DEVIN HOWELL
Website: electdevinhowell.wixsite.com/devin
Political party: How long have you been a member?
Independent
Do you live in the riding, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to the riding?
yes, since 2013
What is your occupation, and for how long?
Electrician since 1997
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your community and why?
In my opinion the biggest issues are mental health and housing. I can’t call 1 more important than the other. Both need to be our top priority.
What actions or efforts have you taken to learn the concerns of your constituents?
1. Social media is a great tool that informs me what concerns of our constituent have. There is no place a person can be more vocal than that.
2. In-Person Engagement with the public. I have started small conversation with people and after a small amount of time they seem to always bring up strong personal feelings of what is wrong with our community instead of pointing out the great things in our community.
What do you want to see improved in British Columbia in four, eight and 20 years?
4-Year Plan:
1. Transparent Governance:
• Implement measures to increase transparency in government decision-making.
• Establish regular town hall meetings to encourage public participation.
2. Economic Recovery:
• Invest in job creation through infrastructure projects and support for small businesses.
• Expand training programs in high-demand sectors to boost employment.
3. Social Programs:
• Enhance mental health and addiction services, focusing on accessible care.
• Increase funding for affordable housing initiatives.
4. Environmental Protection:
• Launch initiatives to protect local ecosystems and combat climate change.
• Promote clean energy projects and sustainable practices.
How would you go about addressing contentious issues within your riding?
Understand the root cause of the issue
1. Listen
2. Research and educate
3. Be available. The people of the Courtenay Comox District deserve to be able to speak with their MLA. The phone will always have a person to speak with. And answers will be given in timely manner
Start the conversation
1. Be the safe place to discuss the issue
2. Be approachable. No one will talk if you don’t show you are willing to listen
3. If need be. Call a town hall. The people of any constituency would be more than willing to give their input
Would you vote against your party and leader if it were best for your constituents?
Since I am not affiliated with any party. Every vote will have careful consideration and best for the people of the Courtenay Comox district and the Province of B.C. Just because a party or leader has an idea, doesn’t mean that idea is good for all communities.
Why do you think you are qualified to do this job?
1. I have a true commitment to public service. Quite often when a public official has been elected some believe that makes them royalty. This is not the case. We are trying to be elected to be servants to the public. that is exactly how I believe public officials need to look at themselves.
2. As you read my platform you will see I have a vision for change. I intend on making enough noise to see this change through.
3. This election we have the chance to put the balance of power into the voters hands not the parties.
Why are you running – what’s your motivation?
I have lost all confidence in current parties. I believe it is my civic duty to stand, be heard, and share my vision to make a positive difference for Courteny Comox and the province of B.C.
Voting is one of the last few rights the government hasn’t taken away from us YET. I can bring myself to vote for anyone I can not trust, October 19, Please come out and vote. IT IS EVERYONE RIGHT IN THIS PROVINCE.
ABOUT COURTENAY-COMOX
Courtenay-Comox was the tightest race in B.C. in 2017, with New Democrat newcomer Ronna-Rae Leonard winning by just 189 votes over the Liberal candidate. It was a different story in 2020, when she took about 51 per cent of the vote.
Leonard faces four other candidates — including two Independents — as she vies for a third term.
Entrepreneur Brennan Day, who ran for the Liberals in 2020, netting about 30 per cent of votes cast, is running for the Conservatives this time around. Arzeena Hamir, a former Comox Valley Regional District director, is the Green candidate.
They’re joined by Independent candidates John Hedican, an equipment rental manager, and Devin Howell, an electrician.
THE CANDIDATES IN COURTENAY-COMOX
The candidates this election are:
- Conservative Brennan Day
- Green candidate Arzeena Hamir
- Independent John Hedican
- Independent Devin Howell
- New Democrat Ronna-Rae Leonard
See the full list of Vancouver Island candidates here. We are posting the candidate questionnaires riding by riding.
ABOUT THE PROFILES
We asked readers what they wanted to ask candidates and used those answers to help shape our election coverage, including candidate questionnaires.
The answers are presented as submitted by the candidates, edited only for length if they exceeded the word limit they were given. We did not correct grammar, spelling or typos.
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