B.C. Liberals had sought a major breakthrough on Vancouver Island, early on unveiling an Island-tailored platform designed to wrest seats from the NDP.
Early today, however, it appeared the party might end up with only one seat, down from two, as the NDP seemed to retain its lock on most Island ridings.
NDP Leader John Horgan easily held onto his Langford-Juan de Fuca seat, but it was unknown at press time if he will be the Island’s first premier since Byron (Boss) Johnson, who served until 1952.
NDP stalwarts Carole James and Rob Fleming were re-elected in Victoria-Beacon Hill and Victoria-Swan Lake, as was the NDP’s Lana Popham in Saanich South.
Greens battled for Island support in what they hoped would be a breakout election that would see them gain seats and solidify their position in B.C.’s political landscape.
Climate scientist and Green Leader Andrew Weaver — elected in 2013 as the first Green MLA in B.C. — was easily returned to the rejigged Oak Bay-Gordon Head riding, with more than 50 per cent support at press time.
He’ll be joined by the Greens’ Adam Olsen, who was elected in Saanich North and the Islands, edging out NDP incumbent Gary Holman. Weaver had vowed during the campaign to step down after serving this next term if his party did not gain more seats. Olsen is a member of the Tsartlip First Nation and Saanich Inlet Network who has spoken out against a proposed LNG facility near the Saanich Inlet.
Saanich North was a riding to watch because of its close result four years ago, when the top three candidates finished within a few hundred votes of each other.
In the Cowichan Valley, the Greens’ Sonia Furstenau pulled ahead of the NDP’s Lori Lynn Iannidinardo at press time in a closely fought race. A director on the Cowichan Valley Regional District, Furstenau fought fiercely against a contaminated-soil treatment site near Shawnigan Lake.
The field was open in the riding after the NDP’s Bill Routley announced he would not run again.
Newcomer Mitzi Dean, executive director of the Pacific Centre Family Services Association, held onto the Esquimalt-Metchosin riding for the NDP, beating high-profile Esquimalt Mayor Barb Dejardins, who ran for the Liberals.
The riding had been held by the NDP’s Maurine Karagianis, who did not run again after serving three successive terms.
Desjardins said many factors played into the NDP win, including her performance as mayor.
“I heard at the door: ‘I love you as my mayor, so I don’t want to support you to go somewhere else.’ ” she said.
In Courtenay-Comox, the NDP’s Ronna-Rae Leonard was locked in a tight race with Liberal Jim Benninger at press time, with the lead switching back and forth between the two all night, ending with the NDP narrowly ahead. That seat had been held by Liberal Don McRae, who opted not to run again.
Liberal Michelle Stilwell easily won Parksville-Qualicum, where she was elected in 2013. Stilwell — the only Island Liberal running for re-election — had served as minister of Social Development and Innovation.
Early results saw the middle and north Island remain solidly NDP.
Nanaimo incumbent and long-time NDP MLA Leonard Krog was re-elected, as was NDP member Doug Routley in Nanaimo-Cowichan.
NDP transportation critic Claire Trevena held onto her seat on the North Island, beating Dallas William Smith of the Liberals.
Mid Island-Pacific Rim also went to the NDP, with incumbent Scott Fraser easily surpassing Liberal Darren DeLuca.
— with a file from Bill Cleverley
