City Mourns the Passing of Councillor and Former Mayor John Douglas

Port Alberni, BC – It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of John Douglas, current City Councillor, former Mayor and beloved member of the community. John dedicated his life to making Port Alberni a better place, and touched the lives of all who knew him.

John started his career in health care, working as a paramedic in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island for many years. He made his way back to Port Alberni in 2004, where he worked for the Ambulance Service for another eight years. He also taught as an instructor at the Justice Institute of B.C.

John served as City Councillor from 2008 to 2011 and then as Mayor from 2011 to 2014, returning to sit as Councillor again in 2022 through to the current term. He also spent time working closely with First Nations in tourism management and economic development and more recently focused his efforts on social planning, mental health and addictions, food distribution and housing solutions for the Alberni Valley.

We will miss his enthusiasm and positivity as a community leader and dedicated volunteer, and his unwavering dedication and vision to making Port Alberni and the Valley a better place to live.

“On behalf of Council, we extend our sincere condolences to John’s family, friends, and the community,” said Mayor Sharie Minions. “John was an early voice of change in Port Alberni and was the first person that I saw in this role to recognize a different future for our community’s waterfront. He inspired many of us with his vision, myself included, and he was always there as a supportive voice for progress, offering encouraging words along the way. When I ran for council in 2014, it was because I wanted to be a part of the vision John was working to achieve. It has felt full circle to finally work with him on council the past two years and I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity.”

“Councillor John Douglas welcomed Jane and me to the community immediately,” said City of Port Alberni CAO Mike Fox. “He was generous with advice and on finding our place in Port Alberni. John was invested in our success and happiness here and was a great contributor to both. We will cherish John’s friendship and miss him dropping in for coffee and a chat. I extend my sympathies to his wife, family and friends at this difficult time. On behalf of all City staff, our sincere condolences go out to John’s family.”

The City has lowered its flags to half-mast in mourning of John’s passing.

The City will be rescheduling Monday’s special council meeting and Committee of the Whole to a later date.

The family requests that anyone wishing to pay their respects to visit City Hall starting next week. More information will be provided by end of day.

Please respect the family’s privacy at this time.

For More Information:

Communications
City of Port Alberni
250.206.6472
Communications@portalberni.ca