Marnie Boers

“Marnie is passionate about expanding shelter options and affordable housing so that every person in our community has a safe place to call home. She feels that we need more shelters, day spaces and places where people can connect meaningfully with resources and support. Nanaimo's current challenges don’t exist in isolation and when people have nowhere to go and no way to access the help they need, it impacts the entire community.”

“People across Nanaimo are feeling the pressure of rising costs and the growing challenge of making ends meet. As a homeowner in the South End of Nanaimo, Marnie understands these challenges firsthand. She believes City Council must keep affordability at the forefront of its decisions and ensure tax dollars are focused on the services and infrastructure that matter most to residents.”

“Nanaimo needs a different, more effective approach to community safety. We can’t keep doing things the same way and expecting different results. If what the current leadership was doing was going to work, it would have worked by now.”

“She proposes that Nanaimo explore the Colwood Municipal Clinic model and how that could be adapted to suit Nanaimo’s needs, as over 20,000 residents still do not have access to a primary care provider.”

“While healthcare is primarily a provincial responsibility, that does not mean municipalities are powerless to act. The strongest next step would be to clearly outline what Nanaimo City Council can legally and practically do to support primary care, using the Colwood Municipal Clinic model as a comparison and this would allow us to have a more productive conversation about what the City can actually do and avoid simply dismissing the issue by saying, “healthcare is a provincial responsibility.””

“Marnie will work to create more housing while also building a community that is environmentally responsible, protecting our water sources and green spaces.”

“Marnie is also excited to support film and creative industries in our community in light of the significant economic boost that they provide.”

“Marnie advocates for the revitalization of the Vancouver Island rail corridor to improve connectivity and economic opportunities.”

“As a nurse, I see how important reliable transportation is, especially for people who don’t drive and need to get to healthcare appointments or visit loved ones in the hospital. Bringing rail back would give people another safe and accessible way to travel while taking pressure off our busy roads.”

“We need to look ahead and make sure rail, transit, trails, and roads all work together as our communities grow. Restoring the Island Rail Corridor would give people another way to travel while experiencing the beauty of Vancouver Island.”

“Marnie aims to build a more inclusive, connected, and secure Nanaimo through arts, culture, and social services where every neighbourhood feels supported and heard. Key to this is supporting transportation, recreation and social services.”

“Marnie supports responsible growth that is matched by the infrastructure and services our community needs. Growth should not outpace our ability to provide water, sewer, transportation, parks, and emergency services. Major capital projects also need to be evaluated based on their full lifecycle costs, including the long-term operating and maintenance costs they create.”