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Hilary Eastmure

Independent for Nanaimo Council
As a Nanaimo City Councillor, I will commit to working in close collaboration with council, city staff, citizens, businesses, stakeholders, and upper levels of government to proactively address issues impacting the quality of life of all Nanaimo residents.

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Climate Change

Active Transportation

Connect safe cycling and walking routes in the city to promote active transportation
Strengthen the transit system to reduce Nanaimo’s reliance on cars

Energy-Efficient Buildings & Retrofits

Incentivize building net-zero housing and actively support energy retrofits for residential and commercial buildings

Green Space

Enhance and expand city parks, green spaces, and urban forest

Private Vehicles

Strengthen the transit system to reduce Nanaimo’s reliance on cars

Urban Heat

Increase the density of Nanaimo's urban forest to create more shade

Zoning

Update city policies to permit tiny homes in addition to more secondary suites and carriage houses to increase density in appropriate areas
Update city policies to permit tiny homes in addition to more secondary suites and carriage houses to increase density in appropriate areas

Climate Emergency

Make decisions that reflect the fact that we’re in a Climate Emergency

Food Security

Collaborate with community food security partners to establish a permanent indoor farmer’s market and increase access to local food

Water

Prioritize protecting Nanaimo’s watershed and drinking water supply

Housing & Homelessness

Affordability

Support initiatives to create stability for renters who have experienced skyrocketing rates and dwindling supply

Building Maintenance & Occupant Health

Incentivize building net-zero housing and actively support energy retrofits for residential and commercial buildings

Co-Op Housing

Ensure the city actively supports the development of more co-op housing

Housing Accessibility

Work closely with BC Housing and developers to build housing that is accessible for individuals and families of all income levels

Indigenous-Led Housing

Ensure the city actively supports Snuneymuxw First Nation housing initiatives

Property Taxes

Ensure property taxes are spent effectively to bring value for residents

Public Housing

Work closely with BC Housing and developers to build housing that is accessible for individuals and families of all income levels

Rent

Support initiatives to create stability for renters who have experienced skyrocketing rates and dwindling supply

Rental Stock

Work closely with BC Housing and developers to build housing that is accessible for individuals and families of all income levels

Unhoused People

Work closely with BC Housing and developers to build housing that is accessible for individuals and families of all income levels
Strong advocacy to upper levels of government responsible for funding mental health services and supports in our community

Zoning

Update city policies to permit tiny homes in addition to more secondary suites and carriage houses to increase density in appropriate areas
Update city policies to permit tiny homes in addition to more secondary suites and carriage houses to increase density in appropriate areas

Human Rights

Physical Accessibility

Make city facilities, amenities, and parks more accessible for people with mobility challenges
Make public transit free for students, seniors, and low-income residents, and expand accessible transit services like the HandyDART program
Ensure the city is actively supporting community organizations dedicated to serving individuals with diverse abilities

Local Government & Democracy

Budgeting

Ensure property taxes are spent effectively to bring value for residents

Public Engagement

Increase methods for residents to offer input, and develop a clear internal process responding in a timely & effective manner

Youth Engagement

Increase opportunities for youth to contribute ideas, weigh in on city policies, and help influence council decisions

Mental Health, Drugs, & Addiction

Drug Decriminalisation

Push for more provincial funding and supports to address the opioid crisis, which was declared a public health emergency in 2016

Mental Health Crisis Response

Strong advocacy to upper levels of government responsible for funding mental health services and supports in our community

Overdoses & the Contaminated Drug Supply

Push for more provincial funding and supports to address the opioid crisis, which was declared a public health emergency in 2016

Safe Supply

Push for more provincial funding and supports to address the opioid crisis, which was declared a public health emergency in 2016

Treatment Programmes

Push for more provincial funding and supports to address the opioid crisis, which was declared a public health emergency in 2016

Public Safety & Policing

Upstream Causes of Crime

Push for more provincial funding and supports to address the opioid crisis, which was declared a public health emergency in 2016
Strong advocacy to upper levels of government responsible for funding mental health services and supports in our community

Public Spaces & Services

Fitness & Sports Facilities

Create more sliding-scale and affordable recreation and sports programs
Make city amenities and parks more accessible for people with mobility challenges

Green Space

Enhance and expand city parks, green spaces, and urban forest

Public Washrooms

Make city amenities and parks more accessible for people with mobility challenges
Update and expand washroom facilities in city parks

Sidewalks & Bike Paths

Prioritize pedestrian safety upgrades, including sidewalks and illuminated crosswalks in underserved neighbourhoods
Connect safe cycling and walking routes in the city to promote active transportation

Zoning

Update city policies to permit tiny homes in addition to more secondary suites and carriage houses to increase density in appropriate areas
Update city policies to permit tiny homes in addition to more secondary suites and carriage houses to increase density in appropriate areas

Reconciliation & Indigenous Nations

Indigenous-Led Housing

Ensure the city actively supports Snuneymuxw First Nation housing initiatives

Land & Governance

Ensure the city respects and honours the Snuneymuxw First Nations’ right to self governance and self determination

Residential Schools

Bring forward a motion for the city to take action on Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action #57.

Call #57 calls on municipal governments to “Provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations.”

The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Ensure the city respects and honours the Snuneymuxw First Nations’ right to self governance and self determination

Transit & Getting Around

Active Transportation

Connect safe cycling and walking routes in the city to promote active transportation
Strengthen the transit system to reduce Nanaimo’s reliance on cars

New Transit Projects

Make public transit free for students, seniors, and low-income residents

Private Vehicles

Strengthen the transit system to reduce Nanaimo’s reliance on cars

Sidewalks & Bike Paths

Prioritize pedestrian safety upgrades, including sidewalks and illuminated crosswalks in underserved neighbourhoods
Connect safe cycling and walking routes in the city to promote active transportation

Transit Fares

Make public transit free for students, seniors, and low-income residents

Biography

submitted by the candidate or their team
I'm a federal caseworker and former radio reporter who has lived in Nanaimo since 2013. My experience has given me a solid understanding of the current challenges residents are facing. I'm dedicated to helping improve the livability, accessibility and sustainability of our city.

I originally moved to Nanaimo nine years ago from Elora, Ontario, to work as a radio reporter. I didn’t know anyone here and I’d never even been to BC, I just knew I loved Nanaimo bars and I was excited to get to know the city. My goal was to cover all the important issues and help citizens better understand what was happening in their community so they could be more engaged and involved in shaping the future of the place they call home.

I quickly fell in love with Nanaimo – not just for its natural beauty – but because of the vibrant community. This city is full of amazing community-builders, including artists, musicians, small business owners, entrepreneurs, activists, and big-hearted people working hard to make Nanaimo an even better place. After only a short time, I knew I wanted to stay and be a part of it.

As a reporter with 91.7 Coast FM, I saw many highs and lows firsthand and regularly covered city council meetings. I gained a strong understanding for the key issues at play in our city and what really matters to residents. I also gained a lot of respect for the many grassroots organizations, not-for-profits, service clubs, and volunteer groups making a positive impact in the community.

Making a positive impact is why I got into journalism in the first place, which then led to politics. In my current role as a Caseworker for the Member of Parliament’s office, I help people navigate federal bureaucracy and I advocate on their behalf when they need assistance. I love getting positive results and helping people feel heard, understood, and respected.

During my time in Nanaimo, I have also worked as the Bookstore Manager for Literacy Central Vancouver Island, an incredible not-for-profit agency that helps people reach their literacy goals. I have been involved with organizing the Vancouver Island Short Film Festival since 2015, first as a volunteer and then as Festival Director for the past two seasons. I have written a few freelance articles for The Discourse, including one about the Nanaimo Rent Bank highlighting the ongoing rental affordability crisis. In 2015, I had the honour of participating in the Tour de Rock as a media rider. I personally helped fundraise over $18,000 to send kids with pediatric cancer to Camp Goodtimes, and I shaved my head during an event at Maffeo Sutton Park to support the cause. Look, it grew back!

Reason for running

submitted by the candidate or their team
I’m running for City Council to be a strong advocate for all Nanaimo residents, and to help build a more livable, accessible, and sustainable city for everyone.

As a former reporter with a background in broadcast journalism, I will listen closely to what residents need and want from our city, bring those values and ideas to the council table, and report from the inside so you can be more informed and involved in the decisions impacting our future. I’m committed to doing the research when more information is required, asking the tough questions, and using critical thinking to help determine the best course of action to meet the needs of Nanaimo citizens.

For the past few years, I’ve been helping Nanaimo residents navigate federal bureaucracy and advocating on their behalf when they’ve been let down by the government that is supposed to serve them. I see the serious challenges people are up against when it comes to problems like affordability and access to health care, and I understand the many complex, systematic issues at play. I’m ready to put my energy into municipal politics, where the local government can take a proactive role in helping to address these critical areas that have a huge impact on our daily lives.

hilaryforcouncil.ca www.hilaryforcouncil.ca