RONNA-RAE LEONARD
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Political party: How long have you been a member?
Supporter all my life, Member since 1988
Do you live in the riding, and if so, for how long?
Lived in the riding for 34.5 years
What is your occupation, and for how long?
MLA for 7 years, Courtenay City Councillor for 9 years, environmental consultant to local non-profit organizations, including streamkeepers for 12 years, paralegal for first Ombudsperson and contractor in insurance risk management 2 years post-grad.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your community and why?
Affordability! Our government inherited an infrastructure deficit, including both in housing and childcare, putting strain on household budgets. 1,000 new affordable units have been built or are in progress in Courtenay-Comox since our BCNDP government started in 2017, but there is still more work to be done. Experts say our Homes for People Action Plan will result in 300,000 new builds for middle-income workers, including here in Courtenay-Comox. Our 748 newly funded affordable childcare spaces are helping more families in our community. We have cut childcare costs in half and we won’t stop until everyone can access $10-a-day.
What actions or efforts have you taken to learn the concerns of your constituents?
In my three and a half decades living in Courtenay-Comox, I have volunteered or taken on leadership roles with many diverse organizations. It has allowed me to develop relationships with people while contributing to community. We have also grown tremendously and as needs and visions change over time, in my various roles, I have continued to connect with K’omoks First Nation, our many local organizations, local government, school board, labour organizations and service providers, to name a few. As MLA, attending events, hosting public events, and communicating ways to reach my office help me connect to better serve people here.
What do you want to see improved in British Columbia in four, eight, and 20 years?
A BC NDP government will continue building and strengthening healthcare to be responsive to people’s needs, and more housing will be fast-tracked. We will stand up to hate and discrimination to make sure BC is a safe place for everyone.
Over the next 10 years, 80% of jobs will require post-secondary education. Our colleges and universities will be supported to build housing and facilities needed to meet the demand of a strong, clean energy economy. Supporting innovation and education will allow brilliant minds to build a better world.
There’s so much work to do. We can’t afford to move backwards.
How would you go about addressing contentious issues within your riding?
Hearing from people that have diverse perspectives is critical to good governing. Throughout my time as an elected leader, I have encouraged public participation in our democratic processes, and worked to entrench public consultation in processes where none existed. It is important for representatives to be open and make space for people to voice their concerns. Insisting on respectful dialogue at all times is necessary in the current atmosphere of “no holds barred” commentary on social media, which has spilled over into face-to-face exchanges. I do my best to understand differing perspectives and find common ground.
Would you vote against your party and leader if it were best for your constituents?
This election demonstrates how important it is for people to know the values and commitments of political parties. People want to know that when they place their vote at the ballot box, their choice will be represented in their government’s actions. David Eby and the BCNDP team take action for people, to walk alongside them to face our collective challenges. There is great diversity in the BCNDP team, reflective of the diversity throughout British Columbia. Each of us brings the voices of our people and communities to the table to build a better BC for all, not just the few.
Why do you think you are qualified to do this job?
It is important to step up and be part of your community. I have served as the local MLA for 2 terms. Previously, I served: 12 years on a 650 household local water supply board and negotiated saving 31 acres of Sandwick Forest as parkland; 9 years as a Courtenay Councillor; regionally, chaired Vancouver Island Regional Library Board; Executive of the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities. I brought my education as a paralegal to this service, along with my work with a local environmental non-profit organization, and project management with streamkeeper groups.
Why are you running – what is your motivation?
We’ve been through a lot in BC. In a changing world with tough challenges, our BCNDP government has been taking action for people in all walks of life. It has been my privilege to be a part of real progress to build a better BC for everyone, but the job is not done yet. In my early days, having children motivated me to become active, to make sure they inherited a healthy, safe, and prosperous world. Today, I am about to become a grandmother and I am driven to continue, with all I have to give, for a new generation.
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.
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