Federal Election Candidates for Nanaimo-Alberni and Nanaimo Cowichan

Nanaimo Cowichan

Jean Crowder (Incumbent NDP) Elected with 27,144 Votes - 45.18%

Elected the Member of Parliament for Nanaimo—Cowichan in 2004, re-elected in 2006  As a former municipal councillor for North Cowichan, Jean served on committees including Technical Planning, Administration and Finance, Protective Services, the Harbours Commission and the Community Safety Advisory Committee.  She has worked at Malaspina University College, Human Resources Development Canada and the BC Ministry of Skills, Training & Labour.  A strong believer in community, Jean has been active in the Cowichan United Way, Volunteer Cowichan, the Pacific Childcare Society and the Duncan Chamber of Commerce

Contact Jean Crowder
Email: jeancrowder@ndp.ca 
http://www.jeancrowder.ca

Reed Elley (Conservative) 22,584 Votes - 37.59%

My name is Reed Elley and I'm running for the Conservative Party of Canada. I was first elected in 1997 as a Reform party Member of Parliament, and in 2000 under the Canadian Alliance banner. While in Ottawa, I served as the vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Health and on the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Standing Committee.

Since I stepped down, due to health reasons, Nanaimo-Cowichan has suffered from poor representation. The NDP voted against the past 2 federal budgets both of which provided tax relief to families, seniors, and all hard-working residents of Nanaimo-Cowichan. I believe in support for families and seniors, job creation, and the prosperity of our lumber and fishing industries. I believe your money belongs in your pocket, not in the hands of government. If elected I pledge to deliver results on these issues and get things done for the residents of Nanaimo-Cowichan.

Contact Reed Elley
Email:
Web: http://www.reedelley.ca

Brian Scott (Liberal) 4,429 Votes - 7.37%

Brian is committed to improving the quality of life and opportunities for everyone in Canada. He has a long record of giving as a volunteer and is well known as a positive person with strong problem solving skills. He believes that the critical issue in this election is the question of what values will guide our nation. Will they be values of inclusion, generosity, sustainability, and respect for the fundamental dignity of every human being or will we continue down a hard road to the right from which there may be no return?

Brian is dedicated to contributing to a Canada that responsibly manages its finances and is committed to strong social programs, a sustainable environment with inclusion and justice, not just for some, but for everyone.

Brian has what it takes- he’s a new kind of politician. He speaks from his heart and creatively finds solutions where others thought no solution existed. He believes that if people have goodwill, perseverance and integrity a solution can always be found.

Contact Brian Scott
Email: brianscottlib@shaw.ca
Web: http://brianscott.liberal.ca

Christina Knighton (Green Party) 5,744 Votes - 9.56%

Christina Knighton, 50, has been coaching, training and facilitating personal, organizational and community development since 1995. She has dedicated her life to effecting positive change and growth in her life, the lives of her clients and the lives of those in the community in which she resides.

Christina has worked in many First Nations communities developing, coordinating and facilitating numerous programs including a program to build education and awareness around recycling. The outcome was the closure of the community dump with an operational recycling program in place and full community participation.

Through organizational development Christina also facilitates team building, leadership, strategic planning, clear organizational vision, effective communication skills and strategies, and increasing organizational alignment. Christina coaches her clients to increase clarity, effectiveness and focus.

Contact Christina Knighton
Email: christina.knighton@greenparty.ca
Web: http://circonscriptions.partivert.ca/article284.html

Nanaimo-Alberni

Zeni Maartman (NDP) 19,687 Votes - 31.73%

Born in Belize in 1957 before moving to Errington, B.C., then graduating from Qualicum Senior Secondary in 1974.  Became politically active at the age of 13 while campaigning for four-term NDP MP Bob Skelly. Serves the community as a Chartered Insurance Professional.  Instrumental in unionizing Coastal Community Insurance and representing workers as a shop steward, as well as a member of the negotiating team for six years.

Delegate to the Nanaimo/Duncan District Labour Council and Recording Secretary for COPE Local 195. School Trustee for Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District 68 from 1996 to 1999.

Mother of two children, Demitri (age 26) and Zeni Telfair (age 24

Contact Zeni Maartman
Email: zenimaartman@ndp.ca  
Web: http://www.zenindp.com

Richard Pesik (Liberal) 5,586 Votes - 9%

Pesik says he does not take democracy for granted. He has experienced first hand the consequences of losing political and social freedoms and recognizes the importance of participating in our political system.

He says he believes local voters need a clear alternative to the far-left policies of the NDP and the regressive, arrogant approach of the governing Conservatives, citing as one example their decision to break their own law to call this election.

What will you do for residents on the West Coast?

Local priorities for Pesik include support for the ailing forest industry, diversifying our regional economy, support for seniors and those living on fixed incomes, as well as improved living conditions on First Nations reserves, and bringing a fair share of federal dollars to our region.

Why vote for the Liberal Party?

Pesik says the Liberal Party wants to reinstate the Kelowna Accord and honour the negotiated agreements with Canada's First Nations, improve daycare for Canadian families, and take a leadership position on climate change.

Contact Rickard Pesik
Email:
Web: http://www.liberal.ca/candidate_e.aspx?riding=59014
 

John Fryer (Green Party) 7,467 Votes - 12.04%

John L. Fryer is an internationally respected and widely consulted authority on labour relations and human resource issues. His special field of expertise is the public sector.

Following graduation from the London School of Economics he has been, in turn, a correspondent for the 'Economist' magazine, a public sector trade union leader (he was General Secretary of the BC Government Employees Union from 1969 to 1983 and President of Canada’s second biggest union, the 350,000 member National Union of Public and General Employees from 1980 to 1990), and a popular adjunct Professor in the University of Victoria’s School of Public Administration since 1991.

In 1994 he was sent to South Africa by the International Labour Organization to assist the new government, led by Nelson Mandela, to develop modern labour education policies. From 1985 to 1993, he served as the Canadian Vice-President of the 20 million member Public Services International (PSI) based in Geneva.

Contact John Fryer
Email: john@johnfryer.ca 
Web: http://www.johnfryer.ca

James Lunney (Incumbent Conservative) Elected with 28,959 Votes - 46.69%

Born in Winnipeg, James obtained a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba and a Doctor of Chiropractic from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto.

In 1991 James and his wife Helen moved to Vancouver Island and established West Coast Chiropractic in Parksville. He practiced chiropractic health care for 24 years.

James was first elected to the House of Commons in 2000 for the riding of Nanaimo-Alberni, which he has represented since. In Parliament, James has served on the Standing Committees of Health, Fisheries and Oceans, Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. He has also been a strong voice for primary health care reform.

In addition to serving thousands of mid-island residents professionally, James has a long experience of community involvement through the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, North Vancouver Island Chiropractic Society and his local church. James enjoys many outdoor activities such as jogging, horseback riding, fishing, hiking and exploring the many venues of Vancouver Island.

James and his wife Helen have traveled extensively overseas.

Contact James Lunney
Email: nanaimo@jameslunneymp.ca  
Web: http://www.jameslunneymp.ca