5, voting will take place at the Native Sons Hall. On Oct. 12, it will be at the Florence Filberg Centre. On Oct. 15, at Queneesh Elementary School and Florence Filberg Centre.
There is also the option to vote by mail.
In 2018, 7,372 people voted in the election for a voter turnout of 37.1 per cent.
Mayor
Aaron Dowker
Dowker has lived in Courtenay for 27 years, is a single dad and a carpenter. He says he chose to run for mayor as he is growing concerned that the city may lose its “spark” as it grows.
If elected, his priorities include police, housing, traffic, garbage, and homeless. Some things he would like to see are “bike cops” that know the neighbourhood, tiny homes villages, plan a third bridge with voter permission following the next election, make garbage collection a co-op owned by the people, to move the warming centre to the train station, and rally the provincial government to build a North Island Mental Health Hospital.
Erik Eriksson
Eriksson served as a councillor in 1986 and is now seeking election as mayor. He was born in Reykjavik, Iceland and his family moved to Vancouver in 1952. He has a bachelor of science and also attended law school at UBC. He worked at a sawmill in Tahsis where he met his wife, then his family moved to Courtenay after their son was born. He has served on a number of boards including Comox Valley Economic Development Society and Comox Valley Youth Music Centre.
If elected, his priorities are building partnerships in economic development, sewer and water, social issues, and council consensus.
In 2018, Eriksson unsuccessfully ran for mayor, coming in fourth with 647 votes.
Eriksson’s website can be found here.
Bob Wells
Wells and his family moved to Courtenay in 2003 after their car broke down at Mt. Washington and they decided to move there. He has owned several businesses since high school, and has had a commitment to the community. He has volunteered with a number of organizations including Rotary, YANA, Child Development, and Project Watershed.
If re-elected, his priorities include looking for opportunities to work with K’ómoks First Nation and other Indigenous groups towards meaningful reconciliation, develop the Affordable Housing Strategy, improve senior services, family doctor recruitment, and community safety.
In 2018, Wells was elected the mayor receiving 2,950 votes.
Wells’ website can be found here.
Councillor
There are six councillor positions up for election.
Phil Adams
CHEK News reached out to Adams 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.
Steffan Chmuryk
CHEK News reached out to Chmuryk 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.
Will Cole-Hamilton
Cole-Hamilton and his family live near Puntledge Park. He is a graduate of Queen’s, Dalhousie Law School, and UBC. Between 1997 and 2012 he owned, operated, and sold two small businesses. Since 2012 he has worked as a legal researcher in downtown Courtenay. He has volunteered for a number of organizations including Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association, and Comox Valley International Film Festival.
If re-elected, his priorities are to create a housing authority to support development of more affordable housing, implement the OCP, develop McPhie Meadows, improve facilities for popular sports like pickleball and soccer, work with businesses and residents to keep the downtown strong and vibrant, continue to build strong relationships with the K’omoks First Nation as well as the Metis and Indigenous residents, and plan to protect the community and infrastructure from climate impacts.
In 2018, Cole-Hamilton received the most votes with 3,556.
Cole-Hamilton’s website can be found here.
Brennan Day
Day has a background domestically and abroad focusing on management, construction, entrepreneurship and procurement. He has a background in political science from VIU and University of Calgary. He grew up in the Comox Valley.
If elected, his priorities are to increase funding on safety and security, improve city transportation infrastructure, and ensure zoning and permitting is streamlined.
In 2018, Day unsuccessfully ran for council receiving 2,338 votes.
Day’s website can be found here.
David Frisch
Frisch was first elected in 2014 and has lived in Courtenay since 1998. He studied business and humanities at North Island College. He owns a small business in the construction industry. During his time in Courtenay he has served as an executive on a number of boards including CV Cycle Club, Strata Council, and Imagine Comox Valley.
If re-elected, he plans to continue his work on transportation to benefit people of all ages and abilities with safer and more comfortable walking and multi-modal road design, move along initiatives that will strengthen commerce and the community in downtown Courtenay, and support community outreach.
In 2018, Frisch received the third most votes with 3,182.
Frisch’s website can be found here.
Michael Gilbert
Gilbert has lived in the valley since 1983 and is now retired. He and his wife Terry were restauranteurs since 1985 with their first restaurant called the Nova Cafe. They sold their last restaurant, Michael’s off Main in September 2020 after 19 years.
If elected, he hopes to address the master transportation plan lack of focus on motor vehicles, and he disagrees with the council’s decision to vote on a raise.
Gilbert’s Facebook page can be found here.
Doug Hillian
Hillian is seeking his fifth term on council. He has a masters in social work and 45 years experience in human services and community justice as a probation officer, consultant and regional and provincial manager. He was awarded the Governor General’s Exemplary Service Medal in 2003 and 2015 for his contributions to public safety. Hillian’s history in the city includes 12 years coaching youth soccer, co-founding the Transition and Social Planning Societies, and serving on numerous boards like the Justice Centre.
If re-elected, his priorities include being accessible and responsive to Courtenay citizens, implementing the Official Community Plan, promoting community safety, advocating to the provincial government for housing and mental health and addictions services, housing affordability, Indigenous reconciliation, traffic safety and management, parks and recreation, senior services, economic development, regional representation on infrastructure projects like sewage conveyance and organics, composting and regional parks service, support for arts and culture, work with environmental organizations on a number of initiatives, and accessbility, diversity, inclusion and engagement with community agencies.
In 2018, Hillian received the sixth most votes with 2,827.
Hillian’s website can be found here.
Evan Jolicoeur
Jolicoeur is an active community volunteer on six boards, a Rotarian and small business owner. He is a Registered Nurse, First Nation government administrator, policy strategist and mental health and addictions clinician with over 16 years of experience in political advocacy.
If elected, his priorities include finding affordability solutions in partnership with the province; housing and homelessness; engage with the public on council decisions; conserve and expand the natural beauty; re-establish the city as a destination for arts, culture and recreation; and boost small businesses.
Jolicoeur’s website can be found here.
Jin Lin
CHEK News reached out to Lin asking for a bio, her 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, Lin unsuccessfully ran for council coming in eighth with 2,626 votes.
Melanie McCollum
McCollum as lived in the Comox Valley since 2006. She has a degree in geography, with a focus on urban planning and a post-degree diploma in accounting. She currently works at North Island College as a financial analyst. McCollum represents the City of Courtenay on a number of boards and committees including the CVRD board of directors, the Comox Valley Water Committee, and the Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital District Board.
If re-elected, her priorities are responsible and sustainable development, identification of funding sources to minimize long-term debt, supporting vibrant downtown core with diverse businesses and housing, developing and enhancing access to parks and trails, continued investment in transportation infrastructure, continued support and collaboration with the arts and culture community, advocacy and development policy for continued progress on the housing affordability crisis, and a focus on partnerships with K’ómoks First Nation and Indigenous community groups.
In 2018, McCollum received the second most votes with 3,213.
McCollum’s website can be found here.
Wendy Morin
Morin is a lifelong Comox Valley resident. This previous term she served on a number of boards and committees including the Comox Valley Regional District Board, Water Committee, Sewage Commission, and Recreation Commission. She has a varied work history, most recently in social services.
If re-elected, her priorities are implementing the OCP, affordability and diversity in housing solutions, climate action, active transporation and road safety, reconciliation and decolonization, supporting local businesses and values-based sustainable economic development, protecting natural assets and the watershed, equity and inclusivity, social health and infrastructure, and developing a regional parks service.
In 2018, Morin received the fifth most votes with 3,044.
Morin’s website can be found here.
Lyndsey Northcott
Northcott has worked at Kingfisher Resort for 10 years and has worked in the spa and health industry for over 15. She was born in Vancouver, and has lived on the Island for 10 years.
If elected, her priorities are to build more homes for people, address public safety issues, improve the development process, fill the gap for children and young families, and bring things for people to do in the winter season.
Northcott’s Facebook page can be found here.
Deana Simkin
Simkin is a community leader and local business owner. She has volunteered on a number of boards including Comox Valley Economic Development Society and Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association.
If elected, her priorities are safety and security, transportation, and fiscal responsibility.
In 2018, Simkin unsuccessfully ran for council receiving 2,095 votes.
Simkin’s website can be found here.
Manno Theos
Theos is a broadcasting graduate and owned and operated small businesses. He has served 20 years on Courtenay council between 1999-2002 and 2005-2022. He has served on several boards including the Comox Valley Economic Board, and Community Justice Centre Board.
If elected, his priorities are safety and security, a high-tech knowledge-based park, seniors’ needs, youth initiatives, a thriving small business sector, and tourism.
In 2018, Theos received the fourth most votes with 3,149.
Theos’ Facebook page can be found here.
Starr Winchester
Winchester has previously served 12 years on Courtenay council both as mayor and councillor. During her time on council she served on the Comox Valley Regional District, Water, Sewer and Regional Solid Waste Committee.
If elected, her priorities are public safety, traffic congestion, more housing options, keep taxes down, seniors, and a satellite fire hall.
In 2018, Winchester unsuccessfully ran for council receiving 2,154 votes.
Laura Brougham
