Will Cole-Hamilton, the BC NDP candidate in Courtenay-Comox, is hoping to bring his municipal government experience to provincial politics.
Cole-Hamilton has served two terms on Courtenay city council and was chair of the Comox Valley Regional District board for the past three years. Before entering politics, he volunteered with youth soccer and chess programs and served on the Courtenay Downtown Business Improvement Association board.
Cole-Hamilton said he is encouraged by recent health-care improvements in the region, including the opening of Providence Living at The Views dementia-care home in Comox and Foundry Comox Valley in Courtenay. He also pointed to the recruitment of new doctors and other health-care professionals.
“People who wanted to get away from the chaos there and come to British Columbia, we actually have among the highest rates of doctor attachment in British Columbia,” Cole-Hamilton said. “Health care is super important.”
He said the cost of living remains a challenge, but he is encouraged by new housing developments and what he described as declining rental rates.
“We’ve seen rent go down almost 10 per cent, that’s a trend that’s being going on for almost two years,” Cole-Hamilton said.
If elected, Cole-Hamilton said he would draw on his experience as regional district chair and his relationships in the legislature to advocate for the Comox Valley.
“I just want to make sure that the valley’s issues are front and center in Victoria,” Cole-Hamilton said.
The provincial election is Oct. 24.
