Port Alberni candidates hold first municipal all-candidates meeting

Candidates for the 2026 municipal elections in Port Alberni gathered at the Italian Hall for an all-candidates meeting hosted by the citizen-led group AV Elections. The meeting included candidates for the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District regions of Cherry Creek, Beaver Creek, and Sproat Lake, as well as Port Alberni city council and mayoral candidates.

During the session, candidates addressed key local issues such as reducing taxes, affordable housing, permit processes, and healthcare. Some candidates emphasized the interconnected nature of housing, taxes, and healthcare, while others focused on public safety and addressing drug usage on the streets. One candidate, Tom Verbrugge, declined to answer questions following reports of recent harassment.