B.C. Election 2017: Burnaby Deer Lake

Incumbent Kathy Corrigan, is stepping down so the NDP loses that slight advantage. Burnaby’s ridings, with the exception of Burnaby-Edmonds, are usually very close races.

In 2013: Corrigan won by nearly 1,000 votes, besting her BC Liberal opponent by about 5 per cent.

In 2009: Corrigan squeaked out this riding over Liberal incumbent John Nuraney by just over 500 votes, 49-46 per cent.

History & Geography: When Burnaby expanded from three to four seats in the 2009 election, Burnaby-Deer Lake was created, mostly from the previous riding of Burnaby-Willingdon. Bordered by Boundary Road in the West and Imperial on the South, this diverse and dense riding includes BCIT and Metrotown. The area has voted for both NDP and right-wing candidates in the past, but generally leans towards the NDP.

Candidates

BC Liberals – Karen Wang: She moved to B.C. from China 17 years ago and operates three daycare centres in Burnaby. Wang is a graduate of the Xi’an Foreign Languages University majoring in International Business.

NDP – Anne Kang: Chosen to replace Corrigan, who is retiring from politics, Kang has lived in the riding since 1986, and has served as a Burnaby city councillor since 2008 (alongside Mayor Derek Corrigan, Kathy’s husband). Kang is a music teacher in the Burnaby School District.

Green – Rick McGowan: A repeat Green candidate in this riding and the founder of the Metrotown Residents’ Association, McGowan teaches chemistry and English at the Pearson Adult Learning Centre in New Westminster.

Independent – Elias Ishak: Previously ran for the Burnaby School Board. Describes himself as an “anti-politician.”

Conservative – Graham Bowers: Bowers is a high school math teacher. The BC Conservatives are a mere shadow of the party from the 2013 campaign, when they fielded 56 candidates. It’s a small-government, right-of-centre party.

2017 Stats: Burnaby-Deer Lake

Population (2014): 58,195 (35th)
Population Deviation from Average: 9.6 per cent
Area: 14 sq km (76th)
Pop Density: 4,156.8 (11th)
Average Age: 40.9 years (46th)
English as Second Language: 64.46 per cent (8th)