GEORGE ANDERSON
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Political party: How long have you been a member?
I have been a member of the BC NDP for almost two years.
Do you live in the riding, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to the riding?
I was born and raised in Nanaimo and have always called this community home. I lived in Toronto while attending law school, but I was glad to be able to return to Nanaimo once my schooling was completed.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I am a commercial lawyer and have been in the profession for over six years.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your community and why?
One of the biggest issues I hear on the doorstep is access to healthcare services. Everyone deserves timely and reliable access to healthcare, and that’s why the BC NDP has made significant investments in the central Island. In the past year, we have added over 300 long-term care beds to Lantzville, opened a new ICU at NRGH, are building a new high-acuity unit at NRGH, and will be opening a new cancer centre and a new patient tower at NRGH. These investments ensure that people can have access to quality healthcare close to home.
What actions or efforts have you taken to learn the concerns of your constituents?
Since being nominated as the candidate for Nanaimo-Lantzville at the end of June, I have been knocking on doors, meeting with community members, and attending as many local events as possible to ensure I learn about the concerns that are most pressing for our community. I have heard loud and clear that the biggest concerns in Nanaimo-Lantzville include healthcare, the rising cost of living, increasing the supports for seniors, our environment, and community safety.
What do you want to see improved in British Columbia in four, eight and 20 years?
Every decision we make should have a focus on how it will affect our community 20 years from now, not just in the short term. For example, that’s why the BC NDP has created our Housing Action Plan, which is building the affordable housing we need in the short term, while also creating a template for how communities can make adjustments to their plans to ensure further housing developments are done with the specific community’s needs in mind.
How would you go about addressing contentious issues within your riding?
I have often been described as someone who brings people together, and I sincerely believe that there is more that unites us as Canadians than divides us. If elected as MLA, I would work to listen to everyone in our community as I know that we can achieve better outcomes for all British Columbians by listening to diverse perspectives. And I am proud to be running as part of a party that always puts people first.
Would you vote against your party and leader if it were best for your constituents?
Nanaimo has always been my home, and I will always prioritize what is best for our community. That’s why I chose to run with the BC NDP, as I know David Eby also shares the same perspective of putting the needs of our communities first. We’re going to lower costs, hire more doctors and nurses, and work for the interests of everyone in our community, not just those at the top.
Why do you think you are qualified to do this job?
I have a deep desire to serve our community. Whether it has been as a city councillor, as a representative on a board, or as a volunteer with a community group, I have looked to where I could best support people and make positive changes. The central Island is my home, and I am truly dedicated to our community and the people living here.
Why are you running – what’s your motivation?
Over the past seven years, the BC NDP has consistently worked to invest in our healthcare system and make life more affordable for British Columbians, but we know there is a lot more work to do. I decided to run to be part of a team that is tackling these challenges head on – hiring more doctors and nurses, investing in the NRGH, and cutting taxes for over 90% of British Columbians – rather than allowing our community to accept the risk of John Rustad and the Conservatives’ cuts to the services our families count on.
ABOUT NANAIMO-LANTZVILLE
Nanaimo-Lantzville is a new riding for the 2024 election, created by a redistribution in 2021. It was created out of parts of the former Nanaimo and Parksville-Qualicum electoral districts.
Both of those ridings were won by New Democrats in the last election, but neither of those MLAs are running for re-election in this riding.
All of the 2024 candidates have been through a campaign before: Green Lia Versaevel also ran in 2020, while Gwen O’Mahony, once an NDP MLA for Chilliwack-Hope, is running for the Conservatives. They’re joined by New Democrat George Anderson, a Nanaimo city councillor and lawyer.
THE CANDIDATES IN NANAIMO-LANTZVILLE
The candidates this election are:
See the full list of Vancouver Island candidates here. We are posting the candidate questionnaires riding by riding.
ABOUT THE PROFILES
We asked readers what they wanted to ask candidates and used those answers to help shape our election coverage, including candidate questionnaires.
The answers are presented as submitted by the candidates, edited only for length if they exceeded the word limit they were given. We did not correct grammar, spelling or typos.
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