Riding description
NDP MLA Lana Popham is looking for a second term in office in a swing riding she barely won in 2009. Popham, an organic farmer, is the Opposition agriculture critic.
She’s facing Liberal Rishi Sharma, an assistant to former multiculturalism minister John Yap.
Yap was forced to resign his seat in 2013 for his part of a multicultural ethnic outreach scandal, which inappropriately used taxpayer resources for Liberal party work. However, Sharma was not implicated in the resulting investigating.
The riding is relatively affluent, and also contains a higher-than-average percentage of seniors and immigrants.
Saanich South includes the District of Saanich, Cordova Bay, Elk/Beaver Lake, Prospect Lake, and Willis Point.
Candidates
B.C. NDP: Lana Popham (incumbent)
www.lanapopham.bcndp.ca
twitter.com/lanapopham
www.facebook.com/LanaPophamSaanichSouth
• Age: 44
• Previous elected experience: MLA Saanich South, 2009-2013
• Community involvement: Agriculture critic for Official Opposition from 2009-2013; Spearheaded local initiatives such as safety improvements to the intersection at Pat Bay Highway and Sayward Road; Championed provincial initiatives like the Buy BC program; Background in organic farming and business.
• Top three issues: Agriculture, health care, economic development
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GREEN PARTY OF B.C.: Branko Mustafovic
www.greensaanich.ca
twitter.com/greensaanich
facebook.com/greensaanich
• Age: 39
• Occupation: Commercial Photographer, Chef, Artist
• Previous elected experience: None
• Community involvement: Founder of Mentorship Connects, Non-Profit Artist Mentorship Program; Former Referee, Island Basketball Referee Association;Former Executive Chef, SD 61,62 School Lunch Program
• Top three issues: Local Business and Local Economy, Seniors Care and Accessibility, Education
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B.C. LIBERALS: Rishi Sharma
www.RishiforSaanich.com
twitter.com/Rishi4MLA
facebook.com/Rishi4Saanich
• Age: 37
• Occupation: I took a leave from the job I love, serving as a Ministerial Assistant, to run in this campaign. So my full-time focus right now is on the residents of Saanich South-hearing their concerns, understanding their needs, and figuring out how I can work with them to make their vision for the riding a reality.
• Previous elected experience: None, but I bring 13 years of experience as a veteran political aide to the B.C. Provincial Legislature. In that time, I've gained experience in a variety of areas including seniors' issues, the environment, innovation and technology, and post-secondary education. I know how to get things done, and that makes me an effective advocate for my community.
• Community involvement: I believe in giving back to my community. Some folks thought I took it too far when I donated my house to Habitat for Humanity! But it made sense to me. It reinforced what my parents taught me: to reuse instead of throwing away, and to help others in need.
• Top three issues: Creating jobs, growing the economy while protecting the environment, and bringing customer service back to Saanich South.
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B.C. CONSERVATIVES: Joshua Galbraith
http://www.bcconservative.ca/team/joshua-galbraith-saanich-south/
• Age: 23
• Occupation: Recently graduated student
• Previous elected experience: None
• Community involvement Travelled and worked around the world, with time spent in South America, Ottawa, and B.C. Sought to be an active member of his community through his church, and by previously joining clubs in the university.
• Top three issues: Trust and Accountability in Government, Economy, Intergenerational Responsibility
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INDEPENDENT: Peter Kappel
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2009 election results
1. Lana Popham (NDP) – 11,697 votes, 47.14% of total vote
2. Robin Adair (Liberal) – 11,215 votes, 45.20% of total vote
3 Brian Gordon (Green) – 1,561 votes, 6.71% of total vote
2005 election results
1. David Cubberley (NDP) – 12,809 votes, 46.08% of total vote
2. Susan Brice (Liberal) – 12,380 votes, 44.54% of total vote
3. Brandon McIntyre (Green) – 2,018 votes, 7.26% of total vote
2001 election results
1. Susan Brice (Liberal) – 12,699 votes, 52.17% of total vote
2. David Cubberley (NDP) – 6,838 votes, 28.09% of total vote
3. Gracie MacDonald (Green) – 3,823 votes, 15.70% of total vote
Riding statistics
• Population (2011): 50,830
• Median age: 45.5 (B.C. average 41.9)
• Percentage of people younger than 15: 14.2% (B.C. average 14.6%)
• Seniors in private households: 9,070, or 17.8% of population (B.C. average 14.6%)
• Residents whose mother tongue is an unofficial language: 16.4% (B.C. average 26.2%)
• Top unofficial languages: Chinese (915), Cantonese (680), German (655)
• Average household income, before tax (2006): $80,967 (B.C. average $67,675)
(Statistics Canada)
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