The riding
Sonia Furstenau won a hotly contested race in 2017, beating out six others to become the riding’s MLA. The newly minted Green Party leader — she became leader on Sept. 14, just before the election was called — is now seeking a second term. She faces North Cowichan municipal councillor Rob Douglas, who is running for the NDP, and Cowichan Lake public servant Tanya Kaul, who is running for the Liberals. Before Furstenau was elected, the riding had an NDP MLA (Bill Routley).
2017 results
• Green — Sonia Furstenau 11,449 (37.24 per cent)
• NDP — Lori Lynn Iannidinardo (9,723 31.63 per cent)
• Liberal — Steve Housser 8,502 (27.66 per cent)
• Libertarian — James Robert Anderson 302 (0.98 per cent)
• Independent — Ian Morrison 502 1.63 per cent)
• Independent — Eden Haythornthwaite 119 (0.39 per cent)
• Independent — Samuel Lockhart 145 (0.47 per cent)
• Voter turnout: 67.58 per cent
Rob Douglas, NDP
Age 38, born and raised in the Cowichan Valley. Married with two kids, city councillor for North Cowichan.
Making a difference: Has been involved with Cowichan Elder Care Co-Op, Volunteer Cowichan and Cowichan Land Trust. As a municipal councillor, worked to make housing more affordable and advocated for mixed-income affordable housing developments.
Main issue: “The Cowichan Valley is facing a number of major challenges, including a critical shortage of affordable housing for working people and the most vulnerable, a lack of health care services close to home, and on-the-ground effects of climate change with the lowering water levels of the Cowichan River.”
Sonia Furstenau, Green (incumbent)
Age 50, resident of Shawnigan Lake since 2011. She and her partner have five children. MLA for the riding since 2017, leader of the Green Party since Sept. 14.
Making a difference: “As a community organizer, I worked to ensure that a permit for a contaminated soil dump in Shawnigan was cancelled. As an area director, I led efforts to acquire Mount Baldy to conserve it as a park and trails and build a new community pavilion. As your MLA, I helped reform professional reliance so no community would ever be treated like Shawnigan again.”
Main issue: The opioid crisis, “which has taken a devastating toll on our community.”
Tanya Kaul, Liberal Candidate
Age 47, resident of Cowichan Valley since 2010. Married with stepchildren. Public servant with local government.
Making a difference: “Advocating for youth empowerment through our local youth ambassador program in the Cowichan Lake area by building confidence in young people to overcome their fear of public speaking and prepare them for the future.”
Main issue: Making our communities safer “especially in the Duncan area where increase in violence, property damage, theft and crime are linked to the mental health and addictions crisis. It is time to treat the causes and prevent the harm by finding real solutions for those suffering from addictions.”
