Decision BC: Alberni-Pacific Rim

In 2009: NDP incumbent Scott Fraser won the riding by over 4500 votes over Liberal challenger Dianne St. Jacques, 59-32%, winning a second term.

History & Geography: Alberni-Pacific Rim stretches the entire width of central Vancouver Island, from Tofino to Bowser. There are no major cities the riding touches on the Georgia Strait coast however, so the riding’s centre is Port Alberni. This riding has traditionally been an NDP stronghold, having elected an NDP or CCF MLA in 12 of the last 15 elections, including former leader Bob Skelley from 1972 to 1988. Many of the rural parts of the riding are neutral in political affiliation, but Port Alberni itself is heavily NDP.

Basic Stats:

• Population: 43430 (71st)

• Size: 13,141 km (17th)

• Density: 3.3 people/km (69th)

Odds and Ends: The riding had 200 immigrants decide to locate in the riding between 2000 and 2005, the third lowest number in BC. 13.4% people identify as aboriginal in Alberni-Pacific Rim, compared to 4.8% for the entire province.

Candidates

Liberals-Darren DeLuca: A tourism business operator, DeLuca owns Vancouver Island Guide Outfitters, which organizes big game hunting trips. He is also a realtor and the director of the Port Alberni Junior Hockey Society.

NDP-Scott Fraser: Critic for Aboriginal Relations, Fraser was Mayor of Tofino from 1996 to 1999, but now makes Nanaimo his home. According to his bio, “his background includes small business, labour, harbour management, fisheries and shellfish aquaculture.”

CON-Enid Mary Sangster-Kelly: The first female candidate to become a nominee for the Conservatives, Sangster-Kelly owns Blooming Lovely Landscape Services in the Qualicum Beach area.