Summary: One of the few Vancouver Island ridings without any significant change in boundaries, Saanich-Gulf Islands is home to Green Party leader Elizabeth May.
Boundaries: A sprawling seat that includes four municipalities and several islands, this riding includes most of the Gulf Islands, all of Central Saanich, North Saanich and Sidney, and much of Saanich.
Last Election: Elizabeth May became the first Green Party candidate to be elected to the House of Commons in a general election, defeating longtime Conservative MP Gary Lunn by 8.7 per cent.
History: Prior to May’s election, the seat had been held by the Reform, Canadian Alliance, and Conservative parties. Provincially, the area has generally—though not exclusively—voted for right-wing parties, with conservative voters in Central and North Saanich outnumbering the predominately left-wing voters living on the Gulf Islands.
Demographics: The median age of 50.6 is second highest in both British Columbia and Canada.
Candidates
Conservative: Robert Boyd, mortgage broker
NDP: Alicia Cormier, Central Saanich councillor
Liberal: Tim Kane, small businessman
Greens Elizabeth May, Green Party leader and MP since 2011
Libertarian: Meghan Porter