MEET IAN
As the longest-serving current Councillor, it has been an honour for me to serve the City for the past twelve years.
Prior to my election to Council I gained civic experience through three years as a member of the City of Nanaimo’s Parks Recreation and Culture Commission. During that time I chaired the Parks Committee and the Harewood Dry Floor Facility Committee, which spearheaded construction of the multi-sport covered lacrosse box at Harewood Centennial Fields. I also sat on the City’s Grants Advisory Committee, and am on the Nanaimo Sports Hall of Fame
Committee.
During my three terms as City Councillor, I have chaired the Public Safety Committee and the Nanaimo Parks, Recreation, and Wellness Committee, and the District 68 Sports Field and Recreation Committee. I have sat on the Protocol Agreement Working Committee involving the
City and Snuneymuxw First Nation, and was appointed to the Mayor’s Leaders’ Table. I currently sit on the Nanaimo Port Authority/City Liaison Committee, the Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel, and the Tourism Nanaimo Board.
I am one of the City representatives on the Regional District of Nanaimo Board, where I served two terms as RDN Board Chair in 2018-2020. As an RDN director I chair the Liquid Waste Management Plan Committee. From 2018-2024 I was Chair of the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District Board. I am currently the Vice Chair, very involved with advocating to the provincial government to build a cardiac cath lab and new patient tower on our hospital grounds.
During my three four-year Council terms I have gained professional development by attending annual meetings of the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Among other
conferences I attend each year the Vancouver Island Economic Summit. I have also benefited from attending workshops sponsored by the Local Government Leadership Academy, and have been awarded a Level 2 - Advanced Certificate in Local Government Leadership.
My experiences have given me many opportunities to demonstrate leadership skills, to learn about the principles of governance, and to work cooperatively as part of a team.
My past three terms on Council have given me valuable insight and knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing our beautiful city. I have learned much, and gained a great deal of experience. I have met many wonderful people, and it has been an honour for me to represent the City of Nanaimo. I ask for your support in letting me continue to do so.
I am proud to be a third-generation Nanaimoite. Though my mother was born here, I was raised in Victoria, attending Oak Bay High School and the University of Victoria. While growing up I spent many holidays in Nanaimo with my cousins and other relatives, then did summer work in
Nanaimo during my university years.
Following graduation from UVic in 1974, I moved back to Nanaimo and have lived here ever since. I have a B.A. and Diploma in Education from UVic, and an M.A. from San Diego State University.
In 2010 I retired following a 35-year career as a teacher and school administrator, all of it here in Nanaimo, working in all areas of the city.
Along with teaching I worked in local broadcasting for many years here in Nanaimo for CHUB and CKEG radio stations, as well as volunteer work with Shaw Cable. For over 45 years I have written a community sports column “The Thorpe Report” in the Nanaimo News Bulletin paper, and continue to enjoy this activity. I have also done contract work with the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
In all of my endeavours, I have been fortunate to have the support of my dedicated wife Ruth and our family, which now includes two wonderful grandchildren.
Over the years I have been involved in many local sports organizations as a coach, official, and executive member. I have had the honour of being president of Junior Babe Ruth Baseball, the Nanaimo Curling Club, and the Nanaimo Lawn Bowling Club. I am an Honourary Lifetime Member of the Nanaimo and District Youth Soccer Association, and am on the Nanaimo Curling Club’s Honour Roll. I have volunteered at the B.C. Summer Games hosted in Nanaimo, as Medals Chair in 2002, and Sergeant-at-Arms in 2014, and as Dais Coordinator for the B.C. 55+ Games in 2025. I have had the privilege of receiving a Community Sports Hero Award from Sport B.C.
I have served as a director of the Nanaimo Harbour City Seniors. I am also proud to be a long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion, and for the past ten years have had the honour in emcee the annual Remembrance Day ceremony in downtown Nanaimo. As a member of the Rotary Club of Nanaimo North I help with volunteer activities in the community. I am a coordinator of the Coins for Kids charity sponsored by the Nanaimo News Bulletin, and am a member of Volunteer Nanaimo. I also sit on the Board of Central Vancouver Island Crimestoppers.
Recreational activities I enjoy include reading, walking, curling lawn bowling, and golfing.
