WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
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NORTH SHORE
makemake youryour vote vote count count on May on May 9 9
with our Candidates
Bowinn Ma PROVINCIAL PARTY: BC NDP YOUR RIDING: NORTH VANCOUVER - LONSDALE
Now it’s your turn!
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xercise your democratic right and obligation: VOTE!
Over the past weeks we here at the News have worked diligently to make sure that all of you are fully informed of the big picture issues and just as importantly the community based issues. We have asked the questions, we have attended the all candidates meetings (at least as many as we could get to), we have shared some opinions and we have hosted forums both in the letters pages of the paper and just as importantly on our website and Facebook posts. We have created candidate profiles for your reference and have hosted their advertising. We certainly feel that we have covered the
bases and encouraged a healthy dialogue in our community. So please take the time to review all the individual candidates and their personal thoughts, along with their parties agendas and promises and then take that critically important task of marking your ballot. Whether you vote for change or vote for your incumbent candidate, that is for you to decide. Keep in mind that while your vote is tied to a party, do remember that we elect Members of our Legislative Assembly. It is critical that you vote for the person that you feel will work hard in Victoria to ensure that you/we are heard and represented. Enjoy the read in the pages that follow and then do your duty, get out and VOTE! I know I will. Peter Kvarnstrom Publisher, North Shore News
Facts about me
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This is my first time running. I live near Heywood Park in the City of North Vancouver. I moved here several years ago to join my partner, a long-time North Shore resident, and have established roots here. I’m a Professional Engineer and certified Project Management Professional with degrees in Civil Engineering and Management from UBC. My academic background included a focus on transportation. When I find free time you can find me playing ice hockey, ultimate frisbee, and exploring the beautiful trails here on the North Shore.
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What made you decide to stand in this election? I’m stepping up to run in this election for my god children and their parents who tell me on a regular basis how challenging it is to raise a family here in BC and how much they worry about their children’s futures. I’m determined to help bring positive change to their lives and the lives of all families in our community. What areas of specific expertise will you bring? As an engineer and project manager, I value fiscal responsibility and good long-term planning, especially in the area of transportation. I work every day to see the big picture and then bring people together to deliver results. That’s something that I will bring with me to the Legislature as your MLA. How do you find out what people’s concerns are? I hear concerns from our neighbours every day on the doorstep and out in the community. North Vancouver is a great community, but Christy Clark is not making good choices for us. Whether it’s ignoring skyrocketing housing and child care costs, under-funding public transportation making traffic worse on the North Shore, or failing to protect the environment, people tell me Christy Clark is making life harder for their families. John Horgan and the BC NDP have a plan for making life here more affordable, improving transportation on the North Shore, creating wellpaying sustainable jobs that last, and protecting our coast by opposing the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion.
reach me at
telephone 604-770-2450 email bowinn.ma@bcndp.ca internet bowinnma.bcndp.ca SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
AUTHORIZED BY JEN-FONG KUO, FINANCIAL AGENT, 778-807-0578
I want to be known for: Working hard every day for my community and fighting for what’s right.
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make your vote count on May 9
Michael Markwick
with our Candidates
Mehdi Russel
PROVINCIAL PARTY: BC GREENS
PROVINCIAL PARTY: BC NDP
YOUR RIDING: WEST VANCOUVER - CAPILANO
YOUR RIDING: WEST VANCOUVER - CAPILANO
Facts about me
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This is my second time running for West Vancouver - Capilano. We’ve been raising our family of five children in West Vancouver, Dundarave, for over 25 years. I was named “most lifechanging professor” for my work as faculty at Capilano University’s School of Communication. I work with the future everyday, the students who will play a crucial role in building British Columbia as a free, democratic and sustainably prosperous society. I received West Vancouver’s Community Commitment Award in recognition of my work to tackle the housing crisis and combat human trafficking.
reach me at
telephone 888-473-3686 email
michael.markwick@greenparty.bc.ca
internet markwick.ca
AUTHORIZED BY THE OFFICIAL AGENT FOR MICHAEL MARKWICK
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What made you decide to stand in this election? If we do not take action to make certain families of every kind can continue to take root in our community, we will lose our community. If current trends continue, the percentage of school-aged kids on our community will drop to single digits. Many seniors are insecure in their housing. We cannot have a community if the youth who are the future of our community, and the seniors who built our community, cannot continue to make their lives in our neighbourhoods. What major issues do you think have to be addressed in the next 4 years? We have to build an innovative and sustainable economy: Moody’s has put BC on a credit watch, downgrading us from “stable” to “negative” because of Christy Clark’s accumulation of debt. We have to end the crisis of housing affordability, develop a regional mobility plan to stop traffic gridlock, and strengthen health care by creating an urgent care centre. What have your past contributions to the community been? I created the business model for the Dundarave Festival, allowing it to raise over $300,000 from our community in direct support for the Lookout Society’s North Shore Shelter. The Festival has become one of the principal celebrations of arts and culture in Metro Vancouver through the holidays. If there is one change you could help bring about - what would it be? The housing crisis is proof of Christy Clark’s mismanagement of BC’s economy. I will foster partnership between local government, the BC government, and the federal government to create housing that is permanently affordable, enhancing the character and viability of our neighbourhoods.
I want to be known for:
The major challenges facing us call out for more, not less, democracy. I want my legacy to be citizen-driven, evidence-based government.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
Facts about me
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This is my first time running. I have lived in North Vancouver for 9 years. Soon after I completed my training as a physician, I began caring for the vulnerable people of my community. I completed my MBA and PhD in Heath Planning and Management in the UK. I’ve managed more than 10 projects with the World Health Organization (WHO) in health economics and health sector reforms; also worked in disaster management with the United Nations Population Fund Association (UNFPA). I currently run a successful business; I also sing and have an album.
reach me at
telephone 604-345-2210 email mehdi.russel@bcndp.ca internet mehdirussel.ca
AUTHORIZED BY THE OFFICIAL AGENT FOR MEHDI RUSSEL
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What made you decide to stand in this election? I have three young daughters who are greatly concerned about the future of the community they’ll soon be inheriting; as they cannot afford to live in the city they grew up in. Our service workers, seniors, and young families are being driven out of our communities because of the high cost of living. This is not the vital community and thriving economy we were promised. I have done well in business; I don’t seek elected office for career advancement or enrichment and am not looking to live on this title; but I believe I can leverage my academic knowledge and business acumen to resolve the issues in my community and I am energetic and enthusiastic enough to do so. What major issues do you think have to be addressed in the next 4 years? ! Life affordability on the North Shore (including
affordable housing and affordable childcare, better wages etc.)
! Traffic and congestion. ! Environment and sustainability.
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What will you do differently than the current elected officials?
I know if I get elected, I will not take this role as a ceremonial position. This is a position that requires executive action. It needs active coordination between the different levels of government. I spent my professional life in various management positions in public/private sectors in different jurisdictions, and I can utilize available resources and deliver results. I believe that the representative of a community must embody its people, and collaboratively comprise solutions to move us forward. The voters in our riding have been taken for granted by the BC Liberals for years. Community resources have not improved and we’ve often been neglected. I will be a strong and determined voice in Victoria for our North Shore issues.
I want to be known for:
An MLA who Made Lives Awesome by working across differences and bringing people together.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
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make your vote count on May 9
with our Candidates
Jane Thornthwaite
Naomi Yamamoto
PROVINCIAL PARTY: BC LIBERAL PARTY
PROVINCIAL PARTY: BC LIBERAL PARTY
YOUR RIDING: NORTH VANCOUVER - SEYMOUR
YOUR RIDING: NORTH VANCOUVER - LONSDALE
Facts about me I have served two terms, for a total of 8 years and I’m running for re-election. I live in the District of North Vancouver, specifically in the riding of North Vancouver – Seymour. I have lived in North Vancouver for 26 years. I was born and raised on the North Shore and have lived here almost my entire life. I volunteered for North Shore Girls Soccer Club, local Blockwatch and my children’s Parent Advisory Councils. I have a monthly e-newsletter and host regular “Join Jane” open houses so people can stay connected and talk about their concerns.
reach me at
telephone 604-987-0643 email
jane.thornthwaite@bcliberals.com internet janethornthwaite.com
AUTHORIZED BY THE OFFICIAL AGENT FOR JANE THORNTHWAITE
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What made you decide to stand in this election? I have accomplished a lot over the last 8 years, but my job is not finished. I want to see the Lower Lynn Interchanges Highway Project completed, implement a province-wide film tourism strategy, and provide mental health services in schools. What major issues do you think have to be addressed in the next 4 years? Housing and transit. Over the past 2 years, I have organized meetings with our MPs, Mayors, and Ministers responsible for Housing and Translink. My goal is to continue this collaboration to bring innovative solutions that connect housing affordability and transit in the region. What have your past contributions to the community been? As MLA, I have helped a number of organizations: Securing grants for North Shore Rescue ($188,000 for long-line equipment, $10,000 for Tim Jones Peak), Seymour Salmonid Society ($150,000 for rockslide mitigation project), and the $67.7-million Hope Centre at Lions Gate Hospital. Do you have the support or endorsement of any particular organizations? A number of prominent individuals in our community support my re-election, including: Curtis Jones (North Shore Rescue member, son of late Tim Jones), Robin Delany (Delany’s Coffee), and Peter Leitch (North Shore Studios.).
I’m looking to be reelected. I have served 2 terms as MLA (8 years). I have lived in North Vancouver for 47 years. I believe that strong communities are built through citizen involvement. I’m a champion of small business, the arts, and sustainable ecomonic growth. I am a regular trail runner and, when I can find time, I indulge my primary passion which is fly fishing on our river banks.
If there is one change you could help bring about - what would it be? Help reduce the stigma of mental illness and encourage those who need help to seek it.
I want to be known for: $198-million for the Lower Lynn Interchanges Highway Project. ! Increasing child and youth mental health services in B.C. ! Improving animal welfare.
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Facts about me
reach me at
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What organizations have you served with or volunteered for? North Shore Neighbourhood House, Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation (Artists for Kids), North Shore Credit Union, Capilano College, Seymour Salmonid Society, and North Vancouver and BC Chambers of Commerce. What major issues do you think have to be addressed in the next 4 years? Continue investments in affordable housing, traffic congestion (ie. $198 million Hwy 1 interchange upgrade), health care, and education. Continue BC’s global leadership on climate action and protected areas. Maintain our commitment to protect our environment while growing the economy in well-paying jobs in tech, tourism, film and more. Leave more money in the pockets of British Columbians by freezing personal income tax, cutting the small business tax rate, and cutting MSP premiums in half for families and individuals for an additional 2 million more British Columbians. Create 5,000 new child care spaces in 2017 and up to 13,000 spaces by 2020 and help 20,000 families with the cost of child care each month. Support modern changes by bringing ridesharing to BC, helping more people buy their first home, matching the federal government’s $2.2 billion investment in Metro Vancouver transit and a further $333 million to keep BC Transit moving. Recognize the importance of sports, arts and culture in the overall economy and quality of life in BC by supporting artists and cultural workers to create new work and inspire audiences and continue to invest in new sport infrastructure, by supporting the hosting of upcoming national and international tournaments.
telephone 604-990-0662 email
Naomi.Yamamoto@BCLiberals.com internet bcliberals.com/candidate/ naomi-yamamoto2017
AUTHORIZED BY DAVID GOLDSMITH, FINANCIAL AGENT FOR THE BC LIBERAL PARTY 1-800-567-2257
I want to be known for: My love and demonstrated commitment to the North Shore.