RIDING PROFILE: Candidates and key issues in battleground Victoria

CHEK

With just a few days left until the federal election, the final push is on to woo undecided voters.

Candidates in Victoria are working the phones and pounding the pavement in this battleground riding.

“The number one issue I’ve heard in this riding is affordability,” Conservative candidate Richard Caron says.

“People are worried about the housing crisis, people are worried about the climate crisis,” says NDP candidate Laurel Collins.

“It’s time to have a real moment of climate leadership in Ottawa,” Green Party candidate Racelle Kooy says.

“They’re telling me they want urgent action on the environment,” says Liberal candidate Nikki Macdonald.

The four main party candidates say the climate crisis and affordability are the two main concerns in a diverse riding than spans from downtown to tony Ten Mile Point.

It’s been NDP riding since 2006 but before that it was a Liberal stronghold for 16 years and now the Greens could be poised for a breakthrough.

With no incumbent, pollsters are predicting a three-way race between the Green Party, Liberal and NDP candidates — who are all passionate about the environment.

Collins says she got into politics because of the climate crisis and environmental protection.

“We have seen this government declare a climate emergency and less than 24 hours later buy a pipeline that will blow past our climate targets and put our coast at risk,” Collins says.

Macdonald’s spent the last decade working in ocean and climate science at the University of Victoria.

“The Liberals are the only party that are in a position to take action,” says Macdonald. “They’ve already taken action through an investment of $1.5 billion.”

Kooy is pledging to work across party lines for climate action.

“I came to Victoria as somebody who was displaced by wildfires,” Kooy says. “You’re literally talking to somebody who had climate change come knocking at her door.”

Caron is promising tax cuts to make life more affordable.

“I’m running to ensure a bright future for not only my children but all Canadians and Victoria, especially,” Caron says. “I feel Victoria wants a voice at the table in Ottawa.”

For the full list of candidates announced for Vancouver Island, visit our page here. 

Tess van StraatenTess van Straaten

Recent Stories

Send us your news tips and videos!