Decision BC: Victoria-Beacon Hill

In 2009: Then-NDP leader Carole James won this riding over Liberal challenger Dallas Henault by more than 7000 votes, 55-26%.

History & Geography: Created in 1991 when Victoria was broken up from a two-member district into two smaller seats, Victoria-Beacon Hill consists of the southern half of the city south of Bay Street, which includes the downtown and legislature. Home to former Premier John Hart for 21 years, the riding has historically elected politicians of all parties, but has elected the NDP in 7 of the last 8 elections. The Liberals have strength in downtown and the Rockland neighbourhood; the NDP everywhere else.

Basic Stats:

• Population: 51570 (59th)

• Size: 12.4 km (77th)

• Density: 4158.9 people/km (10th)

Odds and Ends: The polling station where the legislature is located heavily favoured the NDP last election—Carole James received 104 votes, compared to 33 for the Liberal candidate and 25 for the Green candidate.

Candidates

Liberals-Karen Bill: The executive assistant to the Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Bill has worked for several MLAs over the past 15 years.

NDP-Carole James: The critic for Social Development, James was the leader of the NDP from 2003 to 2011. Prior to provincial politics, she was a Victoria School Board trustee from 1990 to 2001, seven of those years as chair. She was also president of the BC School Trustees Association, and was the director of child care policy for the provincial government from 1999 to 2001.

Greens-Jane Sterk: The leader of the BC Green Party, Sterk was elected into her position in 2007. Before entering politics, she ran a software company and operated a private psychologist practice in Edmonton. Sterk served one term on Esquimalt city council from 2005 to 2008, and ran unsuccessfully for provincial office in 2005, 2009, and a 2008 byelection, finishing in third place each time.

Communists-John Shaw: Shaw is one of four candidates running for the Communist Party in this election.