This riding was won by the NDP in 2013 by 2,002 votes; 50.7 per cent to 42.2 per cent. This is on the edge of the definition of a swing riding.
But the B.C. Liberals vote increased by 900 in 2013, the NDP vote flat-lined, and the Conservatives took 1,675, which is significant (and they may not field a candidate this time). As well, there was no Green Party candidate in 2013 and there will be in this campaign. The lack of a Conservative candidate and the addition of a Green one may put this riding in play.
In 2009: NDP incumbent Claire Trevena won this riding over Liberal Marion Wright by nearly 3,000 votes, 52 to 39 per cent.
History & Geography: Created in 1979, North Island covers all of Vancouver Island north of Comox, with Campbell River and Port Hardy the main cities. It also includes areas of the northern Sunshine Coast, including Cortes Bay, Minstrel Island, and Hopetown. It has gone to the NDP in 7 of its 8 elections, with 2001 the only outlier. Tahsis, Alert Bay, and many smaller towns on Vancouver Island tend to support the NDP, while upper-income areas around Campbell River are areas of strength for the Liberals.
Candidates
Liberals – Dallas Smith: Outgoing President of the Nanwakolas band Council, Smith was a key figure in the negotiations on the Great Bear Rainforest agreement. He is one of a number of high-profile resource-development-friendly First Nations candidates to be recruited by the Liberals.
NDP – Claire Trevena: The critic for Transportation and Infrastructure, BC Ferries, and BC Transit. Trevena was first elected in 2005. Before entering politics, Trevena was a journalist, becoming BBC’s Canadian correspondent before immigrating. She also worked for CBC Newsworld, and won a Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal for her efforts in Macedonia.
Greens – Sue Moen: Owner of ‘A Country Life’ Dog Care. Global viewers will remember Moen as the executive director at A Loving Spoonful in Vancouver.
BC First – John M. Twigg: The leader of the BC First Party and its only candidate in 2017. The party’s website shows a focus on democratic reform to allow more citizen involvement in government.
2017 Stats: North Island
Population (2014): 55,633 (51st)
Population Deviation from Average: 4.7 per cent
Area: 45,034 sq km (5th)
Pop Density: 1.2 (77th)
Average Age: 45.5 years (20th)
English as Second Language: 8.30 per cent (81st)
Top 3 Second Languages:
German – 1.36 per cent
Dutch – 0.43 per cent
Spanish – 0.37 per cent
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