Candidate for the Office of Councillor
I decided to run for Bowen Island Council because I believe we need to get back to the basics of municipal government: maintaining infrastructure, managing public money responsibly and solving the problems residents face every day.
I come from a trades and business background. I have been a business owner since 2010, living on Bowen Island and commuting to work since 2015. I’ve spent decades working with mechanical systems, managing operations, solving problems and making decisions where the consequences are immediate. That experience shapes how I approach municipal issues.
I’ve grown up in BC and lived here my entire life. Bowen has always been a slice of paradise to me. I love this island immensely, and it’s a place I wouldn’t trade for anything. You can usually find me commuting, kayaking around Bluewater, gardening or watching the sunset at King Edward Bay.
Water is my biggest priority. We need to finish the projects already underway, understand the condition and limitations of our systems, including storage capacity, reduce leaks, protect our watersheds and plan for the next 25 years. We also need clear plans for wastewater infrastructure, roads and ferry congestion, while leveraging Bowen’s appeal as a destination to generate revenue that supports community development.
Housing matters, too. I understand what it means to be priced out of a community. I support practical, accessible housing options to support our community, while being realistic about water availability and infrastructure capacity.
I believe tax increases must have a clear purpose and a demonstrable benefit. Residents should be able to understand what they are paying for, why a project costs what it does and how council reached its decision. Accountability should mean identifying problems, learning from them and making better decisions.
Bowen is a small community. That should be an advantage. We don’t need to govern as though we are a large city. Major decisions deserve careful planning, professional advice and public input. Smaller problems should not require endless process when practical solutions are available.
I believe council should consist of seven independent votes, with each member willing to ask questions and change their mind when presented with better evidence. Consensus should be the result of good decisions, not the objective before discussion begins.
The Islands Trust has an important role, but my personal focus is our island and the responsibilities we have as councillors to manage it first.
I’m running because I believe the practical, hands-on skills of the trades are an asset to our municipality. We should ask better questions, examine the evidence and get things done.
Patrick Reakes