ARZEENA HAMIR
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Political party: How long have you been a member?
BC Greens - member for 1 year
Do you live in the riding, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to the riding?
Yes, I’ve lived here for 12 years
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I am an Agronomist and farmer and have been for 25 years
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your community and why?
Homelessness is by far the biggest issue I hear at the door. At last count, our community identified 300 unhoused individuals. Overlapping issues include drug addiction and lack of affordable housing, and that trifecta of issues impacts everyone in the Comox Valley. The BC NDP has failed to deliver on affordable housing. What we need are tiny home villages to house people currently on our streets and get them stabilized, and ready to go into treatment, job training or permanent housing.
What actions or efforts have you taken to learn the concerns of your constituents?
My team and I have knocked on over 14,000 doors and spoken to more than 6000 people at the doorstep. I have hosted 45 1-on-1 coffee meetings at a local café and attended more than 20 Kitchen Table Talks around the Comox Valley. I have met with CUPE Executive, our Downtown Business Improvement Association and Rotary clubs as well.
What do you want to see improved in British Columbia in four, eight and 20 years?
I want to see a British Columbia with sustainable jobs, affordable housing, and accessible healthcare for all. Our provincial budget (currently at $89 billion per year) must reflect the needs of our communities, not be spent subsidizing polluting industries.
I am hearing how worried people are about climate change, the state of our forests, and our water systems. We need to be managing the resources we have with a multi-generational horizon, rather than the 4-year election cycle. By doing so, we ensure sustainable jobs and an economic future for our communities.
How would you go about addressing contentious issues within your riding?
I believe people need to be heard and understood. As a previous Regional District Director, I have had my share of contentious issues. I do not shy away from speaking to people who I do not see eye-to-eye with. I have a history of brokering solutions with people who have differing viewpoints, in order to make well-rounded decisions.
Would you vote against your party and leader if it were best for your constituents?
Absolutely. The BC Greens are an unwhipped party and it is always people over Party.
Why do you think you are qualified to do this job?
I have years of experience in governance and as a community leader, advocate and volunteer in the Comox Valley. I have excellent relationships with all levels of government because so many of our community issues are multi-jurisdictional. I am tenacious, and having been a farmer and mother of two very active daughters, I know how to multi-task at an Olympic level.
Why are you running – what’s your motivation?
I grew up under the ethos of service to my community and it has stayed with me my entire life. I am passionate about the health and success of my community. I love talking to people, hearing about their ideas, and helping to make them come true.
ABOUT COURTENAY-COMOX
Courtenay-Comox was the tightest race in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ 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.
See an error or something that needs to be changed? You can report it to [email protected] or use the report a typo link below.
