“I’ve known Gord Johns for 20 years, both as a colleague and friend. Gord was District of Tofino Councillor when I was the elected Chief Councillor of the Tla-o-qui-aht people, and we worked closely on a number of initiatives. Gord and I were also co-chairs of the West Coast Multiplex Society for 3 years. Outside of official capacities we have worked together informally on many projects to help our region grow. Gord knows the people and the issues in our region, and knows how to build bridges and get things done. Gord has always been supportive of our people. Gord understands our culture and over the years Gord has earned my deep trust and respect. I would be very proud to see Gord in Ottawa and know he would energetically represent ALL of his constituents.” Moses Martin (Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations Member)
“I met Gord in 1994, just after Gord left a corporate banking. After twenty years of public and private service, dozens of westcoast households know that Gord gets it. He gets business. He gets resource economies. And Gord gets results. He has helped balance public (District of Tofino) and non profit (Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce) budgets, by identifying creative revenue streams to increase the bottom line, year after year after year……all accomplished by encouraging community enrolment, and stakeholder participation.” Mike Brack (Forestry Worker, Port Alberni, BC)
“It is truly an honour to write this endorsement for Gord Johns. I cannot think of a better suited candidate to represent us in the House of Commons. He genuinely cares about the people of the West Coast and has served them well for years launching one initiative after another to bring our communities together. The energy and enthusiasm that he brings is fuelled by his deep passion to empower people. He has an uncanny ability to connect with people on a deep level and is always looking for ways to develop the leadership ability in the people around him. I strongly believe that having a leader like Gord as our representative in Ottawa would bring a stronger voice for the West Coast and better enable our voice to be both heard and understood in the House of Commons” Ricardo Manmohan (Lead Facilitator Pacific Rim Leadership Centre)
“Please except this e:mail as my endorsement for Gord Johns who I understand is running for the Federal N.D.P. candidate. I have known Gord for a number of years and I have seen him getting involved with community events. I have also seen him lead and sponsor a slow pitch team which is a very big part of our communities activities. He worked for the Tofino Long-beach Chamber of Commerce and proved he could do a great job for the business community of Tofino. He owned and operated his own business here in Tofino. He has shown great character and has been a good friend of our family. He will make a great candidate and I do not have a problem with endorsing Gord Johns for the Federal N.D.P.” Yours Sincerely: Lewis George (President, House of Himwitsa Ltd., Tofino, B.C.)
“Without any hesitation, I am pleased to endorse Gord Johns as a candidate for NDP. Gord’s tireless energy and positive outlook will make him a excellent MP, both an effective and dependable representative for his constituents. What I have witnessed over time, is his deep commitment to working towards building a healthy sustainable community. His ability to engage with many levels of diversity of the region is one of his strongest strength He has worked tirelessly on behalf of businesses and non-profit sectors and an advocate who puts community interests first. I have confidence that Gord Johns as the next NDP leader will be a noticeable asset to Ottawa and to his riding.” Regards, Vi Mundy (Former Chief Councillor of Ucluelet First Nation and Retired Administrator)
“Gord Johns would be an excellent candidate to represent the NDP in the next federal election. I have worked with the Chamber of Commerce in Tofino, while Gord was the executive director, and I say without hesitation that Gord provided outstanding leadership. In my opinion Gord Johns would be an excellent choice to represent the NDP in Ottawa.” Roland W. Arnet (Tofino, B.C., Retired Commercial Fisherman and School Teacher)
“It is with great pride that I am able to show my support for a humble and hard working member of our coastal community. Gordon has been a member of many leadership groups and councils; as well as a business owner that promoted alternative and sustainable development of fiber options. In my time knowing Gord as friend, father, city councillor, I could not imagine a better candidate to represent our emerald gem. There has never been a moment where he has never not had the time to talk about issues that are faced out on the coast;he has always able to give positive feedback and been very informative on many a subject on coastal issues. I am truly hopeful and inspired that we could have a west coast representative that can bring to the forefront, our voice to promote, protect and sustain the west coast as one of the last bastions of wild west coast.” Brendan Tom Haa’ak’suuk Ck. (Hydro Tla-o-qui-aht Member)
“Gord Johns would be the best MP this area has ever had. Gord is a hardworking father, sustainable business pioneer, and tireless advocate for his community, both Tofino and Vancouver Island. I have been a board member of the Tofino-Longbeach Chamber of Commerce for the last two years, and Gord’s work as Executive Director went beyond what anyone could have expected. Gord created new initiatives like the Ambassador Program, spoke fearlessly for our interests, and built alliances and bridges everywhere he went. Gord understands both business and politics, and he gets things done. Gord puts people first, and would represent all his constituents. I’m putting my energy behind Gord because we need change not only in this riding, but in Ottawa. We need people with vision and heart and courage, who believe in change and democracy, and a better future for our children. Gord has what it to takes to make a difference.” Patrick Canning (Lawyer, Tofino, BC)
“I will be supporting Gord Johns in the upcoming Federal Election as I know him to be a hardworking leader for the west coast and for Canadians. I have learned from Gord Johns in a classroom setting, he was speaking about working with other leaders, how to connect through communication and how to get through difficult conversations/conflict. He is a great mentor in the community and has mentored me through taking over as chair of the West Coast Multiplex Society. I have seen Gord get things done, speak up when no one was and be available when someone needs him. Gord supports large organizations doing small things in the community like the Tofino Girl Guides. He will be a noticeable asset to Ottawa and on behalf of his riding.” Samantha Hackett (Director of Operations, Long Beach Lodge Resort; Board Member, Tourism Tofino; Chair West Coast Multiplex Society; Leader Tofino Girl Guides, & Co-Commissioner, Girl Guides of Canada Coastal Rainforest District)
“I write in support of Gord John’s candidacy. I have worked beside Gord for many years and, while we have not always seen eye-to-eye politically, I have never doubted his passion and commitment to his community. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of both business and the non-profit sector and we have seen many of his projects come to fruition, much to the benefit of our region. Gord has been an effective politician at the municipal level and is ready to take his talents to a larger stage.” Bill Morrison (Ucluelet Aquarium Society)
“One of Gord’s greatest gifts is his genuine love of people. During the years that I worked for him in his stores Fiber Options and Ecoeverything in Tofino, I witnessed time and time again, his care and concern for all levels of our community. Gord makes friends everywhere he goes, not only because he’s warm and welcoming, but because he really listens; he wants to know what people think, who they are, and what they need. Gord has boundless energy, a deep commitment to environmental and social issues, and the willingness to stand up and make change happen. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like Gord Johns, and I can say with absolute confidence that he is the advocate we need. I wholeheartedly support his candidacy.” Brittany Smith (Writer)
“I met Gord while taking the SFU Community Economic Development Certificate. I was struck by his ability to inspire the people around him and to provide well thought out, action oriented solutions to issues facing our coastal communities. Gord has a leadership style that resonates with people of all ages and from a diverse range of backgrounds. With Gord as the NDP representative for our riding, I believe that more potential NDP voters will be reached and that we will have a strong NDP candidate going into the 2014 federal election.” Bridget Horel (MBA Student, Community Economic Development, Comox Valley, BC)
” Gord Johns was invaluable in my role as the Festival Coordinator for the Pacific Rim Whale Festival in 2012. WIth his tireless efforts and support, our non-profit society was able to reconnect with the community and raise enough funds to make it one of the most successful events of the year. In planning any public event on the West Coast, Gord would be the first person I would talk to. His ties in the community are far reaching, and I trust his advice implicitly” Wendy Hainstock (Event Planner Anigraph Productions Ltd.)
** These comments do not endorse the candidate or party for election, but is merely a character reference of the individual identified.