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Anne Marie Dryden
Candidate for Mayor

Anne Marie Dryden

Candidate statement

“Anne Marie is running for Mayor of Nanaimo because she believes the city needs experienced, principled leadership focused on fiscal responsibility, public safety, and accountability to residents.”

Gathered by Nanaimo Vote · realnanaimo.ca

Biography

Anne Marie Dryden has been an active member of the Nanaimo community since 1984 and brings more than 35 years of professional and community experience to her candidacy for Mayor. A longtime resident, business owner, and community volunteer, Anne Marie raised her two children in Nanaimo as a single parent while building a successful financial services practice from the ground up. Her professional background is in financial services, where she worked as a self-employed, independent financial advisor for over three and a half decades. Anne Marie earned her Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation in 1998 and later her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Throughout her career, she helped hundreds of families, individuals, and business owners improve their financial circumstances, reduce tax exposure, plan for the future, and build long-term financial security. Anne Marie chose to remain independent throughout her career to avoid product bias and ensure her advice was always driven by the best interests of her clients—not outside institutions or agendas.

Gathered by Nanaimo Vote · realnanaimo.ca

Links

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Profile last updated on

On the issues

What they've said publicly

Compare candidates

Public statements are organized under common issue topics to make comparison easier, with links to their sources.

Mayor & City Councillor

Affordability

What is your approach to affordability and growth?

How Nanaimo can manage growth while addressing the cost of living, housing costs, and the infrastructure and services needed by current and future residents.

  1. "Fiscal Responsibility & Tax Stabilization—Restoring sound financial management at City Hall with a focus on stabilizing and reducing taxes, eliminating wasteful spending, and protecting residents from misuse of taxpayer dollars."

    Provided by the candidate Candidate profile approved 09/27/2026
Mayor & City Councillor

Budget & Property Taxes

How should the City manage its budget and property taxes?

The City's annual budget and five-year financial plan, property tax increases, spending priorities and efficiency, reserves and debt, and how residents can see the value they get for their tax dollars.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Health Care

What role should local government play in health care infrastructure and access?

Hospital and health-service capacity, facilities and access, including municipal and regional advocacy and partnerships with health authorities and the Province.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Planning for Growth

How should the city plan land use, density, and infrastructure for growth?

Land use, density, development patterns and infrastructure capacity, including how neighbourhoods connect to jobs, services and transportation.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Transit & Transportation

What are your priorities for transit and transportation in Nanaimo?

Public transit, roads and traffic, walking and cycling, and regional transportation connections.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Affordable Housing

What should local government do to improve housing affordability and availability?

Housing availability and affordability for renters, young families and seniors, including rental and ownership options, non-market housing, approvals and partnerships.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Homelessness & Addictions

What is your approach to homelessness, mental health and addictions?

Homelessness, shelters and encampments, mental health and substance use, and how the City works with health authorities, other governments and community partners on these issues.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Local Economy

How should local government support jobs, businesses, and economic development?

Local employment, business conditions, industry, workforce needs and economic development, including links to transportation and housing.

  1. "Economic Stability & Business Confidence—Supporting local businesses and fostering an environment where entrepreneurship, investment, and job creation can thrive."

    Provided by the candidate Candidate profile approved 09/27/2026
Mayor & City Councillor

Public Safety

What is your approach to public safety?

Community safety, policing, prevention and responses to community safety concerns, including coordination with housing, mental-health and substance-use services.

  1. "Public Safety & Community Protection—Making Nanaimo safer by prioritizing core municipal responsibilities and restoring public confidence in how safety issues are addressed."

    Provided by the candidate Candidate profile approved 09/27/2026
Mayor & City Councillor

Downtown Revitalization

What are your priorities for downtown Nanaimo?

The health of the downtown core and nearby neighbourhoods, including businesses and vacancies, events and culture, streetscapes and the waterfront, residential growth, and how people experience safety and cleanliness downtown.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Resilience & Sustainability

How should local government strengthen community resilience and sustainability?

Preparation for environmental and climate risks, resource conservation and the community systems that support everyday wellbeing, including transport, green spaces, recreation and culture.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Good Governance

What is your approach to transparency, accountability and public participation?

How Council makes decisions, involves residents, accounts for public money and provides transparent, accountable and respectful local government.

  1. "Ethical & Accountable Leadership—Ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making in all aspects of municipal governance. Independent Local Decision-Making—Protecting Nanaimo’s autonomy by ensuring decisions are made in the best interest of residents, not driven by outside agendas or unelected influences."

    Provided by the candidate Candidate profile approved 09/27/2026
Mayor & City Councillor

Inclusion & Accessibility

What is your approach to accessibility, equity and inclusion in Nanaimo?

Access to City facilities, streets, services and information for people with disabilities and residents of all ages and backgrounds, and how the City includes diverse voices in its programs, spaces and decisions.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Intergovernmental Relations

How should local government work with other governments on shared priorities and funding?

Cooperation among the City, Indigenous governments, regional bodies and provincial and federal governments on shared priorities, responsibilities and funding.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Snuneymuxw First Nation Relations

What, if anything, would you change about how the City works with Snuneymuxw First Nation and other Indigenous governments?

The relationship between the City and Snuneymuxw First Nation, including government-to-government cooperation, agreements and treaty-related responsibilities.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Provincial & Federal Advocacy

What priorities would you advance with provincial and federal governments?

How the City advocates to the Province and federal government for funding, legislation and services that affect Nanaimo, such as health care, housing, infrastructure and public safety.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.

Education

What are your priorities for education and schools in Nanaimo?

How local schools can support student learning and well-being, provide inclusive and accessible education, and plan for changing enrolment, staffing, and facility needs.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.

Childcare & Families

What are your priorities for childcare and families?

Childcare availability and affordability, and local programs, services and spaces for children, youth and families.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Background

Online references

Links to news stories, posts and interviews about this candidate, newest first. They are provided as background only: they have not been verified and may be partisan, depending on who produced them.

Voting in Nanaimo

How to vote

Official details come from the City of Nanaimo. Check their site for last-minute changes.

General Voting Day

Saturday, 17 October, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

Nanaimo uses a vote-anywhere system, so you can vote at any City voting location. The Protection Island Fire Hall is open 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Voting locations map

Advance and mail voting

Advance voting is at Beban Park Social Centre, 2300 Bowen Road, on Wednesday, 7 October and Wednesday, 14 October, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

Apply to vote by mail by 4 p.m. on Friday, 16 October. Completed ballots must reach the Chief Election Officer by 8 p.m. on Saturday, 17 October.

Vote-by-mail information
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