The riding
After four terms, New Democrat Claire Trevena is retiring. There was a relatively tight NDP-Liberal race in 2005, but the NDP wins have been more comfortable since then. Michele Babchuk, a Campbell River councillor and chair of the Strathcona Regional District, is running for the NDP, while environmentalist Alexandra Morton, known for her long campaign against open-net pen fish farms, is running for the Green Party. John Twigg, who ran for the B.C. First Party in 2017, is campaigning for the Conservatives this time, while Norm Facey, who has a background in forestry, is the Liberal candidate.
2017 results
• NDP — Claire Trevena 12,355 (47.72 per cent)
• Liberal — Dallas Smith 9,148 (35.33 per cent)
• Green — Sue Moen 3,846 (14.85 per cent)
• B.C. First — John M. Twigg 543 (2.10 per cent)
• Voter turnout: 62.49 per cent
Michele Babchuk, NDP
Born in Kamloops, 55 years old. Married with two children. Longtime resident of riding. Campbell River city councillor since 2014.
Making a difference: “I would like to think that I do a good job at communicating issues to the community in a way that makes it easy for people to understand the details they need.”
Main issue: The economic impacts of the pandemic and what it means for the future. “Our local small businesses are having a hard time recovering and it is affecting employment in our community. … We need to safely navigate through this pandemic and build a recovery that works for everyone.”
Norm Facey, Liberal
Age 65, born in Victoria, has lived in riding for 20 years. Married with two children. Worked in engineering and as a management consultant.
Making a difference: “Engagement at multiple levels has facilitated benefits to North island communities — look forward to more.” Is also a proud Rotarian.
Main issue: The economy. “Forestry, aquaculture and tourism are the economic pillars of the North Isand. All face challenges, and must be managed well — without them, North Island communities will suffer immensely.”
Alexandra Morton, Green
Age 63, born in Connecticut, became a Canadian citizen in 1997. Widow with two children. Scientist, has lived on the northern Island for 36 years. Involved in slowing the decline of wild salmon due to impact of sea lice from salmon farms.
Making a difference: “I founded a research station in my community of Echo Bay bringing young people into the dying community and supporting the neighbouring villages of Gwayasdums and Gwa’yi.”
Main issue: “The effort by communities to reinvent themselves in the face of the collapse the salmon fishery and the ongoing decline of jobs in the woods in the logging industry. The income loss due to COVID, particularly for the tourism/hospitality industry has hit this region hard.”
John Twigg, Conservative
Age 71, born in West Vancouver, resident of riding for 25 years. Married with four children. Journalist and communications consultant. Ran in 2017 for the B.C. First Party.
Making a difference: Hosted shows on local TV and radio stations and wrote on local issues in The Mirror and elsewhere. Participated in various groups, such as Citizens for Quality Health Care, Greenways, and Campbellton Neighbourhood Association.
Main issue: Cites several issues, including “urban social problems” such as property crimes committed to feed addictions, access to health care and diversification of the economy. “What is NOT a real problem is climate change, which is driven almost solely by natural variations in solar emissions and not by human emissions.”
