6 minute read
Successful Candidates in Our Recent Municipal Elections
Four BC Notaries and the CEO of the BC Notaries Association
BC NOTARY MEGAN KNIGHT BC NOTARY NICOLE MACDONALD BC NOTARY GORDON HEPNER BC NOTARY DANIEL BOISVERT CEO BCNA CHAD RINTOUL MAYOR, WHITE ROCK MAYOR, PITT MEADOWS COUNCIL MEMBER, SURREY COUNCIL MEMBER, DELTA COUNCIL MEMBER, SIDNEY
What motivated you to run in 2022?
I served as a White Rock City Councillor from 2014 to 2018 and was so proud of what our Council accomplished during our term. When a new council was elected, their term was exceedingly difficult on our community. A lack of leadership at the Council table led to tremendous staff turnover. A sitting City Councillor sued our taxpayers.
I put my name forward hoping I could beat the incumbent Mayor, to try to right the ship.
What support assisted your success?
I had an excellent group of volunteers on my campaign. Together we knocked on almost every door in White Rock. We stood on the street corners waving my signs early in the morning when commuters were catching their buses. I attended many functions and listened to the concerns of the residents. My platform turned out to be what most people were saying needed to be fixed in the city.
What are your goals?
• Restore decorum at City Hall.
Rebuild relationships within and between Council and staff. • Balance fiscal responsibility with key priorities, while keeping taxes in check. • Review and guarantee permit timelines and restore confidence that White Rock is open for business. • Get shovels in the ground on an affordable housing project.
MEGAN KNIGHT
Mayor, White Rock
What motivated you to run in 2022?
I’ve served on Pitt Meadows City Council since 2018. I was proud of the work that been accomplished and wanted to continue to build positively on this. Over the previous term, I was part of a council that brought stability and respect back to City Hall and Council. I had the opportunity to work with a great team, City staff, and community to enhance public safety with improvements to Fire & Rescue Services, approval of an autonomous police detachment, major infrastructure, affordable housing, and completion of the OCP and Parks, Recreation, and Culture Masterplan.
What support assisted your success?
My success is absolutely supported by the people in my life. I live and serve in a wonderful and engaged community; my friends and neigbours have supported me and my family along this journey. My strong and supportive Notary Partner Lucy Meechan is thriving in the operations of our practice. As well, my predecessor Mayor Bill Dingwall and my previous Council colleagues have provided me with mentorship and guidance as I have grown in my civic leadership position. Most important has been the support, love, and patience of my husband Garett and daughters Aden and Gracie.
What are your goals?
I am proud of the work done and believe I can assist with enhancing our great community as we move forward. My goal is to take action and implement many of the priorities that have been identified, in particular recreation, agriculture, dyke and flooding, and public safety improvements. Integral to the long-term health and prosperity of Pitt Meadows is the ability to work together with residents, businessowners, regional partners, other orders of government, First Nation rights holders, and more. Positive and respectful working relationships matter.
What motivated you to run in 2022?
For the year leading up to Election 2022, I had been watching the local government scene with
GORDON HEPNER
Councillor, Surrey
interest, and dismay. I could see the reputation of the city reverting back to the ridicule I remembered as a child. I was motivated to change the dial and contribute to the integrity and transparency that I considered lacking.
What support assisted your success?
Being part of a team assisted in my success, particularly in a city approaching nearly 600,000 population. It certainly proved helpful in door-knocking and in shared fundraising! I also think the volunteer work I have done within various sporting associations was an advantage.
What are your goals?
• Establish an open and welcoming environment at
City Hall. • Find a way to coalesce senior government and community partners in building more affordable housing, reducing red tape, and re-establishing the RCMP as the city’s policing agency. • Ensure my Notary business remains strong and separate from my responsibilities to the community. Job One is serving the community.
What motivated you to run in 2022?
In 2018 I was elected a School Board Trustee, a position I enjoyed very much. This time around, I decided to run for City Council to continue the success I had on the School Board. It felt like a natural transition, so I accepted.
What support assisted your success?
I ran with a team of highly capable people—our slate is “Achieving for Delta.” Our team was composed of a candidate for Mayor, 6 candidates for City Council, and 7 candidates for School Board Trustee. Working together as a large group made us stronger and ultimately successful—we were all able to rely on each other to assist with the campaign. We also shared a campaign manager and assistants.
What are your goals?
I want to help • keep Delta one of the safest and best places to live, work, and play in Canada; • address the housing shortage; • take action on climate change; and • protect our farmlands.
Tracey Scott Photography
What motivated you to run in 2022?
I was largely motivated to see the guidelines for development from within the Town’s new Official Community Plan carried over to the updated Zoning Bylaw, a process that will be conducted over the next year.
What support assisted your success?
With the support of the British Columbia Notaries Association Board of Directors, I was pleased to run for re-election to Sidney Council. It was easier to run for election a second time. Although campaigning is challenging, you know what to expect and can plan for the commitment that is required.
What are your goals?
As the Council Liaison to the Advisory Planning Commission, I look forward to taking steps to increase housing inventory, in particularly rental-housing stock in Sidney. I will also look to advance important municipal infrastructure projects that must be built to face the challenges of climate change, while aiming to retain the character of this seaside community.
What advice do you have for BC Notaries running for Local Government positions in the future?
BC Notaries are proudly connected to their communities and are often well suited to participate in local governance.
My appreciation goes out to any BC Notary who steps forward to serve in political life. Unique pressures come with local governance. You aren’t whisked away to the anonymity of Victoria or Ottawa. You are in your community each and every day—a trip to the grocery store is a public consultation opportunity! One piece of advice . . . please don’t pay much attention to social media. It’s all too easy for a vocal minority to lash out from behind a keyboard. Of course, that advice doesn’t apply only to those in political life! s
