Residents wondering who to vote for during the Hope byelection will get an opportunity to hear from the candidates mid-April.
An all-candidates meeting is set for April 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hope & Area Recreation Centre. The meeting will give the four candidates — Magnus DuBeau, Nate Brown, Michael Bowcott and Bonny Graham — a chance to speak about their platforms as well as answer questions from locals.
The event is being co-sponsored by the Hope and District Chamber of Commerce and The Hope Standard. George Rice, president of the chamber, will be moderating the meeting and asking the candidates prepared questions.
The candidates have also shared their biographies with The Hope Standard over the past several weeks.
DuBeau, owner of Hope Computers, said he is running in order to focus more on local initiatives and "build the community you want to live in." He moved to Hope five years ago and is a member of the Hope Lions Club, Rotary Club of Hope, and Hope Brigade Days committee. This is his first time running for council.
Brown, who works at the Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning, said he is running because he cares about the community and hopes to better connect Hope with the environment. He moved to Hope 17 years ago and works on maintaining and building hiking trails throughout the area." He also helps with the centre's educational programs and community outreach. This is his first time running for council.
Graham, a Stó:lō and Snunéymuxw artist, said she is running because she wants to be part of the decisions being made that form the direction of Hope's future. This is Graham's second time running for council and she last ran in the November 2023 byelection where she lost to Coun. Dusty Smith by eight votes. Her works can be seen at UFV, the Stó:lō Resource Centre, BC Parks, Chilliwack Primary Care and hospitals, and recently with the Hope Fire Department. An award-winning graphic artist and designer, she also develops and shares her artistic designs through educational programs and products.
Bowcott said he is running to make sure that taxpayers' money is being spent wisely and that Hope infrastructure is accommodating of the community's growing population. A local since 1978, Bowcott is the Sergeant of Arms for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #228 (Hope Legion) and a volunteer firefighter with the Hope Fire Department. He is a semi-retired equipment operator who still works part time in the construction and paving industry, his previous jobs included: working as a commercial transport enforcement officer, commercial transport inspector, and working in construction under the Ministry of Transportation.
The byelection is taking place at the end of April. General voting day is April 26, and advanced voting will be held on April 16 and April 23.
For more information about the byelection, contact Chief Election Officer Branden Morgan at bmorgan@hope.ca.
