Hundreds of Comox Valley voters filled Native Sons Hall on Nov. 17 to celebrate the campaign launch for Arzeena Hamir as the BC Green candidate for the Courtenay-Comox riding.
“Arzeena’s work in the community has been extraordinary, and I can’t wait to work beside her in the Legislature,” said BC Green leader Sonia Furstenau.
K’omoks Elder Barb Whyte, who opened the event with a territorial acknowledgment, has worked with Hamir to develop the Vanier teaching garden at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds. Comox councillor Dr. Jonathan Kerr emceed the event, and noted that the Greens have been steadily gaining support in the Valley over the last few years, including with the election last year of a Green-leaning mayor and two councillors in Comox.
Hamir shared her story as an immigrant to Canada in the 1970s from Tanzania.
“I am following in the footsteps of my great-grandfather who was dedicated to making positive change and building community,” she said.
She went on to describe her ongoing commitment to develop and implement solutions to issues that affect the local community daily. Before moving to the Comox Valley over a decade ago, Hamir was active in Richmond in food security and Agricultural Land Reserve issues, advocating for and eventually protecting the Garden City Lands from development.
Drawing on her experience to help develop a “farm to school” movement, bringing healthy locally-sourced lunches to school kids in the Comox Valley, Hamir emphasized that the Valley has the solutions to many of the challenges shared across B.C.
“I want to see Comox Valley realize its tremendous potential to be a sustainable, healthy and productive community and economy, she said. “As your MLA I will advocate to ensure that Courtenay-Comox gets the resources it needs to address our most pressing challenges.”
Attendees, including mayors and councillors from all three Comox Valley municipalities, also spoke about the three main themes of Hamir’s upcoming campaign: healthcare, housing affordability, and real climate action. For more information, visit bcgreens.ca/arzeena_hamir