In 2009: Liberal incumbent Ron Cantelon defeated NDP candidate Leanne Salter by over 3500 votes, 51-38%.
History & Geography: Created for the 1991 election to accommodate the growing communities between Nanaimo and Comox, Parksville-Qualicum encompasses the town of Qualicum Beach, the City of Parksville, and the District of Lantzville, just north of Nanaimo. The riding went to the NDP in 1991, but has gone to the Liberals in every election since. While the NDP have had support in the city centres of Parksville and Qualicum, the Liberals are stronger in the suburbs and less populated areas.
Basic Stats:
Population: 51950 (58th)
Size: 959 km (33rd)
Density: 54.2 people/km (53rd)
Odds and Ends: 22,760 people in this riding were listed as 60 or older in the 2011 census – by far the largest number in the province.
Candidates
Liberals-Michelle Stillwell: A wheelchair racer, Stillwell won a Paralympic gold medals in wheelchair basketball in 2000, the 100 in 2008, and the 200 metres in 2008 and 2012. Paralyzed at 17, she is the only Paralympian to have gold medals in two separate summer sports, and has set multiple world records in wheelchair racing.
NDP-Barry Avis: A three-term Qualicum Beach councillor, Avis is the former Vice Chair of the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities. According to his website, he spent 35 years in senior management positions of Operations Control for two pharmaceutical and technology companies.
Conservatives-David Coupland: A radiologist, Coupland was the President of Medical Staff at Royal Nanaimo General Hospital. He also spent a year as Director of Radiology at Kanadahar Air Force. He currently sits on the board of Vancouver Island University Foundation, and is active with the federal Conservative party.
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