"We are really having the same problem everywhere. We are operating with a skeleton staff,” B.C. Rural Health Network’s executive director said.

Dr. Nataros, a doctor based in Port Hardy, has been publicly pushing for physician assistants for the local hospital after months of intermittent closures at the ER department.

Island Health will establish daily shuttle services between Port Hardy and Port McNeill Hospitals, as well as daily shuttles to Campbell River and the Comox Valley.

Click here for candidates, history, past results, and where the riding falls on the swing-o-meter.

In 2009: NDP incumbent Claire Trevena won this riding over Liberal Marion Wright by nearly 3000 votes, 52-39%. 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,...