Erin Hemmens
Candidate for Councillor
Who they are
Erin Hemmens moved from Halifax to Nanaimo in 2011, after a career start in women's health research. In Nanaimo she worked with local physicians on health access projects, including CanScreen, B.C.'s first virtual cancer-screening clinic. She was first elected to council in 2018 and also works as a coroner with the BC Coroners Service.[Erin Hemmens campaign]
- None (independent)
- Nanaimo City Councillor, 2018–present; Chair, Vancouver Island Regional Library Board, 2023–2025[Erin Hemmens campaign]
- hemmens.ca
What they say they want to do
Housing
Affordable housing and neighbourhoods where people feel safe.
In their words (1 quote)
“It means housing people can afford, neighbourhoods where people feel safe, recreation and public spaces that bring us together, and streets that work for people of different ages and abilities. It means responding to homelessness, addiction and mental health with compassion and an honest understanding of their impacts.”
Erin Hemmens campaign website: What's Next
Health care
Respond to homelessness, addiction and mental health with compassion.
In their words (1 quote)
“It means housing people can afford, neighbourhoods where people feel safe, recreation and public spaces that bring us together, and streets that work for people of different ages and abilities. It means responding to homelessness, addiction and mental health with compassion and an honest understanding of their impacts.”
Erin Hemmens campaign website: What's Next
Environment and climate
Build more homes while protecting important natural areas.
In their words (1 quote)
“We can build more homes while protecting important natural areas, grow more compactly and make it easier to walk, cycle and take transit. Trees, wetlands and healthy ecosystems are not just beautiful — they make our community more resilient.”
Erin Hemmens campaign website: What's Next
Economy and business
A city where businesses succeed and people find good work.
In their words (1 quote)
“I want Nanaimo to be a city where businesses can succeed, people can find good work and young people can imagine building their lives here. We can welcome investment and build a resilient economy while respecting the environmental limits of the place that sustains us.”
Erin Hemmens campaign website: What's Next
Transportation
Compact growth that makes walking, cycling and transit easier.
In their words (1 quote)
“We can build more homes while protecting important natural areas, grow more compactly and make it easier to walk, cycle and take transit. Trees, wetlands and healthy ecosystems are not just beautiful — they make our community more resilient.”
Erin Hemmens campaign website: What's Next
Accountable government
Do the homework, listen, stay accessible and change her mind when evidence warrants.
In their words (1 quote)
“I don’t promise that every decision I make will please everyone. What I can promise is that I will do my homework, listen, be accessible, change my mind when the evidence warrants it, and make the decision I believe best serves Nanaimo.”
Erin Hemmens campaign website: What's Next
Community services
Affordable housing, safe neighbourhoods, recreation and public spaces, and streets that work for all ages and abilities.
In their words (1 quote)
“It means housing people can afford, neighbourhoods where people feel safe, recreation and public spaces that bring us together, and streets that work for people of different ages and abilities.”
Erin Hemmens campaign website: What's Next
Summaries are abbreviated representations of quotes shown under each issue. Issue headings do not necessarily reflect the weight a candidate applies to it within their overall platform.
Voting record on council
Grant a 2027 tax exemption to the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board
Adopt Council meeting rule changes on delegations and notices of motion
Endorse the Nanaimo Accord from the Mayor's Leaders' Table
Adopt the new Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw
Require future data centre rezonings to disclose water and energy use
Prepare business licence rules restricting the sale of invasive plants
Support in principle a $75,000 contribution to a non-market housing delivery pilot
Recommend the Province deny a nightclub licence change at 240 Skinner St.
Give second reading to allow a cannabis store at 2180 Highland Blvd.
Make faster building permits a Council priority with a 60-day plan
Show all 218 votes
Cut required underground parking for a Turner Rd. development from 90% to 45%
Issue a development permit for a mixed-use project on Turner Rd. and Linley Valley Dr.
Borrow $10.6 million for the Public Works Yard
Give three readings to a master development plan bylaw for the Woodgrove area
Endorse the Master Development Plan policy
Declare unpermitted work at 6 Treasure Trail hazardous and order it fixed
Adopt the 2026 property tax rates
Adopt the Amenity Cost Charge reserve fund bylaw
Adopt amenity cost charges on new development
Adopt the South Nanaimo transportation charge reserve fund bylaw
Ask the Province to extend City boundaries to include Snuneymuxw reserves IR 1–4
Repeal the Community Amenity Contribution policy
Give three readings to new development cost charges
Give three readings to a South Nanaimo transportation development charge
Give three readings to the 50% development charge cut for non-profit housing
Proceed with a 50% development charge cut for non-profit and supportive housing (deferred vote)
Endorse the "Forestry is a Solution" campaign (reconsidered)
Give first reading to rezoning 2565 Departure Bay Rd. for row houses
Adopt the Public Works Yard borrowing bylaw (up to $76.7 million)
Allocate the 2025 operating surplus to reserves ($11.4 million in the general fund) and fund other budget items
Prepare a rule that Council won't act on a delegation's request at the same meeting
Prepare a rule keeping amendments within a notice of motion's original scope
Proceed with a 50% development charge cut for non-profit and supportive housing
Adopt the 2026 Home Energy Retrofit Parcel Tax Bylaw
Endorse the forestry industry's "Forestry is a Solution" campaign
Allocate $350,000 to a roundabout at Hammond Bay Rd. and Brickyard Rd.
Phase in new development and amenity cost charges
Increase the Public Works Yard budget by about $77.7 million
Authorize contracts for the Public Works Yard project
Issue a statement supporting marginalized people and ask the Port Theatre to review its booking practices
Declare 1226 Lawlor Rd. a nuisance property
Prepare a new Zoning Bylaw to replace the 2011 bylaw
Adopt the 2026–2030 Financial Plan (the City budget)
Submit a 'Raw Log Exports' resolution to the regional municipal association
Give $30,000 to the Island North Film Commission for 2026
Ask senior governments to fully fund a four-pillar approach to addiction, mental health and homelessness
Complete Lost Lake Rd. traffic calming phase 2
Add a 25% bonus payment for manufactured home owners displaced by redevelopment
Add $5.5 million to the Loudon Park development
Proceed with detailed design for Loudon Park option C1
Fund the Luminous Paths Festival every two years from 2027
Move E&N Light project funds to pedestrian and active transportation projects
Ask the Province to re-examine its drug decriminalization policy
Report on the Colwood primary care clinic model
Report on zoning out emissions-intensive heavy industries
Report on regulating industries that use noxious chemicals or create toxic dust
Budget $19.1 million for the Departure Bay forcemain twinning with the Regional District
Consult RCMP, ambulance, fire and transit before traffic-calming changes
Give first reading to rezoning 2367 Arbot Rd. for housing
Give second reading to rezoning 3614 Hillside Ave. for higher density
Fund the Active School Travel Program for 2026
Send a letter supporting AVI Health's request for more primary care funding
Name the park at 933 Park Ave. Five Acres Farm Community Park
Create a Friendship City program and policy
Change the debt policy to allow long-term borrowing without elector approval when within the legal limit
Spend $2 million on planning and costing the South End Community Centre
Have the Mayor sign an op-ed calling for development of B.C.'s natural resources
Refocus the Clean Team on the south end
Approve a 60-year lease of City land at 354 Haliburton St. to BC Housing
Adopt the bylaw removing park status from part of Elaine Hamilton Park
License City road space for two TELUS antenna poles on Shepherd Ave.
Concur with two TELUS antenna poles on Shepherd Ave.
Apply for grant funding for Beban HVAC and commit to cover any cost overruns
Prepare amendments to City Plan following the 2025 review
Allocate $125,000 to keep the daytime Drop-In Hub open until March 2026
Concur with a telecommunications facility at 2517 Jingle Pot Rd.
Eliminate minimum parking requirements downtown
Choose the moderate-investment option for new development and amenity cost charges
Draft a bylaw prohibiting the sale of listed invasive plant species
Run a public awareness campaign on invasive plants with local retailers
Update the Invasive Plant Management Strategy and keep funding removal work
File a notice on title for construction without a permit at 475 Hamilton Ave.
Start an Alternative Approval Process to remove park status from part of Elaine Hamilton Park for a road
Authorize a road dedication agreement through part of Elaine Hamilton Park
Add $1.9 million to the City's business software (ERP) project
Add $6.7 million to the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre HVAC upgrades
Commission a new design for the letter O on the Maffeo Sutton Park sign
Restrict driveway access as a condition of rezoning 335 Third St.
Give three readings to the 2025 property tax rates bylaw (final adoption is not in the City's dashboard)
Spend up to $15,000 on the 2025 Snowbirds event
Adopt new Council meeting rules on delegations, behaviour, devices and signs
Adopt Respectful Spaces bylaw changes covering electronic devices
Allocate the 2024 operating surplus ($7.8 million) to reserves
Explore shared Public Works Yard facilities with the Regional District
Report on accrediting media to use devices during Council meetings
Fund the $1.9 million alternate design for Loudon Park
Fund the $6.2 million current design for Loudon Park
Send a letter to the Minister of Forests on the future of the local forest industry
Concur with a 31-metre telecommunications tower at 6675 Mary Ellen Dr.
Adopt fines for short-term rental violations
Report on banning the sale of invasive plant species
Endorse the Commercial Street phasing plan for the 2026–2030 budget
Keep allowing four public delegations on items not on the agenda
Spend $1.8 million on detailed design for Public Works Yard upgrades
Remove the electronic-device ban from proposed Council meeting rules
Adopt the 2025–2029 Financial Plan (the City budget)
Adopt new short-term rental rules
Endorse the 933 Park Avenue concept plan as a long-term site vision
Set 2025 sewer rates
Add 12 RCMP officers between 2025 and 2027
Set 2025 water rates
Abandon the Public Works Yard borrowing bylaw after the Alternative Approval Process
Convert two Bastion Parkade levels to time-limited parking during Commercial St. construction
Give third reading to the rezoning of 1415 Loat St.
Report on the cost of a vacant building registry
Send a letter supporting Forestry Works for BC to the Premier
Adopt the Sustainable Building Policy
Choose Council's preferred option for leasing 1030 Old Victoria Rd. to BC Housing
Proceed with the Public Works Yard project, funded by $90 million in borrowing repaid through property taxes
Proceed with the single-phase Public Works Yard option and prepare a borrowing bylaw
Report on putting part of the City's investments in socially responsible, low-carbon funds
Approve a 3-year lease of part of 1030 Old Victoria Rd. to BC Housing, with conditions
Adopt parking rule changes for provincially required transit-oriented areas
Adopt transit-oriented area designations required by the Province
Approve zoning changes allowing small-scale multi-unit housing, as required by the Province
Approve an amended tax exemption for 220 Haliburton St.
Give three readings to a five-year downtown revitalization tax exemption bylaw
Bring forward five-year revitalization tax exemption bylaws, including a citywide hotel and motel program
Adopt the Sandstone rezoning (Cedar Rd., Fielding Rd. and Rajeena Way)
Get an update on the new Beban Park pickleball courts and options to reduce the impact of the Beaufort Park courts
Approve a multi-family development permit at 307–315 Holly Ave.
Adopt rezoning of 6074 Metral Dr. to Residential Corridor
Adopt the 2024 property tax rates
Design a home energy retrofit financing program
Give third reading to rezoning 444–500 Comox Rd., 55 Mill St. and 1 Terminal Ave. for a mixed-use development
Approve a 60-year lease of City land at 1435 Cranberry Ave. to BC Housing
Close the Beaufort Park pickleball courts on Easter weekend
Require 100-metre notice and public meetings for zoning and OCP amendments
Audit accessibility of major parks and trails in 2024–25
Accept the regional growth strategy, Shaping Our Future 2040
Allocate the 2023 operating surplus to reserves and add $1.5 million for South End Community Centre land
Approve a downtown tax exemption for a 16-unit project at 421 Prideaux St.
License a Beban Social Centre room for a Japanese Canadian heritage project
Fund a $10,000 assistive hearing device pilot
Approve a $7,770 heritage façade grant for 200 Commercial St.
Approve a $12,230 heritage façade grant for 403 Fitzwilliam St.
Apply jointly for up to $400,000 for a Japanese Canadian heritage site on the waterfront
Prepare rules for micromobility devices such as e-scooters
Grant a tax exemption and cash grant to the Nanaimo Men's Centre
Present options for enforceable 30 km/h limits near schools
Increase the Seventh Street pump station budget by $450,000
File a notice on title for construction without a permit at 6374 Icarus Dr.
Cancel the Alternative Approval Process and abandon the Operations Centre borrowing bylaw
Approve a downtown tax exemption for a four-unit project at 220 Haliburton St.
Approve a multi-family development permit at 404–406 Millstone Ave.
Adopt the 2024–2028 Financial Plan (the City budget)
Approve a downtown tax exemption for a 23-unit project at 420 Albert St.
Set 2024 sewer rates
Set 2024 water rates
Approve an amended downtown tax exemption for 507 Milton St.
Approve 2024 grants to neighbourhood associations
Add land-use Option 5 to the Park Avenue concept plan
Repeal the Energy Step Code rezoning policy
Let downtown businesses apply more often and for more money under the Vandalism Relief Grant
Approve a downtown tax exemption for a 160-plus-unit project at 340 Campbell St.
File a notice on title for construction without a permit at 46 Pirates Lane
Change covenants to allow phases 2 and 3 of a six-storey project at 6340 McRobb Ave.
Confirm new provincial housing law impacts before adopting the Sandstone rezoning
Create a reserve fund for the Harewood Centennial turf fields
Approve a car dealership development permit at 3612 Island Hwy. N.
Allocate Growing Communities Fund money, including to Commercial Street upgrades
Adopt the Zero Carbon Step Code for new buildings
Prepare bylaw changes requiring new buildings to meet the Zero Carbon Step Code
Deny a development permit at 855 Douglas Ave.
Add $1 million in grant funding to the Stadium District upgrades
Apply to the federal Housing Accelerator Fund with a housing action plan
Stop City advertising on Facebook and Instagram
Reduce required parking for a proposed neighbourhood pub at 300 Howard Ave.
Add $4.6 million to the Midtown water supply upgrade
Approve a variance for two LED signs at 1150 Terminal Ave. N.
Endorse the revised Integrated Action Plan for carrying out City Plan
Add a 1% yearly property tax increase (2024–2028) and keep 2% yearly water fee increases to fund infrastructure renewal
Approve an amended downtown tax exemption for a 28-unit project at 507 Milton St.
Approve a downtown tax exemption for a 154-unit project at 77 Chapel St.
Drop option one from the draft Park Avenue (933 Park Ave.) concept plan and start phase two consultation
Add an option to keep 933 Park Ave. intact with no affordable housing on it
Add $1.6 million to the Terminal Avenue upgrades
Endorse the 2023–2026 Council Strategic Framework
Report on options to regulate drug use in public spaces after provincial decriminalization
Report on a development permit area to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Report on bylaws for low-carbon energy systems
Add Doughnut Economics working group recommendations to the Priority Action Plan
Adopt the amended 2023–2027 Financial Plan
Adopt the 2023 property tax rates
Cancel the planned use of $1.1 million in reserve funds to lower 2023 property taxes
Approve an amended downtown tax exemption for a 163-unit project at 340 Campbell St.
Roughly double the Harewood artificial turf field budget to about $10 million
Proceed with the Operations Centre Phase One and start an Alternative Approval Process to borrow for it
Endorse the Nanaimo Youth Resilience Strategy
File a notice on title for construction without a permit at 5918 Waldbank Rd.
Report on charging the Province for medical calls attended by Nanaimo Fire Rescue
Adopt rezoning of East Wellington Rd. land to allow a data centre
Hold an annual engagement event for neighbourhood associations
Allocate the 2022 operating surplus to reserves
Order removal of illegal construction at 124 Haida Trail
Report on the cost of City-built emergency basic shelter housing for 100 people
Approve a multi-family development permit at 591 Bradley St.
Cost-share Terminal Avenue upgrades with the Province and add $1.4 million to the budget
Submit resolutions to the regional municipal association (AVICC), including on farmland housing rules
Adopt the 2023–2027 Financial Plan (the City budget)
Declare 264 Nicol St. a nuisance property and bill the owner for police and City costs
Set 2023 sewer rates
Set 2023 water rates
Approve an amended downtown tax exemption for a 27-unit project at 507 Milton St.
Add 20 firefighters in 2023 and 20 more in 2025 under the Fire Master Plan
Raise the 2023 pedestrian improvement budget from $300,000 to $1 million
Adopt new water and sewer rate structures starting in 2023
Approve variances allowing LED menu-board signs at four commercial sites
Expanded sources
- Declaration of Candidates – 2026 General Local Election
- About Erin
- What's Next
- Council Meeting Dashboard (official voting record)
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