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Crofton resident making bid for North Cowichan councillor

Real estate developer and pub owner focuses on housing, economic issues
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Bruce Findlay hails from Dunfermline, Scotland and resides in Crofton. (Photo submitted)

Crofton resident Bruce Findlay has announced his candidacy for North Cowichan councillor in the upcoming Oct. 15 elections.

The Cowichan Valley businessman, owner of The Lion Rampant Scottish Pub in Maple Bay and the SureFire Properties Inc. real estate development company, has many personal concerns he feels need to be addressed.

“We are in a time of intense housing issues, crushing inflationary pressures and continual economic concerns in the Cowichan Valley and our current council seems to have blinders on,” stated Findlay in a press release. “It’s time for a systemic change in council, with strong, local, qualified, business-minded and financially-adept North Cowichan leaders.”

Findlay noted he’s experienced the cycles of housing previously and has the ideas and skill set to tackle these difficult situations. During 27 years in the multi-family real estate industry, he’s been involved in the purchase, development, conversion and sale of more than $610 million in apartment and condominium properties in nine provinces and two U.S. states.

“I’ve seen the ebbs and flows of the real estate cycle,” Findlay indicated. “I’ve seen the supply issues and the demand issues before and I have ideas on how to handle these concerns.”

Findlay is also a director of Anya’s Journey Foundation, a non-profit society created to build an all-ages, inclusive and accessible playground at Fuller Lake Park.

“I am a unique candidate for council as I am connected to all areas of North Cowichan, through my residence in Crofton, my businesses based in Maple Bay, the playground project and a development property located in Chemainus and professional ties in the south end,” he added.

Findlay stressed he believes in strong financial stewardship, accountability and oversight, sustainable resource development, resilient economic growth through small business promotion and support and moving mountains to solve the local housing crisis.

“The lack of development approvals in North Cowichan for the past four years is unacceptable, and we need a new, development-friendly and forward-thinking council to tackle these issues head-on.”