Nov 5 2 2025

Nanaimo city councillor Erin Hemmens was here to answer questions about the city, its resources, taxes, bylaws, schools, and more! Erin has more than two decades of experience in the community health field, one of the co-founders of B.C.'s first school-based health centre, and is Chair of the Vancouver Island Regional Library.

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The summary below was generated by AI. It may contain errors. Listen to the audio version for the most accurate information.

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Listen to the audio of this session:

erin (1).mp3

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Who is Erin?

• Currently a Nanaimo city councillor
• Was the community coroner in Nanaimo (B.C. uses the investigator model, not pathology)
• Background in community health and research in Halifax, including qualitative work with uro-gyn nurses and evaluation of a provincial breastfeeding policy.
• Led local projects in Nanaimo, for example centralized intake with paediatricians and a virtual cancer-screening service.

What was the school-based clinic at John Barsby?

• Helped launch a primary-care clinic at John Barsby Community School to serve youth with limited access to care, including sexual and reproductive health.
• Early impact was immediate, for example identifying an unrecognised pregnancy on day one.
• Model expanded into a youth wellness site at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre in partnership with Island Health and the school district.
• Useful links: John Barsby Wellness Centre background, B.C. Paediatric Society summary, Nanaimo Youth Wellness Centre info and relocation to the Aquatic Centre.

Why Nanaimo, and what feels unique about it?

• Understated, a bit gritty and blue-collar, with serious natural beauty.
• University presence brings ideas and energy.
• “Come as you are” vibe, welcoming to different lifestyles.