The remaining B.C. Liberal Party candidate to run in one of Nanaimo’s three electoral areas will be revealed early this week – just in time for the official start to the election season.
Today (April 16), the writ of election – a formal order signed by the Chief Electoral Officer and the Lieutenant Governor calling for an election to be held – marks the start of campaign period and the candidate list in all three Nanaimo ridings is rounding out, with a Liberal candidate for the Nanaimo riding announced Sunday and a candidate for the Nanaimo-North Cowichan riding expected to be revealed shortly.
Nanaimo-North Cowichan candidates include: John Sherry (Conservative Party of B.C.), Mayo McDonough (Green Party of B.C.), and incumbent Doug Routley (NDP).
In Nanaimo, the list includes Bryce Crigger (Conservatives), Ian Gartshore (Green), Brunie Brunie (independent), Walter Anderson (Liberal), and incumbent Leonard Krog (NDP).
Ryan Bruce, Vancouver Island regional organizer with the Liberal party, said the Nanaimo riding is the last in the region to fill up with candidates.
“It’s taken a little longer than we’ve liked,” he said.
For Parksville-Qualicum, candidates include David Coupland (Conservative), Michelle Stilwell (Liberal) and Barry Avis (NDP). A candidate for the Green Party has yet to be announced.
Over the next month until election day on May 14, candidates will ramp their campaigns into high gear. Voter registration closes April 23 so that Elections B.C. can do a final voter’s list – people can go to www.elections.bc.ca/ovr or call 1-800-661-8683 to update their information.
And while details are not yet in, there will likely be several all-candidates meetings for residents to attend, including one the Nanaimo District Teachers’ Association is hosting for all three ridings on May 8 in Dover Bay Secondary School’s multipurpose room from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The South Wellington and Area Community Association is hosting a meet and greet for all candidates in the Nanaimo-North Cowichan riding tonight starting at 7 p.m. at the South Wellington Community Hall, 1555 Morden Rd.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce, with sponsorship from the News Bulletin, hosts a pre-election business forum for the Nanaimo riding April 23 at the Coast Bastion Inn. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.