Candidate for the Office of Councillor
Hello Bowen Island, my name is Constance Barnes, and I’m excited to announce my candidacy for Council.
I was born at St. Paul’s Hospital and raised in Port Moody, there is something about Bowen Island that brought me right back to my childhood—playing in the forest with my sisters and brother, picking huckleberries, building forts, the smell of wet moss, and those brilliant yellow skunk cabbages. And then there was the time I proudly presented my mom with an armful of trilliums. She graciously smiled, thanked me, then gently explained how precious trilliums are and it was best to admire them in their natural habitat because picking them meant there would be a strong possibility they wouldn’t grow back. I have seen and felt so many memories of my childhood here on Bowen and there is a quiet energy that feeds my heart and soul, it grounds me in a way that is very rare. Bowen is my home, my community, the place I can be true to the land, myself and those around me. My hope now is to protect, preserve and maintain this treasure that your parents, grandparents and now you have created. BRAVO!
Seventeen-plus years ago, I came to the Orchard Recovery Centre as a client. Today, Ive now had the privilege of working there, for over 4 years helping others find their way back from addiction. My own journey has taught me a lot about second chances, compassion, the importance of education when it comes to the disease of addiction, and the power of truly listening. I’ve learned that sometimes the most important thing we can do for someone is simply to hear them, without judgment, and let them know they matter.
Bowen is my home—a strong, caring community worth fighting for. I bring more than a decade of leadership experience in politics, public service and frontline work, including being elected two terms as Vancouver Park Board Chair and Commissioner. I have worked extensively with municipal, provincial and federal governments to address issues that needed all levels of government support.
As a bridge-builder, I believe good leadership starts with listening. I want to hear from people across Bowen, bring their concerns forward, and work collaboratively to get things done.
My priorities include environmental stewardship, as a renter and a senior TRUE affordable housing, $10/day childcare, seniors, mental health, accessibility, and respect for every voice in our community.
I’m not running because I have all the answers. I’m running because I listen, speak up, bring people together and get to work.
P.S. I do not use chat GPT so apologies ahead of time if spelling or punctuation isn’t perfection. 😊
Constance Barnes for Bowen Island Council — a strong, compassionate voice for our community.
With gratitude, I acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional, unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation, whose people have been stewards of these lands and waters surrounding Nexwlélexwm (Bowen Island).