B.C. Election 2020: Parksville-Qualicum

The BC NDP are optimistic they have wiped the BC Liberals off the electoral map on Vancouver Island.

But there are still 13,306 mail-in and absentee ballots left to be counted,

Of the ballots already counted, NDP candidate Adam Walker has received 7,309 votes compared to 6,365 for Liberal incumbent Michelle Stilwell.

Since 2013 the riding has been the only one the BC Liberals have won on Vancouver Island.

The demographics of the riding skew older and the riding has been represented by the Liberals since 1995.

Michelle Stilwell is searching a third term.

The three-time Paralympic Games superstar is one of the best wheelchair racers in Canada’s history. Stilwell has six Olympic gold medals to go alongside with her two election victories. She is also a member of both the Manitoba and B.C. Sports Hall of Fames.

The BC NDP candidate, Walker, is a Qualicum town councillor.

2:28 How do you vote in the upcoming B.C. provincial election?

Candidates

• BC Liberals: Michelle Stilwell
• BC NDP: Adam Walker
• BC Green Party: Rob Lyon
• Independent: John St John
• Conservative: Don Purdey

Swing riding meter

The riding has moved around a bit but has largely been centered around northern Nanaimo, Parksville and Qualicum Beach since 1991. Since then the BC Liberals have won the riding seven times and the NDP once.

Based on victory percentage it was the 37th closest riding in 2017. Of the BC Liberal ridings it was the 17th closest of 43 ridings won.

2017 election results

• BC Liberal: Michelle Stilwell, 14,468 votes (45.13%)
• BC NDP: Sue Powell, 9,189 votes (28.66%)
• BC Greens: Glenn Sollitt, 8,157 votes (25.44%)
• Refederation: Terry Hand, 245 votes (0.77%)

This profile will continually be updated to reflect latest candidate information, candidate interviews and events in the campaign.

Find full B.C. 2020 provincial election coverage here.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented number of mail-in ballots were requested across B.C. this election. As mail-in ballots cannot be counted until after election night, these results are not final.