The riding
NDP MLA Rob Fleming is seeking re-election. He has won decisively four times before — his vote share in 2017, at 53.61 per cent, was the lowest yet. This time around, he faces Liberal David Somerville, a legislative assistant for Liberal MLAs; Annemieke Holthuis of the Green Party, a federal lawyer; Communist Walt Parsons, a truck driver in the recycling industry; and Independent Jenn Smith, the leading opponent of SOGI 123 in B.C.
2017 results
• NDP — Rob Fleming 13,374 (53.61 per cent)
• Green — Christopher Alan Maxwell 7,413 (29.71 per cent)
• Liberal — Stacey Piercey 3,960 (15.87 per cent)
• Vancouver Island Party — David Costigane 203 (0.81 per cent)
• Voter turnout: 64.33 per cent
Rob Fleming, NDP (incumbent)
Website: robfleming.bcndp.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/RobFlemingVictoria
Twitter: twitter.com/Rob_Fleming
Born in Windsor, Ont., but has lived in Victoria for 27 years. 48 years old, married with two kids. Joined the New Democrats in high school, an MLA since 2005, and minister of education since 2017.
Making a difference: Spearheaded the creation of the student U-Pass program while in university; helped create the regional Affordable Housing Trust Fund; introduced legislation to regulate the payday lending industry and ban the use of cosmetic pesticides.
Main issue: Keeping us safe in the pandemic and building a strong economic recovery; supporting local business, jobs and new job creation; building affordable housing and childcare; creating a compassionate and effective mental health, addictions, public safety and housing response to solve and end homeless encampments.
Annemieke Holthuis, Green Party
Website: bcgreens.ca/annemieke_holthuis
Facebook: facebook.com/AeHolthuis
Instagram: instagram.com/annemiekeholthuis
Twitter: twitter.com/aeholthuis
Age 57, born in the Netherlands, resident of the riding since 2006. Married with four daughters. As a lawyer advised the federal government on human rights and criminal law reform here and abroad.
Making a difference: “I have worked in my community based on my values, which include collaboration, inclusion, respect for diversity and integrity.” Trustee for the Greater Victoria Public Library, member of boards of directors for organizations that support health and well-being.
Main issue: Making the communities of Victoria-Swan Lake as “liveable and resilient as possible. As part of this, we need to address the rise of homelessness, mental health and addiction supports, affordable housing, transportation options.”
Walter Parsons, Communist
Website: cpcbc.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/WaltParsonsCPC
Age 29, born in New Zealand. Lives just outside the riding. Partner, no children. Truck driver in the recycling industry.
Making a difference: Has picked up about 200 bottle drives, helping facilitate donations to charities, schools and sports teams. Dozens of hours spent removing invasive species.
Main issue: “There are many symptoms of a deeper systemic issue plaguing Victoria-Swan Lake. Traffic grinds to frustrating halts, waiting times at medical clinics can be absurd, schools and their staff are underfunded, both mortgages and rent for locals are onerously expensive, prevailing wages don’t go as far as they used to, wildfire smoke is almost an annual tradition — the list goes on. These issues all stem from the nature of capitalism: private profit over public benefit.”
Jenn Smith, Independent
Website: jennsmith.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/jennsmith64
Age 55, born in Oliver. Does not live in the riding but will move if elected. A political activist who works in retail supply. Separated, no children “but helped raise one.”
Making a difference: Calling for a national inquiry into the “mass ‘sex reassignment’ and pharmaceutical sterilization of foster children and other vulnerable youths which has been facilitated by this government and empowered by SOGI 123.”
Main issue: The “increasingly totalitarian overreach of our government and its indifference to public opinion. … Horgan is planning a Brian Mulroney-styled four-year dictatorship that maintains if you vote for him you approve everything he does, and I believe this will include heavy lock-down measures after the election that will once again devastate small businesses.”
David Somerville
Website: bcliberals.com/team/david-somerville
Facebook: facebook.com/somerville4BC
Instagram: instagram.com/somerville4bc
Twitter: twitter.com/somerville4bc
Age 25, born in Campbell River, resident of the riding since 2017. Not married, no children. Graduated from UVic in 2018, works as a legislative assistant.
Making a difference: Over the years has canvassed voters “who want to have their issues heard … I have tried my best to have my community’s voice heard by any level of government willing to listen.”
Main issue: Aside from the pandemic, public safety and affordability. “Voters near Topaz Park and in the urban areas fear for their safety given the recent spike in crime downtown, voters in the suburbs are worried about their skyrocketing ICBC premiums, and young people all around the riding worry about ever finding an affordable place to live or finding a permanent place to call home in Victoria.”
