JOSHUA DAHLING
COURTENAY-ALBERNIIt has been quite a year for Josh, and he’s ready more than ever to enter into public service.
As BC United’s Candidate for Mid Island-Pacific Rim in the provincial election of 2024, Josh made the decision to step down before the writ dropped because he did not see any benefit to splitting the vote, which could allow another four years of the NDP.
The last year of campaigning has been a blessing for Josh in many ways. He now has many connections throughout the riding as well as the momentum and experience necessary to launch right into an election today if it were necessary. Help him win the Conservative Party of Canada’s Nomination so that he can be the next Candidate for Courtenay-Alberni.
If you reside within the riding (see the map below), all you have to do is become a member of the Federal Conservative Party of Canada – if you’re not one already – and show up to cast your vote when the nomination election is called (date still to be determined).
I firmly believe that life would be better for Canadians if we had more elected officials who are experienced with resolving the types of issues that our country contends with today. My wheelhouse is Mental Health & Addictions. I have overcome many obstacles so that I can have the wonderful life that I live today. It would truly be an honour to serve as your local representative, and address serious issues related to mental health, addictions, housing, and affordability.
Get to Know Josh
For almost three decades, Joshua Dahling has been on a profound journey of personal growth and service to others. His decision to embrace sobriety nearly thirty years ago marked the beginning of a remarkable transformation that has seen him become a beacon of hope and support for countless individuals and families.
In 1998, Joshua made a pivotal choice to leave behind his career in the logging industry and relocate from Squamish to Nanaimo. Motivated by a deep-seated desire to make a positive impact, he embarked on a path of education in the human services field. Despite the challenges of being a single parent to three young children, Joshua persisted, simultaneously juggling his studies with roles at various alcohol and drug treatment facilities.
The year 2009 heralded a new chapter in Joshua’s life as he and his wife, Dr. Heather Mohan, founded LUMARA, a registered charity committed to providing essential education and support services across Canada to those grappling with serious illness, grief, and bereavement. Through their tireless efforts, Joshua and Heather have earned widespread recognition and acclaim for their innovative contributions to health care and their unwavering dedication to those in need.
In 2018, Joshua made the deliberate decision to put down roots in Port Alberni, drawn by its serene natural surroundings and abundant outdoor opportunities. For Joshua, immersing himself in nature isn’t just a pastime—it’s a source of profound healing and renewal. Whether exploring trails, fishing, boating, or even swimming in chilly waters, Joshua finds solace and strength in the great outdoors.
Joshua’s passion for serving others is deeply rooted in his own experiences of adversity and resilience. Having faced and overcome abuse, extreme poverty, homelessness, and addiction in his youth, he possesses a unique empathy and understanding of the struggles faced by marginalized individuals and communities. This first-hand knowledge fuels his unwavering commitment to advocating for systemic change and ensuring that all individuals have access to the support and resources they need to thrive.
Joshua’s lived experiences, coupled with his professional expertise and unwavering dedication to his community, make him a compelling candidate for Courtenay-Alberni. His capacity for listening, empathy, and action positions him as a transformative leader poised to bring about positive change and lasting impact for the people he serves.
Why Choose Me?
I am probably not the type of person you’re used to seeing around the political arena. I’m a guy with long hair in a ponytail, I have a pierced ear, scars, tattoos, and a history that contains a fair amount of trauma. Yes, I have some bruises, but my heart is full of passion, and I have a strong desire to make this world a better place.
Like many of you, I am deeply concerned about the future of our country, and about the quality of life that we and our loved ones will have if things don’t improve. It’s clear that our systems have failed us, and millions of people are suffering as a result. Whether you’re a young family, a senior living on a pension, or a business owner, you would likely agree that life has become unaffordable for many people, our communities are becoming unsafe, our healthcare systems are crumbling, and climate change needs to be addressed seriously –like the nation is going to war.
I am fortunate to have a good life today, with the privilege of living on beautiful Vancouver Island with my wonderful wife, Heather, and our two sweet labradoodles. We co-founded a registered charity almost 15 years ago ~ and every day I am inspired by the people I meet through our work. I also have 3 young adult children who are out pursuing their dreams, and I love any opportunity I have to connect with my kids and cheer them on as they are finding their way in a world that is full of challenges and opportunities.
As I mentioned, life wasn’t always this good for me. In fact, I struggled through most of it – especially in my earlier years. Growing up in poverty, experiencing homelessness, violence and having addiction issues compounded my misery, but offered perspective as well. Not long after becoming a father in my early 20’s I knew that I needed to do things differently or my children would be stuck in some of the same cycles of intergenerational harm that I had experienced. So, I cleaned up my act, went back to school and started working in the helping profession – ultimately knowing that service was critical to my own path of recovery and part of that became the creation of an organization (with my wife) that helps people who are facing the difficult challenges of serious illness, loss and grief.
Politicians will often say they’re going to “fight” for this and fight for that, yet the truth is most of them have never been in a fight their entire life. My experiences have taught me that there are better ways to get things done. As a father, husband, and leader of teams in the helping profession, I realize that we as people are relational, and that we all want much of the same stuff. We want to live a good life where we feel safe, secure and valued, and we want much the same for the people and the communities that we love. I come from a place of lived experience that has shaped and informed my values. I have decades of experience building relationships by using my values of compassion, kindness, trust, and service as my guiding compass. As a representative of the Courtenay-Alberni riding, I will work as hard as I can to bring these values into my role; to listen to the voices and concerns of this community and to do my best to bring these forward in a way that will enable positive change and movement forward for all of us.
Our Wonderful Riding
Over the last year I have had the opportunity to really appreciate where we live because I have spent a considerable amount of time campaigning in many of the communities that span throughout our riding. What’s clear to me is that every community is unique and full of diversity.
In addition to over a dozen towns and cities that span our riding, there are over a dozen First Nation communites as well – many of which I’ve been to for either work, for gatherings, or to knock on doors, and I’m often reminded that most politicians usually don’t go to the reserves. I have had the privilledge to connect with some of the Chiefs and Elders in many of the communities, and look forward to learning more about how our governments can work together to tackle issues of affordablity, housing, healthcare, and food security.