Decision BC: Vancouver-West End

In 2009: Spencer Chandra Herbert continued to be the youngest MLA in the legislature when he defeated Liberal candidate Laura McDiarmid by 4000 votes, 57-33%.

History & Geography: Created for the last election when Vancouver-Burrard was split in two, Vancouver-West End consists of all of downtown Vancouver west of Burrard up to Georgia, and then west of Jervis. Last election saw general support for the NDP throughout the riding, with the exception of newer condos in Coal Harbour.

Basic Stats:

• Population: 48595 (66th)

• Size: 11.2 km (80th)

• Density: 4338.8 people/km (8th)

Odds and Ends: 95.7% of the population was 15 or above in the last census—the largest number in the province.

Candidates

Liberals-Scott Harrison: An executive assistant in the ministry of forestry, Harrison co-founded Maison D’etre, a renovation and design company in Vancouver.

NDP-Spencer Chandra Herbert: The critic for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Herbert is the youngest incumbent MLA. Prior to being elected in a 2008 byelection, he was a COPE park board commissioner. He was the associate producer of the United Nations World Urban Festival, and has a Fine Arts degree from Simon Fraser University.

Greens-Jodie Emery: A marijuana legalization activist, Emery is the editor of Cannabis Culture magazine, and its associated downtown store. She is married to Marc Emery, the self proclaimed “Prince of Pot” who is currently serving a five-year jail term in Georgia for selling marijuana seeds online to Americans.

Independent-Ronald Herbert: The first openly gay president of the UBC Young Conservatives, Herbert was originally the Conservatives’ candidate in this riding, but was let go after the party discovered derogatory comments he made towards Christy Clark on Twitter.

Work Less Party-Matthew Kagis: Kagis is one of two candidates running in this election for the Work Less Party, which wants BC to operate under a 32-hour work week.

Libertarian-John Clarke: Clarke is one of eight candidates running for the BC Libertarian Party this election