Riding description
Former union leader Bill Routley, known for his fiery speeches in the legislature, is seeking a second term as MLA in this riding.
Steve Housser, a former CBC reporter, is running for the B.C. Liberals.
The Cowichan Valley riding, which was newly created in 2009, includes the communities of Youbou, Lake Cowichan, south Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Cobble Hill, Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay, Bamberton and the north Malahat.
Forestry, mill job losses, seniors care and the condition of Cowichan General Hospital are key issues in the riding.
Candidates
B.C. NDP: Bill Routley (incumbent)
billroutley.bcndp.ca
twitter.com/brotherbillr
https://www.facebook.com/billroutleyndp
• Age: 64
• Previous experience: Four Years as Cowichan Valley MLA; Member of BC standing committee on Finance; Member of Timber Supply Committee
• Community involvement: School Trustee – Lake Cowichan; Cowichan Valley Basket Society Volunteer; Beavers/Scouts volunteer
• Top three issues: Economy; Equality; Environment
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
B.C. LIBERALS: Steve Housser
www.stevehousser.ca
twitter.com/HousserSteve
www.facebook.com/CowValleyLiberal
• Age: 64
• Occupation: Business Owner, “Next Step Solutions”, Media relations, Communications & Fundraising
• Community involvement: Steve is very active helping with the development of Kinsol Trestle trails, an extension of the Mill Bay Food Bank and raising financial aid for local high school grads to go to university. Steve is past president of South Cowichan Rotary and current president, South Cowichan Rotary Club Foundation.
Top issues: a new Cowichan Valley District Hospital; creating jobs for all British Columbians, especially in Cowichan Valley by fostering strong; stable economy; stop the SIA contaminated waste dump in Shawnigan Watershed and protect other watersheds; -improvements to the Malahat
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
GREEN PARTY OF B.C.: Kerry Davis
VoteKerryDavis.ca
twitter.com/KerryGDavis
facebook.com/KerryDavis2013
• Age: 39
• Occupation: Model Train Manufacturer
• Previous elected experience: None
• Community involvement: Kerry is on the Mill Bay/Malahat Area A Advisory Planning Commission and enjoys participating in events with the Native Plant Study Group, Cowichan Valley Naturalists, Cowichan Valley Camera Club, Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve, Mill Bay Garden Club and Cowichan Green Community among others.
• Top three issues: Local control and protection of watersheds, Removing feedlots from wild salmon migration routes, Creating sustainable local jobs.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
B.C. CONSERVATIVES: Damir Wallener
wallener2013.com
twitter.com/DamirWallener
facebook.com/damir.wallener
• Age: 47
• Occupation: Technology Industry Veteran
• Previous elected experience: None
• Community involvement: Our family is transforming a disused acreage into productive agricultural land, and establishing a micro-distillery dedicated to using local ingredients. We have active engagements in the local autism and homeschooling communities, and my wife is a long time member and leader in La Leche League.
• Top three issues: Improved employment prospects for Cowichan Valley residents (especially youth), more local control over local resources (ie, control over our watershed), and improvements to K-12 education, particularly for Special Education.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
INDEPENDENT: Heather Campbell
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2009 election results
1. Bill Routley (NDP) — 12,548 votes, 48.40% of total vote
2. Cathy Basskin (Liberal) — 9.258 votes, 35.71% of total vote
3. Simon Lindley (Green) — 3,058 votes, $11.79% of total vote
* riding was created in 2009 after redistribution
Riding statistics
• Population (2011): 57,530
• Median age: 46.3 (B.C. average 41.9)
• Percentage of people younger than 15: 16.6% (B.C. average 14.6%)
• Seniors in private households: 10,260 or 17.8% of population (B.C. average 14.6%)
• Residents whose mother tongue is an unofficial language: 6.8% (B.C. average 26.2%)
• Top unofficial languages: German (835), Punjabi(585), Dutch (535)
• Average household income, before tax (2006): $62,359 (B.C. average $67,675)
(Source: Statistics Canada)
If you are aware of errors or omissions in this article, please email the editor.
>> Back to B.C. ELECTION PAGE
