91Ô­´´

Riding description

Paralympic gold medallist Michelle Stilwell is trying to hold this seat for the B.C. Liberals with the retirement of MLA Ron Cantelon.

Stilwell is considered a superstar candidate by the B.C. Liberals, but the dynamics of this riding don’t guarantee her victory.

Parksville-Qualicum has one of the highest concentrations of seniors in the province. That could be a positive for the upstart B.C. Conservatives, whose candidate, Dr. David Coupland, is a local specialist in radiology and nuclear medicine and part owner of Madrona Imaging Inc.

Former Qualicum Beach councillor Barry Avis is running for the NDP.

Candidates

B.C. NDP: Barry Avis




• Age: 66
• Occupation: Former professional plant operations manager.
• Previous elected experience: Qualicum Beach Town Councillor for nine years.
• Community involvement: Former vice-chair of Association of 91Ô­´´ Island Coastal Communities, former Trustee - 91Ô­´´ Island Regional Library Board, Stream Keepers volunteer, literacy volunteer, Living Wage advocate, environmental activist and old-timers hockey player.
• Top three issues: Community Health Care; Seniors Care; Protection of our Environment.

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B.C. LIBERALS: Michelle Stilwell

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• Age: 38
• Occupation: Paralympic gold medal athlete, motivational speaker, small business owner.
• Previous elected experience: None
• Community involvment: 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Champion, ambassador for Rick Hansen Foundation and ActNow BC, Measuring Up Parksville committee, coach, advocate for children with special needs and persons with disabilities. Served on multiple boards and committees. In 2012 awarded key to the City of Parksville and Diamond Jubilee medal. Married, mother to 11 year old son.
• Top three issues: Economically focused government, committed to fiscal prudence; Health-care issues affecting seniors and families; Children with special needs and persons with disabilities.

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B.C. CONSERVATIVES: David Coupland




• Age: 56
• Occupation: Medical Doctor Radiologist, Specialist
• Previous elected experience: None
• Community involvement: Volunteer Hospital and University Foundation Boards, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Coach School and Community Sports, 7-10 Club (provides meals to those in need).
• Top three issues: 1. Restoring Public Trust in Government; 2. Government Spending; 3. Economy vs Enviroment

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2009 election results

1. Ron Cantelon (Liberal) – 13,716 votes, 51.42% of total vote
2. Leanne Salter (NDP) – 10,136 votes, 38% of total vote
3. Wayne Osborne (Green) – 2,573 votes, 9.64% of total vote

2005 election results (Nanaimo-Parksville)

1. Ron Cantelon (Liberal) – 16,542 votes, 51.42% of total vote
2. Carol McNamee (NDP) – 12,432 votes, 38.65% of total vote
3. Jordan Ellis (Green) – 2,714 votes, 8.44% of total vote

2001 election results (Nanaimo-Parksville)

1. Judith Reid (Liberal) – 17,356 votes, 62.60% of total vote
2. Jamie Brennan (NDP) – 5,852 votes, 21.11% of total vote
3. Phil Caron (Green) – 3,192 votes, 11.51% of total vote

Riding statistics

• Population (2011):Ìý 51,950
• Median age: 56.5 (B.C. average 41.9)
• Percentage of people younger than 15: 10.4% (B.C. average 14.6%)
• Seniors in private households: 16,225, or 31.2% of population (B.C. average 14.6%)
• Residents whose mother tongue is an unofficial language: 9% (B.C. average 26.2%)
• Top unofficial languages:Ìý German (1,085), Dutch (525), Punjabi (260)
• Average household income, before tax (2006): $62,440 (B.C. average $67,675)
(Source: Statistics Canada)

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