The riding
NDP Leader John Horgan was first elected in 2005 and dominated the Juan de Fuca riding in 2009, 2013 and 2017. He is seeking a fifth term in office. Also running are Highlands councillor Gord Baird for the Greens, digital marketing entrepreneur Kelly Darwin for the Liberals, and Tyson Strandlund, who ran in Esquimalt-Metchosin in 2017, for the Communist Party.
2017 results
• NDP — John Horgan 13,224 (52.75 per cent)
• Liberal — Cathy Noel 6,544 (26.10 per cent)
• Green — Brendan Ralfs 4,795 (19.13 per cent)
• Libertarian Scott Burton — 262 (1.05 per cent)
• Vancouver Island Party — Willie Nelson 242 (0.97 per cent)
• Voter turnout: 62 per cent
Gord Baird, Green
Born in Victoria, lives in Highlands, 51. Married with two children. Municipal councillor in Highlands; co-owner of Eco-Sense Living; educator, author, homesteader, innovator.
Making a difference: Shared commitment to sustainable communities and homes, making presentations, leading workshops on food, water, energy and buildings, and giving tours of “Eco-Sense” home. Helped build (and continue to clean) a cob public washroom with composting toilet, solar system, living roof and earthen floors.
Main issue: “The main issue in my riding is the same as in all ridings: lack of serious action on the climate emergency. Stepping up on behalf of our children and grandchildren is the least I can do.”
Kelly Darwin, Liberal
Age 34, didn’t give birthplace. Has one son. Longtime resident of riding. Owns a marketing agency.
Making a difference: As a member of board of Westshore Chamber of Commerce, helped small businesses. Made a difference to families at Belmont Secondary as executive of parent advisory council, helping to get funding for extracurricular activities.
Main issue: Transportation. At times we are held captive by the Malahat to the north and at other times we spend far too long trying to travel around the West Shore and to downtown to the south. “What we need is a multi-solution approach that will most certainly include land, sea and rail.”
John Horgan, NDP (incumbent)
Born in Victoria, lives in Langford. Age 61, married with two sons. MLA since 2005, premier since 2017.
Making a difference: Cites the NDP government’s investments in the riding, including purchasing land and building new schools, adding daycase spaces, creating two urgent primary care clinics, and upgrading Highway 14 and the Trans-Canada Highway.
Main issue: “The COVID-19 pandemic has people concerned about their future. They’re worried about their health, the health of their families and the financial impacts this pandemic has had on households and businesses.” Affordability is also an issue.
Tyson Riel Strandlund, Communist
Age 28, grew up in Langford, lives in Esquimalt. Not married, no children (“Who can afford either in this economy anyways?”). Graduate student at UVic.
Making a difference: Organized student strikes, anti-war and anti-racist rallies, supported striking workers, stood in solidarity with Indigenous youth during occupation of legislature.
Main issue: “There are many issues in the riding, all of which reflect the decaying state and contradictions of capitalism, and which cannot be solved without the implementation of a socialist system in which working people, not the rich, chart the course — a real democracy. In the meantime, working people need urgent assistance in the face of the pandemic and the economic crisis, catalyzed, but not caused by COVID-19.”
