Ryan Djakovic
Independent for Nanaimo Council
Businesses & Jobs
Artificial Intelligence & Data Centres
I’m committed to ensuring AI and data centers in Nanaimo are built with clean, efficient, revenue‑generating systems that benefit residents and the environment.
I will ensure that these centers are strategically placed in areas where we can efficiently recover heat to reduce the cost of heating buildings and swimming pools.
I will ensure careful environmental oversight before ever approving the development of these facilities in our city.
Details of how these centers can benefit Nanaimo when planned and built with proper oversight can be found on my website.
Business Permitting
I will strengthen Nanaimo’s business permitting by making approvals faster, clearer, and more efficient so entrepreneurs can build, grow, and invest with confidence.
I will provide critical oversight to ensure business blends smoothly with the community they plan to be in.
I will ensure we plan business zoning that meet the needs of our growing city.
Details regarding this key topic are available on my website.
Economic Growth
I will leverage my global business network to bring more high paying clean industry business to our city.
I will ensure infrastructure and transportation is in place to support a growing city.
I will work with neighboring municipalities, along with the federal and provincial government to restore island rail.
More details on this key topic can be found at my website.
Government Procurement
I will provide critical experience in construction and development to ensure the city is getting maximum value for every dollar spent.
I will leverage my extensive network of contacts to ensure we review all options before committing to any major capital expenditures.
I will negotiate effectively with suppliers to achieve savings in areas often overlooked.
You can find more info on my background here.
Jobs for young people
I will work with post secondary institutes and high schools to provide more roads to fulfilling employment opportunities for our youth.
I will encourage local business to hire our young talented workers to fill roles often filled with temporary foreign workers.
See my vision page for more details.
Tourism
I will work to create more tourism opportunities that draw visitors and help strengthen our economy.
I will work with private partners and organizations to expand Nanaimo's huge network of mountain bike trails that is a rapidly growing draw for tourists.
I will work with various partners to develop a master plan for mountain bike and waterpark resort that would provide lift access to countless trails and draw tens of thousands of tourists annually.
I will work to introduce a Nanaimo residents discount card so businesses can maximize tourism revenue while ensuring affordability for residents.
Details of of the resort plan and the savings card similar to what Hawaii has can be found on my vision page.
Climate Change, Heat, Fires, & the Environment
Artificial Intelligence & Data Centres
I’m committed to ensuring AI and data centers in Nanaimo are built with clean, efficient, revenue‑generating systems that benefit residents and the environment.
I will ensure that these centers are strategically placed in areas where we can efficiently recover heat to reduce the cost of heating buildings and swimming pools.
I will ensure careful environmental oversight before ever approving the development of these facilities in our city.
Details of how these centers can benefit Nanaimo when planned and built with proper oversight can be found on my website.
Energy-Efficient Buildings
I will work with partners to develop a pumped hydro facility near Nanaimo that would provide the critical storage needed to expand solar power generation which is greatly underdeveloped due to storage issues.
I will encourage new communities to install central charging and conversion stations that allow residents to install solar on their roofs for a fraction of the cost of existing independent installations.
Details of these opportunities are available on my website.
Green Space
Build a sauna with ocean views at Piper's Lagoon. This will provide residents with a sauna and a cold dip without the cost of a new recreation center.
I will act immediately to halt the demolition of the tennis bubble until another facility is open to replace it.
I will ensure developments provide adequate parks and recreation in their plans.
I will ensure public access to the ocean, river, and beaches is a priority over development of these spaces.
I will work to build a tunnel to improve access to Saysutshun Island and the ample park space it has to offer.
I will seek out key industry partners to develop a world class mountain bike resort on Mount Benson.
I will expand space at Bowen park to facilitate the growing senior population who are active here on a regular basis.
I will push to replace the aging billiard tables and expand the number of tables available at Bowen park.
Notes on these items are available on my website.
Private Vehicles & Parking
Create a city wide bike path network that is separate from our roadways.
I will work with council and all levels of government to develop more marina space in Nanaimo to support a growing Sailing and Boating community.
I will push to build public Kayak and paddle board storage lockers in areas like Departure Bay, Westwood Lake, and Neck Point to reduce traffic from local residents.
Walking & Cycling
Create a city wide bike path network that is separate from our roadways.
I will work with government and industry partners to develop a world class lift accessible mountain bike park in Nanaimo.
Push to build a tunnel and bike path network on Saysutshun island for residents to enjoy.
Full details are available on my site below.
Water & Sewage
I will work with council to develop a long term plan to ensure we have the reservoirs needed to support a rapidly growing population.
Zoning
Ensure zoning is effective and capitalizes on high value lot opportunities through staged multi unit housing in specific areas.
I will work reduce ALR zonings in the city and ensure we create additional ALR zones outside the city where they are effective.
Community Centres, Libraries, Parks, and Other Public Spaces
Fitness & Sports Facilities
Make both aquatic centers available to the public to support our growing population.
Work with key stakeholders to build a mountain bike community in South Nanaimo. This could be done at Green Mountain which could also serve as a ski hill again when the weather allows for it.
Save the tennis bubble until we have a new racket sports facility built.
Build lights which are available to the public at Beban Field to support Nanaimo's growing sports organizations.
Build a refrigerated outdoor rink for people to skate and play hockey during the winter season.
Green Space
Build a sauna with ocean views at Piper's Lagoon. This will provide residents with a sauna and a cold dip without the cost of a new recreation center.
I will act immediately to halt the demolition of the tennis bubble until another facility is open to replace it.
I will ensure developments provide adequate parks and recreation in their plans.
I will ensure public access to the ocean, river, and beaches is a priority over development of these spaces.
I will work to build a tunnel to improve access to Saysutshun Island and the ample park space it has to offer.
I will seek out key industry partners to develop a world class mountain bike resort on Mount Benson.
I will expand space at Bowen park to facilitate the growing senior population who are active here on a regular basis.
I will push to replace the aging billiard tables and expand the number of tables available at Bowen park.
Notes on these items are available on my website.
Health Infrastructure
I will push the province to move forward with the Cath lab and hospital expansion immediately.
I will develop a plan to attract more doctors to the area expand the number of clinics.
More details are available on my website.
Sidewalks & Bike Paths
Create a city wide bike path network that is seperate from our roadways.
Zoning
Ensure zoning is effective and capitalizes on high value lot opportunities through staged multi unit housing in specific areas.
I will work reduce ALR zonings in the city and ensure we create additional ALR zones outside the city where they are effective.
Culture & Events
Tourism
I will work to create more tourism opportunities that draw visitors and help strengthen our economy.
I will work with private partners and organizations to expand Nanaimo's huge network of mountain bike trails that is a rapidly growing draw for tourists.
I will work with various partners to develop a master plan for mountain bike and waterpark resort that would provide lift access to countless trails and draw tens of thousands of tourists annually.
I will work to introduce a Nanaimo residents discount card so businesses can maximize tourism revenue while ensuring affordability for residents.
Details of of the resort plan and the savings card similar to what Hawaii has can be found on my vision page.
Housing & Homelessness
Affordability
I will work with financial partners and all levels of government to make mortgages available to renters wishing to own a home.
Homelessness
I have a well researched plan to address this issue by developing therapeutic communities with full service housing.
Property Taxes
I will source out alternative revenue through tourism and business sources to reduce the tax burden on residents.
I will clean up downtown and south Nanaimo which will drive up property values and eliminate the need to increase taxes.
I will ensure new development zoning ensures we can maximize revenue by staging development heights in areas with high value views.
See platform for more details.
Public & Assistive Housing
The therapeutic community project will ensure that nobody is left unhoused regardless of their situation.
Rent & Rental Stock
I will work with partners to establish a program to allow young families to move in with and help seniors living in large homes.
Zoning
Ensure zoning is effective and capitalizes on high value lot opportunities through staged multi unit housing in specific areas.
I will work reduce ALR zonings in the city and ensure we create additional ALR zones outside the city where they are effective.
Human Rights
Local Government, Planning, & Democracy
Artificial Intelligence & Data Centres
I’m committed to ensuring AI and data centers in Nanaimo are built with clean, efficient, revenue‑generating systems that benefit residents and the environment.
I will ensure that these centers are strategically placed in areas where we can efficiently recover heat to reduce the cost of heating buildings and swimming pools.
I will ensure careful environmental oversight before ever approving the development of these facilities in our city.
Details of how these centers can benefit Nanaimo when planned and built with proper oversight can be found on my website.
Budgeting
I will conduct a full review of the city budget from a business standpoint to ensure efficiency in all departments is identified.
I will provide critical experience and knowledge to ensure proper oversight of all major projects before they are approved.
I will work with my extensive supplier network ensure we get maximum value for every expenditure.
I will encourage supporting local suppliers to drive our economy and keep funds circulating in the local economy.
Good Governance
I will introduce a citizen insight portal to allow citizens to get involved and informed in all city decisions.
See my vision page for more info on the citizen insight portal.
Government Procurement
I will provide critical experience in construction and development to ensure the city is getting maximum value for every dollar spent.
I will leverage my extensive network of contacts to ensure we review all options before committing to any major capital expenditures.
I will negotiate effectively with suppliers to achieve savings in areas often overlooked.
You can find more info on my background here.
Long-Term Plan
Nanaimo is growing rapidly and we need to ensure major projects support long term needs.
I will work with council to develop a new vision for a more affordable, enjoyable, and sustainable Nanaimo.
Public Engagement
Create an online portal for citizens to contribute directly to the decision making process.
Youth Engagement
I will work with schools to create youth councils at every school that can provide critical insights into the evolving needs of our youth.
I will encourage the development of a youth services council to oversee these ideas and present them to council on a quarterly basis.
Mental Health, Drugs, & Addiction
Mental Health Crisis Response
Provide proper facilities and supports through therapeutic communities to help people deal with mental health issues and effectively tackle the root causes.
Overdoses & the Contaminated Drug Supply
Work with the city and key stakeholders to build therapeutic communities that contain and manage people struggling with addictions while helping them rediscover their purpose in safe and caring environment.
Public Drug Use
I will put an end to public drug use in our parks and all over our city.
I will create the therapeutic community outside of our current communities which will end the use of drugs throughout our city.
Treatment for Addiction
Provide safe theraputic communities that help addicts rediscover their purpose in a safe and supportive environment that fosters hope for a brighter future.
Ensure people have access to real world addictionsupport regardless of their economic or social standing.
Public Safety & Policing
Police Funding
I will ensure the police have the resources they need to effectively support the community.
Police Wrongdoing & Accountability
I will create a hot tip line for citizens to safely report on these issues which are prevalent in Nanaimo.
The RCMP will be held accountable for issues that are brought forth.
Public Drug Use
I will put an end to public drug use in our parks and all over our city.
I will create the therapeutic community outside of our current communities which will end the use of drugs throughout our city.
Upstream Causes of Crime
Therapeutic communities will eliminate a large portion of crime by eliminating the need for people to commit crime in order to support their addictions.
Victim Safety and Support
I will continue to support our many organizations that do a tremendous job in this area.
Public Services
Health Infrastructure
I will push the province to move forward with the Cath lab and hospital expansion immediately.
I will develop a plan to attract more doctors to the area expand the number of clinics.
More details are available on my website.
Water & Sewage
I will work with council to develop a long term plan to ensure we have the reservoirs needed to support a rapidly growing population.
Roads, Transit, & Getting Around
Private Vehicles & Parking
Create a city wide bike path network that is separate from our roadways.
I will work with council and all levels of government to develop more marina space in Nanaimo to support a growing Sailing and Boating community.
I will push to build public Kayak and paddle board storage lockers in areas like Departure Bay, Westwood Lake, and Neck Point to reduce traffic from local residents.
Sidewalks & Bike Paths
Create a city wide bike path network that is seperate from our roadways.
Transit Projects
Work with key stakeholders to bring high speed light rail transit to our city and the island on the old E & N Railway Line.
Link the ferry ports, airports, and communities in Nanaimo with a rail and trail system that provides sustainabile and efficient transportation that is not exclusively dependent on our roadways.
Walking & Cycling
Create a city wide bike path network that is separate from our roadways.
I will work with government and industry partners to develop a world class lift accessible mountain bike park in Nanaimo.
Push to build a tunnel and bike path network on Saysutshun island for residents to enjoy.
Full details are available on my site below.
Biography
submitted by the candidate or their team
Construction and project manager with real experience building waterparks, roads, and homes. I bring board leadership and corporate efficiency, plus lived insight into addictions and homelessness. Father of four and local coach committed to therapeutic community solutions.
Reason for running
submitted by the candidate or their team
I am looking to bring my diverse experience and skill set to city council in order to make more informed decisions on key topics including mass transit, civil construction, real estate, addictions, mental health, homelessness, and long term growth management.
I have real experience based solutions to some of the critical issues our city is facing. I wish to positively contribute to the decision making process. Ultimately I want to improve citizens lives and ensuring Nanaimo manages our rapid growth in an efficient and sustainable manor. As a father of four it critical to ensure this for the future of all our children.
I also have spent over a decade researching the addictions, mental health, and homelessness crisis and have worked with key contributors to develop an actual solution that could turn this burden into benefit while saving countless lives in the process.
ryandjakovic.com ryandjakovic.com