A 29-year-old Esquimalt renter and member of the Canadian Armed Forces wants to give younger people a voice as he looks for a spot on Esquimalt council.
Kody Thomson has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the Royal Military College in Kingston, and he recently acquired a master's degree in disaster and emergency management, which he says helped him better understand the responsibilities of municipal government, and the impact of council's decisions.
"Over the last four years, I led a team of 40 construction technicians, which taught me how to navigate the complexities of human resource management, conflict resolution, and infrastructure projects. Now, I work in the coordination of emergency management across B.C., alongside provincial and federal agencies," noted Thomson in a news release.
He says he hopes to continue to support active transportation and public transit projects, uplifting local businesses, and exploring for affordable housing options if he is elected.
"I have heard from community members, of all ages, that they are concerned about the next generation being priced out of our community," said Thomson. "I think the council has taken some good steps so far to get new housing started, but the township needs to look at every avenue to make sure affordable housing is being built and not only demolished."
Ultimately, younger people and renters are under-represented in elections and every council meeting he has attended, he says, but they are an important part of Esquimalt's community and future and he hopes to be a champion for young people and renters alike.
The 2025 Esquimalt byelection general voting day is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, with two advance voting days – March 26 and April 2 – and mail ballots adding additional voting opportunities.
