Ucluelet's former mayor is now its newest municipal councillor, according to the preliminary results of June 28's by-election.
Polls closed at 8 p.m. on Saturday and preliminary results posted on the district's website about an hour later show Noel with 175 votes, narrowly edging out Todd Evalina's 167 votes, followed by Trevor Jones, 100 votes, and Myles Morrison, 21 votes.
Noel told the Westerly News after the results were published that he was “delighted” to have earned the seat and suggested his focus on the economy and the community’s desire to bring a different voice to council put him over the top.
“I’m probably a little bit different than the rest of the choices there. I think between Todd and I, we both have the same commitment for the community, but probably just two different focuses on the community at this time,” he said, adding the economy is in rough shape and Ucluelet needs to start “pushing development forward.”
“It would be great that Todd would be up here if he were to win, but would we get a different voice for our community about doing business with the community? Not trying to make more accessibility and other things, which are very important to the community but, right now, I think the community is in a survival thing because the economy is on its nose and no one’s even talking about it…That’s the difference that I’m going to focus on. I agree with everything everyone else is saying, but we can’t do that with our revenue basis for the community and no one is addressing that.”
He added that he is excited to bring a new voice to the council table.
“We’re dragging our feet here and we’re making some processes quite difficult for individuals, whether it’s personal or business-wise, to invest in the community. I know that there’s work being done but, at the end of the day, I don’t think that voice has been at the council table,” he said. “I think tonight is a bit of a ‘Do you elect someone that sings the same tune that’s currently there, or do you throw someone in there that sings a bit of a different song than the rest of the group.’ Tonight, I see that there’s a bit of a desire for the community to have a different lens, the way I speak and look at things, at the council table, so I appreciate that.”
Noel served as a councillor from 2014-2018 before becoming mayor from 2018-2022 and chose not to run for reelection in 2022 citing his desire to spend more time with his family.
He said his work with the Food Bank on the Edge Society and securing a new food bank facility in town revitalized his political passion.
“Quite frankly, I’m just horrified how we were treated as an organization. Honestly, if i can’t step up and say there’s a problem that needs to be addressed and if the seriousness behind my voice doesn’t get heard at the council table, there’s a functionality issue of doing business in town,” he said.
“Going through the permitting process, I would never want to wish that on anybody and, quite frankly, the process was just terrible. I have the right to say that and I also have the right to try to influence real change…These are things that need to happen now. I’m not trying to blame anyone, but we’ve got to conduct business differently and customer service needs to be a priority.”
In a social media post Saturday night the by-election's runner-up Todd Evalina congratulated Noel.
"I hope you bring a balanced voice and spirited energy to this position. And I hope you represent this wonderful place to the fullest of your ability. Thanks also to my fellow candidates...Mostly, I’d like to thank the 167 folks who placed their trust in me. We were 8 votes shy of a win, tonight. It’s proof that every vote counts. But, close only counts in horseshoes!," Evalina wrote.
"I’m proud to have run the best campaign I was capable of. I’m proud that so many people in this wonderful place saw hope in the platform I put forward. From day one, I started with a plan and a vision that clearly resonated with people. And, I’m proud to say my work was a big reason why these important issues were thrust into centre stage on behalf of this community. I’ll hold that as something worth celebrating...Thank you, Ucluelet. This was more about “us” than it was ever about “me”. Our voices have certainly been heard. And, I’m excited to carry this positive momentum forward!"