JOSIE OSBORNE
Website: josieosborne.bcndp.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/josie.osborne.mpr
Instagram: instagram.com/josie_osborne
Political party: How long have you been a member?
BC NDP, member since 2019
Do you live in the riding, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to the riding?
Yes, for 26 years (Tofino)
What is your occupation, and for how long?
MLA: 2020-2024
Mayor of Tofino: 2013-2020
Previous to that, fisheries biologist and non-profit executive director.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your community and why?
People need to feel they can get ahead and feel secure about the future. Our region is an incredible place to live, but too many people are facing tough times. We need a government that takes action to help everyone - not just those at the top - with the cost of living, securing affordable housing, and ensuring everyone has access to the healthcare services they need, including a family doctor. And we need to continue to take action on climate, helping seniors and families with lower energy bills and more comfortable homes while building a clean, sustainable economy with good jobs.
What actions or efforts have you taken to learn the concerns of your constituents?
Understanding people’s concerns and the challenges they face in their daily lives has been core to my work as an elected representative over the past 12 years. I appreciate the phone calls, e-mails and letters I receive, but meeting people face-to-face in their own communities - especially in a rural riding - is essential. I’ve traveled to almost every corner of our riding, visiting markets, meeting with community organizations and local leaders, attending celebrations, events, hosting “coffee shop open houses,” and knocking on doors. It’s important to me to seek out under-served individuals whose voices need to be heard.
What do you want to see improved in British Columbia in four, eight and 20 years?
I’m proud of the work we’ve been doing to help people, making significant improvements in the infrastructure, programs and services that people need and creating a more just and inclusive society. But there’s still a lot of work to do. I want to see everyone with a family doctor, with access to affordable childcare if they need it, and a strong public education system that gives our children the skills and knowledge they need to be successful and thrive. We must continue to lead meaningful efforts in reconciliation and implement our leading climate plan, and grow our clean economy.
How would you go about addressing contentious issues within your riding?
As a small town mayor and as an MLA, I’ve dealt with numerous contentious issues - from pay parking or where to locate a wastewater treatment plant to highway closures and problems with BC Ferries. Tackling tough issues requires people to come together to be heard and understood; using factual information from trusted sources; and having an understanding about how decisions are being made so people know that options are fairly considered. Constituent meetings, roundtable discussions, regular communication and bringing together different groups, levels of government and decision makers into one room are all tools I have successfully used.
Would you vote against your party and leader if it were best for your constituents?
My priority has always been, and will continue to be, the needs of the people I represent. The issues I hear about most from people in the mid-Island region are access to high-quality healthcare, affordability in the communities we love, and our collective responsibility to care for each other and the environment that sustains us. These are the values that David Eby and the BCNDP share, and they guide my work. If elected, I will continue to advocate strongly for people in our communities, working to ensure our communities are healthy, affordable, and sustainable—places where we can all thrive together.
Why do you think you are qualified to do this job?
Politics is all about people! I’m a curious person who loves engaging with people and hearing about their lives, and I’m known as a very collaborative, empathetic, and approachable leader. Over my 12 years as mayor, then MLA, I’ve developed strong relationships across our riding with First Nations, local leaders and community organizations that make me effective in building the necessary partnerships to tackle big challenges, like affordable housing, better access to healthcare, and taking action on climate. My track record shows I’ve always worked hard to build a better future for people and our planet.
Why are you running – what’s your motivation?
It’s an incredible privilege to serve in elected office. I’m running for re-election to continue working hard to make life better for people. I want everyone, no matter their background, age, income, or experience to be able to succeed and thrive, and to know that it is possible to get ahead. I’m running to build more inclusive, resilient communities where people feel they belong and can come together in times of need despite their differences. And I’m running to build a clean economy that supports people and families with good paying jobs and ensures our environment will sustain future generations.
ABOUT MID ISLAND-PACIFIC RIM
The NDP has captured about 50 per cent of the vote in Mid Island-Pacific Rim over the past five elections, with former Tofino mayor Josie Osborne getting about 58 per cent in 2020.
She’s running again and faces Conservative Adam Hayduk, former assistant coach of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, and Green candidate Ross Reid, host of the multi-media project Nerdy About Nature.
THE CANDIDATES IN MID ISLAND-PACIFIC RIM
The candidates this election are:
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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