In 2013: NDP incumbent Lana Popham won by over 2,000 votes, 45 per cent to 35 per cent.
In 2009: Popham defeated Liberal Robin Adair by 482 votes, 47-45 per cent.
This should be a safe NDP seat, but any significant rise in the Green vote could threaten that status.
History & Geography: Created for the 1991 election from the larger Saanich and the Islands riding, Saanich South is a somewhat urban riding, consisting of all of Saanich that is north of McKenzie Avenue east of Highway 17, and north of the Trans-Canada west of Highway 17. The old Saanich riding went to the Social Credit Party for 40 years, but has gone to the NDP in five of the last six elections.
Candidates
Liberals – David Calder: An Olympic rower, who competed at the Olympic Games in 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012, Calder now manages a rowing and paddling centre on the Gorge Waterway and coaches athletes.
NDP – Lana Popham: The incumbent serves as the critic for Agriculture, Food and Small Business. Before entering politics, she ran a her own organic vineyard, Barking Dog Vineyard, and ran a campaign to reduce disposable bag use. She was raised on Quadra Island, and graduated from UBC with a degree in urban planning.
Greens – Mark Neufeld: A 25-year teacher, Neufeld recently completed a MSc. Interdisciplinary at the University of Victoria with Andrew Weaver. In 2012, he was voted one of five most inspirational teachers in Canada.
Libertarian Party – Andrew Paul McLean: The Libertarian party is running 30 candidates, four times as many as in 2013. They have been running candidates in B.C. since 1986, but have never come close to winning a seat.
The Vancouver Island Party – Richard Percival Pattee: The Vancouver Island Party is a ‘single issue’ party dedicated to the secession of Vancouver Island from B.C. to become a separate province within Confederation. They are running four candidates.
2017 Stats: Saanich South
Population (2014): 51,661 (63rd)
Population Deviation from Average: -2.7 per cent
Area: 91 sq km (52nd)
Pop Density: 567.7 (37th)
Average Age: 45.5 years (20th)
English as Second Language: 17.98 per cent (41st)
Top 3 Second Languages:
Panjabi (Punjabi) – 3.24 per cent
Chinese, n.o.s. – 1.85 per cent
Cantonese – 1.37 per cent
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