Hey, I’m Jullian Kolstee.

We might have crossed paths in North Vancouver over the years. I went to school at Westview, Carson Graham, and Capilano University, and played youth sports with NVFC (before it was NVFC) and Capilano RFC. You may have seen myself or my students perform with Carson Graham Improv, remember me from my student leadership at Carson or Capilano, or just seen me at the Delbrook pool a few times a week. Or maybe it was when I worked at Capilano Mall, the Laserdome, Presentation House, or one of the other local institutions I’ve been through. Whether we’ve met or not, I'm a 35 year old son of immigrants from Chile and the Netherlands and a neurodivergent person living with disabilities.

Public service has always been important to me, and my family. As a child my father was brain injured and my mother struggled to provide for my brother and I working odd jobs and stretching his teacher's pension. Were it not for labour unions, non-profits, public education, public health, and the volunteerism and generosity of this community, my family and I would not be here. We lost my father to COVID-19 in December of 2020. My father’s legacy as an educator in our community, particularly with indigenous peoples, set an example for me to follow throughout my life.

Professionally, I’ve spent the past seven years with an international medical device manufacturer working to lead their organizational culture strategy and trying to improve the working lives of hundreds of workers. I also have more than 20 years of experience performing and teaching improvisational theatre, developing skills that allow me to communicate and connect without being cold or polished.

Politically I’ve been active in the community since my youth and served three years elected to the Capilano Students Union. I was a candidate in the past two municipal elections for school board as an independent with no resources. I received an endorsement from the NVTA and increased my vote totals in those campaigns. I have supported political campaigns before, have liaised with MPs and MLAs, and have relationships with local leaders on the North Shore.

My mother Maribell, my partner Sinéad, and I all continue to make our home here in the City of North Vancouver, despite the fact that we struggle to afford to live here. My family came to North Vancouver because of my father Anton’s work at Carson Graham Secondary. When he suffered a heart attack and became brain injured, the community rallied behind us by holding a benefit event, while friends and colleagues reached out and offered their personal assistance. I could list all the subsidies and bursaries I have received, or the countless volunteers who made an impact on me, but the fact is I can never repay my debt to my community. I hope you will all support my campaign to serve as councillor for the City of North Vancouver.