BETTER IS POSSIBLE •
BETTER IS POSSIBLE •
Let’s do it again, Ukee! I’d like to thank those who placed their trust in me during last year’s by-election. We were 8 votes shy of a win. And, it’s proof that every vote counts.
Since then, for Ucluelet, the stakes have gotten even higher. I’m proud to live here. But, I’m also pragmatic about the issues we are facing as a community. I know that the path to a better future is built through listening, collaborating, co-designing, and most importantly… acting before it’s too late.
Join me. I’m in it for you. For us. Because, Better is Possible.
About Todd Evalina
As an experienced entrepreneur, I bring over 20 years of business leadership, fundraising, and problem-solving to everything I do. During my career, I’ve lead purpose-driven work for local and global organizations, helping them to simplify the process of making scary, complicated decisions.
My spouse, Sarah, and I run Evalina Goods here in Ucluelet. We make innovative seaweed-based food and beverage products. You’ve likely seen our products at the Ucluelet Sunday Market and across Vancouver Island this summer.
Testimonials
“In 2022, Todd came to me with the idea of doing a tattoo flash day to raise money for the Tofino Community Food Initiative. They really took the lead on that event, putting so much time & energy into making sure it ran smoothly, felt fun, and brought people together.
It was such a simple way to support something local, and it ended up inspiring so much more than we could have expected. Since then, we’ve gone on to host a dozen or so flash days, raising thousands of dollars for local non-profits and creating opportunities to connect with other people, businesses, artists, and organizations in our community.
It’s been really special to see that first idea grow, and to see Todd carry that same creativity into other connections and ideas around town.”
- Sara Jones, Owner of SPACE Ukee, Photographer“Politics and planning are not the easiest topics to navigate. Todd has been a great friend and ear to discuss issues across all levels of government. And, Todd has been a supporter of our business, by developing products and services that help us serve our guests.”
- Sarita Mielke, Owner of Wild/Free Creative, Operator of Forest Nook“Having volunteered alongside Todd on our neighbourhood strata, I’ve had a front-row seat to their approach to leadership. Todd doesn't just talk about community connection. They actively build it, from organizing community events to bring neighbours together to repeatedly standing up at Council to advocate for positive change.
Todd is an exceptional listener, a true collaborator, and someone who brings a fair, balanced perspective to decision-making. I trust Todd to listen to residents and act with our community's best interests in mind.”
- Sarah Gray, Service Design Leader, Community Advocate“Since meeting Todd, I have witnessed their integrity shine through in everything they do. They are deeply committed to supporting, uplifting and volunteering for local causes, and where something they’re passionate about doesn’t yet exist in our community, they take steps to create it - including seed bomb block parties and letter writing circles to support queer youth.
Across many different rooms with many different people, I’ve had the privilege of watching Todd interact with kindness and honesty, while still holding true to their values and beliefs - a deeply important trait for someone aspiring to lead our community as mayor.
Todd is a deep and thoughtful listener, which allows them to hold many perspectives and weave through innovative and exciting ideas about the future while balancing the perspectives of a diverse community.
Todd for Mayor!”
- Sully Rogalski, Executive Director, Community Advocate, Musician2026 Mayoral Platform
Joyful Ucluelet
What if we asked ourselves as a municipality:
How we might design and develop differently, to grow resident wellbeing & happiness?
It includes, but goes beyond language, culture, arts, education, and activity. It’s the question I’m holding at the forefront of my campaign, and that I’m excited to bring to life as Mayor, because a healthy community is an economically resilient community.
And, Better is Possible.
Housing Affordability
For Ucluelet, housing is our current, collective, affordability priority.
Our town must be able to accommodate our workforce, to fill and hold roles in industry, the public and private sectors, and the social service by ensuring residents see a prosperous future in our municipality. The reality is that many can’t afford to stay.
This is equally important for visitors to our region, ensuring they enter a welcoming, thriving town where capacity and services are abundant and culturally significant.
Physical & Social Infrastructure
Let’s ensure adequate infrastructure capacity for now and for years to come.
We need to stabilize our physical infrastructure and ensure new developments have adequate sewer, water, and electrical. Further, including social infrastructure, such as childcare and wellbeing supports, allow labour-force participation and aging in-place.
And, we need to fund these initiatives without placing the entire burden on taxpayers. I have deep experience in fundraising, corporate partnerships, and collaboration with provincial and federal partners.
Economic Diversification
True innovation doesn’t arrive by repeatedly talking about pie-in-the-sky potential. Some innovation is disruptive and the majority is incremental.
Innovation is my profession and in the last year I’ve demonstrated the discipline of building a profitable value-added business here in Ucluelet.
As a community, we can draft a thesis for where we place our energy while not spreading our efforts too thin. We should incentivize made-in-Ucluelet experiences, services, and products. And when we generate revenue or intellectual property, we should do our best to ensure that value that stays in our community.
Small Business Supports
Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. This incudes hospitality, accommodation, professional services, breweries, cafes, manufacturing, fisheries, craftspeople, and more.
And, it’s hard right now, moving from a pandemic through the impact of climate change and forest fires that halted visitor traffic to our region, then to tariffs, trade, and global energy wars disrupting the cost of goods, services, and life as we knew it.
We have a brilliant home, full of smart, caring business owners. And, we can design strategic supports for today and into the future.
Tourist Accommodation
Hotels, motels, inns, boutique hotels, bed and breakfast's, short-term rentals, and hostels are a critical part of our economy.
Tourists in our region are served by a variety of accommodation types. The right blend of these accommodation types, and a balanced growth rate, is necessary to support our current and future needs.
I support these businesses and WILL NOT introduce or support motions that directly revoke or indirectly nullify existing STR licenses.
Indigenous Leadership & Reciprocity
To me, reconciliation starts with respect. It starts with truth. It builds outward from there.
There is a lot of value in ensuring that Indigenous Nations and Indigenous Peoples are involved in conversation early and often—before decisions have been made, and ideally, sitting as partners at the decision-making table. And so, my commitment is to always start by asking, “How would you like to be involved?”
I believe in “seven generation thinking”. We’re fortunate to live in a community where daily life, strong relationships, protocol agreements, and partnerships are already in place. There is always room for improvement and every decision we make should result in sustainable relationships for seven generations.
Ecological Restoration
I believe that our municipality and council should consider our natural environment as a partner in decision-making. We should observe ʔiisaak and act accordingly when making choices that affect the wellbeing of people, animals, marine life, and habitats.
Wherever possible, we should make efforts to conserve, remediate, and restore healthy ecosystems. This is especially relevant in cases where human intervention has caused contamination or biodiversity decline.
Indigenous nations and local non-profits are already deep in this work. In partnership we can make informed decisions that amplify initiatives that are already working.