Why Should You Consider a Run For Municipal Office

Over the past many months we have seen the direct impact municipal decisions can have on our day to day lives. Two very recent examples include the shocking rejection of a much needed private long term care facility proposed for the old college site, and then there is the "out of the blue" acquisition of a failing golf course resulting in significant OCP and zoning changes that permit 3 to 5 level buildings in a well established single family neighbourhood, which diverted municipal resources both finances and staff time, all under the guise of significant community benefit.

Ask yourself "Are you happy with the decisions made and the degree of transparency but also the processes used to arrive at those decisions?" If we re-elect the same council, we can expect more of these type of decisions. If you expect better of your council, consider running for office, talk to your friends and colleagues. The only thing we can be sure of is that if we elect the same group we can expect to get more of the same results.

Municipal and regional district governments have the most influence in the day to day life of residents.

The systems that directly impact people everyday...everything from roads, to recreational facilities, sewer/water infrastructure to policing/fire emergency services are all led by local governments. A well functioning municipal council will have a more direct, (hopefully positive) impact on your life than anything the provincial Legislature or federal Parliament will do. In terms of relevancy, the town's 2025 annual budget was approved at $42 million and the RDN budget is just shy of $200 million. Some people in our town pay more in local property taxes annually, than they pay in annual income tax to the federal and provincial government.

Continuity Versus New Voices

It is not in the best interest of a town to continually re-elect the same people to council. Fresh eyes and experiences bring new ideas and solutions while questioning of the status quo. Getting involved in local elections allows for change of direction, improving the balance of council with more diverse areas of expertise resulting in more issues being addressed and voices being heard. We need more people to consider stepping up to run for council, as participation, including running for office, is part of a healthy democracy.

Personal considerations

For anyone thinking about running, start with an honest talk with your family first, as they’re your biggest allies, and they need to be onside. You need to be realistic in terms of the time commitment and any financial sacrifice. It is a demanding job, not well paid but deeply rewarding when done well. I think it is fair to say that there is never a dull moment, lots to learn about both your community and the challenges ahead.

Finally, if do decide to run for office, know that you will not be alone. There are many groups, and individuals that can help you get elected by building a team to support you through this journey. Give yourself a realistic opportunity for success by not waiting until the last moment to declare your interest. With less than a year to go, give yourself sufficient time to get up to speed on the issues and equally important to understand the financials. Start by reaching out to us, we can help you to identify and build your team.

Marie Noel

October 29th 2025

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You can email us at Qualicumbeachinsights@gmail.com