Riding description
One of the most interesting races in the entire province is set to unfold in this quiet affluent riding.
Liberal cabinet minister Ida Chong is fighting for her political life after four terms in office.
Chong only defeated NDP candidate Jessica Van der Veen by 561 votes in 2009, and Van der Veen, a local arts and heritage advocate, is returning to challenge her again.
The wild card is B.C. Green candidate Andrew Weaver, a well-known University of Victoria professor who contributed to the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize on climate change.
Weaver is widely considered his party’s best hope for a seat in the legislature.
A strong showing for the Greens has the potential to pull support from the NDP and Liberals and tilt the riding’s results.
Candidates
B.C. LIBERALS: Ida Chong (incumbent)
idachong.com
twitter.com/ida_chong
facebook.com/idachong2013
• Age: 50+
• Occupation: Professional accountant and MLA
• Previouse elected experience: Saanich municipal councillor (1993-1996); MLA Oak Bay Gordon Head (1996-present)
• Community involvement: Previously, I have volunteered for several not-for-profits such as the United Way, Victoria Chinese Commerce Assoc., and Victoria Dragon Boat Races. Also, served on several committees of the Certified General Accountants Assoc. of BC. During my time as MLA voluteered for Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Breat Cancer Assoc., Terry Fox Run and continue to support many other charities.
• Top three issues: 1. Ensure redevelopment of Oak Bay High School; 2. Grow BC's economy to secure jobs for families; 3. Promoting healthy living and public safety with public transit and recreational opportunities
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B.C. NDP: Jessica Van der Veen
jessicavanderveen.bcndp.ca
twitter.com/jessicavdv
facebook.com/VanderVeenNDP
• Age: 53
• Occupation: Former actor and director. Founder of LANDS! (Let’s Agree Not to Dispose of Schools!)
• Previous elected experience: BC NDP candidate for Oak Bay-Gordon Head in 2009
• Community involvement: Founder of LANDS (protecting public school lands from being sold off); Campaigned to keep Oak Bay Lodge and Mt. Tolmie Hospital in public hands; Former board co-chair, Mary Manning Centre (Child Abuse Prevention & Counselling Society of Greater Victoria); Member, CRD Arts Advisory Council; Member, Rotary Club of Oak Bay.
• Top three issues: Public education and skills training. Quality of life and care for our seniors. Protecting our coastline from oil spills.
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GREEN PARTY OF B.C.: Andrew Weaver
voteweaver.ca
twitter.com/AJWVictoriaBC
facebook.com/AndrewWeaverBC
• Age: 51
• Occupation: Lansdowne Professor and Canada Research Chair, University of Victoria
• Previous elected experience: President Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (2003-04); President, UVic Faculty Association (2004-05); variety of national and international scientific committees and organizations.
• Community involvement: Coached Soccer at Saanich Fusion (Gordon Head) since 2004; established victoriaweather.ca school weather station project; served on CRD Roundtable on the Environment 2003-04 & 2010-2012; President Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (2003-04); hosted numerous school field trips and given many school & public presentations on science; served on numerous provincial, national & international committees & associations.
• Top three issues: Economy, health, environment
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B.C. CONSERVATIVES: Greg Kazakoff
bcconservative.ca/
twitter.com/GregKCA
facebook.com/gregory.kazakoff
• Age: 63
• Occupation: Chartered Accountant
• Previous elected experience: None
• Community involvement: Federal Government Certificate of Merit for volunteer contributions to the Canadian charitable community; nominated for a Citation for Citizenship for volunteer work with the Inuit of the eastern arctic; nominated for Order of BC for extensive volunteer work with charities on South Vancouver Island; past volunteer Community Advisor for the Victoria Foundation; past treasurer for Surrounded by Cedar Director and Chair of Strategic Partnerships Committee for the Financial Management Institute of Canada; Provided volunteer services for so many charities that I would need many pages to list them all.
• Top three issues: Restoring citizens faith in government; Fiscal responsibility; Fostering economic growth
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2009 election results
1. Ida Chong (Liberal) — 11,877 votes, 46.53% of total vote
2. Jessica Van der Veen (NDP) — 11,316 votes, 44.34% of total vote
3. Steven Johns (Green) — 2,330 votes, 9.13% of total vote
2005 election results
1. Ida Chong (Liberal) — 13,433 votes, 47.52% of total vote
2. Charley Beresford (NDP) — 12,016 votes, 42.47% of total vote
3. Stephen Hender (Green) — 2,379 votes, 8.41% of total vote
2001 election results
1. Ida Chong (Liberal) — 14,588 votes, 57.31% of total vote
2. Charley Beresford (NDP) — 5,789 votes, 22.74% of total vote
3. Christin Geall (Green) — 4,666 votes, 18.33% of total vote
Riding statistics
• Population (2011): 48,875
• Median age: 47.3 (B.C. average 41.9)
• Percentage of people younger than 15: 13.3% (B.C. average 14.6%)
• Seniors in private households: 10,205, or 20.9% of population (B.C. average 14.6%)
• Residents whose mother tongue is an unofficial language: 18% (B.C. average 26.2%)
• Top unofficial languages: Chinese (1,400), Mandarin (840), German (715)
• Average household income, before tax (2006): $90,526 (B.C. average $67,675)
(Source: Statisics Canada)
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