In 2009: The NDP’s Doug Donaldson won this riding over Liberal Scott Groves by 465 votes, 50-45%.
History & Geography: The largest riding in size and smallest in population, Stikine spans the often barren northwest section of the province. Smithers in the only major town in the riding, but Dease Lake, Stewart, Telkwa and Atlin are also small population centres. The riding was known as Atlin from 1903 to 1991, but had to be drastically expanded to the south after consistent complaints its population was not large enough to merit an entire seat. The riding has gone to the NDP 12 out of the last 15 elections, with the Liberals doing best in and around Smithers, and the NDP doing best in the rest of the province.
Basic Stats:
Population: 20240 (85th)
Size: 196437 km (1st)
Density: 0.1 people/km (85th)
Odds and Ends: When the riding was smaller and known at Atlin, Frank Arthur Calder held this seat for 30 years—until he lost in 1979 by one vote..
Candidates
Liberals-Sharon Hartwell: The former mayor of Telkwa, Hartwell has served in a variety of leadership positions in the Stikine region. She is a former Director of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and former chair of the Northwest Regional Hospital District. She ran for the Progressive Democratic Alliance in the 1996 election, but finished in third with 5%.
NDP-Doug Donaldson: First elected in 2009, Donaldson was previously a four-term councillor in Hazelton. During his term he has been Deputy Opposition Critic for Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and Deputy Critic for Finance and Public Accounts. At home, he keeps a variety of chickens, turkeys, sheeps and llamas.
Conservatives-Jonathan Dieleman: A cattle rancher and former logger, Dieleman lives in Telkwa. He is involved with the local 4H club and the Bulkley Valley Agricultural and Industrial Association.
Greens-Roger Benham: Benham has degrees in Engineering Science from England. He ran for the Green Party in the 200, 2004 and 2011 elections, finishing with under 4% of the vote each time.
Christian Heritage-Rod Taylor: An entrepreneur, Taylor is one of two candidates running for the Christian Heritage Party this election. He has run in the federal riding of Skeena-Bulkley Valley the last four federal elections, finishing with under 4% of the vote each time.
Independent-Jesse O’Leary
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