NDP candidate Barry Avis will draw on his nine years of experience as a councillor in Qualicum Beach to represent his constituents in Victoria if elected May 14.
With municipal responsibilities that included planning, finance, water management, environment and community development, the 66-year-old grandfather said he is well equipped to handle the issues in the provincial legislature.
“I really enjoy working with people and policies and improving our province ... and having been on council for a couple of years I was lucky enough to get nominated to the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities, where I worked on behalf of all the mayors, regional directors and councillors with our concerns and resolutions with the provincial government,” said Avis.
In his constituency, issues including health care, seniors care, and the environment are topics he is hearing most about from voters lately.
Prior to his career as a politician, Avis was a manager for two major pharmaceutical and technology companies. He said that experience has helped him gain insightful knowledge into the bottom-line approach, while his public career has helped him understand the social side of the ledger.
Organizations Avis has had a long association with include Coalwatch, a group keeping an eye on the proposed Raven Mine; Streamkeepers; and Oceanside Communities for Quality Education.