Andrea Craddock, president of the Campbell River, Courtenay & District Labour Council, has set her sights on a city council seat.
Having served on a number of executive committees in community organizations, Craddock says she has learned to work successfully in a respectful and cooperative way – skills she feels are important for an open and effective councillor.
As president of the Labour Council, Craddock says she has worked hard to ensure it is a body open to hearing from a variety of organizations and voices in the community, bringing people together to inform, and join forces on issues that matter. Craddock has served on Labour Council for the past six years and has been president for the last three years.
Craddock moved to Campbell River in 1988 and has worked for School District 72 for nine years, as an educational assistant. Previously, she owned and operated a family home business for eight years and worked as a deckhand on her husband’s gillnetter.
“This has given (me) an appreciation of a variety of work settings and the value and challenges of all them,” says Craddock who adds that she “intends to transfer those skills to her work for the citizens of Campbell River.”
She promises to to be approachable and do everything in her power to answer constituents’ questions.
Having been involved in the budgetary process of School District 72, and raising three girls with her husband, Craddock has a good understanding of setting a budget and adjusting for unforeseeable costs. She believes any long term projects need a budget with a built in plan for the upkeep and maintenance of that project.
“Campbell River needs a city council which will work together to respond to the needs of its citizens, industry and the environment with a clear plan for sustainable growth,” Craddock says. “It is an exciting time for Campbell River with two job producing ventures in the BC Hydro dam upgrade and the construction of our new hospital. These work projects bring a welcome injection of employment and money into our local economy. Council needs to look at creative ways to improve opportunities in Campbell River for more sustainable, good paying jobs. This would keep people here and reduce the need for families to relocate or commute to Alberta (and further abroad) for a family sustaining income.”
Craddock, who is proud to be from Campbell River, is committed to protecting and preserving the biodiversity and beauty of the environment. Craddock says she will work with city planning staff on ways to improve recycling services, expand the creation of community gardens and green space, look at improved accessibility to alternative modes of transportation, protect the fresh water supply and include environmental concerns in discussions when making decisions.
First and foremost, Craddock says she will listen to the citizens of Campbell River.
“We have some difficult challenges that need to be better addressed like homelessness, addiction and poverty,” she says. “We have a growing senior demographic with too many of our seniors living in poverty, waiting on services and living in isolation.”
Craddock believes that by working with community groups already involved in these issues, the city can find ways to help be part of solutions.
Craddock says she hopes to bring a new energy and voice to the table and looks forward to chatting with constituents at events and on their doorstep in the coming weeks. Craddock says she’s ready to take on the challenges ahead and hopes to have voters’ support on November 15.
Craddock’s resume
- Volunteered for a number of organizations including Heart & Stroke Foundation, Cancer Society, Diabetes Association, Sexual Assault Centre, Lions Easter Seals, Scouts Canada and Girl Guides.
- Served on a number of executives and councils including PAC, DPAC, CUPE 723, North Island BC NDP, (CUPE) Vancouver Island District Council, BC Fed Executive Council and Campbell River, Courtenay & District Labour Council.
- Provided respite for two young men with Down Syndrome
- Enjoys gardening, dragon boating (been a member of River Spirit for six years), reading, cooking, walking and biking.