Tyler Brown
Website: www.tylerjbrown.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tylerjbrown2018
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tylerjbrown2018
Are you associated with or running as part of a slate? If so, which one?
No.
Do you live in the municipality where you are running, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to that community?
Yes. I was born in Nanaimo and have lived in Nanaimo for most of my 35 years.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I am a Councillor with the City of Nanaimo and Chair of the Regional District of Nanaimo. I was elected to Council in 2018 and elected Chair of the Regional District of Nanaimo in 2020.
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
I was elected to Nanaimo council in 2018, and elected Chair of the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) in 2020 and 2021. Prior to being elected, I was involved in numerous volunteer community-building initiatives.
Why are you running? What’s your motivation?
There is an air of uncertainty around the world right now and Nanaimo is no exception. We need leaders that seek solutions and understand that we cannot passively wait for change. We need council members who are willing to act to meet the challenges of our time and the needs of our citizens. As the Chair of the Regional District of Nanaimo and City Councillor, I have strived to bring a dependable, thoughtful, and pragmatic approach to the work; and have forged trusting relationships with the goal of building community coalitions to solve our most pressing problems.
What are your top three issues?
1. The creation of more housing supply, with a focus on affordable and net-zero-ready units.
2. Additional services and shelter spaces for unhoused and unsheltered individuals in our community.
3. Focusing city departments on urban design over-burdensome regulations and the expansion of community recreation and cultural facilities.
What’s your vision for your community in 25 years?
I believe the best way to change our community for the better is through policy that supports people. I believe that local government can take leadership in confronting the challenges that face us. My vision for Nanaimo is simple. In 25 years I believe we can have a community where everyone can afford to live here, we have diverse transportation options, we enjoy safe urban spaces, and we have world-class art, culture and recreation facilities.
What’s one “big idea” you have for your community?
I would like to see the creation of a City of Nanaimo Development Corporation with the mandate of building net-zero-ready housing (much of it affordable). The development corporation would be able to work with the government, housing agencies, and developers to use a variety of ownership models to provide the housing our community needs.
