Four candidates are vying for the North Shore-Seymour seat on Oct. 24’s provincial election. The coming weeks won’t see the door knocking and handshaking of previous campaigns. We reached out to all registered candidates to learn a bit more about them and their visions for Lynn Valley.
Covid election 101
Polling day might look a bit different in a couple of weeks. Unprecedented numbers have already requested mail in ballots. If you still have time to request yours. You can do that by visiting the Elections BC Website with some government issued ID and clicking on the grey box at the bottom of the page. If you did not register to vote prior to the online deadline, you can still vote in person.
To learn more about voting procedures and protocols in a pandemic, Elections BC has created a page to address such concerns. You can learn more and stay up to date for changes here.
There is also an increased need for elections staff as some of the seniors who typically support the polling centres opting out this year. To learn more about elections employment opportunities visit this page.
Get to know: Susie Chant, NDP candidate
What is your biggest priority specifically for Lynn Valley or the riding?
As a registered Nurse I have worked in community health for years, active in initiating a more sustainable model of health services, partnering with patients and families to access comprehensive care – cradle to grave. To achieve long term health, we must also commit to achieving environmental health, a strong value for myself and the BCNDP.
Specific priority related to Lynn Valley/North Vancouver-Seymour: Affordable housing
The subsidized and lower income housing has been replaced with market share that is not affordable for young adults or seniors who wish to remain in their community. Many folks who provide service – nurses, police, retail staff and so on, cannot afford to live here. This also dovetails with homelessness, an increasing characteristic of the NShore.
Why are you the best candidate for our riding?
I have lived, worked and played in NVan/Lynn Valley, as have my children and my parents, thus I feel I am an able representative for North Vanocuver-Seymour. My work in healthcare on the North Shore allows me ample experience as an advocate and problem-solver, valuable skills at the legislative table.
Anything else to add?
Through my adult lifetime, I have worked full time as a nurse, part time as a Naval Reservist, and have volunteered with school, community, provincial and national organizations. I am a wife, mother of two daughters, and my husband and I fostered children for 12 years. I was the adult child of my senior parents until they passed. All of these opportunities have provided a broad base in working with, and for others. Thank you for the chance to address the LynnValleyLife community.
What is the best way to learn more about you?
Website: susiechant.bcndp.ca
Phone: 236-412-0432
Email: [email protected]
To Donate: https://action.bcndp.ca/page/contribute/nvs
Get to know: Harrison Johnston, Green Party candidate
What is your biggest priority specifically for Lynn Valley or the riding?
When I was three years old, my family moved out of the apartment where I was born into a new house in Lynn Valley. Many other young families moved into the community around that time and as a child I loved playing street hockey and tag with the other young kids in the neighbourhood. Lynn Valley was a beautiful, strong and vibrant community.
Since then housing prices have gone through the roof, young families can no longer afford to move into the community. Our public transit system has been neglected, leaving people stuck in traffic every morning. Small businesses are suffering because their workers have to commute from other communities.
My top priority for Lynn Valley is to ensure that our community is affordable and equitable. Young families should be able to move here and workers at local small businesses should be able to live in the community where they work.
Why are you the best candidate for our riding?
Lynn Valley is the community I love and where I want to raise my own family. I am truly committed to serving this community and ensuring that it is strong and vibrant for future generations.
I am a young person and a renter, studying to become a high school teacher. I have worked as a landscaper, a retail worker, a chairlift operator and a math tutor. I am a climate activist and organizer of the September 2019 climate strike which brought more than 100,000 people to the streets from across Metro Vancouver.
I understand the challenges that people of Lynn Valley are facing and I will champion bold, compassionate and responsible solutions.
What is the best way to learn more about you?
To find out more about my campaign, go to my website harrisonjohnston.ca or follow me on Twitter @Harrison4NV.
You can also send me an email at harrison.johnston@greenparty.
To Donate: https://action.bcndp.ca/page/contribute/nvs
Get to know: Jane Thornthwaite, BC Liberal Party candidate
What is your biggest priority specifically for Lynn Valley or the riding?
I first entered into politics because I wanted to make a difference for my family and other families on the North Shore, and that is why I still care so much about making life better for North Vancouver residents and am asking for another term as MLA. The number one issue for many years has been transportation. I am proud of my record in delivering the $198 M Lower Lynn Interchange Project currently under construction at the foot of the cut. It will dramatically change traffic flow for Lynn Valley residents once completed with easier access to the highway and a direct road from the east of Seymour to Lynn Valley without having to merge on to the highway. However, there is more still that can be done to improve infrastructure; if elected I would advocate investing in extending the exit 21 ramp off to Lynn Valley Rd and in much-needed Phibbs exchange upgrades. Tragically this year, too many Lynn Valley families have been personally affected by COVID-19 at the Lynn Valley Care Home. Another key priority of mine and the BC Liberals is investing in better senior care.
Why are you the best candidate for our riding?
It’s been an honour to serve my community, the community have called home for most of my life, and where my children grew up. Having an impact has always meant a lot to me, that’s why I first ran for school board. I wanted to ensure my kids and yours were getting the best education possible in British Columbia. I have a proven record as an MLA to deliver for North Vancouver, investments in schools such as the new Argyle Secondary and the Windsor bubble, highway infrastructure, Lions Gate Hospital including the new HOpe Centre and in transit with a new B-Line route and Seabus. If re-elected I will continue supporting under-represented communities, a long-time advocate of LGBTQ+, including SOGI policies and women’s rights, advocating for sexual assault services and importantly for additional childcare resources. The other critical aspect of my public work has been advocating for a seamless mental health and addictions system in British Columbia.
Anything else to add?
If there is a specific issue that matters to you, contact my campaign office and we can get you more information!
What is the best way to learn more about you?
Voters in North Vancouver-Seymour can always contact me via email or at my campaign office. I also continuously update my social media with key policy ideas and what I’m working on throughout the campaign to earn your vote. Here is how you can contact me:
Email: [email protected]
Office: 1325 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver BC
Social Media: @JThornthwaite on all platforms
Get to know: Clayton Welwood, BC Libertarian Party candidate
What is your biggest priority specifically for Lynn Valley or the riding?
As an area that is home to many families with school-aged children, I believe that education is a top issue for Lynn Valley. To ensure access to quality education for every child, parents should have more choice in determining the way it is delivered. A one-size-fits-all approach results in far too many students being left behind; having more approaches will leave fewer students behind.
COVID-19 has offered an opportunity to test out alternatives like online learning, homeschooling and private tutoring. Education should be an innovative process in normal times as well, where the exploration of new methods can lead to better matches for individual children.
The BC Libertarian plan is to move as much decision-making as possible away from the Ministry of Education and toward local school districts, where parents can have more input. We will consult with educational providers on how to introduce a system whereby education funding follows the student, and can be used at parents’ discretion within an expanded menu of educational options.
Why are you the best candidate for our riding?
Because all of the solutions I propose will not prevent Lynn Valley residents from following their own path to a better life.
Anything else to add?
ICBC’s monopoly needs to be revoked. Not only is it the source of high premiums for good drivers, and poor service for many, in order to control costs, the provincial government wants to implement a “no-fault” regime. While this may help ICBC’s battered finances, it would deny accident victims pain and suffering damages, access to legal representation for their care and recovery, and would ultimately make our roads less safe. If elected I would call for repeal of the no-fault legislation, conversion of ICBC into a co-op, and allow everyone full choice of auto insurers.
What is the best way to learn more about you?
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/linkelei
Looking for more?
There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.
