ADAM HAYDUK
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Political party: How long have you been a member?
6 months
Do you live in the riding, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to the riding?
I moved to Port Alberni in 2011 to coach the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Total 6.5 years. Moved here single, met my future wife in Port Alberni and now we have a 5 year old son. Hockey took me out of the riding but we have family and friends throughout central Vancouver Island. My father-in-law worked for the City of Port Alberni for 35 years. His grandfather Albert Hills was born in Port Alberni in 1904. My wife and mother-in-law worked on the West Coast. My uncle and aunt currently work in Ucluelet.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I have been in non-profit, youth sport leadership positions for 20+ years as a coach, Executive Director, and management. Most recently was a Director of Hockey for a minor hockey association for 7 seasons.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your community and why?
The unbearable high cost of living, healthcare, housing, the drug crisis and quicker access to mental health support are all significant issues in not only my riding by also throughout BC. In a resource-rich riding, industry and hard-working citizens have zero certainty as a result of the last 4 years of an NDP government. In a large riding, every region has its own concerns which need to be heard and acknowledged by the person elected to represent the people.
What actions or efforts have you taken to learn the concerns of your constituents?
My volunteers and I spent full weekends at events throughout my riding in the summer leading into September. We are working hard to hear concerns of our constituents right at the doors. We have met with industry leaders, union reps, and associations to understand the uncertainty they have felt the last 4 years. We have also attended Town Halls to hear regional issues important to each area. We return calls and emails from concerned constituents.
What do you want to see improved in British Columbia in four, eight and 20 years?
Within 4 years, we need make life more affordable for British Columbians, build more homes, hire more health care professionals, tackle the drug and mental health crisis, get tougher on crime and provide certainty throughout the province for the natural resource sector. In 8 years, continue to work on the previously-mentioned improvements en route to a balanced budget. In 20 years, make BC the envy of all other provinces with a world-class healthcare system, safe communities, a thriving economy, and a place where our kids, families and seniors feel supported.
How would you go about addressing contentious issues within your riding?
Engagement is key. One needs to hear and understand the issues directly from residents and community leaders. MLAs need to care enough to return calls and emails. We need to improve how well we listen to local community leaders who might know better how to proceed with local solutions. As an MLA, we need to listen and connect communities with provincial programs, funding and solutions.
Would you vote against your party and leader if it were best for your constituents?
Yes, and it’s encouraged. John Rustad is authentic, hard-working, and understands the importance of representing one’s constituents. He made sure that Conservative Party of BC candidates are aware our responsibility is to represent the best interests of our constituents, even if this means voting against party expectations. This is refreshing and exactly what the role of an MLA should be - for the people.
Why do you think you are qualified to do this job?
There’s one thing that people take just as seriously as politics and that is well-being of their children. Leaders in any position need integrity, engagement, effective communication, strong work ethic, political and business acumen in order to be successful. I’ve experienced success in my leadership roles throughout the years. The leadership that BC needs now requires common sense people with common sense approaches. It was time to step up.
Why are you running – what’s your motivation?
The last 3 years I noticed an increase in homelessness and open drug use on the mid-Island. I started to educate myself about policies that contribute to our crises. People on the ground do their best but they need support. I heard far too many stories from friends who are teachers, police officers, sheriffs and in healthcare. They need tools to be successful. Also, industry and hard-working British Columbian have been left behind by the NDP. 37 mills in BC have shut down since the NDP has been in power. Industry and hard working British Columbians deserve certainty and prosperity.
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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