Hannah Bell believes Islanders have an appetite for change and she wants to serve up something different.
The Green party candidate in the District 11 by-election hopes to bring a long-term vision to P.E.I.’s legislature through sustainable policies that look beyond election cycles.
While Bell has heard concerns over a wide variety of issues, she said many residents are also sharing an overall desire for something new.
“We’re hearing that people really want more from their government, people are asking when things are going to be different. That’s a bigger question, but it’s made for some really interesting conversations,” said Bell. “It comes back to the idea of having a long-term vision. People have a big appetite for something different.”
Bell, who lives with her mother and daughter on Palmers Lane, is the only candidate who currently lives in District 11.
“For some people, that doesn’t matter, but for a lot of people it really does,” said Bell, who is the finance critic for the Green party and considers her primary area of expertise to be economic development.
Candidate profiles
This is the third of four profiles of candidates for the District 11 byelection to be held on Nov. 27. On Friday, The Guardian will profile Mike Redmond, who is running for the NDP.
NDP Party - Mike Redmond profile
Green Party - Hanna Bell profile
PC Party - Melissa Hilton profile
Liberal Party - Bob Doiron profile
For an overview of the issues in District 11, watch for The Guardian’s weekend report on Saturday, Nov. 25.
Election day for the provincial electoral District 11, vacated by Doug Currie, is Monday, Nov. 27.
One of Bell’s specific goals is to amend funding regulations and supports around provincial entrepreneurship grants.
While speaking at a forum hosted by the Young Voters of P.E.I., Bell said many of the current grants require the applicant to be E.I. eligible.
She wants to change that to make micro grants and micro loans available to more P.E.I. entrepreneurs.
“We can actually re-allocate funds already in place and probably create 250 new businesses in the first couple of years with no new money,” said Bell.
About Hannah Bell
- Bell was born in the U.K., moved to Canada when she was eight years old and now lives with her mother, Judith, and her daughter, Ava, on Palmers Lane. She is the only byelection candidate currently living in District 11.
- Bell has a background in computer engineering and holds and MBA in innovative management from UPEI. She is executive director of the P.E.I. Business Women’s Association.
- Bell is the owner of consulting firm The Solution Agency, a partner in the training firm Business Learning Solutions and co-owner of creative co-workspace and business incubator The SPOT Charlottetown.
- Bell is a supporter of entrepreneurship and serves on the advisory board for Startup Canada. She also serves on the board for the National Trust for Canada, which protects cultural heritage.
With 30 years of experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors in Canada and the U.K., Bell is currently the executive director of the P.E.I. Business Women’s Association.
She also volunteers for a number of other organizations, including as an advisory board member for Startup Canada, a board member for the National Trust for Canada and member of the Rotary Club of Charlottetown
Bell said part of what drew her to the Green party was its integrated approach to policy and a belief in positive and collaborative politics.
“There actually isn’t one policy, it’s the whole package,” said Bell, referencing a need for better education and health care. “What we can do is have a plan that begins with concrete actions that have immediate quick impacts and wins and have long-term plans that take us to a different future for the Island.”
As a member of the Green Party for a number of years, Bell has previously drafted and researched policy, campaigned for other candidates and written speeches.
While this is her first time running, Bell said the momentum on the campaign has been remarkable and feels Islanders are more willing to support the Green party since seeing leader Peter Bevan-Baker perform in the legislature.
“Now we’re having the conversation of what that would like if we had more (Green MLAs) or if we had more resources,” said Bell. “A defining issue is residents want somebody who will speak for them. They all have such a diverse range of things that matter to them and they want somebody who is capable, knowledgeable and willing to speak for them.”
