Nanaimo–Ladysmith (BC) 195/338

 Nanaimo–Ladysmith (BC)

Today we're back on Vancouver Island with Nanaimo–Ladysmith!

Nanaimo–Ladysmith has existed as a riding since the 2012 redistribution, created from Nanaimo—Alberni and Nanaimo—Cowichan. The population of the riding was 134,509 in 2021. The riding contains the communities of Nanaimo (99,863 in 2021), Ladysmith (8,990 in 2021), and Lantzville (3,817 in 2021).

Politically, this was one of the closest races in 2021 as well as one of the lowest vote shares for a winner. Once an NDP stronghold, the Greens took it in a by-election in 2019 and held it that year in the general election. However, the NDP rose due to the faltering Greens, causing them to win and the Conservatives place second in a riding they have historically done well. This seat is currently held by NDP MP Lisa Marie Barron.

Provincially, the MLA for Nanaimo is the former MP for Nanaimo–Ladysmith, from 2015-2019. She was elected in a by-election to represent Nanaimo, given a parliamentary secretary role in July 2019, and elevated to cabinet after the 2020 election. She was made minister of mental health and addictions. On the day this was posted (May 31st, 2022), BC became the first jurisdiction in North America to decriminalize simple possession of illicit drugs, up to 2.5 grams. There is still a long way to go and the announcement is 2 grams below what the BC government was wishing, but it is a step in the right direction in a province ravaged by the overdose crisis. In 2019, this seat was 20/42 in BC and 86/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is great, Ladysmith is on the southeast of the riding, good reason to mention it. The shape is good, BC's regional district shapes are a bit wonky, but at least they're followed here. As for individuality, definitely quite individual, but it is on Vancouver Island, it's a miracle (or a curse) the Greens didn't win any other seats on Vancouver Island in 2019.

Tomorrow we'll be in Nepean for the penultimate day of the Ontario election!